We call her Emma
This podcast tells the story of Emma, a high-achieving, middle-class young woman from west London who seemed destined for a comfortable life in banking. In 2001, she married Bashar al-Assad, the future dictator of Syria, becoming known as Asma al-Assad. The narrative explores the early hopes that she and her husband would modernize Syria, and how that hope turned to horror when the Arab Spring sparked a brutal crackdown on civilians. It also examines the central question of Asma's role: was she an active accomplice to war crimes, or a trapped and threatened hostage of the regime? Through the arc of her life, the podcast investigates what she knew, what choices she had, and how she became a controversial figure in a devastating conflict.
Episodes
Diana of Damascus | We call her Emma Ep2
When Asma arrives in Syria, there’s a palpable sense of hope. People in the country and around the world dare to believe that she is a force for good. Chloe hears from people who worked with her in the early years who - despite everything that’s happened - still believe her intentions were genuine but that she became trapped by the regime.We call her Emma is a 6 part original series from Tortoise
The girl from Acton | We call her Emma Ep1
Emma is a high achieving, middle class woman from West London - she’s destined for a successful career and a comfortable British life. But in 2001 she makes a decision that will come to define her - she marries the son of a dictator and becomes Asma al-Assad, the first lady of Syria.We call her Emma is a 6 part original series from Tortoise Investigates and The Observer.To binge listen to all epis
Introducing...We call her Emma
Emma is a high achieving, middle class girl from west London. She seems destined for a successful career in banking and a comfortable British life. Until she makes a decision that will come to define her. In 2001 Emma marries Bashar al-Assad - the now infamous dictator of Syria.In the early days, people inside and out of Syria dared to hope. Alongside his beautiful, progressive wife, Bashar p
