FDD Events Podcast FDD Morning Brief | feat. Andrew Tabler (Dec. 9)
Dec 9, 2024
Andrew Tabler, a senior fellow at The Washington Institute, shares his deep insights on the Syrian conflict. He discusses his firsthand experiences under the Assad regime and the evolving power of militant groups like Hayat Tahrir al-Sham amidst regional changes. The conversation also highlights the complexities involving Iran-backed Shia militias and their impact on Iraq-U.S. relations. Additionally, Tabler explores the geopolitical chess match between Israel and Hezbollah post-civil war, shedding light on the regional power dynamics at play.
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Assad Regime Collapse
- The Assad regime's collapse resulted from its refusal to compromise, escalating violence against its people.
- Iran, Hezbollah, and Russia's failure to intervene further weakened the regime.
HTS and its Future Role
- HTS, originally an al-Qaeda affiliate, has reportedly moderated its stance under leader Muhammad Jolani.
- Debate continues on whether this moderation is genuine and whether HTS is part of Syria's future.
HTS Funding and Turkish Involvement
- HTS is supplied via Turkey, indicating Turkish involvement in the Syrian conflict.
- Funding sources remain unclear, but Turkey and Qatar are known to fund northern Syrian groups, including HTS and the SNA.