Podcasts about sectarian

Brought to you by UP! The Bank That's Got Young Aussies' Backs...Oliver Percovich is a skater from Melbourne, Australia, who founded Skateistan, a hugely successful not-for-profit that started in Kabul, Afghanistan, before spreading throughout the Middle East and all over the world. Follow Skateistan and contribute to their cause by visiting their website. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The "Death of Woke" Narrative Is a Lie Cardio Miracle, Learn More! - https://cardiomiracle.com/?ref=t4Hpzrm3 Alive and Intelligent Substack - https://aliveandintelligent.substack.com Warriors Of Teancum Men's Retreat- https://www.cwicmedia.com/warriors-of... Greg reacts to political violence, campus radicalism, anti-Semitism, and the next stage of cultural revolution Why progressive movements always retreat, regroup, and push further the next time Tyler Cowen says something worse is coming. Greg argues it's the same revolution wearing a new mask Wokeism Was Never About Equity The Dialectic Never Stops Cwic Media Website: http://www.cwicmedia.com  

Bill Roggio and Bridget Toomey report that Iraq's new government remains incomplete with nine ministries vacant due to sectarian disputes. Washington refuses to cooperate if these posts are filled by members of Iran-backed, US-designated terrorist militia groups. (4/16)1969

Today's HeadlinesLebanon seeks U.S. pressure on Israel ahead of peace talksRenewed attacks leave Colombians searching for hopeLoving the hard to love: Lessons from addiction ministry

1/3: Preview for Later Today: Abdul-Husain explains Iraq's sectarian power-sharing system where the Prime Minister is Shia, Speaker is Sunni, and President is Kurdish, highlighting the internal Shia primary.

The 2006 execution of Saddam Hussein is characterized as "victor's justice," allowing the former dictator to appear dignified compared to his petty, sectarian captors. Prime Minister Maliki deepened sectarian wounds, while "the Sada" became a notorious dumping ground for the bodies of kidnapped Sunnis. As the first civil war ended, the middle class began a mass exodus, leaving Iraq's future in the hands of increasingly corrupt and violent factions. (4)1930 BAGHDAD 

By 2011, Baghdad was physically transformed by concrete blast walls institutionalizing sectarian division. Abdul-Ahadcritiques Maliki's government for hollowing out the military through systemic corruption, turning units into "money-making machines." The failure of the 2012 "Friday of Anger" protests and the spillover of the Syrian civil war allowed ISIS to masquerade as "liberators" in Sunni cities like Mosul, exploiting deep-seated grievances against the oppressive central government. (5)1918 BAGHDAD

In 2019, the Tishreen uprising saw a young, trans-sectarian generation denounce the "kleptocratic elite" and government corruption. Despite brutal state violence that killed hundreds, the protests represented a rare moment of unity as Shia youth challenged their own religious and political leaders, with women playing an unprecedented role. Abdul-Ahadconcludes that while major violence has subsided, Iraq lacks true peace and accountability for the warlords and politicians who oversaw twenty years of devastation. (8)1939 MARTYR'S BRIDGE

(0:00) introduction(1:19) Sahil Adeem's welcome and importance of IPS(4:09) Six-month thesis and student accountability(16:34) Upcoming teacher and operations session(17:05) Course duration, schedule, and lecture timings(18:40) Main objective of the Islamic Political System course(20:56) Why Batch 1 is titled Al-Isra(21:47) Surah Al-Isra and political transformation(26:57) Full course structure overview(27:41) Foundational studies explained(33:08) Semester 1 subjects(39:34) Semester 2 subjects(42:51) Monthly sessions and research preparation(46:18) Learning outcomes of the course(50:42) Faculty introduction and subject specialists(57:21) Q&A session begins(58:03) Research project guidance and supervision(1:02:09) Recordings and political tafseer question(1:04:27) Modern political theories and present-day application(1:09:00) Islamic economics within the system(1:10:30) Sectarian alignment and political unity(1:13:13) Teacher accessibility and student support(1:18:23) Prerequisites and who can join(1:20:27) Why the research paper matters(1:23:40) Blueprint, specialization, and student profiling(1:28:12) Individual vs group research project(1:30:28) Difference between IEF and IPS methodology(1:33:48) Historical decline after Khilafah Rashidah(1:38:29) Closing remarks and next session info Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gerry Adams features heavily in now declassified documents and reveal that the British considered him, along with Martin McGuinness, to be the leaders of republicanism. Mr Adams denies ever being a member of the IRA, but a formerly secret document includes a claim that he was re-elected to the Army Council in 1996. Another document records a former IRA man, then a member of the Workers Party telling the Government that he was told by Adams in Long Kesh that he would be prepared ‘to wade up to my knees in Protestant blood to a united Ireland' - something Adams says he never said or believed. The Belfast Telegraph's Northern Ireland Editor, Sam McBride, joins Ciarán Dunbar on the BelTel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Abdul-Ahad recounts Saddam's trial, the vengeful execution, the horror of sectarian dumping grounds, and the resulting mass exodus of Iraqis fleeing the country's ongoing violence. 4.1919

Abdul-Ahad describes the 2019 Tishreen uprising, where youth and women united against a kleptocratic elite, seeking accountability and an end to the corrupt sectarian system. 8.ISFAHAN

Abdul-Ahad explores the Sunni insurgency, tensions between nationalists and foreign jihadis, and the humiliation of occupation that fueled resistance and further sectarian violence in Iraq. 3.

Abdul-Ahad reflects on his militarized childhood, the cult of Saddam, and argues that sectarian conflict was a narrative imposed on Iraq after the 2003 invasion. 2.

It's election day in Gorton and Denton, and the polls are so tight it's impossible to call a winner. The campaign itself has been an ugly one, with each party accusing the other of dirty tricks and the Greens accused of “manipulating” an area with a large Muslim population in an attempt to divide the contest along religious lines. Telegraph columnist Allister Heath decries this “retrograde step towards sectarianism” as a “disaster for democracy”, as elections should be “decided on whether policies are good or bad, not whether you win the demographic war”.Elsewhere, Camilla and Tim reflect on damaging revelations by the Daily Telegraph that reveal a very different picture about Andrew Mountbatten Windsor's final visit to “say goodbye” to Jeffrey Epstein in New York in 2010.We want to hear from you! Email us at thedailyt@telegraph.co.uk or find @dailytpodcast on TikTok, Instagram and X► Sign up to our most popular newsletter, From the Editor. Look forward to receiving free-thinking comment and the day's biggest stories, every morning. telegraph.co.uk/fromtheeditorProducers: Lilian FawcettSenior Producer: John CadiganExecutive Producer: Charlotte SeligmanVideo Producer: Will WaltersStudio Operator: Meghan SearleSocial Producer: Nada AggourEditor: Camilla Tominey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

& Treasury gives Stormont £400m to ensure it can balance the books - but needs repaid.

Also, NI pubs call on Finance minister for rates help & callers on Nolan's tinted hair.

SECTARIAN WARFARE IN SYRIA Colleague Akmed Sharawari. Akmed Sharawari reports on escalating violence between Syria's Alawite minority and the central government led by former jihadist Al-Shara. He explains that regime remnants and Russian influence are fueling Alawite defiance, while Druze and Kurdish factions also resist integration, complicating US hopes for a stable, unified post-Assad state. NUMBER 5 1921 ALEPPO

