Top Saudi Diplomat Meets Syria’s Bashar al-Assad in Damascus for 1st Time Since Start of War
Democracy NowMAR 28 2023
Lebanon, Syria Agree to Cease-fire After Deadly Border Clashes
Above: A group of people and members of the current Syrian army, formerly Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), celebrate the anniversary of the start of the revolution in Damascus, Syria on March 15, 2025. Image copyright: Ximena Borraz/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
Though Syria's new rulers are by no means saints, it is clear that Hezbollah is trying to take advantage of the new government's weakness. Hezbollah's losses during the recent war with Israel have been significantly compounded by the fall of the Assad regime, and now the group is in a corner. If Syria and the international community are not careful, it may work to destabilize Syria so that it could resurrect its supply line to Iran.
Narrative B
The media are running interference for Syria's new jihadist rulers by blaming Hezbollah for the recent border clashes. Hezbollah has no interest in antagonizing Syria's new regime, even though its fighters occupied and ransacked Hosh al-Sayyad Ali, which is in Lebanese territory. Thankfully, for once, the Lebanese army has deployed to defend Lebanon's borders.