60 acast.com We call her Emma https://shows.acast.com/we-call-her-emma en The Observer Investigative,Narrative,Journalism,Money,War,Crime,series The Observer Emma is a high achieving, middle class girl from west London. She seems destined for a successful career in banking and a comfortable British life. Until she makes a decision that will come to define her. In 2001 Emma marries Bashar al-Assad - the now infamous dictator of Syria.


In the early days, people inside and out of Syria dared to hope. Alongside his beautiful, progressive wife, Bashar promised to modernise the country.


But when the Arab Spring reached Syria in 2011, Bashar's regime showed itself for what it really was: a brutal force, willing to capture and kill ordinary Syrians demanding change. And in all the years that a war raged on, Asma stands by her husband. She seemingly ignored the desperate pleas to stop her husband from killing his own people. 


But what did she really know about the atrocities her husband’s government was carrying out? And what choices did she really have? Some people allege that she actually assisted the regime and cashed in on the war, that she herself is a war criminal. Others say she tried to run away but was trapped, held hostage by a regime who threatened her life and her children. 


So, who is the real Emma?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Emma is a high achieving, middle class girl from west London. She seems destined for a successful career in banking and a comfortable British life. Until she makes a decision that will come to define her. In 2001 Emma marries Bashar al-Assad - the now infamous dictator of Syria.


In the early days, people inside and out of Syria dared to hope. Alongside his beautiful, progressive wife, Bashar promised to modernise the country.


But when the Arab Spring reached Syria in 2011, Bashar's regime showed itself for what it really was: a brutal force, willing to capture and kill ordinary Syrians demanding change. And in all the years that a war raged on, Asma stands by her husband. She seemingly ignored the desperate pleas to stop her husband from killing his own people. 


But what did she really know about the atrocities her husband’s government was carrying out? And what choices did she really have? Some people allege that she actually assisted the regime and cashed in on the war, that she herself is a war criminal. Others say she tried to run away but was trapped, held hostage by a regime who threatened her life and her children. 


So, who is the real Emma?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> false The Observer info+6a79bd45efa771345a79dce7@mg-eu.acast.com 6a79bd45efa771345a79dce7 we-call-her-emma serial https://assets.pippa.io/shows/cover/1786363151093-0fe0d00c-78e8-464b-bd20-c7390f9c18f1.jpeg https://shows.acast.com/we-call-her-emma We call her Emma <![CDATA[Asma's Syria | We call her Emma Ep6]]> Tue, 11 Aug 2026 04:06:00 GMT 59:25 6a79c20f523b3dfcd84c4e91 false https://shows.acast.com/we-call-her-emma/episodes/asmas-syria-we-call-her-emma-ep6 6a79c20f523b3dfcd84c4e91 6a79bd45efa771345a79dce7 asmas-syria-we-call-her-emma-ep6 full 1 6 Eighteen months ago the Assad regime suddenly collapsed, and the first lady and her family fled to Moscow. A regime insider tells Chloe just how powerful Asma had become in the final years and what was happening inside the palace. Could Asma really have had aspirations to take over from her husband?


We call her Emma is a 6 part original series from Tortoise Investigates and The Observer.


Reporter - Chloe Hadjimatheou

Producer - Gary Marshall

Sound design - Karla Patella & Hannah Varrall

Podcast artwork - Lola Williams & Eliza Bourner

Executive producers - Jasper Corbett and Basia Cummings

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Eighteen months ago the Assad regime suddenly collapsed, and the first lady and her family fled to Moscow. A regime insider tells Chloe just how powerful Asma had become in the final years and what was happening inside the palace. Could Asma really have had aspirations to take over from her husband?


We call her Emma is a 6 part original series from Tortoise Investigates and The Observer.


