Trending Middle East

Qatar and Boeing on Wednesday struck a deal for what US President Donald Trump called the largest order of jets in the history of the planemaker. GCC leaders told Mr Trump that a Palestinian state is central to stability in the Middle East, while Syrians have reacted to the lifting of US sanctions. Mr Trump will continue his Gulf tour in the UAE today.

On this episode of Trending Middle East:

Boeing secures $200bn jet order from Qatar Airways that Trump says is 'largest'

Qatari Emir says Donald Trump visit a chance to 'bring peace to the region'

'There is hope': Trump's Syria pledge marks shift in US foreign policy

Landmark meeting between Trump and Al Shara boosts new order in Syria

UAE and US working to announce AI and tech partnership during Trump visit

This episode features Vanessa Ghanem, Arab Affairs Editor; Mohamed Ali Harisi, Foreign Editor; and Cody Combs, Technology Policy Editor.

US President Donald Trump rounded out his first day in Saudi Arabia with a strong commitment to Saudi-US relations as the Gulf country has committed to investing $600 billion in the US, including the "largest defence sales agreement in history”.

During his address at the US-Saudi Investment Forum, Mr Trump also announced that he would order the cessation of sanctions against Syria.

Qatar is preparing to receive Mr Trump later today on the second stop of his Gulf visit.

On today's episode of Trending Middle East:

Saudi Arabia to invest $600bn in the US as countries sign 'largest defence deal in history'

Donald Trump orders cessation of US sanctions on Syria

Trump says it would be 'stupid' not to take gift of plane from Qatar

Trump visit: Qatar Airways' potential 100 Boeing jets order would be 'big boost' for struggling US company

This episode features Manus Cranny, Geo-Economics Editor, Mohamad Ali Harisi, Foreign Editor and Vanessa Ghanem, Arab Affairs Editor.

US President Donald Trump's trip to the Gulf kicks off with his arrival in Saudi Arabia today. The US and China have agreed to lower tariffs for 90 days as the world's two largest economies continue discussions. The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) announced it will disband and dissolve as part of a peace process with Turkey.

On today's episode of Trending Middle East:

Trump visit: Qatar Airways' potential 100 Boeing jets order would be 'big boost' for struggling US company

AI, energy and data centres: How the UAE has approached Trump's second term

US and China agree to lower tariffs for 90 days

PKK agrees to disband as part of peace process with Turkey

‘Laying down arms is last stage’: PKK sets conditions for implementation of peace deal with Turkey

This episode features Manus Cranny, Geoeconomics Editor; Aarti Nagraj, Assistant Business Editor; and Lizzie Porter, Turkey Correspondent.

Editor's note: This text has been updated to reflect US President Donald Trump's schedule; he is expected to arrive in Riyadh on 13 May. 

US President Donald Trump sets off to the Gulf today. Flights between the UAE and Pakistan resumed at the weekend. There has been a sharp increase in settler violence across the occupied West Bank since the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel by Hamas.

On today's episode of Trending Middle East:

White House says Trump's Gulf trip to usher in 'golden age' in US-Middle East relations

Trump returns to a changed Gulf: How the region has evolved since 2017

India and Pakistan trade accusations of breaking ceasefire

India-Pakistan ceasefire: Passengers hopeful flights will operate as Islamabad reopens air space

Palestinians and Israeli activists hit by increasing settler attacks in Jordan Valley

This episode features Jihan Abdalla, Senior Correspondent and Thomas Helm, Jerusalem Correspondent.

Israeli forces stormed and shut down schools in occupied East Jerusalem run by the UN’s agency for Palestinian refugees. Pakistan says its forces killed "40 to 50 Indian soldiers" along the de facto border in the disputed Kashmir region. Dubai's Emirates airline has posted some of the biggest profits in its history.

Israeli forces storm six UNRWA schools in Jerusalem

Emirates posts record $5.2 billion annual profit on bumper travel demand

Pakistan claims to have killed '40 to 50 Indian soldiers'

This episode features Taniya Dutta, contributor; and Shweta Jain, Assistant Business Editor.

Tension between India and Pakistan is escalating. The US is potentially shifting its attention away from the Houthis in Yemen. A Lebanese border region has become a flashpoint for conflict with Syria.

On this episode of Trending Middle East:

What’s behind the enduring India-Pakistan conflict?

World leaders call for restraint after India's strikes on Pakistan

US and Yemen's Houthis agree on ceasefire, says mediator Oman

'They attacked from all sides': How Lebanon's Bekaa valley became conflict flashpoint with Syria

This episode features Taniya Dutta, reporting for The National; Mina Aldroubi, Senior Foreign Reporter; and Nada Atallah, Beirut correspondent.

International NGOs are boycotting an expanded Israeli offensive in Gaza. Syrian leader Ahmad Al Shara is set to meet French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Wednesday. The Israeli military says it has attacked Houthi targets in Yemen, including the airport in Sanaa and several major power stations in the area, a day after it hit the port of Hodeidah.

On today's episode of Trending Middle East:

Latest: Aid groups refuse to be complicit in 'dangerous' plan for Gaza

Syria's Al Shara to meet Macron in France on first European trip

Israel strikes Sanaa airport in response to Houthi attack on Ben Gurion airport

This episode features Senior Foreign Reporter Nada AlTaher and Europe Correspondent Sunniva Rose.

Israel and the Houthis are exchanging threats in an apparent escalation. The International Court of Justice has moved to reject Sudan’s case against the UAE. President Donald Trump has announced a 100 per cent tariff on all films produced outside the US.

On this episode of Trending Middle East:

'Israel got lucky': More Houthi missiles expected after rocket lands 350 metres from airport terminal

UAE welcomes ICJ ruling to dismiss Sudan case

US President Donald Trump orders 100% tariff on films made 'in foreign lands'

This episode features Thomas Harding, Security and Policy Editor; Vanessa Ghanem, Arab Affairs Editor; and William Mullally, Arts and Culture Editor.

The Israeli military said it was investigating after a missile launched from Yemen on Sunday landed near Israel’s main airport. Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces on Sunday attacked a military airbase in the city of Port Sudan. In Gaza, children are escaping attacks as sole survivors of their families.

On this episode of Trending Middle East:

Eight injured as Houthi missile lands near Israel's main airport

RSF launches drone attack on military base inside Port Sudan airport

Gaza's sole survivors: Children face lives marked by tragedy and trauma

This episode features Thomas Helm, Jerusalem Correspondent, and Hamza Hendawi, Cairo Correspondent.

The UAE and Lebanon are working on lifting travel restrictions, which include a UAE-imposed ban on Emiratis travelling to Lebanon, following a meeting of their Presidents. Washington has reportedly been planning deportations to Libya. Firefighters in Israel are battling what authorities said might be the largest wildfire in the country’s history.

On this episode of Trending Middle East:

UAE and Lebanon 'working towards easing travel restrictions'

Two killed in Israeli drone strikes on southern Lebanon

US reportedly in talks to send migrants to Libya under Trump deportation drive

Israel fires rage as government calls for international assistance

This episode features Mina Al-Oraibi, Editor-in-Chief, and Thomas Helm, Jerusalem correspondent.