Podcasts about sectarian

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   

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.

The Twelfth of July is a day of joy, pride, and nostalgia for Unionists and Loyalists in Northern Ireland. The night before, bonfires will be lit across the country - a tradition that began when fires on hillsides were used to signal William of Orange's march from Carrickfergus to the Battle of the Boyne. But a night of tradition and celebration for some is viewed by others as physically dangerous, and in some cases, undeniably sectarian. Are bonfires a sectarian safety risk, or just a harmless tradition? Olivia Peden is joined by Sam McBride, Loyalist activist Moore Holmes, and the chairman of the Schomberg Ulster Scots society in Kilkeel, Gareth Crozier. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Author Dr Aaron Edwards and Belfast Telegraph's Allison Morris discuss

The fall of Bashar al-Assad last December did not erase the deep-rooted prejudices within Syrian society. Identity and political divisions remain vivid, and since January, sectarian clashes have been increasing. In a country as fragmented as Syria, old grudges are simmering, with many taking justice into their own hands – driven by a thirst for revenge against those they view as traitors or internal enemies. Amid this escalating violence, the authorities insist they are committed to holding those responsible accountable. Meanwhile, civil society is doing what it can to keep hope alive by calling for dialogue and pushing for national unity. Our correspondent in Syria, Jenna Le Bras, reports.

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.

The New Arab Voice is back!This week we look at the recent sectarian violence that engulfed the Syrian coast and targeted the country's Alawite community and the violence that hit in the south, which targeted the country's Druze community. We examine the causes of the violence, the response by the state, where the state's response went wrong, and what it means for the future of this new Syria. Joining us to guide us through the violence on the coast, we speak with Dr. Rahaf Aldoughli (@r_aldoughli), a Lecturer in Middle East and North African studies at Lancaster University (@LancasterUni), and Senior Editor for the Middle East Section at Cogent Social Sciences.And to explain what happened in the south, we speak with Dr. Nanar Hawach (@NanarHawach), Senior Analyst for Syria at International Crisis Groups (@CrisisGroup).All five episodes of our special series Sanaa's Odyssey are out now, you can listen to them via The New Arab, or search for 'Sanaa's Odyssey', wherever you get your podcasts.This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge).Theme music by Omar al-Fil with additional music from Audio Network.To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TNAPodcasts or email podcast@newarab.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

News Headlines II HereHumanitarian vessel CONSCIENCE attacked by drones in international waters near Malta; Israel's security cabinet approves Gaza annexation; Israel escalates violence in Gaza, killing over 63, many children.Israel's "Operation Iron Wall" forces mass displacement in the West Bank; 2,970 ceasefire violations in Lebanon, 148 killed.Sectarian violence in Suwayda continues; Israel's controversial "humanitarian aid" mission in Syria raises tensions.75 pro-Palestine protesters arrested at Columbia University; Trump threatens to withhold federal funding over criticism of Israel.Burkina Faso sees support for leader Ibrahim Traoré after thwarted coup and rising tide from the Global SouthVenezuela suffers $226B loss from US sanctions; Sudan's genocide case against UAE dismissed by ICJ.Romania's far-right leader George Simion rises to prominence; 80th Anniversary of the Red Army defeating Nazism and discussion about history and memory.Election Reflections; Albanese faces backlash over controversial diplomatic ties with Indonesian General Prabowo and outro Sudisman Poem.  Song - Shabjdeed - 7ASAD (Prod. Al Nather) [Live in Berlin]Voices 4 Palestine II HereJosh Lees From Palestine Action Group and Effie Prom from Muslim Votes Matters at the Sydney Rally 2 Weeks ago.Song - A-WA - Hana Mash Hu Al YamanBirrugan Interview Stephen Gapps II HereFriend of the show Birrugan Dunn-Velasco interviews renowned historian Stephen Gapps about the contested history of what's known as the "frontier wars". Full interview found when clicking the "here" link.This is Week that was II HereComrade Kevin provides us with an update on the week that was.Claire and Hank from Save Public Collective II HereClaire And Hank from Save Public Collective stop in and ring in to update us on the current situation in the public housing. Pushing against mainstream narratives and giving a real human perspective.  Song - Living Colour - Open Letter to a Landlord

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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AP correspondent Laurence Brooks reports on Israeli aistrikes near the presidential palace in Damascus.

