The Syrian civil war and a stunning reversal for the Assad regime
4 December 2024 - 33 minsForeign correspondent Ruth Michaelson explains how President Bashar al-Assad’s government lost Aleppo, Syria’s second-biggest city, and who the Islamist militants are who have taken control there Because of industrial action taking place by members of the National Union of Journalists at the Guardian and Observer this week, you may notice some disruption to the availability of new episodes in your Guardian podcast feeds in the coming days. All the work on this episode was done before the strike action began. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Series Episodes
Eurovision in crisis? Israel’s inclusion causes rift – The Latest
Several countries are boycotting Eurovision after Israel was cleared to compete in the 2026 song contest despite calls for it to be excluded over the war in Gaza. Lucy Hough speaks to our European culture editor, Philip Oltermann – Watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
11 mins
5 December Finished
The World Cup’s Maga makeover
Guardian sportswriter Jonathan Liew on how football went about courting Donald Trump – and how it might regret it when the World Cup comes to the US next summer. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
26 mins
5 December Finished
Can Farage survive racism and antisemitism allegations? – The Latest
Reform’s deputy leader Richard Tice says allegations of racism from Nigel Farage’s school days are ‘made-up twaddle’. Lucy Hough speaks to investigations correspondent Henry Dyer -- Watch Today in Focus: The Latest on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
9 mins
4 December Finished
Zack Polanski on the Green party boom
Three months into his leadership the Green party membership is surging. Randeep Ramesh explains why. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
30 mins
4 December Finished
Is Putin about to go to war with Europe? – The Latest
Vladimir Putin has stalled progress on a peace plan for Ukraine being brokered by Donald Trump’s US and has said he is ‘ready for war’ with Europe ‘if it starts one’. Luke Harding speaks to Lucy Hough Watch Today in Focus: The Latest on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
12 mins
3 December Finished
The 27-year-old white supremacist radicalising MAGA
Where is Nick Fuentes trying to lead the Republican party? J Oliver Conroy reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
27 mins
3 December Finished
