Podcasts about middle east and north africa

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Israel and Iran have exchanged direct strikes for the first time since a ceasefire was reached in April, raising fears of a return to a full-scale regional war. The Israeli strikes are in apparent defiance of Donald Trump, who told Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, not to retaliate against Iran, in order to avoid derailing peace talks. Nosheen Iqbal speaks to the Guardian's senior international correspondent Julian Borger – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

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Israel and Lebanon have agreed to implement a ceasefire to end hostilities as the US attempts to overcome one of the largest barriers to reaching a broader deal to end the war with Iran. But the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire is dependent on a complete halt of fire from Hezbollah, and the evacuation of all its fighters from southern Lebanon. Lucy Hough speaks to Beirut-based reporter William Christou – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

As Israel threatens to bomb Beirut and the US and Iran trade missile strikes, Donald Trump insists it will ‘all work out well in the end' and urges his critics to ‘sit back and relax'. So are we any closer to a deal? Lucy Hough speaks to diplomatic editor Patrick Wintour – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The UN's special rapporteur for Palestine, Francesca Albanese, on the war in Gaza, living under US sanctions and accusations of antisemitism. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The US has launched fresh strikes on Iran despite suggestions that a peace deal could be within reach. Donald Trump faces growing criticism from Republicans over the proposed plan to end the war, which reportedly contained major concessions from Washington. But could an agreement still be imminent? Lucy Hough speaks to diplomatic editor Patrick Wintour – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Senior Middle East correspondent Emma Graham-Harrison on a pair of laws recently passed by the Israeli parliament to bring back the death penalty – seemingly only for Palestinians. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Israel's far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has triggered global outrage after sharing footage of himself taunting bound activists who had been detained as they tried to sail to Gaza with aid. The video has been widely condemned by world leaders, including the Italian prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, and by Israeli politicians, among them the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian's chief Middle East correspondent, Emma Graham-Harrison – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

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Donald Trump has launched a new operation, which he called ‘Project Freedom', to try to open the strait of Hormuz. Could it spark a re-escalation of the war with Iran and bring an end to the ceasefire? Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian's senior international correspondent Julian Borger. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

In the six months since a ceasefire was announced in Gaza, more than 800 civilians have been killed and living conditions have remained dire. Meanwhile, Palestinians in the West Bank face a surge in violence from Israeli settlers and soldiers. While the world's attention has turned to the war in Iran, is there any end to the suffering in sight? Annie Kelly speaks to the Guardian's chief Middle East correspondent, Emma Graham-Harrison – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Over the last six weeks, the Iranian regime has carried out a spate of executions of political prisoners. The Guardian journalist Daniel Boffey reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Oil and gas prices have jumped again as shipping through the strait of Hormuz came to a virtual standstill after Iran closed the waterway over the US blockade and Donald Trump announced an Iranian cargo ship had been seized trying to get past. Tehran has accused Washington of violating the fragile ceasefire agreement. With uncertainty over a second round of peace talks, fears continue to grow about the scale of the energy shock caused by the war. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian's energy correspondent Jillian Ambrose. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Journalist Will Coldwell tells the story of how a British businessman was imprisoned in Dubai – and how his family finally got him home. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

With the US and Iran in deadlock, could historic talks between Lebanon and Israel help steer the Middle East towards peace? William Christou reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The US blockade of ships using Iranian ports has come into force but several Iran-linked tankers have passed through the strait of Hormuz since it began. The blockade is designed to put pressure on Iran, whose economy is dependent on oil and gas exports. It comes after peace talks between Washington and Tehran at the weekend ended without a deal. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian's diplomatic editor, Patrick Wintour – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

LLMs-gone-rogue dominated coverage, but had nothing to do with the targeting. Instead, it was choices made by human beings, over many years, that gave us this atrocity By Kevin T Baker. Read by Adam Sims. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod

Israel has intensified its bombing campaign in Lebanon, prompting Iran to warn it could withdraw from the ceasefire agreed with the US. Hundreds have been killed since the agreement was announced, after Israeli forces launched mass strikes on densely populated areas. Israel says the strikes are aimed at the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, while Iran claims they are a blatant violation of the ceasefire. Iran and Pakistan claim the agreement included Lebanon, but Donald Trump called it ‘a separate skirmish'. Lucy Hough speaks to Beirut-based reporter William Christou – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Donald Trump says the US will bomb Iran's power plants and bridges if Tehran fails to meet his latest deadline to reopen the strait of Hormuz. The US president says he is ‘not at all' concerned that such attacks on civilian infrastructure could amount to war crimes and a ‘whole civilisation will die tonight' if Iran doesn't agree to a deal. But will Trump follow through on the threat? And what could it mean for the war in the Middle East? Lucy Hough is joined by senior international correspondent Julian Borger – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

