Beyond the Headlines
Beyond the Headlines is a weekly podcast from The National, the English-language news outlet based in Abu Dhabi. Each episode digs deeper into the biggest stories from the Middle East and beyond, going past the day-to-day headlines. Hosts bring together experts and people directly affected by the news to explain the region's shifting political and social landscape. The show has won two Signal Awards as well as recognition at the New York Festivals Radio and TV Awards.
Episodes
Watching the US midterm elections from the Middle East
The US midterm elections next month could change the course of American politics at home and – and American policy abroad.
While voters will be waiting to see whether the Democrats take control of Congress and the Senate, in the Middle East the question is whether the results will change anything in US foreign policy.
At the moment, the Republicans control all three branches of government, giving
Israeli elections: What would a new government change?
Israelis will vote on Tuesday in the first national election since the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack and subsequent war on Gaza.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party could win, but polls are showing that opposition candidates also have a good chance. No single party is likely to secure a majority. Whoever wins will almost certainly have to form a coalition.
Israelis will be casting
What are Saudi Arabia's options as Houthi attacks escalate?
From Riyadh to Taiz, it has been a week of tragedy. While Saudi Arabia faces a wave of deadly attacks by the Houthis, hundreds of thousands of people in the southern Yemeni city are largely cut off from food and fuel.
The fighting continues to intensify between the rebel group and Yemeni government forces, but the most recent attacks on Saudi targets, both inside and outside the country, have test
Gaza ceasefire: a year of stalled promises
When the Gaza ceasefire came into effect a year ago, Palestinians in the enclave hoped that they could start rebuilding their lives.
The truce came in the form of a 20-point plan which specified that aid would enter at scale and the strip would be “redeveloped for the benefit of the people of Gaza”.
It also said there would be a demilitarisation process and gradual Israeli withdrawal.
While the ce
What happens next after US withdrawal from Iraq?
The US withdrawal from Iraq this week marked a major milestone, as its anti-ISIS mission officially came to an end.
The government in Baghdad called it Sovereignty Day. More than 20 years since the American invasion of Iraq and 12 years since the start of the US-led coalition against ISIS, the departure was widely celebrated by Iraqis.
But it also comes at a challenging time for the country and th
Barham Salih on why the refugee crisis is a global responsibility
The number of people forced from their homes by war, violence and persecution continues to grow, while the international system created to protect them is under increasing strain.
On the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly in New York, The National’s Editor-in-Chief Mina Al-Oraibi speaks to Barham Salih, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and former president of Iraq, about the mounting p
How did the Houthis become so emboldened?
An escalation of attacks on Saudi Arabia by the Houthi rebels in Yemen, and the group’s seizure of Yemen’s western coast, comes at a critical time in the region.
The rapid advance in a matter of days has given the group unprecedented access to the Bab Al Mandeb strait, a global maritime chokepoint, while displacing at least 125,000 civilians.
Meanwhile, the Strait of Hormuz, another critical route
What will UK sanctions against Israeli settlements change?
The UK’s decision to ban imports from illegal Israeli settlements, and impose sanctions on entities that are used to build them, has put new pressure on Benjamin Netanyahu’s government as the occupied West Bank faces unprecedented land grabs.
It has been more than two years since the International Court of Justice issued its advisory opinion stating that all states are under an obligation not to r
Can Hezbollah survive without money?
When the US announced it was imposing new sanctions on Iran late last month, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the aim was to sever every economic lifeline “until Tehran stands alone”.
The burden will also fall on Iran-backed groups across the region. For Hezbollah in Lebanon, the sanctions deal yet another blow after its war with Israel, the fall of the Assad regime in Syria and the fallout f
What’s behind the Israel-Turkey power struggle in Syria?
Israel has been attacking parts of Syria since the fall of the Assad regime and carrying out incursions into the country’s south under the pretext of targeting weapons of the former government.
But its attack last week on the Abu Al Duhur military airfield in the northern governorate of Idlib was different, apparently directed at Turkey as tensions rise between the two countries.
Israeli officials
The compounded burdens weighing down humanitarian work
In this episode of Beyond the Headlines, Mercy Corps CEO Tjada McKenna joins host Nada AlTaher in conversation about the challenges facing humanitarian assistance across the Middle East and beyond.
