Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas speaks at the UN. The National investigates killings of journalists in Gaza. Donald Trump is expected to meet Ahmad Al Shara. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: 'Palestine is ours,' says Abbas as he condemns Israel and Hamas in UN speech How (and why) Gaza has become the deadliest place in the world for journalists Donald Trump to meet Syria's Ahmad Al Shara, official says This episode features Mohamad Ali Harisi, Foreign Editor; Fadah Jassem, Head of Data Visualisation; and Khaled Yacoub Oweis, Jordan Correspondent. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: 'Palestine is ours,' says Abbas as he condemns Israel and Hamas in UN speech How (and why) Gaza has become the deadliest place in the world for journalists Donald Trump to meet Syria's Ahmad Al Shara, official says This episode features Mohamad Ali Harisi, Foreign Editor; Fadah Jassem, Head of Data Visualisation; and Khaled Yacoub Oweis, Jordan Correspondent. Editor’s note: We want to hear from you! Help us improve our podcasts by taking our 2-minute listener survey. Click here.

There is growing pressure on the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in Aleppo. The war in Gaza continues after a series of countries recognised the state of Palestine. Israel blames migration to Europe for an increase in criticism. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: Syria’s Al Shara warns of regional turmoil without Israel security deal The question of Palestine: Is recognition the answer? Isolated Israel blames Muslims for shifting Europe's stance on Gaza This episode features Khaled Yacoub Oweis, Jordan Correspondent; Nada AlTaher, Senior Foreign Reporter; and Thomas Helm, Jerusalem Correspondent. Editor’s note: We want to hear from you! Help us improve our podcasts by taking our 2-minute listener survey. Click here.

US President Donald Trump delivered an extraordinary attack on the UN during his address to the General Assembly. Iran and European powers engage in a last-ditch effort to avoid the reimposition of UN sanctions. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: Trump lambasts friend and foe alike in UN address Iran and European powers to hold talks in New York in bid to avoid restart of sanctions Israel shuts crossing between West Bank and Jordan after deadly shooting This episode features Thomas Helm, Jerusalem correspondent. Editor’s note: We want to hear from you! Help us improve our podcasts by taking our 2-minute listener survey. Click here.  

France has joined a list of countries newly recognising the state of Palestine. Syria's president called for a new chapter in ties with Washington. US special envoy Tom Barrack has said Middle East peace is an illusion. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: UNGA 2025 live: France recognises Palestine at landmark UN meeting Peace in the Middle East is an illusion, says Trump envoy Tom Barrack Syria's Al Shara calls for new chapter in US ties as he meets former battlefield foe This episode features Fatima Al Mahmoud, Foreign Affairs Reporter; and Hadley Gamble, IMI Chief International Anchor. Editor’s note: We want to hear from you! Help us improve our podcasts by taking our 2-minute listener survey. Click here.

The UN General Assembly high-level talks kick off today in New York. Syria's Druze leadership has invited UN investigators to probe violence in Sweida. Israel's latest offensive in Gaza has added to the burden on the remaining hospitals. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: France and nine other states to recognise Palestinian statehood as landmark UN conference looms Syrian President Al Shara's consolidation drive faces Kurdish and Druze resistance This episode features Adla Massoud, UN and New York Correspondent. Editor’s note: We want to hear from you! Help us improve our podcasts by taking our 2-minute listener survey. Click here.

Syria’s talks with Israel could result in something tangible soon. Donald Trump is in disagreement with the Keir Starmer on recognising Palestine. The closure of Carrefour stores across the Middle East could be down to a number of factors. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: Syria's Ahmad Al Shara says Israel talks could bring results 'in coming days' Trump 'disagrees' with Starmer on Palestine recognition plan No immediate plan to close UAE's Carrefour supermarkets, Majid Al Futtaim says This episode features Khaled Yacoub Oweis, Jordan Correspondent; and Aarti Nagraj, Deputy Business Editor. Editor’s note: We want to hear from you! Help us improve our podcasts by taking our 2-minute listener survey. Click here.

Egypt is shoring up security in the Sinai and mobilizing its forces. State control of weapons is a top priority for Iraq. A US-brokered deal brings relative peace to Sweida. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: State monopoly over weapons a top priority, Iraqi PM says Egypt seeks US guarantees that Israel will not attack exiled Hamas leaders again Sweida tensions subside but troops remain after US-brokered deal in Syria This episode features Hadya Al Alawi, Assistant Foreign Editor; and Nada Maucourant Atallah, Beirut Correspondent. Editor’s note: We want to hear from you! Help us improve our podcasts by taking our 2-minute listener survey. Click here.