As thousands of US soldiers and marines arrive in the Middle East, Iran is accusing Washington of privately plotting a ground assault while publicly touting ceasefire talks. Donald Trump threatened to ‘obliterate' Iran's energy infrastructure, said his ‘preference would be to take the oil' in Iran and that US forces could seize the regime's export hub on Kharg Island, while also claiming he was in talks with a new ‘reasonable regime'. Yemen's Houthi forces have also entered the conflict, bringing the threat of further damage to the global economy. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian columnist and host of Politics Weekly America, Jonathan Freedland – watch on YouTube. And listen to Politics Weekly America here, or wherever you get your podcasts.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

His novel was praised for giving a voice to the victims of Algeria's brutal civil war. But one woman has accused Kamel Daoud of having stolen her story – and the ensuing legal battle has become about much more than literary ethics By Madeleine Schwartz. Read by Kate Handford. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod

Could Israeli public support for the war in Iran give Benjamin Netanyahu a boost before this year's elections? The vote will be the first chance for Israelis to have a say on their government since the Hamas-led attacks on 7 October 2023. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian's chief Middle East correspondent, Emma Graham-Harrison – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Donald Trump insists Iran is still interested in cutting a peace deal despite Tehran rejecting the US plan. Iran has now put forward a five-point counterproposal and says the war will end on its own terms. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian's senior international correspondent, Julian Borger – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Andrew Roth on why the war on Iran is unpopular with the US public and what it means for Maga insiders. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The conflict in the Middle East is being fought from the air – except in southern Lebanon where Israel and Hezbollah are fighting a bitter ground war. Will Christou reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Donald Trump has delayed his deadline for Iran to open the strait of Hormuz, saying he is postponing strikes on Iranian power plants for a five-day period. The US president had threatened to ‘obliterate' the regime's power plants, while Tehran said in return it would ‘irreversibly destroy' essential infrastructure across the Middle East, including vital water systems, in the conflict's latest escalation. The war is now in its fourth week, as Trump declares the US and Iran had ‘good and productive conversations', but what could come next? Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian's diplomatic editor, Patrick Wintour – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

When Nato helped overthrow Gaddafi in 2011, there were hopes of a new beginning. More than a decade later, a former CIA asset runs the country – and Libya has become yet another lesson in the unintended consequences of foreign intervention By Anas El Gomati. Read by Mo Ayoub. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod

Donald Trump is threatening to ‘blow up' a major Iranian energy facility, as attacks on gasfields across the Middle East send gas and oil prices skyrocketing again. The threat comes after Israeli strikes on the South Pars gasfield prompted Iran to retaliate with attacks on energy facilities across the region, including in Qatar. It marks a serious escalation in the war, which could cause long-term disruption to global energy supplies. Lucy Hough speaks to senior international reporter Peter Beaumont – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Events in the narrow waterway are causing chaos around the globe. Jillian Ambrose explains why. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Donald Trump is pressuring European allies to protect the strait of Hormuz, warning that Nato faces a ‘very bad' future if members fail to offer assistance. The strait of Hormuz is one of the most important shipping routes in the world. A fifth of international oil supplies pass through this waterway, which has been disrupted since the start of the war. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian's south Asia correspondent, Hannah Ellis-Petersen – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Madrid-based journalist Guy Hedgecoe explains why Pedro Sánchez has been one of the few European leaders to challenge the US president on Iran. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

In spring 2003, exuberance at the fall of Saddam was swiftly followed by a descent into deadly chaos. Whether moving independently or embedded with troops, Guardian reporters witnessed the violence on the ground By Ian Mayes. Read by Karl Queensborough. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod

Annie Kelly speaks to ordinary Iranians about the attacks on their country, and peace strategist Sanam Naghari-Anderlini explains her fears for the future. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Among the many justifications Donald Trump has presented for the US and Israel attacking Iran has been the supposedly imminent threat posed by its nuclear weapons programme. But how close was the country really to developing an atomic weapon? Ian Sample hears from Kelsey Davenport, the director of non-proliferation policy at the Arms Control Association. She sets out why many experts don't believe the country even had a structured nuclear weapons programme, and explains what she thinks the impact of the war could be on nuclear proliferation around the world.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

