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France 24
France 24
World
Nadia MASSIH

The rehabilitation of Assad? Syria's efforts to end regional isolation

MIDDLE EAST MATTERS © Firas Makdesi, Reuters

Is Bashar al-Assad's isolation on the world stage coming to an end? The Syrian dictator has been shunned by the international community since 2011, when his regime brutally crushed anti-government protests, triggering the civil war in Syria. But in recent months, a growing number of countries have been coordinating with Assad's government. Saudi Arabia is expected to invite Assad to the Arab League summit next month, 12 years after Syria was suspended from the organisation. Our Foreign Affairs Commentator Douglas Herbert tells us more.

Over in Iran, authorities have arrested a man who attacked two women with yoghurt, one of whom was not wearing her headscarf, in a video that has been seen by millions of people. However, both women have been detained as well, because they violated Iran's strict dress code. We take a closer look.

Also in this edition, we report on how women in Turkey's Hatay province are coping with the immense physical and psychological challenges after the devastating February 6 earthquake. The United Nations says it has only raised a quarter of the $1 billion it needs for relief and reconstruction, meaning that many families are still living in tents.

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