ITV News International Affairs Analyst Rageh Omaar looks at a seismic week in the Middle East.

The new Middle East has few upsides but plenty of potential downsides

Israeli President Isaac Herzog, front left, visits Sderot, a town close to the Gaza Strip, on Wednesday, Oct.11, 2023. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)




President Isaac Herzog acknowledged many Gazans had nothing to do with Hamas but was adamant that others did.

Israeli president says Gazans could have risen up to fight Hamas

ITV News' International Affairs Editor Rageh Omaar sat down with former Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert to discuss the ongoing conflict with Hamas.

'There will be a battle and it will be brutal,' warns former Israeli PM

UNESCO's International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists launch is a welcome move that shouldn't be needed, but sadly is, writes Rageh Omaar.

'Journalists need to be protected to carry out their jobs'

More than 18m are experiencing extreme hunger in the Horn of Africa as the worst drought in decades is worsened by the war in Ukraine driving up food prices.

Drought fuelled by Ukraine war leaves 18m in east Africa in extreme hunger

This month it will become the first European country to impose a mandatory vaccination programme for all its citizens aged over 18. 

Get jabbed or fined - Austria's controversial call in its fight against Covid

Washington DC is preparing for an election result and the ensuing expected backlash, boarding up shops and reinforcing protection around the White House.

Washington DC prepares for unrest on America's day of reckoning

The Republican Party has made the political targeting, especially of African American men, such a key political pitch in the last weeks of the election.

African-American and minority voters who support and oppose Donald Trump

Donald Trump and Joe Biden are both criss-crossing the key battleground states upon which this most polarised of elections will be decided. 

Trump's final push as race to the White House enters final day

Meng Wanzhou is currently fighting a US request for her extradition from Canada where she has been held since 1 December 2018.

How Huawei exec's extradition request escalates US, China and Canada tensions

Not reacting by hitting American targets would have been a far more dangerous show of weakness and fear.

Iran's strategy: Short term reaction - long term revenge

File photo. Lord Peter Mandelson pictured in July 2023.

ITV News Political Editor Robert Peston explains how Lord Peter Mandelson might yet not be packing his bags for Washington DC.

Why Washington could reject Mandelson as Britain's next US ambassador

ITV News Political Editor Robert Peston breaks down potentially the most important diplomatic decision Starmer will ever make. 

Was PM blindsided by Mandelson reaction or did he hope to weather the storm?

Ruth Jones and James Corden attend a BBC launch event for Gavin and Stacey: The Finale, at Ham Yard Hotel in London. Picture date: Wednesday December 18, 2024. 

After the show's 2019 Christmas special ended on a cliffhanger, with a marriage proposal, viewers will hopefully get an answer on Christmas Day.

James Corden and Ruth Jones to give Gavin & Stacey ‘lovely’ send off

ITV News' Robert Peston looks at why the prime minister has given Lord Mandelson the UK's top diplomatic job to the US and what risks are involved

Why Starmer picked Mandelson for Washington

File photo dated 02/02/24 of Lord Peter Mandelson at St Mary the Virgin church in Primrose Hill, north west London. The UK needs to transform itself into a high investment economy to shift out of its low growth "doom loop", Lord Peter Mandelson claims, adding that he will will hit out at "persistent underinvestment". Issue date: Thursday October 10, 2024.

The Labour peer and former 'spin doctor' to Tony Blair would replace Karen Pierce, who has served as ambassador to the US since 2020. 

Peter Mandelson expected to be made Britain's new ambassador to US

The Queen's longtime hairdresser has spoken to ITV News about her decades-lasting friendship with Her Majesty.

Royal warrant for the long-serving hairdresser to the Queen

ITV News' Chloe Keedy reports from Avignon, France, after attending the sentencing of Gisèle Pelicot's ex-husband and 50 other men in the mass rape trial.

Gisele Pelicot calmly faced the unimaginable in court for the final time

ITV News' Steve Scott speaks to Lord Seb Coe, one of seven candidates vying to become IOC president, about how the Olympic games could shape up. 

Rageh Omaar

International Affairs Editor