Best UAE Current Affairs Podcasts (2024)

1
What stands in the way of a Gaza ceasefire agreement? 17:56

25m ago17:56

17:56

The cycle of Gaza ceasefire talks has started to become predictable. Headlines initially spark hope with announcements of progress, only for other regional incidents to derail negotiations, leading to yet another collapse. Last Sunday, Lebanon’s Hezbollah launched 320 drones and rockets towards Israel in response to the assassination of its command…

1
The challenges in containing a looming polio outbreak in Gaza 22:20

1h ago22:20

22:20

Children’s lives in Gaza are riddled with uncertainty. They don’t know when the next bomb will fall, where their next meal will come from or even if their families and friends are still alive. Now, another variable poses a grave risk to Gaza’s children: polio. The first case was confirmed after a 10-month-old baby tested positive for the virus in m…

1
How Israeli prisons became 'a network of torture camps' 19:20

12m ago19:20

19:20

In recent weeks, human rights organisations and media investigations have documented the worsening conditions in Israeli prisons over the past 10 months. They reveal beatings and other forms of brutal physical and psychological abuse of Palestinian detainees have become common practice since October 7. A UN report on the ill-treatment of detainees …

1
France’s racial gap between the Olympics and reality 24:56

3d ago24:56

24:56

Olympic fanfare has swept across Paris in recent weeks, but there is an elephant in the room that’s difficult to ignore – the glaring disparity between France hosting one of the most multicultural events in the world, while at the same time cracking down on diversity. Only weeks before the Games started, the far right gained huge momentum in a tens…

1
The weight of Israel and Hezbollah’s warfare on life in Lebanon 22:11

5d ago22:11

22:11

On Tuesday, Israeli warplanes broke the sound barrier in the skies over Lebanon, a stunt timed to coincide with Hassan Nasrallah’s speech amid a series of threats by Hezbollah towards Israel and vice versa. In his address, Nasrallah mocked the intimidation attempt and said an uncomfortable wait for Hezbollah's retaliation is part of the punishment …

1
What happens next after the Hamas and Hezbollah assassinations? 22:11

12d ago22:11

22:11

The anxiety in the Middle East has been palpable since Tuesday night. The killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran happened only hours after Israel struck a south Beirut suburb, claiming to have killed Hezbollah commander Fouad Shukr. Mr Haniyeh was on a trip to Iran for the inauguration of president Masoud Pezeshkian when he was …

1
Israel's first attack on Yemen – what happens next? 23:00

1M ago23:00

23:00

Residents in the Yemeni city of Hodeidah woke up last Sunday to plumes of black smoke filling the skies. Israel had just struck the port, a main artery for the city, killing nine people and injuring more than 80 others after hitting a fuel depot. The attack came a day after a Houthi drone hit Tel Aviv, killing one person. For months the internation…

1
How Gazans cope with constant uprooting when 'nowhere is safe' 19:02

1M ago19:02

19:02

In the first weeks of July, the Israeli army ordered about 80,000 residents of Gaza city, in the north of the strip, to evacuate towards the south. At the same time, residents in large areas of Khan Younis were told to leave. But where to? For nine months, Palestinians in Gaza have had to uproot and seek shelter in increasingly dangerous so-called …

1
What will ties between Assad and Erdogan mean for Syrian refugees? 20:03

2M ago20:03

20:03

Hundreds of rioters were arrested at the start of July after angry mobs in Turkey vandalised cars and shops belonging to Syrian refugees. Fuelled by reports that a Syrian man had assaulted a young girl, nationalist Turks violently protested about their government’s alleged inaction towards the Syrian refugee crisis in their country. But it’s part o…

1
Heatwave in the Arab region - How extreme heat impacted daily lives 18:09

1M ago18:09

18:09

The intense heatwaves sweeping across the Middle East this summer is taking a high toll on people. Temperatures have soared to unprecedented levels, causing widespread discomfort and significant challenges in many countries that might even be unequipped to face the impacts of climate change. During this year's Hajj season, which took place in mid-J…

1
The complexities of delivering aid in Gaza 14:06

3M ago14:06

14:06

The eight-month war in Gaza has caused a humanitarian crisis of unprecedented scale. Over 37 thousand Palestinians have been killed in this period, and over 80 thousand have been injured in the conflict. A robust coordination between government bodies, international institutions and NGOs is needed to provide relief to the Palestinian people left in…

1
What will it take for Israel and Hamas to lay down arms? 14:44

2M ago14:44

14:44

Eight months into the war in Gaza, as two million people there struggle for survival and more than 36,600 have lost their lives, the fate of Israel and Hamas themselves also hangs in the balance. Israel has said it will not stop the war until it eradicates Hamas, but it is also struggling internally as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fights for p…

