Middle East Analysis

A peace vigil was held in London on Thursday, 30 April, at Our Lady of Victories Catholic Church in Kensington to pray for peace in the Middle East. The vigil was attended by Bishop Jim Curry, Lead Bishop for the Holy Land for the Bishops' Conference as well as Bishop Mike Royal, General Secretary of Churches Together in England, and His Grace Bishop Hovakim Manukyan, Primate of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Great Britain and Ireland and Churches Together in England's President for the Orthodox Churches. During the service, an address was given by Dr Harry Hagopian, a public international lawyer who was also Assistant General Secretary of the Middle East Council of Churches, and Executive Director of the Jerusalem Inter-Church Committee. Dr Hagopian reminded the congregation that “sustainable peace is not achieved through force, but through justice, equality, and the recognition of our shared humanity. It is our duty to amplify this call in every community, in every church, and in every heart.” He closed by recalling the powerful words of St Francis of Assisi’s prayer for peace and their relevance today, "in a world of crisis, chaos, and dog-eat-dog tensions."

Just as we were lamenting the fact that we had, with some sadness, placed our 'Middle East Analysis' podcasts on hold to consider the long-term future of the series, something cataclysmic and literally earth-shattering took place to shake us from our self-imposed slumber to talk about the war in Iran and its wider regional consequences. Joining us is the voice of 'Middle East Analysis', the international lawyer, regional consultant, negotiator and commentator Dr Harry Hagopian. He sits in our studio alongside the Right Reverend Jim Curry, Lead Bishop for the Holy Land for the Catholic Church in England and Wales. This 'Iran Special' runs for exactly 52-minutes. In fact, MEA specials, to cover exceptional events may show us a future path for these podcasts. We hope you take something from the conversation.

It's the end of the world as we know it. Wasn't that what REM once sang? Ironically when the famous US rock band from Athens, Georgia committed those lyrics to popular music folklore, the world made more sense. Today, after 17 years and many laughs, smiles, tears (and the odd exasperated outburst), Dr Harry Hagopian brings the curtain down on a remarkable podcasting run with this, the final Middle East Analysis. The epitaph reads: Here lies Middle East Analysis, 2009 to 2026, it lived hard, loved dearly and asks for your prayers as it returns to its maker. Something like that. So for next hour, alongside our guest, Bishop Jim Curry, who takes the lead for the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales for matters related to the Holy Land, we look back on almost two decades of culture and conflict, rancour and resilience not to mention the insight, knowledge and razor-sharp analysis of the good Doctor. But is this really the end? Seemingly so but Harry leaves the door perhaps not open, but slightly ajar by saying au revoir rather than adieu.

You cannot totally divorce the political and the spiritual in the Middle East North Africa region, so for this special Christmas edition of 'Middle East Analysis' we are splitting the podcast into two parts. Leading the way with the political analysis is our regular guest Dr Harry Hagopian, an international lawyer and consultant on the Middle East, North Africa and Gulf States. Harry takes us to Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Sudan (yes, pushing briefly a little further south into Africa again this month) and Israel/Palestine. The latter allows us to segue seamlessly into the second part of this episode. This is the 'Christ in Christmas' bit and who better to reflect on the true meaning, and in fact geography, of the season, than Bishop Jim Curry. Bishop Jim is a Catholic bishop who holds the Holy Land brief for the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales. Light in the darkness, hope in times of despair, all embodied by Jesus Christ born in a stable in Bethlehem in the West Bank. There's no ducking the realities this Christmas but our two guests do find reasons to cling to hope in tumultuous times.

It's hard to be still and take stock when you're standing on shifting sands. Equally it's impossible to build anything meaningful or lasting when the ground under your feet won't stop moving. That's why the title of this 'Middle East Analysis' podcast feels very appropriate in these uncertain times for the region and its people. Conflicts and wars - proxy or otherwise - come and go from the news headlines and the value and dignity of human life is degraded with every man, woman or child killed in the crossfire. Not much is solid, certain and reliable. Today Dr Harry Hagopian looks at: Israel/Palestine - a fragile ceasefire in Gaza and the Kairos II statement. Lebanon - how can its government disarm Hezbollah and at the same time avoid civil war? Sudan - the horrors of el-Fasher and a tragedy that has left millions in need of humanitarian aid Syria - Interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa's visit to the White House and an easing of sanctions. Saudi Arabia - Crown Prince MBS, Mohammed bin Salman - another leader visiting President Donald Trump - and the small matter of the F35s. All this and more on the shifting sands of the MENA and Gulf region (and Sudan).

There are two ways of looking at every subject covered in this 'Middle East Analysis' podcast. Recorded just after US President Donald Trump presented his 20 (or 21) point framework for peace in Gaza, resident studio guest Dr Harry Hagopian grapples with the viability of the deal and whether it's one that offers any sort of hope for lasting peace whilst allowing for Palestinian self-determination. Symbolism is a word that can be associated with the other topics on our radar – recognition of the State of Palestine by the UK (and 10 other states) and the aid flotilla - or Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) - that attempted to reach Gaza with Greta Thunberg and other activists onboard before being intercepted by authorities and transferred to an Israeli port. Dr Harry Hagopian is joined by Bishop Jim Curry who is the Lead Bishop for the Holy Land for the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales. Bishop Curry provides the pastoral, Dr Hagopian the political as our guests explore the fading chances of a two-state solution and whether peace is but a distant dream. Pessoptimism is certainly the word, but Dr Hagopian is more pessimist than optimist with only a few crumbs of comfort to be found.