Makram Rabah, an assistant professor at the American University in Beirut, says that Syria's interim president lacks the power to control his own army and that Washington needs to engage with Syria's new government to help defuse sectarian violence and for peace to prevail in the war-ravaged country.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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

ABRAHAM ACCORDS, TWO-STATE PARADIGM, AND U.S.-IRAN NUCLEAR TALKSHEADLINE 1: The Navy lost a $60 million fighter jet because of a Houthi missile attack.HEADLINE 2: An Israeli district court sentenced an Israeli citizen to 10 years in prison for treason.HEADLINE 3: Sectarian clashes broke out near Damascus in what people are still calling the new Syria.--FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with former U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

Recently, we've been asking the question How To Practice Tantra Safely and we proposed that the historical progression of ideas in Shaivism presents a kind of graded syllabus where the traditions that come earlier (like the Vedas and the Shaiva Siddhanta etc.) act as firm foundations for the traditions that emerge later, like the transgressive, non-dual Goddess-oriented traditions (Kaula etc.). Abhinava Gupta presents us with a kind of hierarchy for the various schools in Tantrāloka 29.51:1. Veda (Smārta and Śrauta)2. Vaishnava Tantra (Pañcarātra)3. Pashupāta systems (Lakulīśan etc.)4. Siddhānta5. Vāma 6. Dakshina7. Mata8. Kula9. Kaula10. Trika (kulāt parataram trika)Of course, the fact that he distinguishes "Kula" from "Kaula" is worth noting and perhaps worth discussing in depth on another occasion. In what sense the Trika is the "highest" is also worth questioning. In a sense. the Veda and Siddhānta might be the most important since they are the most foundational and yet in another sense, the Kaula and Trika might be the "best" because they are the most refined, specialized revelations of Lord Shiva for the most advanced practitioners. In any case, the world of Tantra, both Hindu and Buddhist is full of "doxographical hierarchies" like this where other schools are accepted as true and good but only insofar as they can lead to "my" school which necessarily I will position as the greatest. We find this strategy also in the Tibetan Tantra masterpiece "Progressive Stages of Meditation on Emptiness" by Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche where the various Buddhist schools are presented in a hierarchy. This approach is called "religious inclusivism" and it is certainly better than "religious exclusivism" which says "my path alone is right and other paths are wrong!." In this video, I argue for a third approach as exemplified by Sri Ramakrishna: "all paths are equally, non-hierarchically good as many aspects of the Infinitely Varied One!" This view is called religious "pluralism" and it is to this view that our lineage belongs. As such, in this video, having carefully examined these various approaches to the many schools of Tantra, we make a case for a non-sectarian reading! We present the major 8 schools of Shaivism as follows:Pāshupata dualism (includes Nyāya and Vaishesika)The Lakulīsha PāshupataShaiva Siddhānta DualismShaiva ViśishtādvaitaViśeshādvaita (Vīra Shaivism)Nandikeśvara ShaivismRaseśvara ShaivismShaiva monism (Advaita Shaiva Vada)You'll find a complete playlist of introductory lectures on Tantra in both theory and practice here. Lectures happen live every Monday at 7pm PST and Friday 10am PST and again Friday at 6pm PST.Use this link and I will see you there:https://www.zoom.us/j/7028380815For more videos, guided meditations and instruction and for access to our lecture library, visit me at:https://www.patreon.com/yogawithnishTo get in on the discussion and access various spiritual materials, join our Discord here: https://discord.gg/U8zKP8yMrMSupport the show

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 a part of Syria that had been a stronghold of deposed dictator Bashar Al-Assad, there has been a wave of violence against Alawites, the religious minority of the Assad family. Hundreds of Alawites have been killed and hundreds more have fled their homes in fear. The episode highlights the challenges the new government in Syria faces in uniting the country. But as we learn from an incident in a different Alawite community, this isn't the first episode of violence against the sect.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Emergency Sunday Episode: Hello and Welcome to Colonial Outcasts, the anti-imperialist podcasts that a lot of people are going to hate and no one is going to be happy and the pro-palestine movement will get refractured again because this is an emergency Sunday episode about Syria… probably the messiest battle space in existence with dozens of warring factions, literally every global and regional power has its fingers invested in this conflict, and there is propaganda coming from every side…

Although the sectarian labels of Sunni and Shi'a are widely used today to cover a range of identities and beliefs held by Muslims across the Islamic World, there are many foundational questions remaining over the origins of sectarian identity in Islam as well as its implications across time. The field has largely understudied theories of sectarianism and the precise applications of Sunni and Shi'a labels, including the content of their beliefs and the boundaries between them, largely remain an open debate to historians, political scientists, and others alike. This discussion covered some of the main theoretical, methodological, and thematic issues relating to the study of sectarianism, Shi'a and Sunni identities, and the challenges in understanding what these labels mean over time and in the larger field of Islamic and Middle Eastern studies. Speakers: Dr. Ahmed El Shamsy, Professor of Islamic Thought, University of Chicago Dr. Mohammad Sagha, Lecturer in the Modern Middle East, Harvard University. Moderator: Dr. Mohsen Goudarzi, Assistant Professor of Islamic Studies, Harvard Divinity School. This event took place on November 14, 2024. Full transcript: https://www.hds.harvard.edu/news/2024/11/14/exploring-sectarian-identity-islam

A ceasefire deal between Israel and Lebanon has been extended to mid-February. But when peace returns, what is the future of Lebanon's fractured political system? For 30 years, sectarian parties representing Sunni, Shia and Christian communities have carved up power.

