Podcasts about middle east and north africa

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

During the conflict, the Damascus suburb became a killing field. But some of Assad's henchmen are still around – and even working with the new government By Melvyn Ingleby. Read by Selva Rasalingam. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod

Trump's board of peace includes Putin, Netanyahu and Tony Blair. What on earth will it do? Julian Borger reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

What kind of life is the deposed former president of Syria and his family living in Russia? With Pjotr Sauer and Will Christou. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Protesters face execution as the Iranian regime continues its violent crackdown, defying the US president, Donald Trump, who has threatened ‘very strong action' if demonstrators are killed. Erfan Soltani, 26, is the first protester to be sentenced to death, but it is unclear whether or not his execution has taken place. Lucy Hough speaks to journalist Deepa Parent about what she is hearing from those inside Iran – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Protests have rocked Iran, a brutal crackdown is under way and Trump has threatened to intervene. Ellie Geranmayeh on a dangerous moment for the country's leaders. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Donald Trump has promised he will ‘shoot at Iran' if Iranian security services attack anti-government protesters, but analysts suggest the US is not prepared for military action. It comes as the death toll from Tehran's crackdown on protests soars, and as demonstrations continue to shake the country. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian's diplomatic editor, Patrick Wintour. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Iran has vowed it will ‘not back down' in the face of growing nationwide protests over economic conditions. Thousands of people marched through the streets of Tehran, calling for political reform and torching government buildings. Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has signalled that a greater crackdown is coming after the country plunged into an internet blackout. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian's deputy head of international news Devika Bhat – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Every Monday and Friday for the rest of December 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. From October: 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

Pastor Munther Isaac talks about his hometown of Bethlehem – the scene of the nativity – celebrating Christmas for the first time in three years. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Today in Focus hears from Guardian journalists all around the world about their most memorable moments – and sounds – of 2025. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Israel's latest strike in Beirut on Sunday, which killed at least five people and wounded 28, has dramatically escalated existing tensions in the region and left many in Lebanon anxious about what may follow. Beirut-based journalist William Christou speaks to Nour Haydar about the Lebanese government and Hezbollah's responses to the strike and Israel's ongoing presence in south Lebanon, despite a ceasefire agreement.

Australia exports more arms and ammunition to the United Arab Emirates than it does to any other country in the world. And just this week Team Defence Australia holds a prime slice of real estate at a weapons fair in Dubai. But human rights advocates are calling on the government to suspend defence exports to the country over reports it's arming a militia responsible for mass killings in Sudan. Senior reporters Ben Doherty and Henry Belot tell Nour Haydar about Australia's growing role in the global weapons trade.

What does the fall of El Fasher mean for the future of Sudan? Kaamil Ahmed reports

What does the fall of El Fasher mean for the future of Sudan? Kaamil Ahmed reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Majd is one of a handful of injured children from Gaza brought to the UK for urgent medical treatment. But why have there been so few? Nosheen Iqbal reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

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

Earlier this month Australian Surya McEwen was among hundreds of humanitarians and activists onboard an aid flotilla bound for Gaza when the fleet was intercepted by the Israeli military. McEwen joins Nour Haydar to talk about what it was like being inside Israel's Ketziot prison, the conditions detainees face and why he continues to fight for Palestine

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

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

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

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

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