Episode 2

How a former al-Qaeda fighter toppled the "Butcher" of Damascus

Published on: 29th July, 2025

What led to the sudden collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s rule? How was it experienced inside Syria? And how did a little-known former al-Qaeda fighter rise to take his place?

In the first of a two-part series, Jasmine explores the fall of the Assad regime and the end of a repressive dynasty that ruled Syria with an iron fist for more than five decades.

She is joined by Syrian academic Orwa Ajjoub to unpack this extraordinary political shift, the role of history and trauma, and why understanding the broader context is essential to making sense of what’s happening in Syria today.

This week, the view is from Syria - Part One.

We want to hear from you! Email us on jasmine@viewfromherepod.com

The View from Here aims to showcase a wide range of views and opinions, which do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast or its host.

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About the Podcast

The View From Here
The View From Here with Jasmine El-Gamal
The View From Here is a brand-new weekly podcast hosted by former Pentagon official and foreign policy analyst Jasmine El-Gamal.

Each Tuesday, Jasmine connects the dots between global headlines and the human stories behind them.

From war rooms to conflict zones to refugee camps, she draws on her experiences to examine how policy decisions impact real lives, uncovering the unseen costs of power.

The View from Here is foreign policy, reimagined: from the people shaping it, to those it impacts.

Get in touch with us with your thoughts and questions! You can find us at viewfromherepod@gmail.com.

Disclaimer: The View from Here aims to showcase a wide range of views and opinions, which do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast or its host.

About your host

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Jasmine El-Gamal

Jasmine El-Gamal is a foreign policy analyst and former Pentagon official who cares deeply about building bridges and changing the way we talk and think about policies that affect us all.

In this polarized, tribal environment, we've lost something essential. We've lost our ability to see each other's humanity across political and cultural divides.

As a first-generation Arab-American who's navigated cultures across North America, the Middle East, and Europe, Jasmine knows what it's like to live between worlds. To see how the same event can be understood completely differently depending on where you're standing.

The View from Here is her brand new podcast where she will break down foreign policy, and the news, and their impact on the humans behind the headlines.