Trending Middle East

Last push to pause Gaza war, and Al Shara meets Syrian Christian leader

Mediators are making one last push to pause the fighting in Gaza. Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara has met one of the country’s senior Christian leaders. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to travel to Washington today.

On today's episode of Trending Middle East:

Mediators revive plans for 60-day Gaza truce in final effort to stop Israeli ground assault

Zelenskyy heads to Washington after Trump-Putin summit ends without Ukraine ceasefire agreement

This episode features Hamza Hendawi, Cairo correspondent; and Khaled Yacoub Oweis, Jordan correspondent.

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Trump and Putin to hold talks in Alaska, and attacks on aid in Syria

US President Donald Trump is to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin today in Alaska. Aid efforts in the southern Syrian province of Sweida are under attack. A security agreement between Iran and Iraq is getting backlash from Washington.

On this episode of Trending Middle East:

European leaders make last-ditch appeal to Trump ahead of Alaska summit

Kaja Kallas: Trump-Putin talks in Alaska need Ukraine’s presence to be meaningful

Iraq security deal with Iran sparks tension with US

This episode features Manus Cranny, geo-economics editor; and Nada Homsi, Beirut correspondent.

Editor’s note: We want to hear from you! Help us improve our podcasts by taking our 2-minute listener survey. Click here.

Iran's tense meeting with Beirut, and Syria blames Israel for instability

Lebanon rejects foreign interference, its President tells Iran. Syria and Turkey's foreign ministers accuse Israel of undermining Damascus's rule. Civilian transitional rule in Gaza may last for up to a year.

On today's episode of Trending Middle East:

Lebanon rejects foreign interference, President Aoun tells top Iranian official

Syria and Turkey strike new military deal

US offers incentives to Syria to back off from fighting minorities

Postwar civilian rule may last up to a year, says Gaza's proposed governor

This episode features Jamie Prentis, Beirut correspondent; Lizzie Porter, Turkey correspondent; and Nada AlTaher, Senior Foreign Reporter.

Editor’s note: We want to hear from you! Help us improve our podcasts by taking our 2-minute listener survey. Click here.

Ceasefire talks in Cairo, and US makes offer to Syria

A Hamas delegation attended ceasefire talks in Cairo. The US is offering incentives to Syria's government to curtail conflict with minorities. Libyan military leader Khalifa Haftar has appointed his son as his second-in-command.

On today's episode of Trending Middle East:

Hamas negotiators in Cairo to discuss blueprint for 'comprehensive' Gaza deal

US offers incentives to Syria to back off from fighting minorities

Libyan military leader Khalifa Haftar appoints son as second-in-command

This episode features Hamza Hendawi, Cairo correspondent; and Khaled Yacoub Oweis, Jordan correspondent.

Editor’s note: We want to hear from you! Help us improve our podcasts by taking our 2-minute listener survey. Click here.

Condemnation of Israel's killing of Gaza journalists, and Syrian 'field execution'

The international community condemns Israel's killing of a group of journalists, including Al Jazeera correspondent Anas Al Sharif, in Gaza. Footage of an execution in Sweida sparks outrage. Iran has rejected inspections by the UN’s nuclear watchdog.

On today's episode of Trending Middle East:

Fury as Israel admits deliberately killing Al Jazeera journalists

'The message will not stop': Palestinian reporters defiant after Israel kills six journalists

Surveillance footage shows execution of volunteer by security forces inside Sweida hospital

Iran rejects inspections ahead of IAEA visit

This episode features Nada Homsi, Lebanon correspondent.

Editor’s note: We want to hear from you! Help us improve our podcasts by taking our 2-minute listener survey. Click here.

Iraq dismisses PMF commanders, and on-board a Jordanian aid drop to Gaza

Iraq has dismissed two senior commanders of the paramilitary Popular Mobilisation Forces over a deadly attack on a government building last month. The National has boarded a Jordanian aid flight to Gaza. Hundreds were arrested in London for marching in support of the banned Palestine Action group.

On this morning's episode of Trending Middle East:

Iraq dismisses two senior PMF commanders over attack on government building

Hundreds arrested in London for supporting Palestine Action

This episode features Khaled Yacoub Oweis, Jordan correspondent.

Editor’s note: We want to hear from you! Help us improve our podcasts by taking our 2-minute listener survey. Click here.

Israel weighs reoccupying Gaza, and Lebanon votes to disarm Hezbollah

Israel weighs occupying Gaza. Lebanon votes to disarm Hezbollah. Egypt's Rafah border crossing has been revived.

This episode features Thomas Helm, Jerusalem correspondent; Jamie Prentis, Beirut correspondent; and Kamal Tabikha, Cairo correspondent.

On this episode of Trending Middle East:

Netanyahu seeks full control of Gaza under Israeli plan to force half its population south

Lebanese government approves Hezbollah disarmament as Shiite ministers storm out of talks

Gaza aid trucks return to Rafah crossing as Egypt seeks to ease humanitarian strain

 

Lebanon fears Israeli incursion, and behind Syria's operation in Sweida

Lebanese security officials fear Israel may attempt to infiltrate its eastern region. Syrian leadership questioned the July operation in Sweida. At least 20 people have been killed after an aid lorry overturned on a crowd in Gaza.

On today's episode of Trending Middle East:

Lebanon fears Israeli ground incursions from Syria into eastern region

The full story of the Sweida operation: How a lightning offensive became a war

Aid lorry overturns and kills 20 in Gaza as UN blames Israel for starving Palestinians

This episode features Mohamad Ali Harisi, Foreign Editor; and Khaled Yacoub Oweis, Jordan correspondent.

Editor’s note: We want to hear from you! Help us improve our podcasts by taking our 2-minute listener survey. Click here.

New details on Gaza aid site deaths and Lebanon's government fails to vote on Hezbollah

New details reveal how Gazans are lured to their deaths in aid queues. Lebanon's government failed to vote on a motion to disarm Hezbollah. Israel is divided over reported plans for a full military occupation of Gaza.

On today's episode of Trending Middle East:

Startling new details reveal how Gazans are lured to their deaths in aid queues

Israel divided as reports indicate plans for 'full occupation' of Gaza

Lebanon's cabinet fails to vote on disarming Hezbollah in stormy meeting

This episode features Nada AlTaher, senior foreign reporter; Jamie Prentis, Beirut correspondent; and Thomas Helm, Jerusalem correspondent.

Editor’s note: We want to hear from you! Help us improve our podcasts by taking our 2-minute listener survey. Click here.

Gaza starvation and Saudi student killed in UK

Five more people have died from hunger in Gaza. Hamas says it's open to negotiating a ceasefire deal that would end the war. A man has been charged with the murder of a student from Saudi Arabia in the UK.

On this episode of Trending Middle East:

'This war left us with nothing': Gazan father who lost half his body weight pleads for end to conflict

Hamas open to shift by Israel and US towards comprehensive Gaza deal, sources say

Family of Saudi student stabbed to death says UK is not safe for visitors

This episode features Hamza Hendawi, Cairo Correspondent; and Tariq Taher, Senior Investigations Correspondent.

Editor’s note: We want to hear from you! Help us improve our podcasts by taking our 2-minute listener survey. Click here.