Send us a textOne year ago, Syria changed forever. In this episode, we sit down with a leading expert on Syria to break down what has REALLY happened in the 12 months since rebel forces ousted former president Bashar al-Assad. Has life on the ground actually improved, or has a new kind of chaos replaced the old regime?Our Guests for this show were Abdulhamid Albazo and Abdulaziz Alawer.  We look beyond the headlines and ask: - Who is actually in charge in Syria today? - How are ordinary Syrians living under the new rebel-led government? - What happened to Assad loyalists, minorities, and former regime figures? - Is Syria safer now, or just differently dangerous? - How are the US, Russia, Iran, and neighboring countries responding? - What does all of this mean for the future of the Middle East?    Our guest brings on-the-ground knowledge, policy insight, and years of research on: - Rebel governance and security - The return (or non-return) of refugees- Sectarian tensions and ISIS remnants - The economy, reconstruction, and foreign influence    Subscribe for more in-depth conversations on global politics, war, and power: Oz Media – ozmedia313.com     JOIN THE DISCUSSION Do you think Syria is better or worse off after Assad? Comment: BETTER / WORSE / TOO EARLY TO TELL – and explain why.Follow us on social media:- Instagram: @motivateme313 or @ozmedia313- Website: ozmedia313.com- Facebook: ozmedia313-TikTok: @ozmedia313-Apple Podcast: ozmedia-Spotify Podcast: ozmediaThis show was sponsored by:-The Family Doc https://thefamilydocmi.com/-Juice Box Juiceboxblend.com-Holy Bowly http://www.myholybowly.com-Wingfellas thewingfellas.com-Hanley International Academy https://www.hanleyacademy.com-Malek Al-Kabob malekalkabob.com-Bayt Al Mocha https://baytalmocha.com/-Chill Box https://www.chillboxstore.com/-Royal Kabob https://www.royalkabob.com/-GEE Preparatory Academy https://www.gee-edu.com/schools/geepreparatory/index#SyriaAfterAssad #Syria #MiddleEast #Geopolitics #RegimeChange #Assad #CivilWar #GlobalPolitics #OZMedia   

Renewed sectarian anger grips parts of Syria. Alawite protesters confront government supporters and masked men attack security forces. Alawites say they're being marginalised. How serious is this latest threat to President al-Sharaa's effort to unify the country? In this episode: Fadel Abdulghany, Founder & Executive Director, Syrian Network for Human Rights. Gamal Mansour, Specialist, Comparative Politics and International Relations. Labib Nahhas, Director, Syrian Association for Citizens' Dignity. Host: Adrian Finighan Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

One year ago, Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad fled the country aboard a Russian military aircraft. Twelve months later, the country continues to grapple with the aftermath of more than a decade of conflict. The city of Homs was central to the Syrian revolution. But now, it appears trapped in a vicious cycle of sectarian violence. Despite promises of stability, attacks on Alawites are increasing and violence is escalating. Residents paint a picture of daily life marred by fear and the impunity of those responsible for attacks. FRANCE 24's Dana Alboz reports, with Lauren Bain.

A year has passed since Bashar Al Assad's government fell in Syria, marking the end of a brutal civil war that lasted for almost 14 years. In the end, it took less than two weeks last December for an insurgency of rebel groups led by Hayat Tahrir Al Sham to take control of Damascus. It was a euphoric moment for Syrians opposed to the Assad regime. The HTS leader quickly traded his fatigues for a suit, and his nom de guerre for his new title as President Ahmad Al Shara. He was widely accepted by the international community, most notably the US. But even as sanctions were eased and reconstruction pledges rolled in, the honeymoon phase was ending. Sectarian violence, revenge killings, economic despair and devastated infrastructure posed challenges for the transitional government. As Mr Al Shara looks to the West for legitimacy and the region for economic support, the pressure is also mounting on him internally to reunite the fragmented country. In this episode of Beyond the Headlines, host Nada AlTaher is joined by Rahaf Aldoughli, assistant professor at Lancaster University, and Charles Lister, director of the Syria Programme at the Middle East Institute. They discuss how Mr Al Shara has fared over the past year and whether Syria is better off today.

