Podcasts about middle east and north africa

In the early years, American Jewish support for Israel was a fraught issue. The turning point was the six-day war of 1967, which solidified a strength of feeling that has only recently begun to fracture By Mark Mazower. Read by Kerry Shale. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod

The Gaza ceasefire has only just begun but fractures are already appearing. Middle East writer William Christou speaks to Reged Ahmad from Jerusalem on the mammoth task of rebuilding and if this truce can be turned into a long-lasting peace

As Israel and Palestinian families waited for loved ones to be released, Trump met world leaders to continue ceasefire talks. Will Christou, Dan Boffey and Jason Burke report on an extraordinary day in the Middle East. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

As Israeli and Palestinian families waited for loved ones to be released, Trump met world leaders to continue ceasefire talks. Will Christou, Dan Boffey and Jason Burke report on an extraordinary day in the Middle East

Today in Focus producer Natalie Ktena heads to a peace camp in Cyprus that aims to bring together children from Israel and the West Bank. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Over a few brutal days in March, as sectarian violence and revenge killings tore through parts of Syria, two friends from different communities tried to find a way to survive By Ghaith Abdul-Ahad. Read by Mo Ayoub. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod

All eyes are on the Middle East where there have been emotional scenes in Israel as hostages were released, while tens of thousands of Palestinians are able to return to the ruins of their homes in Gaza. As global leaders, including Donald Trump and Keir Starmer, meet for a peace summit, Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss the UK's role in securing the ceasefire and in the next phases of the peace plan. Plus, what has Tony Blair's contribution been to the ceasefire, and what part could he play in future? -- Send your thoughts and questions to politicsweeklyuk@theguardian.com. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

From inside Gaza, Ansam Tantesh and Mai Elawawda react to the news of a ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel and the prospect of finally ending the two-year war. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on Wednesday night that Israel and Hamas had agreed the first phase of a new ceasefire deal in Gaza. We've been here before, but is it different this time? Has Trump proved the doubters wrong? Jonathan Freedland speaks to Julian Borger about the prospect for peace in the Middle East and the US president's role in getting to this point

Negotiators have gathered in Egypt to discuss the US president's 20-point plan. Is an end to the war finally in sight?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Malak A Tantesh on fleeing the Israeli ground offensive in Gaza and becoming a reporter in the most dangerous place on Earth for journalists. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss the UK's recognition of Palestine as a state. With the US and Israel criticising the move, what will it mean for the war in Gaza, and for diplomacy? Plus, what do we know about the split at the top of Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana's new leftwing party? And Pippa has the latest from the Liberal Democrat conference in Bournemouth ---- Send your thoughts and questions to politicsweeklyuk@theguardian.com. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

On Monday, standing outside the UN headquarters in the US, Anthony Albanese announced Australia's formal recognition of Palestine as a sovereign and independent state. Guardian Australia's political editor Tom McIlroy speaks to Nour Haydar from New York on why the prime minister chose this moment to make the landmark decision and whether the move will deepen the divide between Australia and the US on the war in Gaza

What is motivating the UK's imminent recognition of Palestine? With Arab Barghouthi and Patrick Wintour. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

When Ian Foxley found evidence of corruption while working at a British company in Riyadh, he alerted the MoD. He didn't know he'd stumbled upon one of its most closely guarded secrets By David Pegg. Read by Shane Zaza. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod

Iran directed at least two attacks against Australia's Jewish community, the domestic spy agency has determined, prompting the Albanese government to expel Tehran's ambassador from Australia. The prime minister announced on Tuesday that Asio had ‘credible intelligence' to determine the Iranian government was behind the attacks against the Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne and Lewis's Continental Kitchen in Bondi, Sydney. Iranian diplomats posted to Australia were not involved, the Asio director general, Mike Burgess, said. Nour Haydar speaks with political correspondent Tom Mcilroy and senior reporter Ben Doherty about why the Albanese government has taken this historic step against Iran

The tiny, astonishingly wealthy country has become a major player on the world stage, trying to solve some of the most intractable conflicts. What's driving this project? By Nesrine Malik. Read by Sulin Hasso. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod

Every Wednesday and Friday in August we will publish some of our favourite audio long reads of 2025, in case you missed them, with an introduction from the editorial team to explain why we've chosen it. This week, from April: a violent fanatic and pioneer in bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political outcast 35 years ago. Today, his ideas influence the very highest levels of government By Joshua Leifer. Read by Kerry Shale. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod

Harry Davies on how Microsoft's cloud was used to facilitate mass surveillance of Palestinians. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

A growing number of scholars and lawyers are losing faith in the current system. Others say the law is not to blame, but the states that are supposed to uphold it By Linda Kinstler. Read by Rachel Handshaw. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod

Surgeon Nick Maynard describes the unfolding famine he witnessed during his volunteering in Gaza, while our chief Middle East correspondent, Emma Graham-Harrison, analyses whether the UK's proposed recognition of Palestine will alleviate the suffering there at all. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

After days of international pressure, Israel has agreed to increase the amount of aid going into Gaza. It follows last week's pictures coming out of the besieged territory showing confronting scenes of emaciated children. But experts say much more is needed to reverse what has been described as a full-blown starvation crisis. The Guardian's William Christou speaks to Reged Ahmad from Jerusalem about whether this moment is a tipping point in the Israel-Gaza war

As hundreds of thousands of people face starvation in Gaza, this week the foreign secretary, David Lammy, joined a chorus of global condemnation over Israel's actions, describing the killing of innocent civilians seeking food and water as grotesque. But when will his words be followed by action? John Harris speaks to the UN's special rapporteur on Palestine, Francesca Albanese. Plus, will the Tory reshuffle do anything to take the wind out of Nigel Farage's sails? The Guardian's senior political correspondent, Peter Walker, joins John to discuss. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

