The World This Week

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Our panel of Paris-based journalists review the week's international news: the stories that made the headlines and also those you may have missed! Join us every Friday at 7:10pm Paris time.

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Iran: Rolling Ultimatums, Moscow "at the EU table"?

In a week of movable ultimatums set by President Trump, to “obliterate Iran’s power plants”, a deadline was set initially of Monday at Midnight, then extended by five days on account of “very productive conversations”, then to ten days with Trump claiming “talks are ongoing” and “going very well”. Tehran claimed suggestions of negotiations were Fake News, and US talk of de-escalation was a front designed to buy time for a ground invasion with an amphibious force of US marines heading from the far east to the Persian gulf. Washington presented a 15 point plan to end the conflict. Iran set out its own five conditions reportedly relayed via Pakistan. But assassinations of the regime have continued, so too Iran’s defacto chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, with both sides using the media to mock the other: It’s been a week of intensified Israeli air strikes and ground operations in the south of Lebanon, with the IDF blowing up bridges along the Litani river which bisects the south of the country and meets the Mediterranean Sea. For what end? Israel says it’s creating a ‘defensive buffer zone” against Iranian backed Hezbollah fighters attacking northern Israeli towns. Lebanon’s President says it’s a violation of sovereignty which cuts off civilians from dozens of towns and villages from the rest of the country. Nationwide 1 in 5 people are reported to have fled their homes, and the UN warns of the risk of a Gaza-style siege in the south: Its been a week where millions of travellers at US airports felt the effects of a partial government shutdown. Tens of thousands of transport security staff haven’t been paid for more than a month, and the effect is sporadic chaos, snaking lines at airport gates and the longest wait times on record.. There’s been political deadlock since February, with Democrats blocking full funding for Homeland Security because of disputes over immigration and customs reforms that the Republicans want. President Trump’s solution: send in ICE agents to airports…raising questions for the US border czar Tom Homan over how useful they would be: It’s been a week of elections in Europe. In Denmark, political drama fit for an episode of Borgen as the prime minister Mette Frederiksen resigned for the second time in her career after her decision to call a snap election failed to pay off at the polls. Aiming for a so-called Greenland bounce after holding firm against US pressure in January, the result was that her centre left party lost seats, and her coalition lost its majority, the Social Democrats west result since 1903: It’s been election week in Slovenia too, and a fragmented result from a contest framed as the liberals against the populists .. the party of the current, pro-EU prime minister, Robert Golob against former leader Janez Janša, who denied accusations that he hired a private investigator to dig for dirt on his rival, But Mr Golob ended up winning by the narrowest of margins. Coalition building begins. And here in France, all of the main parties seemed to claim partial victories after municipal elections, easy to do with 35,000 seats up for grabs! The French left took the three biggest cities, Lyon Marseilles and in Paris, where the new Mayor, socialist Emmanuel Grégoire, took a victory lap around the capital on a rental bike with supporters. While the far right failed in winning its targets in the south, but exponentially built on its voter base, and the party leader Jordan Bardella still tops the latest polls for the Presidential election next year. Produced by Gavin Lee, Rebecca Gnignati, Daniel Whittington, Alessandro Xenos.

