Al Jazeera

Lebanon under Israeli attack while diplomatic efforts continue to end the war in Iran. And with Israel escalating attacks on Hezbollah, Tehran wants any peace deal to cover both conflicts. So, why is Iran making Lebanon a central issue in its own war?

Ukraine's bid to join the European Union (EU) has received a boost this week. Accession negotiations have finally kicked off. Ukraine is hoping that will provide it with some security guarantees, as the war with Russia drags on. Moscow has long objected to Kyiv strengthening its ties with the West. And now, Ukraine will have to fulfil the EU's requirements before it can be accepted as a member. Th...

A possible US-Iran deal is taking shape. But Israeli officials are reportedly worried. What are their concerns? Could it derail negotiations to end the war in Iran, which has caused an unprecedented global energy crisis?

The war on Iran has caused the worst energy crisis in history, according to the International Energy Agency. It's been politically unpopular in the US too, ahead of crucial mid-term elections in November.

Israeli national security minister's mistreatment of Gaza flotilla activists. It sparks international outrage. But will governments act against Israel? The boats were part of the latest attempt to deliver humanitarian aid to Palestinians. Most efforts have failed. What difference do flotillas make to Palestinians living under Israeli blockade?

Over the years, China and Russia have described their relationship as a friendship without limits. Vladimir Putin's visit to Beijing this week further emphasises the strength of those ties. He and President Xi Jinping hailed their partnership as 'a force of calm among chaos'. They also warned against a return to the 'law of the jungle'. An apparent reference to Donald Trump's actions and policies,...

There appears to be a shift in the years-long conflict in Ukraine. Last weekend, Ukrainian forces struck deeper into Russian territory, piercing its air defences in a large strike on the Moscow region. This came a week after fears of a Ukrainian attack forced Russia to scale down its annual Victory Day parade. Kyiv's also been relentlessly striking Russia's oil facilities and military logistics, a...

Havana has announced the country is nearly out of fuel. It comes after months of added pressure from Washington. The US cut off oil shipments from Venezuela and then imposed a near total oil blockade. Paired with Cuba's aging energy grid, the result was sweeping blackouts, supply shortages and a deepening economic crisis. Washington's goal is to force the socialist government to open up the econom...

A global health crisis - not a pandemic. But the World Health Organization is warning the Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighbouring Uganda could be much larger than what has been detected so far. The global health body is advising the countries to activate national disaster mechanisms and introduce cross-border and internal screening.

A year ago, US-China relations reached one of their lowest points when Donald Trump announced his Liberation Day tariffs. The US president made some concessions when he met Xi Jinping a few months later. And the White House yielded more ground in the run-up to Trump's visit to Beijing. It suspended a $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan, which China claims as its sovereign territory. But that did not s...

Five nations boycott Eurovision citing Israel's participation. Their action is against Israel's war in Gaza and allegations of vote manipulation in the song contest. But why is it so important for Israel to take part? And is the competition's future under threat?

Vladimir Putin says the Ukraine war may be over soon. Attacks have been intensifying in recent weeks. And a stalemate on the battlefield is increasing political pressure for an end. So, could the conflict be entering its final phase?

A backlash against UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in local and regional elections in England, Scotland and Wales, despite a huge majority in parliament. He's rejecting calls to quit - but faces new challenges from both the left and right. So, why are these elections so important?

The World Health Organization says public health risks from hantavirus are low. Arrangements are being made to repatriate passengers from a cruise ship, after three people who'd been on board, died. How's the experience from the Covid-19 pandemic being used?

China is emerging as a major player in global diplomacy - including in the Middle East. In 2023, it helped re-establish diplomatic ties between Riyadh and Tehran. While it is not officially mediating efforts to end the ongoing war - both the US and Iran are looking to China to help de-escalate. So, can it propel the two sides towards that goal? And if China makes a direct push to stop the fighting...

Tension escalates rapidly across the Gulf - despite last month's ceasefire. An oil facility hit in the United Arab Emirates, Iranian boats attacked, while the US tries to force open a shipping route in the Strait of Hormuz. So, what does this mean for hopes of an end to the Iran war?

Pakistan opens land trade routes to Iran, allowing the transit of goods. It's a much-needed reprieve for both economies. But does it undercut Washington's pressure campaign on Tehran? And how will it impact the Islamabad-mediated talks to end the war?

Divisions widen within NATO. US President Donald Trump is furious after a refusal by European member states to join the Iran war. Reports say he's considering measures against the UK and Spain. So, how serious is the rift for the future of the military alliance?

A loan drama tied to geopolitics. Kyiv is getting a much-delayed lifeline from Brussels, as it fights Moscow's invasion with nearly empty coffers. That's after Ukraine repaired a pipeline carrying Russian crude to Hungary, Slovakia. The oil revenues will bolster Moscow's war chest. So, is this complex EU deal going to intensify the conflict? And, considering the mistrust between the parties, will...

More than a million Europeans have signed a petition asking the EU to suspend a trade deal with Israel for its atrocities in Gaza. Three states — Spain, Ireland and Slovenia — tabled a proposal backing the call. But Germany and Italy blocked the move. So, can a divided EU become a strong force opposing Israeli actions in the Middle East?

Israel's alliance with the European Union is under mounting political pressure. Behind the shift are demands to suspend the main agreement underpinning their close relations. But their ties survived Israel's genocide in Gaza - so why the difficulties now?

China tells its ally Iran the Strait of Hormuz must be reopened. International leaders have been visiting Beijing almost daily - underlining its importance in the crisis. So what's the impact of the Iran war on China - and what role is it playing?

As the United States-Israel war on Iran deepens, conflict scholar David Keen examines why some wars persist without a clear victory. He argues that war can serve political control, economic interests and systems of power that outlive the battlefield. From sanctions and smuggling to military spending and useful enemies, Keen explains how conflict can become functional and why making peace more attr...

Iran has been cultivating what it calls the Axis of Resistance for decades. It's a coalition of armed groups, backed by Tehran's money and often its weapons, that try to tip the scales of regional power in Iran's favour. Now the axis looks to be on shaky ground. Israel has marched into southern Lebanon, is pounding Beirut with bombs in an attempt to eliminate Hezbollah and says it doesn't plan to...

After apocalyptic threats, Washington and Tehran have agreed to a two week ceasefire. It's still unclear whether that will mean a lasting peace. What's more certain is that the US and the world stage have been changed by Trump's war. So how has America been shaped by Trump's war on Iran? How has the world order? And can any of it be walked back?