Following the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, books once banned under strict censorship laws are now being republished, allowing public access to Islamic, philosophical, and political works that were previously restricted.
Bookstore owners recalled years of repression, with security forces monitoring and detaining them over published materials. With the regime’s downfall, they say Syria is regaining intellectual freedom.
Speaking at the 13th Meeting of High Security Officials in Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that a new round of direct negotiations with Ukraine will be announced shortly. He recalled that Istanbul hosted the first round on May 16 and said Russia will continue to demand the repeal of laws in Ukraine that restrict the Russian language, culture, and the Russian-linked Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Lavrov reiterated that Ukraine’s neutral status remains a key demand in peace efforts.