The impact of the Strait of Hormuz blockade has trickled down into the aid sector. Rising fuel costs, shortages of essential goods and delays in the delivery of materials such as fertilisers have all ta
How cheap weapons are changing the balance of military power
The US-Iran war has highlighted how rapidly modern warfare is changing, with drones and other relatively inexpensive technology playing an increasingly prominent role alongside sophisticated missile and air-defence systems.
US Central Command this month announced a multinational attack drone task force that will be operated by US military support staff and partners in the region. Last month the US
What do the Houthis stand to gain by escalating now?
The Houthis had mostly stayed out of the Iran war. But in recent weeks they have started attacking ships in the Red Sea, as well as Saudi-linked targets inside Yemen and across the border.
On Tuesday, a double-tap strike on a cargo ship in the Bab Al Mandeb strait killed four crew members and two rescue workers. They have also targeted Yemeni government forces in Marib, Hadhramaut and Hodeidah, an
The cost of occupation: How Palestine's economy has been pushed to the brink
Since October 2023, entire industries in Gaza have been wiped out and poverty has increased. In the occupied West Bank, businesses are struggling amid settler violence and increasing restrictions on movement.
After the Gaza war began, Israel suspended most work permits for Palestinians in the country. It also withheld billions of dollars in tax revenue collected on behalf of the Palestinian Author
What the US-Saudi strikes on Iran-affiliated militias in Iraq reveal about the wider war
It has been five months since the US and Israel launched their war with Iran, and the conflict has never really been contained. Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE and Jordan have all been hit by Iranian missiles and drones, Hezbollah drew Lebanon into a fight that is still going on, and the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, with neither talks nor military action producing a lasting reopening.
Right no
Can Lebanon find a winning formula in peace talks with Israel?
US President Donald Trump pledged his support for Lebanon this week during a visit to the White House by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.
A four-decade ban on US airlines flying to the country will be overturned, Mr Trump said, who also told of concrete plans to support the Lebanese Armed Forces.
This comes at a time when the government in Beirut is under pressure to prove it can deliver on an agre
Why has the US-Iran agreement not been enough to end the war?
The interim agreement aimed at ending the war between the US and Iran has fallen apart barely three weeks after it was signed.
Iran has resumed attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz, claiming it has control over the entire waterway and any vessels crossing it must co-ordinate with its forces.
The US, seeing this as a breach of the ceasefire agreement signed on June 17, has responded
What’s at stake for foreign powers battling for influence in Syria?
On the sidelines of an eventful Nato summit in Ankara, US President Donald Trump was sitting next to his Syrian counterpart Ahmad Al Shara when he announced his intention to lift Syria’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism.
The move would bring massive relief for the country as it attempts to rebuild in a post-Assad era. But Mr Al Shara’s presence at the summit also reflects Syria’s increa
Why are ceasefires not ceasing the fire?
The Middle East has been grappling with one conflict after another, leading to countless rounds of negotiations to end fighting.
But even when ceasefires are agreed to, the violence seems to continue, prompting many to question what a ceasefire even means.
The US signed two agreements in the span of about 10 days, the first being an understanding with Iran to end the war and the other a trilateral
What's driving Iraq’s anti-corruption crackdown?
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al Zaidi has conducted a bold anti-corruption campaign since taking office in May.
One of his first moves was to arrest the deputy oil minister for alleged embezzlement, and to seize millions of dollars in cash as part of the investigation.
Iraq’s political institutions have been plagued by allegations of bribery and kickbacks, with oil sector contracts often the targets o
The wins and losses of the Iran war
The US and Iran have signed their framework agreement to end the war.
It comes after more than 100 days of fighting, economic and political warfare, and a death toll in the thousands. The two countries will now have only 60 days to negotiate a final peace agreement.
During that time, they will each have to consider what they have gained and what they have lost as a result of this conflict.
For the
Are the US and Israel still fighting the same war?
More than 100 days since the US and Israel launched co-ordinated strikes on Iran on February 28, the war that was supposed to eliminate its threat and reshape the region is at a crossroads.
