In Episode 166 of the Kianistan Podcast, host Tafhim Kiani speaks with Professor Joshua Landis, one of the leading American academics specializing in Syria and the Middle East. They discuss Syria after Bashar al-Assad, Ahmed al-Sharaa, the Syrian opposition, jihadist groups, minorities and the country's changing political landscape.The conversation also covers Israel's role in Syria, Iran, Turkey, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Yemen, as well as Pakistan's strategic position between Iran, Saudi Arabia, China, India and the United States. Joshua Landis also examines the changing balance of power in West Asia and the risks of wider regional escalation.What You'll Discover in This EpisodeSyria after Bashar al-AssadAhmed al-Sharaa and the evolution of the Syrian oppositionJihadists, Salafism and Syria's diverse societySufism, Sunni Islam and Syria's religious landscapeIsrael's growing role and military actions in SyriaTurkey's ambitions and regional strategyRussia, Iran and the changing Middle EastSaudi Arabia, Yemen and the wider regional warPakistan's balancing act between Iran and Saudi ArabiaPakistan, China, India and America's changing strategyChapters : 00:00 Introduction — Joshua Landis & Syria02:40 Syria, Assad & the Civil War06:00 Jihadists & the Syrian Opposition10:00 Syria After Assad14:00 Ahmed al-Sharaa & Syria's Future20:00 US Policy & the Syrian Conflict24:00 Israel, Iran & Syria28:00 Salafism, Wahhabism & Sufism34:00 Israel, Syria & the Golan Heights38:00 Turkey & Regional Power46:00 Russia, Israel & Ukraine50:00 Iran, Saudi Arabia & Regional Politics54:00 Pakistan, Iran & Saudi Arabia58:00 Pakistan, China, India & the US01:02:00 Yemen, Saudi Arabia & Regional Escalation01:06:20 Final Thoughts & GoodbyeAbout Guest : Joshua M. Landis is an American academic specializing in the Middle East and one of the leading experts on Syria. He is the head of the Center for Middle East Studies at the University of Oklahoma and has published the Syria Comment blog since 2004.His research and commentary focus on Syria, Middle Eastern politics, regional conflicts, US foreign policy and the relationships between Syria, Iran, Turkey, Israel and Russia.Guest LinksUniversity of Oklahoma profile:http://www.ou.edu/cas/international-studies/about/people/faculty/joshua-landis.htmlX / Twitter:https://x.com/joshua_landis?lang=enTagsJoshua Landis, Joshua M Landis, Syria, Syria news, Syria politics, Syria war, Syria after Assad, Bashar al Assad, Ahmed al Sharaa, Ahmad al Sharaa, Syria Israel, Israel Syria, Iran Syria, Turkey Syria, Russia Syria, Syria opposition, Syrian conflict, Syrian civil war, Middle East, Middle East politics, West Asia, Iran, Israel, Turkey, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Saudi Yemen war, Pakistan, Pakistan foreign policy, Pakistan Iran, Pakistan Saudi Arabia, Pakistan China, Pakistan India, US foreign policy, American foreign policy, geopolitical analysis, geopolitics, Kianistan, Kianistan Podcast, Tafhim KianiHashtags#JoshuaLandis #Syria #Iran #Israel #Turkey #Pakistan #MiddleEast #Geopolitics #WestAsia #Kianistan