Welcome to a breaking-event interview on the extraordinary and rapidly unfolding developments in Syria, covering late November to the present. In this special episode, we're joined by retired CIA Senior Intelligence Service Officer and former State Department Diplomat Glenn Corn. This conversation is part of The Mad Minute — Glenn's series delivering sharp geopolitical analysis and expert interviews on critical global issues.

Glenn brings unmatched expertise to this discussion, with over three decades of service in the US government, including assignments in Turkey, Russia, and extensive work on Middle Eastern affairs and counterterrorism. If you're curious about Glenn's remarkable career, we previously explored his experiences in both the CIA and State Department on Combat Story.

In today's episode, we dive into the key events leading to Assad's departure from Damascus, the swift advances of HTS and SDF forces toward the capital, the broader implications for regional players, and what strategic moves the US should consider next.

Now, let's get into this essential analysis with Glenn Corn.

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Show Notes:

00:00 Introduction to the Breaking Event
01:16 Timeline of Recent Events in Syria
02:57 Key Players and Their Roles
03:52 Russia's Strategic Moves
04:44 Understanding Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS)
07:17 Demographics and Historical Context
08:55 Implications for Regional Stability
13:10 Potential U.S. Strategies
17:59 Challenges and Opportunities
25:58 Global Interconnections and Final Thoughts