In this special interview, journalist and author Fatima Bhutto speaks to Former French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin about Israel’s war on Gaza, which he calls the “greatest historical scandal” of our time. Dominique de Villepin spent three decades in public service. Since his opposition to the 2003 invasion of Iraq, he has been an outspoken critic of Western military interventions around the world. In this episode, he explains why he believes there will be no security in the region until a Palestinian state is recognised.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has been speaking about the developments in Syria, at the Doha Forum in Qatar. He says the opposition takeover should not pose a threat to neighbouring countries.

Pakistan has once again been shaken by protests, with Imran Khan, the country’s jailed ex-prime minister, at their epicentre. This time, the state has responded with a technologically sophisticated crackdown, with digital blackouts and restrictions on social media.

The balance of power may be shifting in Syria years after President Bashar al-Assad regained control of some major cities in the northwest. In just a week, opposition forces have overrun Aleppo and Hama. And they say they have their sights set on Damascus. The assault is led by armed group Hayat Tahrir al Sham. It says it's responding to government attacks on its stronghold, Idlib. The Syrian military is reinforcing its lines of defence, and allies Iran, Hezbollah and Russia are promising to help. But can it push back the opposition advance? Is Assad's government really under threat? And what does this flare-up, after a period of relative calm, mean for millions of Syrian civilians?

The long-running Syrian civil war involves multiple countries, including the United States, Turkiye, Russia, Iran, and Israel. Israel has bombed what it calls 'a Hezbollah weapons smuggling' route. That attack taking place on the Syrian side—just across the north-ern border of Lebanon. The Arida crossing is now reported to be 'out of service.' The crossing had recently undergone repairs following previous Israeli attacks.

US president-elect Donald Trump is handing over US Middle East policy to people “who see God as some kind of cosmic real estate agent”, argues Stephen Zunes, chair of the Middle Eastern Studies Program at the University of San Francisco. Regarding Trump’s “to whom it may concern” threat that “there will be all hell to pay in the Middle East” regarding Israeli hostages, Zunes tells host Steve Clemons that the situation for Palestinians is likely to get even worse. But at least Trump "can't pretend that he’s trying to reach an equitable, just peace” like his predecessors, Zunes says.

The US dollar is the world's reserve currency - used for nearly 80 percent of global trade. Its dominance gives the United States major economic advantages and significant geopolitical influence across the world. But many nations in the BRICS group of emerging economies accuse Washington of using the greenback as a political tool. BRICS nations now aim to reduce their dependence on the dollar and have proposed a common currency. President-elect Donald Trump has warned the group he will act if it attempts to undermine the dollar. Plus, the war on Gaza has left the Palestinian economy in ruins; and Nigeria's economic reforms.

Over the past week, Syrian opposition fighters have seized control of Aleppo and advanced further south towards Hama. This unexpected move has reignited what was largely a frozen conflict. In response, the Syrian Army, with support from Russia and reportedly, Iraqi militias, has intensified bombing campaigns on opposition-held areas. So, what’s next for Syria’s war?

South Korea’s president has declared emergency martial law, banning all political activities. However, the national assembly has passed a resolution rejecting the move, deeming it invalid. Opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-Myung stated that following the president's orders after the parliament's vote would now be illegal. Earlier, the military attempted to prevent politicians from entering the parliament. Protests against martial law have broken out outside the building.

A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah is in place and seems to be holding. US President Joe Biden confirmed the agreement on Tuesday, calling it a “permanent cessation of hostilities”. People forced to flee Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon are eager to return to their homes. Major routes are full of vehicles heading south. More than a year of bombardment has displaced 1.2 million people across the country. Israeli journalist Meron Rapoport says pressure from incoming president Donald Trump is a factor, as he promised voters that there will be peace in Lebanon, but there are other considerations as well.