On occasion, Dr Harry Hagopian, the voice of Middle East Analysis, offers a personal reflection on a key regional topic. This piece focuses on the political story of his family - from his grandparents in Ottoman Turkey, to his parents during the British mandate of Palestine. The story also weaves across Lebanon and Jordan. But then 1967 happened, the six-day war, and it was downhill from there. Harry concludes with the current horrific war in Gaza.

Ordinarily, a disclaimer would be bolted on at the end of the introductory blurb. However, one of the key talking points in this podcast - Palestinian self-determination and the recognition of Palestine as a state - has taken on a whole new dimension since recording. On Tuesday, 29 July, our resident studio guest, Dr Harry Hagopian, sat down to discuss the headline topic of the human cost of the war in Gaza. Just an hour after the faders went down, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the UK's intention to join France in recognising the state of Palestine dependent on whether Israel, and indeed Hamas, meet certain conditions. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney then made a similar move saying Canada will also, under certain conditions, recognise a Palestinian state in September - the third G7 nation to make such a pronouncement in the past week. With that context in mind, this Middle East Analysis podcast spans a bumper 68 minutes, exploring many varied subjects, so to make things easier for our listeners, here are the topics and time codes: Start - 3m 46s Introduction. 3m 47s - 7m 15s Pre-analysis topic. 7m 16s - 42m 29s ISRAEL/PALESTINE: Gaza, humanitarian devastation, patriarchs' visit, Palestinian statehood, settler attacks in the West Bank and more. 42m 30s - 47m 39s LEBANON: De-militarisation, funeral of renowned musician and composer Ziad Rahbani, son of legendary Lebanese singer Fairuz. 47m 40s - 54m 55s ARMENIA: An unholy spat between Church and State. 54m 56s - 1h 1m 41s SYRIA: Armed conflict between Druze groups and Bedouin tribes in Sweida. 1h 1m 42s - End AFTERTHOUGHT: Book recommendation on Contemporary Arab Thought.

A Papal death, conclave and election, in tandem with our key contributor's multiple regional travels have dented our once-a-month aspirations for Middle East Analysis but, at last, June sees a fresh podcast episode. Regular studio guest, Dr Harry Hagopian, who brings more than three decades of experience of the ever-complex Israel/Palestine conflict to the table, brings us up to date with the tragic realities of the situation in Gaza. For this episode, he sits alongside a special guest, the Right Reverend Jim Curry. Bishop Curry has long been a passionate supporter of the Christians and peoples of the Holy Land. He is a Knight of the Holy Sepulchre and the Lead Bishop for the Holy Land for the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales. Dr Hagopian talks politics, Bishop Curry talks pastoral realities. It's an interesting mix. In this Middle East Analysis podcast, we look at the necessary ingredients for a ceasefire, the desperate need for 'dignified' humanitarian aid and an end to the suffering, Pope Leo's calls for peace, the situation regarding international law and war, Palestinian self-determination - viability of two-state or single state solutions, the small Christian community in Gaza, hope in the darkness, and more.

Being lost for words is no state to be in when preparing to record a podcast. This 50-minute 'Middle East Analysis' episode started with head-scratching on the presenter's part whilst grasping for the right questions to get us underway. Despite being somewhat fatigued, regular guest Dr Harry Hagopian takes on what we're terming the discombobulated realities of Israel-Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, and Iran. What are the rules of engagement? Are there any? Is mention of a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict so fanciful as to be a waste of breath? Talk is cheap, says Dr Hagopian. When are the key players going to do the right thing and walk the talk?

Passing comment on the myriad of complex issues playing out in the Middle East North Africa region is challenging at the best of times. These are not the best of times. Whilst we see shards of light casting cautiously down on Syria and hesitantly over Lebanon, the metaphoric storm clouds are dense and impenetrable over Israel, the West Bank and Gaza. Add to the mix the incendiary and sweeping 'solutions' posited by the 47th President of the United States and you have all the necessary ingredients for trouble, termoil and tragedy. But what about the human beings trapped in the middle experiencing the horrors of war? With the insight of our regular studio guest Dr Harry Hagopian, we spend this Middle East Analysis podcast focusing on the humans caught between a rock and a hard place.

'Middle East Analysis' started in earnest in 2010-11 when a series of anti-regime uprisings took place across a large swathe of the Middle East North Africa region - what was termed the Arab Spring. Dr Harry Hagopian, an international lawyer, regional analyst - and the voice of these podcasts - helped us to understand the context and long advocated for the voice of the people to be heard rather than supressed. A semi-constant topic in the early 2010s was the turmoil and civil war in Syria and the oppressive, often brutal regime of Bashar al-Assad, himself the successor of his father Hafez al-Assad who ruled with an iron fist from 1971. That dynasty held a stranglehold on the country for over half a century. We spent years discussing government brutality, barrel bombing, international players, the descent into long-term civil war. Then, in 2014, we witnessed the rise of the violent, rampaging terror group IS, or Daesh, under the leadership of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. IS shocked the world by setting up a caliphate across parts of Iraq and Syria. Once again, the Syrian people suffered and, somehow, Bashar al-Assad clung on. Fast forward a decade and on 8 December 2024, the Assad regime collapsed after opposition forces led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) swept through Syria eventually taking the capital Damascus forcing the Assad family to flee to Moscow. So the main sentiment percolating through this episode is what Harry terms 'pessoptimism' surrounding the seismic shift in Syria. We all know vacuums are dangerous and what fills them can be worse than what went before so caution is necessary. Christmas cheer may be in short supply but we also have a segment on the Christians of the region and whether any peace or consolation can be found in these challenging days.

