The Documentary Podcast The Fifth Floor: Syria after Assad
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Feb 22, 2025 Salma Khattab, a BBC Arabic journalist with firsthand experience reporting in Syria, discusses the country's transformation following Bashar al-Assad's departure. She paints a vivid picture of the hopes and challenges faced by citizens, from celebrations in the streets of Damascus to the stark economic realities of daily life. Khattab shares the struggles of families, especially women, navigating a new societal landscape and highlights the daunting obstacles for refugees trying to rebuild their lives amidst ongoing uncertainty.
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New Syrian Leadership
- Ahmed Al-Shara, leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), formerly Al-Nusra Front, now leads Syria.
- He's trying to gain international support after Assad's fall, presenting himself as a democratic leader.
Post-Assad Syria: A Mixed Bag
- While initial celebrations marked Assad's fall, uncertainty about the future prevails, with ongoing conflicts.
- Kurdish forces control the northeast, and car bombs in Manbij highlight the volatile situation.
Life in Damascus
- Damascus nightlife persists, but high prices due to volatile currency affect affordability.
- Markets are filled with previously unavailable imported goods, indicating changed economic dynamics.