Trending Middle East

Iraq has dismissed two senior commanders of the paramilitary Popular Mobilisation Forces over a deadly attack on a government building last month. The National has boarded a Jordanian aid flight to Gaza. Hundreds were arrested in London for marching in support of the banned Palestine Action group.

On this morning's episode of Trending Middle East:

Iraq dismisses two senior PMF commanders over attack on government building

Hundreds arrested in London for supporting Palestine Action

This episode features Khaled Yacoub Oweis, Jordan correspondent.

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Israel weighs occupying Gaza. Lebanon votes to disarm Hezbollah. Egypt's Rafah border crossing has been revived.

This episode features Thomas Helm, Jerusalem correspondent; Jamie Prentis, Beirut correspondent; and Kamal Tabikha, Cairo correspondent.

On this episode of Trending Middle East:

Netanyahu seeks full control of Gaza under Israeli plan to force half its population south

Lebanese government approves Hezbollah disarmament as Shiite ministers storm out of talks

Gaza aid trucks return to Rafah crossing as Egypt seeks to ease humanitarian strain

Lebanese security officials fear Israel may attempt to infiltrate its eastern region. Syrian leadership questioned the July operation in Sweida. At least 20 people have been killed after an aid lorry overturned on a crowd in Gaza.

On today's episode of Trending Middle East:

Lebanon fears Israeli ground incursions from Syria into eastern region

The full story of the Sweida operation: How a lightning offensive became a war

Aid lorry overturns and kills 20 in Gaza as UN blames Israel for starving Palestinians

This episode features Mohamad Ali Harisi, Foreign Editor; and Khaled Yacoub Oweis, Jordan correspondent.

Editor’s note: We want to hear from you! Help us improve our podcasts by taking our 2-minute listener survey. Click here.

New details reveal how Gazans are lured to their deaths in aid queues. Lebanon's government failed to vote on a motion to disarm Hezbollah. Israel is divided over reported plans for a full military occupation of Gaza.

On today's episode of Trending Middle East:

Startling new details reveal how Gazans are lured to their deaths in aid queues

Israel divided as reports indicate plans for 'full occupation' of Gaza

Lebanon's cabinet fails to vote on disarming Hezbollah in stormy meeting

This episode features Nada AlTaher, senior foreign reporter; Jamie Prentis, Beirut correspondent; and Thomas Helm, Jerusalem correspondent.

Editor’s note: We want to hear from you! Help us improve our podcasts by taking our 2-minute listener survey. Click here.

Five more people have died from hunger in Gaza. Hamas says it's open to negotiating a ceasefire deal that would end the war. A man has been charged with the murder of a student from Saudi Arabia in the UK.

On this episode of Trending Middle East:

'This war left us with nothing': Gazan father who lost half his body weight pleads for end to conflict

Hamas open to shift by Israel and US towards comprehensive Gaza deal, sources say

Family of Saudi student stabbed to death says UK is not safe for visitors

This episode features Hamza Hendawi, Cairo Correspondent; and Tariq Taher, Senior Investigations Correspondent.

Editor’s note: We want to hear from you! Help us improve our podcasts by taking our 2-minute listener survey. Click here.

Far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir is drawing backlash after praying at the Al Aqsa Mosque compound.

Today marks five years since the explosion that rocked Beirut.

New clashes arise in Syria's north-east.

On today's episode of Trending Middle East:

Saudi Arabia and Jordan denounce Itamar Ben-Gvir's 'provocative' visit to Al Aqsa Mosque

'No accountability' for Beirut port blast as businesses reopen after self-funded rebuild

Syrian army and Kurdish-led SDF clash after talks falter

This episode features Thomas Helm, Jerusalem Correspondent; Jamie Prentis, Beirut Correspondent; and Khaled Yacoub Oweis, Jordan Correspondent.

Editor’s note: We want to hear from you! Help us improve our podcasts by taking our 2-minute listener survey. Click here.

The US has imposed sanctions on officials of the Palestinian Authority and members of the Palestine Liberation Organisation. A senior Syrian official has visited Russia for the first time since the fall of the Assad regime. The US is turning to the UAE for energy.

On today's episode of Trending Middle East:

US 'punishes' Palestinian leadership for seeking recognised state

Syria seeks closer Russian ties as Moscow calls for healing country's divisions

US Interior Secretary confident that AI's demand for power will drive energy markets

This episode features Thomas Helm, Jerusalem correspondent; and Khaled Yacoub Oweis, Jordan correspondent.

Editor’s note: We want to hear from you! Help us improve our podcasts by taking our 2-minute listener survey. Click here.

New settlements in East Jerusalem could further threaten prospects of a Palestinian state. Lebanon is on the cusp of a move to disarm Hezbollah. At least five people were killed by Israeli troops while waiting for aid in Gaza on Wednesday.

On today's episode of Trending Middle East:

Lebanon approaches critical juncture in push for Hezbollah disarmament

Hunger and heartbreak as families struggle to survive war in Gaza

This episode features Thomas Helm, Jerusalem correspondent; and Jamie Prentis, Beirut correspondent.

Editor’s note: We want to hear from you! Help us improve our podcasts by taking our 2-minute listener survey. Click here.

The UK is close to recognising a Palestinian state. Gaza's mothers are dying in childbirth at an accelerated rate. Lebanon has sentenced a man to death over the killing of a UN Irish peacekeeper in 2022.

On today's episode of Trending Middle East:

Keir Starmer pushes Gaza peace plan and recognition of Palestinian state

Lebanon sentences man to death for killing Irish UN peacekeeper Sean Rooney

This episode features Thomas Harding, Security and Policy Editor; and Jamie Prentis, Beirut Correspondent.

Editor’s note: We want to hear from you! Help us improve our podcasts by taking our 2-minute listener survey. Click here.

Food and medicine levels are critically low in Sweida, Syria. Deadly clashes in Iraq have fuelled anger across the country. Wildfires rage in Turkey, Greece and Albania.

On today's episode of Trending Middle East:

Sweida running out of supplies under Syrian government siege

Public fury in Iraq after clashes between militia and security forces

Ten killed in Turkey as forest fires rage in soaring heat

This episode features Khaled Yacoub Oweis, Jordan correspondent; and Sinan Mahmoud, Baghdad correspondent.

Editor’s note: We want to hear from you! Help us improve our podcasts by taking our 2-minute listener survey. Click here.