Reese Erlich: Inside Syria, Their Civil War and What to Expect

Presented by KPFA Radio 94.1FM with St. John's Presbyterian Church

Hosted by Brian Edwards-Tiekert

$12 advance tickets: 800-838-3006 or independent bookstores, $15 door

This vivid picture of Syria now, through on-the-ground descriptions and challenging interviews with rebel leaders and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, provides a much clearer understanding of the complex dynamics underlying the Syrian civil war, and why it is so crucial for the Middle East, the U.S., and the world. Through his many personal contacts inside Syria, the author reveals exactly who is supporting Assad and why. He describes the agendas of rebel factions. He depicts in stark terms the horrific plight of thousands of Syrian citizens unintentionally caught in the crossfire. Also described are the role of the Kurds, the continuing influence of powerful Iran, and the conflicted policies of U.S. leaders.

Erlich demonstrates how current actions in Syria can be most clearly understood by understanding that nation's recent history, particularly the roles of such essential figures as T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia), journalist Lowell Thomas, Muslim Brotherhood founder Hassan al Banna, Zionist leader Chaim Weismann, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, Saddam Hassan, and Hafez al-Assad.

"Reese Erlich's reporting and investigative journalism around the world have been highly enlightening, and speaking personally, has been of great value to me in my own work..."
-Noam Chomsky (from his Foreword to the book)

Reese Erlich is an award-winning journalist and author of four books on foreign policy, most recently Conversations with Terrorists: Middle East Leaders on Politics, Violence and Empire. The Northern California Society of Professional Journalists in 2012 gave Erlich its best explanatory journalism award for his radio documentary, Inside the Syrian Revolution.

Brian Edwards-Tiekert is a host on UpFront, a KPFA public affairs show airing weekdays on 7 AM.