Why Has David Cameron Returned to Front-line politics? | Inside Story

Nov 13, 2023 | David Cameron stunned Britain when he quit as Prime Minister after the 2016 Brexit referendum. Now, he has triggered another political earthquake, making a shock return as Foreign Secretary.

That follows the sacking of the interior minister who tried and failed to suppress major demonstrations in support of Palestinians in Gaza. So what does this mean for UK policy - at home and abroad?

Uncomfortably Numb: Inside Gaza's Opioid Addiction Crisis | Rewind

Oct 6, 2019 | The Gaza Strip - at points just 10km wide - is a narrow piece of land along the eastern Mediterranean coast. Its Palestinian population is sealed behind a separation barrier and tightly controlled checkpoints.

Gaza is home to more than 1.5 million Palestinians - half of them under the age of 15. Unemployment is among the highest in the world and every day is a struggle to survive. Thousands of young people regularly risk their lives protesting their occupation by Israel along the border fence.

But there is a lesser-known unintended consequence of the occupation: opioid addiction. In 2010, Al Jazeera's Zeina Awad travelled to Gaza and found that more and more young people were turning to prescription drugs to escape from the harsh realities of their lives.

In the underground tunnels between Egypt and Gaza - where lifelines including food and clothes are smuggled into the blockaded strip - Al Jazeera found that a dangerous drug, Tramadol (or Tramal as it is known in Gaza), was also slipping through. The dangerously addictive painkiller is illegal without a prescription, but a growing number of Gazans were getting hooked on it and going to extreme lengths to get it.

"I buy fake prescriptions," Khaled al-Jarah, a long-term drug user, told Al Jazeera at the time. "If I don't get this prescription there are other ways to get the pills. Dealers bring in boxes of them through the tunnels."

Psychologist Dr Samir al-Zaqout treats addicts at Gaza's Community Mental Health Programme, one of the few places they are able to go for help.

"Most of the addicts are between the ages of 18 and 30 ... Those who are supposed to build our future are the most affected," he told Al Jazeera at the time. "If the number of cases I have seen are 150, there are hundreds of others that I have not seen and who would never seek the help of a doctor. Why? Because we live in a traditional society that fears the stigma attached to mental illness. And addiction is not just considered to be a mental health issue. It's seen as even more serious."

Almost a decade on, Rewind returned to Gaza where Dr al-Zaqout told us that most users are still reluctant to come forward to be treated at the facility. "People don't go to therapy or to a psychologist because they are afraid to do so on two counts: they're scared of the Resistance labelling them as collaborators; and they're also afraid of the associated stigma within society," he said.

With Gaza's political and humanitarian situation deteriorating further in recent years, and with a new upsurge of violence at the border, the painkiller problem has also worsened. Although authorities clamped down on Tramadol, other drugs, including Lyrica and Fioricet, have gained popularity. "Now it is smuggled to Gaza through all ports and, consequently, the Strip has been drowned with drugs," said Dr al-Zaqout.


Please note well that my posting of this documentary is NOT a political statement. I am in no way familiar with the actual problems in Gaza, since I have never been there. Having spent many years in the Arab world in years past, I am very familiar with the Middle East; but it is my belief that many of the problems which Gazans face are problems which are peculiar to Gaza itself, especially because of its unique situation and circumstances.

I should like to remind all my visitors and followers once again that I strive to bring you balance, and in three languages. My posts should in no way be understood to mean that I endorse the sentiments expressed therein. – Mark

Nine Countries Have Recalled Their Ambassadors from Israel due to War on Gaza

Nov 7, 2023 | Since Israel began its bombardment of Gaza, 9 countries have withdrawn their ambassadors, or severed ties.

They've called for an immediate ceasefire and for humanitarian aid to enter the strip unhindered.

NATO member Turkey is among those that pulled their ambassador out. So did Israel's neighbour, Jordan, that said Israel is committing "war crimes".

The latest to join the list are South Africa and Chad. Bolivia was the first to sever ties entirely with Israel - saying its decision was a "condemnation of the aggressive and disproportionate Israeli military offensive taking place in the Gaza Strip”.

Al Jazeera’s Alan Fisher reports from the Occupied East Jerusalem.

