Initially predicted to fall during the 2011 Arab Spring, Bashar al-Assad clung to power through a devastating civil war, surviving only after critical military intervention from Russia and Iran. It was in the midst of this conflict that Australian journalist Luke Waters secured a rare one-on-one interview with the President in Damascus.

On this episode of Putschcast, Luke reflects on that historic meeting. Assad insisted he was merely fighting terrorists, believing history would vindicate him as Syria's saviour. But did he truly believe his own rhetoric? How do you even secure a sit-down with a leader accused of war crimes? And what was going on behind the scenes? We uncover the story behind the interview.

To find out how Assad's regime actually fell, listen to Putschcast episode 1.

To watch Luke's TV interview with Assad from 2016, click here.

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