This podcast of Global Stuff brings back Stephen Zunes, author and
expert on International issues, especially the Middle East and Israel and
Palestine. In this live interview with call-ins, recorded on Dec. 27, 2024,
Dr. Zunes discusses the recent overthrow of the Bashar al-Assad regime
in Syria by the rebel fundamentalist Hayat Tahir al Sham (HTS) group.
The end of the over 50 year authoritarian rule by the al-Assad family
brings major changes to the region with impact throughout the region
and the world. Among the issues discussed are the involvement of
Israel, the Biden administration’s continued support for Israel’s ongoing
military actions, the involvement of US weapons manufacturers, the
ongoing conflict in Gaza, the history of US support for repressive
regimes and related issues.

Dr. Stephen Zunes is a Professor of Politics and International Studies at
the University of San Francisco, where he served as founding director of
the program in Middle Eastern Studies. Recognized as one the country’s
leading scholars of U.S. Middle East policy and of strategic nonviolent
action, Professor Zunes has served as a senior policy analyst for Foreign
Policy in Focus project of the Institute for Policy Studies, an associate
editor of Peace Review, and a contributing editor of Tikkun until June
2024. From May-June, 2024, Dr. Zunes served as the Torgny Segerstedt
Visiting Research Professor at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.

Jimmy Durchslag has been the host of “Global Stuff”, a monthly guest
driven talk show for over 20 years. He has interviewed many prominent
scholars and leaders who clarify complex issues and provide
suggestions for positive change. He has a long experience as a manager
of several for profit and non-profit organizations. He is one of the
founders of Redwood Community Radio, the parent organization for
KMUD. He recently served as the Director of the Mainstream Media
Project, a nonprofit organization that scheduled expert guests for
interviews on talk shows both nationally and internationally.