Monday marks one year since the autocratic regime of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad collapsed. The current interim government is contending with many challenges, such as a national divide that became worse during the long civil war.
Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa was a leader of an anti-government force. He has been spearheading nation-building efforts. The Assad family's authoritarian rule over the country lasted for more than half a century.
The interim president has also been trying to restore Syria's international standing and build relations with other countries.
Sharaa delivered a speech at the UN General Assembly in September. He was the first Syrian president to do so in about 60 years. During the past year, he also met with US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
However, the Syrian people are sharply divided, due to Assad-era government crackdowns and more than a decade of civil war.
A human rights group says more than 110,000 of the people detained by the Assad regime during the internal conflict are missing.
There has also been a succession of assaults against minority groups in Syria. The Islamic sect that Assad belonged to was among those targeted.
Syria also has strained relations with neighboring countries. Turkey is in de facto control of part of northern Syria, and Israel has military forces stationed in a buffer zone on the border with Syria.

Quiz 1:
Who delivered a speech at the UN General Assembly in September?
A. Former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad
B. The current interim government of Syria
C. Ahmed al-Sharaa, the interim President of Syria
D. Vladimir Putin, Russian President

Quiz 2:
How long did the Assad family rule over Syria?
A. Less than a decade
B. More than half a century
C. About 60 years
D. A few years in the 21st century

Quiz 3:
Which of the following is true about Turkey and Syria?
A. Turkey has military forces stationed in a buffer zone on the border with Syria, but it does not control any part of northern Syria.
B. Syria has military forces stationed in a buffer zone on the border with Turkey.
C. Syria is in de facto control of part of northern Syria, and Turkey has military forces stationed in a buffer zone on the border with Syria.
D. Turkey and Syria have no issues related to their borders.

[Answer block]
Answers:
Quiz 1: C
Quiz 2: B
Quiz 3: C