Home to the oldest cities in the world, Syria is an ancient country that has been shaped by waves of invasions over centuries. It has been influenced by Greeks, Romans, Arabs, European crusaders, Turks and the French. Its people are a mixture of distinct ethnic groups, whose loyalty often rests with their heritage rather than their country. Syria faces divisive challenges, and its leadership works to hold the country together at the same time as it carefully moves the nation forward.