Independent experts commissioned by the UN have concluded Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. Lebanon marks one year since the so-called pager attacks on Hezbollah by Israel. US President Donald Trump has started his state visit to the UK. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: Explained: The four acts of genocide Israel is accused of committing in Gaza Pager attack: Hezbollah fighters blinded by explosions Britain rolls out peak pageantry for Trump state visit This episode features Jamie Prentis, Beirut Correspondent; and Paul Carey, London Deputy Bureau Chief. Editor’s note: We want to hear from you! Help us improve our podcasts by taking our two-minute listener survey. Click here.

Qatar has accused Israel of lying and making Gaza unliveable. Arab nations consider a proposal to establish a joint military force. Lebanese authorities foil a drug-smuggling plot. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: Qatar summit condemns Israel's 'aggressive practices' as threat to Middle East peace Israel's attack on Qatar is part of 'strategy of expansionist ideology', says Palestinian minister Arab states consider revival of plan to create Nato-style military force Lebanon thwarts attempt to smuggle millions of Captagon pills to Saudi Arabia This episode features Nada AlTaher, Senior Foreign Reporter; and Hamza Hendawi, Cairo Correspondent. Editor’s note: We want to hear from you! Help us improve our podcasts by taking our 2-minute listener survey. Click here.

Qatar's emergency Arab-Islamic summit kicks off today. Israeli soldiers raided the home of the Oscar-winning director Basel Adra. Qatar has sent aid to Sweida. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: Arab and Islamic foreign ministers gather in Doha to chart path for Israeli deterrence West Bank home of Oscar-winning Palestinian director raided by Israeli army Qatar sends aid to embattled Syrian Druze province of Sweida This episode features Nada AlTaher, Senior Foreign Reporter; and Khaled Yacoub Oweis, Jordan Correspondent. Editor’s note: We want to hear from you! Help us improve our podcasts by taking our 2-minute listener survey. Click here.

Qatar will host an emergency Arab-Islamic summit on Sunday and Monday. Turkish politicians consider the possibility of an Israeli strike on their territory. A French delegation visits Lebanon. On Today's episode of Trending Middle East: Qatar to host emergency Arab-Islamic summit on Sunday to discuss Israeli attack Hamas presence in Turkey under spotlight after Israeli air strike on Doha French delegation visits Lebanon before Paris aid conferences This episode features Lizzie Porter, Turkey Correspondent; and Nada Maucourant Atallah; Beirut Correspondent. Editor’s note: We want to hear from you! Help us improve our podcasts by taking our 2-minute listener survey. Click here.

GCC leaders are rallying behind Qatar after an unprecedented Israeli attack on its capital. The European Commission is pausing support for Israel. And Egypt is seeking US guarantees that Israel will not attack exiled Hamas leaders again. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: European Commission to pause support for Israel, says von der Leyen President Sheikh Mohamed reaffirms UAE’s solidarity with Qatar in meeting with Sheikh Tamim Egypt seeks US guarantees that Israel will not attack exiled Hamas leaders again This episode features Vanessa Ghanem, Arab Affairs Editor; Sunniva Rose, Europe Correspondent; and Hamza Hendawi; Cairo Correspondent. Editor’s note: We want to hear from you! Help us improve our podcasts by taking our 2-minute listener survey. Click here.

World leaders condemned Israel's attack on Doha. A wave of RSF drone strikes hit Khartoum. Egypt's president ordered officials to study the possibility of pardons for seven jailed activists. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: Israel's attack on Qatar: What we know RSF drones hit key sites near Sudan's army-held capital Egypt's President Fattah El Sisi orders government to review pre-trial detentions This episode features Thomas Helm, Jerusalem Correspondent. Editor’s note: We want to hear from you! Help us improve our podcasts by taking our 2-minute listener survey. Click here.

At least six people have been killed in a shooting in an illegal settlement in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. A UAE official says the Abraham Accords have been derailed. Oil prices are up after what is seen as a modest increase in production. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: At least six killed in shooting attack in Jerusalem settlement Abraham Accords 'overturned' by Hamas and Israeli extremists, senior Emirati official says UAE warns Israeli annexation of West Bank undermines vision of Abraham Accords Opec+ agrees another rise in oil output for October Oil prices rise on modest output increase by Opec+ and Russia supply concerns This episode features Thomas Helm, Jerusalem Correspondent; Fatima Mahmoud, Foreign Affairs Reporter; and Manus Cranny, Geo-Economics Editor. Editor’s note: We want to hear from you! Help us improve our podcasts by taking our 2-minute listener survey. Click here.

