On the morning of December 8, 2024, the world woke up in shock and disbelief as the latest news from Damascus arrived. In only eleven days, the rebel jihadist forces of Hayat Tayir al Sham (HTS) successfully concluded their assault on Damascus, forcing Assad to flee towards Moscow. What would become a new international figure, an Islamist under the fighting name of Abu Mohammed al-Joulani, marched on the empty presidential palace as the allied forces were liberating the priso

Listen to the audio on Spotify *The transcript has been edited for readability and clarity by Declan Browne & Augustine Acuna III....

In the immediate aftermath of Trump’s poll defying victory in the US election....