Trending Middle East

Condemnation of Ben-Gvir at Al Aqsa Mosque and five years since the Beirut Blast

Far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir is drawing backlash after praying at the Al Aqsa Mosque compound.

Today marks five years since the explosion that rocked Beirut.

New clashes arise in Syria's north-east.

On today's episode of Trending Middle East:

Saudi Arabia and Jordan denounce Itamar Ben-Gvir's 'provocative' visit to Al Aqsa Mosque

'No accountability' for Beirut port blast as businesses reopen after self-funded rebuild

Syrian army and Kurdish-led SDF clash after talks falter

This episode features Thomas Helm, Jerusalem Correspondent; Jamie Prentis, Beirut Correspondent; and Khaled Yacoub Oweis, Jordan Correspondent.

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US sanctions PA, and new Syria-Russia relations

The US has imposed sanctions on officials of the Palestinian Authority and members of the Palestine Liberation Organisation. A senior Syrian official has visited Russia for the first time since the fall of the Assad regime. The US is turning to the UAE for energy.

On today's episode of Trending Middle East:

US 'punishes' Palestinian leadership for seeking recognised state

Syria seeks closer Russian ties as Moscow calls for healing country's divisions

US Interior Secretary confident that AI's demand for power will drive energy markets

This episode features Thomas Helm, Jerusalem 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.

Israeli settlement plan threatens Palestinian statehood, and Lebanon inches towards disarming Hezbollah

New settlements in East Jerusalem could further threaten prospects of a Palestinian state. Lebanon is on the cusp of a move to disarm Hezbollah. At least five people were killed by Israeli troops while waiting for aid in Gaza on Wednesday.

On today's episode of Trending Middle East:

Lebanon approaches critical juncture in push for Hezbollah disarmament

Hunger and heartbreak as families struggle to survive war in Gaza

This episode features Thomas Helm, Jerusalem correspondent; and Jamie Prentis, 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.

UK could recognise Palestinian state and Gaza's mothers dying in childbirth

The UK is close to recognising a Palestinian state. Gaza's mothers are dying in childbirth at an accelerated rate. Lebanon has sentenced a man to death over the killing of a UN Irish peacekeeper in 2022.

On today's episode of Trending Middle East:

Keir Starmer pushes Gaza peace plan and recognition of Palestinian state

Lebanon sentences man to death for killing Irish UN peacekeeper Sean Rooney

This episode features Thomas Harding, Security and Policy Editor; and Jamie Prentis, 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.

Siege on Sweida, and anger after clashes in Iraq

Food and medicine levels are critically low in Sweida, Syria. Deadly clashes in Iraq have fuelled anger across the country. Wildfires rage in Turkey, Greece and Albania.

On today's episode of Trending Middle East:

Sweida running out of supplies under Syrian government siege

Public fury in Iraq after clashes between militia and security forces

Ten killed in Turkey as forest fires rage in soaring heat

This episode features Khaled Yacoub Oweis, Jordan correspondent; and Sinan Mahmoud, Baghdad correspondent.

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

Dropping aid into Gaza and the fate of a ceasefire

Israel has begun allowing aid to be dropped into Gaza by parachute. In Israel, far-right figures are objecting to permitting aid into Gaza. Syria, France and the US have agreed to meet on Kurdish integration.

On today's episode of Trending Middle East:

UAE and Jordan planes drop food and humanitarian aid into Gaza

Israel claims aid trickling in after widespread condemnation of blockade

Paris to host Syria talks on integrating Kurds

This episode features Hamza Hendawi, Cairo 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.

Israeli MPs approve motion to annex occupied West Bank, and blazes in Turkey

Israel’s government has called for the annexation of the occupied West Bank. Blazes continue to burn across Turkey. An explosion rocks Syria's Idlib province.

Arab and Islamic nations condemn Israeli Knesset’s approval of motion on West Bank annexation

Ten killed in Turkey as forest fires rage in soaring heat

Several dead and dozens injured in 'arms depot' explosion in Syria

This episode features Thomas Helm, Jerusalem correspondent, and Lizzie Porter, Turkey correspondent.

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

Syria investigates Sweida violence, and Huckabee in Ramallah

Syria is investigating violence that erupted in Sweida this month. US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee visited the occupied West Bank on Wednesday. Saudi Arabia invests in Syria.

On today's episode of Trending Middle East:

US ambassador meets Palestinian official on first Ramallah visit

Syria's Defence Ministry to investigate claims of 'shocking violations' in Sweida

Saudi Arabia expected to sign $4bn worth of deals as it holds investment forum in Syria

This episode features Khaled Yacoub Oweis, Jordan correspondent; Thomas Helm, Jerusalem correspondent; and Dana Alomar, Future Editor.

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

Starvation in Gaza and Israeli army attacks Syria

Starvation is on the rise in the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli army launched a drone strike against pro-government troops in southern Syria on Tuesday, sources in Jordan said.

Iran is saying it will not abandon its nuclear programme, including uranium enrichment.

On today's episode of Trending Middle East:

Children starve to death in Gaza as doctors faint from hunger amid Israeli aid blockade

Four children among 15 dead due to starvation in Gaza

Israeli army resumes strikes on southern Syria

Europe takes snapback leverage to Iran talks in Istanbul

This episode features Rakan Abdelrahman, 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.

Sweida evacuations and Turkey to cancel Iraqi Kurdistan oil deal

The Syrian government has evacuated Bedouin families from Sweida.

Turkey is ending an oil export agreement with the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Israel is continuing its offensive on Houthi targets in Yemen.

On this episode of Trending Middle East:

Syrian authorities evacuate Bedouin civilians from Sweida as fragile truce holds

Turkey to end oil pipeline deal with Iraqi Kurdistan

Israeli army strikes Houthi targets at Yemen's Hodeidah port

This episode features Khaled Yacoub Oweis, Jordan Correspondent; Fareed Rahman, Senior Business Reporter; and Vanessa Ghanem, Arab Affairs Editor.

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