David Wearing, a Lecturer in international relations, and Ammar Azouz, a Syrian academic, share compelling insights on the dramatic fall of Bashar Al Assad. They discuss the emotional rollercoaster for the Damascus population as they confront both liberation and uncertainty about the future. The conversation explores the shift from nationalism to fundamentalism in the region and the complex dynamics of leadership within these movements. Ultimately, they reflect on the hopes and challenges facing a post-Assad Syria, with potential for both renewal and conflict.