The Foreign Desk

One year on from the toppling of the Assad regime, how far has Syria’s revolution come?

12 snips
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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INSIGHT

Rapid Political Reversal

  • Syria's political order flipped rapidly as Ahmad al-Sharah's forces ousted Assad and reversed expectations.
  • Martin Smith and Andrew Mueller underline that weeks, not decades, reshaped Syria's leadership within a short period.
ANECDOTE

Unexpected Meeting With Julani

  • Martin Smith recounts interviewing Abu Muhammad al-Julani in 2021 and not predicting his rise to power.
  • He found Julani sophisticated and not overtly threatening during their conversation.
INSIGHT

Strategic Evolution Of Al-Sharah

  • Julani (al-Sharah) consciously shifted away from al-Qaeda/ISIS ties to build broader alliances and topple Assad.
  • Martin Smith argues his evolution was strategic: break with extremists to gain external support.
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