1
Rafah under fire: global outcry and international repercussions 14:59

3M ago14:59

14:59

A series of deadly Israeli strikes launched on May 26 at a camp for displaced people in Rafah, targeting two senior Hamas members, caused a fire and killed 45 people. It came only days after global leaders urged Israel to adhere to a ruling by the International Court of Justice ordering it to halt its military operations in the city. This incident …

1
What’s next for Iran after Raisi’s death? 13:50

3M ago13:50

13:50

The sudden death of a president and his Foreign Minister could send any country into disarray and chaos. But that’s not exactly what happened in Iran after a helicopter crash killed President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian on Sunday. Raisi, a 63-year-old ultraconservative cleric, had once been seen as a potential succes…

1
How are the US and the Arab world reacting to Israel's operation in Rafah? 22:17

3M ago22:17

22:17

Israel’s latest attacks on the city of Rafah have intensified criticism of its war on Gaza. Hundreds of thousands of people have already been forced to flee Rafah amid warnings of a humanitarian catastrophe if a full-scale assault goes ahead. So how has the world responded? Last week, the US suspended a shipment of bombs to Israel due to concerns a…

1
What is the impact of pro-Palestinian protests on campuses? 29:26

3M ago29:26

29:26

Over the past few weeks, many college campuses around the world have become focal points for anti-war protests, with thousands of students and faculty members showing solidarity with Palestinians. There have been different responses, from massive support on social media to swift actions from some college administration in the US who requested polic…

1
What is Israel’s plan with the Rafah assault? 29:08

3M ago29:08

29:08

Israeli military leaflets dropped into Gaza on Monday instructed Palestinians to leave eastern Rafah before “targeted airstrikes” hit the city, forcing thousands to evacuate the area. On the same day, and after negotiations over the weekend, Hamas announced its acceptance of the ceasefire deal, brokered by the Egyptians and the Qataris, prompting c…

1
How Gaza's wounded get treated abroad 17:16

4M ago17:16

17:16

More than 34,000 Palestinians have died in Israel's onslaught on Gaza since October. But there's another grim figure that tells the story of the Gaza conflict: 77,000. That's the number of people who have suffered horrific burns, blast injuries, lacerations and crushed bones. A small number have managed to leave the under-siege strip for medical tr…

1
What would it take to restore some sort of normality to life in Gaza? 20:47

4M ago20:47

20:47

What a normal life is like for the rest of the world does not apply in Gaza, and it almost never has. Even before October 7, electricity only came on for an average of four to six hours a day and nearly 98 per cent of water was undrinkable. Transportation options were always limited and housing was a challenge in one of the most densely populated c…

1
Iran’s attack on Israel - what’s next for the Middle East? 19:32

4M ago19:32

19:32

Air-raid alerts going off in Israel, many airports in the Middle East closed, flights delayed, the airspace over Jordan, Iraq and Lebanon shut down. That was Saturday night in the region as Iran launched its first major attack on Israel with around 300 drones and missiles. Most of the projectiles - launched in response to the April 1 strike on Iran…

1
Sudan’s power struggle and the humanitarian crisis it has caused 13:02

4M ago13:02

13:02

It’s been almost a year since the war in Sudan broke out, bringing with it death, displacement and a humanitarian disaster. As the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group continue their deadly power struggle, civilians bear the brunt of the violence and instability gripping the nation. The humanitarian situation continues to d…

1
The role social media is playing in the Israel-Gaza war 15:58

5M ago15:58

15:58

Social media has redefined the way people are experiencing the war in Gaza, with citizens and regular users alike playing a crucial role in sharing minute-by-minute updates from the region. Israel's continuous bombardment of Gaza for six months now since the October 7 attack by Hamas has propelled numerous activists to the forefront, utilising soci…

1
The significance of UN resolution demanding Gaza ceasefire 23:44

5M ago23:44

23:44

This week, the UN Security Council passed a resolution – for the first time since the Israel-Gaza war began in October – demanding an immediate ceasefire during Ramadan. Hours later, more than 50 people were killed by Israeli air strikes on the Palestinian enclave, bringing the death toll to more than 32,000 people – over 80 per cent of them women …

1
What are the prospects for a ceasefire in Gaza? 27:18

5M ago27:18

27:18

After almost six months of war and more than 31,000 deaths in Gaza, ceasefire talks resumed in Doha this week as Hamas, Israel and mediators discussed the details of a potential future deal. Meanwhile, during his visit to the Middle East, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said his country had submitted a draft resolution to the UN Security Counc…

1
Observing Ramadan in countries hit by conflict 14:06

5M ago14:06

14:06

Ramadan is typically a time of spiritual reflection, self-discipline and community bonding for Muslims around the world. But for millions of people in the Arab region, Ramadan this year is defined by violence and uncertainty. On top of that, the Middle East is amidst one of its worst food crises in recent years, according to the UN’s World Food Pro…

