Violence in Senegal - after the president postponed this month's election. Macky Sall cited controversies over the disqualification of some presidential candidates. The opposition says it's a constitutional coup. So, could Senegal be heading for more political unrest? In this episode: Ndongo Samba Sylla, Head, Research and Policy, International Development Economics Associates (IDEAs). Aliou Sow, Minister, Culture and Historical Heritage, Senegal. Alexis Akwagyiram, Managing Editor, Semafor. Host: Nastasya Tay Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Pakistan is about to hold yet another election. And the opposition is complaining of unprecedented political repression. So, will the outcome make a difference this time? And how much influence is the army having on Pakistan's politics? In this episode: Maria Iqbal Tarana, General Secretary for human rights of the Pakistan People's Party. Syed Ali Zafar, Senator for the P-T-I, Imran Khan's party and a barrister and former caretaker federal minister for Law and Justice Javaid Rahman, journalist and parliamentary correspondent for the Nation newspaper and website. Host: Nastasya Tay Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

How far will the U.S. go in attacking Iran-linked targets in the Middle East? Washington has carried out strikes against pro-Iran armed groups in Syria and Iraq. They're a retaliation for drone attacks last week in Jordan. So could this spillover into a wider conflict? In this episode:  Mohammad Marandi, Head of American Studies, University of Tehran. Renad Mansour, Director, Iraq Initiative, Chatham House. Lawrence Korb, Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress. Host: Adrian Finighan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

A stand-off that's frozen politics in Northern Ireland for two years is over. Pro-British unionists are to take their seats in the regional parliament where the biggest party is Sinn Fein. But its goal is Irish unity. So, could that happen? Or will the UK remain intact? In this episode:  Danny Morrison, Author. Mark Devenport, Independent journalist.  Deirdre Heenan, Professor of Social Policy at Ulster University. Host: Adrian Finighan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Wars are raging around the world. Many are pitting east against west, with both supplying arms to countries they support. The United Nations has been accused of weakness - paralysed by vetos held by the major powers. So, could these global conflicts turn into a third world war?In this episode:  Chris Hedges, Former Middle East Bureau Chief, New York Times. Scott Lucas, Professor of International Politics, Clinton Institute. Huiyao Henry Wang, Founder and president, Center for China and Globalisation. Host: Tom McRae Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

The International Monetary Fund predicts strong growth for Russia's economy this year, despite sanctions imposed for the invasion of Ukraine. European nations trail well behind Russia in the IMF forecast. What's behind these figures? Do sanctions actually work? In this episode:  Chris Weafer, Chief Executive, Macro-Advisory. Erlend Bjortvedt, Founder, Corisk. Anatol Lieven, Director, Eurasia Programme, Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. Host: Adrian Finighan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

More than fifty people killed in fighting on South Sudan's border. A rebel group is blamed for the attacks in an oil-rich area claimed by Sudan and South Sudan. So, what's stirred the latest violence and where is it leading? In this episode:  Kennedy Mabongo, Country Director, Norwegian Refugee Council in South Sudan. Douglas Johnson, Scholar on Sudan and South Sudan.  Joshua Craze, Researcher on Sudan and South Sudan.  Host: Sami Zeidan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Pulling the plug...More countries have cut funding for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. Israel says some of its staff were involved in Hamas' October attacks. But how valid is this accusation? And what does it mean for the people of Gaza? In this episode:  Samir Zaqout, Social Activist. Ardi Imseis, Professor of International Law, Queen's University. Raymond Johansen, Secretary General, Norwegian People's Aid.  Host: Nastasya Tay Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Why is Benjamin Netanyahu lashing out at Egypt, Jordan and Qatar? He's been criticising these countries since Israel began its war on Gaza. Facing growing pressure at home, what does Netanyahu want from his neighbours? And does he risk alienating regional players? In this episode:  H A Hellyer, Senior Associate Fellow, Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies. Sultan Barakat,  Professor of Public Policy, Hamad Bin Khalifa University. Akiva Eldar, Political Analyst, Journalist and Author. Host: Nastasya Tay Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Will Israel obey the ruling of the UN's top court? The International Court of Justice has ordered Israel to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza. And says it has a month to report on its compliance. But what does its ruling mean for Palestinians who're trapped and under attack? In this episode: Nimer Sultany, Reader in Public Law, SOAS - the University of London.  Geoffrey Robertson, Founder, Doughty Street Chambers. Chris Gunness, Former Spokesperson, UNRWA.  Host: Nastasya Tay Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has just presided over the consecration of a highly controversial temple, which he says it marks a turning point. But does he risk turning India into a Hindu nation? And what does that mean for secularism in the country? HOST: Neave Barker GUESTS: Shazia Ilmi, National Spokesperson for the ruling BJP Party. Sharat Pradhan, Political Analyst and independent journalist. Nilanjan Mookuhpadyey, Journalist and author of "The Demolition and The Verdict". Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube 

Israel is driving ahead with its genocidal war on Gaza despite failing to destroy Hamas. As the world watches, Israel is carrying out its slaughter of Palestinians with western-supplied weapons without restraint. So, is this a pivotal point in history for both the Palestinian people and Israel? HOST: Neave Barker GUESTS: Michael Lynk, former United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian territory. Tamer Qarmout, Professor of Public Policy specialising in Gaza at the Doha Insitute for Graduate Studies. Raz Segal, associate professor at Stockton University, and specialist in Holocaust and Genocide studies. Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube 

The risk of famine is growing in Gaza. More than half a million people are facing catastrophic food insecurity because of Israel's war and siege. That's the stark warning from the World Food Programme and other UN agencies. So is Israel using food deprivation as a war tactic? HOST: Adrian Finighan GUESTS: Alex de Waal, author of "Mass Starvation," an authoritative history of modern famines. He's analysed food deprivation as a crime, and researched forced starvation as an instrument of genocide and war. Mads Gilbert, a doctor of emergency medicine with long experience of working in Gaza's health sector - including during previous Israeli bombardments. Riham Jafari, who's the Communication and Advocacy Coordinator for ActionAid Palestine. Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube 

Campaigning is underway for the US Presidential election — a repeat contest is expected between President Joe Biden and his predecessor Donald Trump. One is the oldest candidate in US history, the other facing a series of criminal trials. So who do American voters want in the White House? And how might the world react? HOST: Adrian Finighan Guests: Arshad Hasan, Democratic party Political Strategist. Leslie Vinjamuri,  Director of the US and Americas Programme, Chatham House. Trita Parsi, Executive Vice President, Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube 

European Union foreign ministers meet to discuss the Red Sea crisis, the Gaza War and Ukraine. There's unity on some issues — but sharp division on others. Is it possible for the bloc of 27 states to have a shared or meaningful foreign policy? HOST: Nastasya Tay GUESTS: Suzanne Lynch - Chief Brussels correspondent, Politico Julien Barnes-Dacey, Director of the Middle East and North Africa programme of the European Council on Foreign Relations Ben Aris, founder and Editor In Chief of bne IntelliNews, a business media company focusing on emerging markets Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

How relevant is the Non-Aligned Movement? The second largest organisation of its kind after the United Nations meets in Uganda. But what problems can it solve in a world marred by escalating tension? HOST: Nastasya Tay GUESTS: Nicholas Sengoba,  columnist with the national newspaper The Daily Monitor. Endy Bayuni, former editor of the The Jakarta Post Dima Al Khatib, Director of the United Nations Office for South South Cooperation. Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube  

There's growing pressure to hold Israel to account for its war on Gaza. More countries are now referring it to international courts. And its president is facing a criminal complaint in Switzerland. So can international justice stop Israel? HOST: Elizabeth Puranam GUESTS: Lara Elborno - International Lawyer and Human Rights Advocate who co-hosts the weekly podcast, The Palestine Pod. William Schabas - Professor of International Law at Middlesex University in the United Kingdom.  Jennifer Cassidy - Lecturer in Diplomacy and International Law at the University of Oxford and a former UN and EU diplomat. Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Breakaway Somaliland has agreed to grant Ethiopia much sought access to the Red Sea, a deal that's raised the ire of Somalia. Mogadishu says it's an act of aggression and violation of its sovereignty. So, how will this dispute play out? And is war a possibility? HOST: Elizabeth Puranam GUESTS: Kemal Hashi Mohamoud, Member of Ethiopian Parliament. Matt Bryden, Strategic Adviser at Sahan Research. Abdi Aynte, former Somali Minister of The Ministry of Planning, Investment and Economic Development.  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Pakistan has carried out strikes inside Iran, which it says is in retaliation to attacks by Tehran inside its country. Both nations say they're targeting separatist armed groups. But what might the consequences be? And can they be contained? HOST: Elizabeth Puranam GUESTS: Ahmed Rashid, Expert on armed groups in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Central Asia. Maleeha Lodhi, Veteran diplomat and columnist for the Dawn newspaper and website. Mohammad Marandi, Professor of the University of Tehran. Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