Israel has offered up what it has called a comprehensive proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza. The Middle East is back online after fibre-optic cables sustained damage. Iraq wrapped a first-of-its-kind energy event this weekend. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: Israel's 'comprehensive' Gaza deal proposal to Hamas dismissed as time-buying tactic Middle East internet slowdowns could last months after Red Sea cable damage Drone strike from Yemen closes Israel's Ramon Airport Baghdad seeks to cement role on global energy stage with high-level forum This episode features Hamza Hendawi, Cairo Correspondent; Rory Reynolds, Assistant Editor-in-Chief; and Sinan Mahmoud, Baghdad Correspondent. Editor’s note: We want to hear from you! Help us improve our podcasts by taking our 2-minute listener survey. Click here.

Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi has called for joint Arab action against what he called Israel’s “colonialist displacement plan". A film about Palestinian girl Hind Rajab, who was killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, has received a record ovation lasting 23 minutes and 50 seconds at the Venice Film Festival. The Israeli military identifies only a quarter of the Gazans it has detained as combatants. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: Jordan calls for joint Arab action to stop Israel 'changing map of Middle East' Vast majority of Gazans detained by Israeli military are civilians, investigation finds The Voice of Hind Rajab receives record-breaking 24-minute ovation at Venice Film Festival This episode features Hadya Al Alawi, assistant foreign editor; Thomas Helm, Jerusalem correspondent; and contributor James Mottram. Editor’s note: We want to hear from you! Help us improve our podcasts by taking our 2-minute listener survey. Click here.  

The US renews its push for a resolution in north-eastern Syria. The UAE says Israeli annexation of the occupied West Bank would be a red line. Experts say Israeli strikes on Houthi leaders have not hit key decision-makers. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: UAE warns Israeli annexation of West Bank undermines vision of Abraham Accords US renews push to avert all-out conflict between Syria's Kurds and Damascus Iran's Pezeshkian vows to confront unilateralism after visit to China This episode features Foreign Editor Mohamad Ali Harisi; Jordan Correspondent Khaled Yacoub Oweis and Senior Foreign Reporter Nada AlTaher. Editor’s note: We want to hear from you! Help us improve our podcasts by taking our two-minute listener survey. Click here.

Israeli army reservists are reporting for duty ahead of a new invasion of Gaza city. Lebanon clears more than 250,000 undetonated munitions left over from the latest Israel-Hezbollah war. Egypt appeals to the EU to pressure Israel. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: Egypt urges EU to pressure Israel into accepting Gaza truce proposal Lebanese army destroys 250,000 munitions from Israel's war Israel summons 40,000 troops for Gaza city conquest This episode features Thomas Helm, Jerusalem Correspondent; Kamal Tabikha, Cairo Correspondent; and Jamie Prentis, Beirut Correspondent. Editor’s note: We want to hear from you! Help us improve our podcasts by taking our 2-minute listener survey. Click here.

Mosul landmarks destroyed by ISIS are coming back to life. Rescue missions are under way in Afghanistan after an earthquake devastated parts of the country. Columbia University’s former president Minouche Shafik gets a new job in the UK government. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: UAE-led restoration project removes scars of Mosul’s ISIS destruction Unesco deputy chief hails reopening of Mosul’s Al Nuri Mosque after painstaking rebuild More than 800 killed in 6.0-magnitude earthquake in eastern Afghanistan Starmer picks Minouche Shafik as new economic adviser despite ignominious Columbia exit This episode features Mina Al-Oraibi, Editor-in-Chief; and Thomas Harding, Security and Policy Editor. Editor’s note: We want to hear from you! Help us improve our podcasts by taking our 2-minute listener survey. Click here.

Mohammed Sinwar, the presumed leader of Hamas in Gaza, is dead. Syrian security forces have killed several gunmen in the coastal Alawite heartland. Sudan's paramilitary commander is now the head of a parallel government. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: Latest: Hamas confirms death of military chief Mohammed Sinwar Sudan's RSF chief Gen Mohamed Dagalo sworn in as head of parallel Darfur-based government This episode features Khaled Yacoub Oweis, Jordan Correspondent; and Hamza Hendawi, Cairo Correspondent. Editor’s note: We want to hear from you! Help us improve our podcasts by taking our 2-minute listener survey. Click here.