As 2025 draws to a close, The Guardian is revisiting some of its most compelling audio journalism from the year. Among the selections is a harrowing podcast episode from October, which delves into the persistent and deadly fractures within Syrian society.
A Friendship Tested by Violence
The featured Audio Long Read, originally published in October 2025, transports listeners back to a few brutal days in March. During this period, sectarian violence and revenge killings erupted across parts of Syria, tearing communities apart. At the heart of the narrative are two friends from different backgrounds, whose bond is pushed to the limit as they struggle to find a path to survival amidst the chaos.
The report was authored by Ghaith Abdul-Ahad, a journalist with deep insight into the region's conflicts. The audio version is powerfully narrated by Mo Ayoub, bringing the urgent and personal story to life. The piece starkly questions the concepts of reconciliation and forgiveness in a landscape still scarred by war and division.
The Guardian's End-of-Year Audio Collection
This episode forms part of a special retrospective series. Throughout December 2025, The Guardian is releasing some of its favourite Audio Long Reads from the year every Monday and Friday. Each selection includes a new introduction from the editorial team, explaining why the piece was chosen for republication.
The initiative offers audiences a chance to catch up on impactful long-form audio journalism they may have missed. Listeners can find the text version of the Syria report on The Guardian's website, and support the outlet's ongoing journalism through its website.
Legacy of Conflict in the Middle East
The podcast examines the complex and tragic situation in Syria, a nation still grappling with the aftermath of a long civil war and the rule of President Bashar al-Assad. It highlights how deep-seated tensions can resurface with devastating speed, challenging any simplistic narratives of post-conflict recovery.
By focusing on the personal story of two individuals, the report humanises the broader geopolitical and humanitarian crisis in Syria and the wider Middle East and North Africa region. It serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of sectarian strife and the enduring quest for safety and normality.
