Understanding the Unfolding Turmoil in the Middle East

<p>In a sudden offensive, Turkish-backed rebel forces in Syria have managed to take several villages and towns, including the second largest city in the country, Aleppo, all with minimal resistance from government forces.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>Now as they continue to push further south, Syrian president Bashar Al-Assad is left with a diminished army and his main allies are embroiled in conflicts of their own.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>Kareem Shaheen is the Middle East editor at New Lines Magazine. He spoke to host Jayme Poisson about what the fall of Aleppo and renewed fighting in Syria means for the Syrian people and the region.</p><p><br></p><p>For transcripts of Front Burner, please visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbc.ca/radio/frontburner/transcripts" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.cbc.ca/radio/frontburner/transcripts</a></p>