Joy, hope and murder in free Syria

Today in Focus

The Guardian

Daily News, News

4.6 • 5.7K Ratings

🗓️ 28 February 2025

⏱️ 45 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Syria has a new leader, and for thousands it is a time of celebration and optimism. But old enmities and fears about what comes next haunt the country. Michael Safi reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Transcript

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0:00.0	This is The Guardian.
0:08.2	Today, a journey across free Syria.
0:16.2	Gunther Steiner, star of Netflix's drive Survive and former Haast Team Principal is back.
0:23.9	On tour across the UK this spring.
0:26.2	After a sold-out 2024 run, the legend is back, funnier and bolder than ever, sharing the inside stories of high-stakes Formula One racing.
0:34.1	From hiring and firing drivers to car testing and season prep, nothing is off limits.
0:39.3	No filter, no holding back, just Gunther.
0:42.3	Live.
0:43.3	You don't have to smash any doors to get a ticket.
0:45.3	Book now at feign.co.uk.
0:48.3	U.K.
0:49.3	Hi, Ali.
0:57.0	Earlier this month I travelled to the Lebanese town of Stouda, not far from the border with Syria.
1:05.0	I was there to meet someone called Hussun, I'd been sent her number and told she was this wedding photographer
1:11.3	who was driving to Damascus. She had a story to tell and a space in her car if I wanted to join.
1:17.0	A lot more space. Can I move forward? Are you sure? Piled into her beaten up white VW golf were her sisters,
1:24.0	Nariman and Ubeida, and Nariman's son, nearly two years old. His name is Ali.
1:29.1	They had all fled Syria during the war, but today they were finally going back together.
1:39.4	And on that rainy, gray Friday afternoon, we set off.
1:47.3	And Hussein and I started talking.
1:50.0	This is the first time you travel to Syria?
1:52.7	No, I was there 13 years ago.
	...

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