Front Burner
The end of the Assad regime in Syria
Dec 10, 2024
Joshua Landis, a leading expert on Syria and head of the Center for Middle East Studies at the University of Oklahoma, analyzes the dramatic fall of Bashar al-Assad and its historical significance. He reflects on the Assad family's 50-year rule, beginning with Hafez al-Assad's rise as a dictator. Landis discusses the impact of the 2011 protests, the brutal repression from the regime, and the complex dynamics of the Syrian civil war. He also examines the influence of regional powers and the shifting alliances within this tumultuous conflict.
26:51
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Quick takeaways
- The fall of Bashar al-Assad signifies the end of a 50-year autocratic rule by the Assad dynasty, reshaping Syria's political future.
- The brutal civil war and public uprising reflect deep-rooted grievances against a regime characterized by repression and human rights violations.
Deep dives
The Fall of a Dynasty
The recent protests in Syria marked a significant moment in the country's political landscape as citizens tore down statues of Hafez al-Assad, the former president, amid a violent uprising against his son, Bashar al-Assad. This turmoil signifies a rejection of decades of autocratic rule, deeply entwined with the Assad family legacy. The civil war, which has claimed nearly half a million lives and displaced millions, highlights the public's long-standing grievances against a regime characterized by brutality and repression. The narrative surrounding the Assad family has transformed, with the once-feared dynasty being toppled and the symbols of their authority being dismantled by the very people they oppressed for so long.
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