Can mediation cut through conflict in the Middle East?

Can mediation cut through conflict in the Middle East?

In Gaza, a fragile ceasefire comes with great uncertainty for the future. In Yemen, the Houthis are abducting humanitarian workers and journalists in a witch hunt for alleged spies. And in Syria, a new and unstable political landscape could go either way.

“It's not easy to build peace. It's much easier to stop a war,” says Martin Griffiths, executive director of Mediation Group International.

The former under secretary general for humanitarian affairs at the UN speaks to The National’s editor-in-chief Mina Al-Oraibi in this special episode of Beyond the Headlines.

They discuss the instrumental role of mediation, not only to resolve conflicts in the Middle East, but to ensure peace will follow. Mr Griffiths draws insights from his decades-long career in the humanitarian field to reflect on current events in the region. He talks about the diplomacy model set by Gulf countries and about opportunities to reform a UN in crisis.

Episoder(476)

Can the Global Sumud Flotilla really break the siege of Gaza?

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What does Israel’s strike on Doha mean for the Gulf?

In the past month, Israel has bombed Palestine, Yemen, Syria and Lebanon, but its attack on Hamas officials in Qatar this week was most unexpected. And it hit a nerve. Arab leaders immediately express...

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

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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...

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

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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

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