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Radio War Nerd EP 486 — Syria War 2: Return of the Jihadis, feat. Joshua Landis

Dec 3, 2024
In this discussion, Joshua Landis, an expert on Syria and head of the Middle East Studies Center, dives deep into the recent resurgence of rebel forces in Syria. He explains the evolving dynamics of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and their implications for the Syrian conflict. The conversation also touches on Kurdish struggles amidst competing interests and the geopolitical intrigues involving Russia, Turkey, and Israel. Landis highlights the refugee crisis and unpredictable future, painting a complex picture of Syria's ongoing chaos.
01:12:23

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The recent rebel offensive in Aleppo has revealed significant weaknesses in the Syrian army's morale and troop strength amid ongoing conflicts.
  • Hayat Tahrir al-Sham's rebranding efforts under Abu Muhammad al-Jolani are aimed at local acceptance while retaining elements of extremist ideology.

Deep dives

The Impact of the Ongoing Conflict in Syria

The recent developments in Syria highlight a significant shift in power dynamics, particularly as rebel groups have launched a successful offensive leading to the capture of Aleppo, Syria's second-largest city. This rapid advance by the rebels has exposed the weaknesses within the Syrian army, which has seen a decline in both morale and troop strength due to years of conflict and disillusionment among its ranks. Factors contributing to this situation include a lack of external support, particularly from Hezbollah and Iran, and the debilitating effects of ongoing sanctions on the Syrian economy. Consequently, many Syrians have lost faith in the governing regime, leading to a hesitance to fight for a government that has failed to provide stability and basic services.

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