President Biden said the U.S. is prepared to work with Syrians as they try to create a new government. But President-elect Trump is sounding a different note.

Syria's new rulers are forming a government after more than half a century of dictatorship under former leader Bashar al-Assad and his father.

NPR's Michel Martin talks to Russian historian Sergey Radchenko about what happens to Russia's sphere of influence in the Middle East with Assad gone.

Syrian rebels have overturned one of the oldest dictatorships in the world. It has been a long struggle, including more than a decade of civil war. But it all began in 2011, during the Arab Spring.

Michel Martin is the weekend host of All Things Considered, where she draws on her deep reporting and interviewing experience to dig in to the week's news. Outside the studio, she has also hosted ...

NPR's Jane Arraf has just crossed over the Jordanian border into Syria, and she is with us now. Jane, good morning. JANE ARRAF, BYLINE: Good morning, Michel. MARTIN: So I understand that you've ...

President Biden said Sunday the U.S. is prepared to work with Syrians as they try to create a new government. LEILA FADEL, HOST: Yeah, President-elect Trump is sounding a different note.

Good morning, professor. SERGEY RADCHENKO: Morning. MARTIN: So I'm going to ask you to remind us how or maybe why Syria and Russia became close allies to begin with. RADCHENKO: So that's a long story.