1
Ramadan in Gaza: Living under threat, fighting for food and longing for peace 12:21

6M ago12:21

12:21

Ramadan this year will be different for the people of Gaza with Israel continuing an air and ground assault that has gone on for five months now. The threat of famine looms due to the limited supply of food and the disrupted process of getting aid in. In most Muslim households across the world, families would usually stock up on ingredients and foo…

1
Egypt’s struggle in the Rafah crisis 25:30

6M ago25:30

25:30

Egypt is the only country other than Israel with a border with Gaza, which means the area between the city of Al Arish and the Palestinian territory bears witness to what is unfolding in Rafah. Tensions are high as Israeli officials say they will launch a ground offensive before Ramadan if the hostages held by Hamas aren’t released. This means the …

1
How the Russia-Ukraine war changed the world after two years 12:12

6M ago12:12

12:12

Tens of thousands of lives have been lost among Ukrainians and Russians, countless buildings are in ruin, the landscape of eastern Ukraine has been ravaged by destruction and there is no end in sight. Two years after the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine war, it has become certain that the impact of this conflict extends far beyond its borders. The s…

1
45 years on - How Iran’s Islamic revolution reshaped the region 15:42

6M ago15:42

15:42

A series of protests escalated into a full-blown revolution in Iran and became a turning point in the history of the Middle East. On February 11, 1979, the rule of the US-backed Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi ended, the Iranian monarchy was overthrown, and the country has since been referred to as the Islamic Republic of Iran. In the decades since, Ira…

1
The Middle East’s escalating conflict – and what it means 18:18

7M ago18:18

18:18

The US has stepped up its involvement in the Middle East conflict with a barrage of strikes against Iran-allied targets in various locations in Iraq, Syria and Yemen. The strikes are in response to a deadly drone attack on American troops at a base in Jordan on January 28. These attacks have increased the tensions between the US and Iran-backed mil…

1
Drone attacks, a court ruling and defunding: How the Israel-Gaza conflict is expanding globally 18:42

7M ago18:42

18:42

The Israel-Gaza conflict is evolving into a complex web, transcending the borders of the region to the international community. The week started with the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the UN’s highest court, making a historic ruling, ordering Israel to take all measures to prevent genocide against Gazans and allow vital aid into the Palesti…

1
What’s next for Israel after the blow of its deadliest day in Gaza? 16:50

7M ago16:50

16:50

This week saw the biggest single loss of life for Israel in Gaza since the war began with 24 soldiers killed on January 22 in two separate attacks, bringing its total military deaths to more than 200 since October 7. Israel has called up about 360,000 reservists and tens of thousands of soldiers have been sent to fight inside Gaza, where more than …

1
What have we learnt from Davos 2024? 24:11

7M ago24:11

24:11

Every year, political and business leaders from around the world come together in the quaint ski resort of Davos nestled in the Swiss Alps for dialogue on the pressing global issues, including not just economic challenges, but environmental concerns and political roadmaps. The 54th edition of the World Economic Forum took place while many countries…

1
How the Houthis rose to prominence in the Israel-Gaza conflict 12:24

7M ago12:24

12:24

Experts have long warned the violence in the Gaza Strip could spill over into a wider conflict. And those warnings have become more relevant and real today. The US and Britain launched overnight strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen, these attacks being carried out from the air and sea in response to the Iran-backed militia's attacks on vessels in the…

1
Gaza, Hamas and the future 15:35

8M ago15:35

15:35

Gaza has borne the brunt of three months of war between Israel and Hamas. Mosques and churches have been destroyed. More than 200 out of Gaza’s 325 heritage sites, many of them centuries old, are gone. Israel’s weapons have killed, injured and maimed tens of thousands. Many of the wounded are being left to bleed while others are arrested, stripped …

1
Ballots and bullets - How elections and war will shape the West in 2024 28:16

8M ago28:16

28:16

2024 will be a big year in global politics. A slew of important general elections will be held across the developing world – in India, Pakistan and Indonesia, to name but three. Wars may continue to rage in Gaza, Ukraine, Syria, Sudan, Myanmar and elsewhere, driving millions of people deeper into poverty and displacement. Though there is some hope …

1
Why is it so difficult to get aid into Gaza? 13:25

8M ago13:25

13:25

For the past 11 weeks, life has been brutally disrupted in Gaza. 20,000 Palestinians have been killed, the majority women and children, and over 50,000 wounded. The ongoing humanitarian crisis has left more than a quarter of the population starving, according to the UN. The flow of aid into Gaza is far from sufficient, and the distribution process …

1
How will the historic Cop28 climate deal affect our future? 17:31

8M ago17:31

17:31

The global stocktake, or what is now known as the UAE Consensus, is the first-ever climate deal to transition away from fossil fuel - and it has been unanimously approved by almost 200 nations in Dubai. This is significant, as no previous Cop text has mentioned moving away from oil and gas. It took over two weeks of negotiations that intensified in…