48 min
20 MAR

Iran: The 'Mosaic Doctrine', Zelensky vs Orban, Hungary-splaining

In a week where assassinations have continued within the top ranks of Iran's regime – the minister of intelligence, the commander of the Bases paramilitary and the powerful security chief Ali Larijani included – a weakened government seems to have had little bearing on Tehran's retaliation across Israel and nine Gulf states. Just one week ago, US President Donald Trump spoke of a war that was "very complete, pretty much". That statement now appears to have been premature and over-confident. There's no more talk of a Venezuela-style regime change that works for Washington. And Israel's actual cooperation with Washington has come under scrutiny, after Israeli air strikes on the world's largest natural gas field, at South Pars, which provides power for an estimated 70 to 80 percent of Iranians. Trump's immediate response was that he knew nothing about it. Insiders questioned the remark; critics claimed it spoke of the US getting sucked further into an Israeli agenda. Israel's prime minister said that was nonsense. It's also been a week that the human and economic cost of war in the Gulf was felt more deeply around the world, plus a reignited conflict in Lebanon with 1 million people now displaced. The relentless creeping up of the cost of oil is now affecting more than 85 countries in Europe, Asia, America and Africa, made worse after the Iranian attack on Qatar's Ras Laffan gas field, one of the most important global energy hubs that supplies up to 20 percent of the world's liquefied natural gas. Combined with Iran's effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz – to which Trump called on world powers to act and join the US and send their warships to protect ships from drone attacks – the lack of any immediate response or readiness from NATO allies led to Trump once again questioning the point of the organisation. "A foolish mistake," he said, adding that the US doesn't need their help. Though his administration asked, not for the first time: where was the gratitude? Also this week, Denmark's public broadcaster DR published revelations that Danish troops rushed to Greenland back in January, carrying explosives preparing to blow up the airport's runways, such was the fear from European intelligence chiefs that Trump would order a military takeover of the island. Danish soldiers are also said to have carried blood banks to treat those wounded in the event of a battle. Denmark's government has declined to comment. Plus we look ahead to the Hungarian parliamentary elections, where Prime Minister Viktor Orban is facing what's considered his biggest challenge yet from rival Peter Magyar. Produced by Gavin Lee, Théophile Vareille, Juliette Laffont, Alessandro Xenos.

46 min
13 MAR

Iran: A 'nepo-ayatollah', the 'hubris trap' and the costs of a 'very complete war'

It’s been a week that's seen a new ayatollah proclaimed in Iran. Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the assassinated supreme leader Ali Khamenei, has not been seen in public and is believed to be in hiding after reportedly being injured in the same strike that killed his father. State television showed crowds chanting "Long Live Khamenei", while at night in Tehran some residents risked arrest to shout from their windows "Death to Mojtaba". A statement attributed to the new leader vowed continued attacks on US and Israeli interests, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and what it called "never-ending revenge". In Washington, US President Donald Trump offered mixed signals, describing the mission as both "very complete, pretty much" and yet not "won enough", while confirming that strikes will continue and saying more than 6,000 targets have already been hit. Reports also suggest frustration inside the White House over Israel's decision to strike oil installations in Tehran, as debate grows over the human cost of the campaign after a missile hit a girls' school in Minab, killing more than 160 people, most of them children. Meanwhile, Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz has triggered the largest disruption to global fuel supplies in the history of the oil market. Tankers attempting to pass through the corridor have been targeted by explosive naval drones, leaving around 20,000 crew members stranded aboard ships in what has become a war zone, as missile and drone attacks continue across Gulf states including Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Produced by Gavin Lee, Andrew Hilliar, Guillaume Gougeon, Laura Burloux and Danielle Brown

46 min
6 MAR

Iran war: A special edition

A major war erupted in the Middle East this week when the United States and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran, killing Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and at least forty senior Iranian officials – reportedly within the first five minutes of the bombing campaign on Saturday morning. Day seven. As more figures in the Iranian regime are hunted, hundreds of police and paramilitary bases continue to be bombed, along with Iran’s ballistic missile and drone launch sites, storage facilities and naval fleets. The legal justification put forward by President Donald Trump – that Iran posed an imminent threat to Tel Aviv and Washington – is widely disputed. Accounts from the Trump administration about the war’s aims have appeared contradictory. The president initially spoke of regime change, urging the Iranian people to rise up and seize what he called a once-in-a-generation moment. Yet his secretary of defence insisted it was anything but regime change. It has also been a week that has seen the conflict spread across the Gulf and beyond. Iran retaliated with missile and drone strikes across eleven countries where US bases or troops are stationed, or where governments are accused of aiding Washington. Governments around the world scrambled to evacuate tourists after hotels, as well as airports in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, were struck. Fuel depots, embassies and energy infrastructure were also targeted by Tehran in Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan. A drone attack also targeted a British military base in Cyprus. Meanwhile, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced it had closed the Strait of Hormuz – the corridor through which around one fifth of the world’s oil passes. The week has also seen Israel resume its bombing campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon, striking the capital Beirut and once again sending troops into the south. The move came in response to rockets and drones fired by the Shia Muslim militia group, which had threatened to avenge the killing of the Ayatollah. As the conflict appears to spread somewhere new almost every day, the United Kingdom, France and Germany have pledged what they describe as “defensive action to protect Gulf countries”. But there were few words of appreciation from President Trump, who expressed anger at Britain’s delay in allowing US troops and aircraft to use UK bases. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said lessons had been learned from the “mistakes of Iraq”, stipulating that the United States could use sites in England – and on the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia – only for defensive actions targeting missile sites, not the regime. The result: a major rift in what was once known as the “special relationship”. Produced by Gavin Lee, Théo Vareille, Daniel Whittington and Melissa Kalaydjian.