According to a report by the Equality Commission, Flags and sectarian grievances are ‘hindering NI boxing'. The review comes after boxer Daryl Clarke claimed he was excluded from Northern Ireland's 2022 Commonwealth Games team because of his identity. The report also cites the continued display of flags, emblems and identity symbols at events, and a lack of formal procedures for reporting harassment and discrimination. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Belfast Telegraph journalist Niamh Campbell. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

3. Return of Exiles and Rise of Sectarian War American blunders included disbanding the army and Ba'ath party while returning exiles "frozen in time" whom Iraqis distrusted but Americans relied upon. Resistance began with nationalists like Hamid fighting to restore honor, recognizing danger from foreign jihadis flooding borders seeking Islamic state rather than preserving Iraq. Zarqawi facilitated sectarian quagmire but conditions were created by Americans, exiles, and jihadis, with Mahdi Army becoming death squads dumping hundreds of Sunni bodies at Sada dam.

5. Maliki's Corruption and Road to ISIS During 2011-2013, Baghdad was unrecognizable, divided by concrete walls into sectarian neighborhoods, with Maliki pursuing sectarian policies targeting Sunni figures while building government on corruption and patronage. Military became money-making machine with "ghost soldiers," weakening army before ISIS emerged. Al-Qaeda resurrected amid Syrian chaos while Sunni leaders aligning with jihadis during 2012 "Friday of Anger" demonstrations proved disastrous as Maliki's forces collapsed, allowing ISIS to present as "liberator."

Iran's Strategy, Setbacks for Hezbollah, and the Chinese Economic Lifeline Guest: Jonathan Sayah Jonathan Sayah discusses US efforts to bolster the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) with $230 million, intending to empower the national identity over sectarian militias like Hezbollah. Iran consistently seeks to arm its proxies, but Hezbollah is currently on its back foot, having lost leadership, money, and the Syria corridor due to Israeli attacks and the new regime in Syria. A peace deal in Gaza would significantly weaken Iran, as stability does not favor the Islamic Republic, which thrives by exploiting regional instability. The morale of the Islamic Republic has crumbled due to external defeats and internal incompetence (failing infrastructure, high inflation). Furthermore, Iran relies heavily on China to purchase oil, utilizing a money-laundering network to evade US sanctions, securing an economic lifeline for the regime in return for natural resources and infrastructure projects. 18666 TEHRAN

Iran's Strategy, Setbacks for Hezbollah, and the Chinese Economic Lifeline Guest: Jonathan Sayah Jonathan Sayah discusses US efforts to bolster the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) with $230 million, intending to empower the national identity over sectarian militias like Hezbollah. Iran consistently seeks to arm its proxies, but Hezbollah is currently on its back foot, having lost leadership, money, and the Syria corridor due to Israeli attacks and the new regime in Syria. A peace deal in Gaza would significantly weaken Iran, as stability does not favor the Islamic Republic, which thrives by exploiting regional instability. The morale of the Islamic Republic has crumbled due to external defeats and internal incompetence (failing infrastructure, high inflation). Furthermore, Iran relies heavily on China to purchase oil, utilizing a money-laundering network to evade US sanctions, securing an economic lifeline for the regime in return for natural resources and infrastructure projects. 1924 ALEPPO

