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
Trump has been humbled. Now what?
Journalist Molly Ball reports from Washington DC after the Republicans’ resounding midterms defeat. Will the party finally distance itself from Donald Trump? And what will the Democrats do with the power they’ve just gained? Send your comments and questions to [email protected]. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
27 mins
5 November Finished
Democrats’ triumph deals devastating blow to Trump - The Latest
Democrats have won a historic sweep in the US midterm elections, winning back control of Congress in a major setback for Donald Trump. Senate seats went blue in traditional Republican strongholds such as Texas, South Carolina and Kansas, where the Democrats had their first win since 1932. Voters have sent a strong message of discontent to the Trump administration over the economy, the cost of living and rising gas prices. Trump is now a lame-duck president for the rest of his term. Lucy Hough speaks to our Washington editor, Ankita Rao – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
13 mins
4 November Finished
Kim Jong-un, crypto bros and a $6.3bn heist
North Korea is said to be behind the theft from the crypto exchange Binance. How did they pull it off and what will they do with the money? Kalyeena Makortoff and Jean H Lee report. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
25 mins
4 November Finished
Cold war? Why are fridges being hacked and what could be next? - The Latest
Supermarket fridges and freezers in several European countries have malfunctioned after a reported cyber-attack, with their thermostats remotely cranked up. It is unclear who is behind the latest apparent attack but the EU has condemned what it said was ‘a deliberate attempt to disrupt our food supply’. It comes as the UK’s cybersecurity body warns AI-powered malicious software is ‘highly likely’ to be used in hacking attacks against the UK’s power stations, airports and hospitals by 2028. Lucy Hough speaks to global tech reporter Aisha Down – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
13 mins
3 November Finished
Sheikh Tahnoon: the most powerful man you’ve never heard of
The UAE’s spymaster is also one of the richest financiers on the planet. Now he has his sights on AI dominance. Jack Shenker explores the sheikh’s shadowy world. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
43 mins
3 November Finished
Why did a Democrat endorse a Republican in Michigan senate race? - The Latest
Democratic congresswoman Haley Stevens has endorsed the Republican candidate for the Senate after a spat with her party’s own candidate in Michigan, Abdul El-Sayed. The endorsement stunned Stevens’ Democrat colleagues, with one calling it a ‘despicable betrayal’ on the eve of the midterm elections. So what will it mean for the race? Lucy Hough speaks to US southern bureau chief and host of Anywhere but Washington Oliver Laughland – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
13 mins
2 November Finished
