This episode includes an Overtime segment that’s available to paid subscribers. If you’re not a paid subscriber, we of course encourage you to become one. If you are a paid subscriber, you can access the complete conversation either via the audio and video on this post or by setting up the paid-subscriber podcast feed, which includes all exclusive audio content. To set that up, simply grab the RSS feed from this page (by first clicking the “...” icon on the audio player) and paste it into your favorite podcast app.
If you have trouble completing the process, check out this super-simple how-to guide.
0:00 Josh’s hopes for post-Assad Syria—revisited
3:48 The challenge(s) facing the Syrian government
8:34 What’s driving Syria’s sectarian violence?
19:20 Josh’s personal window into the al-Sharaa regime’s brutality
22:27 The new regime’s church vs state problem
29:20 How the Druze became central to Israeli-Syrian hostilities
42:41 Why did Israel escalate with Syria, really?
50:11 Josh’s current outlook on Syria's future
55:08 Heading to Overtime
Robert Wright (Nonzero, The Evolution of God, Why Buddhism Is True) and Joshua Landis (University of Oklahoma, SyriaComment.com). Recorded July 23, 2025.
Overtime titles:
0:00 The grim reality for Syria’s religious minorities
4:29 Why Syria won't cozy up to Iran
6:34 Israel’s dark Gaza endgame
15:30 The deepening Dem schism over Israel
20:12 Academia’s Trump-induced self-censorship on Gaza
24:49 Bob’s bleak realization about politics, everywhere
27:48 Why (all) hope should not be lost for Syria
Overtime video: