Podcast: Beyond the Headlines

DAMASCUS, SYRIA - DECEMBER 08: People watch soldiers and military vehicles parade through the streets to mark one year since the fall of the Assad regime on December 8, 2025 in Damascus, Syria. The first anniversary of the fall of the Assad regime in Syria is being marked today across the country. Former leader Bashar al-Assad was granted asylum in Russia after he fled the country and his government collapsed on December 8, 2024. The fall of the regime, which ended over five decades of the Assad family's rule, came after a rapid offensive by opposition forces led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). A transitional government, headed by Ahmed al-Sharaa (formerly the HTS leader), is now in place and working on the country's reconstruction and political transition. (Photo by Chris McGrath / Getty Images)

The year in impact: our episodes that resonated the most in 2025

Host Nada AlTaher talks about the stories that were most challenging and rewarding to cover on the podcast

Members of the forces of Yemen's main separatist group, the Southern Transitional Council, look on as they arrive in a mountainous area where they are launching a military operation in the southern province of Abyan, Yemen, December 15, 2025. REUTERS / Stringer

How Yemen’s power balance is shifting again

What’s stalling phase two of the Gaza ceasefire?

One year since Assad’s fall: Where is Syria today?

Egypt

Egypt's Mohamed Salah during the Africa Cup of Nations match against South Africa in Agadir. AP

Salah 'very happy' after powering Egypt into Afcon 2025 knockouts

Liverpool star scores the winner against South Africa to secure last-16 spot

Football

From the darkness of an eclipse to light shed on a pharaoh, what 2026 may bring

UAE

Why Egypt v South Africa remains one of African football’s great rivalries

Football

ExclusiveEgypt increases pressure on Ethiopia through Eritrea and Djibouti port deals

MENA

Lebanon

Syrians cross the Al Kabir River between Syria and Lebanon in March 2025. Reuters

Four missing trying to cross river on Syria-Lebanon border

Three others rescued as Lebanese forces deny forcing people into swollen Al Kabir River

MENA

Why Lebanon's bank customers will struggle to be fully repaid

Economy

Lebanese leader rules out war as three killed in Israeli strikes

MENA

Lebanon investigates ‘fake prince’ accused of selling bogus political access

MENA

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