On December 8, 2024, the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad officially came to an end as opposition forces descended upon the capital city of Damascus, forcing his retreat. Over 24 years, Assad’s rule was notorious for its domestic violence, political imprisonment, and dictatorial repression. Yet what Assad will most be remembered for, was the perpetuation of a civil war that began in the aftermath of Arab Spring protests that first began in Syria on March 15, 2011. Mass murder, chemical weapons, and refugees have become synonymous with more than a decade of continuous violence. As a new Syrian president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, assumed office in January 2025, the country’s population and transitional government face the challenge of looking back at the past two decades and finding a way to resolve sectarian grievances, assure minority rights, and form a shared government.

This roundtable marks a moment for historians and practitioners to look back at those same decades and discuss legacies and lessons learned, as well as engage with topics like historical memory, urban landscapes, and women’s rights. The group being convened is drawn together from around the world, including Syria, and represents scholars, journalists, and activists. Historian Yusri Kahizran will discuss the Druze community in Syrian and the Levant. Lina Chawaf, a pioneering Syrian journalist, will bring voice to women in Syria, focusing on the decades-long history of gender violence. Joel Veldkamp, a historian and human rights advocate, will discuss the issue of religious minorities played out during Syria's independence struggle, and how those same dynamics continue to shape Syria in the wake of Assad's fall. Asher Orkaby, author of a new book on Mideast chemical warfare, will discuss Assad’s use of chemical weapons against Syrian civilians and the failure of redline enforcements. Anas Soufan, a Syrian professor of architecture, will discuss historical memory and the ancient urban landscape in Damascus. Robert Rabil, a Near Eastern Studies specialist, will offer general observations about how the Assad regime and the civil war impacted regional dynamics. And finally, David Lesch, the author of one of the most foundational books on modern Syrian history will discuss Assad's decision-making before and during the civil war, and the paths that helped lead to his ultimate removal from power.