Mike Thompson
Appearances
Global News Podcast
US sends diplomats to Syria
I think basically it's going to be that Ahmed al-Sara is going to do what he says because he's talked about having an inclusive government and protecting the rights of minorities, ethnic and religious groups. But is he going to do that? Particularly, will he do that when he gets what he wants in terms of the government and recognition from the outside world?
Global News Podcast
US sends diplomats to Syria
Well, that's right. Yes. I mean, it's not a bad record in many ways because HTS set up various ministries there and they govern the place reasonably well, I think, in the eyes of many. It was quite an authoritarian regime. Many opponents, critics were imprisoned. There were demonstrations, some earlier this year against HTS.
Global News Podcast
US sends diplomats to Syria
And running an area like Idlib is very different from running an entire country like Syria, which is much, much, much more complicated and difficult, of course.
Global News Podcast
US sends diplomats to Syria
Yes, it is. And he's pushed that quite strongly, that women's rights will be respected. We had on Thursday a demonstration in Damascus because a senior official from HTS had said that women's biological and psychological nature makes them unfit for certain jobs. And that caused a lot of anger and a big demonstration on Thursday. And that wasn't the only issue.