“He wasn't the kind of person who ever greeted you,” Ireland's former president Mary McAleese says of David Trimble, who was a law student at Queen's University when Trimble was a lecturer.But on this day he did. He was seeking people out and telling them it was a “wonderful day”. The day was the Monday after Bloody Sunday and McAleese believed she knew why. “It wasn't actually a reference to the day at all but a reference to the day before.”On Free State today, the real David Trimble is revealed by Stephen Walker, who has just published a biography of the man.How did Trimble move from the figure who was “nakedly sectarian” and celebrating Bloody Sunday to the man who did so much to deliver peace? What happened to him in, as McAleese told Walker, “the hot-red forge of life” to change how he viewed the world? And what lessons can be learned from him today? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The new President of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa, aka Mohammed al-Jolani, is in New York for what is widely being described as the first visit by a sitting Syrian president to the US in nearly six decades.But even more significant is another fact: it's also the first state visit to the US by a leading veteran of Al Qaeda and ISIS.Just last year, al-Sharra/al-Jolani – the founding leader of Al Qaeda in Syria and a former deputy leader of ISIS -- was on the US terrorism list with a $10 million reward for his arrest. But after leading the overthrow of Syrian president Basher al-Assad, the US has removed that designation and welcomed Jolani's ruling Al Qaeda offshoot government. After all, as Jake Sullivan put it at the outset of the dirty war in early, 2012, “Al Qaeda is on our side in Syria.”Because the US is on Al Qaeda's side in Syria, that also means overlooking atrocities under its founding leader's watch. Since al-Sharaa/al-Jolani took power, government forces have committed sectarian violence against Syria's minority groups. In March, hundreds – possibly thousands – of Alawite civilians were massacred in Syria's coastal regions. In July, hundreds more, mostly Druze civilians, were killed in Syria's Suweida region.The Grayzone's Aaron Maté speaks to members of two Syrian minority communities about the ongoing sectarian violence at the hands of a ruling Al Qaeda offshoot that the US and allies helped put in power.Guests:Dr. Morhaf Ibrahim, head of the Alawite Association of the United States.Hibbah Jarmakani, a Druze Syrian-American originally from Suweida province in Syria.

Immigration returned to the headlines over the past week after the High Court granted an injunction forcing the removal of migrants from a hotel in Essex – a ruling that could have wider implications for similar cases across the country. At the same time, the sight of Union Jacks and St George's Crosses appearing in towns and cities has sparked a debate over whether flag-flying is a symbol of patriotism or a sign of growing division.On this podcast, originally recorded for Saturday's Coffee House Shots, Lucy Dunn is joined by Lord Hannan and trade unionist Paul Embery to ask: what kind of country is Britain becoming? Paul argues that rapid cultural change, combined with economic decline, has left many people feeling disoriented and neglected. Dan Hannan warns that national symbols once seen as unifying risk becoming sectarian markers, echoing Northern Ireland's politics of identity.They debate the failures of integration policy to the dangers of what Embery calls ‘soft Lebanonisation' – a creeping communalism in which people retreat into their own tribes. The political class have been slow to listen, leaving space for rising resentment over immigration and national identity. So, why is Britain so uncertain of its own identity? Produced by Oscar Edmondson and Patrick Gibbons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Immigration returned to the headlines this week after the High Court granted an injunction forcing the removal of migrants from a hotel in Essex – a ruling that could have wider implications for similar cases across the country. At the same time, the sight of Union Jacks and St George's Crosses appearing in towns and cities has sparked a debate over whether flag-flying is a symbol of patriotism or a sign of growing division.On today's Saturday edition of Coffee House Shots, Lucy Dunn is joined by Lord Hannan and trade unionist Paul Embery to ask: what kind of country is Britain becoming? Paul argues that rapid cultural change, combined with economic decline, has left many people feeling disoriented and neglected. Dan Hannan warns that national symbols once seen as unifying risk becoming sectarian markers, echoing Northern Ireland's politics of identity.On the podcast, they debate the failures of integration policy to the dangers of what Embery calls ‘soft Lebanonisation' – a creeping communalism in which people retreat into their own tribes. The political class have been slow to listen, leaving space for rising resentment over immigration and national identity. So, why is Britain so uncertain of its own identity? Produced by Oscar Edmondson and Patrick Gibbons.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts.Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A formal state ceremony takes place in Cahersiveen today to mark the 250th anniversary of the birth of Daniel O’Connell. The 19th-century Kerry politician, known as The Liberator, led the campaign for Catholic emancipation and is remembered as one of Ireland’s greatest political leaders. Jerry spoke to Professor Maurice Bric, emeritus professor of history at UCD and director of Daniel O’Connell Summer School. Jerry asked him about a charge made by Kerry historian Dr Tim Horgan that O’Connell drove a deep wedge between republican Presbyterians in Ulster and Catholics and used religion as a tool to build a political base.

