Scott Horton Show - Just the Interviews 12/5/25 William Van Wagenen on Life in Post-Assad Syria
Dec 10, 2025
William Van Wagenen, a journalist and author with deep insights into Middle Eastern conflicts, discusses the grim realities in post-Assad Syria. He reveals horrifying accounts of Alawite women being kidnapped and enslaved, shedding light on the inadequate Western media coverage. Van Wagenen connects these abuses to broader geopolitical strategies, highlighting the roles of the U.S., Turkey, and Israel in the ongoing turmoil. His reflections on the ideologies driving violence against minorities and the systematic nature of recent atrocities paint a chilling picture of the current landscape.
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Alawite Women Targeted After Regime Change
- William Van Wagenen reports widespread kidnappings and enslavement of Alawite women since Jolani took power last December.
- The new security forces include former HTS/Jabhat Nusra fighters who act with impunity and criminal behavior.
Ideology Labels Alawites As Apostates
- Van Wagenen connects HTS/Jabhat Nusra ideology (Ibn Taymiyyah) to the targeting of Alawites and Shia as apostates.
- He argues this doctrinal basis fuels killings, enslavement, and expropriation.
Government Denial And Cover-Up Tactics
- Van Wagenen notes Syrian government and allied media launched a denial campaign, claiming most reported kidnappings were fake.
- He says the Interior Ministry publicly dismissed many verified cases as runaways or fabrications.