Reporter - Chloe Hadjimatheou

Producer - Gary Marshall

Sound design - Karla Patella & Hannah Varrall

Podcast artwork - Lola Williams & Eliza Bourner

Executive producers - Jasper Corbett and Basia Cummings

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Asma’s orphanages | We call her Emma Ep5 Asma’s orphanages | We call her Emma Ep5 Tue, 11 Aug 2026 04:05:00 GMT 58:02 6a79c19bc399196b5139839f false https://shows.acast.com/we-call-her-emma/episodes/asmas-orphanages-we-call-her-emma-ep5 6a79c19bc399196b5139839f 6a79bd45efa771345a79dce7 asmas-orphanages-we-call-her-emma-ep5 full 1 5 Chloe learns of allegations that Asma - the ‘mother of the nation’ - had an active role in one of the regime’s cruellest strategies: separating the children of dissidents and rebel fighters from their parents to use them as bargaining chips. At an orphanage in Damascus, Chloe gets closer to the truth. 


We call her Emma is a 6 part original series from Tortoise Investigates and The Observer.


To binge listen to more 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
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  • Puzzles from the inventors of the cryptic crossword
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  • 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 & Hannah Varrall

Podcast artwork - Lola Williams & Eliza Bourner

Executive producers - Jasper Corbett and Basia Cummings

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Chloe learns of allegations that Asma - the ‘mother of the nation’ - had an active role in one of the regime’s cruellest strategies: separating the children of dissidents and rebel fighters from their parents to use them as bargaining chips. At an orphanage in Damascus, Chloe gets closer to the truth. 


We call her Emma is a 6 part original series from Tortoise Investigates and The Observer.


To binge listen to more 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 & Hannah Varrall

Podcast artwork - Lola Williams & Eliza Bourner

Executive producers - Jasper Corbett and Basia Cummings

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Asma’s deal | We call her Emma Ep4 Asma’s deal | We call her Emma Ep4 Tue, 11 Aug 2026 04:04:00 GMT 47:12 6a79c125446de273c0dedb0e false https://shows.acast.com/we-call-her-emma/episodes/asmas-deal-we-call-her-emma-ep4 6a79c125446de273c0dedb0e 6a79bd45efa771345a79dce7 asmas-deal-we-call-her-emma-ep4 full 1 4 Chloe travels to Damascus to meet people close to Bashar and Asma. One source tells her that Asma took a drastic decision in the early years of the war - she tried to leave Syria. Only it’s not for the reasons you might think.


We call her Emma is a 6 part original series from Tortoise Investigates and The Observer.


To binge listen to more 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 & Hannah Varrall

Podcast artwork - Lola Williams & Eliza Bourner

Executive producers - Jasper Corbett and Basia Cummings

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Chloe travels to Damascus to meet people close to Bashar and Asma. One source tells her that Asma took a drastic decision in the early years of the war - she tried to leave Syria. Only it’s not for the reasons you might think.


We call her Emma is a 6 part original series from Tortoise Investigates and The Observer.


To binge listen to more 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 & Hannah Varrall

Podcast artwork - Lola Williams & Eliza Bourner

Executive producers - Jasper Corbett and Basia Cummings

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Asma’s choice | We call her Emma Ep3 Asma’s choice | We call her Emma Ep3 Tue, 11 Aug 2026 04:03:00 GMT 43:24 6a79c0d35a90490c34d859fe false https://shows.acast.com/we-call-her-emma/episodes/asmas-choice-we-call-her-emma-ep3 6a79c0d35a90490c34d859fe 6a79bd45efa771345a79dce7 asmas-choice-we-call-her-emma-ep3 full 1 3 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.

]]> 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.

