Greg Karlstrom, Middle East correspondent for The Economist, analyzes the resurgence of the Syrian civil war as rebel forces launch a surprising offensive in Aleppo. He discusses the shifting international support for Assad amidst new challenges. Avantika Chilkoti, global business correspondent, shares her struggles with digital privacy, highlighting the hurdles female journalists face in India. She reflects on the complexities of erasing personal information online and the implications of digital footprints in today’s interconnected world.
The recent rebel offensive in Syria, attributed to dwindling foreign support for Assad, signals a potential resurgence in conflict amid shifting geopolitical dynamics.
Hayat Tahrir Sham's evolution towards governance and local goodwill indicates a complex trajectory for post-conflict stability in liberated regions of Syria.
Deep dives
The Surge in Aleppo: A Shift in the Syrian Civil War
Rebels in Syria recently launched a surprising offensive, capturing the city of Aleppo from government forces in a rapid and dramatic turn of events. This coalition of rebel groups overcame a long-standing stalemate in the civil war that began in 2011, leading to celebratory scenes among insurgents as they took control. The offensive's success is attributed to the rebels' extensive preparation and the dwindling foreign support for President Bashar al-Assad from countries like Iran and Russia, who are preoccupied with their own conflicts. The situation has raised concerns about the potential for renewed violence, as military responses from Assad's regime have already begun to unfold in the form of airstrikes targeting civilians and rebel positions in the region.
The Outlook of Rebel Control and Regional Dynamics
The rebels, particularly the dominant group Hayat Tahrir Sham (HTS), have evolved from their jihadist roots, establishing a more organized governance aimed at promoting stability and even fostering goodwill among local minorities. Under the leadership of Abu Muhammad al-Jolani, HTS has attempted to distance itself from past affiliations with extremist ideologies while constructing a functional government in Idlib province. The timing of this offensive is said to be influenced by changes in the broader geopolitical landscape, with weakened support from external allies giving the rebels a unique opportunity. However, questions remain about HTS's future intentions and how they will govern the population in liberated areas, alongside Turkey's potential role in protecting these regions from further Assad-led offensives.
Economic Impacts of Political Change in the U.S.
The stock market in the U.S. responded positively to Donald Trump's re-election, with significant movements observed in various sectors such as financial services, private prisons, and cryptocurrency. Following the election, financial stocks experienced a surge, anticipating deregulation and improved growth prospects under Trump's administration. However, the effects of some 'Trump trades' have been mixed, with shares in industries like steel and oil seeing declines after initial surges. The volatility in the market highlights the unpredictability surrounding Trump's policies and raises questions about the sustainability of economic optimism following political shifts.
The country’s civil war never ended—it became a fragile stalemate that fell out of the news. A surprise rebel advance reveals how the war’s international players are busy facing their own challenges. Our correspondent found it so difficult to disappear from the internet that she gave up (10:30). And who were the stockmarket winners as “Trump trades” fired up again (16:54)?
