Economist Podcasts In the after-Ba’ath: Syria’s rising Kurds
Jul 8, 2019
Nick Pelham, The Economist's Middle East correspondent, sheds light on the Kurdish resurgence in northeastern Syria, revealing their transition from oppression to autonomy. He discusses the cultural revival amid complex power dynamics with local Arabs. Meanwhile, Wendelin von Bredow dives into the ramifications of the murder of German politician Walter Lübcke, painting a stark picture of rising far-right extremism and its implications for democracy. The podcast also touches on surprising developments in China's education system where students adopt American-style debate techniques.
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Nowruz Suppression
- Syrian Kurds faced decades of cultural suppression under Assad's rule.
- Celebrations of Nowruz, their new year festival, were restricted.
Power Shift in Syria
- The Kurds, a minority in Syria, now control a significant portion of the country.
- This control has reversed the traditional power dynamic between Kurds and the Arab majority.
Rise of Kurdish Control
- The Ba'ath party, an Arab nationalist movement, suppressed Kurdish identity and language.
- The Assad regime's withdrawal during the Syrian conflict and the rise of ISIS created a power vacuum.