7. The Real Godfather: The Assassination that Shook Syria (Ep 2)
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Dec 19, 2024
The podcast reveals the intricate link between Rafic Hariri's assassination and the weakening of the Assad regime. It draws compelling parallels between Bashar al-Assad's rise to power and the dynamics of the Corleone crime family from 'The Godfather.' The gruesome details of the Beirut explosion that took Hariri's life are recounted, alongside its catastrophic aftermath. Listeners are taken through the political upheaval that followed, highlighting mass protests and investigations that forever altered Middle Eastern politics.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Hariri's Coalition Building
Rafik Hariri, after resigning, began forming a political coalition in Lebanon.
This coalition opposed Syria's presence, further escalating tensions with Assad.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Assad's Personality Shift
Bashar al-Assad displayed flashes of anger and aggression as he consolidated power.
He reportedly engaged in numerous affairs with women within the Syrian elite.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Fallout from Hariri's Assassination
Hariri's assassination led to significant fallout, including a UN commission.
Widespread demonstrations in Lebanon ultimately forced Syria's military withdrawal after 30 years.
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Jon Lewis's study of 'The Godfather Part II' is structured into three sections: 'The Sequel,' 'The Dissolve,' and 'The Sicilian Thing.' It explores the film's significance in Hollywood history, its auteur style and form, and its cultural impact as a cautionary capitalist parable and a metaphor for the corruption of American power. The book delves into the film's narrative, comparing the rise and fall of the Corleone family, particularly the contrasting leadership styles of Vito and Michael Corleone, and how the film reflects post-Vietnam and post-Watergate America.
Killing Mr. Lebanon
The Assassination of Rafik Hariri and Its Impact on the Middle East
NICHOLAS BLANFORD
Nicholas Blanford
On Valentine's Day 2005, former Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri was killed by a massive explosion in Beirut. This book by Nicholas Blanford examines how Hariri's murder provoked a seismic shift in Middle Eastern politics. It delves into Hariri's past, his influence on Lebanon, and the murky world of alliances between businesses, security services, politicians, and diplomats. Based on exclusive interviews, Blanford traces the last weeks of Hariri's life and reveals who stood to gain from his death. The book also explores the impact of the assassination on Hizbullah, Syria, and Israel, and how it led to the withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon after nearly thirty years of occupation[1][3][4].
Did the assassination of Rafic Hariri lay the foundations for the ultimate downfall of the Assad regime? And was the Syrian dictator always destined for evil, or was evil thrust upon him?
Rafic Hariri is looking over his shoulder, anxious for his future, with Bashar al-Assad hellbent on his removal from power. He steps up his security detail and coordinates convoluted exit strategies, but his efforts are ultimately in vain. So, what was the long-term impact of the assassination of the Lebanese president for the Syrian dictator? Listen as David and Gordon tell the story of the gruesome killing of President Hariri and the parallels between Assad and the ill-fated mafiosi, Michael Corleone.
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