FRANCE 24’s coverage and analyses of political and social issues across the Middle East, including Egypt, the Gulf states, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Yemen and beyond.https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/Thu, 15 May 2025 03:08:59 GMTMiddle Easthttps://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20250514-syria-s-sharaa-hails-trump-s-sanctions-relief-as-historic-after-first-us-meeting Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Wednesday praised Donald Trump's decision to lift US sanctions on Damascus, calling it a 'historic and courageous' step during a landmark meeting between the two leaders in Riyadh. 01a564c6-311f-11f0-a161-005056bf762bWed, 14 May 2025 23:56:08 GMT© Omar Haj Kadour, AFPFRANCE 24 (with wires)A proposhttps://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/a-propos/20250514-hrw-report-migrant-workers-in-saudi-arabia-electrocuted-decapitated-and-falling-to-death We speak to Ahmed Benchemsi, advocacy director for the Middle East and North Africa at Human Rights Watch, which has published a report on grave abuses committed on construction sites in Saudi Arabia. HRW said "scores of migrant workers in Saudi Arabia die in gruesome yet avoidable workplace-related accidents, including falling from buildings, electrocution, and even decapitation" and warned the risks could increase as the building of stadiums for the 2034 World Cup gathers pace. 1e909840-310a-11f0-bcbd-005056a97652Wed, 14 May 2025 21:26:37 GMTSharon GAFFNEYMiddle Easthttps://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20250514-putin-absent-from-russia-s-delegation-for-ukraine-peace-talks-in-turkey President Vladimir Putin is not part of the Russian delegation due to attend Thursday’s peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul, despite Kyiv’s demands and pressure from Western allies. according to a list published late Wednesday by Moscow. US President Donald Trump has also confirmed he will not go, according to a US official. ab83a578-3103-11f0-8de9-005056bf762bWed, 14 May 2025 20:53:19 GMT© Alexander NemenovFRANCE 24https://www.france24.com/en/video/20250514-trump-praises-al-sharaa-presses-syria-leader-on-israel-ties-after-lifting-sanctions US President Donald Trump asked Syria's new leader on Wednesday to normalise relations with Israel after he offered a major boost to the war-ravaged country by announcing the lifting of sanctions. While aboard Air Force One en route to Qatar, Trump poured praise on Sharaa, saying the meeting went "great". He is a "young, attractive guy. Tough guy. Strong past. Very strong past. Fighter," he told reporters. 2a97fbb2-30f4-11f0-836f-005056bf762bWed, 14 May 2025 18:49:28 GMTFRANCE24Middle Easthttps://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250514-trump-announces-big-boeing-order-for-qatar-airways In a landmark announcement during President Donald Trump’s visit to Doha, Qatar Airways confirmed a massive order of up to 210 Boeing aircraft valued at $96 billion. The deal, hailed as the largest wide-body jet order in Boeing's history, underscores deepening commercial and defence ties between the US and Qatar. 35b5cd7c-30e4-11f0-a662-005056bf762bWed, 14 May 2025 16:55:15 GMT© Brendan Smialowski, AFPFRANCE 24https://www.france24.com/en/video/20250514-trump-gulf-tour-unveils-remarkable-shift-in-american-policy-vis-a-vis-israel President Donald Trump's trip to Qatar is off to a flying start. Like Saudi Arabia a day earlier, Qatar didn't bother waiting for Trump to land before setting out to impress him with a ceremonial F-15 fighter jet escort. For in-depth analysis and a deeper perspective on Trumps whirlwind "business-oriented diplomacy" Gulf tour, and the widening rift with Netanyahu, FRANCE 24's Delano D'Souza welcomes Dr. Asher Kaufman, Director of Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies and Professor of History and Peace Studies at the University of Notre Dame. 197ac88a-30d8-11f0-8d65-005056bf762bWed, 14 May 2025 15:28:33 GMTFRANCE24Middle Easthttps://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20250514-netanyahu-slams-macron-over-criticism-of-gaza-aid-blockade Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday said French President Emmanuel Macron was siding with a "murderous Islamist terrorist organisation” after Macron accused Netanyahu's government of "unacceptable" and "shameful" behaviour over its aid blockade on Gaza, in force since March 2. 