

Assad Was a Tyrant, Not an Anti-Imperialist with Moazzam Begg
17 snips Dec 8, 2024
Moazzam Begg, senior director of CAGE and author of 'Enemy Combatant,' shares compelling insights on the Syrian revolution. He reveals the brutal reality of Bashar al-Assad's tyranny, contrasting it with the regime's self-portrayal as anti-imperialist. The conversation delves into the troubling history of Western collaboration with Assad's regime and the deceptive narratives surrounding Syrian opposition. Begg also discusses the complexities of empathy in global conflicts and the implications of ISIS on the Syrian struggle for freedom.
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Syria as a Torture Hub
- Robert Baer, a former CIA operative, stated that Syria was a favored location for torture.
- The CIA would send individuals to Syria for "robust interrogation" and torture.
Rendition and Torture Threats
- Moazzam Begg recounts being threatened with rendition to Syria or Egypt while in Bagram.
- He details cases of Syrian-Canadians sent to Syria for torture with US and Canadian complicity.
Unexpected Collaboration
- Despite being labeled a state sponsor of terrorism, Syria collaborated with Western intelligence agencies.
- This was driven by a shared animosity towards Islamists seeking Islamic governance.