Kate Adie introduces stories from Syria, Lebanon, Chile, Pakistan and France.Sectarian violence has erupted again in Syria, this time between Druze and Bedouin communities, leaving hundreds of people dead. The country's interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, blamed the violence on ‘outlawed factions' and has vowed to protect the Druze. Though as Jon Donnison heard in the Druze-majority town of Suweida, locals are also blaming government forces for the violence.Meanwhile in Lebanon, thousands of Alawite Syrians - the same Shia Muslim sect of the former President Bashar al-Assad - have fled across the border in recent months to escape a previous bout of sectarian violence which broke out back in March. Emily Wither travelled to Tripoli where she met young Alawites looking to define themselves beyond the Assad regime.In Chile we visit a ghost town in the Atacama Desert as it's brought back to life for one day a year. Former residents of Chuquicamata return to where they once lived for an annual party - though the former mining town is now too polluted for humans to live in. Robin Markwell paid a visit.In the Pakistan province of Punjab, authorities have launched a crackdown against people keeping big cats like lions and tigers as household pets. The BBC's Pakistan correspondent Azadeh Moshiri joined wildlife rangers on a raid on an illegal big cat farm.And we're in Marseille where a group of eminent restaurateurs have come together to protect the heritage of a much-treasured French dish - Bouillabaisse. Rob Crossan went to sample a bowl, to see if it lives up to the hype.Series Producer: Serena Tarling Production Coordinators: Sophie Hill & Katie Morrison Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith

Welcome to a special Bonus Episode of Middle East Focus.  We're pleased to bring you access to a recent MEI Virtual Briefing recorded on July 23, 2025, on the recent violence in southern Syria. Sectarian clashes in the province of Sweida left hundreds dead and exposed deep-rooted tensions, governance gaps, and the fragility of Syria's post-Assad transition. MEI Senior Fellow Charles Lister and Associate Fellow Gregory Waters join MEI's Zeina Al-Shaib to unpack the sequence of events that ignited the conflict, the Syrian government's controversial response, Israel's intervention, and the broader implications for Syria's future.

Sectarian clashes have continued in southern Syria, despite a ceasefire agreement. And, arrests have been made at protests in support of the banned group, Palestine Action.

Sectarian fighting has resumed in southern Syria, prompting the government to redeploy forces to the region, which had pulled out after a ceasefire was brokered. Bedouin tribesmen and other militias have clashed with the Druze minority and hundreds are reported dead. The UN says it has credible evidence of summary executions and killings. We heard from a Druze woman who described how her family was killed.US President Donald Trump has sued Rupert Murdoch and The Wall Street Journal after the newspaper reported allegations that Trump's name appeared on a "bawdy" 2003 birthday card to Epstein, who died by suicide in jail in 2019.And as a Russian conductor who is close to Vladimir Putin is invited to a music festival in Italy, we discuss whether culture can be separated from those who promote it.

Israel carried out a series of drone strike against Damascus, after the breakdown of a ceasefire between the Syrian government and fighters from the Druze community in the south of the country. The IDF says it is acting the protect the Druze community, and stop a military build-up by the government on its northern border. We bring the latest analysis from the region. Also in the programme: a MAGA backlash after Trump's Attorney General says she won't publish the so called 'Epstein files'; and Labubu, the Chinese 'ugly-cute' elves that have overrun Tiktok. (Picture:Smoke rises after Israeli strikes on Syria's defense ministry in Damascus, according to Al Jazeera TV, in Damascus, Syria July 16, 2025. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi)

WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH HUMANITARIAN AID IN GAZA?HEADLINE 1: Lebanon's central bank banned banks from interacting with a Hezbollah-linked financial institution called Al-Qard Al-Hassan.HEADLINE 2: Sectarian clashes erupted between Sunni Bedouin tribes and Druze militias in Syria.HEADLINE 3: The UN Human Rights Council is imploding.--FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Reverend Johnnie Moore, chairman of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

AP correspondent Charles de Ledesma reports Syria says a ceasefire is in place to stop deadly sectarian violence in a southern province.