45c2c500-30c4-11f0-ac95-005056bf762bWed, 14 May 2025 13:24:47 GMT© Abir Sultan, AFPFRANCE 24https://www.france24.com/en/video/20250514-values-take-backseat-saudi-leaders-express-delight-in-trump-s-transactionalism Kicking off a whirlwind Gulf tour of trillion-dollar deals, beginning in Saudi Arabia, President Donald Trump has lavished effusive praise on Saudi's de facto ruler, calling him "an incredible man" and a "great guy," and made no mention of human rights concerns in the country. For in-depth analysis and a deeper perspective of a veritable paradigm ship in American foreign policy and economic policy, FRANCE 24's Charli James welcomes Dr Neil Quilliam, Author, Foreign Affairs Specialist and Associate Fellow in the Middle East and North Africa Programme at Chatham House. 3022b63e-30b9-11f0-9af5-005056a97652Wed, 14 May 2025 11:47:17 GMTFRANCE24Press Reviewhttps://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/press-review/20250514-children-are-also-killed-by-hunger-papers-react-to-risk-of-famine-in-gaza PRESS REVIEW – Wednesday, May 14: French papers are slightly unsure of what to make of President Emmanuel Macron's three-hour interview on national television. Also, a recent report on the risk of famine in Gaza continues to make front pages, as Israel's aid blockade continues. Next, Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia is scrutinised by American journalists and cartoonists alike. Finally, a maverick mallard has been caught by a speeding camera in Switzerland. b65b3dc0-3096-11f0-8f7f-005056bf762bWed, 14 May 2025 10:48:59 GMTEmily BOYLEhttps://www.france24.com/en/video/20250514-israeli-government-us-and-israel-share-the-same-world-vision-we-share-the-same-threats-as-well Amid mounting international pressure for a ceasefire, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu firmly ruled out halting the war in Gaza, vowing an intensified military campaign. The Israeli army, which had urged civilians to evacuate Jabaliya citing Hamas infrastructure, declined to comment on recent strikes. Netanyahu claimed Israeli forces were days away from a major escalation aimed at “completing the mission” by decisively dismantling Hamas. To provide perspective from the position of the Israeli government, FRANCE 24's Carys Garland welcomes David Mencer - Israeli Government Spokesman for the National Public Diplomacy Directorate in the Office of the Prime Minister. c7d7a048-30a5-11f0-b080-005056a97652Wed, 14 May 2025 09:28:21 GMTFRANCE24Middle Easthttps://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250514-strikes-kill-29-in-gaza-as-hostage-release-talks-ongoing Israeli air strikes killed at least 80 people in Gaza on Wednesday as hostage negotiations continued in Doha during President Donald Trump’s visit. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to US envoy Steve Witkoff about the release of hostages amid mounting global concern over Gaza’s deepening humanitarian crisis. fcdbb24c-30a1-11f0-828d-005056bf762bWed, 14 May 2025 09:01:13 GMT© Bashar Taleb, AFPFRANCE 24Middle Easthttps://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20250514-israeli-air-strikes-gaza-kill-scores-including-22-children-hospitals-say At least 48 people were killed in a wave of Israeli air strikes on northern Gaza overnight Tuesday, according to local hospitals, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there was "no way" Israel would halt its ongoing war with Hamas. 220f1c48-308e-11f0-a9f4-005056bf762bWed, 14 May 2025 08:35:42 GMT© Halem Khaled, ReutersFRANCE 24Middle Easthttps://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250514-trump-set-to-meet-syrian-leader-ahead-of-qatar-visit US President Donald Trump met with Syria’s interim leader, former insurgent Ahmed al-Sharaa, in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, marking the first such encounter between the two nations’ leaders in 25 years. Trump met al-Sharaa on the sidelines of a summit between the US and Gulf Arab countries, before he heads to Qatar. 