Our studio guest for this special 30-minute Middle East Analysis podcast is the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa. Born in northern Italy, the Patriarch, a Franciscan, has spent 35 years of his ministry in the Holy Land. In this time he has seen many episodes of war and tension. The current cycle of violence is particularly devastating. However, it is the season of Advent and the eyes of the world slowly turn to Bethlehem. Hope prevails in the darkness, and the Patriarch clings to this when discussing the region’s Christians. Cardinal Pizzaballa talks about the intense and challenging situation facing the Catholics of Gaza, the West Bank and Israel. We talk in particular about the small community sheltering at the compound of the Church of the Holy Family in Gaza City. Our regular studio guest is the international lawyer, consultant and former Assistant General Secretary for the Middle East Council of Churches, Dr Harry Hagopian. Harry grew up in Jerusalem and his family has traditionally had close ties with the Patriarchate. He fondly reflects on how his father, a doctor, used to treat former Patriarchs at his GP surgery. Cardinal Pizzaballa and Dr Hagopian share thoughts on a number of subjects in the half-hour podcast: Gaza and the Christians sheltering at the Church of the Holy Family Parish priest Father Gabriel Romanelli and his joy at being back in Gaza Memories of engagement with the various Churches of the Holy Land Hope and grassroots dialogue in the face of war and violence The Patriarch’s meditation on Advent and faith

It's hard to put into words - let alone sensible ones - how one feels looking on at the multiple tragedies unfolding (rapidly) in the Middle East. Particularly in those lands referred to as 'holy'. It all seems rather unholy and, as usual, those caught in the eye of the storm of overlapping conflicts are the civilians trying to live their lives. The voice of 'Middle East Analysis', Dr Harry Hagopian, is usually a man of good humour, even in the darkest times. As an international lawyer, consultant and man of dialogue, he recently shared a digital 'bubble', as he called it, expressing how the recent escalation in hostilities has created a hole in his soul. So that's the title of this podcast. For just over an hour, Dr Hagopian discusses the current maelstrom of violence, bereavement, loss, suffering and displacement. He even asks whether we stand on the threshold of Sykes-Picot Mark II. Even he hopes he's wrong. NOTE: This MEA podcast was recorded prior to the escalation of regional hostilities on the evening of 1 October.

When Father Gabriel Romanelli travelled to the West Bank to get some urgently-needed medicine for a nun living with his community in Gaza, it never crossed his mind he'd be separated from his flock for over six months. Father Romanelli, parish priest of the Holy Family Church in the north of the strip, had to watch from a distance as the horrors of the 7 October Hamas attack unfolded, before Israel's bombardment of Gaza led to the humanitarian crisis and suffering we now see in this torn land. On this special episode of 'Middle East Analysis', we welcome to our podcast the shepherd of Gaza's tiny Catholic community - one that numbered only 135 people before the war. Father Romanelli spent a week in the UK, in London and Glasgow, meeting with Christian leaders and politicians to highlight the plight of the near 500 people still sheltering in the compound of the Holy Family Church. Regular studio guest Dr Harry Hagopian, an International lawyer and analyst who has long worked for peace between Israel and Palestine joins Fr Romanelli in conversation for this special podcast. Harry was a Track II negotiator during the time of the Oslo Accords in the 1990s and a former Assistant General Secretary of the Middle East Council of Churches.

We keep our firm focus on the Holy Land and whilst we continue to weep as we look on at the humanitarian disaster in Gaza and the suffering of all civilians caught up in this conflict, we're joined by Fr Fadi Diab to discuss the lived realities of the Palestinian people in the West Bank as well as in the decimated strip. Fr Diab is from Ramallah and is the rector of St Andrew's Episcopal Church and also minister at St Peter's Church in Bir Zeit. He is also Chair of the Holy Land Committee of Friends of the Holy Land, an ecumenical, non-political charity with a mission, together with other Christian charities is to secure a resilient and enduring Christian community in the West Bank, Gaza, Israel and Jordan.

Five long, painful months after the Hamas terror attack of 7 October and the subsequent bombing and ground offensive that has reduced Gaza to rubble and led to several thousand deaths and a humanitarian disaster of the most tragic proportions, this 'Middle East Analysis' special asks the question: Is there a road map to peace in the Holy Land or are we eternally to walk the path of violence, revenge and hatred? International lawyer and MENA region analyst Dr Harry Hagopian joins us in the studio for the first time in almost two years for this special podcast that features the Catholic Bishop of Clifton, Bishop Declan Lang. The two old friends look for any sign of light in the darkness, and mourn decades of failure when it comes to securing a lasting peace for Israelis and Palestinians.

Ending a long-running podcast is painful. It's also hard to let go - especially when the expert sitting opposite you has been a friend for 15 years. This is the last ever Middle East Analysis and, as such, is something of a fond farewell - on this channel at least - to Dr Harry Hagopian. The man's a colossus with a brain to match and a bucket-load of integrity. He also delivers his views and analysis with a fair dollop of wit and panache. So it's with a heavy heart we say goodbye, but not without saying a huge thank-you to all our listeners. Whether you've tuned in regularly, been listening for years, or are comparatively new to the podcast, we salute you. The last word is for Dr Hagopian... You may not be a prophet, Harry, but you're a mighty fine fellow!

The football World Cup, hurtling through the group stages in Qatar after a fair helping of pre-tournament controversy, takes centre stage for our November Middle East Analysis podcast. Surely even the most optimistic Saudi looked at the Argentina fixture and prayed KSA would just keep the score down? Well, would you believe it? Lionel Messi and co found themselves chastened after an extraordinary 2-1 win for Saudi Arabia. And, as far as the Arab States are concerned, that result wasn't the only surprise. Morocco held Croatia, Iran bested Wales, Tunisia drew with Denmark and even the hosts put a goal past Senegal. The MENA countries are not just making up the numbers. Not known as a football aficionado, our regular studio guest, Dr Harry Hagopian still has plenty to say on the subject before sinking his teeth into the violent crackdown on the protests in Iran before passing comment on the political survivor par excellence Bibi Netanyahu - cutting deals and grabbing power. If that wasn't enough, we conclude with three of Harry's unique afterthoughts. It's all on November's Middle East Analysis.

Ever clicked a link and hit a 404 "not found" error page? Happens a lot. It's also very frustrating. You think you've finally found that elusive content but it's a false dawn and you'll have to go back and search again. The image for this 'Middle East Analysis' podcast was taken on the West Bank side of the Separation Wall earlier this year. It seems rather appropriate for today's episode. Dr Harry Hagopian, our resident international lawyer and regional analyst, takes on a quick-fire five to being our podcast looking at a variety of regional elections, off-shore gas deals and - stand by your bunks - sportswashing in the context of the Qatar-hosted football World Cup. The meat in the sandwich is the ongoing turmoil and violence in northern Palestine. Harry gives his take on the situation in Jenin and Nablus. The prevailing writing on the wall? It's a 404 - Solution Not Found. All this and a few off-the-cuff afterthoughts from the good doctor.

Dr Harry Hagopian, the voice of 'Middle East Analysis', came up with the novel idea of looking behind the interventions made by the Heads of State and political leaders from the Middle East, North Africa and Gulf regions at the recent 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Treat this as a fly-on-the-wall side event, a briefing, that steps away from the carefully crafted podium speeches - somewhat predictable in terms of content and agenda - to get to the nub of neighbourly agitation or cooperation. Iran, Qatar, Lebanon and, to a lesser degree, Israel/Palestine, Iraq and Jordan get the unique Hagopian treatment on this 'Middle East Analysis'.

August's 'Middle East Analysis' podcast sees Dr Harry Hagopian rewind 34 years to look at the publication of Salman Rushdie's controversial fourth novel 'The Satanic Verses', the author's use of magical realism and the religious edict that left a bounty on his head the repercussions of which may have been felt three decades later. We then discuss the closure of seven Palestinian NGOs after Israeli raids in the West Bank. But what do these human rights organisations stand accused of and when Israel is criticised for acting with impunity, what does that actually mean? Dr Hagopian concludes with a few thoughts on November's World Cup football extravaganza in Qatar - the first Arab country to host the tournament - and a congratulatory word or two aimed in the direction of the Royal Hashemite Court as Jordan celebrates its Crown Prince's engagement. Image of Sir Salman Rushdie: © Chris Kockelmann (CC BY-SA 4.0)

It's more of a hot rather than warm welcome to this 'Middle East Analysis' podcast. We've 'enjoyed' record temperatures of over 40°C in recent times here in the UK - far more in keeping with the Middle East, Gulf States and North Africa. Here to cool us down with his usual stylish, sharp analysis is the voice of MEA, Dr Harry Hagopian. The topic? Well it can only be the four-day visit of US President Joe Biden to Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Jeddah. A trip pilloried in certain quarters as high on photo ops, low on substance, was it a charm offensive to bolster US relations with Israel? Motivated, with an eye on Saudi Arabia, by the energy crisis and energy security? Or, as President Biden stressed to Arab leaders, to affirm that the US will not walk away from the region leaving a void to be filled by China, Russia or Iran? Dr Harry Hagopian takes a deeper look and gives us his opinion on whether there were any takeaways other than a rather uncomforable fist bump with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah.

A sharp, thirty-minute podcast for June's 'Middle East Analysis' that takes a slightly different format. Having returned from a six-day visit to Jerusalem and the West Bank, host James Abbott discusses Holy Land realities with regular studio guest Dr Harry Hagopian. To use an English translation of a French phrase that Harry has used more than once, it's a serious case of "the more it changes, the more it stays the same”. Relating regional experiences - limited on the part of the host, extensive on the part of the guest - we focus on the people behind the politics of Israel/Palestine.

Middle East Analysis takes a sombre tone this month as, just before recording, we learned of the killing of long-term Al Jazeera Arabic journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in Jenin in the West Bank. We're left asking, as often we do, where is the justice that will open the door to peace in the Israel-Palestine conflict? Dr Harry Hagopian looks at the disturbing upturn in violence as the world, seemingly, looks the other way. Our next stop is Lebanon and a look at the forthcoming Parliamentary Elections slated for Sunday, 15 May. Will the process be 'fair' and democratic? Will it lead to change? Harry then picks up on a rare visit to Tehran by Syrian president Bashar al-Assad and looks at Syria's rehabilitation and potential readmission into the wider Arab fold. He then answers an interesting question: Was Russia's intervention in Syria a dress rehearsal for its conflict with Ukraine? Our final topic looks at frosty relations between the US and some of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries - specifically Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. We conclude with four cap-doffing after thoughts.

