Iraqi Uprisings Against Saddam Hussein and Syria's Role in the Conflict

Charles Tripp is senior lecturer in the Department of Political Studies, at the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London. He's the author of A History of Iraq.

Charles Tripp, a Middle East scholar at the University of London, joins Fresh Air to talk about Iraq's leader, how he survived the Iran-Iraq War, and how he maintains political power.

Fresh Air producer Amy Salit talks with Patrick Seale, author of "Asad: The Struggle for The Middle East." They'll discuss Syria's role in the current war, and the country's recent political history.