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For more than forty years, Iran, Israel and the United States have been fighting a covert war. A look back at this long war which has brought hardship and choas to the Middle East. This second episode begins with the Madrid conference and the United States' wish to improve relations between Israel and its neighbours. One notable absentee: Iran, which was not invited...

For more than forty years, Iran, Israel and the United States have been fighting a covert war. 

The Long War - Iran - Israel - USA

Current Highlights

Cyprus is a divided island: Greeks live in the south in the recognised Republic of Cyprus, part of the EU and the wider international community whilst Turks live in the north in a state only recognised by Turkey.

Cyprus: A Divided Island

Focus on theisland of Cyprus split between the Greek south and the Turkish north.

Mapping the World

How do our neighbours in Europe see the pressing social issues of our time? Which of today's problems and challenges concern them the most, and how do they deal with them? Six partners, six languages and one joint project: The European Collection. ARTE joins forces with Germany's ARD and ZDF, France Télévisions, RTBF and Switzerland's SRG SSR to offer a selection of documentaries and reports on European current affairs and the issues driving our politics and society.

The view of our European neighbours on current political and social issues in Europe.

The European Collection

On 24 February, Russian armed forces invaded Ukraine. We follow the war day by day and provide background information with special insights, reports and documentaries.

War in Ukraine

Російське вторгнення в Україну не тільки приголомшило Європу, а і зміцнило загальноєвропейську самосвідомість та самоідентичність. Співчуваючи мільйонам українських біженців, розпорошених по всьому Європейському континенту, «ARTE» пропонує україномовним глядачам ряд матеріалів, що мали б не тільки розповісти їм про події на Батьківщині, а і вселити в них надію, показавши, які культурні програми і концерти солідарності з Україною проходять у різних куточках Європи. (ARTE is offering a selection of content in Ukrainian).

ARTE for Ukrainians

Підтримуємо мільйони українських біженців у Європі: «ARTE» пропонує їм сюжети про події на Батьківщині, а також трансляції концертів солідарності, що проходять у різних куточках континенту. 

ARTE для українців

Нападение России на Украину повергло Европу в шок и пролило свет на хрупкое положение независимых СМИ в России. Кроме видеоконтента на украинском, ARTE предлагает подборку материалов на русском языке, освещающих ужасные события в Украине, а также культурные программы и концерты солидарности с Украиной со всего мира. (ARTE is offering content in Russian).

ARTE in Russian

Помимо видеоконтента на украинском, ARTE предлагает подборку материалов на русском языке, освящающих ужасные событиям в Украине, а также культурные программы и концерты солидарности с Украиной со всего мира.

ARTE на русском 

Chinese people make do without Google, Facebook, Youtube, Twitter. Instead, the regime has built its own online offer. How is this Chinese internet structured and what does it mean for democracy and debate?

How is this Chinese internet structured and what does it mean for democracy and debate? 

Internet Made in China

Collections

Playlists

The Israeli society has never been so divided, especially in the period leading up to the Hamas attack. For several months, millions of people protested against the government of Benjamin Netanyahu, while his supporters vehemently defended him. The film explores why Israeli society is so torn and delves into the significance of the four major sides, each with a very different vision of what 'their' land should look like.

Why Israel is so divided

The Israeli society has never been so divided, especially in the period leading up to the Hamas attack.

Israel: A Fragmented Nation

The resounding victory of populist candidate Javier Milei as President of Argentina on 19 November, with almost 56% of the vote, is a worry for many in Argentina and abroad. After Donald Trump and Jair Bolsonaro, another country is tilting towards extremism. Public sector employees, including railway workers are especially concerned as large-scale privatisation is planned.

Argentina: A Journey into Discord

Railway workers are worried as large-scale privatisation is planned by new president Javier Milei.

ARTE Reportage

Behind the scenes at Donald Trump’s White House. In this first episode: Trump’s first foreign policy decisions shock European nations as America withdraws from the Paris climate accord and questions US NATO membership. With contributions from the 45th American president’s closest advisors and politicians from around the world.

Behind the scenes at Donald Trump’s White House with contributions from his closest advisors.

America First - The Trump Administration

Since Iran imposed an ultimatum on Iraq and Iraqi Kurdistan, demanding their complete disarmament and relocation away from border areas, tensions have been running high.

