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Peace Without Trust
A deal between Damascus and the Syrian Democratic Forces that will end Kurdish self-rule in northeastern Syria is moving forward. But mistrust runs deep, and many SDF fighters reject integration, while civilians, worn down by war, hope for stability but fear what unification could bring.
A Revolution’s Broken Promise
Iran’s Islamic republic was built on a pledge to uplift the poor and uproot inequality. Instead, decades of sanctions, ideological priorities and the Revolutionary Guard’s economic dominance have produced mass impoverishment and recurring unrest.
Inside Operation Serengeti 2.0 and Africa’s War on Cybercrime
Cybercrime in Africa has become big business. Now, governments are responding at the same scale. Operation Serengeti 2.0 was the largest crackdown of its kind the continent has seen, raising hopes — and questions about the new legal powers states are adopting.
How Defiance Began at Home in Assad’s Syria
Loubna Mrie joins Faisal Al Yafai on the podcast to discuss her experience of authoritarianism at home, obedience to the Assad regime, and joining the revolution, as detailed in her new memoir, “Defiance.”
From Guantanamo to Minneapolis
After 9/11, the detention center in Cuba became synonymous with the excesses of the “war on terror” and unchecked executive power. More than 20 years later, the U.S. is weaponizing the same legal and political apparatus as part of its campaign against migrants.
Saudi Arabia’s Break With Interventionism
After decades of shifting alliances that failed to deliver stability, Saudi Arabia now has a “zero-conflict” policy toward its neighbors. It is this, rather than a turn to Islamism, that is paradoxically creating tension with the United Arab Emirates and Israel.
Why Iran Is Witnessing a Gold Rush
Threats of war and the collapsing rial have devastated hopes for normalcy among ordinary Iranians and triggered a flight to gold in all forms, as people seek refuge for their savings and a sense of security amid economic turbulence.