Radio War Nerd EP #141—Syria War Update with Rania Khalek
Guest: Rania Khalek, journalist
Recorded July 18, 2018
The War Nerd invites Beirut-based journalist Rania Khalek back on the show to update us on the Syria war, and changes since the last time Rania was on RWN [EP #69, January 2017]. Rania discusses western myths about the Syria war versus western complicity in Islamic State's crimes; what it's like to get trolled by Jon Cusack; and her harrowing reporting on the Yezidi genocide . . .
At 1:37:00 — War Nerd and Ames look at other current war news: Boko Haram's attack on a Nigerian military base that left hundreds of soldiers "missing" while their commander snagglepussed off in an armored Humvee . . . Son of British Nigeria colonial overlord attacked RWN guest Yasha Levine . . . Good news: Ethiopia-Eritrea peace breaks out . . . Trump says something sensible about Montenegro, bonfire of hair erupts along Acela Corridor . . .
Follow Rania Khalek on Twitter & check out her podcast Unauthorized Disclosure with Kevin Gosztola. Read her blog here.
Comments (13)
John, the old Irish joke gets better ever time. I tell it to all my Zionist friends.
@1:35 - Rania: "Thank you so much for having me on. And thank you for having such a great show. And thank you for not going insane. Please don't go on Jake Tapper in the next couple of weeks. Mark: "Oh, but the nuke in my basement is OK?" Haha. That was hilarious. Great episode!
Well, if this ugly duckling of an independent nation in Idlib is there to stay - spoiler alert; it won't become a beautiful swan - then I would like to suggest some official names: the Black Free State the Wahhabi People’s Republic of Syria the Kingdom of Nusra-Arabia the Confederate Salafi-Libertarian Fiefdoms of Idlib The latter of which will soon feature in Vice Magazine as bearded, manly men trading with bitcoin-dinars
The last, definitely. I know where "black" came from, but caution against it.
I've listened to the first 30 mins so far and must say l very much disagree with both your assessments regarding the government abandoning Idlib. Also Rania's explanation doesn't make any sense regarding that point. How is it in the government's interest to keep an unstable jihadi enclave on its borders and how will it justify that to its population after the series of recent swooping military victories!? AND she said that Syria needs this status quo in Idlib to restart trade relations with Turkey!? What!? How did she reach that conclusion?
I suspect they intend to eventually take it back, but it’s very low on a long list of priorities. But the Syrian government has never indicated any willingness to actually give up territory.
Captain Mainwaring (pronounced Mannering) was a character in a 60's/70's british sitcom called Dad's Army, about the home guard in WW2. He was a bank manager in a small seaside town who volunteered for the home guard and was mad a captain. He was a pompous character who never the less embodied the bull-dog-spirit. You were supposed to laugh at him but harbour some affectionate respect too.
Unrelated comment, I would and want to sign-up for an online John Dolan writing school
What is the source for Joshua Landis' cost estimate discussed by Mark at 26:45?
Joshua Landis interview, EP #118
It felt like the interview ended on an unironically happy note. I'm all thrown off. I think it was Rania's fault.
Who is the interview subject mentioned at 17 min in and what episode?
Elijah Magnier - ep 88