A dramatic shift by North Korea: it's tearing up its goal of unification with the South — a policy in place for decades. North Korea's leader Kim Jong-Un also said his country doesn't want war — but won't avoid one either. So what's behind his surprise move? HOST: Adrian Finighan GUESTS: Ji-Yeon Yuh, Board Member, Women Cross DMZ, Professor, Northwestern UniversityLongtime peace and reunification activist. Fyodor Tertitskiy, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Korean Studies, Kookmin University, Seoul. Einar Tangen, China, Senior Fellow Taihe Institute, Beijing.  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Last year was the worst on record for Israeli attacks on Palestinians in the Occupied West Bank. And they've been intensifying since the war on Gaza began. Palestinians in the West Bank have also carried out several attacks on Israelis. So where could all this violence lead? Host: Elizabeth Puranam Guests: Mustafa Barghouti, Secretary General of the Palestinian National Initiative. Walid Habbas - Palestinian Forum for Israeli Studies or MADAR. Bushra Khalidi - Policy Lead for UK charity Oxfam in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel. Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Namibia has condemned Germany's backing of Israel against genocide charges at the International Court of Justice. It says, given Germany's colonial brutalities, it should not support Israel. So, what's behind this furious diplomatic dispute - and why now? Host: Adrian Finighan Guests: Mutjinde Katjiua, Paramount Chief of the Ovaherero Traditional Authority in Namibia. Henning Melber, from the Nordic Africa Institute In Uppsala, Sweden. Matthias Goldmann, a Senior Research Fellow at the Max Planck Institute, with expertise on International law and Germany's colonial rule in Africa, in Heidelberg, Germany. Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

For 100 days, Israel's war on Gaza has gone on unabated- a massacre of Palestinians in full view of the world. Israel has failed to meet its stated objectives and carries on. So, what will end the suffering? Or is the real goal the ethic cleansing of Gaza? In this episode: Hanan Ashrawi - Palestinian Political Leader and a former Member of the Palestine Liberation Organization Executive Committee. Dr. Omar Abdel-Mannan, Paediatric Neurologist and Co-Founder of @GazaMedicVoices, and head of UK operations for Fajr Scientific,a nonprofit organisation which sends surgeons to Gaza and the occupied West Bank. Gideon Levy, Columnist at the Haaretz newspaper and Author of 'The Punishment of Gaza'.   Host: Adrian Finighan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Israel has presented its defense at the International Court of Justice after South Africa argued it's committing genocide in Gaza. Its lawyers say the case is a distortion of the truth. But did they make a compelling argument? And what will come out of this unprecedented case? In this episode: Cathy Powell, Associate Professor in Public Law at the University of Cape Town. Hassan Ben Imran, Board Member for Law for Palestine, a non-profit human rights organization. Michael Becker, Assistant Professor of International Human Rights Law at Trinity College Dublin and a former staffer at the International Court of Justice. Host: Folly Bah Thibault Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Israel is carrying out genocide in Gaza and its leaders are the main inciters - that's the accusation at the heart of South Africa's case at the UN's top court. Israel says it's defending itself and denies the allegations. So, will this case stop the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza? In this episode: Sanusha Naidu, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Global Dialogue. Wadie Said, Professor of Law and Dean’s Faculty Fellow at the University of Colorado School of Law. Nimer Sultany, Reader in Public Law at SOAS. Host: Adrian Finighan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Washington is floating plans for Gaza, even as Israel is waging its war. In yet another Middle East visit, the US Secretary of State has been rallying support from regional players. But why isn't the Biden administration trying to reach a ceasefire first? In this episode: Said Sadek, Political sociologist at the Egypt-Japan University. Chris Hedges, Former Middle East Bureau Chief of the New York Times. Mouin Rabbani, Co-editor of Al Jadaliyya. Host: Adrian Finighan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Can the International Court of Justice force Israel to stop its war on Gaza? South Africa says Israel's attacks on Palestinians are genocidal. And it's launching a legal battle to stop that at the UN's top court. So will its verdict make any difference? And who would enforce it? In this episode: Ahmed Abofoul, International Lawyer, Al Haq.  Chris Gunness, Former Spokesman, UNRWA. Adama Dieng, Special Adviser, Office of the Prosecutor, International Criminal Court. Host: Adrian Finighan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Pakistan's Supreme Court scraps a lifetime ban on politicians with convictions from holding office. Welcome news for former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who can now run again. But not for jailed former leader Imran Khan. So why now and what's behind this ruling? In this episode: Raoof Hasan, Central Information Secretary, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. Muhammad Zubair Umar, Former Sindh Province Governor, the Pakistan Muslim League. Mosharraf Zaidi, Founding Partner, Tabadlab. Host: Adrian Finighan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

It's the latest direct attack by Israeli forces on media workers. Al Jazeera journalist Hamza Al Dahdouh and a colleague, killed in an Israeli air strike on Hamza's car. Israel has killed more journalists in three months than those who died in World War Two or the Vietnam War. So what's been the reaction of the world's media? In this episode: Tim Dawson, Deputy Secretary General, International Federation of Journalists. Ali Abunimah, Founder, Electronic Intifada. Jodie Ginsberg, President, Committee to Protect Journalists. Host: Adrian Finighan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

The U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken is back in the Middle East - for his fifth visit since Israel began its war on Gaza. His previous trips did not bring any respite for Palestinians under bombardment. So, what's the purpose of this particular visit? Join Host Adrian Finighan  Guests: Trita Parsi - Executive Vice President, Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. Hafsa Halawa - An Independent Consultant who works on political, social and economic affairs across the Middle East, North Africa and the Horn of Africa.Gawdat Bahgat - Professor of National Security Affairs, Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Study, National Defense University. 

Israel's far-right coalition government is at war, not just in Gaza but with itself. Ministers are fighting about a possible inquiry into the army's pre-October 7th role - and proposals to expel all Palestinians from Gaza. So, how fragile is Israel's government? Join Host Hashem Ahelbarra Guests: Ofer Cassif - A Member of the Israeli parliament, the Knesset. Gideon Levy - A Columnist at the Israeli newspaper, Haaretz.Daniel Levy - President of the U.S. Middle East Project. 

The governing Awami League is likely to win another term in Bangladesh's election on Sunday. The main opposition is boycotting, accusing the government of cracking down on its rivals. So, what will this vote mean for the country? Join host Hashem Ahelbarra. Guests: Muktadir Rashid - Journalist and Reporter with the Bangladeshi newspaper, New Age. Selim Altaf George - Member of Parliament for the governing Awami League party. Rumeen Farhana - Barrister and former Member of Parliament for the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party.  

Iran threatens retaliation after two blasts killed more than 80 people during commemorations for an assassinated General. It's said to be the worst attack since the 1979 revolution. So, how will Tehran react? And is there a risk of a wider escalation in the region? Join host Elizabeth Puranam. Guests: Hassan Ahmadian - Professor of Middle East Studies at the University of Tehran. Ali Fatollah-Nejad - Founder and Director of the Center for Middle East and Global Order. Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi - Research Fellow at the Middle East Forum.

Will the assassination of a top Hamas leader in Beirut change the course of the war on Gaza? Israel stands accused of killing Saleh Arouri in Hezbollah's stronghold in the Lebanese capital. So, what will the reaction be? Join Host Elizabeth Puranam Guests: Maha Yahya - Director, Carnegie Middle East Center. Mohammad Marandi - Professor, University of Tehran. Sami Al-Arian - Director of the Center for Islam and Global Affairs, Istanbul Zaim University.  

