Jacobin Radio The Dig: Rise and Fall of Assad’s Syria w/ Bassam Haddad
Dec 24, 2024
Bassam Haddad joins the discussion, bringing his expertise as the founding director of the Middle East program at George Mason University. He examines the rise and fall of Assad's regime and contrasts the poignant joy of Syrians during the regime's ouster with the looming geopolitical complexities. The conversation navigates through Syria's intricate political history, the role of external influences like Turkey and the U.S., and delves into the challenges facing civil society amidst ongoing conflict, revealing the multilayered dilemmas of power and resistance in the region.
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Kurdish Forces and Regional Dynamics
- Kurdish forces' future depends on U.S.-Turkey negotiations amidst regional tensions.
- Turkey will use Kurdish issue to extract concessions from any new Syrian government.
Russia's Limited Involvement Explained
- Russia values Syria mainly for its bases, but lacks capacity and interest to defend Assad now.
- Assad's regime hollowed out; allies no longer see it as worth heavy defense.
Understanding Assad's Sectarianism
- Assad regime sectarianism arose from using sect as loyalty mechanism, not exclusive sectarian policy.
- Many Alawis feel betrayed, gaining little despite regime's Alawi dominance in power.
