Trending Middle East

Reactions to the Arab League’s new plan on Gaza have been pouring in since it was announced late on Tuesday. US President Donald Trump has promised a more “peaceful and prosperous” future for the Middle East. Syria and Lebanon are seeking to enhance their relations with Arab nations.   This episode features Assistant Foreign Editor Hadya Al Alawi, US Correspondent Ellie Sennett and Arab Affairs Ed...

Arab leaders presented a unified plan on Gaza following a summit in Cairo on Tuesday. Israel has launched strikes near Syria’s Tartous. Saudi Arabia is lowering salary raises amid an influx of talent.     This episode features Kamal Tabikha, Khaled Yacoub Oweis and Deepthi Nair.

An Arab summit on Gaza is taking place on Tuesday in Cairo. Reactions from the Middle East continue to pour in after Palestinian-Israeli film No Other Land won Best Documentary at the 2025 Academy Awards. Iran 's vice president for strategic affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif announced his resignation on Monday.     This episode features Hamza Hendawi, foreign correspondent for The National.

Israel has suspended the entry of all goods and supplies into Gaza . Israel has also vowed to defend Syria's Druze community. Meanwhile, European leaders gathered in London for a crucial summit on Ukraine.     This episode features Khaled Yacoub Oweis.

The leader of the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, Abdullah Ocalan made a historic call for the group to lay down arms and disband. Meanwhile, escalating violence in Jenin and Tulkarm has displaced 40,000 Palestinians, recalling decades-old military operations and adding to Gaza's destruction, with more than 48,000 dead.   This episode features Robert Tollast, military affairs reporter and Greg Ta...

The leading UN humanitarian official, Tom Fletcher, says the body is overstretched and underfunded when it comes to supporting the roughly 300 million people in need around the world. Mines left over from more than a decade of armed conflict in Syria are threatening civilians trying to return to their homes. A Syrian shipping tycoon is controlling maritime and property businesses in Greece despite...

Syria's leader Ahmad Al Shara said on Tuesday that the country must unite around a state that has a “monopoly” on weapons. The former capital of the ISIS caliphate in Syria is facing an uncertain future, much like the rest of the country. After over a year of political and economic challenges, Egypt has had some recent diplomatic wins that could set it on the right track. Listen to these stories o...

The main session of the Syrian National Dialogue is set to take place today, while President Sheikh Mohamed says the UAE is "keen to push forward" relations with Italy. This week also marks the third anniversary of the start of the Russia-Ukraine war.   This episode features Jordan correspondent Khaled Yacoub Oweis and Assistant News Editor Patrick Ryan.

The European Union is expected to lift some sanctions on Syria this week. Syria’s Kurdish-led north-east began providing oil from its local fields to Damascus. Tens of thousands poured into Beirut for the long-delayed funeral of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.   This episode features Khaled Yacoub Oweis and Sunniva Rose.

Arab states meet in Riyadh today. Christians in Jerusalem are fighting a new push by the city’s municipality to pursue disputed taxes. Syria is eyeing a way forward for the country’s vastly fractured military factions. This episode features Hamza Hendawi, Lizzie Porter, and Thomas Helm.

Lebanon's newly formed government has omitted any mention of “armed resistance” from its ministerial statement for the first time in two decades. The National heard from a Yemeni journalist formerly detained by Houthi forces. President Sheikh Mohamed told US Secretary of State Marco Rubio the UAE strongly opposes any attempt to displace the Palestinian people from Gaza. Get the full story on today...

The National has learnt details of Egypt’s plan countering US President Donald Trump’s proposed takeover of Gaza. The US-backed, mostly Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces in control of large parts of Syria will not give up its weapons as long as ISIS remains active on Syrian territory. Lebanon said it will consider any remaining Israeli presence on its land an occupation.     This episode features K...

Israel is supposed to withdraw from Lebanon today. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Riyadh for discussions on the war in Ukraine and issues in the Middle East. More than 150,000 people arrived in Abu Dhabi yesterday for the first day of Idex, the Middle East’s largest defence expo .   This episode features Jamie Prentis, reporting from Beirut.

US Vice President JD Vance took centre stage at the Munich Security Conference at the weekend. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Israel. Hamas released three Israeli hostages in exchange for more than 300 Palestinians being freed from prison in Israel.   Listen to more on these stories on today’s episode of Trending Middle East.

Elon Musk and his Boring Company have signed an initial deal to bring an underground road system to Dubai. Marvel’s latest Captain America film is experiencing a new wave of protests over its inclusion of an Israeli character, originally a Mossad agent in the Marvel comics. Friday marks the 20th anniversary of the assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic Hariri.

Syrians are seeking greater protection from ISIS cells and killings in a new era of government. Arab nations are planning a unified counter-offer to Donald Trump’s plans to “take over” Gaza. The World Governments Summit is closing today in Dubai.   This episode features correspondent Lizzie Porter and Rory Reynolds, Assistant Editor.

Hamas has said it will delay the release of hostages until further notice and that Israel has violated the ceasefire agreement. Us President Donald Trump has threatened to withhold aid from Egypt and Jordan ahead of a meeting with King Abdullah II in Washington. The World Government Summit in Dubai heads into its second day.

Palestinians are making their way back to northern Gaza in droves after Israel completed its withdrawal from the strategically important Netzarim corridor over the weekend. Reactions to US President Donald Trump’s plan for Gaza continue to flow. Iraq’s President is suing the country's Prime Minister and Finance Minister over delayed payments to government employees in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan...

Saudi Arabia accuses Israel of pursuing an "extremist, occupying mentality". The fifth exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian detainees under the Gaza ceasefire agreement takes place over the weekend. Lebanon forms a new government.   Listen to these stories on Trending Middle East.

The Middle East braces for Elon Musk's USAid cuts through the Department of Government Efficiency. Israel's Defence Minister orders the army to prepare for Gaza residents' departure. Tehran responds to calls for “maximum pressure” on Iran with its Foreign Minister’s own call for “maximum wisdom.”   Listen to this morning’s headlines on Trending Middle East.

Trump plans to “take over” Gaza. Aid barely reaches Gaza’s north. Syria’s Ahmed Al Shara plans to reshuffle his new government. Listen to this morning’s headlines on Trending Middle East.

Talks have started on the second phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire in Gaza. A report reveals new failures in Israel’s Iron Dome system. Oil prices fall as the US delayed tariffs on Mexico and Canada.

Yasmeen Altaji gives a round-up of today’s trends

Yasmeen Altaji gives a round-up of today's trends

Yasmeen Altaji gives a round-up of today’s trends