Trending Middle East

Reactions to the Arab League’s new plan on Gaza have been pouring in since it was announced late on Tuesday. US President Donald Trump has promised a more “peaceful and prosperous” future for the Middle East. Syria and Lebanon are seeking to enhance their relations with Arab nations.

 

This episode features Assistant Foreign Editor Hadya Al Alawi, US Correspondent Ellie Sennett and Arab Affairs Editor Vanessa Ghanem.

Arab leaders presented a unified plan on Gaza following a summit in Cairo on Tuesday. Israel has launched strikes near Syria’s Tartous. Saudi Arabia is lowering salary raises amid an influx of talent.

 

 

This episode features Kamal Tabikha, Khaled Yacoub Oweis and Deepthi Nair.

An Arab summit on Gaza is taking place on Tuesday in Cairo. Reactions from the Middle East continue to pour in after Palestinian-Israeli film No Other Land won Best Documentary at the 2025 Academy Awards. Iran's vice president for strategic affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif announced his resignation on Monday.

 

 

This episode features Hamza Hendawi, foreign correspondent for The National.

Israel has suspended the entry of all goods and supplies into Gaza. Israel has also vowed to defend Syria's Druze community. Meanwhile, European leaders gathered in London for a crucial summit on Ukraine.

 

 

This episode features Khaled Yacoub Oweis.

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.