Fareed Zakaria GPS Syria’s foreign minister on his country’s future
43 snips
Sep 28, 2025 
Asaad al-Shaibani, Syria's Foreign Minister, shares insights on his journey from rebel to statesman, emphasizing his vision for minority protections and the challenges of normalizing relations with Israel. Ruth Graham, a religion reporter for The New York Times, delves into the Charlie Kirk memorial, highlighting the intersection of religion and conservative politics, and discusses a potential religious revival among younger generations in America.
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Erosion Of American Checks And Balances
- Fareed argues the Trump administration frequently bypasses legal norms to accumulate power and erode checks and balances.
- He suggests America's constitutional age and complacent leadership explain why these erosions go unchecked.
Rebel To Statesman Narrative
- Asaad al-Shaibani describes his movement as a popular Syrian uprising rooted in patience after 60 years of dictatorship.
- He emphasizes participation in peaceful protest and continuity with Syrian society rather than foreign ideological models.
Claims Of Religious Freedom And Return
- Al-Shaibani says churches in Aleppo and Idlib have reopened and Christians practice freely, urging displaced Syrians to return.
- He claims the state must protect rights so all Syrians feel secure to rebuild and invest.
