Egypt: the persecution of Coptic Christians

Egypt's Coptic community on edge after a church attack kills 21 people on New Year's Day. Many fear that anti-Christian sentiment is being fueled by militant groups. An appeal from Israel - premier Benjamin Netanyahu asks the US for clemency for former spy Jonathan Pollard. And introducing Qatar's newest museum - it's dedicated to 20th century and contemporary art from the Middle East.

28/01/2013 - THE WEEK IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Port Said's difficult relationship with Cairo

We look in more detail at the background to last weekend’s clashes in the Egyptian city of Port Said. The violence was sparked by the sentencing to death of 21 local football fans. Next, we head to Jordan to speak to Syrians who have fled their homeland. Finally, we look at efforts to stop Lebanon’s illegal drug trade.

22/01/2013 - THE WEEK IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Israel elections: High expectations for settlers

We begin by looking at how candidates in this week's parliamentary elections in Israel are trying to woo voters in the West Bank. Next, Israel and Iran may be sworn enemies but we have a report showing how Jews are prospering in Tehran. Finally, Jordan says its parliamentary elections this week will showcase recent democratic reforms, but the Muslim brotherhood says it will boycott the count.

15/01/2013 - THE WEEK IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Lebanon struggles with Syrian refugee influx

The worst storm in ten years has swept across swathes of the Middle East. In Lebanon, the extreme weather has made things even worse for many Syrian refugees already living in tough conditions. Plus, we look at the MPs in Israel who are hoping social discontent can help them in the upcoming polls. Finally, a growing number of women across the Middle East are taking to the internet to demand change.

07/01/2013 - THE WEEK IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Meet the Israeli journalists running for office

In Israel, increasing numbers of journalists are launching political careers, aiming to run in the country's coming parliamentary election. Next, Hamas leaders in Gaza allow rival movement Fatah to celebrate the anniversary of the secular party's existence, in a sign of improving ties between the two camps. Finally, Turkey removes hundreds of books from a list of censored works, as Ankara seeks to shake off criticism of its record on freedom of expression.

31/12/2012 - THE WEEK IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Syria: State journalists defect to France

This week we meet former Syrian state journalists who have defected to France. Then to Yemen, where Al Qaeda fighters were driven out of a city by government forces. Now it's home to destruction and terror. Finally we take a different look at life in the Middle East, through the lenses of contemporary photographers from the region.