The Fall of Assad: A History of Syria Unraveled – with Dr. Michael Oren

Boundless Insights - with Aviva Klompas

Syria’s collapse didn’t happen overnight. Born from the colonial borders of post-World War I, Syria has long been a fractured country, divided by sectarianism, tribal rivalries, and decades of brutal dictatorship. For years, Bashar al-Assad’s regime seemed untouchable, propped up by foreign support from Iran and Russia.
Now, in a sudden and decisive turn, Assad’s regime has fallen—an event few predicted and one with profound consequences for the region. Rebel factions, some with extremist ties, are vying for control, and Syria’s neighbors are jockeying to fill the power vacuum.
How did we get here? What does Assad’s collapse mean for Syria’s future, and how might this moment reshape the Middle East?
In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Michael Oren, former Israeli ambassador to Washington and a leading expert on the region, to explore the history that led to Assad’s fall and what comes next for Syria, its people, and its neighbors.
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