47 min
27 FEB

Ukraine, The Clintons, 'El Mencho' and Iran

It's been a week that began in silence in Kyiv's Independence Square, where European leaders laid flowers for Ukraine's war dead – even as the fighting grinds on in the east, across vast drone-dominated front lines in territory Russia now claims as its own. In Washington, US President Donald Trump delivered the longest State of the Union address on record, hailing what he called a "roaring economy" and the most secure border in American history, in a speech heavy on superlatives and light on new policy. Meanwhile, the long shadow of Jeffrey Epstein returned to haunt politics on both sides of the Atlantic. Hillary Clinton faced questions in a private hearing, as fresh scrutiny fell on her husband Bill Clinton. In Britain, following the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor last week, it was the turn of former ambassador Peter Mandelson to be arrested in connection with the scandal. Both men deny wrongdoing. Produced by Gavin Lee, Antonia Cimini, Guillaume Gougeon and Laura Burloux

47 min
20 FEB

Epstein, Andrew's arrest and a royal crisis

It’s been a week that saw Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrested on his 66th birthday, facing charges of misconduct for sharing confidential material with Jeffrey Epstein – deepening the crisis for the monarchy. The US also mourned the loss of civil rights icon Jesse Jackson, who passed away at 84, remembered for his pivotal role in the movement and his influence on future leaders. In China, the Spring Festival Gala featured groundbreaking humanoid robots, while world leaders gathered in New Delhi for a major AI summit, grappling with governance and global competition. Plus Meta's Mark Zuckerberg testified in a landmark trial over social media’s role in keeping children addicted. Produced by Rhea Smircic, Alessandro Xenos, Guillaume Gougeon and Florence Viala

