The Conflict

What can history teach us about the conflict in the Middle East?

We look back on the region’s history and discuss what it can teach us about the future.

Jonny Dymond brings together a carefully assembled panel of experts, academics and journalists to talk about the conflict in the region.

This week Jonny is joined by Dr Giordana Pulcini, who teaches History of Transatlantic Relations at the University of Roma Tre, and geopolitical analyst, Dr Hellyer from the Royal United Services Institute.

They take a closer look at Israel’s 1981 raid on a French-built nuclear plant in Iraq, and discuss what impact Operation Opera had on the Israel-America relationship.

The Conflict: Middle East was made by Keiligh Baker and Ivana Davidovic. The technical producers were Ricardo McCarthy and David Crackles. The assistant editor is Ben Mundy. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

This episode is part of a BBC Sounds series. It was recorded at 14:00 on Tuesday 12 November 2024.

We look back on the region’s history and discuss what it can teach us about the future.

Jonny Dymond brings together a carefully assembled panel of experts, academics and journalists to talk about the conflict in the region.

What has happened in history to lead us to this point? And what can history teach us about what might happen next?

This week Jonny is joined by Orla Guerin, the BBC’s senior international correspondent, Dr Ahron Bregman, senior teaching fellow at King’s College London and Dr Julie Norman, an Associate Professor in Politics and International Relations at UCL.

They explore how the decision by then-Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to “disengage” from Gaza and withdraw 9,000 Israeli settlers still looms large over the current conflict in the region.

This episode was made by Keiligh Baker with Ivana Davidovic. The technical producers were David Crackles and Jonny Hall. The assistant editor is Ben Mundy. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

This episode is part of a BBC Sounds series. It was recorded at 14:00 on Tuesday 5 November 2024.

What can history teach us about the conflict in the Middle East?

Adam Fleming and Laura Kuenssberg talk to the BBC's Diplomatic Correspondent Paul Adams.

What can history teach us about the conflict in the Middle East?

Today, Israel confirmed that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar has been killed in Gaza.

For this extra episode, Newscast's Adam Fleming speaks with the BBC's International Editor Jeremy Bowen about his death and what it might mean for the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

What can history teach us about the conflict in the Middle East?

Jonny Dymond brings together a carefully assembled panel of experts, academics and journalists to talk about the conflict in the region.

What has happened in history to lead us to this point? And, what can history teach us about what might happen next?

This week, Jonny is joined by Dr Burcu Ozcelik, a senior research fellow for Middle East security at Rusi, and historian, James Barr.

Please get in touch with Jonny and the team: [email protected].

This episode is part of a BBC Sounds series. It was recorded at 14:00 on Tuesday 15 October 2024.

Journalists from across the BBC reflect on the war in the Middle East.

Chief International Correspondent Lyse Doucet is joined by International editor, Jeremy Bowen, Middle East correspondent, Anna Foster, and Gaza reporter, Rushdi Abualouf.

Please note, both Hamas and Hezbollah have been designated terrorist organisations by Western states, Israel and some Arab countries.

This episode was made by Keiligh Baker with Kirsteen Knight and Kamilah McInnis. The technical producer is Jack Graysmark. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

After an extraordinary weekend in the Middle East we are bringing you a special episode of The Global Story, where Lyse Doucet shares her reflections on the significance of Iran's first ever direct attack on Israel.

Israel says 99% of the missiles and drones fired by Iran on Saturday night were intercepted without hitting their targets. Iran said the assault was in response to a deadly attack on an Iranian diplomatic compound in Syria two weeks ago. Now all eyes are on how Israel will respond to Iran's unprecedented move. James Reynolds talks to the BBC’s Chief International Correspondent, Lyse Doucet, who says the attack marks “a whole new chapter” in the relations between Iran and Israel. James is also joined by the BBC’s security correspondent Gordon Corera, and Siavash Ardalan from BBC Persian, to discuss how the players at the centre of this confrontation might decide their next move.

The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists worldwide. We’re keen to hear from you, wherever you are in the world. We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell #TheGlobalStory. Email us at [email protected] You can also message us or leave a voice note via WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.

The Global Story is produced by the same team that made The Conflict and it is part of the BBC News Podcasts family. The team that makes The Global Story also makes several other podcasts, such as Americast and Ukrainecast, which cover US news and the war in Ukraine. If you enjoy The Global Story, then we think that you will enjoy some of our other podcasts too. To find them, simply search on your favourite podcast app.

This episode was made by Richard Moran. The technical producer was Annie Smith. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Sam Bonham. Read less

The Conflict’s Lyse Doucet and Newscast’s Adam Fleming look back at the past 10 weeks of the Israel-Gaza conflict and discuss the challenges and considerations facing BBC journalists while they report on the war. Revisiting powerful moments from interviews with the BBC’s Gaza Correspondent, Rushdi Abualouf, Anna Foster, Middle East Correspondent and International Editor, Jeremy Bowen - they describe events as they unfolded.

PRESENTERS:

- Lyse Doucet, BBC chief international correspondent

GET IN TOUCH:

- Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480

TEAM:

This episode was made by Lucy Boast with Bethan Ashmead Latham. The studio manager was Mike Regaard. The senior news editors are Jonathan Aspinwall and Sam Bonham.