Iran's military is still firing. Its proxies are still active. Hezbollah continues to engage Israeli forces on the ground in southern Lebanon. The Houthis have re-entered the equation, threatening to blockade t
The limits of soft power: America’s war and its World Cup
When the US, Canada and Mexico were selected as joint hosts of the 2026 World Cup, they were supposed to be the “safe choice” for Fifa.
Football’s global governing body had been criticised for previous picks. There had been allegations of bribery and corruption. Now, the kick-off of the “safe” tournament is only days away but the Iran conflict is casting a shadow over the US as the main host natio
Replay: Who will fill the security vacuum in Gaza?
In its first report to the UN Security Council, the Board of Peace this month said Hamas’s refusal to disarm was the main obstacle to the reconstruction of Gaza.
The board's leader, Nickolay Mladenov, also called on Israel to honour its commitments to the ceasefire, after its attacks killed at least 850 Palestinians following the truce announcement in October.
He accused both parties of inaction a
More weapons, less action: What are the Houthis up to?
It took the Houthis at least a month to enter the Iran conflict in late March and early April and the Yemeni rebels have been largely restrained since a Pakistan-brokered truce began last month.
But they haven’t exactly been idle either. A new report from Conflict Armament Research (CAR) found the Houthis have been expanding their arsenal, mainly through illicit shipments of what are thought to be
Where does China stand in US-Iran conflict?
Trade ties and tariff relief were supposed to be the key issues on the agenda during US President Donald Trump's visit to China this week. But with the Iran war unresolved and the Strait of Hormuz still blocked, the conflict is to take precedence.
China is a major importer of Iranian oil and analysts say Mr Trump will try to push Beijing to decrease its purchases as a way of increasing pressure on
Your move: What next in battle for Strait of Hormuz?
US President Donald Trump has said a deal with Iran could be possible as negotiations to end the war gain momentum, again.
Iran is reviewing a US proposal, which reportedly sets out limits for Tehran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. Crucially, it also addresses the possibility of reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
The battle in – and for – the strait has become one of the most c
Making sense of Palestine’s local elections
Palestinians in Gaza have voted in an election for the first time in 20 years, some for the first time in their lives.
Municipal elections took place last week across the West Bank but in only a single neighbourhood in the strip that had been less impacted by Israel’s two-year war.
The inclusion of Gaza has been described as a mostly symbolic gesture by the Palestinian Authority to demonstrate the
Can Iraq shake off the grip of foreign influence?
Iraq is in a race against time to choose a prime minister but, even after weeks of deadlock, the Co-ordination Framework – a coalition of major Iraqi Shiite parties – is still deliberating.
The country is stuck in a tug-of-war of foreign influence between Washington and Tehran, as both seek to strengthen their hold over Iraqi politics and security. Now, Iraq's politicians are carefully trying to c
Death penalty: The new threat to Palestinian detainees
Hussein Al Zweidi’s two-year detention in Israeli prisons were some of the hardest days of his life. He described a practice of physical and sexual abuse against prisoners, as well as poor conditions and ill-treatment.
Even after his release, he suffers from deep emotional scars and severe fatigue, he said.
Now, he fears that an Israeli law will deal a bigger blow to the detainees he left behind.
What will come of the talks between Lebanon and Israel?
US-brokered negotiations between Lebanon and Israel began this week in Washington. This comes after at least 1,500 Lebanese have been killed in Israeli strikes since March and more than one million remain displaced.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah has continued to launch attacks towards Israel since it entered the Iran war weeks ago.
The meeting is the first time the two governments have engaged in high-leve
Theatre of war: How AI videos and propaganda clips manipulated US-Iran conflict
US President Donald Trump went from warning about the demise of a “whole civilisation” to announcing a “big day for world peace” in a matter of hours.
It was not the first time he has used his Truth Social platform to make alarming statements during the course of the Iran war. He has used expletives and threats, often through conflicting messages over whether the conflict is escalating or winding
EU's Kallas warns of 'slippery slope' if Iran controls Strait of Hormuz
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned on Thursday that Iran's control of the Strait of Hormuz could lead down a “slippery slope” of imposing tolls and taxes over international waters, which she described as a “very dangerous development”.
In an interview with The National, she pushed back against US President Donald Trump's suggestion of a “joint venture” with Iran to handle transit at the st
Escalation or diplomacy: Where does the war go from here?
In his address to the nation on Wednesday, President Donald Trump said the war with Iran was nearing its end and the US had decimated the country’s military capabilities.
But parts of his speech contradicted some of his earlier statements regarding the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and America’s interest in seizing Iranian oil. His words also stood in contrast to recent reports suggesting that t
How much longer can Israel sustain the war it started?
It has been a month since Israel, along with the US, launched strikes on Iran, leading the Middle East into yet another conflict it tried to avoid.
Iran has responded by firing waves of missiles and drones, mostly towards its Gulf neighbours but also at Israel, where attacks have become increasingly disruptive.
While the American public are largely divided over the war, in Israel, surveys showed t
What is the end goal of Israel’s new war in Lebanon?
About one million people have been forcibly displaced in Lebanon and almost a thousand killed in Israel’s renewed war with Hezbollah.
The Iran-backed group fired missiles at Israel in early March, joining Tehran's retaliatory attacks in the war with the US and Israel that began on February 28.
Israel’s response was immediate and aggressive, extending beyond Lebanon’s southern towns and striking ce
Who will endure the highest cost of the Iran war?
US President Donald Trump said the American-Israeli war on Iran could end soon, without specifying an end date. But almost two weeks in, military operations only seem to be intensifying.
The US claims to have struck 5,000 targets in Iran, hitting its navy and air force, and diminishing its missile and drone capabilities. Attacks on civilian areas and oil facilities have also been reported.
Iran co
What happens if Iranian Kurdish groups enter the conflict?
Conflicting reports have circulated in recent days about Iranian Kurdish groups possibly being armed by the US to launch a ground offensive in Iran.
Many of these factions have long been exiled to the Kurdistan region of Iraq near Iran's north-western border and have felt oppressed by the regime.
The US-Israeli war has already killed many of Tehran’s top political and military leaders, presenting
How far will the conflict expand across the Middle East?
Israel has begun a wave of strikes on Lebanon after warning residents in the south of the country to flee north of the Litani River on Wednesday.
The forced displacement order impacts about 250,000 people in 150 villages. That’s almost 5 per cent of the country’s population.
It marks a dangerous escalation as the US-Israeli war on Iran opens new fronts in the region.
It comes after Hezbollah fired
What’s the goal of America's war on Iran?
Almost 2,000 targets in Iran have been hit by the US in the first four days of the war.
US Central Command says it has severely degraded the country's air defences and destroyed hundreds of ballistic missiles, launchers and drones.
People in Iran, where the death toll is nearing 800, and across the Middle East are anxiously waiting for a resolution to the conflict.
But US President Donald Trump sa
How much longer could the Iran conflict last?
As the war on Iran enters its fourth day, Tehran’s retaliatory attacks on US assets in Arab countries ramp up, testing the limits of their patience.
Recent remarks from US officials suggest a limited timeframe for the war that could last a few weeks. The question is how much appetite and military might do the warring parties have?
At the same time, US President Donald Trump warned that people will
Where does an isolated Iran go from here?
It has been a matter of days since the US and Israel launched air strikes against Iran, and already the impact has rippled across the Middle East.
Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and dozens of top officials have been killed. So, too, have hundreds of Iranians.
Tehran’s retaliation against Israel has caused casualties and serious damage to property. And missile and drone attacks on Ir
What will happen to the thousands formerly held in Syria’s Al Hol camp?
The notorious Al Hol camp in north-east Syria finally closed its doors this week. Thousands of alleged ISIS members and their families had been held there for years in inhumane conditions and without charge or trial.
Human rights groups had long advocated for the camp to be closed but the events that unfolded before it was emptied were described as chaotic.
The disorganised handover of the camp f
What does the US want from a deal with Iran?
The US and Iran are facing off in a battle for concessions once more, as they resume nuclear talks against the backdrop of military threats.
Officials said good progress was made at the latest round of negotiations in Geneva on Tuesday but added that a lot of work lies ahead.
Only a day later, the White House warned Tehran it would be “wise” to make a deal. The US has boosted its military deployme
Will there be a 'red line' for Israel's annexation of the West Bank?
Israel’s recent change of land-buying policies in the occupied West Bank has been condemned by the international community and the UN.
