The Global Story: Syria's illegal drug empire

This podcast interviews Amir Nader, a BBC international correspondent, about the Captagon drug trade's ties to the Assad regime in Syria. The interview details the scale of the operation, revealing the Assad family's involvement and the significant financial gains, estimated at $5.6 billion annually, with a large portion going directly to the Assad family. Nader discusses the impact on Syrian soldiers, who were underpaid and forced into the trade, and the consequences for the region, including border conflicts with Jordan and trade disruptions. Following Assad's overthrow, the disruption of the trade is highlighted, along with the new Syrian government's efforts to distance itself from the illicit activity to gain international support and rebuild the economy. The interview concludes with a discussion of the Syrian people's reaction to the revelation of the Assad regime's involvement and the new government's commitment to ending the Captagon trade.