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.
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Geopolitics and Assad's Fall
- The fall of the Assad regime wasn't solely due to internal factors.
- Geopolitical shifts and foreign powers' involvement played a significant role in destabilizing the balance of power.
HTS's Technocratic Islamism
- HTS, now ruling Syria, represents a moderated Al-Qaeda, distinct from ISIS.
- They lean towards technocratic Islamism, prioritizing development measured by mosques and malls.
HTS vs. 1979 Iran
- Unlike Iran's 1979 revolution, HTS's rise wasn't driven by a revolutionary upsurge.
- The Syrian regime collapsed due to apathy and hollowed-out support during a period of frozen conflict.