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
Can Trump’s peace plan for Gaza be saved? – The Latest
Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner is on a diplomatic mission in the Middle East to meet Hamas officials and the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, in an attempt to salvage a ceasefire in Gaza. The talks come after Netanyahu rejected the US-backed 15-point peace plan for the territory in a rare public break with the Trump administration this month. Nosheen Iqbal speaks to global editor Devika Bhat – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
9 mins
17 August Finished
The super-producer who made an album from his hospital bed
James Ellis Ford talks about being diagnosed with leukaemia and how making music helped him through one of the hardest periods of his life. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
26 mins
17 August Finished
Prisons are full - who should be released early?
Former prison governor Judith Feline on the reality of our overcrowded prisons and Peter Walker on why it’s causing a headache for Andy Burnham. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
30 mins
14 August Finished
The 21 million women and girls the world forgot
Five years after the Taliban retook power, women inside the country explain how they have been silenced, while the Afghan journalist Zahra Joya asks why the world has looked away. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
31 mins
13 August Finished
Could Clacton bin off Nigel Farage?
Farage has taken a high risk gamble by resigning and forcing a byelection in his constituency. Nosheen Iqbal heads to Clacton to find out how voters feel. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
30 mins
12 August Finished
Why did Saudi Arabia just spend billions on a video games company?
Last week Saudi Arabia’s wealth fund and a group of investors spent $55bn (£41bn) on Electronic Arts, the video games company behind the Sims, Madden NFL and Battlefield. Keith Stuart and George Osborn tell Annie Kelly why this soft-power move is worrying many in the industry. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
27 mins
11 August Finished
