Editorial

Gaza is a post-apocalyptic killing zone: UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini

Apr 11, 2025
It’s been almost a month since Israel broke the ceasefire agreement with Hamas, launching daily strikes across Gaza that have killed more than 1,100 Palestinians. Humanitarian aid has also been blocked from entering the area by Israel for more than a month, deepening the crisis.

Humanitarian workers have also been directly targeted. Since October 7, 2023, more than 400 aid workers have been killed - nearly 300 of them were staff members with the United Nations' Palestinian relief agency, UNRWA.

So, what’s needed to ensure justice and accountability for the victims of war crimes? And what is the situation on the ground in Gaza?

This week on UpFront, Redi Tlhabi speaks with UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini.

Ralph Wilde on the ICJ & why Israeli occupation must end?

Friday , Apr 11, 2025
International lawyer Ralph Wilde joins Centre Stage to talk about the 2024 landmark ruling by the International Court of Justice that deems Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories illegal - and why it must cease immediately. Wilde provides detailed analysis, which he presented to the court, and tells Al Jazeera principal presenter Cyril Vanier what Israel and the international community must do to comply with the ICJ ruling and the UN resolution that endorsed the court’s decision.

Can Europeans alone change the course of Russia's war in Ukraine?

Thursday, Apr 10, 2025  
European defence ministers from the so-called 'coalition of the willing' have been meeting in Brussels to discuss boosting military support for Ukraine.

It includes the possible deployment of peacekeepers if a ceasefire is agreed.

The talks are part of a renewed push by Europe to arm Ukraine against Russia's invasion after the US made military support a condition of Kyiv's participation in peace talks.

Meanwhile, the EU's latest effort to rally funding for Ukraine has only exposed disunity in the bloc.

So, does Europe have the means and the will to keep Ukraine in the fight as Washington looks for a way out?

Presenter: James Bays

Guests:
Pieter Cleppe - Editor-in-Chief of BrusselsReport.eu

Marina Miron- researcher in the War Studies Department of King’s College London

Anatol Lieven- Director of the Eurasia Program at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft

What is behind Trump's U-turn on tariffs?

Thursday, Apr 10, 2025  
In a dramatic change of policy, Donald Trump has paused his so-called "reciprocal" levies on most nations for 90 days.

This, after his tariff policy sent markets globally into a freefall and left business leaders and even pro-Trump Republicans warning of a recession.

While the White House will be looking to cut deals with other nations on the levies, Trump has ramped up his trade dispute with China.

His decision to reverse course may have brought relief to markets.

But, with Trump's series of reversals since taking office in January, critics say uncertainty remains hanging over the United States economy.

What will shape Syria's future?

Friday, January 31, 2025
Ahmed Al Sharaa is Syria's new President and we're getting hints of what his government might look like. He's promised a temporary legislative council will pass laws for the time being - and that it will be inclusive of Syria's various groups and factions. The international community is applying pressure to make sure he keeps his promises. But can president Sharaa bring his country together? And will his government be able to improve the lives of the Syrian people - who've been battered by more than a decade of war?

Presenter: Cyril Vanier
Guests
Danny Al Baaj - Vice President of the Syrian Forum for Advocacy and Public Relations. He also led the Cabinet of Syria's Deputy Foreign Minister in the late 2000s.
Joshua Landis - Director of the Center for Middle East Studies at the University of Oklahoma.
Mohammad Al Abdallah - Executive Director of the Syria Justice and Accountability Centre.

Democracy doesn’t exist in the United States: Chris Hedges

Friday, January 31, 2025
As Donald Trump returns to the White House, many are raising concerns about the possible decline of liberal democracy.

What then would a second Trump term mean for the next four years for the United States? And what impact will the president's foreign policy have on the Middle East?

This week on UpFront, Marc Lamont Hill discusses these issues with Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist and former war correspondent Chris Hedges.

Hamas’s theatrical projection of confidence carries with it risks: Marwan Bishara

Friday, January 31, 2025  
Al Jazeera’s senior political analyst Marwan Bishara highlights the intense emotional and psychological dimensions surrounding the ongoing conflict.

He emphasizes the stark contrast between public emotions -ranging from joy and relief to anger and despair - amid the release of captives on both sides.

Bishara also suggests that beyond the emotional outpouring, there is a calculated strategic element at play, with both Israel and Hamas engaging in psychological warfare. Hamas seeks to project an image of resilience and defiance, while Israel underscores the necessity of its actions despite the broader implications.

He further notes that such displays of power risk escalating tensions, potentially provoking further responses. Ultimately, Bishara reflects on the remarkable endurance of Hamas, as it continues to operate despite relentless Israeli military pressure.

Syria’s Ahmed al-Sharaa named president for transitional period

Thursday, January 30, 2025 
Syria’s de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa has been named president for a transitional period, the Syrian state news agency (SANA) has reported. Sharaa was also authorised to form a temporary legislative council for the transitional phase which will carry out its task until a new constitution is adopted, SANA reported on Wednesday, citing commander Hassan Abdel Ghani.

Al Jazeera's Osama bin Javaid joins live from Damascus.

Trump’s inauguration: Key takeaways as Trump sworn in as 47th US president

Tuesday, January 21, 2025

Donald Trump has been sworn in as the 47th president of the United States, returning to the White House four years after his defeat.

In his inaugural speech on Monday, January 20, 2025 the 78-year-old took an aggressive stance, using his platform in the Capitol Rotunda to criticise outgoing Democratic President Joe Biden. Trump vowed a "revolution of common sense" and condemned Biden’s presidency.

He signed multiple executive orders to reverse key Biden policies and pardoned around 1,500 individuals charged over the January 6 Capitol riot in 2021.

Al Jazeera’s Mike Hanna reports from Washington, DC.

Trump’s Panama Canal threat would breach UN Charter: Analysis

Tuesday, January 21, 2025

Al Jazeera's diplomatic editor James Bays says:
Trump is the president of the United States and he says he is going to take the Panama Canal back. Now, if he did that, that would be a breach of the UN Charter, that’s the governing document that has framed international relations since World War II. Not just a matter of history though, this sets a precedent.