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Beyond the Headlines

The National News
Gaza
Israel
Hamas
Ramadan
Sudan
United States
Iran
Rafah
Social Media
Humanitarian Aid
Qatar
Humanitarian Crisis
UN Security Council
Israel-Gaza War
Egypt
Palestinian Authority
Benjamin Netanyahu
Hezbollah
International Organizations
Reconstruction Efforts

Dive deeper into the week’s biggest stories from the Middle East and around the world with The National’s multi-award-winning podcast, Beyond the Headlines — winner of two Signal Awards and the New York Festivals Radio and TV Awards. Nuances are often missed in day-to-day headlines. We go Beyond the Headlines by bringing together the voices of experts and those living the news to provide a clearer... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes486Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsNews CommentaryNews

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Artwork for Beyond the Headlines

Latest Episodes

About one million people have been forcibly displaced in Lebanon and almost a thousand killed in Israel’s renewed war with Hezbollah.

The Iran-backed group fired missiles at Israel in early March, joining Tehran's retaliatory attacks in the war with... more

YouTube

US President Donald Trump said the American-Israeli war on Iran could end soon, without specifying an end date. But almost two weeks in, military operations only seem to be intensifying.

The US claims to have struck 5,000 targets in Iran, hitting it... more

YouTube

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-weste... more

YouTube

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... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Joseph Bahout
Director of the Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs at the American University of Beirut
American University of Beirut
Episode: What is the end goal of Israel’s new war in Lebanon?
Khalil Harb
Lebanese journalist and political commentator
Independent journalist
Episode: What is the end goal of Israel’s new war in Lebanon?
Francesco Schiavi
Middle East analyst and non-resident fellow at the Middle East Institute, Switzerland
Middle East Institute (Switzerland)
Episode: Who will endure the highest cost of the Iran war?
Adam Weinstein
Deputy Director for the Middle East program
Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft
Episode: Who will endure the highest cost of the Iran war?
Lizzie Porter
The Nationals' correspondent who has extensively reported on Iran
The National
Episode: What happens if Iranian Kurdish groups enter the conflict?
Dr. Hisham A. Hellyer
Senior Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies
Royal United Services Institute (RUSI)
Episode: What happens if Iranian Kurdish groups enter the conflict?
Fatima Mahmoud
National Foreign Reporter
The National
Episode: How much longer could the Iran conflict last?
Hamidreza Azizi
Iran expert at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs in Berlin
German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP)
Episode: Where does an isolated Iran go from here?
Hasan Al Hasan
Senior Fellow for Middle East Policy
International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS)
Episode: Where does an isolated Iran go from here?

Host

Nada AlTaher
Host of the podcast, focusing on in-depth analysis of key political and social events in the Middle East.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 40 ratings
  • Would give zero stars if I could

    The bias is breathtaking.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Nancy Pol
    United States6 months ago
  • Great Mideast news podcast

    An informative and well produced podcast that explores the most important stories in the Middle East.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sophietremblay
    Canada6 years ago
  • Podcast lover

    Astounding

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jazz114
    United States8 years ago
  • Lover of Podcasts

    Astounding

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lover of podcasts 239328913459
    United Arab Emirates8 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some listeners express frustration over perceived bias in the presentation of certain topics.
The podcast provides thoughtful insights into Mideast news, making it a valuable resource for understanding complex geopolitical issues.
Listeners appreciate the expert analysis and in-depth discussions that provide context often missing from mainstream coverage.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#11
United Arab Emirates/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#57
United Arab Emirates/News
Apple Podcasts
#189
China/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#209
Saudi Arabia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#227
Belgium/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Where does an isolated Iran go from here?
Q: What is the current state of Iran's leadership and decision-making after the initial attacks?
There is a shifting leadership dynamic toward the security core of the system, with provisional leadership structures and senior figures from the security apparatus taking more visible roles.
Where does an isolated Iran go from here?
Q: Can you give us an overview of the scope and scale of the impact?
The strikes have targeted government leadership, military bases, and critical infrastructure, with some civilian targets hit as the conflict widened, and outlets in the region sensing a major shift in how both sides are applying pressure.
What will happen to the thousands formerly held in Syria’s Al Hol camp?
Q: Is there a clear path forward for the ISIS detainees and potential resurgence?
There is no clear, unified plan, and observers warn of a possible resurgence or ongoing threat depending on security conditions and how the new government manages the area.
What will happen to the thousands formerly held in Syria’s Al Hol camp?
Q: What is the plan for screening and reintegrating detainees and residents?
Experts emphasize the need for screening to determine who should stay, be tried, or be released, and highlight that reintegration will be slow and complex.
What will happen to the thousands formerly held in Syria’s Al Hol camp?
Q: What happened during the handover from the SDF to Damascus authorities?
The handover occurred amid chaos and a security vacuum, leading to thousands of residents escaping; both sides blamed each other for the disarray.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Location
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Frequently Asked Questions About Beyond the Headlines

What is Beyond the Headlines about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A comprehensive examination of major global and Middle Eastern stories offers listeners a detailed understanding of the complex socio-political landscape. Episodes frequently feature insights from experts and firsthand accounts from those impacted by the events, ensuring a multifaceted perspective on pressing issues. Topics often include geopolitical tensions, humanitarian crises, and the implications of international policies, with discussions aiming to cut through polarizing narratives and highlight the nuances lost in typical news coverage.

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How many subscribers and views does Beyond the Headlines have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Beyond the Headlines?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Beyond the Headlines:

1. The Documentary Podcast
2. The Inside Story Podcast
3. The Interview
4. The Intelligence from The Economist
5. The Global Story

How many episodes of Beyond the Headlines are there?

Beyond the Headlines launched 9 years ago and published 486 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Beyond the Headlines?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Beyond the Headlines?

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What guests have appeared on Beyond the Headlines?

Recent guests on Beyond the Headlines include:

1. Joseph Bahout
2. Khalil Harb
3. Francesco Schiavi
4. Adam Weinstein
5. Lizzie Porter
6. Dr. Hisham A. Hellyer
7. Fatima Mahmoud
8. Hamidreza Azizi

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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