logo
episode-header-image
Feb 2025
1h 7m

120. The New President of Syria: Trump, ...

Goalhanger
About this episode
How did Ahmed al-Sharaa go from an imprisoned al-Qaeda fighter to the leader of Syria? What is the psychological impact of living a secret life for over twenty years? What is the future of Syria? Ahmed al-Sharaa joins Rory and Alastair to discuss all this and more. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to receive early access to Question ... Show More
Up next
Aug 23
203. The Man Taking On Infantino: UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin
How did UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin lead the revolt that tore apart Gianni Infantino's plan to privatise the World Cup? Is Infantino finished as FIFA President after alienating the European federations who once put him there? What does Infantino's courtship of Donald Trump ... Show More
50m 46s
Aug 16
202. Is Peace in the Middle East Closer Than We Think? (A Palestinian & An Israeli's View)
How do an Israeli who lost his parents on October 7th and a Palestinian whose brother died after torture in Israeli prisons come together to reject revenge and build a brotherhood for peace? Why do they believe lasting peace between Israel and Palestine could be just "two to four ... Show More
1h 15m
Aug 9
201. How Westminster Breaks Politicians and Why Britain Isn't Ready for War
Is Britain's military being left behind as drones and AI rewrite the rules of modern warfare? Is British politics broken beyond repair, and does Johnny Mercer's ruthless fight for veterans reveal what's really wrong with Westminster? Why did a man so obsessed with truth end up de ... Show More
1h 16m
Recommended Episodes
Feb 2025
How will President Ahmed Al-Sharaa shape Syria’s future?
<p>Once an al-Qaeda-affiliated fighter, Syria&rsquo;s interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa now governs a nation in flux. He claims to be focused on stability, dissolving rebel groups and rebuilding institutions. His visit to Saudi Arabia signals shifting alliances and efforts to ease s ... Show More
19m 38s
Feb 2025
372. Syria, al-Sharaa, and the future of the Middle East
What does al-Sharaa's rise to power mean for Syria? Given his surprise takeover, how will today’s CIA analysts be changing the way they think about the country and what happens next? Will Syria be the next Libya? Join Rory and Alastair as they discuss Syria’s rapidly shifting po ... Show More
1h 6m
Feb 2025
Rebel with a new cause: meeting Syria’s president
<p>From media-studies dropout to international jihadist to Syria’s ruler, Ahmed al-Sharaa has an unlikely résumé. He speaks with our editor-in-chief, sharing <a href="https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2025/02/03/syrias-new-president-ahmed-al-sharaa-gives-his-first- ... Show More
28m 44s
Nov 2025
467. The Mamdani Method Explained: Could It Shock Britain?
How did a thirty four-year old democratic socialist win over New York, and can he actually follow through on his promise to transform the city? What do Zohran Mamdani, Zack Polanski, and Nigel Farage all get right? Why did Donald Trump meet the President of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa ... Show More
50m 37s
Dec 2024
349. The Fall of Assad: What's next for Syria?
Who are the Syrian rebels that have captured the capital? Why has the Assad regime collapsed so quickly? What's next for Syria, and the Middle East? Join Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell as they answer all these questions and more in this emergency episode of The Rest is Pol ... Show More
51m 15s
Sep 2025
Ahmed al-Sharaa’s high-stakes bid to remake Syria
For the first time in nearly 60 years, a Syrian leader speaks at the UN. It was a symbolic moment for a nation long-isolated from the international stage. President Ahmed al-Sharaa says he can rebuild Syria through private investment and a deal with Israel. But how much can he co ... Show More
19m 57s
Dec 2024
350. Assad in Moscow, Trump meets Zelensky, and Farage’s secret strategy
Is there hope for Syria? What’s next for France? And, why does Nigel Farage have a spring in his step? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. The Rest Is Politics is powered by Fuse Energy, a green electricity supplier powering homes across the UK. ... Show More
59m 40s
Dec 2024
346. The Battle for Syria
Who are the Syrian rebels who have attacked Aleppo? Will Keir Starmer's reset be enough to convince the public? Why is the French government on the brink of collapse? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all this and more in today's episode of The Rest Is Politics. The Rest Is ... Show More
46m 24s