Bungacast
/467/ Mosques & Malls & Nation-States ft. Djene Bajalan
Feb 4, 2025
Djene Bajalan, an assistant professor of history and co-host of This Is Revolution, dives deep into Syria's turbulent politics. He explores the rise of HTS and its stark contrasts with Iran's Islamic regime. The discussion reveals how geopolitical forces have shaped the fall of Assad and the Ba'ath Party. Bajalan also critiques the left's misconceptions about nationalism, emphasizing its dual nature—civic and ethnic. He contemplates the aftermath of the Arab Spring and the Kurdish struggle for autonomy, questioning the future of nationalism in a shifting Middle East.
50:38
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Quick takeaways
- The Syrian civil war reveals a shift from secular nationalism to localized Sunni-oriented nationalism, impacting governance and identity in the region.
- The precarious position of Kurdish forces highlights the complexities of foreign support and internal pressures amid evolving Syrian political dynamics.
Deep dives
The Evolution and Impact of the Syrian Civil War
The Syrian civil war is characterized by its complexity, having involved multiple factions over the years. The main players include the Assad regime, the Free Syrian Army, the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army, and the Kurdish forces, each with distinct foreign support. By the late 2010s, the conflict had entered a frozen phase, with territorial lines more or less agreed upon, but the recent resurgence of violence suggested underlying fragility. The collapse of the Assad regime's facade has revealed long-standing geopolitical shifts and a lack of support from Iran and Russia, leading to increased tensions and an uncertain future for Syria.
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