How did Ahmed al-Sharaa go from an imprisoned al-Qaeda fighter to the leader of Syria? What is the psychological impact of living a secret life for over twenty years? What is the future of Syria?

Ahmed al-Sharaa joins Rory and Alastair to discuss all this and more.

TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to receive early access to Question Time episodes to live show tickets, enjoy ad-free listening for both TRIP and Leading, receive our exclusive newsletter, benefit from discount book prices on titles mentioned on the pod, and join our members’ chatroom on Discord. Just head to therestispolitics.com to sign up, or start a free trial today on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/therestispolitics.

Instagram: @restispolitics

Twitter: @RestIsPolitics

Email: restispolitics@gmail.com

Translators - Ibrahim Kadouni & Gerard Russell

Hani Tayfour - Director (RealStudio Production)

Siham Alobede Technical supervisor (RealStudio Production)

Ahmad Jalal Alkilani - Cameraman (RealStudio Production)

Hasan Ajlany - DOP

Hassan Jabri - Sound Engineer

Mohamad Hamami - Sound Technician Assistant

Bilal Altabakh - Lighting Technician

Chahine Jebara - Lighting Technician