Syrians celebrated their liberation from Assad’s repressive and corrupt government. But the country’s future remains uncertain. [Atlantic Council]

Uncertain optimism for Syria as the Assad regime ends

STORY BY STEPHEN J. THORNE

Rebel fighters ended the Assad family’s brutal 54-year dictatorship in Syria on Dec. 8, 2024, concluding a civil war by taking the capital Damascus and sending President Bashar al-Assad fleeing into exile in Moscow.

Syrians were jubilant. An exploitive and ruthless regime had been deposed. Censorship, surveillance and repression were apparently stopped. Exiles returned. Political prisoners were freed. The prospect that Syria, the third most-sanctioned country, could reclaim its place in the world suddenly seemed attainable.

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‘A’ Company Sergeant-Major John Osborn earned the only Victoria Cross for actions during the Battle of Hong Kong. [Wikimedia]

Remembering John Osborn, V.C.

STORY BY ALEX BOWERS

By Dec. 19, 1941, the Battle of Hong Kong had been raging for well over 10 days. The Canadians of ‘C’ Force, together with troops from the British Army, British Indian Army and the Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps, were still attempting to withstand a seemingly incessant tide of Japanese assaults. They would lose.

That same day, The Winnipeg Grenadiers suffered a blow when fighting near the centrally located Wong Nei Chong Gap took out the Canadian commander, Brigadier John K. Lawson. He would be the most senior ranking Canadian killed during the battle. Still, the Grenadiers pushed on.

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