Shock, followed by fear, followed by a glimmer of hope that can change everything. Those were the feelings that overtook Benita Kasbo, 47, on Dec. 8, 2024, the day her country of Syria became free.

Syria. ‘Halawet’ means sweetness in Arabic, while ‘el-jeben’ means cheese. Credit: Racha Abou Alchamat This dessert, infused with orange blossom water, is prepared with semolina and cheese ...