Spotlight

FRANCE 24 English

FRANCE 24's prime time interview of the day goes beyond the headlines: join us as news-making guests from around the globe go in depth on the stories that matter. Every day at 6:15pm Paris time.

  1. 1 ngày trước

    Iran's unseen leader remains in the shadows

    The images emerging from Tehran are striking. Tens of thousands of mourners dressed in black have gathered at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla for the funeral and lying in state of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, following his assassination on February 28, the first day of joint US-Israeli strikes on the Iranian capital. The images emerging from Tehran are striking. Tens of thousands of mourners dressed in black have gathered at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla for the funeral and lying in state of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, following his assassination on February 28, the first day of joint US-Israeli strikes on Tehran. State television has broadcast scenes of mass mourning throughout the week: worshippers filing past the late Supreme Leader's coffin, emotional prayers, and crowds chanting calls for revenge. In a rare move, a limited number of Western media outlets have been permitted to film the ceremonies, offering the outside world a glimpse of a carefully choreographed display of national mourning. The week-long commemorations have prompted intense debate among analysts. For some, the unprecedented public turnout reflects genuine grief and uncertainty over Iran's future. For others, the ceremonies represent a calculated projection of strength by a regime determined to demonstrate continuity and resilience despite an extraordinary crisis. Questions also remain over the country's political succession. Mojtaba Khamenei, widely viewed by some observers as a potential successor to his father, has yet to appear publicly. However, three of his brothers attended the funeral ceremonies, alongside relatives mourning members of the Khamenei family reportedly killed in the February 28 attack, including the Ayatollah's wife, eldest daughter, son, daughter-in-law, and three-year-old granddaughter. To examine what these scenes reveal about the state of the Islamic Republic, and what they could mean for Iran's political future, Negar Mortazavi, an Iranian-American journalist, Senior Fellow at the Center for International Policy, and host of the Iran Podcast joins this edition of Spotlight.

    17 phút
  2. 2 ngày trước

    America's 'difficult moment in the mirror'

    This weekend, the United States marks 250 years since the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, one of the most influential political texts in modern history. Its assertion that governments derive their power from the consent of the governed, and that all people are endowed with the rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, has inspired democratic movements around the world. As every year, the Fourth of July is celebrated with parades, fireworks, family barbecues and community gatherings across the United States. Hot dogs, corn on the cob and watermelon remain staples of the holiday, while military flyovers and patriotic ceremonies form part of the official commemorations. In Washington, festivities are taking place despite an intense heatwave affecting much of the eastern United States. This anniversary carries particular significance, coming at a time of deep political divisions and heightened debate over the country's identity and future. Fireworks lit up the skies over Mount Rushmore, illuminating the faces of Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt, as celebrations got underway. President Donald Trump officially launched the anniversary events, using his address to warn of what he described as ideological threats facing the United States, while reaffirming his vision of American exceptionalism. Elsewhere, another American whose voice carries global influence, Pope Leo, marked the anniversary from the Italian island of Lampedusa. In a message focused on migration, compassion and solidarity, he also reflected on the values the United States was founded upon 250 years ago. In New York, Mayor Zohran Mamdani, himself the son of immigrants, delivered his own address, offering a different perspective on the American story and the country's future. In this edition, we talk to Curtis Young, an American-born historian and Professor of Literature at ESSEC Business School to discuss the legacy of the Declaration of Independence, the significance of this 250th anniversary, and what it says about America today.

    21 phút
  3. 4 ngày trước

    'No Israeli security without Palestinian freedom; no Palestinian freedom without Israeli security'

    In this edition, FRANCE 24's François Picard talks with Dr. Gershon Baskin, Middle East Director of the International Communities Organisation and former hostage negotiator. One thousand days after the outbreak of the Gaza war, Gershon Baskin shares a stark assessment of Israel's political and strategic trajectory. Rather than framing the anniversary solely as a military milestone, he argues that it represents a profound failure of political leadership, strategic planning and institutional accountability. Baskin's analysis moves beyond battlefield developments to examine the deeper dynamics shaping the conflict: the absence of a national inquiry into October 7, the growing disconnect between military operations and political objectives, the psychological distance separating Israelis and Palestinians and the failure of Israeli politics to seriously confront the Palestinian question. He also advances an explicitly strategic – rather than purely moral – argument for peace:  Israel's long-term security and Palestinian freedom are mutually dependent. An emerging regional economic agenda, backed by Gulf states and potentially driven by an influential American administration, could create a rare opening for a negotiated two-state settlement, he adds. Whether one agrees with his conclusions or not, he offers a comprehensive critique of prevailing assumptions and a vision that reframes peace as a geopolitical necessity.

    11 phút
  4. 29 thg 6

    Pragmatic diplomacy: 'Oman is committed to de-escalation & peace in the region', analyst says

    As French President Emmanuel Macron meets with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman amid efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East, François Picard speaks to Dawud Al Ansari, a geopolitics and energy analyst. Meanwhile, diplomacy in the Gulf is once again being tested by renewed military tensions. Al Ansari offers a nuanced assessment from an Omani perspective, arguing that the country is playing an increasingly valuable strategic role.  Rather than portraying the Sultanate as simply another Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) monarchy, Al Ansari contends that this small but influential nation has deliberately cultivated its influence through neutrality, mediation and pragmatic diplomacy. While regional security remains fragile despite recent agreements, he argues that Oman will continue to prioritise stability, free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and dialogue between regional adversaries. He also places France's recent engagement within a broader geopolitical context. The Elysée’s diplomatic and economic initiatives reflect a wider strategic interest in reducing regional instability that carries significant consequences for global energy markets and European economies. At the same time, Oman faces pressing domestic challenges. In particular, the country must diversify its economy and create opportunities for a predominantly young population, making international partnerships increasingly important. Al Ansari also notes that geopolitical leverage is never static. While Iran has demonstrated its ability to use the Strait of Hormuz as a strategic instrument, the analyst contends that the power of the lever is likely to diminish over time as neighbouring states invest in alternative trade routes and infrastructure. The discussion ultimately presents Gulf geopolitics not as a fixed balance of power, but as an evolving landscape shaped by diplomacy, economics and long-term strategic adaptation.

    10 phút

Giới Thiệu

FRANCE 24's prime time interview of the day goes beyond the headlines: join us as news-making guests from around the globe go in depth on the stories that matter. Every day at 6:15pm Paris time.