Iraq: Kurds against Mullahs

Since the war in Ukraine, Europe has been trying to become energy independant and free itself from its dependence on Russian gas. The USA is now Europe's biggest gas supplier. However, 80% of American liquefied natural gas (LNG) is extracted by fracking, which is banned in much of Europe.

The USA is now Europe's biggest gas supplier. However, 80% of American liquefied natural gas (LNG) is extracted by fracking, which is banned in much of Europe.

USA: Fracking for Europe

When 100,000 Armenians fled from Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia at the end of September 2022, Azerbaijan took control of the territory, which belongs to it under international law. For Armenia, the loss of Nagorno-Karabakh is another bitter blow in its tragic history since the genocide of Armenians in Turkey in 1915.

When 100,000 Armenians fled from Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia at the end of September 2022, Azerbaijan took control of the territory, which belongs to it under international law.

Armenia: Alone Among Enemies

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has promised the Catalan separatists amnesty in order to stay in power which has triggered mass protests in Madrid.

Political Crisis in Spain: The Catalan Question

Mapping the World Essentials

More

Investigation and reports

How has the life of European Union citizens changed since the Maastricht Treaty came into force thirty years ago, on 1 November 1993? Documentary filmmaker, David Holland, born the same year as Maastricht travels the length and breadth of the continent by rail to find out.

A Journey through the Continent

How has the life of European Union citizens changed since the Maastricht Treaty came into force thirty years ago, on 1 November 1993?

Europe since Maastricht

On 7 October 2023, Hamas launched a major attack on Israeli territory from the Gaza strip. Mapping the World looks over the key moments in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and  the current situation - with input from geopolitical expert Frédéric Encel.

Middle East: How Many More Wars?

Focus on the key moments of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and  the current situation - with input from geopolitical expert Frédéric Encel.

In the summer of 2020, a military confrontation between Greece and Turkey seemed almost inevitable. The reason for the disputes was new natural gas reserves in the Mediterranean - but not only that. Turkey spans across Europe, Asia, and the Caucasus, giving it a strategic position in the Mediterranean region. Wars in Syria and Ukraine are raging at its borders, posing a threat to the established world order. As a significant regional power, Turkey is at the centre of conflicts in the eastern Mediterranean. In the documentary, presidential advisors, ministers, and diplomats explain the crises and rivalries in the area on the doorstep of Europe.

Tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean

As a significant regional power, Turkey is at the centre of conflicts in the eastern Mediterranean.

Turkey: The Mediterranean Heavyweight

From the powers of biscuits to influence revolutions to who is really to blame for the war in Ukraine, the editors of Doschd (TV Rain) dissect every allegation made in Russian state news and propaganda programmes. For Fake News, Konstantin Goldenzweig analyses how Kremlin propaganda blames the West for their every misfortune.

Putin Propaganda on Russian State TV

From the powers of biscuits to influence revolutions to who is really to blame for the war in Ukraine, the editors of Doschd (TV Rain) dissect every allegation made by Russian propaganda.

Fake News

It is a David versus Goliath story: Saúl Luciano LLiuya, a farmer in the Andes, is suing the German energy giant RWE for its carbon emissions. When Saúl Luciano LLiuya learned that RWE is said to have emitted more CO2 than Peru since the country was founding, he had to take action.

Peru: Farmers Take On Big Business

It is a David versus Goliath story: a Peruvian farmer is suing the German energy giant RWE for its carbon emissions. 

What happened in Russia over the weekend of 23 June? Exiled Russian journalist Masha Borzunova didn't sleep a wink at the weekend and followed the events on Russian television.

The Wagner Rebellion

What happened in Russia over the weekend of 23 June? Exiled Russian journalist Masha Borzunova explains all.

Masha on Russia

Insights

As China's influence continues to expand around the world, at home the regime is becoming more repressive. A UN report has denounced crimes against humanity against the Uyghurs and the international community has criticised its bullying stance towards Taiwan. Reports and analysis of the Middle Kingdom.

As China's influence continues to expand around the world, at home the regime is becoming more repressive.

China: The Repressive Economic Giant

Category Banner (ACT)

Jennifer Weist, Disarstar, Blond, PTK and the “Ton Steine Scherben” are German artists with one thing in common: the use music to send out radical political messages out. Because if the cultural world isn’t ready to play politics, then who is? These outspoken artists live in squats and write songs against the far-right AfD party, sometimes tinkering around the edges of legality.