Just over two years ago we started recording our 'Middle East Analysis' podcasts remotely. The pandemic rendered face-to-face interaction impossible. Now, joyously, we have returned to the studio for this month's offering. Dr Harry Hagopian, in the flesh, turns his legal and political mind to the Middle East, North Africa and Gulf States. April has been a month of regional summit meetings - most involving Israel and its diplomatic relations with Arab neighbours. Negotiations have covered food and energy security, not to mention Iran's nuclear programme. It's questionable whether these meetings are little more than photo opportunities - uncomfortable ones at that. A question that is being asked once again is: Where does this leave the place and status of Palestine - both regionally and globally? Has it been further demoted down the world's justice and peace list? A list that has Ukraine at the front of the queue marked "problems to be solved". There was once a time, not so long ago, when the Arab world united in its desire to see a fair resolution to the Israel/Palestine conflict. But priorites are changing. Dr Hagopian gives us his take on the shifting MENA and Gulf sands.

In this Middle East Analysis podcast we're turning our attention to the on-going war in Ukraine and how the aftershocks are reverberating across Europe, down into the Middle East, across North Africa and through the Gulf States. Dr Harry Hagopian delivers the analysis and comment as usual and as an international lawyer with conflict resolution and Second Track diplomacy on his CV, he's well placed to take a close look at the tragedies of war and the possible outcomes. International relations get picked apart - how intercontinental superpowers engage with near neighbours whilst, as always, the people on the ground suffer. But how is the conflict impacting on the countries of the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf? Over to you Dr Hapopian...

Today's Middle East Analysis podcast sees resident contributor Dr Harry Hagopian don his jabot and peruke, the white bib and curly wig of a barrister-at-law, as we examine the three main components of power: government (Executive), parliament (Legislature) and the judiciary (Courts). In the Middle East & North Africa, do we see a separation of these branches of power? How much authority can a judge lay claim to? Are presidents, prime ministers or monarchies above the law? Are there political solutions to legal problems and vice versa? This obviously varies from country to country so Dr Hagopian provides a number of examples to illustrate his thought-provoking arguments and to highlight what happens when these powers get entangled – or not. Silence in court for today's Middle East Analysis...

How do you fit a year into an hour? Impossible, surely? Not so. As the voice of Middle East Analysis, Dr Harry Hagopian is charged with defying the laws of physics for you on this podcast. We're taking a different approach this time round. Rather than examining MENA matters at the top of the news agenda, we're taking you on a regional tour to discuss some of the key events of 2021 - from the Middle East, through the Gulf and then across to North Africa. Stylistically, this is more of a series of seasonal fireside reflections than a bash on the head with the 'news and analysis' stick. Dr Hagopian talks about the changing of the guard in many countries - elections, failed elections and elections to come. Then we lament the humanitarian catastrophes of Lebanon and Yemen as well as the counter revolutions bubbling across the region. We take an overview of the realities of Israel / Palestine, particularly settlements, and whether the potential resurrection of the E1 project will finally kill off the two state solution. Our next stop takes us to the Gulf and efforts at the rehabilitation of MBS the Saudi Crown Prince before we arrive in North Africa where Dr Hagopian covers that sweep of Arab countries giving us the last 12 months in a nutshell. There's more trepidation than tinsel but expect the odd light moment or two. 'Crufts for Camels' - the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival in Saudi Arabia - for one. Join us for 70 minutes of winging it with intelligence.

As the cold sets in here in the UK, we turn our attention to a region where something's always heating up. The three prongs to today's 'Middle East Analysis' podcast are the elections in Iraq, delayed from June, that have yielded some interesting results, the on-going, out-of-sight-out-of-mind conflict in Yemen - will the violence ever end and does the rest of the world care enough? Then we take a look at the eternally beleaguered Lebanon and some of the worst violence to hit the streets in the past ten years. But that's not all. A chunk of our hour-long podcast is given over to four reflections from the voice of 'Middle East Analysis', the international lawyer and MENA consultant Dr Harry Hagopian. Harry reflects on the death of Sir David Amess MP, the mysterious re-appearance in Damascus of Rifaat Ali al-Assad, uncle of Syrian President Bashar after almost four decades in exile in France. In his third reflection, we hear Dr Hagopian lament the falling salty sea levels of the Dead Sea and finally, Harry offers a warm welcome to the new Jordanian Ambassador Manar Munther Dabbas. Image: © Rod Waddington on Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)

We're always gloriously counter-cultural, a little like the regions we discuss, but if you're looking at the image for this podcast you'll get a rare look at the faces of the two contributors - host James Abbott and the voice of Middle East Analysis Dr Harry Hagopian. In today's MEA podcast, the first after a short summer break, they discuss Qatar's role in the turbulent weeks of a transitional Afghanistan, Lebanon's slow recovery from economic meltdown, the 1000th 'what next' for Israel / Palestine - particularly the Palestinian Authority, the shifting north African sands of Morocco and two topical Hagopian afterthoughts. If you want to jump to a particular conversation, here's the timeline: Start - 2m 3s Intro 2m 4s - 21m 48s Qatar's role in transitional Afghanistan 21m 49s - 40m 23s The authority in the the Palestinian Authority 40m 24s - 50m 55s Lebanon's slow recovery - Billionaire #1 50m 56s - 1h 3m 26s Morocco's shifting political sands - Billionaire #2 1h 3m 27s - End Final thoughts...

Dr Harry Hagopian's message on the one-year anniversary of the blasts that tore through the port in Lebanon's capital Beirut taking lives, livelihoods, hopes and aspirations with them.

If it looks like a coup and smells like a coup, it's a coup... right? Not so fast says Dr Harry Hagopian in this 'Middle East Analysis' podcast as we focus on Tunisia. When a president dismisses goverment, sacks the prime minister, blocks parliament and orders journalists to leave, surely we're witnessing the classic hallmarks of a coup d'état? Perhaps not. Once the dust had settled on a bold move by Tunisian President Kais Saied, it seems he has 'frozen' parliament for 30 days to address the country's ills. It's a watching brief and Dr Hagopian's willing to wait and see for now. The two other realities we're looking at are the near failed states of Iraq and Lebanon. Both look like pawns in an international chess game but can either come back from the brink? All this and more in our hour-long summer podcast.

New leaders are popping up all over the place in the Middle East and North Africa. Today's 'Middle East Analysis' is something of a presidential, prime ministerial and parliamentary podcast as we take a closer look at the newly or recently elected men (obviously) in the limelight. First to Iran and a man who could well be in line to succeed Supreme Leader Khamenei, President-elect Ebrahim Raisi. How will the 60-year-old conservative cope with Covid and the potential resurrection of the nuclear deal? Then to Israel as Dr Harry Hagopian gives us his take on the man who has taken over from Benjamin Netanyahu as Prime Minister following his 12 years in office. But what do we know about Naftali Bennett? Two north African realities are explored - Libya and Algeria. Libya looks set for elections in December 2021 but the question that always hangs in the air is: how do you get the foreign troops and mercenaries out of the country? Will a new parliament and president take control of Libya's future? And what of Algeria? Dr Hagopian describes recent elections as "extremely telling" but what exactly do those elections tell us? Especially considering the very low turn out of under a third. Ahead of Harry's final thoughts, we turn a wistful glance in Lebanon's direction. Akin to a post-World War 20th century meltdown, the 'Switzerland of the Middle East' is in a sorry state with unaffordable high prices and shortages of bread, medicines and petrol.

This 'Middle East Analysis' can only have one topic up for discussion - the escalating violence between Israel and Palestine. Much has been said and written about the conflict and the nature of its seemingly never-ending cycle of attack and counter attack - not just in the physical sense but the political too. So many countries with so many vested interests look on. In the case of some states, it would be hard to ascertain whether they're looking at all. The voice of Middle East Analysis, Dr Harry Hagopian, has a tough job on his hands to pick through the realities for this podcast. A fair and proportional response is, perhaps, what's called for - from whichever angle you view this frustrating, painful conflict. Rather than regurgitate headlines, Dr Hagopian takes an hour-long look at the history, the politics, the influencers, the neighbours - near and far - the plight of the Palestinians living in Gaza, the West Bank and, indeed in Israel itself. Not to mention the diaspora. Inevitably we look at the Holy City of Jerusalem and whether we can find hope, dignity and humanity in this maelstrom of suffering. As usual, those who suffer are the men, women and children trying to live their lives in the middle of this simmering cauldron.

April's Middle East Analysis is squeaking in on the last day of the month. In its own way it carries some of the chaos of the region. Today we focus primarily on Jordan. It's a country close to the heart of our ever-present guest Dr Harry Hagopian. Why? Well, for starters he was born there. But there are other reasons you'll hear more about in our packed 70-minute podcast. What lies behind the royal spat? Why has Prince Hamzah bin Hussein turned to the East Bank-ers and where does this leave him with his half-brother, the King of Jordan? From: 6 mins 20 secs Or do you want to hear more about the Palestinian Elections - the first for 15 years? Oh hang on... they've been postponed. Why? Listen for more. From: 31 mins 25 secs Sticking with the electoral theme we head to beleaguered Syria - a country we have dedicated many minutes to over the past ten years. President Bashar al-Assad is certainly a survivor. Is this election a shoo-in? From: 45 mins 17 secs Finally we ask forgiveness for stretching the Middle East and North Africa to the South Caucasus and a final thought on the Armenian Genocide 106 years after the commemoration date of 24 April 1915. From: 53 mins 1 sec Dip in, dip out but we hope you take something from it.

This Middle East Analysis podcast is a one-hour journey through a variety of countries and regional realities. It's a podcast of questions - and questions need answers. To provide them, we look to Dr Harry Hagopian. He frequently tells us he's NOT a prophet - the region has plenty of those - but he IS an international lawyer, commentator and consultant on the Middle East, North Africa and Gulf regions. Here's what we're asking: Who are the puppet masters in a country on the brink? Who's the kingmaker who could unlock an election stalemate? Who's brokering 'peace' in two violent conflicts that have paralysed two countries? What price victory - and what is 'victory' anyway? Listen to Dr Hagopian on: Introduction (Start - 1m 51s) 10 years of the conflict in Syria (1m 52s - 15m32s) Libya - dare to hope? (15m33s - 22m 36s) Yemen - a supervised ceasefire and an end to the blockade? (22m 37s - 35m 22s) Israel's elections - who's the kingmaker? (35m 23s - 50m 45s) A sacred time for the three monotheistic religions (50m 46s - End)

Pope Francis, the spiritual leader of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics, makes an historic visit to Iraq - the first by a Pope - from 5-8 March 2021. From Saddam Hussein to al-Qaeda to ISIS, the footage beamed onto our screens has often been of terrorist attacks, conflict and destruction - all played out with the people of Iraq trying to survive in the middle. This is the first topic we cover on this 'Middle East Analysis' podcast with our guest Dr Harry Hagopian. Will it be a positive visit that not only supports the country's Christians but all Iraqis? Our second subject sees us call on the legal brain of Dr Hagopian to analyse the International Criminal Court's 5 February ruling of stating that it has jurisdiction over war crimes committed in the Palestinian territories - a ruling broadly welcomed by Palestinians and criticised by Israel and the US. Finally we look to the stars and delve into the role the United Arab Emirates is playing in global endeavours to explore space. As the famous David Bowie song might go if re-released 'Ground Control to Hazzaa Ali Almansoori'. As we're running to space mission durations today, here are the timecodes to help you pick your topic: Introduction Start to 3m 4s Pope's historic visit to Iraq 3m 5s to 26m 52s International Criminal Court on Palestinian Territories 26m 53s to 51m 24s UAE's role in space exploration 51m 25s to end

Don't act the prophet and learn to bear the recurring disappointment of one false dawn after another. Two lessons I've learned the hard way after thirteen years of covering the realities of the Middle East, North Africa and Gulf regions with the knowledgeable and engaging Dr Harry Hagopian. Today's Middle East Analysis podcast, the first of 2021, actually has a positive feel to it in light of the Al-Ula Agreement that brought to an end the three-and-a-half year blockade of Qatar by Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt. Signed in the Saudi city that bears its name, the agreement has led to a cautious reconciliation that should suit all parties not to mention the outgoing US president Donald Trump. Respected journalist and analyst Rami Khouri described the tactic of boycotting a state as a "fool's tool" so does Dr Harry Hagopian see this agreement as a template for conflict resolution in the region? All this and more in January's Middle East Analysis.

Our last Middle East Analysis podcast of 2020 is out ten years to the day since the Tunisian street seller Mohamed Bouazizi self-immolated in frustration and despair triggering what came to be known as the Arab Spring. But what has changed and what have we learned in the last decade? Resident contributor Dr Harry Hagopian is once again in the chair, remotely, to discuss this and the fourth country in the region to agree to establish full diplomatic relations with Israel - Morocco. But what does this mean for the Sahrawi people of Western Sahara and should an outgoing US President really be brokering these deals? We then ask whether there's light at the end of the tunnel to bring an end to the spat in the Gulf that has seen a land, sea and air embargo placed on Qatar by fellow Gulf Cooperation Council members Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. Finally it's Christmas in Bethlehem - but not as we know it. There's an eerie silence on the streets of the West Bank town as COVID-19 restrictions keep pilgrims and visitors at home. All this and more...

'MENA Gulf 140' sees Dr Harry Hagopian given a mere 140 seconds per topic to discuss the often complex realities playing out in the Middle East, North Africa and Gulf regions. We touched on it last month but now the legal challenges and allegations of corruption surrounding the US Presidential election have amounted to very little, we expect Joe Biden in the White House from 20 January 2021. So three of the 140-second blocks are allocated to looking in more depth at the US and how its foreign policy moves might impact on the region. Dr Hagopian sees it as "some cosmetic, some radical", As well as the Israel-Palestine reality, we look at neighbour Jordan before side-stepping into the Gulf region to discuss Oman and Kuwait before ditching the overall mandate for another comment on Nagorno-Karabakh. It's a lot to pack into 30 minutes but we're hoping it provides food for thought and sparks further reading and engagement.

Today signals a new dawn for our Middle East Analysis podcasts. MEA continues after more than a decade but the format has changed. In this fast-paced era of online consumption, we're taking on our topics in a shorter, sharper way. Introducing 'MENA GULF 140'. So what is it? Well, inspired by the limit to the number of seconds of audio or film you can post to a certain popular micro-blogging platform, 'MENA GULF 140' looks at the realities of the Middle East, North Africa and Gulf regions in a mere 2m 20s per topic. Each month we'll take on five or six topics with the international lawyer, consultant and analyst Dr Harry Hagopian and the combined answers will make up a brand new 'MENA GULF 140' podcast. Today: 10 years since the first so-called Arab Spring Is the Arab world better or worse off? Normalisation UAE, Bahrain and now Sudan now 'recognise' Israel after a series of US-brokered deals. What does this mean for other Arab states of the region? What would a Biden Administration do differently to the Trump Administration regarding Israel/Palestine? Nagorno-Karabakh What are the international actors doing to dampen or pour fire on the flames of conflict? Lebanon How is Lebanon coping almost 12-weeks after the port-side blast in Beirut? Libya Libya's warring sides agreed to a permanent cease-fire on Friday 23 October. Will this end hostilities or is it simply a small step in the right direction? All this and Dr Hagopian's final thought.

Dr Harry Hagopian, the voice of Middle East Analysis, is fluent in many languages. French? Doesn't even break sweat. For me it's more of a struggle but when reflecting on the horrific blast that ripped through Lebanon's capital Beirut, I found an oft-quoted phrase in my head "plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose". It certainly seems that the more things change the more they stay the same for this resilient nation and its beleaguered people - a state that has seen more than one false dawn. Maybe a French phrase is pertinent for another reason. There's an indelible historical link between Lebanon and France - President Emmanuel Macron visited Beirut in the immediate aftermath and pledged his support. Some even petitioned for a return to the French Mandate - surely a sign of desperation - nay exasperation. For Dr Harry Hagopian things have to change. It's time to be brave and dynamic. A time for real leadership. A time to 'be' Lebanese - a time for citizenship. Get past the warlords and communities - think of Lebanon as a country of citizens.