61ef04b4-306a-11f0-a981-005056a97652Wed, 14 May 2025 02:23:11 GMT© Bandar al-Jaloud, Saudi Royal Palace via AFPFRANCE 24Middle Easthttps://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20250514-saudis-us-weapons-ai-trump Saudi Arabia pledged billions in US deals on defense and AI during President Trump’s state visit Tuesday, marking his first trip of his second term. Trump praised Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and backed a key Saudi request by lifting sanctions on Syria. cc585a4a-3055-11f0-943f-005056a97652Wed, 14 May 2025 00:19:45 GMT© Brendan SMIALOWSKI, AFPFRANCE 24The Debatehttps://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/the-debate/20250513-trump-in-saudi-arabia-dealmaking-without-the-israelis He’s back in the Gulf to do deals. But a familiar ally seems cut out of all the dealmaking. Donald Trump is on familiar ground in Saudi Arabia, where he made his first trip as president back in 2017. The US president may have said no to ceremonial Arabic coffee, but he seems ready to approve a landmark civilian nuclear agreement – one that no longer seems linked to Riyadh normalising ties with Israel. c7e917a4-3025-11f0-8356-005056bf762bTue, 13 May 2025 18:12:06 GMTFrançois PICARDMiddle Easthttps://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20250513-us-to-lift-syria-sanctions-to-give-country-a-chance-at-peace-says-trump President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he plans to normalise relations and lift sanctions on Syria's new government, marking a major shift in US foreign policy. The decision comes amid growing pressure from Gulf allies and despite al-Sharaa’s controversial militant past, including ties to al Qaeda during the Iraq war. af866248-301b-11f0-8c30-005056bf762bTue, 13 May 2025 17:25:47 GMT© Brian Snyder, ReutersFRANCE 24https://www.france24.com/en/video/20250513-gulf-widens-between-trump-and-netanyahu-on-all-major-issues-hostages-syria-yemen-iran-turkey Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says there is “no way” Israel will halt its war in Gaza, even if a deal is reached to release more hostages. His comments are likely to complicate talks on a new ceasefire that had seemed to gain momentum after Hamas released the last living American hostage on Monday in a gesture to US President Donald Trump, who is visiting the region but skipping Israel. They pointed to a potentially widening rift between Netanyahu and Trump, who had expressed hope that Monday’s release of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander would be a step toward ending the 19-month war. For in-depth analysis and a deeper perspective, FRANCE 24's François Picard is joined by our International Affairs Editor Kethevane Gorjestani and they welcome Moustafa Barghouti, Physician and General Secretary of the Palestinian National Initiative (PNI). 30bbfb96-301e-11f0-a540-005056bf762bTue, 13 May 2025 17:17:46 GMTFRANCE24https://www.france24.com/en/video/20250513-trump-and-mbs-sign-strategic-economic-partnership-in-saudi-arabia US President Donald Trump on Tuesday trumpeted major business deals with Saudi Arabia as he basked in a lavish royal welcome on the first state visit of his second term. Analysis by FRANCE 24 International Affairs Editor, Kethevane Gorjestani. c6839d6a-3004-11f0-b4cc-005056a97652Tue, 13 May 2025 14:15:50 GMTFRANCE24https://www.france24.com/en/video/20250513-trump-boasts-saudi-business-deals-as-he-basks-in-royal-welcome US President Donald Trump on Tuesday trumpeted major business deals with Saudi Arabia as he basked in a lavish royal welcome on the first state visit of his second term. The Saudi hosts escorted Air Force One into the kingdom with fighter jets before bringing out long-stretching guards of honour and sending flag-waving horseback cavalry to accompany Trump's motorcade to the palace. Greeted by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and flanked by business leaders including Elon Musk, Trump’s visit underscores a shift toward transactional diplomacy. For deeper analysis, FRANCE 24’s Delano D’Souza speaks with Simon Mabon, Professor of International Politics and Middle East Studies and Director of SEPAD at Lancaster University. 275d599e-3002-11f0-a1ab-005056a97652Tue, 13 May 2025 13:57:04 GMTFRANCE24https://www.france24.com/en/video/20250513-donald-trump-s-business-focused-trip-in-the-middle-east As the US President embarks on a three-day visit to the Gulf questions are being raised over whether he's going as a President or a businessman hoping to sign deals. These contracts don't only concern the United States but also businesses linked to the Trump clan, many pointing out clear conflicts of interest. Story by Ludovic de Foucaud and Camille Knight. 