Can Syria or Iraq Become Democracies?

In this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, historian and author David Lesch joins Chuck to discuss the new book Dodgers to Damascus — an unexpected blend of Middle Eastern politics and baseball. Lesch traces his path from aspiring major-leaguer to one of America’s foremost scholars on Syria, explaining how the fall of the Ottoman Empire, artificial borders drawn by European powers, and a lack of cohesive national identity still shape the region today. He offers candid reflections on his relationship with Bashar al-Assad, why Syria is likely drifting toward a sectarian majoritarian state, and whether any country in the Middle East is truly positioned to attempt democracy. From Iran’s teetering leadership to the Saudis’ complicated partnership with the West, Lesch unpacks the geopolitical moment with clarity and experience.

Chuck and David also dive into the surprising ways baseball helped him understand the Middle East — and vice versa. Lesch reflects on the physical toll of pitching, the Braves’ legendary rotation, and why modern sports medicine might have saved his career. The conversation even explores whether the Middle East could ever embrace baseball, the role of Islamophobia in shaping perceptions, and why travel remains one of the strongest antidotes to fear. Ultimately, Dodgers to Damascus is less a sports memoir and more a sweeping look at a region still wrestling with the consequences of history — and this episode brings that complexity to life.

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Timeline:

(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)

00:00 David Lesch joins the Chuck ToddCast

01:00 Origin of “Dodgers to Damascus”

02:00 It’s weird reading about someone else’s writing about yourself

04:30 What drew David to the Middle East

06:15 Most people don’t understand the Middle East pre 1948

07:00 Fall of Ottoman Empire isn’t covered well in public education

09:00 Artificial divisions in Middle East were to benefit Europe

10:45 Countries in the Middle East lack a national identity

11:30 Davd’s relationship with Bashar Al-Assad

12:30 Assad was raised as an authoritarian and child of conflict

14:30 Any faith in the new leader of Syria to bring about positive change?

16:45 Syria has been helping with counter terrorist operations

18:00 Syria likely on the way to being a sectarian majoritarian state

21:00 Which Middle East country has the best shot at trying democracy?

22:00 Iran’s weakness makes Kurdistan more possible

23:00 Iranian ayatollahs won’t be able hold power when Khamenei dies

24:00 Iran’s government is teetering, and their proxies are weak

25:30 Iran would be an economic power if they became a western democracy

26:15 Israel is at the apex of military power in the region

29:30 The academic case for the Saudis being a partner

30:45 Can the Saudis and Iranians co-exist if Iran moderates?

32:00 How did baseball give you extra perspective on the middle east

34:00 Would modern sports medicine have saved your career?

36:00 The motion for pitching is not meant for human anatomy

37:30 Throwing sidearm is much less damaging for your arm

39:30 The Braves legendary pitching lineup

41:00 David wishes he had at least one year in the majors

42:15 Nolan Ryan’s missing flexor tendon was his superpower

44:30 Teams run the risk of ending pitchers careers early to win a title

46:15 Why is Ohtani so unusual, why haven’t pitchers been able to hit?

48:15 Could you see people in the Middle East getting into baseball?

51:15 Middle East would need a star from that region to rise in MLB

52:00 Islamophobia exists on both sides of the isle

52:30 Travel helps to cure phobias

53:45 Islamophobia is a harder barrier to break than people realize

57:15 Dodgers to Damascus is more of a middle east book than baseball

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