A CBC Radio podcast episode published on August 11, 2026 examines the life of Asma al-Assad, wife of former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, whose government collapsed when he fled Syria in December 2024, ending a family rule that had lasted more than fifty years.
Podcast examines Asma al-Assad's role in Syrian regime following Bashar al-Assad's departure
A CBC Radio podcast episode published on August 11, 2026 examines the life of Asma al-Assad, wife of former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, whose government collapsed when he fled Syria in December 2024, ending a family rule that had lasted more than fifty years.
Before becoming Syria's first lady, Asma al-Assad was known as Emma Akhras, a British-born investment banker from West London. She was at one point profiled by Vogue, which reportedly described her as a modernizing force and 'a rose in the desert.'
The episode features Chloe Hadjimatheou, identified as narrative editor at The Observer and host of a podcast called 'We Call Her Emma,' speaking with guest host Jason Markusoff about Asma al-Assad's life and her alleged complicity in the Assad government.
According to the episode description, the fall of Bashar al-Assad's government prompted a wave of reporting into the lives of the Assad family, with Asma al-Assad drawing particular attention.
- The source does not establish the specific nature or extent of Asma al-Assad's alleged complicity in the regime
- The source does not state where Bashar or Asma al-Assad went after his departure from Syria
- The source does not provide details about the circumstances of the government's collapse beyond the date
- The source does not describe the content of the Vogue profile beyond two quoted phrases
- The source does not detail the findings of the new wave of reporting mentioned