
Show Notes
What next for the Syrian detention camps and their residents? After the fall of the so-called “caliphate”, tens of thousands of women and children from around the world - followers of the Islamic State group as well as its victims - ended up in a handful of camps in north-eastern Syria. Once run by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, those camps are now in the process of being closed down by the Syrian authorities. This series explores the trauma that led to the prolonged existence of the camps and what the future might hold for their residents. In part three, we discuss justice and rehabilitation, as well as where the latest dramatic events leave the story. Contributors: Mina al-Lami, Barry Marston, Clare Denning, Samia Hosny, Mohammed al-Jumaily, Bryn Windsor Producer: Kriszta Satori, Elchin Suleymanov Presenter: Krassi Ivanova Twigg Music: Pete Cunningham
More from The Global Jigsaw
Why are millions of Afghans pushed into circular migration, and what awaits them in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan? In this series, we explore one of the world’s largest and longest-running refugee crises - a story spanning decades and affecting nearly half of Afghanistan’s population. Once welcomed as guests and embraced in the spirit of Islamic solidarity in neighbouring Iran and Pakistan, Afghan refugees now find themselves facing restrictions, discrimination and deportation. In the first part, we go back to the geopolitics of the Cold War to see how the mix of Soviet tanks, American money and tribal warfare created the perfect conditions for a mass exodus. Find out more about BBC Monitoring on our website: https://monitoring.bbc.co.uk Contributors: Haroon Rahmani, Umaima Zia, Barry Sadid Producer: Kriszta Satori, Barry Sadid Presenter: Krassi Ivanova Twigg Music: Pete Cunningham
Two rivers helped build civilisation. Now they are at the centre of a geopolitical struggle that casts a shadow over the future of the Middle East. For centuries, the Tigris and Euphrates carried goods, armies and ideas, shaping some of history's greatest empires. But today, a toxic mix of climate change, outdated irrigation methods and conflicting national interests is pushing these rivers to the brink. As Turkey’s vast dam projects reduce downstream flows, Iraq is being forced into negotiations that go far beyond water, touching on security cooperation, trade routes and energy. This is the story of how water became a geopolitical bargaining chip. Find out more about BBC Monitoring on our website: monitoring.bbc.co.uk/ Contributors: Dilay Yalcin, Mohammed al-Jumaily Producer: Dilay Yalcin, Barry Sadid Presenter: Krassi Ivanova Twigg Music: Pete Cunningham
With perpetrators in exile, closure is out of reach. As Syria’s new authorities seek to hold figures of the former regime accountable, questions remain over the fate of Bashar al-Assad. The former president and members of his inner circle were granted asylum in Russia after a rebel offensive drove him from power in 2024. The transition ushered in a new chapter for Syria, raising hopes for justice, after decades of repression. In this episode, we assess the obstacles standing in the way of accountability, justice and closure. Can victims of Assad’s brutal reign find redress when some of the regime’s most notorious figures remain beyond the reach of Syrian courts? Find out more about BBC Monitoring on our website: https://monitoring.bbc.co.uk/ Contributors: Tess Mallinder Heron, Clare Denning, Feras Kilani, Amalia Zatari Producer: Clare Denning, Tess Mallinder Heron, Kriszta Satori Presenter: Krassi Ivanova Twigg Music: Pete Cunningham
The rescuers who dodge drones and bombs to evacuate from frontline areas in Ukraine, known as the “kill zone”. More than four years after Russia’s full-scale invasion, thousands of civilians still live dangerously close to active combat zones. Getting them to safety requires powers of persuasion, knowledge of warfare, and nerves of steel. In this episode, we explore how volunteer evacuation efforts of civilians in eastern Ukraine have evolved throughout the war, and how rescuers continue to adapt to an increasingly hostile and unpredictable battlefield. Find out more about BBC Monitoring on our website: https://monitoring.bbc.co.uk Contributors: Vitaly Shevchenko Producer: Kriszta Satori, Tim Bowler Presenter: Krassi Ivanova Twigg Music: Pete Cunningham
The extremist content quietly spreading on TikTok and Instagram, targeting unsuspecting young people. Through what is disguised as innocuous lifestyle content, supporters of jihadist groups like IS and al-Qaeda reach audiences outside their echo chamber. This is a recruitment drive that signals a move from direct operational instructions to “do-it-yourself jihad", with the aim of potentially inspiring lone wolf attacks. We explore the tactics used to obscure and evade detection, the challenges this poses for platforms, and how it has become a relentless game of whack-a-mole. BBC Monitoring's Mariam Soussi and Mina al-Lami talk about their recent research. Find out more about BBC Monitoring on our website: monitoring.bbc.co.uk Producer: Kriszta Satori, Elchin Suleymanov Presenter: Krassi Ivanova Twigg Music: Pete Cunningham