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 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 ...

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.

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.