This programme by German channel ARD is part of The European Collection, a joint initiative of European public media (ARD, ARTE, France Télévisions, SRG SSR and ZDF), coordinated by ARTE.

The power of music

Political protest can also be done through music, as these Berlin-based artists have shown.

Rebels: I rebel, therefore I am

In 1889. Belgian engineer Gustave Verniory was at the beginning of his professional career when he was appointed to build a railway line through the natural landscape of Araucania in Chile. The indigenous Mapuche region had only recently been annexed by the Latin American republic. Ignacio Agüero's documentary film is inspired by Verniory’s memoirs.

Gustave Verniory was a Belgian engineer who moved from Brussels to Chile in 1889 to help build the railway. A film inspired by his memoirs.

Notes for a Film

Family fights, drugs, self-harm and money problems were part of Joana’s harsh reality for a long time. She started stripping because she was able to live in a flat above the club without paying rent. It was the first time she had a solid income and a job in a safe place, with people to turn to in times of need.

This programme by German channel ARD is part of The European Collection, a joint initiative of European public media (ARD, ARTE, France Télévisions, SRG SSR and ZDF), coordinated by ARTE.

Joana never planned to become a professional stripper, but now that she is, she doesn’t regret it.

Hard Life – I strip, so what?

Mamadou is back in Gandiol, his home village in Senegal, after spending eight years living illegally in Spain. He want to be a positive force in his community, build a future for his country and, along with his wife Laura, chase his dreams.

After spending eight years living illegally in Spain, Mamadou is back home in Senegal where he wants to build a future.

Doxandem - The Dream Chasers

Jana is 26 and got her bachelor’s degree a year ago. Having worked odd jobs all throughout her studies, she thought that things would get easier once she graduated. But she is finding it difficult to get a job that corresponds to her studies. And coming from a working-class family, she doesn’t have a financial safety net to fall back on.

This programme by German channel ARD is part of The European Collection, a joint initiative of European public media (ARD, ARTE, France Télévisions, SRG SSR and ZDF), coordinated by ARTE.

Portrait of a student from a working-class background who embarks on the bumpy road to find a career.

Hard Life – I have a degree but I’m broke

In the middle of the desert, Malika has been running a tiny refreshment bar for about thirty years, where she offers tea, coffee, soft drinks, cigarettes and sometimes an omelette to passing travellers along the National Highway 1, the longest road on the African continent, linking Algiers to Tamanrasset. Alone in this cement shack, with her dog, her cat and her radio, she describes herself as the sentry of this almost uninhabited plateau. Sage or recluse, Malika lives in her own kingdom.

A Film by Hassen Ferhani

In the middle of the desert, Malika runs a tiny refreshment bar for passing travellers next to the the longest road on the African continent.

The Kingdom of Malika

An intimate portrait of three stuntwomen, both up-and-coming and established professionals, that questions the portrayal of gender-based violence on screen.

An intimate portrait of three professional stuntwomen that questions the portrayal of gender-based violence on screen.

Stuntwomen

Switching viewpoints

Kids

Europe as a source of inspiration: Meeting artists from across the continent whose works spring from Europe’s cultural diversity.

Europe of Artists

Saype is a graffiti artist with a difference. He doesn't spray his works on walls but in fields and on grass, using his own biodegradable paint. His huge works of art are best appreciated by drone, where the true scale is revealed. 

Gymnastics

Saype, Green-Fingered Graffitti Artist

The American director Peter Sellars was invited to the Salzburg Festival. For the 2017 edition he staged The Clemency of Titus by Mozart.

Carte Blanche to Peter Sellars

Square Artiste: Peter Sellars

Mariusz would never have become the artist he is now if Poland had not joined the European Union. He now creates striking murals in cities all over the world.

Mariusz Waras, Street Artist

French writer Emmanuel Ruben is a bicycle enthusiast. Writing about his cycle from west to east following Europe’s longest river, the Danube, Ruben reflects on Europe and migration.

Rewriting Europe Along the Danube

Through the eyes of artists

Diwa is only 11 years old. She is one of the thousands of victims of a crime that is hardly reported on in Europe but which is causing havoc in the Philippines. She was raped by her parents, live on the internet, to satisfy the desires of foreign paedophiles who paid for the spectacle of her rape, giving instructions from a distance.

Philippines: Child Rape Online

Thousands of children in the Philippines have been abused, live on the internet. Report on a shocking crime.

