The Socialist Program with Brian Becker Where Is Syria Going After Assad and What’s Next for the Middle East?
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Dec 19, 2024 Vijay Prashad, a renowned journalist and Executive Director of the Tricontinental Institute for Social Research, joins the discussion on Syria's evolving political landscape. They delve into the implications of Assad's potential exit and the resilience of local resistance. The duo analyzes Iran's strategic rise and the unintended consequences of U.S. interventions in the region. They also reflect on the historical roots of protests and the ongoing power dynamics that hinder self-determination in Syria, highlighting the struggle for democracy in the Middle East.
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Syria's Complex History
- Understanding Syria requires looking back at least a quarter-century, not just recent events.
- The Syrian conflict is deeply rooted in regional and global power dynamics.
US Intervention in Iraq
- The U.S. invasion of Iraq inadvertently strengthened Iran by removing its main adversaries.
- This led to Iran establishing a land route to the Mediterranean through Syria and supporting Hezbollah.
Rise of Al-Nusra
- The 2011 Arab Spring protests provided an opportunity for Syrian fighters from Iraq to join the conflict.
- Al-Julani, a Syrian trained by Al-Qaeda in Iraq, returned to Syria to lead Jabhat al-Nusra.