Podcast Episodes

The Blast Episode 3: Zero hour (Re-run)

Episode 440

Ghassan Hassrouty was working with his colleagues at the port’s grain silos. Sarah Copland, an Australian UN employee, was feeding her son Isaac, 2. And then, it’s zero hour, the moment the blast tor…

Published on 1 month, 1 week ago

The Blast Episode 2: The six-year wait (Re-run)

Episode 439

After the cargo was moved to a warehouse at the port, it sat there for years. This episode connects the dots to understand why the chemical, commonly used in fertilisers and explosives, was neglected…

Published on 1 month, 1 week ago

The Blast Episode 4: Fallout (Re-run)

Episode 441

In the aftermath of the blast, residents took to the streets to sweep the shards of glass and piles of rubble. Meanwhile, politicians bickered and resigned. Judges were appointed to investigate the b…

Published on 1 month, 1 week ago

The enduring consequences of mass starvation in Gaza

Episode 437

Hunger has killed more than 110 people so far in Gaza over the past 20 months of war.

And in the past week, the number of deaths has accelerated, causing alarm about a looming full-scale famine in th…

Published on 1 month, 2 weeks ago

Is Israel exploiting distrust between Syria’s Druze and Damascus?

Episode 436

The city of Sweida in southern Syria became a battleground this week after a series of retaliatory attacks between Druze militiamen and Bedouin tribes escalated.

President Ahmad Al Shara's government…

Published on 1 month, 3 weeks ago

What is the cost of ending the war in Gaza?

Episode 435

The toll of war is often measured in figures: the number of people killed, injured or displaced. But how do we calculate the cost of ending a war?

In the case of Gaza, where Israel continues to pursu…

Published on 1 month, 4 weeks ago

Does the easing of US sanctions on Syria come with strings attached?

Episode 434

During a visit to the Gulf in May, US President Donald Trump made a surprise announcement that he would revoke sanctions on Syria. This week, he kept that promise.

He signed an executive order on Mon…

Published on 2 months ago

How did Israel and Iran go from strategic allies to bitter enemies?

Episode 433

After 12 days of war between Israel and Iran, a ceasefire has brought a sense of cautious relief to the region.

Even after almost 21 months of war in Gaza and its spillover into neighbouring countrie…

Published on 2 months, 2 weeks ago

What happens to the Middle East if Tehran falls?

Episode 432

Up until last week, it seemed unthinkable for a UN member state to strike a nuclear site. But Israel did just that when it launched its attack on Iran, hitting military and atomic sites, and killing …

Published on 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Iran and Israel: What's next?

Episode 431

Canada, urging de-escalation of the conflict between Iran and Israel, but US President Donald Trump has already left, having warned that residents of Tehran "should immediately evacuate".

Iran's reac…

Published on 2 months, 3 weeks ago