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

As the future of Syria begins to emerge, one minority group is particularly fearful about how they'll be treated. The Alawites feel like they were mistreated by now-deposed dictator Bashar al-Assad, but because he was a member of that sect, they are also unfairly tied to him in the minds of other Syrians. We go to an Alawite neighborhood of Damascus to hear their concerns.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

On November 25-26, Islamabad witnessed chaos as around 10,000 PTI supporters defied a government ban, leading to violent clashes. According to Reuters, nearly 1,000 protesters were arrested, five security personnel lost their lives, and 22 police vehicles were set ablaze. The protesters demanded the release of Imran Khan and other “political prisoners” and sought to repeal a constitutional amendment that boosts the government's power over judicial appointments in political cases. Despite Khan urging supporters to “fight to the end,” PTI called off the protests after three days, citing "government brutality." Was this a strategic retreat or symbolic messaging? Did it achieve the desired impact or fall short of Khan's vision? Meanwhile, Imran Khan's wife, Bushra Bibi, has unexpectedly emerged in the spotlight. Some say her involvement in party affairs is deepening PTI's internal divisions and that Khan downplayed her role, claiming she merely conveyed his messages. But could there be more to the story? If Khan is displeased with her influence, what's driving his unease? Listen in! Also, listen to our episode on Hindus in Bangladesh here: https://podcasts.indiatoday.in...&-history/geetas-world/hindus-in-bangladesh-are-attacks-on-minorities-political-or-communal-or-both-geetas-world-ep-110-1123934-2024-11-20 Produced by Anna Priyadarshini Sound Mix by Nitin Rawat   Chapters:   1:37 — Introduction   3:56 — Demands of PTI supporters   11:37 — Amry's brutal usage of live rounds   16:30 — What did the protest achieve?   23:54 — Bushra Bibi's role   29:35 — Sectarian rife

Toby Harnden is the author of one of the best-selling and well regarded books on the IRA and the troubles, “Bandit Country”. Toby's book lifted the lid on the area where is was most dangerous to be a British soldier in during the conflict and the IRA brigade that made it that way. One of my most requested guests and an author that I've been dying to speak to, Toby and I spoke about their history, actions & legacy as well as the reasons why this small rural area was the thorn in the army's side throughout the entire conflict. We discussed the IRA's guerrilla attacks on the British Army in South Armagh, the 'Slab” Murphy family, Gaddafi & Libyan arms shipments, the anti-helicopter sub-battle within the conflict, the deployment of the SAS, the infamous 90's sniper teams and much more. PLEASE HELP OUT THE SHOW WITH A DONATION IF YOU CAN SPARE IThttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/goodlistenerpodcast00:00 Intro 16:20 Stats & Facts on The South Armagh IRA 21:45 Thomas “Slab” Murphy & the Murphy family 43:00 1970's1:03:50 Informers 1:07:50 Sectarian m*rders 1:10:00 THE SAS (1976)1:15:14 WARRENPOINT 1:28:00 Glasdrumann scrapyard counter-ambush 1:33:30 Libya and Gaddafi 1:42:05 Richard Johnson & the American connection 1:50:45 Anti-Helicopter War 2:00:00 “SNIPER AT WORK” (1990's)2:22:25 1990's actions

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”

The U.S. tells Israel to take steps to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza or face potential restrictions on military aid. The mass displacement in Lebanon war has revived sectarian tensions as Christian and Sunni communities grow uneasy over hosting displaced Shi'ite neighbours. Boeing factory workers held a large rally in Seattle to demand a better wage and pension deal even as the company announced 17,000 job cuts. And in Georgia, voters turn out in record numbers as the battleground state opens early voting for the November 5th presidential election.  Sign up for the Reuters Econ World newsletter here. Listen to the Reuters Econ World podcast here. Find the Recommended Read here. Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit megaphone.fm/adchoices to opt out of targeted advertising. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's #NCFNewspeak, NCF Director Peter Whittle, Senior Fellow Rafe Heydel-Mankoo and Amy Gallagher of Stand Up To Woke discuss the general election campaign so far, Nigel Farage's chances in Clacton, the rise of sectarianism in British politics and what a Labour government will really mean for the nation.