🇺🇸🇸🇾⚡️ — Former Syrian general Bassam al-Hassan, who oversaw Bashar al-Assad's chemical weapons program and is wanted for crimes against humanity, is allegedly receiving financial support and protection from U.S. and Lebanese authorities while living in Lebanon, according to a joint BBC and NPR investigation.

The arrangement, involving the FBI, CIA, and Lebanese security officials, began in spring 2025 and provides Hassan with residency, protection, and living expenses in exchange for intelligence about missing American journalist Austin Tice and sensitive information concerning Syria's chemical weapons program and military ties with Iran.

Hassan, who played a role in Tice's 2012 abduction, told American investigators that the journalist had been executed on Assad's orders. However, a search of a suspected burial site identified by Hassan found no remains, raising questions about the reliability of his information. Sources say the investigation has made little progress despite the arrangement.

Syria's new government wants Hassan extradited to face trial, but Syrian officials say Washington is preventing his return by insisting he remain in Lebanon.

The investigation also found that other former Assad regime officials have allegedly received American financial assistance in exchange for information about Tice.