The measures have been designed to make it easier for settlers to acquire Palestinian land in areas that until now had been under the Palestinian Authority’s administration.
Critics have described the move as de facto annexation of the territory that would crush an
Is it time for serious reform of the UN and humanitarian law?
The rules-based international order is the system of principles, laws and institutions put in place since the end of the Second World War to protect human rights and prevent conflict.
But this status quo has been challenged by the past two years of wars and serious breaches of international law.
Bodies such as the UN are also facing an uphill battle. Secretary General Antonio Guterres has warned t
How Jared Kushner’s plan for Gaza could affect Palestinians
Jared Kushner’s vision for Gaza may have been presented in a vibrant-coloured map and renderings of futuristic, high-rise towers, but Palestinians in the strip say they are sceptical.
Residents likened it to a property advert rather than a plan to rehabilitate what they have lost in the war. They told The National they fear they could be pushed out of the enclave while construction takes place, an
What happens next after Syrian army offensive against the SDF?
After days of fighting, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces and government troops under President Ahmad Al Shara agreed to a fragile ceasefire.
But in that short time – and with each side still accusing the other of attacks – the landscape has already changed.
Areas that were under SDF control, mostly in the north-east, are now in possession of the government. The Kurdish-led group was previo
What options does Iran have as pressure builds at home and abroad?
Two weeks of protests in Iran have been met with a regime crackdown that threatens to provoke foreign intervention.
What started as demonstrations over worsening economic conditions has spiralled into an uprising across the country, putting the government under immense pressure.
US President Donald Trump threatened to attack Iran if more protesters were killed, and reassured Iranians that help was
Why US action in Venezuela is causing so much anxiety in Middle East
Even though Caracas sits across the ocean, thousands of kilometres from the Middle East, the US attack on Venezuela and capture of its leader Nicolas Maduro has been unsettling.
For Venezuelans who felt oppressed by Maduro’s regime, the raid brought the prospect of hope for a better future. But for others, it was a worrying signal of American interventionism and a breach of sovereignty.
In the reg
How serious is the ISIS threat in Syria?
After the US struck ISIS targets in Syria in late December, President Ahmad Al Shara’s government stepped up its own operations, carrying out weapons raids and arrests across the country.
It came after two American soldiers and an interpreter were killed in Palmyra by a member of the Syrian security forces who may have had links with ISIS. At the time, US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth said the
The year in impact: Our episodes that resonated the most in 2025
The profound transformations in the Middle East this past year have rippled far beyond the region, reshaping politics and alliances around the world.
The US has taken a new interest in Syria. Lebanon is discussing the logistics of disarming Hezbollah. Europe has overwhelmingly recognised Palestinian statehood.
But behind the news there is always the fine print: Why now, who stands to benefit and a
How Yemen’s power balance is shifting again
Political power in Yemen is shifting once again, reigniting questions about who truly holds authority in the country and whether it is heading towards another fundamental rupture.
The Southern Transitional Council (STC), which holds three seats in the eight-member Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), has long pushed for southern independence. In recent days, its forces have fought battles in Al
What’s stalling phase two of the Gaza ceasefire?
Two months have passed since a ceasefire was announced in Gaza, but the second phase of US President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan has yet to materialise.
The uncertainty has left Gazans anxious that the ceasefire could collapse – as the last truce did in March.
The initial part of the agreement included the exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian detainees and a stop to the fighting. Now thes
One year since Assad’s fall: Where is Syria today?
A year has passed since Bashar Al Assad’s government fell in Syria, marking the end of a brutal civil war that lasted for almost 14 years.
In the end, it took less than two weeks last December for an insurgency of rebel groups led by Hayat Tahrir Al Sham to take control of Damascus. It was a euphoric moment for Syrians opposed to the Assad regime.
The HTS leader quickly traded his fatigues for a s
Is US pressure finally forcing Israel to address settler violence?
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called a cabinet meeting this month to discuss settler violence, but this sudden interest stands in stark contrast to years of inaction by the state.
Settler attacks in the occupied West Bank hit a record high in October, the worst monthly toll since record-keeping began almost two decades ago.
The violence is happening with impunity and under the protect
How Israel is obstructing reconstruction in Lebanon
Israel has bombed Lebanon on an almost daily basis over the past year, despite a ceasefire being in place.
