Macron in the Middle East

Macron in the Middle East

President Emmanuel Macron of France has been back in the Middle East. This time he was in Saudi Arabia, his first visit to the kingdom since 2017, before heading to the UAE.

The French leader has made something of a name for himself in the region in recent years. He staked significant political capital on cajoling Lebanon’s leaders to pass reforms to solve their dire economic crisis. He hosted a political summit in Baghdad with officials from across the region – including Iran and the Gulf – that sought to build avenues for dialogue rather than conflict. He has visited holy sites in Jerusalem, cultural sites in the Emirates and met illusive musical icon Fairuz in Lebanon. He has cut deals on energy, defence, the environment, and culture.

On this week's Beyond the Headlines, host James Haines-Young looks at Macron in the Middle East: what came out of his recent visits, why he has been so engaged in the region and what that means for French diplomacy.

Episoder(490)

What next after Israel’s strike on Hamas in Doha?

What next after Israel’s strike on Hamas in Doha?

Israel’s attack on Hamas leaders in Doha on Tuesday drew widespread condemnation from the international community. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani described it as “state...

10 Sep 20259min

What will happen to the Houthis after Israel’s assassination strike?

What will happen to the Houthis after Israel’s assassination strike?

The Israeli army's killing of several Houthi government officials, including the prime minister, marks another serious escalation in the region. Until now, the army had mostly attacked infrastructure ...

5 Sep 202519min

What guarantees does Lebanon have after Hezbollah disarms?

What guarantees does Lebanon have after Hezbollah disarms?

US envoys Tom Barrack and Morgan Ortagus were in Lebanon this week to restate a key demand: Hezbollah must disarm. The latest push from Washington came with economic incentives as Mr Barrack proposed ...

29 Aug 202520min

Why Ehud Olmert wants an end to Israel’s war in Gaza

Why Ehud Olmert wants an end to Israel’s war in Gaza

Former Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert supported the war in Gaza when it began, but soon changed his mind. He advocated a limited military operation rather than a full-scale offensive. Now, he says...

27 Aug 202516min

The compounded suffering caused by Gaza’s ‘manufactured’ cash crisis

The compounded suffering caused by Gaza’s ‘manufactured’ cash crisis

Israel has imposed a strict blockade on Gaza since March leaving 2.2 million Palestinians in the strip with practically nothing. Food, medicine and water are extremely scarce with only trickles of aid...

22 Aug 202518min

What's changed in Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover?

What's changed in Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover?

Four years after the Taliban’s return to power, Afghanistan remains in the shadow of that chaotic August day in 2021 when US troops finally withdrew, ending two decades of war. The images from Kabul’s...

15 Aug 202523min

Why has Israel decided to reoccupy Gaza - and at what cost?

Why has Israel decided to reoccupy Gaza - and at what cost?

Nearly two decades after Israel withdrew from Gaza, dismantling settlements and military posts under Ariel Sharon’s leadership, the Israeli government has now approved a plan to take over the Palestin...

8 Aug 202526min

More states say they will ‘recognise’ Palestine, but what does this mean?

More states say they will ‘recognise’ Palestine, but what does this mean?

A growing number of countries in the West have said they could soon recognise Palestinian statehood as Israel becomes increasingly isolated over its war in Gaza. Fifteen countries issued a joint decla...

2 Aug 202516min

Populært innen Politikk og nyheter

giver-og-gjengen-vg
aftenpodden
aftenpodden-usa
forklart
popradet
stopp-verden
det-store-bildet
fotballpodden-2
rss-gukild-johaug
nokon-ma-ga
dine-penger-pengeradet
lydartikler-fra-aftenposten
hanna-de-heldige
rss-ness
aftenbla-bla
rss-dannet-uten-piano
e24-podden
rss-utenrikskomiteen-med-bogen-og-grasvik
rss-penger-polser-og-politikk
chit-chat-med-helle