Asma’s choice | We call her Emma Ep3

Asma’s choice | We call her Emma Ep3

From Lucky Boy | Tortoise Investigates by The Observer

July 21, 2026 · 43 min · Season 20 · Episode 3

About this episode

The episode explores Asma's difficult decision during the Arab Spring in Syria, weighing loyalty to the regime against supporting the revolution.

In 2011, the Arab Spring hits Syria and Asma has a decision to make: speak out in favour of the popular revolution or stay loyal to the regime. But what choice did she really have?  We call her Emma is a 6 part original series from Tortoise Investigates and The Observer. To binge listen to all episodes today, ad-free, subscribe to The Observer and use the code AUDIO50 to get 50% off your annual subscription. You'll get access to: This series and all our podcasts before anyone else Ad-free listening Premium newsletters Puzzles from the inventors of the cryptic crossword Exclusive offers from our partners including Mubi and iescape Tickets to join Observer events in our newsroom or online Or subscribe to Observer+ on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to listen to all our podcasts, including this one, without any ads. Reporter - Chloe Hadjimatheou Producer - Gary Marshall Sound design - Karla Patella Podcast artwork - Lola Williams & Eliza Bourner Executive producers - Jasper Corbett and Basia Cummings Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

People in this episode

Host: Chloe Hadjimatheou

Topics covered

  • Arab Spring
  • Syria
  • political choice
  • regime loyalty
  • revolution
  • documentary

Keywords

  • Asma
  • Arab Spring
  • Syria
  • political decision
  • regime
  • revolution
  • documentary
  • Tortoise Investigates
  • The Observer

Sponsors

The Observer

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Observer, Tortoise Investigates

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