Eurotopics.net

During its terrorist attack on Israel, radical Islamic Hamas took more than 200 hostages. Just over two weeks after the kidnappings, first two US citizens - a mother and her daughter - then two Israeli senior citizens have been released. It appears that Egypt and Qatar were involved as mediators. Europe's press discusses this unaccustomed role for Qatar in particular.

Sergio Massa, Argentina's Peronist Minister of Economy, has unexpectedly won the first round of the country's presidential elections. There was a wave of concern across the world when right-wing populist Javier Milei, who wants to disband the central bank and denies climate change, took the lead in open primaries in August. But commentators see little cause for relief ahead of the run-off between the two candidates.

The authoritarian Iranian regime has been supporting armed groups such as the radical Islamic Hamas and the Lebanese Hezbollah with money and weapons for years. Since the terrorist attack by Hamas on 7 October, Tehran has repeatedly threatened military involvement should Israel or the US "cross red lines". Commentators shed light on Iran's role in the Middle East and assess the threat of Iranian intervention.

After the election victory of the opposition forces in Poland it remains unclear how the change of government will be put into practice - or whether the defeated PiS will be able to cling to power. Regardless of the outcome in Poland, the defeat of the nationalist-populist forces there is already making waves in Budapest, where Viktor Orbán leads a similar regime. The press of both countries discuss Hungary's prospects.

After returning from his Middle East trip, US President Joe Biden addressed the nation in a televised speech, explaining why it is vital for the US to support both Ukraine and Israel financially and militarily. He said that "terrorists" like Hamas and "tyrants" like Putin must not be allowed to win. Biden has requested further aid packages for the two countries from Congress.