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

For more than a decade, Independent MP Andrew Wilkie has been talking about gambling addiction.

His advocacy means he’s become a lightning rod for people to share their stories.

Now, as the government this week passed legislation aimed at reducing gambling harms, Wilkie is among an angry group of dissenters who say the bill is a “national shame”.

 

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: Independent MP Andrew Wilkie

Photo: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

For more than a decade, Independent MP Andrew Wilkie has been talking about gambling addiction.
His advocacy means he&rsquo;s become a lightning rod for people to share their stories.
Now, as the government this week passed legislation aimed at reducing gambling harms, Wilkie is among an angry group of dissenters who say the bill is a &ldquo;national shame&rdquo;.
&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: Independent MP Andrew Wilkie
Photo:&nbsp;AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

“National shame”: Andrew Wilkie on the government’s gambling reforms

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/ce584339-e33b-4f6b-9490-b4ad0040993a/transcript

In 2022, Masha Alyokhina escaped Russia disguised as a food delivery courier. 

She had spent years being arrested, imprisoned and watched by the state for her work with punk rock protest group Pussy Riot and for speaking out against Vladimir Putin.

But Alyokhina says the Russia she fled wasn’t transformed by one dramatic moment. Repression came piece by piece, until fear, censorship and eventually silence became part of everyday life. 

Now, she says the same pattern is taking hold elsewhere, as people become overwhelmed, disengaged from politics, and complacent that the freedoms they inherited will simply endure. 

Today, Pussy Riot’s Masha Alyokhina on what Putin’s Russia can teach us about authoritarianism, and why democracy can never be taken for granted. 

 

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: Pussy Riot’s Maria (Masha) Alyokhina

Photo: AAP Image/Kelly Barnes

In 2022, Masha Alyokhina escaped Russia disguised as a food delivery courier.&nbsp;
She had spent years being arrested, imprisoned and watched by the state for her work with punk rock protest group Pussy Riot and for speaking out against Vladimir Putin.
But Alyokhina says the Russia she fled wasn&rsquo;t transformed by one dramatic moment. Repression came piece by piece, until fear, censorship and eventually silence became part of everyday life.&nbsp;
Now, she says the same pattern is taking hold elsewhere, as people become overwhelmed, disengaged from politics, and complacent that the freedoms they inherited will simply endure.&nbsp;
Today, Pussy Riot&rsquo;s Masha Alyokhina on what Putin&rsquo;s Russia can teach us about authoritarianism, and why democracy can never be taken for granted.&nbsp;
&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: Pussy Riot&rsquo;s Maria (Masha) Alyokhina
Photo:&nbsp;AAP Image/Kelly Barnes

Pussy Riot’s Masha on Putin, democracy, and escaping Russia

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/7d3c16d3-6646-4abc-8ce0-b4ac00683c72/transcript

When news broke this week of an alleged sexual assault involving the Sydney Swans AFL team in Melbourne, old faultlines in the way the sport handles accusations against its players re-ignited. 

Everything from the players involved, to the language used by the club, and the way the media reported the allegations, came under the microscope. 

So how much has changed when it comes to footy players doing the wrong thing. And what would a good response from the AFL look like? 

Today, journalist and author of Night Games, Anna Krien, on the way forward for the AFL. 

 

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: Journalist and author of Night Games Anna Krien

Photo: AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi

When news broke this week of an alleged sexual assault involving the Sydney Swans AFL team in Melbourne, old faultlines in the way the sport handles accusations against its players re-ignited.&nbsp;
Everything from the players involved, to the language used by the club, and the way the media reported the allegations, came under the microscope.&nbsp;
So how much has changed when it comes to footy players doing the wrong thing. And what would a good response from the AFL look like?&nbsp;
Today, journalist and author of Night Games, Anna Krien, on the way forward for the AFL.&nbsp;
&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: Journalist and author of Night Games Anna Krien
Photo:&nbsp;AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi

The Sydney Swans scandal: How should the club, the AFL and the media respond?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/d2b02aad-9b9b-42a8-9786-b4ab007649bb/transcript

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

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