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 Tanner, head of multimedia.

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 being sanctioned by the US for his alleged dealing with the Houthis and Hezbollah.

Listen to this morning's episode on Trending Middle East.

 

 

This episode features Lizzie Porter and Tariq Tahir.

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 on today's episode of Trending Middle East.

 

This episode features Nada Maucourant Atallah and Kamal Tabikha.

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.

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’s episode of Trending Middle East.

 

This episode features Arab Affairs Editor Vanessa Ghanem and Nada AlTaher, Senior Foreign Reporter, reporting from Amman.

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 Kamal Tabikha in Cairo and Sunniva Rose in Paris.

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.