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Flash villas, cars and drugs: Assad's legacy in Latakia

The article from MSN discusses the transformation of Latakia, Syria, under the Assad regime, highlighting the stark contrast between the opulence enjoyed by some and the widespread poverty affecting many. It describes how, amidst Syria's ongoing civil war, Latakia has become a haven for the elite, showcasing luxury villas, high-end cars, and a burgeoning drug trade, particularly in Captagon, which has become a significant source of income for the regime. The city, once a modest coastal town, now features extravagant displays of wealth, including a yacht club and a marina, while the local economy is propped up by corruption, smuggling, and the drug trade. This prosperity, however, is not shared by all; many residents live in poverty, with the article noting the presence of shantytowns and the economic disparity fueled by the regime's policies and the war's economic impacts. The legacy of Assad in Latakia is thus portrayed as one of stark inequality, where the benefits of the regime's control are unevenly distributed, leaving a city divided by wealth and opportunity.

Read the Full MSN Article at:
[ https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/government/flash-villas-cars-and-drugs-assad-s-legacy-in-latakia/ar-AA1vWsGg ]