How technology led to the rise of HTS and the fall of Assad in Syria

HTS presented the removal of a brutal dictatorship that had lasted for five decades as a straightforward task accomplished in a matter of days. Currently, the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has assumed control in Syria, while former president Bashar al-Assad reportedly resides in Russia. Although the narrative often emphasizes the use of armoured vehicles and firearms, many analyses overlook the significant impact of technology on HTS's achievements, including innovations such as 3D printing and drones. To explore this topic in greater depth, we will engage in a discussion with Broderick McDonald, a researcher specializing in conflict at King’s College London.

Our demand for nickel is destroying a way of life in Indonesia

Peter Guest, one of Somewhere on Earth’s regular studio experts, has been on the nickel trail in Indonesia He provides a firsthand account of the environmental repercussions associated with the nickel sector, which supplies components for electric vehicles on our roads. Peter has undertaken a 2,000-kilometer journey across Sulawesi, examining the detrimental impacts of the nickel industry on both the environment and human rights. This investigation was for the Gecko Project.

The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell and the studio expert is Peter Guest.

More on this week's stories:

Broderick McDonald

Dust Money

Production Manager: Liz Tuohy

Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz

Audio: Ion Minas Belesis at All is Joy Studios in London

For new episodes, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts or via this link:

https://somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast-the-podextra-edition.pod.fan/

Follow us on:

Join our Facebook group

Instagram

Linkedin

Bluesky

YouTube

If you like Somewhere on Earth, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts

Contact us by email: [email protected]

Send us a voice note: via WhatsApp: +44 7486 329 484

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices