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.

 

Socials:Stay in touch with us on Instagram

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.

A daily news show from the publisher of The Monthly and The Saturday Paper.

A daily news show from the publisher of The Monthly and The Saturday Paper. Hear from the country’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

In the aftermath of the Bondi terror attack, the country is grieving. It's a moment that calls for unity and for leadership.

But what we’ve seen is something else. Within days, political lines hardened. A former prime minister stepped in. The opposition shifted its message. And international leaders joined the chorus.

With political venom so close to the surface, the moment has revealed something deeper about how crisis is now handled in Australian politics.

Today, press gallery veteran Paul Bongiorno, on the gap between who we want to be – and who we are.

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: Press gallery veteran Paul Bongiorno

In the aftermath of the Bondi terror attack, the country is grieving. It's a moment that calls for unity and for leadership.
But what we&rsquo;ve seen is something else. Within days, political lines hardened. A former prime minister stepped in. The opposition shifted its message. And international leaders joined the chorus.
With political venom so close to the surface, the moment has revealed something deeper about how crisis is now handled in Australian politics.
Today, press gallery veteran Paul Bongiorno, on the gap between who we want to be &ndash; and who we are.
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>.
Socials: Stay in touch with us on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/7ampodcast">Instagram</a>
Guest: Press gallery veteran Paul Bongiorno

Albanese's plan to tackle anti-semitism

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/82fc5231-a342-4bb6-affe-b3b7017908a0/transcript

Two months ago, Israel and Hamas agreed to the first phase of a ceasefire plan for Gaza.

But since the truce began on October 10, Gaza authorities say Israel has carried out nearly 800 attacks, killing almost 400 people – including in a recent strike targeting a senior Hamas commander.

Israel, meanwhile, says militants have repeatedly violated the ceasefire, killing at least three Israeli soldiers.

And as Hamas refuses to disarm, Washington seems to have gone silent.

Today, Middle East correspondent for The Economist, Gregg Carlstrom, on why plans for peace have stalled – and who may end up running Gaza.

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: Middle East correspondent for The Economist, Gregg Carlstrom

Two months ago, Israel and Hamas agreed to the first phase of a ceasefire plan for Gaza.
But since the truce began on October 10, Gaza authorities say Israel has carried out nearly 800 attacks, killing almost 400 people &ndash; including in a recent strike targeting a senior Hamas commander.
Israel, meanwhile, says militants have repeatedly violated the ceasefire, killing at least three Israeli soldiers.
And as Hamas refuses to disarm, Washington seems to have gone silent.
Today, Middle East correspondent for&nbsp;The Economist, Gregg Carlstrom, on why plans for peace have stalled &ndash; and who may end up running Gaza.
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>.
Socials: Stay in touch with us on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/7ampodcast">Instagram</a>
Guest: Middle East correspondent for The Economist, Gregg Carlstrom

Why the peace plan for Gaza has stalled 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/e2d39ad8-f064-411d-af39-b3b7006a80e5/transcript

As the country tries to understand how a Hanukkah gathering in Bondi ended with 15 people dead, more details about the alleged shooters have come to light.

Authorities say the attack was inspired by Islamic State. The two gunmen had recently travelled to the Philippines for military-style training. The surviving gunman, now in custody, had been known to ASIO since 2019.

And yet the attack still went ahead, raising fresh questions about the limits of Australia’s counter-terrorism systems – and how hard it is to detect and stop lone-actor violence before it happens.

Today, Chair in Global Islamic Politics at Deakin University, Professor Greg Barton, on how a mass attack like this can still happen in Australia, even when intelligence agencies are on high alert.

 

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: Chair in Global Islamic Politics at Deakin University, Professor Greg Barton

Photo: AAP Image/Lukas Coch

As the country tries to understand how a Hanukkah gathering in Bondi ended with 15 people dead, more details about the alleged shooters have come to light.
Authorities say the attack was inspired by Islamic State. The two gunmen had recently travelled to the Philippines for military-style training. The surviving gunman, now in custody, had been known to ASIO since 2019.
And yet the attack still went ahead, raising fresh questions about the limits of Australia&rsquo;s counter-terrorism systems &ndash; and how hard it is to detect and stop lone-actor violence before it happens.
Today, Chair in Global Islamic Politics at Deakin University, Professor Greg Barton, on how a mass attack like this can still happen in Australia, even when intelligence agencies are on high alert.
&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: Chair in Global Islamic Politics at Deakin University, Professor Greg Barton
Photo:&nbsp;AAP Image/Lukas Coch

How Bondi is testing Australia’s national security

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/12a2053d-5c58-4a38-ad24-b3b6005e7b9c/transcript

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

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