Dispatch by Middle East Eye

This week we talk about the dangerous ‘game’ played by Bangladeshi migrants finding themselves on Libya’s shores, an investigation into British intelligence uncovers a campaign of propaganda in Syria, and 72 years after what Palestinians call ‘The Nakba’, we examine the history of discriminatory Israeli land policies. We’re joined by MEE journalist Kaamil Ahmed, investigative reporter Ian Cobain and Human Rights Watch’s Israel-Palestine director Omar Shakir. 

In this bonus episode, we bring you the full version of our interview with Dr Dalia Fahmy on how political prisoners in Egypt are trapped by the country's pre-trial detention rules.

In this episode, we talk about what the global crash in oil prices will do to Saudi Arabia’s economy, how North African countries are tackling the coronavirus outbreak in Ramadan, and the sudden death of a young filmmaker jailed in Egypt for mocking the president. We’re joined by MEE Chief Editor David Hearst, North Africa editor Melanie Materese and associate professor of political science at Long Island University Dr. Dalia Fahmy.

In this episode, we talk about the violent clashes in Lebanon as protesters defy lockdown, the mysterious death of a young Palestinian inmate sparks anger, and successionists declare governance in south Yemen, throwing months of peace negotiations into disarray.  We’re joined by MEE journalist Heba Naser, Palestine correspondent for Mondoweiss Yumna Patel, and Sanaa Centre’s deputy director Osamah Al-Rawhani.

This week we talk about the media war raging between Saudi Arabia and Turkey, Morocco’s government urged to release jailed activists as coronavirus hits its prisons and Israel’s new unity government paves way for the annexation of the Jordan Valley. We're joined by roving journalist Amandla Thomas-Johnson, Turkey correspondent Ragip Soylu and award-winning Israeli journalist and commentator Meron Rapoport.

This week we talk about Lebanon’s flailing economy that can’t seem to get a break, New York’s immigrant neighbourhoods in the eye of the coronavirus storm and Boris Johnson returns from the brink of death with a change of heart.

Welcome to the first episode of Dispatch, a weekly podcast looking at the biggest stories in the Middle East and beyond. This week we talk about Israel's clampdown on ultra-orthodox communities in a bid to curb the spread of coronavirus, the sudden resignation of Iraq's third Prime Minister nominee in less than 10 weeks, and the UK government's turbulent fight with COVID-19 takes its toll with Boris Johnson admitted into intensive care. Dispatch is produced by Middle East Eye.

Coming soon: A brand new weekly podcast by Middle East Eye exploring the biggest stories across the Middle East and beyond.