Tim Franks speaks to a British-Syrian Alawite who came under attack, along with her family, during the sectarian violence on Syria's coast in March.The Alawite sect is an offshoot of Shia Islam and its followers make up around 10 per cent of Syria's population, which is majority Sunni.The recent violence came after fighters loyal to the country's overthrown former president, Bashar al-Assad, who is an Alawite himself, led deadly raids on the new government's security forces.Those attacks resurrected deep-seated anger over Assad's repressive dictatorship, with Alawite civilians seen by some as complicit in the crimes of his regime - and as part of the insurgency that followed his fall.The new Sunni Islamist-led government had called for support from various military units and militia groups to respond to the attacks on its security forces – which then escalated into a wave of sectarian anger aimed at Alawite civilians.Human rights groups estimate that around 900 civilians, mainly Alawites, were killed by pro-government forces across Syria's coastal region in early March.The Interview brings you conversations with people shaping our world, from all over the world. The best interviews from the BBC. You can listen on the BBC World Service, Mondays and Wednesdays at 0700 GMT. Or you can listen to The Interview as a podcast, out twice a week on BBC Sounds, Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.Presenter: Tim Franks Producer: Ben Cooper Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith

Last week's announcement by President Donald Trump on lifting US sanctions on Syria seemed to have a refreshing effect for a country that has been reeling from political divisions and economic turmoil. This week, the European Union followed, lifting all economic restrictions in a major diplomatic shift aimed at supporting Syria's reconstruction and fragile peace. The news has been accompanied by more breakthroughs: the World Bank cleared Syria's $15.5 million debt, paid off by Saudi Arabia and Qatar. On the ground, the interim government led by President Ahmed Al Shara, a former HTS leader, is scrambling to unify rebel factions, “eradicate” remnants of ISIS, and bring the country under one flag. The challenges are far from over. Sectarian violence continues to plague minority communities, some Kurdish groups are demanding autonomy, and Israeli airstrikes persist along the southern border. Al Shara, once designated a terrorist by the West, is now lobbying for international legitimacy. So what does the lifting of sanctions really mean? And can Syria be unified? In this week's Beyond the Headlines, host Nada AlTaher looks at the significance of the US and European decisions and the challenges faced by the Syrian leader in his efforts to unite the country.

Kristy Asseily joins The Beirut Banyan to discuss her candidacy for Beirut's 2025 municipal elections. Our discussion covers her recent return to Lebanon and passion for grassroots politics, Beirut Madinati's efforts in retrospect, and the short and long-term platform the list is advocating. We also talk about voter engagement, communal concerns, municipal relations with the Muhafez, digitization efforts, learning from NGOs and why the municipality matters. Kristy Asseily is a member of the National Bloc. The podcast is only made possible through listener and viewer donations. Please help support The Beirut Banyan by contributing via PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/walkbeirut Or donating through our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/thebeirutbanyan Subscribe to our YouTube channel and your preferred audio platform. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter: @thebeirutbanyan And check out our website: www.beirutbanyan.com Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 0:32 Professional background 3:13 Return to Lebanon 5:30 Municipal vs national politics 6:38 Decision to join National Bloc 8:26 Beirut Madinati in retrospect 13:23 Coalition disadvantage 15:03 Voter engagement 17:21 Sectarian concerns vs numbers 20:03 Striking names 23:22 Platform & financial audit 27:14 Starting small 30:45 Relations with the Muhafez 35:13 Collecting taxes 37:42 Digitization 40:59 Ghost projects 42:21 Accusations & false assumptions 44:17 Mobile app 47:53 Citizen forums 49:05 Bygone urban planning 53:17 Learning from NGOs 54:14 Reinvigorating the port 58:13 Vacancies & rent rates 1:01:26 Commute & accessibility 1:02:40 Political void & communal votes 1:08:15 Why the Municipality matters

Started off with the worrisome uptick in sectarian violence in Syria, and then gave an update on the so-called cartel crematorium in Mexico. Plus elections in Australia, Canada, and Singapore, Spain searches for answers in massive power outage, more info comes out about Army Blackhawk air disaster in DC, and a former CHP captain drunkenly sexually assaults male flight attendants before pulling out genitals. Music: Fisher/“Just Feels Tight”

