Tensions across the Middle East, recently rose to worrying highs.

It started on 1 April, when Israel launched an attack on Iran's consulate building in the Syria capital of Damascus. Iran responded to this by firing hundreds of drones and missiles at Israel. In turn, Israel conducted strikes in Iran.

Voices from abroad, desperately called for calm, as fears grew that the region was about to be plunged into a regional conflict.

This week on The New Arab Voice, we look at the recent Iranian strike against Israel and Israel's response.

What did Iran hope to achieve, and were they successful? Why did Arab nations take part in the defence of Iran? What did Israel want to achieve in Iran, and why was their response so muted? How close did the region come to war, and has the threat now passed?

Joining us to discuss this and more, we speak with Merissa Khurma (@MerissaKhurma). Merissa Khurma is the program director of the Middle East Program at the Wilson Center (@WilsonCenterMEP). And, Trita Parsi (@tparsi), the Executive Vice President of the Quincy Institute (@QuincyInst), and author of Losing an Enemy: Obama, Iran and the Triumph of Diplomacy. And finally, Hamidreza Aziz (@HamidRezaAz), a visiting fellow at the German Institute for International Security Affairs (@SWPBerlin) in Berlin.

This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge).

Theme music by Omar al-Fil.

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TNAPodcasts or email podcast@newarab.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The recent local elections in Turkey did not go to plan for President Erdogan.

The voters sent a clear message to the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) party and the strongman president, when they voted in unprecedented numbers for the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP).

The CHP took control of Turkey's biggest cities and also managed to make significant headway into provinces that had been traditional AKP territory.

Additionally, the AKP also lost out to the New Welfare Party (YRP), and Islamist party, who collected former AKP voters, who were angered by Erdogan's Gaza policy.

The recent vote raises some big questions about the future of Turkey and Erdogan.

This week on The New Arab Voice, we look at the recent Turkish elections. Why did the AKP and Erdogan do so badly? How big was the CHP victory? Has the path been set for Ekrem İmamoğlu to rise to the presidency? Can and will Erdogan run again? Will Erdogan start another crackdown? And what is the state of Turkish democracy?

Joining us this week, we speak with Gönül Tol (@gonultol), the founding director of the Middle East Institute’s (@MiddleEastInst) Turkey programme and a senior fellow with the Black Sea Program. Gönül's new book, Erdogan's War: A Strongman's Struggle at Home and in Syria, is out now.

Also, Soner Cagaptay (@SonerCagaptay), the Beyer Family Senior Fellow and director of the Turkish Research Program at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy (@WashInstitute), and the author of A Sultan in Autumn.

his podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge).

Theme music by Omar al-Fil.

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TNAPodcasts or email podcast@newarab.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Palestinian Authority (PA) has a new government and a new Prime Minister.

An exciting and yet highly challenging time for them; but for the Palestinian people, optimism for real change is low.

The Palestinian Authority has been in place since the 1990's, but satisfaction is low. There are systemic governance problems across Palestine, and the PA is no longer seen as the leaders of the liberation movement.

This week on The New Arab Voice, we look at the Palestinian Authority and the problems with governance in the wake of the brutal war on Gaza. What is the Palestinian Authority doing to end the violence and promote Palestinian liberty? How do Palestinians feel about the ruling authority? And is it time for reforms, and for President Abbas to step aside, or for the institution as a whole to be dissolved?

Joining us, we speak with Omar Rahman (@omarrahman), fellow at the Middle East Council on Global Affairs (@ME_Council), where he focuses on Palestine, Middle East geopolitics, and American foreign policy in the region.

Also, we speak with Obada Shtaya, the co-Founder and CEO of the Institute for Social and Economic Progress. Obada is a pollster and researcher, with interests in social psychology, political economy, and social movement theory.

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This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge).

Theme music by Omar al-Fil.

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TNAPodcasts or email podcast@newarab.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.