1
What are the main climate action and pledges announced so far at Cop28? 15:24

9M ago15:24

15:24

It has been a week of big announcements at the Cop28 in Dubai – from action on the loss and damage fund to pledges to reduce methane gas emissions. But as the UN climate summit in Dubai enters in final days, much work is still to be done to help keep global temperature rises to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Heads of state and government, minis…

1
Cop28, Union Day, and the future of sustainability in the UAE 24:49

9M ago24:49

24:49

The UAE’s 52nd Union Day, which falls on the 2nd of December, is special this year. It coincides with Cop28, the international climate summit taking place at Expo City in Dubai. 2023 is also the UAE’s Year of Sustainability – demonstrating the country’s commitment to support action and innovation in the field. This year has witnessed many initiativ…

1
The Israel-Gaza conflict and the US’s position in the Middle East 24:41

9M ago24:41

24:41

For decades, the relationship between the United States and Arab countries has been complex and multifaceted, and defined by a combination of geopolitical interests, economic ties and regional conflicts. This often-fraught relationship has been affected by many factors, including the Arab-Israeli conflict, regional power dynamics and US military in…

1
Hamas, Israel, and where the war goes from here 32:25

9M ago32:25

32:25

We’re almost six weeks into the Israel-Gaza war and few believe it will end any time soon. Calls for ceasefires from the international community have fallen on deaf ears and hostage release negotiations are proving fruitless. But end at some point, it must. And when it does, what will peace look like – for Gaza, for Hamas, for Israel? This week on …

1
How is the Israel-Gaza war seen from a US viewpoint? 26:31

10M ago26:31

26:31

The US is feeling the pressure of the war in Gaza because of the way President Joe Biden is deemed to be handling the conflict. In the days after the October 7 Hamas attacks, Mr Biden visited Israel and expressed his staunch support for the country. But as civilian casualties rise in Gaza, the Biden administration has begun to call for temporary pa…

1
A month into the Israel-Gaza war, what happened so far? 19:32

10M ago19:32

19:32

A month ago, the military wing of Hamas attacked the Israeli border on October 7th, killing more than 1,400 Israelis and igniting a brutal war. Israel retaliated through a relentless bombing of Gaza and its people, saying Hamas militants were its only targets. However, the civilian death toll has passed 10,000. A mass attack by Israeli armoured div…

1
Gaza’s human battle and what is expected from Hamas 18:45

10M ago18:45

18:45

Life in Gaza has been nothing but harrowing for a month now. Fighting between Hamas and the Israeli military has intensified, with Israel saying the war has now entered its second phase, as its army surrounds Gaza. But civilians are still paying the highest cost of this war. More than 9,000 people have been killed in Gaza, including more than 3,600…

1
Is Hezbollah a third player in the Israel-Gaza war? 30:45

10M ago30:45

30:45

There is a whiff of war in Lebanon. Haunted by memories of previous conflicts, many Lebanese are worried about a major escalation, and preparing for the worst. Families have packed emergency bags in case they need to suddenly be evacuated. People have begun stockpiling medicine and water. In Tyre, the urban soundscape is occasionally interrupted by…

1
Egypt’s dilemma as war rages between Israel and Gaza 16:31

10M ago16:31

16:31

The world’s attention has turned to a corner of the Sinai region of Egypt. The location is the Rafah Crossing, where for days lorries laden with aid have queued to enter the Palestinian territory from Egypt. On the other side of the crossing, Palestinians and dual nationals trapped in Gaza wait under Israeli rocket fire in the hope of being able to…

1
What are the chances of the Israel-Gaza conflict becoming a Middle East war? 31:24

10M ago31:24

31:24

In September, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stood in front of world leaders at the UN General Assembly and displayed two maps: one showing Israel’s isolation at the time of its creation in 1948, and another showing the Arab countries that have normalised relations with it. He referred to a “new Middle East”. That came amid US-led talks…

1
Bombed, displaced, deprived - Gaza’s humanitarian catastrophe 9:38

10M ago9:38

9:38

The world is now witnessing a humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Thousands of residents have been killed or injured by 10 days of airstrikes. Hospitals and medical facilities are struggling to operate, and the enclave has no access to food, fuel, electricity or a clean water supply. Ambulances and lorries full of humanitarian supplies are currently queui…

1
What is Israel’s end goal with its war on Gaza? 11:41

11M ago11:41

11:41

Israel was taken by surprise a week ago when Hamas stormed across its border. The surprise attack has had huge ramifications in the Middle East and for the world. Leaders in western countries have backed Israel and said that the country has ‘’the right to defend itself’’ as it goes after Hamas with a bombing campaign in densely populated Gaza. This…

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UAE Current Affairs Podcasts

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