SharePlusA joint investigation by the BBC and NPR has revealed that former Syrian general Bassam al-Hassan, wanted for crimes against humanity, is being protected and funded by US and Lebanese authorities. Hassan, who oversaw Syria's chemical weapons programme and served as a senior adviser to Bashar al-Assad, is being harboured in Lebanon in exchange for intelligence regarding the 2012 abduction of American journalist Austin Tice.
Syria has chosen Tawfik Sabouni’s documentary "The Other Side of the Sun" to represent the country in the best international feature film category at the 2027 Academy Awards. This marks Syria's first Oscar submission since the fall of Bashar Assad's regime in December 2024. The film follows director Tawfik Sabouni returning to Damascus after the regime's collapse to meet former detainees of the notorious Saidnaya prison. Utilizing reenactments within the prison, the documentary transforms memory into testimony regarding survival and resilience. Alongside the Oscar selection, the film secured U.S. distribution rights with Icarus Films. The selection highlights a new era for Syrian cinema under a newly formed committee accredited by the Academy.