Summary

In this episode, Heddy and Doron Benatar explore the historical context of Syria, discussing its evolution from biblical times to the present day. Doron shares his extensive background in American history and how it relates to understanding Middle Eastern history. The conversation delves into the rise of Hafez al-Assad, the impact of the Syrian Civil War, and the alliance between Syria and Iran. The latter part of the podcast shifts to life advice, focusing on building community and making friends, especially in transient environments.

Chapters

00:00 Intros and Who is Professor Doron Ben-Atar

03:17 Modern Syria - from today's revolution to ancient history

06:03 Modern Syria established in World War I

08:16 Syria as a Mandate post World War II

10:42 The Syrian Refugee Crisis and Global Implications

12:13 The rise of the Assad Regime post World War II

16:47 Syria and Iran - the development of the alliance

22:08 Historical Context of Syria and Its Ethnic Diversity

23:43 Navigating Life Advice: Finding a best friend as an adult

36:53 Outro & credits

Keywords

Syria, history, Hafez al-Assad, Syrian Civil War, Iran, community, life advice, podcast