Why is Syria's Druze community protesting now? | Inside Story

Weeks of demonstrations in southern Syria against rising costs have escalated into rallies against President Bashar al Assad.
The protests are taking place in As-Suwayda, a government-held governorate that is home to the minority Druze community.
Why is a sect that has stayed neutral in the 12-year conflict now calling for the president to step down?
And how will a government known for its brutal crackdown on dissent react?

Presenter: Imran Khan

Guests:

Mouaz Moustafa, Executive Director of Syrian Emergency Task Force, a non-profit that focuses on political advocacy, civil governance and humanitarian aid for Syrians

Joshua Landis, Director of the Center for Middle East Studies at Oklahoma University

Steven Heydemann, Professor and Middle East Studies Program Director at Smith College

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