In 2011, Bashar al-Assad and his government briefly looked like another domino about to fall in the whirlwind of pro-democracy revolts sweeping the Middle East. On May 7, 2023, the Arab League welcomed back Syria's government, ending a more than decade-long suspension and securing al-Assad's return to the Arab fold after years of isolation. A RECAP OF SYRIAN WAR 2011-2020 FILE IMAGES [SHORT VERSION OF VIDI9472K4_EN]