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Today’s Episode: 

Last week, we witnessed the eruption of violent aggression on behalf of the Syrian government and local Bedouin tribes against Syria’s southern Druze community, leaving more than 1,400 people dead. The Druze are a community that also has deep roots in Israel, and over 1,000 Israeli Druze citizens crossed the Israel-Syria border to support their brothers and sisters being attacked.

In response, Israel launched a series of strikes against military facilities in Damascus, prompting widespread global criticism. As of Saturday, all sides have agreed to a ceasefire. However, we are still seeing reports and videos on social media of Druze being attacked in Southern Syria.

Many are asking what to make of Syria’s new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former Al Qaeda affiliate who claims to have moderated. People are also wondering to what extent Turkey – a supporter of the new Syrian regime – played a role in what’s unfolded in Syria.  

Joining us to discuss – and at points, debate – these complex questions are Charles Lister, senior fellow and director of the Syria Initiative at the Middle East Institute, and Hay Eitan Cohen Yanarocak, researcher of modern-day Turkey at the Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies at Tel Aviv University.

(00:00) Introduction

(05:05) What happened in Syria?

(11:16) The involvement of Turkey

(15:06) The U.S. response to Israel’s intervention in Syria 

(31:20) Turkey’s ambition

(37:51) Did Israel make a mistake?

(43:45) Outro

CREDITS:

ILAN BENATAR - Producer & Editor

MARTIN HUERGO - Sound Editor

MARIANGELES BURGOS - Additional Editing

MAYA RACKOFF - Operations Director

GABE SILVERSTEIN - Research

YUVAL SEMO - Music Composer