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4D AGO

How much longer could the Iran conflict last?

As the war on Iran enters its fourth day, Tehran’s retaliatory attacks on US assets in Arab countries ramp up, testing the limits of their patience. Recent remarks from US officials suggest a limited timeframe for the war that could last a few weeks. The question is how much appetite and military might do the warring parties have? At the same time, US President Donald Trump warned that people will soon find out how America will retaliate for an attack on the US embassy in Riyadh on Monday night, and the deaths of US military personnel. GCC countries continue to issue stern condemnations and warnings for Iranian attacks on their territories. This all comes as Tehran came under another wave of heavy US-Israeli air strikes overnight. In this special episode of Beyond the Headlines, host Nada AlTaher rounds up the most recent developments in the conflict. She covers the latest statements from US officials about extent of the war, Hezbollah’s involvement and the impact on humanitarian aid in Gaza.

4d ago

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6 min
4D AGO

Where does an isolated Iran go from here?

It has been a matter of days since the US and Israel launched air strikes against Iran, and already the impact has rippled across the Middle East. Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and dozens of top officials have been killed. So, too, have hundreds of Iranians. Tehran’s retaliation against Israel has caused casualties and serious damage to property. And missile and drone attacks on Iran’s Gulf neighbours have extended beyond US bases, also hitting airports and civilian structures, leading to injuries and deaths. US President Donald Trump has vowed to continue with Operation Epic Fury until all Washington’s objectives are met. Meanwhile, the region remains on edge as it braces for more exchange of fire. In this episode of Beyond the Headlines, host Nada AlTaher looks at the increasingly shrinking options Iran now has, after testing its Gulf allies beyond their limits, and asks what comes next for Tehran’s regime. She speaks to Hamidreza Azizi, an Iran expert at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs in Berlin, and Hasan Al Hasan, senior fellow for Middle East policy at the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

4d ago

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22 min
21H AGO

What happens if Iranian Kurdish groups enter the conflict?

Conflicting reports have circulated in recent days about Iranian Kurdish groups possibly being armed by the US to launch a ground offensive in Iran. Many of these factions have long been exiled to the Kurdistan region of Iraq near Iran's north-western border and have felt oppressed by the regime. The US-Israeli war has already killed many of Tehran’s top political and military leaders, presenting the opposition Kurdish groups with a window of opportunity, if they do decide to take action. But the question is, would Washington back them and with what guarantees? Defence secretary Pete Hegseth said Washington’s objectives are not centred on arming any particular group. But President Donald Trump said a Kurdish ground offensive would be “wonderful” without confirming whether or not the US would support it. In this episode of Beyond the Headlines, guest host Ban Barkawi looks at the possibility and risks of Iranian Kurds entering the conflict. We hear from The National’s correspondent Lizzie Porter and HA Hellyer, Senior Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies.

21h ago

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18 min
3D AGO

What’s the goal of America's war on Iran?

Almost 2,000 targets in Iran have been hit by the US in the first four days of the war. US Central Command says it has severely degraded the country's air defences and destroyed hundreds of ballistic missiles, launchers and drones. People in Iran, where the death toll is nearing 800, and across the Middle East are anxiously waiting for a resolution to the conflict. But US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that the war must now take its course, without clarifying what the end goal is. Is America’s war about the nuclear issue, the proxy project or even regime change? Some US politicians have expressed confusion over what the Trump administration’s justification is for launching this conflict alongside Israel. In this update report for Beyond the Headlines, host Nada AlTaher looks at the US objectives in Iran and discusses the latest developments across the region.

3d ago

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7 min
2D AGO

How far will the conflict expand across the Middle East?

Israel has begun a wave of strikes on Lebanon after warning residents in the south of the country to flee north of the Litani River on Wednesday. The forced displacement order impacts about 250,000 people in 150 villages. That’s almost 5 per cent of the country’s population. It marks a dangerous escalation as the US-Israeli war on Iran opens new fronts in the region. It comes after Hezbollah fired rockets towards Tel Aviv and Haifa, prompting a heavy-handed response against areas of Beirut and towns in the south. More than 70 people have been killed so far and hundreds have been injured. In today’s update report on Beyond the Headlines, host Nada AlTaher looks at the war’s expansion in Lebanon, as well as the risks of other parties being dragged into the conflict.

2d ago

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6 min
FEB 19

Mohamed El-Erian calls for Fed 'reboot' and reflects on AI, his career and regrets

