Jeremy Bowen

Senior Western diplomats fear that after the first phase of 42 days, the war could resume. The Gaza war has had immense consequences across the Middle East. It did not, as many feared, lead to a general war in the region. The Biden administration has claimed credit for that, but it has led to geostrategic upheaval. Hamas is still able to fight, but it's a shadow of what it was.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister have been accused of war crimes by the International Criminal Court. The International Court of Justice is investigating a case brought by South Africa accusing Israel of genocide. After Hezbollah in Lebanon intervened in the war, it was eventually crushed by an Israeli offensive.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister have been accused of war crimes by the International Criminal Court. The International Court of Justice is investigating a case brought by South Africa accusing Israel of genocide. After Hezbollah in Lebanon intervened in the war, it was eventually crushed by an Israeli offensive.

That was a factor that led to the collapse of the Assad regime in Syria. Iran and Israel exchanged direct attacks, weakening the Iranians. Their network of allies and proxies that they called the Axis of Resistance has been crippled. The Houthis in Yemen have halted much of the shipping between Europe and Asia that passes the Red Sea.

That was a factor that led to the collapse of the Assad regime in Syria. Iran and Israel exchanged direct attacks, weakening the Iranians. Their network of allies and proxies that they called the Axis of Resistance has been crippled. The Houthis in Yemen have halted much of the shipping between Europe and Asia that passes the Red Sea.

It remains to be seen whether they will keep their pledge to stop attacks now there's a ceasefire in Gaza. As for the long conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, it is as bitter as it has ever been. The ceasefire might, with luck, stop the killing. and get Israeli hostages and Palestinian detainees and prisoners back to their families.

It remains to be seen whether they will keep their pledge to stop attacks now there's a ceasefire in Gaza. As for the long conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, it is as bitter as it has ever been. The ceasefire might, with luck, stop the killing. and get Israeli hostages and Palestinian detainees and prisoners back to their families.

It does not end a conflict that is more than a century old.

It does not end a conflict that is more than a century old.

The de facto leader of Syria, Ahmad al-Sharra, chose to do the interview in the presidential palace built by the Assad's. He told me he wasn't surprised that the old regime collapsed so quickly. Syrians, he said, needed to keep calm to tackle all the problems they face. You've made a lot of promises.

The de facto leader of Syria, Ahmad al-Sharra, chose to do the interview in the presidential palace built by the Assad's. He told me he wasn't surprised that the old regime collapsed so quickly. Syrians, he said, needed to keep calm to tackle all the problems they face. You've made a lot of promises.

You've said that you'll respect the mosaic of different sectarian groups here in Syria, minorities as well. Are you going to keep those promises?

You've said that you'll respect the mosaic of different sectarian groups here in Syria, minorities as well. Are you going to keep those promises?

So this isn't going to be some kind of a caliphate or you're not going to make Syria into a country like Afghanistan because you know that there are people who say that maybe you want to behave like the Taliban.

So this isn't going to be some kind of a caliphate or you're not going to make Syria into a country like Afghanistan because you know that there are people who say that maybe you want to behave like the Taliban.

So the culture of Syria includes rights for women, it includes education for women, it includes tolerance for people drinking alcohol. Is that all acceptable to you?

So the culture of Syria includes rights for women, it includes education for women, it includes tolerance for people drinking alcohol. Is that all acceptable to you?

Let's talk about wider issues that you face. First of all, this country is broken. There is massive amount of destruction. The economy is destroyed. There are huge debts. How do you begin to start dealing with all of that when the country is under sanctions and when major powers around the world and the United Nations say that you are the leader of a terrorist group?

Let's talk about wider issues that you face. First of all, this country is broken. There is massive amount of destruction. The economy is destroyed. There are huge debts. How do you begin to start dealing with all of that when the country is under sanctions and when major powers around the world and the United Nations say that you are the leader of a terrorist group?

That's a political classification.