What does a new phase in Israel's war on Gaza entail? Its army is pulling some troops from the strip. It says it's adopting more targeted operations against Hamas. Can Israel still achieve its objectives in the war?   Join Host Elizabeth Puranam Guests: Andreas Krieg - Assistant Professor, Defence Studies Dept., King's College London. Diana Buttu - Palestinian Lawyer.  Yossi Mekelberg - Associate Fellow of the MENA Programme, Chatham House.

Demonstrations worldwide reflect widespread outrage over Israel's war on Gaza. Young people have been at the forefront - driven to political action by the images and stories of Palestinians' suffering. Could this global youth support for Palestine have long-term impacts?Join host Elizabeth Puranam Guests: Dana El Kurd, a Non-Resident Senior Fellow at the Arab Center Washington DC Zellie Imani, a Black Lives Matter Activist and Co-Founder of the Black Liberation Collective Noga Levy-Rapoport, a Youth Climate Activist Involved in Palestine Solidarity Campaigns in the UK ****This episode was produced by Diarmaid Fleming, Victoria Gatenby, Abla Klaa, Gemma Harries and Paul Taylor.Studio sound was by Elie Elhani The programme was edited by Anirban Sarker, Negin Owliaei, David Enders and Jo de Frias.  

The war in Ukraine shows little sign of ending, with continued destruction and losses on both sides. Sanctions against Russia continue, but its economy is growing. And in the U.S., political support for Ukraine's war effort is under pressure. So what could happen in 2024? Join host Elizabeth Puranam Guests: Pavel Felgenhauer, a Russian Military and Defence Analyst Michael Bociurkiw a Global Affairs analyst and Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council's Eurasia Center Chris Weafer, Chief Executive Officer of Macro-Advisory, a strategic consultancy with a focus on Russia and the Eurasia region **** This episode was produced by This episode was produced by Diarmaid Fleming, Victoria Gatenby, Abla Klaa, Gemma Harries and Paul Taylor. Studio sound was by Aston GoodisonThe programme was edited by Anirban Sarker, Negin Owliaei, David Enders and Jo de Frias. 

No longer the stuff of science fiction, incredible advances in artificial intelligence or A.I. are now a reality. As the technology develops, we'll experience more of its impact on our lives. So what are the benefits - and the risks? And can regulators keep pace with developers? Join host Laura Kyle. Guests: Henry Ajder, an expert on generative artificial intelligence and Deepfake technology Lilian Edwards, Professor of Law, Innovation and Society at Newcastle University. Ramesh Srinivasan, Professor of Media and Information Studies at the University of California **** This episode was produced by Diarmaid Fleming, Victoria Gatenby, Abla Klaa, Gemma Harries and Paul Taylor. Studio sound was by Elie Elhani. The programme was edited by Muhammad Sobhy, Negin Owliaei, David Enders and Jo de Frias.  Be sure to subscribe to The Inside Story Podcast to catch every episode. 

There have been two more coups in Africa during the past year, which brings the total to nine governments that have been ousted since 2020. Are there common factors or are these takeovers isolated? And what could we see in the coming year? Join host Laura Kyle. Guests:Alexis Akwagyiram - Managing editor at the news website, Semafor Africa.Kabir Adamu - Managing Director at Beacon Consulting.Moussa Kondo - Executive Director of the Sahel Institute.

The U.S. is pressing Mexico to do more to stem the flow of migrants to the border, where thousands try to make it to America every day. But can Mexico alone stop them? And how much of a political nightmare is migration for Joe Biden? Join host Laura Kyle. Guests: Rebekah Wolf - Senior Advocacy Strategist at the American Immigration Council. Leon Fresco - Immigration attorney and former Deputy Assistant Attorney General in charge of Immigration at the U.S. Justice Department Maureen Meyer - Vice President for Programs at the Washington Office on Latin America.

Hundreds of people have been killed and injured in attacks by armed groups in Plateau State in Nigeria. What are the root causes of this violence? And what does it mean for Nigeria's future? Join host Laura Kyle. Guests: Isa Sanusi - Nigeria Country Director at Amnesty International and a former journalist. Chris Kwaja - Associate Professor at the Centre for Peace and Security Studies at Nigeria's Mod-ibbo Adama University. Musa Ashoms - Commissioner of Information and Communication for the Plateau State government.  

The opposition in the Democratic Republic of Congo wants the results of the presidential vote annulled, and it's planning protests to do so. So, is the country on a path to renewed violence? Or can a post-election chaos be averted in the African country?Join host Dareen Abughaida. Guests:Patrick Muyaya - Democratic Republic of Congo government spokesperson. Marie-Roger Biloa - African affairs analyst and editor of Africa International Media Group. Jason Stearns - Founder and strategic adviser for the Congo Research Group at New York University.

Christmas festivities in Bethlehem are muted this year as Palestinian Christians refuse to celebrate amid Israel's war on Gaza. Some say they, too, are being targeted. So, what message does this show of unity by Palestinians convey?Join host Dareen Abughaida. Guests: Riham Jafari - ActionAid Communications and Advocacy Palestine Coordinator.Frank Bosman - Associate professor of Cultural Theology at the Tilburg School of Catholic Theology.Sami el Yousef - CEO of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

Hundreds more killed in Gaza since Friday's UN Security Council vote for more aid. What practical impact will the resolution have? And how can aid get to 2.3 million people living under constant attack among destroyed infrastructure, in a live battlezone?Join host Dareen Abughaida Guests: Mansour Shouman, resident of Gaza and human rights advocate. Ahmed Bayram, Regional Media and Communications Adviser at Norwegian Refugee Council Lex Takkenberg, Senior Advisor with Arab Renaissance For Democracy And Development, and former Chief of Ethics at UNRWA. ****This episode was produced by Diarmaid Fleming, Ume Kulsoom Shariff, Laurent Peter and Peter Taylor. Studio sound was by Elie ElhaniThe programme was edited by Manish Mathai, David Enders, Negin Owliaei and Jo de Frias.

The UN Security Council passes a motion on the Gaza War - after two months of Israeli attacks that have killed twenty thousand Palestinians. The resolution - weakened by U.S. pressure - calls for more aid, but NOT for Israel to stop its bombardment. So will it have any impact? Join host Dareen Abughaida ****This episode was produced by Diarmaid Fleming, Ume Kulsoom Shariff, Laurent Peter and Peter Taylor. Studio sound was by Yasir RahmaniThe programme was edited by Manish Mathai, David Enders, Negin Owliaei and Jo de Frias. Be sure to subscribe to The Inside Story Podcast to catch every episode. Guests: Scott Lucas, Professor of U-S and International Relations at University College Dublin and the Founder and Editor of the online news site, E-A WorldviewDmitry Babich Political Analyst at InoSMI internet media project in Moscow. Maleeha Lodhi, former Pakistan Permanent Representative and Ambassador to the United Nations.

Next year's U.S. presidential election is predicted to be a contest between Joe Biden and Donald Trump. But not even that is certain in the most uncertain of election campaigns. So who else might be in the mix, and what are the important issues?Join host Dareen Abughaida. Guests: Tim Constantine - Senior Vice President of Diplomacy and External Affairs at the Washington Times and host of 'The Capitol Hill Show'.Thomas Gift - Director of the Centre on U.S. Politics at University College London.Arshad Hasan - Democratic Political Strategist.

20,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza by Israel, armed and backed by the US and European allies. There's more fighting nearby too: Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen are among the groups involved. So, could Israel's war on Gaza trigger a wider conflict?Join host Dareen Abughaida. Guests: Omar Rahman - Fellow at the Middle East Council on Global Affairs.Miko Peled - Human rights activist and author of 'The General’s Son: Journey of an Israeli in Palestine.'Elijah Magnier - Military and political analyst.

Where does the conflict in Sudan stand after eight months? The Rapid Support Forces says it's in control of the second-largest city. But the fighting shows no sign of ending and there's no political settlement on the horizon. So, what does it mean for Sudan's future?   Join Host Cyril Vanier Guests: Hamid Khalafallah - Researcher and Policy Analyst specialising on Sudan's Constitution Building. Alan Boswell - Project Director, International Crisis Group's Horn of Africa.  David Shinn - Former U.S. Chief of Mission in Sudan.

The Red Sea is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. But now Houthi fighters from Yemen are attacking vessels, forcing major companies to halt operations. How will this impact global trade? And what can be done to secure the Red Sea?   Join Host Cyril Vanier Guests: Thomas Juneau - Non-resident fellow, Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies. James Moran - Former EU ambassador to Egypt, Jordan and Yemen. Stavros Karamperidis - Lecturer in Maritime Economics, University of Plymouth.

Is the U.S. complicit in the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza - and if so, how much? As Israel continues its attacks on the strip, the situation for its people is described as catastrophic. Washington stands accused of turning a blind eye. So, what can be done to stop this catastrophe?   Join Host Cyril Vanier Guests: Robert Hunter - Former US Ambassador to NATO. Khaled Elgindy - Senior Fellow, Middle East Institute. Zeina Ashrawi Hutchison - Director of Development and Expansion, American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee.

Israel's Prime Minister insists the war on Gaza will continue - despite growing anger over the Israeli army's killing of three captives. Their families are demanding the government do more to ensure those being held by Hamas are released. So, can a deal be agreed to free them and secure a new truce? Join Host Folly Bah Thibault Guests: Alon Liel - Former Director General, Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  Yossi Mekelberg - Associate Fellow of the MENA Programme, Chatham House. Sultan Barakat - Professor of Public Policy, Hamad Bin Khalifa University.

Al Jazeera journalist Samer Abudaqa is killed in Gaza after an Israeli drone targets a school he was reporting from. Al Jazeera's Gaza Bureau Chief Wael Dadouh is wounded in the same attack. Israel's war on Gaza has been the deadliest conflict for media workers ever recorded. So, why has the death toll been so high? And is Israel trying to silence the messenger?  Join Host Dareen Abughaida. Guests: Tamer Almisshal - Al Jazeera Journalist.  Jim Boumelha - International Federation of Journalists. Triestino Mariniello - Professor of Law, Liverpool John Moores University.

The European Union votes to advance accession talks for Ukraine, but Hungary blocks billions of dollars in aid money. Where does that leave the war effort and Ukraine's hopes for EU membership? Presenter: Sohail Rahman Guests:Mariia Zolkina, Head of Regional Security and Conflict Studies at the Democratic Initiatives Foundation think tankDonnacha O’ Beachain, Professor of International Relations at the School of Law and Government at Dublin City University.Ben Aris, the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of bne IntelliNews and former Moscow Bureau Chief with the Daily Telegraph.

The European Union votes to advance accession talks for Ukraine, but Hungary blocks billions of dollars in aid money. Where does that leave the war effort and Ukraine's hopes for EU membership? Presenter: Sohail Rahman Guests:Mariia Zolkina, Head of Regional Security and Conflict Studies at the Democratic Initiatives Foundation think tankDonnacha O’ Beachain, Professor of International Relations at the School of Law and Government at Dublin City University.Ben Aris, the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of bne IntelliNews and former Moscow Bureau Chief with the Daily Telegraph.

Israel's war on Gaza has caused major damage to both the built and natural environments.Toxic chemicals and explosives rain down on the strip, sanitation and water treatment systems are destroyed. How much environmental damage is the war causing?Join host Adrian Finighan. Guests:Nada Majdalani - Palestinian Director of EcoPeace Middle East.Marwan Bardawil - Head of Gaza Programme Coordination Unit of the Palestinian Water AuthorityHadeel Ikhmais - Director General of the Climate Change Section of the Palestinian Authority's Environment Quality Authority. 

An overwhelming call at the United Nations for a ceasefire in Gaza - Israel and the U.S. among the few voting against the resolution. How isolated are both nations from most of the world, which opposes the war? Can international opposition have any impact? Join Host Adrian Finighan Guests: Temir Porras -  Policy advisor specialising in Latin American economics and geopolitics. Melanie Verwoerd - Former South African ambassador. Sami Hermez - Associate Professor, Northwestern University in Qatar.

The emergency session of the United Nations General Assembly is bringing Israeli massacres in Gaza into sharp global focus. After more than nine weeks of violence, the UN Security Council has been unable to agree on a ceasefire. Warning of the global threat posed by the conflict, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres invoked a rarely used article last week to urge the Security Council to act. Despite an overwhelming majority voting in favour of a ceasefire, the U.S. blocked it, using its veto power. Critics say the fact that five permanent members have the final say on a resolution renders the world body helpless - at a time when global conflicts demand timely solutions. So, is it time for the veto power to be removed? Will it help the UN become more effective?   Join Host Cyril Vanier Guests: Carne Ross - Founder, Independent Diplomat.  Maleeha Lodhi - Former Pakistani ambassador to the United Nations.  Vyacheslav Matuzov - Chairman, Russian Friendship Society with Arab Countries.

A video is circulating in Israeli media which purports to show the surrender of some Hamas fighters. But critics say it is staged and have cast doubt on its authenticity. The footage comes as Hamas continues to resist Israel's relentless assault, more than nine weeks into the conflict. And Israel faces growing global condemnation for killing Palestinian civilians, as death toll reaches 18,000. So, is the video an attempt by Israel to deflect accusations of genocide in Gaza? And is it real or fake? Join Host Cyril Vanier Guests: Sahar Khamis - Senior Fellow, Middle East Council on Global Affairs. Marc Owen Jones - Associate Professor, Hamad Bin Khalifa University. Dina Matar - Chairperson, Centre for Palestine Studies, School of Oriental and African Studies.

Another wave of Palestinians, forced from their homes in Gaza. This time, to a small slice of land in the south, designated by Israel as a 'safe zone'. But conditions in Al Mawasi are bleak. International aid organisations don't recognise the facility and aren't providing services there. And in the last two months Israeli forces have bombed areas where they ordered people to take shelter. Those in Al Mawasi say there is no guarantee they'll be spared Israeli bombings and air strikes. So, how can what Israel calls a 'safe zone', protect these civilians from suffering - and attack? And could it become, as one UNICEF official has described - another 'zone of death'.   Join Host Tom McRae Guests: Juliette Touma - Director of Communications, UN Refugee and Works Agency for Palestine refugees. Mukesh Kapila - Former UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator.  H.A. Hellyer - Senior Associate Fellow in International Security Studies, Royal United Services Institute.

The US has again vetoed the UAE's proposal for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. There was global condemnation of Washington's move. Jordan reflected the view of the Arab world saying the veto is a licence for Israel to carry on with the massacre. How will America's stance affect its relations with Arab allies? And as some rights groups say, does it run the risk of being complicit in Israeli war crimes? Join Host Tom McRae Guests:  Sari Bashi - Program Director for Israel-Palestine, Human rights Watch. Mouin Rabbani - Co-Editor, Jadaliyya.  Mark Seddon - Director, Centre for UN Studies, University of Buckingham.

The UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has invoked rarely-used powers to direct the Security Council to take action. But will the move have any impact on Israel, the US or its other western allies? Presenter: Tom McRaeGuests:Mark Leon Goldberg: Editor-in-Chief of UN DispatchJennifer Cassidy: Lecturer in Diplomacy and International Law at the University of Oxford Chris Gunness: Former spokesman for UNWRA

Military analysts say the intensity of Israel's war in Gaza has not been seen since the Second World War. Most of its weaponry has been supplied by the US. So, is this war different to others in terms of scale and speed? Join host Tom Mcrae.  Guests: Colin Clarke - Director of Research a The Soufan Group. Patrick - Senior Lecturer in Security, University of Bath. Sam Perlo-Freeman - Researcher at Campaign Against Arms Trade. 

Relatives of Israeli captives held by Hamas have reacted with fury at a meeting with the prime minister and the war cabinet about the relentless bombing of Gaza, where their loved ones are trapped. Some are demanding Benjamin Netanyahu step down. What do people in Israel think?Join Host Neave Barker Guests:Udi Goren - Cousin of one of the captives detained in Gaza.Gershon Baskin - Founder, Israel-Palestine Center for Research and Information.Akiva Eldar - Political analyst. 

It's been in a state of near-perpetual war for decades, receives billions of dollars a year in aid and weapons, and has consistently broken international law by expanding its occupation and settlements. Several governments and international rights organisations say it must be investigated for war crimes in Gaza. Is Israel a normal state? How does it compare to failed states?Join Host Cyril Vanier Guests: Ali Abunimah - Co-founder, Electronic Intifada. Paul Turner - President and Executive Director, Fund For Peace. Ilan Pappe - Israeli historian.

The Israeli army has been expanding its attacks in central and southern Gaza. Nearly two months into this conflict, the U.S. has used some of its strongest language to date...warning Israel to protect civilians. But just how long can the war go on for and what would a victory look like?   Join Host Laura Kyle Guests: Bushra Khalidi - Policy Lead in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel, Oxfam. Elijah Magnier - Military and Political Analyst. Hussein Haridi - Former Assistant Foreign Minister of Egypt.

Israel is reportedly using Artificial Intelligence in its war on Gaza. The technology is being employed to select and expand potential targets. But with more than 15,000 Palestinians killed so far - what are the implications for civilians in Gaza?   Join Host Jonah Hull Guests: Meron Rapoport - Editor, Local Call & Investigative Journalist. Robert Geist Pinfold - Lecturer in Peace and Security, Durham University. Jessica Dorsey - Assistant Professor in International and European Law, Utrecht University.

Renewed Israeli bombardment of Gaza after the ceasefire ended is worsening the humanitarian crisis. The U.S. wants Israel to do more to protect Palestinian civilians. What's the military's strategy? And can Israel learn from the intelligence failure that led to Hamas' October attack? Join Host Jonah Hull  Guests:  Oren Ziv - Journalist and photographer, +972 Magazine. Antony Loewenstein - Author of 'The Palestine Laboratory'. Omar Ashour - Professor of Security and Military Studies, Doha Institute for Graduate Studies.

With a 7-day ceasefire in Gaza over, fighting has resumed between Israel and Hamas. Caught in the middle are civilians from both sides, which raises questions about proportionality and accountability. So, is Israel meeting its obligations under the laws of war? Join host Laura Kyle.  Guests: Mustafa Barghouti - Secretary General of the Palestinian National Initiative. Ahmed Abofoul - Legal Researcher and Advocacy Officer at Al-Haq. Triestino Mariniello - Professor of Law at Liverpool John Moores University.

Two Palestinian boys have been shot dead by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank, and more than six thousand children have been killed in Gaza. Around 250 minors are in Israeli prisons. So, why does Israel target Palestinian children?Join host Folly Bah Thibault. Guests: Yousef Hammash - Gaza Advocacy Officer for the Norwegian Refugee Council. Tanya Haj-Hassan - Paediatric intensive care doctor who has worked in Gaza. Alex Saieh - Head of Humanitarian Policy and Advocacy at Save the Children.

The United Nations says women have borne the brunt of Israel's onslaught in Gaza. Two-thirds of those killed in a war, purportedly against Hamas, are women and children. Why are so many women victims? And what can the world do to protect them?Join Host Folly Bah Thibault  Guests: Nour Odeh - Political analyst. Yara Hawari - Senior analyst, Al Shabaka: The Palestinian Policy Network.Heather Barr - Associate director, Women's Rights Division, Human Rights Watch.

The ceasefire in Gaza has been extended. The deal - brokered by Qatar - has given a break for Palestinians under siege and bombardment. It's also brought joy as prisoners and captives are released. But could this ceasefire be extended further? And what will it take to make it happen? Join Host Laura Kyle Guests: Mehran Kamrava - Professor of Government, Georgetown University in Doha. Gideon Levy - Columnist, Haaretz Newspaper. Omar Rahman - Fellow, Middle East Council on Global Affairs.

The European Union is divided on Gaza. Germany fully supports Israel..while others like Spain, Belgium and Ireland are calling for an end to the war. So, what's behind these divisions? And can a split EU play any meaningful role? Join Host Nastasya Tay Guests: Grace O'Sullivan - Member of the European Parliament, representing the Green Party in Ireland. Martin Konečný - Founder and Director, European Middle East Project. Suzanne Lynch - Chief Brussels Correspondent, Politico.

Calls grow louder to extend a fragile ceasefire and allow more aid into Gaza. Hamas and Israel have been exchanging detainees and captives since Friday. But what will it take to keep an agreement like this alive, let alone extend it beyond four days?   Join Host Nastasya Tay Guests: Alastair Crooke - Founder of the Conflicts Forum and also a veteran negotiator. Fabrizio Carboni - ICRC Near and Middle East Regional Director. Nimer Sultany - Advisory Committee at the Centre for Palestine Studies, SOAS.  

As a four-day ceasefire takes hold in Gaza - talk of a two-state solution is once again re-emerging among the international community. But given the level of violence in the past seven weeks across the occupied territories, is now the time to pursue this path to a lasting peace? And what would it take from both sides to secure it?Join Host James Bays Guests:Alon Liel - Former Director General, Israeli Foreign Ministry.Phyllis Bennis - Fellow, Institute for Policy Studies.Mustafa Barghouti - Secretary General, Palestinian National Initiative.

The ceasefire in Gaza has come into effect, and an eerie calm not seen in seven weeks hangs over the strip. The north is in ruins, with water and food are in short supply. So, realistically, how much humanitarian aid can be distributed in just four days? Join host Tom McRae. Guests: Nebal Farsakh - Spokesperson for the Palestine Red Crescent Society. Akiva Eldar - Political Analyst and Columnist for Israeli newspaper, Haaretz. Nour Odeh - Writer and political analyst.

The Gaza ceasefire deal includes the release of at least 100 Palestinians detained in Israeli jails. But every day Israel arrests dozens more. So, why are so many Palestinians imprisoned in Israel? And is mass detention being used as a weapon of war and occupation? Join host Folly Bah Thibault. Guests: Mustafa Barghouti - Secretary General of the Palestinian National Initiative. Budour Hassan - Researcher on Israel and Palestine at Amnesty International. Ayed Abu Eqtaish - Accountability Programme Director at Defense for Children International.

A deal to pause the war in Gaza for four days. Israeli women and children held captive by Hamas will be exchanged for Palestinian women and children detained in Israeli jails. So what's next - a return to war, as Israel warns? Or could an end be in sight?Join Host Folly Bah Thibault Guests: Diana Buttu - Palestinian lawyer and former legal adviser, Palestine Liberation Organization.Sultan Barakat - Professor of Public Policy, Hamad Bin Khalifa University in Doha.Yossi Mekelberg - Associate Fellow, Chatham House.

Israel's war on Gaza has brought catastrophe to 2.3 million Palestinians. Hundreds of thousands have been forced from their homes, some left with just a plastic tent for shelter.Already weakened by war, what fresh dangers does winter bring for the people of Gaza?Join Host Folly Bah Thibault Guests:   Mansour Shouman - A Palestinian-Canadian in Gaza. Marwan Jilani - Director General, Palestine Red Crescent Society. Dr Mads Gilbert - Doctor and activist - in solidarity with Palestinians.   

A freighter, part Israeli-owned, has been hijacked by Yemen's Houthis in the Red Sea. They say it's in response to Israel's war on Gaza. Iran denies Israeli claims it's involved. So, what impact will this have on the region? And what are the possible military and economic implications? Join Host Folly Bah Thibault Guests: Trita Parsi - Executive Vice President, Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft.Mehran Kamrava - Professor of Government, Georgetown University in Qatar.Farea Al-Muslimi - Research Fellow on Yemen and the Gulf, Chatham House. 

As Israel steps up its bombardment of Gaza, military and political support from the U.S. remains steadfast. But could this war, which has caused such a humanitarian catastrophe, lead to a wider regional instability? And what role does Washington play? Join Host Sami Zeidan Guests: Daniel Levy - President, U.S./ Middle East Project. Nicholas Noe - Director, Beirut Exchange Foundation. HA Hellyer - Senior Associate Fellow, Royal United Services Institute.

America has shown unwavering support for Israel's war on Gaza. Critics say this highlights its double standards - and could be a turning point in the world order. Is the U.S. strategy short-sighted? What damage could the war inflict on America's global standing?   Join Host James Bays Guests: Rami Khouri - Issam Fares Institute Distinguished Fellow, American University of Beirut.  Samuel Ramani - Associate Fellow, Royal United Services Institute. James F Jeffrey - Former U.S. ambassador to Iraq and Turkiye.

This episode was originally published on October 18th, 2023. U.S. President Joe Biden has reaffirmed Washington's support for Israel - a day after hundreds of Palestinians were killed in an Israeli strike on a hospital in Gaza. What's behind steadfast U.S. military and political backing for Israel?  Join Host Folly Bah Thibault. Guests:  Dalal Iriqat - Assistant Professor of Conflict Resolution and Diplomacy, Arab American University.  Khaled Elgindy - Senior Fellow, Middle East Institute. Phyllis Bennis - Fellow, Institute for Policy Studies. 