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says an Israeli strike close to the Presidential Palace in Damascus is a message to Syria's government not to threaten the Druze community. The new Syrian government says any breach of the country's sovereignty is unacceptable -- but Mr Netanyahu insisted that Israel would "not allow" Syrian forces to deploy south of the capital. Sectarian clashes in Syria this week killed dozens of people. Also in the programme: First Canada, now Australia - how the Trump factor is shaping tomorrow's election; and a surprise at the polls for Britain's governing Labour Party. (Photo: Syrian security forces check vehicles at the entrance of Druze town of Sahnaya, Syria, May 1, 2025. Reuters/Yamam Al Shaar)

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In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: We begin with Vladimir Putin's surprise announcement of a three-day ceasefire in Ukraine. The Kremlin says it's a humanitarian gesture—but we'll break down what's really behind the timing. Then, we turn to Syria, where sectarian clashes near Damascus have left 13 people dead. We'll examine the growing instability and what triggered the violence. Plus, a widespread blackout across Europe is being blamed on solar plant failures. We'll look at what happened—and what it reveals about vulnerabilities in the continent's energy grid. And in today's Back of the Brief: A $60 million U.S. Navy fighter jet falls overboard from an aircraft carrier. We'll tell you what went wrong. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief. YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief TriTails Premium Beef: Visit https://TryBeef.com/PDB for 2 free Flat Iron steaks with your first box over $250. Plus, for a limited time enjoy 5% off on almost everything site-wide excluding subscriptions and B-stock. Birch Gold: Text PDB to 989898 and get your free info kit on gold Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For at least 14 years the US and its Western allies have been actively engaged in overthrowing Syria's Bashar al-Assad. Opponents of the "regime change" plotters warned that Syria would become another Libya, rocked with murderous sectarian violence, if they succeeded. In December Assad was finally overthrown by a former senior al-Qaeda leader, as western governments cheered. Sectarian violence commenced. Thousands of religious and ethnic minorities have been slaughtered. Geopolitical analyst Kevork Almassian joins today's Liberty Report to explain how we got to this point, who are the main players, and what we might expect. Get your tickets TODAY for the Ron Paul Institute Spring Conference: https://tinyurl.com/3t97tx8f

The past several days have seen horrifying sectarian massacres in Syria. Over 1,000 people have been killed, mostly Alawites and some Christians, in Latakia and Tartus. The perpetrators? Sectarian death squads from HTS, led by Syria's new president, Mohammed al-Jolani—formerly the leader of Al-Qaeda in Syria.Western media is whitewashing these atrocities, falsely framing them as “revenge” against pro-Assad remnants. But the truth is clear: Syria is now controlled by Salafi jihadists who openly target minorities. How did this happen? What is the reality on the ground? And why is the media complicit in covering up genocide?Veteran war correspondent Elijah Magnier joins Dispatches for a special live episode to break down the facts the media won't tell you.

In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin:   First, we'll begin with Israel, as Mossad agents spill the beans about how they managed to infiltrate Hezbollah's operations and convince the terror group to buy explosive-laced pagers and walkie-talkies that would ultimately cripple the once powerful terror army. Then, Syria's new de facto leader is attempting to reassure the country's ethnic and religious minorities that they will be protected under the new Islamist regime, promising an end to the sectarian violence that has long plagued the country. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief. YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Started this week with dozens of kids dying in South Africa from food poisoning, and then talked about the brutal week of killings in Pakistan. Also UFC star Conor McGregor found liable for rape, Ukraine strikes Russia with U.S. and British missiles, Israel PM handed arrest warrant, Laos tourist alcohol deaths, and a celebrated German transgender police officer is arrested after picking up two guys at a Berlin sex club and inflicting “serious injuries” on them with a penis pump. Music: System of a Down & Wu-Tang Clan: “Shame”