For in depth analysis, Marwan Bishara is Al Jazeera's Senior Political Analyst.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Calls for Immediate Ceasefire in Gaza

Oct 25, 2023 | In a wide-ranging speech to parliament, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for an immediate ceasefire and proposed an international conference to reach a lasting peace. Al Jazeera’s correspondent Resul Serdar who's covered Turkey extensively joins us now in our Doha studio to discuss more about this.

Al Jazeera English: The Balfour Declaration Explained

Nov 3, 2017 | Here's why the Balfour Declaration is important to understanding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Pope Slams ‘Indifference’ towards Migrants Arriving in Europe by Sea

Sep 23, 2023 | The head of the Catholic Church has urged nations to overcome what he calls a "paralysis of fear" about refugees and migrants. Pope Francis is on a tour in Marseille, in southern France.

There has been a surge in the number of refugees and migrants arriving on Europe's shores in recent weeks.

Al Jazeera's Natasha Butler has this report from Paris, France.

Morocco After the Quake | Between Us

Sep 21, 2023 | When senior foreign correspondent Stefanie Dekker arrived in Morocco, she witnessed the extent of the destruction of the earthquake that shook the country on September 8.

In this episode of Between Us, Dekker reveals the challenges faced when covering a natural disaster as well as the emotional toll it has taken on everyone.

Gaddafi: The Endgame : State of Denial | Documentary

Dec 23, 2011 | State of Denial is the story of the fall of the Gaddafi regime as told by the insiders, defectors and military advisors who helped to bring it about.

Written and directed by Anne Reevell of Moonbeam Films, the film offers a revealing behind-the-scenes account of a revolution, a slice of history in which people took back power.

"The disintegration of the Gaddafi regime in Libya surprised and confused the world - not because it happened in the first place, but because Gaddafi's government remained convinced it could prevail - despite defections, NATO airstrikes and a popular mass uprising," says Reevell.

As the rebels continue to advance towards Tripoli, the Libyan authorities there are in a state of denial, convinced they can still talk to the British government, denouncing the foreign media, burning the homes of Libyan exiles and organising anti-NATO demonstrations in London.

The message they relay says there is 'no compromise on leadership,' but do they mean it or are hairline fractures beginning to emerge?

Using the oral diary of a Tripoli-based insider, as well as interviews with the UK prime minister's senior advisor on Libya and leading figures in Benghazi and Tripoli, State of Denial explores the demise of Gaddafi's powerbase and charts the twists and turns of a regime in denial.

What Impact Will Threads Have on Twitter and Social Media? | Inside Story

Jul 8, 2023 | An alternative to Twitter is launched by Meta Threads. It hopes Threads will profit from unpopular changes made to the platform under Elon Musk's ownership. So, is it just a clone - or is it a revolution in social media? And what does it mean for users around the world?

Presenter: Adrian Finighan

Guests:

Elaine Burke, Science and Technology journalist, host of For Tech's Sake podcast.

Sherilyn Naidoo, Lawyer and Policy Adviser to Big Tech Accountability Team, Amnesty International.

Sarah Kreps, Founder and Director of the Technology Policy Institute at Cornell University, and Author of 'Social Media's International Relations'


Threads Takes on Twitter: How Meta did what no other Twitter competitor could. »

Beyond the Wall: Part 1 - The Rise of Germany's Far Right; Part 2: From Germany to Bulgaria, What Happened to Hope? | People & Power

The Life and Work of Slain Journalist Jamal Khashoggi | Al Jazeera English

The career of Jamal Khashoggi, who was considered to be the most renowned Saudi journalist before his murder in the Saudi consulate in Turkey six months ago, spanned decades, and for much of it, he was a supporter of the Saudi royal family. But, after he became a critic of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), he was killed by Saudi authorities. Al Jazeera's Mohamed Vall reports on his life and work.

Analysis: The Saudi Justice System and Human Rights | Al Jazeera English

Saudi Arabia has temporarily released three of the women's rights activists held in custody for almost a year, state media has said, following a court hearing in which the detainees alleged torture and sexual harassment during interrogation.

At least 11 activists were arrested last May in a sweeping crackdown on campaigners just before the historic lifting of a decades-long ban on female motorists.

In a separate development on Thursday, a United Nations human rights expert said that Saudi Arabia should hold public trials for those accused of killing Khashoggi in order for the judicial process to be credible.