Israel's military leaders justified their raid on Gaza's largest hospital by claiming it housed a Hamas command centre. But many say what they have produced as evidence is far from conclusive. So, by targeting the al-Shifa complex, has Israel committed a war crime? Join host James Bays.  Guests: Erik Fosse - CEO, Norwegian Aid Committee.  A. Kayum Ahmed - Special adviser on the right to health at Human Rights Watch. Thomas Macmanus - Director of the International State Crime Initiative, Queen Mary University of London.

All eyes are on US President Joe Biden to stop the carnage in Gaza. But he seems to be struggling to assert any influence on Israel. Will the Biden administration yield to growing global pressure and help bring about a ceasefire in Gaza? Join Host James Bays Guests:  Nihad Awad - National Executive Director, Council on American-Islamic Relations. Julie Norman - Associate Professor in Politics and International Relations, University College London. Hassan Mneimneh - Scholar and Political Analyst, Middle East Institute.

Premature babies in danger of being killed, as Israeli attacks cripple most hospitals in Gaza. The World Health Organization says the biggest, al-Shifa, resembles a cemetery. How can this happen to places protected by international law? And what impact is it having on the Palestinians? Join Host Tom McRae Guests: Dr. Omar Abdel-Mannan - Co-founder, Gaza Medic.Bushra Khalidi - Policy Lead in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel, OXFAM. Dr. Mads Gilbert - Medical Head and Professor, Clinic of Emergency Medicine, University Hospital of North Norway. 

David Cameron stunned Britain when he quit as Prime Minister after the Brexit referendum. Now, he's triggered another political earthquake, making a shock return as Foreign Secretary. That follows the sacking of an interior minister who tried and failed to suppress major demonstrations in support of Palestinians in Gaza. So what does this mean for the UK's policies - at home and abroad? Join Host James Bays Guests: Alex Deane - Conservative Commentator and a former Conservative Party Aide. Lesley Riddoch - Former News, Radio & TV Presenter. Tim Bale - Professor of Politics, Queen Mary University of London.

The human cost of Israel's war on Gaza is beyond calculation - lives lost, families destroyed, tens of thousands injured. But what about the economic cost and who will pay?Will Israel contribute anything to rebuild communities devastated by its bombs?Join Host James Bays Guests: Tamer Qarmout - Assistant Professor of Public Policy, Doha Institute for Graduate Studies.  Helin Sari Ertem - Associate Professor, International Relations, Istanbul Medeniyet University.  Sultan Barakat - Professor of Public Policy, Hamad Bin Khalifa University.

A letter signed by hundreds of international journalists says Western media coverage of the Gaza war has been biased in favour of Israel and against Palestine. Newsrooms are accused of dehumanising Palestinians. Are the allegations fair?Join Host Laura Kyle Guests: Pacinthe Mattar - Independent journalist and 2022 Nieman Fellow at Harvard University.  Ahmed Alnaouq - Journalist and co-founder, We Are Not Numbers. Marc Owen Jones - Associate Professor of Middle East Studies, Hamad Bin Khalifa University in Doha. 

Calls for a ceasefire in Gaza are growing by the day. Despite Palestinians enduring deaths and devastation, they've been offered a pause in Israeli strikes. It's a daily four-hour windows said to be aimed at helping people move to the south, which is being bombed too. So, does it offer any respite?  Join host Laura Kyle.  Guests: Omar Shakir - The Israel and Palestine Director at Human Rights Watch. Trita Parsi - The Executive Vice President of Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. Joseph Belliveau - The Executive Director of Doctors Without Borders in Canada.

The world is witnessing death and destruction in Gaza on an unprecedented scale, with war crimes in full view, and calls for a ceasefire ignored. So, why do some leaders appear more concerned with who will govern Gaza once the war is over? Join host James Bays. Guests: Mohammed Nablusi - An attorney and organiser with the Palestinian Youth Movement. Ilan Pappe - Israeli historian and author of 'The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine.'  Vincent Fean - A former British Consul General in Jerusalem and a trustee of the Balfour Project.

It's widely seen as one of the Middle East's worst-kept secrets - Israel's nuclear programme. Believed to have originated in the 1950s, Israel possesses approximately 90 nuclear bombs, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.  Israel has never officially acknowledged the existence of its nuclear weapons, but they're believed to be aimed at rivals in the region like Iran. The country is not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. So the statement by a cabinet minister saying Israel could opt to drop an atomic bomb on Gaza is raising alarm. More so, since hardliners like Ami-chai Eliyahu - such as National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich - are part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet.  So, as Israel continues its bloodbath in Gaza - should the world be worried about its nuclear arms programme?   Join Host James Bays Guests:  Rabia Akhtar - Director, Centre for Security, Strategy and Policy Research, the University of Lahore.  Ahmed Abofoul - International lawyer.  Patrick Bury - Defence and security expert, University of Bath.

Israel's bombardment of Gaza is now in its second month. More than 10,000 Palestinians, at least four thousand of them children, have been killed. Public anger is growing around the world. Countries have recalled their ambassadors.  South Africa and Bolivia have severed relations with Tel Aviv. But can these diplomatic moves pressure the United States and Israel's other Western allies to push it to at least agree to a humanitarian ceasefire? Join host Nick Clark  Guests: Maleeha Lodhi - Former Pakistani Ambassador to the UK, US, and the United Nations.  Jawad Anani - Former Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister in Jordan. Kealeboga Mapunye - Professor of African Politics, University of South Africa. 

Several nations are calling Israel's war on Gaza a genocide. An Israeli minister calls for a nuclear attack, and the Prime Minister quotes the Bible, referring to war wiping out enemies of Israel. Is Israel engaged in genocide? And if so, what can be done? Join Host Nick Clark Guests:  Sir Geoffrey Nice - Barrister and former war crimes prosecutor.  Omar Baddar - Political Analyst and Member, National Policy Council of the Arab American Institute.  Mustafa Barghouti - Secretary General, Palestinian National Initiative. 

Israel has ordered the 1.1 million Palestinians living in northern Gaza to leave their homes. Relentless bombing has flattened entire neighbourhoods - with people killed while fleeing. Do Israel's actions equate to ethnic cleansing?   Join Host James Bays Guests:  Mouin Rabbani - Co-Editor, Jadaliyya.  Diana Buttu - Human Rights Laywer.  Geoffrey Robertson - Human Rights Barrister.

Israel bombs hospitals - attacking an already crumbling health service. They're places protected by international law, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have sought shelter. What is the state of Gaza's healthcare system ravaged by siege and war?   Join Host James Bays Guests:  Dr Ahmed El Mokhallalati - Head of the Plastic Surgery Department, Al Shifa Hospital. Nebal Farsakh - Spokeswoman, Palestine Red Crescent Society.  Dr Mads Gilbert - Head of Emergency Department, University Hospital of North Norway. 

Diplomatic pressure has had little impact on Israel's bombardment of Gaza. More Palestinians are killed every day, despite UN-led appeals for a ceasefire. Is there a role for international diplomacy in ending this war? And are positions shifting as the death toll mounts?  Presenter: Folly Bah Thibault  Guests: Sultan Barakat -- Professor of Public Policy at Hamad Bin Khalifa University Maleeha Lodhi -- Former Pakistani ambassador to the UK, U.S. and United NationsSteven Erlanger -- Chief diplomatic correspondent for Europe for The New York Times

There has been a dramatic rise in Israeli attacks across the occupied West Bank since the start of the war on Gaza. Raids, demolitions, and settler attacks have become a daily occurrence. World powers have begun to speak out, but can they pressure Israel to stop the violence? Join host James Bay.  Guests:  Joost Hiltermann - Program Director of Middle East and North Africa at the Crisis Group. Mariam Barghouti - Policy Analyst with the Palestinian Policy Network. Toby Cadman - An International Human Rights Lawyer.

