The New Arab Voice
A podcast from The New Arab, a leading English-language website based in London covering the Middle East, North Africa, Asia, and Arab and Muslim affairs around the world, bringing you news, culture, and lifestyle from these regions and beyond. Mirroring our diverse coverage, the podcast combines storytelling and news analysis to bring our listeners something familiar yet new.
Episodes
A Growing Gulf Between Nations: Saudi Arabia and the UAE struggle during the war on Iran
The Gulf has been a key target for Iranian missiles and drones. Iran has struck infrastructure, oil and gas installations, civilian areas, and US military bases. These attacks have struck at the heart of the Gulf's image as a safe and stable environment. While the region deals with Iranian attacks, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have been working out how to deal with each other. The Saudi-Emirati
The Iranian Shadow Over Gaza’s Future: Hamas votes for a new leader as the ceasefire continues to fail
As the region scrambles to secure a ceasefire in Iran, the ceasefire in Gaza looks more unstable by the day. Israel continues to bomb the besieged enclave, killing civilans and adding to the misery that the people of Gaza have had to endure for over two years now. While the people of Gaza suffer, Hamas have been choosing a new leader. Many of its leadership were killed during the
Guilty by Association Agreement: Settler violence rises in the West Bank as the EU examines its relationship with Israel
As global attention is held by the US, Iran, and the Strait of Hormuz, in the West Bank, Israeli settlers are running wild and spreading terror. Settler violence has been a problem for years, but recently it has ramped up, with attacks happening daily. On top of this the Netanyahu government is approving more settlements in West Bank and implementing more legal writs to force Palestinians fr
Israel's Deadly Ceasefire in Lebanon: The continuing war against Hezbollah and the failure of disarmament
After four week of war, a ceasefire between Iran and the US has been reached. While the details remain hazy, it is a welcome development, and the region has taken a step back from the edge. But in Lebanon, the bombing continues. The ceasefire deal would not include the war in Lebanon, where Israel would be free to continue its war against Hezbollah. This week, what does Isra
Strait into Trouble: The war in Iran continues as the Gulf gets dragged in deeper
The US and Israel continue to launch daily airstrikes against Iran. As a new Supreme Leader was elected, the country's leadership continues to be targeted and killed. And as Israeli and US planes drop bomb, Iran is flinging missiles across the region, targeting Israel and the Gulf. This week on The New Arab Voice podcast, we look at if the US objectives and reasoning for the war,
War Trumps Khamenei: The death of Ayatollah Khamenei and the opposition inside and outside Iran
Iran has changed forever. The US and Israel are firing missiles and dropping bombs on targets across Iran. Senior figures from the regime and the IRGC are being assassinated. Ayatollah Khamenei was killed on the first day of the war. The future of Iran is still being written. On this week's episode of The New Arab Voice podcast, we look at recent events in Iran, and ask what are the am
Bending the Knee to Damascus: The Syrian Democratic Forces agree to integrate into the Syrian state
Just over a year from the start of the new government in Syria, violence returned to Aleppo. In January, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the forces of the interim Syrian government clashed in the Aleppo areas of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyah. The SDF came off worse and were forced to retreat back to the northeast; and such was the scale of the defeat, they were forced
New Year, New Yemen?: The STC's offensive and the change in the balance of power
As 2025 was coming to a close, the Southern Transitional Council (STC) in Yemen decided they had one last roll of the dice to make. At the start of December, the STC launched a military operation to seize the eastern governorates of Yemen. They quickly swept across the region, with arms supplied by the UAE. It was a great success, until the Yemeni government, backed by Saudi Arabia, foug
2025 in Review
The year is drawing to a close, which means its time for The New Arab Voice's annual review of year. To guide us through the tangled mess of the past 12 months, we're joined by The New Arab's Managing Editor Karim Traboulsi (@Kareemios), and journalist Oliver Mizzi (@OllyMizzi99).In this episode, we look back on the 12 days of war that shook Iran and Israel, the continued efforts of President Erdo
The Poachers Trail: Part 2
This is part 2 of a special investigation. You can find part 1 in your feeds now.For 15 months, The New Arab, in cooperation with Bridges Investigations, explored the shadowy world of Maltese bird hunters.We uncovered how Maltese hunters, frustrated by local laws, were travelling to Egypt to slaughter migratory birds in vast numbers. Their hunting activities have been described as an environmental
The Poachers Trail: Part 1
For 15 months, The New Arab, in cooperation with Bridges Investigations, explored the shadowy world of Maltese bird hunters.We uncovered how Maltese hunters, frustrated by local laws, were travelling to Egypt to slaughter migratory birds in vast numbers. Their hunting activities have been described as an environmental disaster, and a threat to the thousands of migratory birds who rely on Egyptian
Hezbollah's Existential Crisis: Lebanon's effort to disarm the resistance and the future of the Party of God
It has been annus horribilis for Hezbollah.They were struck by a deadly pager attack, Israel launched a devastating air and ground campaign against the group, and their long-time leader was killed in an Israeli airstrike. The war left Hezbollah battered and broken, and now, the Lebanese government is moving in to clear up the arms, which is taking place under the shadow of continued Israeli airstr
Recognising Problems in Israel: Western recognition of Palestine and trouble at the Foreign Ministry
This week on The New Arab Voice podcast, we look at the recent decision by Western nations to recognise the State of Palestine. It came as a surprise to many, although it remains to be seen what it actual means for Palestinians. Either way, it angered Israel. And as Western states were announcing to recognise a Palestinian state, Israel was planning a major new offensive in Gaza, and Israeli
Erdogan Considers the Kurdish Question: The PKK ceasefire and the Kurdish future in Turkey
This week on The New Arab Voice, we look at the recent ceasefire agreement between the PKK and the Turkish state. The Kurdistan’s Worker’s Party (PKK) and the Turkish state have been in a state of conflict since 1984. The conflict has killed over 35,000 people and achieved little, for either side. But now, a ceasefire has been announced. In a symbolic ceremony, PKK fighters burnt their a
Sudan's Raging and Overlooked Tragedy: The warring generals, the illegal gold, and a population trapped
This week on The New Arab Voice podcast we look at the state of the war in Sudan.It’s been declared the worst humanitarian crisis in the world, with hunger, disease and displacement rife. Yet the fighting surges on with reports of atrocities in the Kordofan region that left hundreds of civilians dead last weekend, the UN reported.The two rival militaries, the Sudanese army and the Rapid Suppo
Going Nuclear : 12 days of fire between Iran and Israel
This week, we look at the recent Israeli surprise attack, and the Iranian response that rained down on Israeli cities. The war started on 13 June with surprise attack launched by Israel, attacking high profile military and nuclear figures, as well as nuclear and military sites across the country. Iran responded with a wave of drones and missiles, some of which got through. We've seen outbreaks of
Trump's Gulfing Trip: US dealing making in the Gulf sidelines Israel's Netanyahu
This week on The New Arab Voice podcast we look at US President Donald Trump's recent trip to the Gulf. During this trip he secured billions of dollars worth of deals and investments. There were the usual defence contracts, but also, advance technologies also played a huge role in the deals. As well as business deals, Trump also sought to make political progress on a number of issues fac
The New Arab Events: Palestine in a World on Fire
What does it mean to stand with Palestine in a world on fire?In this special live episode, recorded at Reference Point in London, Benjamin Ashraf of The New Arab chairs a powerful conversation with historian Ilan Pappé, scholar Katherine Natanel, and legal academic Nadine El-Enany. Together, they explore the urgent connections between the movement for justice in Palestine and global liberation str
Syria's Minority Report: Sectarian attacks on Alawites and Druze threaten Syrian unity
The New Arab Voice is back!This week we look at the recent sectarian violence that engulfed the Syrian coast and targeted the country's Alawite community and the violence that hit in the south, which targeted the country's Druze community. We examine the causes of the violence, the response by the state, where the state's response went wrong, and what it means for the future of this new Syria
Sanaa's Odyssey Episode 5: Exile
This is episode five of Sanaa's Odyssey, a special series from The New Arab. For the final episode of Sanaa's Odyssey, we travelled to Cairo, to meet with Sanaa in person. When we spoke, a ceasefire had been agreed between Israel and Hamas, although, there was little hope that it would hold. In her Cairo apartment, we spoke with Sanaa about how she feels about the war now that she has es
Sanaa's Odyssey Episode 4: Escaping a Nightmare
This is episode 4 of our new podcast, Sanaa's Odyssey.You can subscribe to Sanaa's Odyssey on all podcast platforms.By April 2024, Sanaa and her family decided that it was time to get out of Gaza.They had experienced seven months of the brutal conflict, been forced from their homes, and lost countless friends and family members.At the time, the only way out of Gaza was through the Rafah border cro
Sanaa's Odyssey Episode 3: Reporting from the Fire of a Story
This is episode 3 of our new podcast, Sanaa's Odyssey.You can subscribe to Sanaa's Odyssey on all podcast platforms.As the war in Gaza continues to rage, Sanaa has to continue working as a journalist.Sanaa has been working as a journalist for 19 years, and while she has witnessed many wars in Gaza, the current conflict has been the most difficult to report on. Already forced from her home, she had
Sanaa's Odyssey Episode 2: A State of Emergency
This is episode 2 of Sanaa's Odyssey, a brand new series from The New Arab. You can subscribe to Sanaa's Odyssey on all podcast platforms. On episode two of Sanaa's Odyssey, we follow Palestinian freelance journalist Sanaa Kamal as her and her family try to survive the war in the Gaza.Sanaa was forced from her home in the early days of the war, but this was just the start of her struggles. She nee
Sanaa's Odyssey Episode 1: A Morning Coffee on a Balcony in Gaza
This is episode one of Sanaa's Odyssey; a brand new series from The New Arab. You can subscribe to Sanaa's Odyssey on Apple, Spotify, and wherever else you get your podcasts.The war in Gaza began on October 7th 2023.Sanaa Kamal watched it happen from her balcony as she drank her morning coffee. That day would be the start of a nightmare for her and her family.On this episode of Sanaa's Odyssey, Pa
Introducing Sanaa's Odyssey
Subscribe now to be notified when new episodes are available.Available on Apple, Spotify, and wherever else you get your podcast.Sanaa Kamal is a freelance journalist, who was born and raised in Gaza.She has lived through a series of wars in Gaza, but nothing like the war that followed the Hamas-led attacks of October 7th.In this five-part podcast from The New Arab in London, Sanaa tells her story
Iran to the Max(imum Pressure): Trump sanctions on a weakened Iranian regime
With the return of President Donald Trump, we also saw the return of the 'maximum pressure' campaign. The maximum pressure campaign was the hallmark of Trump's Iran foreign policy during his first term, and took the form of a raft of sanctions, which targeted individuals and the country's economy. This week on The New Arab Voice podcast, we look at what the return of Trump means for Iran
Syria's New Future: Post-Assad state building and HTS rule
The Assad regime has gone. After 14 years of war, and 54 years of one family's rule, Syria is now stepping into a new period of its history. Led by the transitional government of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham, Syria will now have to build a new state and hopefully create a path to a new constitution and free and fair elections. Joining us to help us explain the problems facing this new
Lebanon Finally Decides: Joseph Aoun named as new president
Lebanon finally has a new president. After an over two year wait, Joseph Aoun was chosen to be the new President of Lebanon, with a healthy majority of the votes in parliament .Aoun, who is also the commander-in-chief of the Lebanese Armed Forces comes into office with a bulging in tray of problems to sort out. This week on The New Arab Voice podcast, we examine what Aoun's pri
A Most Welcome Ceasefire: Israel, Hamas, and Gaza's future
A ceasefire has finally been agreed between Israel and Hamas. The news came as a great relief to the people of Gaza, but many questions regarding the deal still remain.This week on The New Arab Voice podcast we look at the details of the ceasefire deal. When will Israeli forces leave Gaza, what are the terms of the prisoner swaps, and what does it say about reconstruction. Additionally,
Review of the Year: Part 2
2024 is coming to an end and The New Arab Voice is bringing you our annual round up of the year's biggest stories from the Middle East and North Africa. We gathered a host of journalists and editors to look at the conflict, tragedies, confrontations, elections, and shocks that made the year so memorable. This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge).Theme music
Review of the Year: Part 1
