Heidi Pett

Heidi Pett, a correspondent based in Damascus, shares her insights from a meeting with Syria's transitional leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa. Once a rebel fighter and enemy of the U.S., he is now forging a new political path. The conversation delves into al-Sharaa's transformation, his audience with Trump, and the potential lifting of sanctions on Syria. Pett highlights the dire economic realities facing the population amidst his cautious approach to governance and the complex challenges of uniting a fractured nation post-Assad.

In this engaging discussion, Damascus-based journalist Heidi Pett, who reports on the ongoing Syrian conflict, provides insight into the recent Israeli airstrike that shocked Damascus. She details the increasing sectarian tensions between the Druze and Bedouin fighters and the Syrian government, hinting at the fragile state of peace. Pett shares chilling accounts of violence in Sueda and the dire humanitarian conditions, warning that the escalating conflict could lead to a renewed civil war, as communities fracture and displacement rises.

Heidi Pett, a journalist reporting from Damascus, shares her insights on Syria's transformation following the fall of Bashar al-Assad. She captures the bittersweet joy of Syrians celebrating newfound freedom, intertwined with the sorrow of those searching for missing loved ones. Pett reveals the dark legacy of the Assad regime, including the troubling drug trade centered around Captagon. As new power dynamics emerge, she discusses the challenges faced by local factions and the cautious optimism among the populace navigating an uncertain future.