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
How the Guardian reported 2025
The Guardian’s editor-in-chief Katharine Viner looks back on the biggest news stories of 2025. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
28 mins
24 December Finished
Why Bethlehem is celebrating Christmas again
Pastor Munther Isaac talks about his hometown of Bethlehem – the scene of the nativity – celebrating Christmas for the first time in three years. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
25 mins
23 December Finished
The moment this year I’ll never forget
Today in Focus hears from Guardian journalists all around the world about their most memorable moments – and sounds – of 2025. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
32 mins
22 December Finished
What to expect from the Jeffrey Epstein files? – The Latest
The US Department of Justice is expected to release files relating to the disgraced late financier and sex trafficker, Jeffrey Epstein, this evening. Jonathan Freedland joins Lucy Hough to discuss why it’s such a big moment. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
10 mins
19 December Finished
Culture 2025: the best in film, TV and music
Guardian critics Ben Beaumont-Thomas, Catherine Shoard and Hannah J Davies look back at some of the best (and worst) of the year. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
29 mins
19 December Finished
Deepfakes and pornography: the plan to tackle toxic masculinity – The Latest
The UK government’s long-awaited strategy to tackle violence against women and girls has been published today. Alexandra Topping joins Lucy Hough to explain what it will change, amid concerns that ‘toxic ideas’ are going unchallenged in schools. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
10 mins
18 December Finished
