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Beyond the Headlines

The National News
Gaza
Israel
Iran
Hamas
Syria
United States
Hezbollah
Lebanon
Palestinian Authority
Donald Trump
Middle East
Civil War
West Bank
Yemen
Palestine
Saudi Arabia
Iraq
Humanitarian Crisis
International Court Of Justice
United Nations

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes522Founded9 years ago
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PoliticsNewsNews Commentary

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Latest Episodes

After the Democrats’ sweeping victory in the US midterm elections, President Donald Trump acknowledged that the loss was partly because of the Iran war.

And, in a lengthy post on X, Vice President JD Vance said that traditionally Republican voters c... more

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The US midterm elections next month could change the course of American politics at home and – and American policy abroad.

While voters will be waiting to see whether the Democrats take control of Congress and the Senate, in the Middle East the ques... more

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Israelis will vote on Tuesday in the first national election since the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack and subsequent war on Gaza.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party could win, but polls are showing that opposition candidates also hav... more

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From Riyadh to Taiz, it has been a week of tragedy. While Saudi Arabia faces a wave of deadly attacks by the Houthis, hundreds of thousands of people in the southern Yemeni city are largely cut off from food and fuel.

The fighting continues to inten... more

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Recent Guests

Sanam Vakil
Director of the Middle East and North Africa Programme at Chatham House
Chatham House
Episode: Worst-case scenario: What happens if Iran war resumes?
Elizabeth Dent
Senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy
The Washington Institute for Near East Policy
Episode: Watching the US midterm elections from the Middle East
Shira Efron
RAND distinguished chair for Israel policy
RAND
Episode: Israeli elections: What would a new government change?
Xavier Abu Eid
Palestinian political scientist
Episode: Israeli elections: What would a new government change?
Nawaf Obaid
Senior research fellow, Department of War Studies, King's College London; former advisor to the Saudi government
King's College London
Episode: What are Saudi Arabia's options as Houthi attacks escalate?
Mahdi Ghuloom
Geopolitics researcher
Observer Research Foundation Middle East
Episode: What are Saudi Arabia's options as Houthi attacks escalate?
Omar Rahman
Political analyst at the Middle East Council on Global Affairs
Middle East Council on Global Affairs
Episode: Gaza ceasefire: a year of stalled promises
Sajad Jiyad
Iraqi political analyst
Center for International Policy (senior non-resident fellow)
Episode: What happens next after US withdrawal from Iraq?
Aveen Karim
National Deputy Foreign Editor
The National
Episode: What happens next after US withdrawal from Iraq?

Host

Nada AlTaher
Journalist at The National

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 41 ratings
  • Would give zero stars if I could

    The bias is breathtaking.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Nancy Pol
    United Statesa year 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
    Canada7 years ago
  • Podcast lover

    Astounding

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jazz114
    United States9 years ago
  • Lover of Podcasts

    Astounding

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lover of podcasts 239328913459
    United Arab Emirates9 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Some listener feedback raises concerns about perceived bias.
Listeners describe the coverage as informative and focused on important Middle Eastern stories.
One listener praises the production quality.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Worst-case scenario: What happens if Iran war resumes?
Q: If you could summarize how the conflict would end and the different scenarios, what are they and which one is most likely to happen, particularly as Iran is not budging on its conditions?
Vakil describes managed de-escalation through agreements, a shorter military escalation followed by arrangements, or long-term instability marked by bouts of conflict and calm. She sees a shorter escalation as likely and a grand bargain as difficult to achieve soon.
Worst-case scenario: What happens if Iran war resumes?
Q: Why would the US decide to strike anyway? I mean, what are the gains?
Vakil says the administration may use military pressure to force concessions from Iran, believing pressure can produce better results. She argues this calculation may be mistaken because military pressure has not necessarily led to a deal, submission or regime collapse.
Watching the US midterm elections from the Middle East
Q: Do you think that this US unconditional support could be ending, or at least reduced, under the next Congress or even the next president?
Dent expects more guardrails on support for Israel as public opinion shifts, but says the extent will depend on congressional votes and what constituents are telling their representatives.
Watching the US midterm elections from the Middle East
Q: How could the results of this midterm election impact Donald Trump's remaining two years in office, if the Republicans win, and what happens if the Democrats win?
Dent says a Republican win could be read as an endorsement and give Trump greater freedom to pursue his policies. A Democratic win could constrain him by blocking legislation, slowing arms sales and advancing limits on military action.
Israeli elections: What would a new government change?
Q: Do you think that a post-Netanyahu or a non-Netanyahu government is going to have a different approach when it comes to the West Bank and Gaza?
Efron says a different coalition could change policies affecting Palestinians, particularly if it does not share the current government's objectives, though the outcome would depend on coalition partners. She expects a post-Netanyahu government could be more open to engagement with the Palestinian Authority and a gradual change in the political dynamic.

Audience Metrics

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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?

Weekly conversations unpack major political, security and humanitarian developments in the Middle East and their connections to global affairs. Journalist Nada AlTaher leads interviews with policy specialists, regional analysts, journalists, senior officials and people directly affected by events. Discussions combine expert context with firsthand accounts, examining how decisions by governments and international institutions shape conflicts, economies, aid efforts and everyday life.

The coverage is especially focused on the Gulf, Israel and Palestine, Iraq, Iran, Syria and Yemen, while also tracing the influence of the United States, Europe and international organizations. Its distinctive approach pairs strategic questions, such as militar... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Beyond the Headlines?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Beyond the Headlines:

1. Middle East Focus
2. Independent Thinking
3. The Global Story
4. The Intelligence from The Economist
5. Global News Podcast

How many episodes of Beyond the Headlines are there?

Beyond the Headlines launched 9 years ago and published 522 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Beyond the Headlines?

Recent guests on Beyond the Headlines include:

1. Sanam Vakil
2. Elizabeth Dent
3. Shira Efron
4. Xavier Abu Eid
5. Nawaf Obaid
6. Mahdi Ghuloom
7. Omar Rahman
8. Sajad Jiyad

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