The Foreign Desk One year on from the toppling of the Assad regime, how far has Syria’s revolution come?
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Dec 6, 2025 This discussion features Martin Smith, a seasoned correspondent known for his insightful documentaries, Reem Alaaf, a Syrian-born writer focusing on the revolution's social impact, and Bertu Urshalek, a Middle East security expert. They delve into the swift toppling of Assad, public perceptions of new leadership, and the harrowing daily struggles faced by Syrians. The guests explore the evolving ideologies of leaders, the role of the diaspora in reconstruction, and the complex geopolitical interests of neighboring states, including Turkey and Iran's strategic calculations.
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Local Resistance And Distrust Persist
- Syrians celebrated the end of war but many remain distrustful and resistant in regions like the South and Northeast.
- Martin Smith notes al-Sharah lacks full control over militias and faces Kurdish distrust in the resource-rich northeast.
Washington Visit: Legitimacy Vs. Backlash
- US engagement—welcoming al-Sharah to the White House—confounds his hardline backers while boosting his international legitimacy.
- Smith warns this Western embrace may alienate jihadist supporters but aids al-Sharah's global rehabilitation.
Surreal Public Relief
- Reem Alaaf describes a surreal public mood as Syrians reclaimed cities and the Assad era ended.
- She frames the fall as the culmination of a 15-year struggle that most never expected to resolve this way.