Mojtaba Khamenei has been chosen to replace his father Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as Iran's supreme leader, while the country continues to be heavily bombarded by US and Israeli forces. There are concerns the move could lead to a further escalation of war in the Middle East, after Donald Trump warned that Khamenei was an ‘unacceptable' choice. Lucy Hough speaks to diplomatic editor Patrick Wintour – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

This week, as Trump's war on Iran rages on and expands, an Australian Iranian journalist writes about her grandfather's journey escaping the Islamic Republic and the fears she holds for the civilian lives caught in the crossfire. The journalist chose to write this piece anonymously, so Rafqa Touma reads it out for you instead

Intense waves of airstrikes have hit dozens of military positions, frontier posts and police stations along northern parts of Iran's border with Iraq in what appears to be preparation by the US and Israel for a new front in their war. Iran has warned ‘separatist groups' in this region against joining the widening conflict and launched strikes against Iraq-based Kurdish groups it described as ‘opposed to the revolution'. Could the involvement of these militant groups increase the risk of a civil war in Iran if the regime collapses? Nosheen Iqbal speaks to deputy head of international news Devika Bhat – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Global oil and gas prices have skyrocketed as war halts energy exports from the Middle East. The strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage of water that facilitates the shipping of about a fifth of the world's oil, has been in effect closed since the regional war began, prompting fears of a global economic crisis. According to reports, traffic has dropped by about 80%, but how long until we feel the effects? Nosheen Iqbal speaks to the Guardian's head of business, John Collingridge – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Who's calling the shots in the US-Israeli war on Iran? Chief Middle East correspondent Emma Graham-Harrison and international security correspondent Jason Burke report. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Israel has deployed soldiers on the ground in southern Lebanon and is carrying out heavy airstrikes in the country as conflict in the Middle East continues to spread. It comes after the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah launched missiles and drones toward Israel in retaliation for the killing of Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei. Nosheen Iqbal speaks to the Beirut-based journalist Will Christou – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

After the US and Israel assassinated Iran's Supreme leader, Tehran has hit back. Missiles have rained down on the Gulf. Will the region retaliate? Julian Borger reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The war in the Middle East continues to escalate, with casualties and destruction reported across at least nine countries in under 10 hours. Israeli and US warplanes launched a fresh wave of strikes across Iran, while US allies in the Gulf states are under attack from Iranian missiles and drones. Nosheen Iqbal speaks to the Guardian's head of international news, Jamie Wilson – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Among the many people I met, there was a pervasive feeling of hopelessness and a sense that resistance is slowly becoming a memory By Ewen MacAskill. Read by Greg Stylianou-Burns. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod

The US and Israel launched a joint military operation against Iran on Saturday, killing Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Why did Trump decide (again) to attack Iran during negotiations on a nuclear deal with the Islamic Republic? How does he sell a new war in the Middle East, with potential US casualties, to people at home? What happens next for Iran? In this special collaboration with Today in Focus, Annie Kelly speaks to the Guardian's diplomatic editor, Patrick Wintour.

Years of civil war have turned whole areas of the city into rows of empty husks. But after the fall of Assad, Syrians have returned to their old homes determined to rebuild By Ghaith Abdul-Ahad. Read by Mo Ayoub. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod

The Guardian's community affairs correspondent, Chris Osuh, reports on the plot by two IS terrorists to massacre Jews in Manchester, and how it was thwarted by an undercover sting. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

A small number of Palestinians from Gaza have started crossing into Egypt for medical treatment after Israel allowed a limited reopening of the Rafah border crossing. It had been largely closed since Israeli troops seized it in May 2024, cutting off a critical lifeline for those in Gaza. About 20,000 Palestinians needing medical care hope to leave Gaza using the crossing, but only a handful have been allowed through so far. The reopening of Rafah is seen as a key step in the US-brokered ceasefire agreement as it moves into its second phase. Lucy Hough speaks to chief Middle East correspondent Emma Graham-Harrison – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Donald Trump says ‘time is running out' for Iran as the threat of war appears to loom closer. A huge US armada is being moved towards Iran and is seen as the starkest indication yet that Trump intends to strike. The US president had called on the Iranian regime to negotiate a deal on the future of its nuclear programme, only weeks after he promised Iranian protesters ‘help was on the way' then backtracked days later. Nosheen Iqbal talks to the Guardian's deputy head of international news, Devika Bhat, about what Trump could do next – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Syrian government forces have seized swathes of territory from Kurdish groups – including camps holding IS prisoners. Will Christou reports on why this is a dangerous moment. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus