How the Saudi-Iran reconciliation could transform the Middle East

How the Saudi-Iran reconciliation could transform the Middle East

Can a handshake transform a region? After long years of tension, Saudi Arabia and Iran decided in March to normalise diplomatic relations. Weeks later, the Saudi and Iranian foreign ministers met face-to-face - and the handshake took place. The landmark agreement entails patching up the rift by reviving a security cooperation pact, reopening embassies within two months and resuming trade, investment and cultural accords. The China-brokered deal could lead to a major realignment in the Middle East. And, while it is a coup for Beijing, it represents a geopolitical challenge for the United States. This week on Beyond the Headlines, host Ismaeel Naar looks at how Saudi Arabia and Iran were able to finally reach the negotiating table - and asks what the thawing of ties means for the wider region.

Episoder(478)

Is Afghanistan's fight against the Taliban almost over?

Is Afghanistan's fight against the Taliban almost over?

Afghanistan has become a byword for conflict. But the past weeks saw extraordinary scenes of Taliban fighters and their usual foe  —government security forces — embracing in the streets in a historic,...

20 Jun 201818min

Dr Anwar Gargash on Iran, Yemen, Trump and more

Dr Anwar Gargash on Iran, Yemen, Trump and more

Last week, The National spoke to Dr Anwar Gargash, the UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. We bring you the second part of that interview in this edition of Beyond the Headlines. Listen to part...

13 Jun 201824min

The Qatar crisis from the perspective of Dr Anwar Gargash

The Qatar crisis from the perspective of Dr Anwar Gargash

This week, The National spoke to Dr Anwar Gargash, the UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. He talked about how the Arab world has changed significantly a year since the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahra...

7 Jun 201819min

Hodeidah's importance to victory in Yemen

Hodeidah's importance to victory in Yemen

Yemen's military is within striking distance of one of their biggest victories since civil war began in 2015. The forces, backed by the Arab coalition, was last reported to be within 10km of Yemen’s t...

30 Mai 201820min

Iraq's future following Moqtada Al Sadr's resounding victory

Iraq's future following Moqtada Al Sadr's resounding victory

Shia cleric Moqtada Al Sadr wants a government that is inclusive of all Iraqis. His coalition won the largest number of seats in Iraq’s latest parliamentary elections. But Mr Al Sadr didn’t win enough...

23 Mai 201815min

Massacre in Gaza

Massacre in Gaza

As Israeli and American officials celebrated the controversial move of the United States' embassy to Jerusalem, Israeli soldiers were murdering peaceful Palestinian protestors. This week, host Naser ...

16 Mai 201824min

Lebanon's first elections in nearly a decade will have regional ramifications

Lebanon's first elections in nearly a decade will have regional ramifications

For the first time since 2009, Lebanon voted to elect 128 members to parliament. Saad Hariri, the current Prime Minister of Lebanon and his Sunni-dominated party fared better than expected. But he los...

8 Mai 201818min

Israel puts Iran's nuclear ambitions into question ahead of Trump's decision

Israel puts Iran's nuclear ambitions into question ahead of Trump's decision

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday claimed Iran was developing a "secret" nuclear weapons programme in breach of the 2015 deal agreed with world powers. Iran responded by saying an a...

2 Mai 201817min

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