12 June is a very important date for the small Scottish island of Eigg. On this day in 1997, the islanders purchased their home from their landlord and took control of their destiny. More than 25 years later, how have the local people managed the community owned Eigg?

A Green Utopia for All?

26 years ago, 65 inhabitants of a Scottish island bought their home from their landlord.

Re: The Isle of Eigg

Faced with rising threats from Russia, North Korea and most of all China, Japan is re-arming at an incredible rate. This documentary sheds light on the geopolitical upheavals in the Pacific region and on Japan’s history of pacifism since the second world war.

Faced with rising threats from Russia, North Korea and most of all China, Japan is re-arming at an incredible rate.

Japan: The End of Pacifism

Pugs, Chihuahuas and Bulldogs are highly sought-after breeds of dog, but these four-legged creatures often suffer from respiratory and eye diseases, tooth and spinal problems. For their owners, the burden is not only emotional, but also financial…

How Fashionable Hounds Suffer

Pugs, Chihuahuas and Bulldogs are highly sought-after breeds, but these four-legged creatures often suffer from severe health problems.

Re: A Dog's Life

Whilst the international community seems indifferent, the Democratic Republic of Congo has been the scene of horrific atrocities since 1996. The author of numerous documentaries on the country, Belgian director Thierry Michel sets out to finally break the silence with this film.

Whilst the international community seems indifferent, the Democratic Republic of Congo has been the scene of horrific atrocities since 1996. 

DRC - The Empire of Silence

Dialogue or War

For more than forty years, Iran, Israel and the United States have been fighting a covert war. A look back at this long war which has brought hardship and choas to the Middle East. 

About 500,000 to 800,000 people in Germany are addicted to porn and many are no longer in control of their lives due to their sexual disorder. The problem is a taboo subject. But sex sells, especially on the internet: In Germany alone, online porn providers turn over an estimated 4.5 billion euros a year.

When Pleasure turns into Pain

About 500,000 to 800,000 people in Germany are addicted to porn with severe consequences for their lives and relationships.

Re: Porn Addiction

Taiwan and communist China are currently engaged in a gigantic show of strength that could degenerate into a devastating conflict. The island state is characterised by an open, dynamic and democratic society that stands in stark contrast to totalitarian China. This documentary provides key insights into the relationship between Taiwan and China.

The island state is an open, dynamic and democratic society that stands in stark contrast to totalitarian China.

We are Taiwan

Never before in Western history have our sex lives been so free. And yet one taboo remains: Abstinence, individuals who have no sex at all. Seven men and women talk about why they have no sexual relationships in frank and emotional accounts of their existence and deepest desires.

Never before in Western history have our sex lives been so free. And yet one taboo remains: Abstinence, individuals who have no sex at all.

No Sex

The Republic of Ireland is a fishing nation with waters rich in all kinds of sea life. But with Brexit, Ireland has lost fishing quotas in British waters, and with the Irish government, in agreement with Brussels, approving an €80 million plan to scrap around sixty fishing boats - almost one third of the Irish fleet - in exchange for subsidies, the future looks bleak. In the port of Castletownbere, 16 boats will be scrapped, a tragedy for the fishing town.

With Brexit and EU quota changes, the future for fishing in Ireland looks bleak.

Re: Irish Fishing in Peril

The fastest growing group of homeless people in the USA today is baby boomers. The generation who helped build modern America are now finding life very difficult. A report from Phoenix, Arizona where homelessness is a major problem.

USA: Homeless Baby Boomers

The fastest growing group of homeless people in the USA today is baby boomers. A report from Phoenix, Arizona.

To reduce CO2 emissions, European lawmakers have agreed to ban the sale of new carbon-emitting petrol and diesel cars by 2035. But are electric cars truly more environmentally friendly? Will the continent’s electricity production and grid be able to sustain this move? And most importantly, will these cars be affordable to all?

This programme by Belgian channel RTBF is part of The European Collection, a joint initiative of European public media (ARD, ARTE, France Télévisions, SRG SSR and ZDF), coordinated by ARTE.

The EU approved a 2035 ban on new fossil fuel cars, but is the decision realistic?

Electric Cars at All Costs

Chanel’s first fashion show in Dakar in 2023 was historic – not least because of the historically significant venue of the Palace of Justice, a colonial edifice from former "French West Africa". Karine Silla's film about this event focusses on questions of identity, transmission and exchange, and how art and beauty can bring people together.

