Questions about Syrian Regime after Intel Chief’s Detention
Lesson Brief
Al Arabiya
On May 11, Al Arabiya, citing a recent report by the UK's Daily Telegraph, reported on the recent move by the Bashar al-Assad regime to detain the head of its intelligence services Ali Mamlouk for allegedly conspiring to carry out a coup against Assad. According to the reports, Mamlouk had been in contact with anti-Assad forces, including foreign governments, opposition militates, and banished Syrian political figures. The move comes after the mysterious death of another high ranking security official, Rustum Ghazali. The Daily Telegraph report discussed Assad's shrinking inner circle and the resentment of those inside it to the ever-increasing influence of Iranian officials and advisors, leading to questions about internal fissures within the regime.
Click and Match
- falling, tumbling down
- تهاوي
- mysterious death
- موت غامض
- close to (personal relationship)
- مقرب من
- the need to (for)
- الحاجة إلى
- grumbling about, complaining about
- متذمر من
- ring, circle
- حلقة
- signing, making an agreement
- إبرام اتفاق
- mortgaging, forfeiting, handing over
- رهن
- attempting a coup against him
- انقلاب عليه
- attributed to
- منسوب له