Until late last year, the United States had a US$10 million bounty on Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

A former leader of the al-Nusra Front and al-Qaeda in Iraq, al-Sharaa was once an enemy of America.

Now Syria’s transitional leader, al-Sharaa has just met US President Donald Trump, who called him “an attractive young guy” with “a strong past” and pledged to lift sanctions on Damascus.

Today, Damascus-based correspondent, Heidi Pett, on meeting al-Sharaa in person, how he won an audience with Trump and what it means for Syria’s future.

 

If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.

 

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Guest: Damascus-based correspondent, Heidi Pett.

Photo: PA/Alamy

Until late last year, the United States had a US$10 million bounty on Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
A former leader of the al-Nusra Front and al-Qaeda in Iraq, al-Sharaa was once an enemy of America.
Now Syria&rsquo;s transitional leader, al-Sharaa has just met US President Donald Trump, who called him &ldquo;an attractive young guy&rdquo; with &ldquo;a strong past&rdquo; and pledged to lift sanctions on Damascus.
Today, Damascus-based correspondent, Heidi Pett, on meeting al-Sharaa in person, how he won an audience with Trump and what it means for Syria&rsquo;s future.
&nbsp;
If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at <a href="http://7ampodcast.com.au/support">7ampodcast.com.au/support</a>.
&nbsp;
Socials: Stay in touch with us on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/7ampodcast">Instagram</a>
Guest: Damascus-based correspondent, Heidi Pett.
Photo: PA/Alamy

An independent daily news show. We feature the country’s best reporters, covering the news as it affects Australia. This is news with narrative, every weekday.

An independent daily news show. We feature the country&rsquo;s best reporters, covering the news as it affects Australia. This is news with narrative, every weekday.

Syria’s president: From rebel fighter to meeting with Trump

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/0a9e6f20-84b9-461d-8e5c-b2ea0061f2a8/transcript

Israel has passed a new law allowing for the execution of Palestinians convicted of deadly attacks.

The law passed through the country’s parliament despite opposition from Israeli and international human rights groups, as well as the governments of the UK, Germany, France and Italy.

Israel’s national doctors’ union has refused to carry out lethal injections, meaning those sentenced under the law would face death by hanging.

The government says the law will deter future Palestinian attacks. Some right-wing Israeli politicians wore noose-shaped pins in parliament as it was debated.

Today, Israeli journalist Amira Hass, who lives in the West Bank and writes for Haaretz, on capital punishment, settler violence and the expansion of settlements in Palestine.

 

If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.

 

Socials:Stay in touch with us on Instagram

Guest: Haaretz correspondent for the Occupied Territories, Amira Hass

Photo: Ramez Habboub/ABACAPRESS.COM

Israel has passed a new law allowing for the execution of Palestinians convicted of deadly attacks.
The law passed through the country&rsquo;s parliament despite opposition from Israeli and international human rights groups, as well as the governments of the UK, Germany, France and Italy.
Israel&rsquo;s national doctors&rsquo; union has refused to carry out lethal injections, meaning those sentenced under the law would face death by hanging.
The government says the law will deter future Palestinian attacks. Some right-wing Israeli politicians wore noose-shaped pins in parliament as it was debated.
Today, Israeli journalist Amira Hass, who lives in the West Bank and writes for&nbsp;Haaretz, on capital punishment, settler violence and the expansion of settlements in Palestine.
&nbsp;
If you enjoy&nbsp;7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at <a href="http://7ampodcast.com.au/support">7ampodcast.com.au/support</a>.
&nbsp;
Socials: Stay in touch with us on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/7ampodcast">Instagram</a>
Guest: Haaretz correspondent for the Occupied Territories, Amira Hass
Photo:&nbsp;Ramez Habboub/ABACAPRESS.COM

Death by Hanging: Inside Israel's new laws for Palestinians

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/9806a89d-69e0-4132-a196-b42b006b0f94/transcript

More than a decade after he retired from AFL, John Barnes collapsed without warning and began having seizures.

