Syrians in Damascus welcome the new year with optimism after the fall of Bashar Assad's government, while Beirut reflects on a country still reeling from war and ongoing crises. War-weary Palestinians in Gaza see little hope for an end to their suffering. The Middle East experienced a dramatic year in 2024, with calamity and hope across the region. Syrians hope for peace, security, and freedom of expression, while Palestinians in Gaza express despair and expect the worst. Lebanon, battered by economic collapse and political instability, hopes for a better future.