Navigating the Middle East cycle of despair

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth requests billons of dollars more for America's war in Iran - without laying out a plan of how or when it could end. Former U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel joins the program to discuss the state of play and slams what he calls a lack of trans ...  Show more

As the Iran war escalates, the world's most vital chokepoints are coming under increasing threat. Iran's disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has already rattled global energy markets. Now, the Houthis could obstruct things further, launching a blockade on Saudi sh ...  Show more

<div>

As I'm recording this, Antony Blinken is on a whirlwind trip to at least eight countries in the Middle East and Mediterranean region. This flurry of diplomatic activity comes in the wake of worrying signs that the conflict in Israel and Gaza may spread throughout the reg ...

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reaches Turkey in his whirlwind diplomatic tour of the Middle East – after pro-Palestinian protesters tried to storm an air base holding US troops. In Israel’s near ghost town Sderot, one high tech business is carrying on. Plus, the latest Bid ...  Show more

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has wrapped up his visit to ease tensions in the Middle East after pledging an “ironclad” US support for Israel. His trip came amid violence between Israelis and Palestinians, with the Israeli military carrying out deadly raids in the occupied ...  Show more

Our correspondent is travelling with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is on yet another gruelling tour of the Middle East trying to broker peace. What are the chances of a lasting deal? We examine the problems arising from Latin America’s falling fertility rate (11:06). And ...  Show more