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.

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.

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.

Rebel insurgents swept into Hama as the Syrian army withdrew. The move puts the rebel fighters even closer to the Syrian capitol Damascus, and deals another blow to President Bashar Assad.

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.

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. KUOW is Seattle’s NPR news station.

So, Michel, for years ... they'll be inching closer to the Syrian government's seat of power. MARTIN: That is NPR's Hadeel Al-Shalchi. Hadeel, thank you. AL-SHALCHI: You're welcome.