2024 is coming to an end and The New Arab Voice is bringing you our annual round up of the year's biggest stories from the Middle East and North Africa. We gathered a host of journalists and editors to look at the conflict, tragedies, confrontations, elections, and shocks that made the year so memorable. This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge).Theme music
Make the Middle East Unpredictable Again: Trump's return and the future of US regional policy
President Donald Trump won a resounding mandate at the start of November, and he will return to the White House in January. This week on The New Arab Voice podcast we look at how a new Trump administration might approach the Middle East, what will they want to achieve, and how will the region’s governments deal with Trump this time round.Can Trump end the ongoing war in Gaza? Will the Ab
Hezbollah Falls into the Crosshairs: Israeli attacks in Lebanon, possible peace deals, and Hezbollah's future
This week on The New Arab Voice podcast we look at the escalating conflict in Lebanon.In recent months Israeli airstrikes have ramped up, targeting Hezbollah's military stores, infrastructure, and its leadership. Additionally, Israeli troops have crossed the border and are confronting Hezbollah on the ground. Efforts are now ramping up to bring about a ceasefire, but nothing has been agreed y
An Engaging Dilemma: The Taliban’s Afghanistan, women’s rights and international diplomacy
Women in Afghanistan continue to be suppressed and marginalised by the Taliban government, with a steady stream of new laws and edicts, dictating what they can and can't do.This has alarmed and shocked human rights defenders in Afghanistan, and across the world. Also expressing their outrage are governments around the world.And yet, many are still trying to find a way through that would allow them
A Triptych of Gaza: 365 days of tragedy and an uncertain future
It has been one year since the start of the war in Gaza. What started with an appalling crime was repaid with further crimes and relentless tragedy. This week on The New Arab Voice podcast, on the anniversary of the start of the war in Gaza, we look at three aspects: health, justice, and future.What is state of healthcare in Gaza? How much aid is getting in? What disease are spreading? What toll h
Trouble up North: Syria and Turkey look to normalise ties
This week on The New Arab Voice podcast, we look at the potential for a normalisation deal between Syria and Turkey. In recent years, Syria has been welcomed back into the regional fold, and yet Damascus has still not normalised with Ankara, and Turkish troops remain on Syrian soil. We look at the possibility of Turkish forces leaving Syria, what it means for the Syrian opposition suppor
Banking on a New Authority: Power grabs at the Central Bank of Libya
This week on The New Arab Voice podcast we're looking at the recent troubles surrounding the Central Bank of Libya. In August, gunman surrounded the Central Bank in Tripoli, forcing the bank's governor, Sadiq al-Kabir, to flee the country, fearing for his safety. Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh was seen as the architect of the efforts to remove the governor.In response to the events at the
Tilting on an Axis: Searching for an exit ramp for Iran and Israel
The New Arab Voice podcast is back.This week we're looking at the fallout from the recent killings of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr.Since the killings, tensions have increased, prompting a number of asking if the war will spread and engulf Lebanon and even Iran. Will violence increase and spread across the region? Will Iran and Hezbollah retaliate? Will Israel
The New Arab Weekly - May 30th, 2024
While The New Arab Voice is on a break, we giving you the latest episode of The New Arab Weekly podcast. Don't forget to subscribe to get notified when a new episode drops. The New Arab Weekly on AppleThe New Arab Weekly on SpotifyThe New Arab Weekly on Google and everywhere else...This week on The New Arab Weekly podcast, we discuss the recent massacre in Rafah and Israel's ongoing assault of the
The New Arab Weekly - May 23rd, 2024
While The New Arab Voice is on holiday, we bring you another episode of The New Arab Weekly podcast.You can find all the links you'll need to subscribe to The New Arab Weekly here. This week on The New Arab Weekly podcast, we look at the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and what it means for Iran, the news that the International Criminal Court is seeking arrest warrants for Hamas and Israe
The New Arab Weekly - May 16th, 2024
The New Arab Voice is on a break at the moment.While you wait, why not check out the latest episode of The New Arab Weekly. You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, and wherever else you get your podcasts.This week on The New Arab Weekly podcast, we look at the fighting between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and Sudanese government forces in Darfur, a spat between Israeli Defence Minist
Iran and Israel Step Out of the Shadow War: Rising tensions threaten to spark regional war
Tensions across the Middle East, recently rose to worrying highs. It started on 1 April, when Israel launched an attack on Iran's consulate building in the Syria capital of Damascus. Iran responded to this by firing hundreds of drones and missiles at Israel. In turn, Israel conducted strikes in Iran. Voices from abroad, desperately called for calm, as fears grew that the region was
A Turkey of an Election for Erdogan: AKP losses, CHP wins, and İmamoğlu's rising star
The recent local elections in Turkey did not go to plan for President Erdogan. The voters sent a clear message to the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) party and the strongman president, when they voted in unprecedented numbers for the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP). The CHP took control of Turkey's biggest cities and also managed to make significant headway int
A Problem with (the Palestinian) Authority: The PA and Mahmoud Abbas in the wake of Gaza
The Palestinian Authority (PA) has a new government and a new Prime Minister.An exciting and yet highly challenging time for them; but for the Palestinian people, optimism for real change is low. The Palestinian Authority has been in place since the 1990's, but satisfaction is low. There are systemic governance problems across Palestine, and the PA is no longer seen as the leaders of the
Poor Reviews for Theatrical Elections: Iran’s low turnout for elections and Khamenei’s successor
At the start of March polling stations for Iran's legislative elections opened, and yet, very few Iranians turned up. It was a record low turnout, with just 40.64 percent of eligible voters casting their ballot.The low turnout reflected the discontent in the country, and the poor quality of candidates on offer. This week on The New Arab Voice, we look at the Iranian elections. Why was th
The New Arab Weekly - March 14th, 2024
Welcome to the first episode of The New Arab Weekly. Each week, we take a look at some of the biggest stories of the week and examine what happened and why is it important. This week we look at the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the looming prospect for an invasion of Rafah, and the recently announced definition of extremism, as laid out by the UK government. We're joined this we
Special Announcement
This week, we’ll be launching The New Arab Weekly, a brand new podcast, that will bring you a collection of biggest stories of the week. With help from the editorial and reporting teams at The New Arab in London, we’ll break down the stories for you and answer the questions: what happened and why does it matter?The first episode will be released on Friday March 15th, and will be finding its w
Making the Gaza Crisis Even Worse: The suspension of UNRWA funding and the humanitarian catastrophe
The humanitarian crisis is older than the war in Gaza. For years, Palestinians inside the besieged enclave have struggled to secure some of the basic needs for life.The war, which has now entered its four month, has turned crisis into catastrophe. All 2.2 million residents of Gaza are now suffering from acute food insecurity, and Israel are continuing the bombardments, day after day. The
Provisionally Stopping Genocide: The ICJ measures for Gaza and the response by Israel and its allies
The International Court of Justice returned a verdict on 26 January. Not a complete verdict on whether genocide is being committed by Israel in Gaza, but the court did agree that there was a case to be heard, and it did recognise that there was a sense of urgency. Because of this urgency, they issued a series of provisional measures; these include an order to end the killing of civi
Protesting in a Time of War: Civil rights in Israel, the Supreme Court, and Netanyahu
Since the start of the war in Gaza, protests around the world have called on the Israeli government to end their slaughter and protect civilian life. Thousands have turned out to protest in London, New York, Paris, Berlin, and Washington DC. Also, protests have been seen in Israel, however the civil space in Israel is shrinking.This week, we look at the shrinking civil space in Israel, a
Pirating for Palestine: Houthi attacks in the Red Sea and the US/UK response
With the start of war in Gaza, the Houthi movement in Yemen decided that it would also do what it can to provide support to the people of Palestine. It decided the best thing that it could do was to attack commercial shipping lanes in the Red Sea, of the coast of Yemen. They have fired missiles, launched drone attacks, attacked ships by sea, boarded ships and taken people hostage. On 11
Violence Spreading from Gaza and Hopes at The Hague: The risks of a regional war and genocide calls at the ICJ
A new year and a new season of The New Arab Voice podcast. This week, we continue with the story that has dominated the Middle since October: the war in Gaza. While we were away the violence did not cease nor slow down. The death toll has now passed 23,000, the vast majority women and children. Additionally, over 60,000 have been injured. There have been developments related to the
2023 in Review Part 2: The good, the bad, and the horror of Gaza
Last week we looked back at the first six months of 2023, and this week, we're completing the year with refresher on the last six months of the year. We remember the arguments at the UN Security Council over Syrian aid delivery, the release of Patrick Zaki, the deadly wedding fire in Iraq, the COP28 in Dubai, and of course, the deadly Hamas attack of 7 October and the following war in Gaza.&n
2023 in Review Part 1: The good, the bad, and the horror of Gaza
2023 is drawing to a close and we’re spending our last two episodes of the year to look back over the past twelve months and the stories that have shaped the Middle East. For our first episode of our review, we look at the months from January to June, with help from some of The New Arab’s journalists, correspondents, and editors. We remember the earthquake in Turkey, the normalisation be
Two Months Later : Israel's war in Gaza and Netanyahu's political prospects
The Hamas attack of 7 October shook Israel to its core. It was a horrifying day that left at least 1,200 people dead, saw hundreds taken hostage, and a country deeply traumatised. Israel responded with a deadly barrage of airstrikes and bombardment. This assault continues to this day, and has so far killed over 17,000 people, and turned huge areas of Gaza into desolate wasteland. Th
Barely Catching Breath: Inside Gaza’s short pause and the deal for hostages
The ceasefire in Gaza didn’t last, but seven days without experiencing intense Israeli bombardments is certainly welcome. During the seven days when the worst of the violence was stopped, aid was able to get to the desperate people of Gaza, but additionally it allowed for the release of hostages, held by Hamas.In exchange, Palestinians held by Israel would also be released from Israeli prison
Trouble with the 51st State: US policy on Gaza and its relationship with Israel
The death toll from the conflict in Gaza passed 14,000 this week. With a ceasefire starting on Friday evening, international diplomacy is happening, but so is the conflict. The recent four-day ceasefire and prisoner swap was negotiated by Qatar and Israel’s closest ally, the US. This week on The New Arab Voice, we look over the recent events in Gaza, including the siege of Al-Shifa
Fear Spreads from Gaza to the West Bank: Israel expands its crackdown on Palestinians as settler attacks multiply
Violence in Gaza has continued to intensify. The death toll passed the grim milestone this week, with over 10,000 now killed. In addition to the ongoing violence in Gaza, the West Bank is also seeing an increased level of attacks by Israeli settlers and increased oppression by the Israeli occupation forces. This week on The New Arab Voice, why is violence rising in the West Bank, ho
Nowhere to go, and Nowhere is Safe: The massacres of Gaza and the war between Hamas and Israel
The Israeli bombardment of the people of Gaza has unleashed horrors. Thousands have been killed, including thousands of children. There’s no end in sight, and Israel does not look like it will step away from its path. The past 27 days in Gaza have been punctuated by war crimes of almost every nature.This week on The New Arab Voice we look at the past 27 days, the crimes that have been co
Israel Attacked: Hamas breaks out, the indiscriminate Israeli response, and the dehumanisation of Palestinians
The attack by Hamas on 7 October has changed the region and the world in ways that are still yet to be completely understood. In response to the attack, which killed over 1,400 Israelis, and took 200 hostage, Israel has unleashed a brutal and indiscriminate campaign of airstrikes. So far, thousands of Palestinians have been killed. This week on The New Arab Voice, we look at Hamas'
Libya’s Unnatural Disaster: How Derna was left to drown
The residents of the Libyan city of Derna are sadly no strangers to tragedy. They have seen war and violent militant groups ravage their town. But the recent environmental disaster that struck was a new terrifying horror.In the early hours of 11 September, after hours of torrential rain, the two dams outside Derna broke, sending a torrent of water in the heart of the city. Entire buildings we
Ar-abnormal Negotiations: What does Israel-Saudi normalisation mean for Palestine?
Talk of normalisation between Saudi Arabia and Israel is hotting up. Israel signed the Abraham Accords with the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco in 2020, and were deemed to be a major development in the region.Israel is now looking to Saudi Arabia for a normalisation deal, which if achieved would have a major impact on the Middle East. But the deal is proving more difficult than the first norma
Forcing the Hijab Back On: The anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death and the tightening grip of Iran's state
It's been a year since Mahsa Amini was killed. She was taken from the streets by Iran's morality police in September 2022. They beat her mercilessly, resulting in the young women falling into a coma, and later dying. The protests against her killing, the morality police, and Iran's mandatory hijab law were instant and persisted for several months. However the violent response by the
Syria’s South Dares Again: Suweida protests living standards, Assad, and the continuing instability
Protests are back in Syria. Twelve years since the start of the uprisings against the Assad regime, Syrians are still protesting. In the southern province of Suweida huge protests have erupted, in part, fuelled by the continuing fall in living standards across the country, but also for the same reasons that brought people out to the streets in 2011. They have now entered their
Control+Alt+Suppress: Jordan's cybercrime bill and the growth of state censorship
We've been off for a few week, but now we're back!While we were on holiday, Jordan took the opportunity to implement a new cybercrime law that has set alarm bells ringing among human rights defenders. The cybercrime law contains some incredibly vague language, which critics say will allow the government to target free speech, and effect the basic rights of Jordanians. It will also limit
An Issue of Survival: Heatwaves in Iraq and dwindling water supplies
Iraq is known for its high temperatures. But with the impacts of climate change becoming ever more pronounced, the summer heat in Iraq has become unbearable for many, and also threatens to make large areas of the country uninhabitable. As Iraq inches towards this unbearably hot future, its ability to adapt is decreasing year after year. The Iraqi population has been growing while the wat
The Casino Manager Cashes Out: The departure of Riad Salameh from Lebanon's Central Bank
Riad Salameh spent 30 years at the top of Lebanon’s Central Bank. Some called him a magician. But in recent years, his tricks have been revealed to devastating effects.In 2019 the Lebanese economy dramatically collapsed and many inside and outside the country pointed the finger of blame at Riad Salameh. Despite the economic problems, he stayed on. But on the last day of July, Riad S
The Political Prisoners Dilemma: The pardoning of Patrick Zaki and Egypt's National Dialogue
The release of Patrick Zaki was some rare good human rights news from Egypt. After being sentenced to three years in jail, he was then pardoned the next day by President Abdel Fatah el-Sisi, and was able to return to Italy. Patrick had been hanging in legal limbo since 2020, when he was first arrested, and subsequently charged with “disseminating false news” and “inciting to pr
Negotiating Aid and Diplomacy: Syria's cross border aid at the UN Security Council
The people of northern Syria were recently dealt a terrible blow. At the UN Security Council, on 11 July, permanent member Russia vetoed the extension of UN deliveries through the Bab al-Hawa crossing. It had served as a vital lifeline for the over 4 million people who live in the north west, and are in desperate need of help. Following the Russian veto, the Assad regime stepped in
The Struggle for Palestine in Britain: Echoes of the Anti-Apartheid Movement
The recent violence in the Jenin refugee camp was a shocking and violent development. The incursion left 12 dead, over a hundred wounded, and a trail of destruction to infrastructure that will make life in the camp even more difficult. As Israeli soldiers made their way through the camp, Palestine activists in London took to the streets to express their anger and opposition to the events
Searching for Justice at Guantanamo: Tainted evidence and the fight for accountability
