World

Israel has taken over a buffer zone between Israel and Syria and says its forces will not withdraw until it is sure that residents of the Golan Heights border area will be secure. Half of these residents are from the Druze community, who worry about what the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime will mean for them and their family members on the Syrian side of the border. Linda Gradstein reports from the Golan Heights. VOA footage by Ricki Rosen.

Syria's former President Bashar al Assad has fled to Russia according to Russian state media. Following his ouster, Syrian rebels have taken control of key cities and forced government forces to surrender. As rebel groups consolidate control, what’s next for Syria? VOA’s Jackson M’vunganyi spoke to former United States Ambassador to Syria Ryan Crocker about the latest developments in the beleaguered country and on how is the United States posed to remain involved there in pursuit of democracy.