A Film by Karine Silla Perez

Filmed during Chanel's 2022/23 fashion show in Dakar, Mixing explores how art and beauty can bring people together.

Mixing (Métissages)

In Europe, one in two people are cutting down on eating meat. Are you one of them? You’d have good reason to do it: vegetarian diets are cheaper, better for the environment, better for our health and they eliminate animal suffering. ARTE looks into why it’s so hard to give up meat entirely and what alternatives there are. 

Europe is going veggie

Flexitarian, vegetarian and vegan diets are on the rise across Europe. But are Europeans really swapping steak for tofu?

ARTE Europe Weekly

The German Reichsbürgerbewegung (Reich citizens movement) rejects the post-war democratic order and want to rip up the German constitution. Suspected of involvement in a 2022 coup d’état plot, the movement is growing. Who are its members? And why do they want to do away with democracy?

Inside the German Far Right Movement

What is the dangerous and extreme organisation that rejects the post-war democratic order in Germany?

Citizens of the Reich

The UN is supposed to be the world forum for all nations, founded in 1945 with a mission to maintain international peace and security. But with conflicts still raging around the world, is it still fit for purpose?

Should the UN be Reformed?

With conflicts still raging around the world, is the United Nations still fit for purpose?

A desperate cry for help written in Chinese was discovered in a pregnancy test sold in France and made in a Chinese factory. It revealed a hidden world of Chinese prison-companies where prisoners are forced to work for 15 hour days manufacturing products for export. This documentary tries to find out who wrote the letter.

A written SOS discovered in a pregnancy test in France came from China where prisoners are forced to work to support the Chinese economy.

Forced Labour - SOS from a Chinese Prisoner

Why is femicide so prevalent across Europe? And what does it say about our societies? A look at the issue in Spain, France and Germany.

You Belong to Me!

Most popular

The Pakistani authorities launched a vast operation to turn back illegal Afghans on 1 November, the deadline given to Pakistan's largest immigrant community to leave the country voluntarily.

Pakistan: The Explusion of Afghan Nationals

Theresia Crone was hospitalised for the first time at age 14 due to extreme abdominal pain. She had to wait a long time before she was correctly diagnosed with endometriosis. Priscilla Herbil had a similar experience. Both are now fighting for better recognition of this condition affecting women.

Breaking the Taboo

Endometriosis affects one in ten women. Theresia is fighting for better awareness and better diagnosis of her condition.

Re: Endometriosis

In the USA it is still legal in 40 states for children to get married. Between 2000 and 2018 nearly 300,000 minors were married in the USA, mostly girls, married to adult men. The trauma of forced child marriages stays with these women throughout their lives. Today, some are bravely speaking out about their experiences and trying to stop child marriages in America.

Child Marriages USA

In the USA it is still legal in 40 states for children to get married. Between 2000 and 2018 nearly 300,000 minors were married in America.

In New Zealand, these are known as carbon farms. Entire forests dedicated to absorbing carbon dioxide and offering CO2 credits in exchange, which are then bought by large international companies to offset their greenhouse gas emissions. But these newly planted forests bring their own environmental problems.

New Zealand Carbon Farms Cause Problems

New forests in New Zealand, planted to absorb greenhouse gases come with unexpected environmental problems.

How did Iran become the sworn enemy of Israel and the United States, despite being allies of Iran’s Shah in the 1970s? A look at shifting geopolitics and war in a troubled region.

The Origins of the Conflict

In Belgium, almost half of all schools are suffering from a shortage of teachers. School heads have been complaining about this for nearly 20 years, but in recent months the problem has intensified. 
 This programme from the Belgian public broadcaster, RTBF, is part of the European Collection, a joint initiative of European public media (ARD, ARTE, France Télévisions, RTBF, SRG SSR and ZDF), coordinated by ARTE.

In Belgium, almost half of all schools are suffering from a shortage of teachers. School heads have been complaining about this for nearly 20 years, but in recent months the problem has intensified. 
 

Desperately Seeking Teachers

Djibouti is a small country in East Africa in a strategic location on world maritime trade routes between Europe and Asia.

Djibouti: Geopolitical Hub

Djibouti is a small country in East Africa in a highly strategic location on world maritime trade routes.

The Covid-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine are global events with serious consequences for global trade. These two crises highlight how interdependent our world is.