Arab News

Frankly Speaking | S12 E7 | Dmitry Polyanskiy, First Deputy Permanent Rep. of Russia to the UN

As tensions simmer over, the Ukraine-Russia conflict, Riyadh has become a pivotal stage this week, with separate high-stakes meetings by Ukraine and Russia underscoring its growing importance in global diplomacy.

Today, we speak with one of Russia's top diplomats, the first deputy permanent representative to the UN, Dmitry Polanski. Can a Black Sea ceasefire tied to sanctions relief truly de-escalate the conflict, even as both sides ramp up attacks on the ground? Are either parties willing to make the hard concessions needed to end the three-year war? Plus, how is Riyadh shaping the long-awaited shift towards peace?

Frankly Speaking | S12 E6 | Norman T. Roule, Former senior U.S. intelligence official

Two months after returning to the White House, President Trump has shocked the world with a series of major announcements, from aggressive DOGE initiatives to high tariffs, plans to relocate thousands of Palestinians from Gaza, and secret talks with Hamas.

Today we hear from Norman T. Roule, the former senior US intelligence official and Middle East expert, to ask what President Trump’s actions mean for US foreign policy, how they will impact the changes underway in the Middle East, can Washington be convinced to back the Arab world’s plan to rebuild Gaza, and is a Trump-Putin summit in Saudi Arabia on the horizon?

Frankly Speaking | S12 E5 | Faisal Sultan, Vice President and Managing Director of Lucid Middle East

On this episode we speak with Faisal Sultan, the Vice President and Managing Director of Lucid Middle East. We talk to him about EV adoption in the Kingdom, Lucid’s new challenges following its CEO’s sudden exit, all as rival Tesla reportedly prepares to launch operations in Saudi Arabia.

And as Lucid ramps up production in the Kingdom, will Saudi be the decisive force that propels Lucid back to profitability?

Frankly Speaking | S12 E4 | Abdulrahman Al Rashed, Saudi columnist and political analyst

The Arab League has unveiled an ambitious plan to rebuild Gaza following an extraordinary summit last week.

On this episode of Frankly Speaking we hear from renowned Saudi columnist and political analyst Abdulrahman Al Rashed to ask if the Cairo plan can ever materialize in reality.

Can the secret talks between Hamas and the White House be successful? Plus, his views on the reforms happen in Saudi Arabia and its transition to becoming a global power broker.

Frankly Speaking | S12 E3 | HRH Turki Al-Faisal, Former Saudi Ambassador and Intelligence Chief

Just days before the extraordinary and highly anticipated Arab League Summit, we sit down with His Royal Highness Prince Turki bin Faisal, former Saudi Ambassador and Intelligence Chief, to explore how Saudi Arabia views Trump’s controversial Gaza plan, what saudi and regional leaders are discussing behind closed doors and whether the international community is truly committed to achieving peace in Palestine.

Frankly Speaking | S12 E2 | Dr. Abdulaziz Sager, Chairman and founder of the Gulf Research Center

Saudi Arabia has taken centre stage in global diplomacy this week, brokering high-level talks between Russia and the US - an unprecedented move that has left the world watching closely.
 
Today we speak with Dr Abdulaziz Sager, the Chairman of the Gulf Research Centre, to examine the significance of these pivotal talks, Saudi Arabia’s growing influence on the global stage and whether the Arab League’s next move could change the future of Gaza forever.

Frankly Speaking | S12 E1 | Dr. Riyad Mansour, Palestinian Ambassador to the UN

On this episode of Frankly Speaking we hear from Riyad Mansour, Palestine’s Permanent Observer to the UN, to discuss whether Palestinian statehood is slipping further away, how the leadership is responding to mounting pressure from key Arab states and whether Palestinians themselves still see a future in Gaza.

Frankly Speaking | S11 E10 | Norman T. Roule, Former senior U.S. intelligence official and Middle East expert

It’s been just over two weeks since the American electorate made their voices heard, with Donald Trump securing a commanding victory in the presidential race.

On this episode of Frankly Speaking we hear from former Senior CIA Operations Officer and Middle East expert Norman Roule to break down what this means for the future of US foreign policy.

Can President-Elect Trump deliver on his promises to swiftly end the wars in Ukraine and Gaza? What will his victory mean for the crisis in Gaza and the future of US-Saudi relations? And how will his approach to the Middle East reshape America’s role on the global stage?

Frankly Speaking | S11 E9 | Dr. Varsen Aghabekian Shahin, Palestine Foreign Affairs Minister

On this episode of Frankly Speaking, we hear from Dr Varsen Shahin, Palestine’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Expatriates.

With a new US administration and Saudi Arabia leading a global coalition in support of a two-state solution, could this mark a new turning point for peace and stability in the Middle East? How does the Palestinian leadership view these developments and what is their impact on the ground? Plus, if the conflict does come to an end, who will govern Gaza and what will it take to rebuild?

Frankly Speaking | S11 E8 | Robert S. Ford, Senior Fellow - Middle East Institute in Washington, DC.

On this episode we hear from veteran US Ambassador and Senior Fellow at the Middle East Institute in Washington DC, Robert Ford.

As a former Ambassador to Syria, Iraq, Algeria and more, he has detailed insights into some of the world's most complex conflicts and foreign policy challenges.

What is the impact of Donald Trump returning to the White House. Is the President-Elect’s plans to swiftly end the wars in Gaza and Ukraine truly achievable or simply campaign rhetoric? Plus, what does America’s shift in power mean for the Middle East?