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Scott Horton Show - Just the Interviews

1/9/25 Lindsey Snell on Syria, the Caucuses and the Recent Triumphs of Al-Qaeda

Jan 11, 2025
In this engaging discussion, journalist Lindsey Snell, known for her in-depth coverage of crises in the Middle East, shares her insights on the fall of Assad and the rising influence of former Al-Qaeda affiliates in Syria. She critiques mainstream media narratives while discussing the severe impact of sanctions on civilians. Lindsey also unpacks the complex Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, revealing its historical roots and geopolitical implications, while shedding light on the plight of Christians in Syria under extremist rule.
34:01

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The fall of Assad's regime in Syria has resulted in the rise of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, leading to continued oppression of citizens.
  • U.S. foreign policy has paradoxically supported Sunni extremist factions like Al-Qaeda while opposing Shiite influences in the region.

Deep dives

The Shift in Syrian Power Dynamics

The unexpected fall of Bashar al-Assad's government in Syria has led to significant shifts in control, with the former Al-Qaeda affiliate, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), now holding power. Previously supported by Iranian and Russian forces, the Syrian government found itself isolated, particularly after key allies withdrew just prior to this upheaval. The rapid takeover was shocking to many, including opposition forces that had turned into mercenaries under the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army. The absence of timely support from Iran, Hezbollah, and Russia illustrated a complete abandonment of Assad, allowing HTS to seize control in a matter of days.

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