In this episode of The Inside Brief with Manus Cranny, Allianz chief economic adviser Mohamed El-Erian shares his insights on monetary policy, market volatility and the challenges facing central banks in a rapidly changing global economy. Mr El-Erian discusses expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts, arguing that markets continue to respond primarily to economic data rather than political narratives. He dismisses the idea that a change in Fed leadership would automatically result in an aggressive wave of cuts, emphasising that policymakers will deliver only what the data justifies. Reflecting on the Fed’s policy framework, Mr El-Erian calls for a “major reboot” after what he describes as the central bank’s inflation misjudgment in 2021. He warns that excessive reliance on backward looking indicators risks undermining policy effectiveness and credibility. The conversation also explores artificial intelligence as a structural economic shift rather than a passing trend, including how the UAE and the broader Gulf region are positioning themselves at the intersection of technology, capital and global competitiveness. On AI, Mr El-Erian describes himself as “one of the biggest bulls” on its productivity potential, while cautioning that the ultimate economic impact will depend on how companies use the technology. He contrasts an automation-driven mindset focused on labour displacement with a labour-augmenting approach aimed at enhancing worker productivity, arguing that AI’s true power lies in augmentation rather than replacement. Mr El-Erian reflects on his time as president of Queens’ College, Cambridge, describing it as the most satisfying role of his career. He highlights the privilege of witnessing students from challenging backgrounds fully embrace the opportunity of a Cambridge education and undergo visible personal transformation. On a personal level, Mr El-Erian discusses the influence of his father, recalling two formative lessons that shaped his worldview: the enduring value of education and the importance of engaging with a broad spectrum of perspectives. He explains how being encouraged from an early age to read widely across different viewpoints helped develop his ability to interpret complex economic and market dynamics. Asked about regrets, Mr El-Erian says he rues never having had the opportunity to serve as a true policymaker, noting that while he advised decision makers throughout his career, he never directly owned policy decisions.

Feb 19

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41 min
FEB 27

What will happen to the thousands formerly held in Syria’s Al Hol camp?

The notorious Al Hol camp in north-east Syria finally closed its doors this week. Thousands of alleged ISIS members and their families had been held there for years in inhumane conditions and without charge or trial. Human rights groups had long advocated for the camp to be closed but the events that unfolded before it was emptied were described as chaotic. The disorganised handover of the camp from the Syrian Democratic Forces to government authorities created a power vacuum that allowed for thousands of residents to escape. Those remaining were moved to a new camp in Aleppo with better conditions. Some of them are children who have never known a life outside Al Hol. The hope is they will eventually be reintegrated into society. But there is a fear that those with hardline ideologies could be recruited by ISIS, which just declared war against President Ahmad Al Shara and his government. In this episode of Beyond the Headlines, host Nada AlTaher asks, 'what happens next after the closure of Al Hol and can an ISIS resurgence in Syria be contained?' We hear from The National’s correspondent Nada Maucourant Atallah and Alexander McKeever, an independent researcher based in Damascus.

Feb 27

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17 min
FEB 19

What does the US want from a deal with Iran?

The US and Iran are facing off in a battle for concessions once more, as they resume nuclear talks against the backdrop of military threats. Officials said good progress was made at the latest round of negotiations in Geneva on Tuesday but added that a lot of work lies ahead. Only a day later, the White House warned Tehran it would be “wise” to make a deal. The US has boosted its military deployment in the Middle East, signalling its readiness to attack at a moment's notice. Iran’s nuclear programme was set back by US strikes on its atomic infrastructure last year. Tehran is determined to preserve its enrichment capability, while Washington wants to see it dismantled. But there are signs that talks and heightened tension are no longer about the nuclear programme alone, and that President Donald Trump may be pursuing more seismic changes, including regime change in Iran. In this episode of Beyond the Headlines, host Nada AlTaher speaks to Alex Vatanka, director of the Iran programme at the Middle East Institute, and asks him how the latest US-Iran showdown could play out.

Feb 19

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18 min
FEB 25

The Ramadan economy: How UAE consumers are spending in 2026

Ramadan is a time of self-reflection, generosity, community and family, but it is also a period of intense consumer spending. Even as people fast from morning until dusk, spending rises across food and retail. In 2026, how people spend is shifting, with more people staying home, ordering in, and buying not only products but experiences too. Yet a recent survey suggests UAE consumers still expect to spend more this Ramadan. Redseer Strategy Consultants estimates the UAE Ramadan economy will grow from about $15 billion in 2025 to $16.4 billion this year. In this episode of Business Extra, host Salim Essaid is joined by Sandeep Ganediwalla, managing partner at Redseer, to unpack what is changing in consumer behaviour a week into the holy month. They discuss why excitement to spend is higher this year, how the winter weather is shifting people towards more outings and experiences, what Gen Y is doing differently with planned purchases, and why pre-Ramadan stock-ups are declining as delivery and loyalty programmes reshape habits.

Feb 25

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24 min
05/09/2025

What’s at risk under Israel’s planned Gaza offensive?

Israel’s security cabinet has approved an expanded military offensive in Gaza that would push the entire population into a small pocket in the south of the strip. Shortly after the decision, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a bold message: the troops will be there to stay. Sources have told The National the plan will pave the way for Israel to seize the Gaza Strip and take control of aid in zones run by private security firms. The goal, Israel says, is to pressure the majority of Gazans to be pushed out of the enclave entirely. Governments around the world, including some western allies of Israel, have opposed the plan, saying it would breach humanitarian law. UN agencies and aid groups have also strongly rejected the scheme, saying they will refuse to comply. Meanwhile, Palestinians in Gaza fear they will be forced to flee their homes again, or worse. In this episode of Beyond the Headlines, host Nada AlTaher explores what makes this offensive especially alarming, even in the context of a brutal 19-month war. She looks at the impact it could have on humanitarian aid systems and why it may breach international law. She speaks to Ahmed Bayram, communications adviser for NRC Middle East, and international lawyer Saul Takahashi.

05/09/2025

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22 min

Listen to interviews and insights from the Middle East and around the world. The National news podcasts cover the latest news, business and personal finance, and include Webby honouree Beyond the Headlines.