This Middle East Analysis podcast takes our resident regional analyst, international lawyer Dr Harry Hagopian, around not just the Middle East but also North Africa. We start with a coronavirus update discussing the impact of COVID-19 on the MENA region and the Arab world. Then on to our sweep of country realities. Firstly it's the chaos and economic meltdown plaguing Lebanon - the beautiful land of cedars. A third of the population suffer below the poverty line, with daily power cuts, a lack of safe drinking water and limited healthcare. Why and what next? On to Jordan, and in particular its relations with Israel and Palestine. Prime Minister Omar Razzaz made interesting comments on potential support for a One State solution - controversial to even utter it in some quarters. We shift to North Africa and Egypt. Two points here - both focused on President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi. Firstly his handling of civil war-torn Libya and secondly the interesting case of the dam in Ethiopia being fed by water from the Nile. Water - the new gold perhaps? We conclude by shining a light into Tunisia - a country not on its own in struggling to form a government. A challenge for new Prime Minister designate Hichem Mechichi. Final word goes to Dr Harry Hagopian who wishes our listeners Eid Mubarak!

One of Dr Harry Hagopian's 'Intuitive Reactions' provides the meat in the sandwich of this 'Middle East Analysis - Extra' podcast. In December 2019, US President Donald Trump signed into law the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, also known as the Caesar Act, a piece of US legislation to sanction the Syrian government, including the president Bashar al-Assad, for war crimes against the Syrian population. The sanctions finally kicked in on 17 June. But what impact does this have on Bashar al-Assad, his family and international sponsors? Is this designed to bring about regime change or regime attitude change? To discuss this, Dr Hagopian is joined by Dr Ziad Majed, Program Coordinator for Middle East Pluralities at the American University of Paris. Professor Majed teaches Middle East studies and writes on Lebanese, Syrian and Arab affairs as well as on regional political transitions and crises.

Middle East Analysis reverts back to something of its normal modus operandi for June's podcast as international lawyer and MENA consultant Dr Harry Hagopian joins us in semi pandemic lockdown to discuss three realities challenging the Middle East North Africa region. In just over ten minutes per segment, Dr Hagopian discusses the ongoing embargo of Qatar, the ever more dangerous regional conflict in Libya and the current financial meltdown in Syria and its impact on neighbour Lebanon. Quick Navigate: Introduction: START - 3m 5s Embargo of Qatar: 3m 6s - 14m 13s Libya: 14m 14s - 25m 23s Syria: 25m 24s - 39m 40s Back Announcement: 39m 41s to END

It's rather dangerous to assume anything in the Middle East North Africa region - least of all the shifting dynamics of the relationship between Israel and Palestine. One assumption is that, as early as 1 July, one of Israel's two unity government Prime Ministers, Benjamin Netanyahu, will announce the annexation of Palestinian land in the West Bank. At this point, any hope of a contiguous state for Palestinians will ebb away and with it hope for a long-term peaceful coexistence for both Israelis and Palestinians. This hour-long Middle East Analysis brings our resident contributor Dr Harry Hagopian to MEA's virtual studio. Harry has immersed himself in this most delicate and frustrating peace process for almost 30 years. But will the annexation actually happen? There are many actors in this drama... Donald Trump and son-in-law adviser Jared Kushner (currently more preoccupied by the protests over the killing of George Floyd and the November Presidential Elections), Israeli settler leaders in the West Bank, Arab neighbours in the region - specifically Jordan, the sluggish response from the EU, the international community and other institutions and that's before we discuss international law and inevitable comparisons with Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea. All this is dissected - in his unique way - by Dr Harry Hagopian.

The anxiety surrounding the fast-spreading coronavirus COVID-19 is completely understandable. It's the lead headline in many a news context. So what's the impact on the Middle East North Africa region? The situation in Iran is well documented. Egypt has confirmed its first death - the first in Africa. Iraq and Yemen are already debilitated so any further strain on beleaguered resources will cost lives. Lebanon is living in the throes of an economic meltdown. We could go on... Dr Harry Hagopian, our regular contributor, looks at the impact of the virus around the region. In other news, we look at the elections in Israel, Turkey's retaliation against Syrian government forces in Idlib and the detention of Saudi royals by the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The so-called 'Deal of the Century' has been released - US President Donald Trump's road map to peace for Israelis and Palestinians. Peace to Prosperity, as it's called, has been widely criticised as one-sided and, to those campaigning for self-determination for the Palestinian people - no deal at all. Dr Harry Hagopian is our regular studio guest for Middle East Analysis. Harry cut his political teeth working for peace in the region. He was a second track negotiator during the Oslo process in the early 1990s and, like many, has long hoped for a peaceful solution that upholds the innate human dignity and rights of both Israelis and Palestinians. But without offering Palestinians hope, is the Deal of the Century hope-less?

Just another new decade in the Middle East North Africa region. This 45-minute Middle East Analysis podcast, the first of 2020, is titled in a way that makes you think of a rhythmic children’s pat-a-cake game or a mnemonic device for remembering something important. Actually a lot of today’s topical discussion with international lawyer and regional commentator Dr Harry Hagopian falls under one or more of those four descriptors - escalate, de-escalate, oil and intervention. The ‘intervention’ is obviously of the foreign kind as global powers seek to maintain or expand their interests in MENA. We start with escalation and, potentially, de-escalation, by looking at the US-Iran crisis before moving across to North Africa and a warlord versus UN-backed government stand-off in Libya. Next comes Lebanon and its inability to form a government leading to something of a meltdown. We conclude on a more positive note by looking at the seemingly painless succession in the sultanate of Oman.