]]> Diana of Damascus | We call her Emma Ep2 Diana of Damascus | We call her Emma Ep2 Tue, 11 Aug 2026 04:02:00 GMT 45:51 6a79c068523b3dfcd84bd5e2 false https://shows.acast.com/we-call-her-emma/episodes/diana-of-damascus-we-call-her-emma-ep2 6a79c068523b3dfcd84bd5e2 6a79bd45efa771345a79dce7 diana-of-damascus-we-call-her-emma-ep2 full 1 2 When Asma arrives in Syria, there’s a palpable sense of hope. People in the country and around the world dare to believe that she is a force for good. Chloe hears from people who worked with her in the early years who - despite everything that’s happened - still believe her intentions were genuine but that she became trapped by the regime.


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.

]]> When Asma arrives in Syria, there’s a palpable sense of hope. People in the country and around the world dare to believe that she is a force for good. Chloe hears from people who worked with her in the early years who - despite everything that’s happened - still believe her intentions were genuine but that she became trapped by the regime.


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.

]]> The girl from Acton | We call her Emma Ep1 The girl from Acton | We call her Emma Ep1 Tue, 11 Aug 2026 04:01:00 GMT 40:58 6a79c020523b3dfcd84bacfe false https://shows.acast.com/we-call-her-emma/episodes/the-girl-from-acton-we-call-her-emma-ep1 6a79c020523b3dfcd84bacfe 6a79bd45efa771345a79dce7 the-girl-from-acton-we-call-her-emma-ep1 full 1 1 Emma is a high achieving, middle class woman from West London - she’s destined for a successful career and a comfortable British life. But in 2001 she makes a decision that will come to define her - she marries the son of a dictator and becomes Asma al-Assad, the first lady of Syria.


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.

]]> Emma is a high achieving, middle class woman from West London - she’s destined for a successful career and a comfortable British life. But in 2001 she makes a decision that will come to define her - she marries the son of a dictator and becomes Asma al-Assad, the first lady of Syria.


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.

]]> Introducing...We call her Emma Introducing...We call her Emma Tue, 11 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT 3:45 6a79bf56446de273c0de6d65 false https://shows.acast.com/we-call-her-emma/episodes/introducingwe-call-her-emma 6a79bf56446de273c0de6d65 6a79bd45efa771345a79dce7 introducingwe-call-her-emma trailer 1 Emma is a high achieving, middle class girl from west London. She seems destined for a successful career in banking and a comfortable British life. Until she makes a decision that will come to define her. In 2001 Emma marries Bashar al-Assad - the now infamous dictator of Syria.


In the early days, people inside and out of Syria dared to hope. Alongside his beautiful, progressive wife, Bashar promised to modernise the country.


But when the Arab Spring reached Syria in 2011, Bashar's regime showed itself for what it really was: a brutal force, willing to capture and kill ordinary Syrians demanding change. And in all the years that a war raged on, Asma stood by her husband. She seemingly ignored the desperate pleas to stop her husband from killing his own people. 


But what did she really know about the atrocities her husband’s government was carrying out? And what choices did she really have? Some people allege that she actually assisted the regime and cashed in on the war, that she herself is a war criminal. Others say she tried to run away but was trapped, held hostage by a regime who threatened her life and her children. 


So, who is the real Emma?


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.

]]> Emma is a high achieving, middle class girl from west London. She seems destined for a successful career in banking and a comfortable British life. Until she makes a decision that will come to define her. In 2001 Emma marries Bashar al-Assad - the now infamous dictator of Syria.


In the early days, people inside and out of Syria dared to hope. Alongside his beautiful, progressive wife, Bashar promised to modernise the country.


But when the Arab Spring reached Syria in 2011, Bashar's regime showed itself for what it really was: a brutal force, willing to capture and kill ordinary Syrians demanding change. And in all the years that a war raged on, Asma stood by her husband. She seemingly ignored the desperate pleas to stop her husband from killing his own people. 


But what did she really know about the atrocities her husband’s government was carrying out? And what choices did she really have? Some people allege that she actually assisted the regime and cashed in on the war, that she herself is a war criminal. Others say she tried to run away but was trapped, held hostage by a regime who threatened her life and her children. 


So, who is the real Emma?


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.

]]>