Its army claims to be attacking Hezbollah, accusing the group of re-arming. But civilian infrastructure, agricultural land and even construction equipment in southern border towns have been destroyed in the attacks.
At least 100 civilians have been killed over the past year. Just this week, 1
What will it take to end the civil war in Sudan?
When the Sudanese city of El Fasher fell to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in late October, the group gained control of the entire Darfur region and areas to the south-west.
Their rivals, the Sudanese armed forces, control the capital Khartoum, as well as the northern, eastern and central areas of the country. The fear now is that Sudan could be divided, as the fighting rages on for a third
Why voters are snubbing Iraq’s election
Iraqis are going back to polls this month for the sixth time since the US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein more than 20 years ago. It is expected to be one of the most contested elections yet.
Political factions are competing for power, both in parliament and through armed groups, many backed by Iran. Candidates have been accused of making empty promises, of corruption and even of vote-buy
Superpower rivalry and geopolitics in Trump 2.0
How does the superpower rivalry between the US and China dictate international relations more broadly? And what does it mean for the future of trade, security and development?
How does the superpower rivalry between the US and China dictate international relations more broadly? And what does it mean for the future of trade, security and development?
Lynn Kuok, Lee Kuan Yew chair in South-East Asia
What’s happening behind Israel’s yellow line in Gaza?
Under US President Donald Trump’s Gaza ceasefire plan, a yellow line has been traced along the inside of the enclave's land borders. It designates more than half of Gaza as territory controlled by Israel.
Until recently, that line had been completely invisible for Palestinians. The Israeli military has since begun to place large concrete blocks to demarcate the line, but confusion still reigns and
Can mediation cut through conflict in the Middle East?
In Gaza, a fragile ceasefire comes with great uncertainty for the future. In Yemen, the Houthis are abducting humanitarian workers and journalists in a witch hunt for alleged spies. And in Syria, a new and unstable political landscape could go either way.
“It's not easy to build peace. It's much easier to stop a war,” says Martin Griffiths, executive director of Mediation Group International.
The
Violence, gunfire and annexation: Palestinian olive farmers under attack
Palestine’s olive harvest season started this month, and quickly became the target of Israeli settler attacks.
A viral video this week showed a mob violently chasing Palestinian olive pickers in an occupied West Bank town north-east of Ramallah. A masked man is seen striking a woman with a club in the field, knocking her to the ground. In another town, farmers trying to harvest their groves were m
Who will fill the security vacuum in Gaza?
World leaders gathered in Sharm El Sheikh on Monday to sign a declaration of peace in Gaza. But the resurgence of armed militias brings a new threat to the strip. Clashes have broken out between these groups and Hamas security forces in recent days, prompting fears of more violence.
Back in June, a leak forced Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to admit Israel was “activating” Palestinian militias.
What we know so far about the Gaza ceasefire breakthrough
Palestinians in Gaza took to the streets overnight to celebrate the prospect of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
They welcomed the news of a deal to pause the fighting and release Israeli hostages held by Hamas. The agreement has not yet been signed and it is only the first phase of a peace plan set out by US President Donald Trump. After two years of war, the deal would bring much relief to
Stolen moments: Two years of war in Gaza
Almost 70,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war in Gaza began two years ago after Hamas launched its deadly attack on Israel. About 90 per cent of residential buildings have been damaged or destroyed. On average, a child is killed every hour.
The toll taken is often measured in scale and impact, in mass destruction and collective suffering. But this big picture is made up of a mosaic of
Reading between the lines of Trump’s Gaza plan
US President Donald Trump’s strategy to end the war in Gaza and prepare for the day after has divided opinion.
After two years of failed ceasefire talks, it is the only prospect within reach now that could bring some respite to Palestinians enduring Israel’s relentless war. But it also leaves much to the imagination.
The 20-point list promises a “deradicalised, terror-free” strip without Hamas rul
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The question of Palestine: Is recognition the answer?
The 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly marks a milestone for the region. After years of being the exceptions, several western countries have joined more than 140 others in recognising Palestine as a state.
French President Emmanuel Macron made his country’s declaration on Monday at the French-Saudi summit at UNGA to revive the long defunct two-state solution. The same position was
Can the Global Sumud Flotilla really break the siege of Gaza?