When the prison at Guantanamo Bay was opened, it was announced that it would hold terror suspects, picked up by the US in their War on Terror. It quickly became a dungeon that tortured its inmates and violated some of the most basic principles of humanity. Subsequent presidents, although not all, have said that they will close down the site and release the prisoners. However this task ha
Finding the Rough on the Gulf Course: Sportswashing with LIV Golf and the Saudi PIF
The golfing world was upturned at the start of June, with the news that a deal had been struck between the PGA and the Saudi-funded LIV Golf. After months of warring words and a flurry of lawsuits the two sides agreed to come together and put hostiles aside. The deal will see a return of some of the biggest names in golf and also see a huge investment into the game by Saudi Arabia’s Publ
Nowhere to Apart-hide: Israel's chilling surveillance of Palestinians
In a report by Amnesty International, titled Apartheid Automated, the human rights group laid out how the Israeli government is using technology as a tool of oppression. This technological tyranny is perhaps best seen at the many checkpoints that Palestinians are forced to traverse as part of their daily lives. Cameras and algorithms are permanently watching every Palestinian who passes throu
Erdo-won: Turkey’s election and the next term
After two rounds of voting in Turkey, President Erdogan is back as the president. Going into the first round of voting there were high hopes that the opposition had a real chance of dislodging the Turkish strongman; however these hopes failed to materialise at the ballot boxes. Back in office, Erdogan will have a long list of urgent matters that will need his attention, including a faili
The Injustice League: Assad's return to the Arab fold
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was returned to the Arab League this month. Twelve years after Syria was suspended, in response to their brutal crackdown against civilians protesters, the group of nations, led by Saudi Arabia welcomed back the Assad regime. The move signalled a major shift in diplomacy in the region, and simultaneously a continuation of other diplomatic moves in th
The Theatre of Investigations: The killing of Shireen Abu Akleh one year on
A year and a day have passed since the killing of veteran Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in the occupied West Bank. Forensic Investigations, as well as investigations from multiple media organisations and the Palestinian Authority, have concluded that the Palestinian-American was shot by an Israeli sniper while covering a raid in Jenin. Video evidence, eyewitness testimony, spat
Votes for Drones: Turkey's election and the future of drone diplomacy
Turkish citizen will be voting in a highly anticipated and consequential election on 14 May. The two frontrunners for the office of president, are incumbent Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the main opposition candidate Kemel Kilicdaroglu.They have both been holding rallies, attempting to reach as many voters as possible. Opposition candidate Kemel Kilicdaroglu did cause a stir at a ca
Sudan Shattered: Rival generals unleash violence on Khartoum
The past few weeks in Sudan have been exceptionally violent. Two feuding generals, in charge of the biggest armed groups in the country, have launched their own personal war in Sudan. Nearly 500 people have died, and thousands have been forced to flee. The culprits are Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of Sudan’s armed forces, and Mohamad Hamdan Dagalo - popularly known as Hemedti - who heads
Netanya-boooooo: The Israeli protests against judicial reforms
During his most recent campaign to become Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu promised that he would overhaul the judiciary. When the elections came around, the fourth in five years, his Likud Party, with the help of some far-right allies, were able to command a majority in the Israeli Knesset. Netanyahu quickly started his plans to reform the judiciary, and almost as quickly Is
Iran and Saudi Arabia Set Sail on the Relation-Ship: The normalisation deal and the impacts for region
With the start of Spring we also saw the start of new diplomatic relationships being born. After years of intense rivalry, and to the surprise of many, Iran and Saudi Arabia announced that they had normalised relations. The two countries hadn't been on speaking turns since the Saudis executed a Shia cleric in 2016, and Iranian protesters had responded by burning down the embassy. Wi
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