For a second consecutive day, Israeli forces have targeted Jabalia, the largest refugee camp in Gaza. More than one hundred people have been killed in two days of attacks. The total number of Palestinians killed in Gaza since October 7 is now nearing 8800.Israel has even targeted hospitals and mosques. So, what will it take to launch a war crimes investigation against Israel?  Host: Dareen Abughaida Guests:  Nour Odeh - Former Spokeswoman, Palestinian Task Force on Public Diplomacy. Michael Lynk - Former Special Rapporteur for the human rights situation in the Palestinian Territories occupied since 1967.  Donatella Rovera - Senior Crisis Response Adviser, Amnesty International. 

Has Israel achieved its objectives by launching wars on Gaza? For decades its has bombed the strip and laid siege to Palestinians there. Now, it's carrying out yet another war, on a scale never seen before. But will this one serve Israel's purposes? Host: Tom McRae Guests: Michael Harari - Policy fellow, Mitvim Institute.  Sara Kira - Founder and Director, European North African Center for Research. Shashank Joshi - Defense editor, The Economist.

Feeling the heat of the war on Gaza, Israel says the fighting is costing it millions of dollars every day, and the devastation in the strip is unprecedented. So, what's the real cost to both sides? And what's the impact, in the region and globally?Host: Tom McRae  Guests: Menachem Klein - Professor of political science at Bar-Ilan University.  Natasha Lindstaedt - U.S. policy and foreign policy specialist.  Yousef Munayyer - Senior fellow, Arab Center.

Israel's siege and destruction of Gaza is a 'humanitarian catastrophe' for its 2.3 million people. Those are the United Nations' words, as it warns that cutting off water, food, fuel and electricity is a war crime. So what can stop such collective punishment?  Join Host Tom McRae  Guests:  Mansour Shouman - Resident of Gaza. Bushra Khalidi - Policy lead in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel for OXFAM. Riham Jafari - Communications and advocacy coordinator, Occupied Palestinian Territory, Action Aid.

The United Nations General Assembly votes overwhelmingly for a ceasefire in Gaza. It came at precisely the same time as Israel was launching its fiercest attacks yet. With the vote showing Israel and the U.S. largely isolated over the war, can world public opinion make a difference?    Join Host James Bays  Guests: Hanan Ashrawi - Palestinian political leader.  Ronnie Kasrils - Former South African government minister.  Maleeha Lodhi - Who served as Pakistan's Ambassador to the United Kingdom, the United States and the United Nations. 

More than a million children in Gaza face daily attack from Israeli bombs and missiles. More than three thousand youngsters have been killed in three weeks, in a campaign backed by the West. What's the impact of Israel's war on Palestinian children? Presenter: James Bays Guests:  Tanya Haj-Hassan: A paediatric intensive care doctor who has worked in Gaza. Jason Lee: Country director of Save the Children in the occupied Palestinian territoriesYara Eid: A war journalist who spent her childhood in Gaza 

Al Jazeera's Gaza bureau chief is mourning his wife, daughter, son and grandson after they were killed in an Israeli attack.The majority of the war's victims are women and children - with journalists among the dead too. So, is anywhere in the Gaza Strip safe? Join host Bernard Smith. Guests:Jodie Ginsberg - President of the Committee to Protect Journalists. Mustafa Barghouti - Secretary General of the Palestinian National Initiative. Irene Khan - A UN Special Rapporteur.

What can the United Nations do to end Israel's war on Gaza? The UN chief has pointed to clear violations of international humanitarian law. Israel and its supporters refuse any talk of a ceasefire. So, does diplomacy stand a chance in Gaza? Join Host Bernard Smith Guests: Richard Falk - Visiting professor, Istinye University.  Raphael Jerusalmy - Former Israeli intelligence officer and security analyst. Chris Gunness - Former UN Relief and Works Agency spokesperson. 

What's the extent of U.S. military aid to Israel in its war on Gaza? Washington has been sending military assets to the region, saying they're for deterrence purposes. But are they really? And could that trigger a wider conflict in the Middle East?   Join Host James Bays Guests: Colin Clarke - Director of Research, Soufan Group.  Omar Rahman - Fellow, Middle East Council on Global Affairs.  Glenn Carle - Career CIA Officer. 

Israel is preparing a ground offensive in Gaza. But there are concerns about those captured by Hamas. With Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu facing growing public anger, will the Israeli military go in regardless of the risks?   Join Host James Bays Guests: Yossi Mekelberg - Associate fellow in the Middle East and North Africa programme, Chatham House. Scott Lucas - Professor, Clinton Institute, University College Dublin.  Roxane Farmanfarmaian - Professor of Modern Middle East Politics, University of Cambridge.

Will Hezbollah launch an all-out war on Israel? The Lebanese armed group has exchanged fire with the Israeli military. But stopped short of using the most powerful missiles in its arsenal. So what could happen if it launches a full offensive? Join Host James Bays Guests: Nicholas Noe - Editor-in-Chief of Beirut-based Mideast wire dot com. Uri Dromi - Founding president, Jerusalem Press Club. Elijah Magnier - Military and political analyst.

'A region reeling in pain and one step from the precipice'. Those are the words of UN chief Antonio Guterres, during an urgent diplomatic mission to help Gaza. Two-point-three million Palestinians are living under an Israeli siege and constant bombing. So what can Guterres hope to achieve?    Join Host James Bays Guests:  Mansour Shouman - Human rights advocate and a resident of Gaza.  Francesca Albanese - United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territory.  Donatella Rovera - Senior Crisis Response Adviser, Amnesty International.

People in Arab nations are watching in horror - as Israel bombs Gaza from north to south, killing thousands of Palestinians - including many children. But what political impact will Israel's onslaught have on leaders in the region? Could there be lasting implications? Join Presenter James Bays and guests: Hafsa Halawa - Independent political consultant Tamara Ben-Halim - Trustee and co-founder of the Palestinian rights organisation MakanRami Khouri - Distinguished Public Policy Fellow at the American University of Beirut

Palestinians in Gaza are suffering a humanitarian catastrophe, with nothing allowed in and no way out.The UN is blocked on the ground, and the Security Council is polarised and paralysed by veto. So, what role can it play? Join host James Bays. Guests: Mukesh Kapila - Professor at the University of Manchester. Yousef Munayyer - Head of the Palestine/Israel Program at the Arab Center Washington DC. Chris Gunnes - Former UN Relief and Works Agency spokesperson.

U.S. President Joe Biden has reaffirmed Washington's support for Israel - a day after hundreds of Palestinians were killed in an Israeli strike on a hospital in Gaza. What's behind steadfast U.S. military and political backing for Israel?    Join Host Folly Bah Thibault Guests:  Dalal Iriqat - Assistant Professor of Conflict Resolution and Diplomacy, Arab American University.  Khaled Elgindy - Senior Fellow, Middle East Institute. Phyllis Bennis - Fellow, Institute for Policy Studies. 

No food, no water, no fuel and nowhere to go. As Israel's bombing of Gaza intensifies, Palestinians are facing an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe. What will it take for life-saving aid to reach the besieged enclave? And can a disaster be prevented?   Join Host Folly Bah Thibault Guests: Najla Shawa - Oxfam spokesperson.  Dr Nick Maynard - Consultant surgeon who visits Gaza regularly to train medical students and doctors. Sara Kira - Founder and director, European North African Center for Research.

Has Israel breached the laws of war in Gaza? The killing of civilians and collective punishment raises concerns as its military bombs the strip. So who will hold Israel to account? Join Host James Bays Guests: Geoffrey Robertson - Founder, Doughty Street Chambers.   Sawsan Zaher - Human rights lawyer.  Marc Garlasco - Military adviser, Dutch NGO 'Pax for Peace'.

What are the military risks of an Israeli ground offensive in Gaza? The Israeli army says it's ready for the next stage of its war on the strip, and it's massing hundreds of thousands of troops. But what does Israel stand to gain from an incursion into Gaza? Join Host James Bays Guests: Elias Hanna - Retired Lebanese military General. Elijah Magnier - Military analyst who has covered conflicts in the Middle East. Lawrence Korb - Former Assistant Secretary of Defense.

As Israel intensifies its shelling of Gaza, what does Washington want from Arab countries? The U.S. Secretary of State is in the region to show support for Israel. But can Biden's administration prevent the war from spilling over, in the Middle East?Join Host James Bays Guests: Yara Hawari - Senior analyst, Al Shabaka,The Palestinian Policy Network. Rich Outzen - Geopolitical consultant and former U.S. State Department official. Nancy Okail - President and CEO, Center for International Policy.

