In our inaugural episode with a guest, we are pleased to invite Dr. Max Ajl (@maxajl) to speak about Syria. This is a two part interview. Part one is a historical materialist primer on Syria, the groundwork you need to be able to understand the present moment. Part two will be helping us understand recent developments and de-developments.

A quick note, as Max works and lives in Tunisia, he says Tunisia/Tunisian at several points when he means Syria/Syrian.

Resources:

Patrick Higgins' "Gunning for Damascus: The US War on the Syrian Arab Republic," Middle East Critique

Max Ajl, "The Political Economy of Thermidor in Syria: National and International Dimensions," from Linda Matar and Ali Kadri's Syria: From National Independence to Proxy War (209-245).

Linda Matar, "The Political Economy of Investment in Syria"

Excellent podcasts from comrades on Syria compiled by the Good Shepherd Collective

For an excellent overview of what happened at the start of the so-called Syrian Civil War, read William Van Wagenen's two part essays

1. Salafis Throwing Bombs: How American and British Planners Partnered with al-Qaeda Affiliated Groups at the Start of the Syrian Civil War (Dec. 28, 2021)
2. "Creative Chaos: How U.S. Planners Sparked the Anti-Government Protests of the So-Called Arab Spring in Syria(Jan. 31, 2022)