456b9656-2ff5-11f0-b793-005056bf762bTue, 13 May 2025 12:24:51 GMTFRANCE24https://www.france24.com/en/video/20250513-trump-starts-gulf-visit-in-saudi-arabia-focus-on-mega-economic-deals US President Donald Trump began a tour of wealthy Gulf states on Tuesday by visiting Saudi Arabia, with his focus on securing trillions of dollars in investments rather than security issues ranging from war in Gaza to Iran's nuclear program. Emerging from Air Force One, Trump punched the air in a show of solidarity when Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman greeted him at the airport after his arrival in Riyadh with a who's who of business leaders in tow including billionaire Elon Musk. For in-depth analysis and a deeper perspective on Trump's whirlwind "Gulf of Arabia" tour, FRANCE 24's Genie Godula welcomes Aaron David Miller, American author and diplomat, Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and former State Department Middle East Analyst and Negotiator in both Republican and Democratic Administrations. 49f7a460-2fed-11f0-83d6-005056a97652Tue, 13 May 2025 11:27:43 GMTFRANCE24https://www.france24.com/en/video/20250513-historic-peace-initiative-pkk-to-disband-seeks-democratic-cultural-educational-kurdish-rights In a landmark move, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) has announced it is renouncing armed struggle as part of a new peace initiative with Turkey, ending over 40 years of conflict. This historic decision could reshape dynamics across Turkey, Syria, and Iraq, closing a chapter of one of the region’s longest-running insurgencies. For deeper insight into a potential paradigm shift for the region, FRANCE 24’s Eve Irvine welcomes Pinar Dinc, Associate Professor of Political Science at Lund University. 863c537e-2fdb-11f0-978e-005056a97652Tue, 13 May 2025 09:20:33 GMTFRANCE24https://www.france24.com/en/video/20250513-trump-starts-gulf-visit-seeking-big-economic-deals U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday on a four-day visit to the wealthy Gulf region, focusing more on economic deals than pressing regional security matters ranging from war in Gaza to talks over Iran's nuclear program. Details by FRANCE 24 correspondent in Washington, Fraser Jackson. f9b6571c-2fd8-11f0-adea-005056a97652Tue, 13 May 2025 09:02:18 GMTFRANCE24https://www.france24.com/en/video/20250513-trump-in-saudi-arabia-on-gulf-tour-eyeing-major-deals Donald Trump enjoyed a lavish welcome in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday as he opened the first state visit of his second term, with the US president eyeing major business deals even as progress on the Middle East's hotspots will likely be harder to reach. Story by Charlotte Lam. 2dc30fee-2fd6-11f0-882b-005056bf762bTue, 13 May 2025 08:42:17 GMTFRANCE24https://www.france24.com/en/video/20250513-hamas-releases-israeli-american-hostage-in-goodwill-gesture-toward-trump-administration Hamas on Monday released an Israeli-American soldier who had been held hostage in Gaza for more than 19 months, offering a goodwill gesture toward the Trump administration that could lay the groundwork for a new ceasefire with Israel. Story by Charlotte Hughes and Laurent Berstecher. c9881be2-2fd4-11f0-a478-005056bf762bTue, 13 May 2025 08:32:20 GMTFRANCE24Middle Easthttps://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20250512-trump-middle-east US President Donald Trump was welcomed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as he arrived in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, kicking off a Gulf tour aimed at securing business deals while Middle East peace accords remain elusive. The trip marks his first major overseas visit of his second term. The White House called it a "historic return". d4ff5362-2f72-11f0-b290-005056bf762bMon, 12 May 2025 21:12:29 GMT© AP, Alex BrandonFRANCE 24A proposhttps://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/a-propos/20250512-us-administration-appears-to-be-sidelining-israel-analyst-says-as-trump-heads-to-middle-east US President Donald Trump is en route to Saudi Arabia for what the White House is describing as a "historic" tour of the Middle East. FRANCE 24's Sharon Gaffney speaks to Giorgio Cafiero, CEO of Gulf State Analytics. He says that the US seems to be undergoing a "shift in foreign policy whereby the US is not walking away from Israel" but is "a little more oriented towards US relationships with the Gulf Arab monarchies and less oriented around Israel". 8e6b0ca6-2f73-11f0-b0d4-005056a97652Mon, 12 May 2025 20:56:19 GMTSharon GAFFNEYMiddle Easthttps://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20250512-al-jazeera-allowed-to-resume-reporting-in-palestinian-territories Al Jazeera's Ramallah bureau chief said on Monday that the Qatari news channel could resume working in the Palestinian territories after president Mahmoud Abbas lifted a ban imposed on network's operations in the territory.  29f2f926-2f66-11f0-82e1-005056bf762bMon, 12 May 2025 19:36:58 GMT© Nasser Nasser, APFRANCE 24en