Description
For millennia, Syria has stood at the heart of global history — from the Bronze Age cities of Ebla and Ugarit to Roman Antioch and Umayyad Damascus. A land of prophets, poets, and empires, it was shaped by Persian, Greek, Roman, Islamic, and Ottoman rule.
This talk explores Syria’s extraordinary past: a centre of faith, culture, and commerce where civilisations met and ideas flourished.
As we trace its path through colonialism and independence to the early years of the Assad regime, we uncover the deep historical layers that continue to shape one of the world’s most complex nations.
About the Speaker

Saeed Khan
Saeed Khan is a cultural historian and commentator based at Wayne State University in Detroit, where he teaches in the departments of History and Global Studies. His academic expertise includes Islamic and Middle Eastern history, Islamic political thought, and transnational identities. Alongside his academic work, he is a frequent analyst for international media outlets. Saeed is the founder of the Center for the Study of Trans-Atlantic Diasporas, a policy institute focused on ethnic and immigrant communities in North America and Europe.
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