A BBC and NPR investigation found that U.S. and Lebanese authorities are allegedly protecting and financially supporting Bassam al-Hassan, a former Syrian general wanted for crimes against humanity who oversaw Assad’s chemical weapons program.

Hassan reportedly receives money and protection in Lebanon in exchange for intelligence about U.S. journalist Austin Tice, missing since 2012, and other Syrian military secrets.

The arrangement, believed to have begun in spring 2025, has reportedly made little progress in locating Tice.

Syria’s new government wants Hassan extradited for trial, but officials say the U.S. wants him to remain in Lebanon.

Source: BBC