Al Jazeera's Senior Middle East Analyst Marwan Bishara talks about the two issues.

Three Dead in Shooting in Dutch City of Utrecht: Mayor | Al Jazeera English

Three people are dead and nine wounded after a gunman opened fire in a tram in the central Dutch city of Utrecht says the city's mayor Jan von Zanen.

Dutch authorities have raised the threat level to its highest, and Prime Minister Mark Rutte said all efforts were focusing on the "suspect or suspects" responsible.

Al Jazeera's Fleur Launspach reports from Utrecht.

Saudi Prosecutor Seeks Death Penalty for Five in Khashoggi Murder l Breaking News

Authorities in Saudi Arabia say they will seek the death penalty for five people accused of carrying out the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul. Speaking in Riyadh, Shaalan al-Shaalan, Saudi Arabia's deputy public prosecutor, said "the incident" began on September 29 when a "former" deputy chief of intelligence ordered the "leader of the mission" to "bring back the victim by means of persuasion, and if persuasion fails, to do so by force". While the prosecutor's office did not give names, General Ahmed al-Asiri, who was fired as deputy head of intelligence in the wake of the killing, has been implicated. Al Jazeera's Andrew Simmons reports.

UN: Khashoggi Was Victim of 'Extrajudicial Execution' l Al Jazeera English

Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was the victim of an 'extrajudicial execution'. That's the assessment of Agnes Callamard, the United Nations' Special Rapporteur on Summary or Arbitrary Killings. She's pointing the finger directly at the top level of the Saudi leadership. Faisal Fahad, the Saudi representative on the UN committee, said Callamard had overstepped her remit with her comments. "Kindly do not give us any personal opinions in this official meeting," he said. Al Jazeera's James Bays reports from New York.

Saudi Arabia: Global Pressure Calling for End to Arms Sales | Al Jazeera English

Rights groups are ramping up pressure against Saudi Arabia’s leadership calling on the international community to close its doors on arms sales after the killing of Jamal Khashoggi and over the war in Yemen.

A bipartisan group of US lawmakers have introduced a bill to ban arms sales to Saudi Arabia. It would also cut military co-operation, unless US investigators can provide proof the Saudi government did not order the killing of Khashoggi.

Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel has joined other European countries in calling for a "credible" investigation and has halted a weapons deals with Saudi Arabia.

Al Jazeera’s Raheela Mahomed looks at how international pressure is also growing online.

Saudi Arabia Admits Khashoggi Killed in Istanbul Consulate | Al Jazeera English

Saudi Arabia has, for the first time, admitted that journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

An announcement on Saudi media claimed Khashoggi died during a brawl between him and those he went to the consulate to meet.

Eighteen Saudi nationals have been arrested in connection with the death and at least five prominent officials have been sacked.

The story cut against the impressions given by Turkish investigators and left more questions than answers, including what happened to the journalist's remains.

Al Jazeera’s Andrew Simmons reports from Istanbul.

Saudi Crown Prince in the Spotlight after Khashoggi 'Murder' | Al Jazeera English

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s rapid ascent took the international community by surprise. In the past 18 months, he consolidated power and attempted to project himself as a reformer and moderniser. But the Khashoggi case has swung the spotlight onto areas in which the crown prince has been less than reform-minded. Al Jazeera's Dorsa Jabbari reports.

Iran: Persian Rug Industry Takes a Hit after US Sanctions | Al Jazeera English

Last year, Tehran sold $126m worth of Persian rugs to the American market, but the new US sanctions on Iran include the hand-woven carpets. But the beautiful rugs are more than just a commodity; they are recognised around the world as a form of art and are part of Iran's cultural identity. Weavers say the sanctions are not just an attempt to block an important revenue stream, but also an attack on Iranian culture. Al Jazeera's Zein Basravi reports from Karaj, Iran.

US: 'Chain Migration' Grants Melania Trump's Parents Citizenship | Al Jazeera English

Immigration activists in the US are accusing the president of being a hypocrite. Donald Trump has been critical of the legal practice that gives relatives of citizens preference for moving to the US. Now his wife's parents have been granted citizenship, seemingly as a result of the same immigration policy. Al Jazeera's Kimberly Halkett reports.