Amar al-Azam

William Christou, a Guardian correspondent focused on Lebanon and Syria, teams up with Amar al-Azam, a professor of Middle East History at Shawnee State University. They dive deep into Syria's surge in treasure hunting amid civil unrest and the dire consequences for cultural heritage. The discussion highlights looted sites like Palmyra, the role of ISIS in profiting from destruction, and the economic desperation driving locals to excavate. They also cover initiatives to preserve history and the complex gray market of antiquities, emphasizing the responsibility of collectors.