The Beiruter

Syria held its first elections since Assad’s fall, testing the interim government amid limited voting and low minority representation.

Lebanon is seizing the post-Assad transition in Syria to demand long-delayed accountability for political assassinations, from Bachir Gemayel in 1982 to Rafik Hariri in 2005, that shaped its modern history.

A fragile diplomatic opening raises hopes for peace with Syria and Lebanon, but mistrust and outside influence cloud its prospects.

Only 500,000 of the 2 million Syrians exiled abroad have returned home, according to UNHCR figures.