Humanitarian situation in Eastern Ghouta worsens, and the upcoming presidential elections in Egypt

In this week's podcast, we discuss the attempted resignation of Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif and the growing protests in Algeria against President Bouteflika's proposed fifth term. In Iran, Zarif announced his resignation in a February 25th Instagram post, but President Rouhani insists that Zarif keep his job after widespread support for the Foreign Minister's performance. In Algeria, protests continue to swell to hundreds of thousands as Algerians denounce President Bouteflika's plans to run for a fifth term in office despite his ill-health.

This week, Egypt's parliament approves a motion to amend the country's constitution. The proposed amendments would keep the current President, General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, in power until 2034. In Libya, Libyan National Army (LNA) commander Khalifa Hifter continues operation to take territory in the country's southwest, including al-Sharara oil field. And in Washington, the US House of Representatives approves a motion to end US support for the war in Yemen as UN representatives in Hodeidah continue working to broker a deal between the Saudi-led coalition and Houthi fighters as they contest control of the strategic port city.

This week, European Union diplomats and Iranian representatives adopt a new mechanism to maintain trade as Iran works to comply with the nuclear deal in the face of US sanctions. Qatar's Emir travels to Lebanon for a financial conference, pledging funds for the country's economy and appearing to step into the Lebanese political arena. And in Tunis, Youssef Chahed leads Tahya Tounes, a party breaking from the ruling Nidaa Tounes over economic policy and political infighting.

Our podcast is back with a discussion of the Jamal Khasghoggi murder in Istanbul, the formation of Iraq's new government, the return of US sanctions on Iran, and an election boycott in Bahrain. Tune in for your Middle East Update.

In this episode of the Middle East Weekly we discuss the events that occurred in Gaza this past weekend, when the Israeli Defense Forces killed 18 people and injured nearly 1000 people in reaction to Palestinian demonstrations near the border fence which separates Gaza from Israel. The Palestinian protests began on the anniversary of Land Day and were to be the beginning of a six-week long campaign called the Great Return March, raising awareness about the Palestinians’ rights to return to the homes they were displaced from in Israel in 1948. At the end of the podcast, we also provide some updates on the deal that Netanyahu made, and then abruptly cancelled, regarding the status of African migrants in Israel.

To no one's surpise, Sisi won the election in Egypt. Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman is touring the US. Ghouta is still under siege, and Turkey is continuing Operation Olive Branch. Find out more in this week's episode of the Middle East Weekly!

Why does it feel like no one is taking action to end an increasingly dire humanitarian situation in Eastern Ghouta? What are the prospects for a democratic presidential election in Egypt at the end of this month? Tune in to get behind the news with editors from the Journal of Middle Eastern Politics and Policy at Harvard University.

In our first story on this week's episode we discuss the history of corruption charges against Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders. Next, we discuss the Turkish military's attack on a Syrian convoy heading to reinforce YPG forces in Afrin. Finally, we discuss an underreported story of U.S. strikes killing hundreds of Russian mercenaries in Syria. If you want more information on any of these stories, head to our website where we have posted links to relevant articles: http://jmepp.hkspublications.org/

On this week's episode of the Middle East Weekly we discuss Thomas Friedman's recent controversial column "Saudi Arabia's Arab Spring, at Last" and the attack on al-Rawda Mosque in Egypt's North Sinai Governorate on November 24, 2017.