Dozens of boats carrying activists from about 44 countries have finally set sail for Gaza after much delay.
The Global Sumud Flotilla is not the first humanitarian mission to attempt to break Israel’s sea blockade of the strip, but it is the largest to date. It follows unsuccessful attempts by individual boats earlier this year and countless others over the past almost 20 years.
Activists say they
What does Israel’s strike on Doha mean for the Gulf?
In the past month, Israel has bombed Palestine, Yemen, Syria and Lebanon, but its attack on Hamas officials in Qatar this week was most unexpected. And it hit a nerve.
Arab leaders immediately expressed solidarity with their Gulf neighbour and condemned what they said was a breach of Qatar's sovereignty. In the coming days they will meet at an emergency regional summit to discuss the attack. But a
What next after Israel’s strike on Hamas in Doha?
Israel’s attack on Hamas leaders in Doha on Tuesday drew widespread condemnation from the international community. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani described it as “state terrorism”.
It was the first time that Israel attacked a Gulf state, sending shock waves across the region. But the timing was also critical. Mediators had been in Doha to advance Gaza ceasefire talk
What will happen to the Houthis after Israel’s assassination strike?
The Israeli army's killing of several Houthi government officials, including the prime minister, marks another serious escalation in the region. Until now, the army had mostly attacked infrastructure in Yemen, hitting power plants and ports, but the latest strike was different. The Houthis have pledged to retaliate.
The Iran-backed group has already fired back with missiles toward Israel. It has b
What guarantees does Lebanon have after Hezbollah disarms?
US envoys Tom Barrack and Morgan Ortagus were in Lebanon this week to restate a key demand: Hezbollah must disarm.
The latest push from Washington came with economic incentives as Mr Barrack proposed the US becomes a “substitute” to Iranian influence. The Lebanese government agreed to disarm non-state groups this month but it wants guarantees that Israel will withdraw militarily from the country.
Why Ehud Olmert wants an end to Israel’s war in Gaza
Former Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert supported the war in Gaza when it began, but soon changed his mind. He advocated a limited military operation rather than a full-scale offensive.
Now, he says it’s time to end the war. He strongly opposes Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plans to reoccupy Gaza and is on a mission to topple him at next year’s legislative elections.
Almost two years since
The compounded suffering caused by Gaza’s ‘manufactured’ cash crisis
Israel has imposed a strict blockade on Gaza since March leaving 2.2 million Palestinians in the strip with practically nothing. Food, medicine and water are extremely scarce with only trickles of aid entering every now and then. There’s barely anything to buy in the market.
But in the middle of all this, there’s another crisis: cash.
Banks have closed because of the war. ATMs have been destroye
What's changed in Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover?
Four years after the Taliban’s return to power, Afghanistan remains in the shadow of that chaotic August day in 2021 when US troops finally withdrew, ending two decades of war.
The images from Kabul’s airport are still etched in global memory, as crowds of desperate Afghans clung to departing planes as the US backed government collapsed and the Taliban took full control.
Since then, the country is
Why has Israel decided to reoccupy Gaza - and at what cost?
Nearly two decades after Israel withdrew from Gaza, dismantling settlements and military posts under Ariel Sharon’s leadership, the Israeli government has now approved a plan to take over the Palestinian enclave again, following 22 months of its war there.
What began as speculation this week quickly became official policy after a 10-hour security cabinet meeting, where Prime Minister Benjamin Neta
More states say they will ‘recognise’ Palestine, but what does this mean?
A growing number of countries in the West have said they could soon recognise Palestinian statehood as Israel becomes increasingly isolated over its war in Gaza.
Fifteen countries issued a joint declaration during a UN conference this week led by France and Saudi Arabia, to push for a two-state solution. Nations including Canada and the UK are expected to make their endorsement official at the UN
Why is justice so delayed in Beirut port explosion?
Five years have passed since the Beirut port explosion – and still the families of the more than 220 victims killed in the blast await justice.
Mariana Foudalian is one of them. She lost her sister Gaia in the disaster but says she still has not had the chance to grieve as nobody has been held accountable even after all these years.
The investigation into the blast has faced an uphill battle becau
