It’s taken just an eight-day offensive for rebels in Syria to bring down the brutal, murderous Assad regime, which had ruled for half a century. 

The dictator Bashar al-Assad fled Damascus to Russia, where he’s reportedly been given asylum. 

But with the main Syrian rebel group behind the movement being a declared terrorist organisation in Australia and having previous links to Al Qaeda, what does the future hold? 

Today, the ABC’s Global Affairs Editor John Lyons on what comes next and what it means for the Middle East. 

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John Lyons, ABC Global Affairs Editor

With summer upon us, cranking up the air conditioning is the most comfortable option, but the electricity bill that goes with it can be shocking. 

That’s why Australians who have a house, a roof and some money are increasingly getting solar panels. 

But there is a problem because there is a thing as too much solar.

Today, energy reporter Dan Mercer explains that the surge of solar power is risking stability of the power grid and it’s a bit like riding a bike. 

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Dan Mercer, ABC energy reporter

Esveidy Rodriguez is an undocumented immigrant living in Arizona. 

She’s now thinking about what life will be like for her in Donald Trump’s America. 

The president-elect has promised to start the process of deporting millions of illegal immigrants on day one of his return to the White House. 

Many, like Esveidy and her parents, have lived in America for years.

Today, we speak with Esveidy and hear how she’s feeling about what happens in 2025.  

When the South Korean leader ordered martial law, a chaotic series of events got underway. 

Troops were deployed to the streets of Seoul, politicians rushed to the parliament building and protestors made their voices heard. 

After a parliamentary vote blocked the order, the martial law was rescinded in an embarrassing backdown. 

So, what on earth was President Yoon Suk Yeol trying to achieve and what does it mean for South Korea’s future?

Today, Kyung Moon Hwang from the Australian National University who was in the capital Seoul when it all unfolded. 

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Kyung Moon Hwang, Korea Foundation Professor and director of the ANU Korea Institute

Many Australians would not have heard of Kim Williams, but most podcast listeners will be familiar with Joe Rogan.

Kim Williams is the current chairman of the ABC and Joe Rogan is a podcast host with tens of millions of followers around the globe. 

Today, technology and online culture journalist Taylor Lorenz on the day Kim Williams took on Joe Rogan and how the podcaster became so popular and influential. 

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Taylor Lorenz, writer of tech and online culture newsletter User Mag

Is it a reasonable act of a loving father, or a president abusing his power to get a family member off the hook?

In his final weeks in office, Joe Biden has pardoned his son Hunter Biden for gun and tax charges.

Today, host of the ABC’s Planet America John Barron on what it means for the outgoing president’s legacy.  

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John Barron, co-host of Planet America

Since Donald Trump won the US election, there’s been a fair bit of debate about how he did it.

One theory is the Democrats have all but abandoned the working class and Trump made them feel seen. 

So, ahead of Australia’s own election next year, how are working class people feeling about politics?

Today, political strategist and pollster Kos Samaras on how their economic plight will affect the election result. 

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Kos Samaras, former Labor strategist and director of the RedBridge Group

For almost 20 years they’ve sat in prisons in Indonesia, for trying to smuggle heroin out of Bali, but the five remaining members of the so-called Bali Nine could be returned to Australia soon.  

As a former foreign correspondent, it’s a story Sam Hawley knows well, because she went inside Kerobokan prison for a week in 2017. 

She spoke with two members of the Bali Nine, Si Yi Chen and Matt Norman and has followed their story ever since. 

Today, Sam speaks with Cindy Wockner, who was also a correspondent at the time, about the deal being worked on that might bring them home. 

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Cindy Wockner, ABC journalist, author of The Pastor and the Painter and co-author of Bali 9: The Untold Story

When police officer Kristian White tasered 95 year old Clare Nowland in an aged care facility last year, he said the great grandmother was a threat because she was carrying a knife. 

But a jury has found him guilty of manslaughter.

Today, we speak with reporter Jason Om who has been covering the case and with criminologist Xanthe Mallett about how police use tasers. 

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Jason Om, 7.30 reporter

Xanthe Mallett, associate professor of criminology from the University of Newcastle

There’s been a flurry of activity in Canberra as the government rushes to get a huge amount of legislation through parliament before it rises at the end of the week.

So, what are the new and proposed laws and will they really help you? 

Today, the ABC’s National Political Lead, David Speers on the bills passing and failing, as the government ponders a sooner rather than later election. 

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David Speers, ABC National Political Lead