How are controversial plans for a ‘humanitarian city' in Gaza complicating a deal to stop the fighting? Emma Graham-Harrison reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

What can be done to stop Syria's unprecedented scramble for antiquities? William Christou reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

After 12 days of bombing by Israel and the US last month, opinions vary about the extent of the damage caused to Iran's nuclear facilities. Patrick Wintour and Rouzbeh Parsi explain why and what could happen next. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

In an interview last weekend, Iran's ambassador to the UN said his country's nuclear enrichment ‘will never stop' because it is permitted for ‘peaceful energy' purposes. It is the latest development in an escalation of tensions over Iran's nuclear programme, which erupted when Israel targeted the country's nuclear facilities in June. To understand why enrichment is so important, Madeleine Finlay talks to Robin Grimes, professor of materials physics at Imperial College London. He explains what goes into creating a nuclear weapon, and why getting to the stage of weaponisation is so difficult. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

The analyst Ellie Geranmayeh and voices from inside Iran talk about their experiences of the last 12 days and what it will mean for the future of the regime. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Guardian deputy political editor Jessica Elgot on whether the UK government – despite calling for de-escalation for weeks – might be dragged into the conflict in Iran This episode was recorded before Trump's announcement late on Monday that Iran and Israel had agreed to a ceasefire. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Just over a week ago, Iranian and American officials were set to meet for a fresh round of negotiations over Tehran's nuclear program. Now the region is on the brink after the US joined Israeli attacks on Iran, striking three key uranium enrichment sites. And Iran has vowed to retaliate. Professor Ben Saul, the Challis chair of international law at the University of Sydney, tells Nour Haydar why he thinks the weekend's events signal the breakdown of the rules-based order

The US has joined Israel in its attacks on Iranian nuclear sites. Michael Safi hears from reporter Hugo Lowell and world affairs correspondent Andrew Roth on what happens now. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The Guardian's senior international correspondent Julian Borger reports from Tel Aviv as the Israel-Iran conflict enters its second week and the world awaits Donald Trump's decision on whether the US will enter the war. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

As the world's attention moves to Iran, what are Israeli forces doing in Gaza? Emma Graham-Harrison reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The world is hanging on to Donald Trump's every word, waiting to see if or how the US will intervene in the Israel-Iran conflict. While Australia's foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, warns of risks to global stability and urges dialogue, questions remain about the appetite for diplomacy. Bridie Jabour speaks to Guardian Australia's international editor, Bonnie Malkin, and deputy editor Patrick Keneally about how the Israel-Iran war erupted and what could happen next

As Israel and Iran trade escalating blows, and the horrific situation in Gaza continues, Trump has suggested the US could get directly involved. So how is Keir Starmer going to handle all this? And what could it mean for millions of Iranians? John Harris speaks to the Guardian's diplomatic editor, Patrick Wintour, and an Iranian woman who now lives in the UK. Plus, it's a rare week in British politics, with the House of Commons voting on two big social issues: abortion and assisted dying. Deputy political editor Jessica Elgot joins John to discuss. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

It has been five days since Israel attacked Iran and the civilian death toll is rising, but its goal is unclear. Julian Borger reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The Guardian's senior international correspondent Julian Borger reports from Jerusalem the morning after an unprecedented Israeli strike on Iran's nuclear facilities. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Who is Alaa Abd el-Fattah and why are British diplomats trying to obtain his release? Patrick Wintour reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Millions around the world watched Palestinian journalist Plestia Alaqad as she documented online her life under Israeli attack after 7 October 2023. Now she has released a memoir: a collection of diary entries, recounting living under siege and her love for her homeland. She speaks with Nour Haydar about life during and after fleeing the war You can support the Guardian at theguardian.com/fullstorysupport

Israel's allies are beginning to change their rhetoric on Gaza, but will any action follow? Patrick Wintour reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Israeli anti-occupation activists Yehuda Shaul and Michael Sfard on the new offensive in Gaza. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Guardian journalist Kaamil Ahmed reports on the devastating assault by the Rapid Support Forces on the camp in Darfur and what it tells us about the group's plans in Sudan's civil war. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Israeli forces killed 15 Palestinian paramedics and civil defence workers in southern Gaza on 23 March. Bethan McKernan reports on the emerging evidence of what happened. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

At 18, Mustafa was told his only way out of prison was to join the regime forces. After 14 years, his past as one of Assad's fighters could get him killed By Ghaith Abdul-Ahad. Read by Mo Ayoub. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod

What does the attack on an Oscar-winning Palestinian director say about the situation in the West Bank today? Adrian Horton and Lorenzo Tondo report. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Doctors in Gaza say they have been targeted for doing their jobs, detained and even tortured. Annie Kelly reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Israel's war has left many Lebanese people contemplating what once seemed unimaginable: is Hezbollah finished? Michael Safi reports from Beirut. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The Guardian diplomatic editor, Patrick Wintour, talks through Donald Trump's latest moves on the world stage, from proposing the US takes over Gaza to starting trade wars with America's biggest trading partners. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

International security correspondent Jason Burke explores the life of Syrian rebel leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, and asks whether he has genuinely reformed from his hardline al-Qaida past. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Gershon Baskin on his experience as a hostage negotiator in the Israel-Palestine conflict Because of industrial action taking place by members of the National Union of Journalists at the Guardian and Observer this week, we are re-running an episode from earlier in the year.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus