Syria (MNN) — Syria’s first parliamentary elections since the former Assad regime fell are set for this weekend. “Anytime there’s an election in our part of the world, it’s always a little spicy,” says Samuel* from Redemptive Stories. Two-thirds of the 210-member parliament will be elected, but one-third will be appointed directly by President Ahmed al-Sharaa. Both Israel and the U.S. have a military presence and differing goals they would like to see achieved in Syria. Samuel explains that the flood of young people and families who left Syria during the nation’s civil war created a significant gap.