49 min
13 FEB

Munich Security Conference, Epstein files, Confessions of an Olympic love cheat

This Friday in The World This Week, we talk about the unravelling of the Epstein files, the end of the Old World Order and the Olympic helmet dilemma. Epstein files unravelling This week, the names of those listed in the Epstein files have continued to feel the consequences, at least on this side of the Channel. Resignations and investigations are underway now in France and Norway. The British prime minister has narrowly survived, for now. And while Keir Starmer was fighting for his political life, the US Attorney General Pam Bondi was in combative mode as she was pressed for five hours by the House Judiciary Committee on the alleged mishandling of the Epstein files release, for redacting the wrong names, and asked why the Department of Justice hadn't pursued more indictments. Out with the Old World Order It's been a week of existential talk over Europe's place in the world. President Emmanuel Macron spoke of the dangerous squeeze between the US and China, and the risk of being swept aside unless the EU unties its regulations, reforms its rules and builds economic sovereignty. To protect without protectionism, he suggested, raising the eyebrows of some fellow leaders who've long cherished an open market. Europe's detachment issues are a key theme at this week's global gathering at the Munich Security Conference, the so-called "Davos for the defence industry". The Olympic helmet dilemma The Ukraine war will be another focal point, as it was too at the Winter Olympics as the athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych was disqualified for breaching non-political rules for wearing a helmet honouring 24 Ukrainian athletes, victims of the war. It was not a comfortable decision for the Olympic Committee chief. Canada in shock It's been a week of shock and mourning in Canada after a mass school shooting in in British Colombia. At least 10 people died, including children as young as 12. Police say the suspect, 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, a biological male identifying as female, had previous mental health concerns, with police having been called out two years ago to seize firearms, though officers say they had "no idea of the motive for the killings". West Bank settlement expansion And it's been a week that's seen the occupied West Bank return to the headlines. The Israeli security cabinet approved a set of measures that make it easier for Jewish settlers to acquire land, shifting the power from the Palestinian Authority to Israeli authorities when it comes to laws around planning, construction, property law and enforcement. Critics, including many Arab states, argue that it is de facto annexation on the quiet, while world attention is on extraordinary events elsewhere. While President Donald Trump has previously stated his opposition to any Israeli annexation, little was said as he met Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Wednesday, where the focus was on how to deal with Iran – by diplomacy or by military force. Produced by Gavin Lee, Andrew Hilliar, Juliette Laffont, Alessandro Xenos.

42 min
6 FEB

Epstein files special: Revelations, redactions & ramifications

In a week where global headlines have been dominated daily by the fallout from what the Trump administration calls the "final release" of Epstein files, we bring you a special edition of The World This Week focusing on the consequences for those associated with the late sex offender. An unprecedented 3 million pages of files, containing hundreds of thousands of videos and images, were finally disclosed a month after the government deadline – the late publication ostensibly due to redactions required for victim protection. Survivors' groups who have been fighting for transparency and justice for years say the redactions are in all the wrong places. One of those survivors is Annie Farmer, who was sexually abused by Epstein and gave key testimony in the conviction of Ghislaine Maxwell. It has been a week of remarkably similar statements issued by a list of the rich, the famous and the powerful, many of whom appear to have been less than transparent about the extent of their dealings with the child sex offender. Tech billionaire Bill Gates, the Crown Princess of Norway, Mette-Marit, and author and viral anti-ageing influencer Peter Attia spoke of regret, remorse and naivety in their associations. There are also questions of judgement – though no accusations of illegality – surrounding Richard Branson, Elon Musk, Noam Chomsky, Howard Lutnick and Donald Trump, who is attempting to draw the issue to a close. The unearthing of the files has had serious ramifications in the UK this week, with headlines referring to the "Princes of Darkness". The phrase points to long-time Labour peer Peter Mandelson, the former British ambassador to the US, and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the ex-prince who is facing fresh allegations of sexual offences now being assessed by police. He denies any wrongdoing but is increasingly isolated, having been seen moving out of Royal Lodge shortly before midnight on Monday. Mandelson has been stripped of his knighthood, forced to leave the Labour Party, and now faces a criminal investigation into the alleged sending of confidential government information to Epstein. It is claimed he exchanged information for money and influence, which he denies. The fallout is also reaching the man who appointed him ambassador, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is now at risk of losing his job over the affair. Elsewhere, the threat of US intervention in Iran appears to have diminished slightly, with direct talks taking place between US and Iranian officials in Oman. Meanwhile, it has been another week of peace talks on Ukraine. In ever-shifting locations, this week's hosts were the United Arab Emirates, with talks brokered by the US and attended by Russian and Ukrainian delegations. Little progress was reported, with Russia's unrelenting demands for additional territory remaining the main sticking point, though another prisoner exchange was agreed and completed. As the fourth anniversary of the war approaches, President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged the human cost, telling French television that 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers have died. The French president told reporters that preparations were under way to restore direct communication between Europe and the Kremlin. Produced by Gavin Lee, Andrew Hilliar, Daniel Whittington, Alessandro Xenos.

48 min

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Our panel of Paris-based journalists review the week's international news: the stories that made the headlines and also those you may have missed! Join us every Friday at 7:10pm Paris time.