cover of episode Inside The Fall Of Syria’s Brutal Dictator

Inside The Fall Of Syria’s Brutal Dictator

2024/12/9
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Carlotta Gall
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Ruth Dendeshi
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Sabrina Tavernisi
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Sabrina Tavernisi：对叙利亚阿萨德政权垮台事件的概述，以及对未来局势的担忧。她强调了事件的突然性和重要性，并提出了一些关键问题，例如反对派力量的构成、未来权力斗争的可能性以及国际社会将如何应对这一变化。 Carlotta Gall：对叙利亚内战的历史、各方参与者的角色以及导致阿萨德政权垮台的因素进行了深入分析。她详细描述了反对派力量的崛起、俄罗斯和伊朗对阿萨德政权的支持、以及这些外部力量的战略转变如何为反对派创造了机会。她还对主要反对派组织Hayat Tahrir al-Sham（HTS）及其领导人进行了分析，并讨论了该组织的复杂性和其对叙利亚未来的潜在影响。此外，她还描述了叙利亚人民在阿萨德政权垮台后的复杂情绪，既有解放的喜悦，也有对未来不确定性的担忧。 Ruth Dendeshi：叙利亚民众对阿萨德政权垮台的庆祝和反应。她描述了街头庆祝活动的场景，并表达了对摆脱残酷统治的欣慰之情。 Sabrina Tavernisi: 对叙利亚局势的快速转变感到震惊，并希望Carlotta Gall能详细解释事件经过。她强调了事件的重要性，以及阿萨德家族长期以来对叙利亚的铁腕统治。 Carlotta Gall: 叙利亚反对派在短短几天内攻占了多个城市，最终导致阿萨德政权垮台。她详细描述了反对派力量的迅速推进，以及叙利亚军队溃败的场景。她还指出，阿萨德政权的垮台是阿拉伯之春运动的延续，以及叙利亚内战长期以来复杂的地缘政治背景。 Ruth Dendeshi: 叙利亚民众对阿萨德政权垮台的庆祝和反应。她描述了街头庆祝活动的场景，并表达了对摆脱残酷统治的欣慰之情。

Deep Dive

Key Insights

Why did the regime of Bashar al-Assad in Syria collapse?

The regime's collapse was due to weakened support from its main backers, Russia and Iran, who were distracted by their own conflicts in Ukraine and Israel, respectively. This allowed rebel forces to capitalize on the weakened resistance and launch a swift offensive.

Who are the main rebel forces that toppled Assad?

The main rebel group is Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), led by Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, a former al-Qaeda member who has rebranded his group as a Syrian nationalist force.

What are the immediate concerns for Syrians after the fall of Assad?

Syrians are celebrating the liberation but fear potential chaos and renewed conflict among different ethnic groups or over resources like oil fields.

How has the international community reacted to the fall of Assad?

Countries like Turkey, Iran, Israel, and Russia are all asserting their interests in Syria, leading to a complex geopolitical situation. The U.S. has also carried out airstrikes to prevent ISIS from regrouping.

What is the background of Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, the leader of HTS?

Jolani is a Saudi-born Syrian who joined al-Qaeda and fought against the U.S. in Iraq. He was arrested and spent time in the infamous Buka Jail before returning to Syria to lead a jihadist group that later rebranded itself as a nationalist force.

What role did external powers play in the Syrian civil war?

Russia and Iran heavily supported Assad, providing military and strategic assistance. The U.S. intervened to combat ISIS, while other regional powers like Turkey and Israel also became involved.

How did the Syrian civil war start?

The war began as part of the Arab Spring uprisings in 2011, with protests demanding democracy and human rights. The Assad government's violent crackdown led to an armed insurgency and eventually a full-scale civil war.

What are the humanitarian impacts of the Syrian civil war?

The war has resulted in over 400,000 deaths, 14 million refugees, and widespread displacement. The conflict has also led to severe economic and social devastation.

Shownotes Transcript

Syria has been controlled by one family for more than half a century who ruled by repression, devastation and violence.

But about two weeks ago, the regime began to falter, and then over the course of one night, it collapsed.

Carlotta Gall, a senior correspondent for The New York Times, discusses the fall of Bashar al-Assad and what comes next.

Guest: Carlotta Gall), a senior correspondent for The New York Times, focusing on the human aspect of wars and civil strife.

Background reading: 

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily). Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

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