The former Essendon and Geelong ruckman says years of head knocks left him with epilepsy, memory problems, and a life he barely recognised.

Now, as a growing class action takes on the AFL over concussion, Barnes is speaking about the damage he says the game caused – and the accountability he still wants.

 

If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.

 

Socials:Stay in touch with us on Instagram

Guest: Former AFL ruckman, John Barnes

Photo: AAP Image/Julian Smith

More than a decade after he retired from AFL, John Barnes collapsed without warning and began having seizures.
The former Essendon and Geelong ruckman says years of head knocks left him with epilepsy, memory problems, and a life he barely recognised.
Now, as a growing class action takes on the AFL over concussion, Barnes is speaking about the damage he says the game caused &ndash; and the accountability he still wants.
&nbsp;
If you enjoy&nbsp;7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at <a href="http://7ampodcast.com.au/support">7ampodcast.com.au/support</a>.
&nbsp;
Socials: Stay in touch with us on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/7ampodcast">Instagram</a>
Guest: Former AFL ruckman, John Barnes
Photo:&nbsp;AAP Image/Julian Smith

‘I’m sitting at home having seizures. I can't drive my car’: Why John Barnes is suing the AFL

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/e61acb11-26ca-48d3-8fd7-b42800710930/transcript

In September of 2012, Australian soldiers descended on the rural village of Darwan in Afghanistan, killing four men.

That raid and the events of that day were central to the defamation action brought by Ben Roberts-Smith. The court eventually found it was substantially true that he had committed war crimes – including kicking Ali Jan, an Afghan villager, off a cliff and ordering his execution.

Ben Roberts-Smith maintains his innocence, and the allegations have never been proven to a criminal standard.

But now, that’s about to be tested.

This week, Roberts-Smith was arrested and charged with five counts of war crime murder. One of those charges relates to the Darwan raid, making the killing of Ali Jan central to the criminal case ahead.

Ali Jan’s family are still waiting for justice and want to testify. But the agency leading Australia’s war crimes investigations is still refusing to take witness statements directly from Afghanistan.

Today, freelance journalist Michelle Dimasi, who travelled to Afghanistan to meet Ali Jan’s family,  on what justice might still look like for them.

This episode first aired in November 2023.

 

If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.

 

Socials:Stay in touch with us on Instagram

Guest:  Freelance journalist covering Afghanistan and the Middle East, Michelle Dimasi

Photo: AP Photo/Dario Lopez-Mills

In September of 2012, Australian soldiers descended on the rural village of Darwan in Afghanistan, killing four men.
That raid and the events of that day were central to the defamation action brought by Ben Roberts-Smith. The court eventually found it was substantially true that he had committed war crimes &ndash; including kicking Ali Jan, an Afghan villager, off a cliff and ordering his execution.
Ben Roberts-Smith maintains his innocence, and the allegations have never been proven to a criminal standard.
But now, that&rsquo;s about to be tested.
This week, Roberts-Smith was arrested and charged with five counts of war crime murder. One of those charges relates to the Darwan raid, making the killing of Ali Jan central to the criminal case ahead.
Ali Jan&rsquo;s family are still waiting for justice and want to testify. But the agency leading Australia&rsquo;s war crimes investigations is still refusing to take witness statements directly from Afghanistan.
Today, freelance journalist Michelle Dimasi, who travelled to Afghanistan to meet Ali Jan&rsquo;s family,&nbsp; on what justice might still look like for them.
This episode first aired in November 2023.
&nbsp;
If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at <a href="http://7ampodcast.com.au/support">7ampodcast.com.au/support</a>.
&nbsp;
Socials: Stay in touch with us on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/7ampodcast">Instagram</a>
Guest: &nbsp;Freelance journalist covering Afghanistan and the Middle East, Michelle Dimasi
Photo:&nbsp;AP Photo/Dario Lopez-Mills

Ali Jan’s family speaks: We want to testify against Australian troops

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/80b4167b-8940-4f72-a100-b428006b8d43/transcript

Syria’s president: From rebel fighter to meeting with Trump

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