Shumita Basu

Al-Sharra is a former militant commander, and the world is watching to see how he answers fundamental questions about his country's future, its system of government, economic priorities, and how it manages relations with its neighbors, most notably Israel. But for a new leader replacing a brutal regime, confronting the past can be just as important.

The Washington Post's photojournalist Salwan Georges told us about how Bashar al-Assad's dictatorship cast a long shadow that people are struggling to emerge from.

The Washington Post's photojournalist Salwan Georges told us about how Bashar al-Assad's dictatorship cast a long shadow that people are struggling to emerge from.

The Washington Post's photojournalist Salwan Georges told us about how Bashar al-Assad's dictatorship cast a long shadow that people are struggling to emerge from.

Assad ruled Syria for nearly 25 years, and his father controlled the nation before him. This past December, when the Assad regime was toppled by rebel forces, jails were emptied of political prisoners, and journalists gained access to files that had been hoarded by the government surveillance apparatus. They learned who had informed on who and what details had been shared.

Assad ruled Syria for nearly 25 years, and his father controlled the nation before him. This past December, when the Assad regime was toppled by rebel forces, jails were emptied of political prisoners, and journalists gained access to files that had been hoarded by the government surveillance apparatus. They learned who had informed on who and what details had been shared.

Assad ruled Syria for nearly 25 years, and his father controlled the nation before him. This past December, when the Assad regime was toppled by rebel forces, jails were emptied of political prisoners, and journalists gained access to files that had been hoarded by the government surveillance apparatus. They learned who had informed on who and what details had been shared.

George has told us about a man named Abu Ayman, a baker whose neighbors say was an informant for the Assad regime during Syria's civil war. Abu Ayman has since left Syria for neighboring Lebanon, but his family who still lives there is dealing with the aftermath of the accusations, which Abu Ayman has denied.

George has told us about a man named Abu Ayman, a baker whose neighbors say was an informant for the Assad regime during Syria's civil war. Abu Ayman has since left Syria for neighboring Lebanon, but his family who still lives there is dealing with the aftermath of the accusations, which Abu Ayman has denied.

George has told us about a man named Abu Ayman, a baker whose neighbors say was an informant for the Assad regime during Syria's civil war. Abu Ayman has since left Syria for neighboring Lebanon, but his family who still lives there is dealing with the aftermath of the accusations, which Abu Ayman has denied.

One of Abu Ayman's sons told the Post he was shot at by neighbors who believe his father was responsible for the detention and torture of their family members.

One of Abu Ayman's sons told the Post he was shot at by neighbors who believe his father was responsible for the detention and torture of their family members.

One of Abu Ayman's sons told the Post he was shot at by neighbors who believe his father was responsible for the detention and torture of their family members.

In some cases, people who had been loyal to the regime tried to negotiate with their neighbors. One individual gave his apartment to rebel fighters. One family that a man blamed for his imprisonment showed up at his door to offer an expensive car.

In some cases, people who had been loyal to the regime tried to negotiate with their neighbors. One individual gave his apartment to rebel fighters. One family that a man blamed for his imprisonment showed up at his door to offer an expensive car.

In some cases, people who had been loyal to the regime tried to negotiate with their neighbors. One individual gave his apartment to rebel fighters. One family that a man blamed for his imprisonment showed up at his door to offer an expensive car.

Some of Georges' sources told him aligning with the previous regime wasn't presented as a choice, but as necessary for survival. Under the new president, the Syrian government has set up so-called reconciliation centers, places where former soldiers and intelligence agents can hand over their weapons in exchange for civilian ID cards.

Some of Georges' sources told him aligning with the previous regime wasn't presented as a choice, but as necessary for survival. Under the new president, the Syrian government has set up so-called reconciliation centers, places where former soldiers and intelligence agents can hand over their weapons in exchange for civilian ID cards.

Some of Georges' sources told him aligning with the previous regime wasn't presented as a choice, but as necessary for survival. Under the new president, the Syrian government has set up so-called reconciliation centers, places where former soldiers and intelligence agents can hand over their weapons in exchange for civilian ID cards.

But Georges told us it will take much more for true reconciliation to happen.