The United States has been Israel's strongest backer in the war on Gaza. The European Union and United Kingdom have also voiced political support. As more Palestinians are killed and the humanitarian situation worsens, where do Russia, China and India stand? Host: Bernard Smith Guests:  Pavel Felgenhauer, independent Russian foreign policy analystEinar Tangen, Senior Fellow, Taihe Insitute Ashok Swain, Professor, Department of Peace and Conflict Research, Uppsala University

The West has united in backing Israel since Saturday's armed attack by Hamas. And western governments have avoided criticising the intensive Israeli bombing of Gaza. So how is western policy towards Israel and Palestine over decades, affecting the situation today?  Presenter: James Bays  Guests: Abdullah Al-Arian, associate professor of history at Georgetown University in Qatar. He is a specialist on U.S. Middle East policy.  Maria Luisa Fantappie, head of the Middle East and Africa program for the Italian think tank, Instituto Affari Internazionali. Richard Boyd Barrett, a member of the Irish Parliament with the People Before Profit Party.

Palestinians bombed by Israel - hundreds killed and thousands injured. Gaza under siege, running out of supplies. Hundreds of Israelis killed and abducted by Hamas fighters, communities pounded by rocket fire. Do civilians have any protection under international law? Join Host Folly Bah Thibault  Guests:  Geoffrey Nice - Barrister, former prosecutor, International Criminal Court. Omar Shakir - Israel and Palestine Director, Human Rights Watch.  Michael Lynk - Professor Emeritus in the Law Faculty, Western University.

Hundreds of civilians killed and injured in Israeli attacks on Gaza. The government declares a total siege - fighting what it calls 'human animals'. Earlier, hundreds of Israelis were killed by Palestinian fighters. Why has politics failed so badly? What's next - for both sides? Join Host Sami Zeidan  Guests:  Francesca Albanese - United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Diana Buttu - Former spokeswoman for the Palestine Liberation Organization. Gideon Levy - Columnist, Haaretz.

Israel declares war on Hamas and orders a total siege of Gaza with no food or electricity - after an unprecedented attack by the Palestinian armed group. The Israeli PM has vowed to destroy Hamas' capabilities. But at what cost? And is there a risk the war could spill over to the region.   Join Host Folly Bah Thibault Guests: Mustafa Barghouti - Secretary General of the Palestinian National Initiative. Rami Khouri - Public Policy Fellow, American University of Beirut. Daniel Levy - President of the U.S. Middle East Project. 

First published August 29, 2023. Is the Panama Canal in danger of drying up? Low water levels caused by drought are forcing restrictions on the number of ships that are allowed to transit. Cargo deliveries are being delayed and supply chains hit worldwide. So is an alternative waterway needed?  Join Host Mohammed Jamjoom Guests: Lars Ostergaard Nielsen - Head of operations for North American & Latin America, Maersk Shipping & Logistics Company.  James Baker - Containers Editor, Lloyd's List Maritime Information Provider. Jean-Paul Rodrigue - Professor in Department of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University, New York. 

This episode originally published on June 30, 2023. Israel is under pressure to end the so-called automated apartheid. It's accused of using facial recognition technology to control Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. How much of a privacy breach is this? And does this technology really offer Israel greater security? Join host Adrian Finighan. Guests: Matt Mahmoudi - Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights adviser, Amnesty International.  Jalal Abukhater, - Writer and Community leader, Right to Movement. Ori Givati - Advocacy Director, Breaking The Silence.

A brazen attack and a reminder that the violence in Syria is far from over.The government blames armed groups for the attack on a military academy in Homs. So, has Bashar al Assad really won the war? And what role do foreign parties play in Syria? Host: Mohammed Jamjoom Guests: Alexey Khlebnikov, Middle East specialist at the Russian International Affairs Council Omer Ozkizilcik, Foreign Policy and Security Analyst Joshua Landis, Director of the Center for Middle East Studies at the University of Oklahoma

European leaders meet in Spain, with Ukraine's hopes for EU membership in sharp focus. The EU president wants it to happen. But some within the bloc are privately less enthusiastic. So can it become a reality?  Join host Mohammed Jamjoom Guests: Olena Prokopenko - Former Ukrainian Finance Ministry adviser. Pieter Cleppe - Editor of Brussels Report EUDaniela Irrera - Professor at the Centre for High Defence Studies

Journalists detained in police raids in India. The BJP government says it wants to counter Chinese influence, but media rights groups say it's further state repression. So how free is India's media? And what pressures do journalists face there?    Join Host Emily Angwin Guests: Rana Ayyub - Global Opinions Writer, The Washington Post.  Shoaib Daniyal - Political Editor, Scroll News, India. Beh Lih Yi - Asia Program Coordinator, Committee to Protect Journalists.

Another court case for Donald Trump - the latest accusing him of fraud. The former U.S. president says he's the victim of a witch-hunt. But his mounting legal problems don't seem to be denting his popularity. So could these trials help or hinder Trump's presidential campaign?  Join Host Emily Angwin Guests:  Daniel Freeman - Fellow, Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies, American University Washington DC.  Claire Finkelstein - Faculty Director, Center for Ethics and the Rule of Law, University of Pennsylvania. Carrie Sheffield - Senior Policy Analyst, Independent Women's Forum.

A critic of the EU, NATO and funding the war in Ukraine has won Slovakia's general election. Robert Fico's populist SMER-SSD party got 23% and the right to form the next government. So, what's behind this vote in Ukraine's neighbour?    Join host Emily Angwin  Guests:  Alena Kudzko - Vice President for Policy and Programming, GLOBSEC.  Ben Aris - Founder and Editor-in-Chief, BNE Intelli-News. Pavol Demeš - Former Slovakian Foreign Minister. 

How is Pakistan dealing with the security threat emanating from Afghanistan? Islamabad has reported an increase in cross-border attacks by the Pakistani Taliban. What's behind this surge? And is the Taliban government doing enough to stop it?   Join Host Mohammed Jamjoom Guests: Waqar Khan - Defence analyst.  Obaidullah Baheer - Lecturer in Transitional Justice, American University, Afghanistan. Zeeshan Salahuddin - Director, Centre for Regional and Global Connectivity, Tabad-lab. 

Will Vladimir Putin legitimise the Wagner Group? The Russian president has ordered a former commander of the mercenary force to take charge of volunteer units in Ukraine. So, how could Putin profit from Wagner fighters? And could they be integrated into the army?   Join Host Mohammed Jamjoom Guests: Pavel Felgenhauer - Independent Russian Defence Analyst. Michael Clarke - Visiting Professor, Department of War Studies at King’s College London. John Lechner -  Independent researcher with a special focus on conflict in Africa.  

It's been disputed for decades, but Nagorno-Karabakh is now under Azerbaijan's control. As tens of thousands of Armenians flee, its self-declared government says it will cease to exist. So what does the future hold for the region? And what will happen to its separatist movements? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. Guests: Nigar Arpadarai - Member of Azerbaijan Parliament. Matthew Bryza - Former US Mediator of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.  Arsen Kharatyan - Former Adviser to the Armenian Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyan. 

A group of young activists is suing dozens of governments in Europe and beyond. They argue that these governments failed to protect their rights to a healthy environment. So, could this case lead to concerted action on global warming? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. Guests: Catherine Gamper - Climate change adaptation specialist. Ashafaq Khalfan - Director of climate justice at Oxfam US.

The UK's interior minister says the international asylum system is outdated and needs to be reformed. Her views have been strongly rejected by the United Nations and human rights organisations. So what's behind them and do they have any support?    Join Host Mohammed Jamjoom  Guests:  Steve Valdez-Symonds - Director of Refugee and Migrants Rights, Amnesty International UK. Shabia Mantoo - Global spokesperson, United Nations Refugee Agency, UNHCR. Tim Bale - Professor of politics, Queen Mary University of London. 

After tough journeys, thousands of asylum seekers are crossing into the U.S. every day. Despite the obstacles and barriers, the influx is growing. Immigration divides American politics and will be a central issue in next year's presidential election. So why is it so divisive and what's the solution?  Join host Laura Kyle Guests:  Niambi Carter - Associate Professor, School of Public Policy - University of Maryland. Rebekah Wolf - Policy Counsel for the Immigration Justice Campaign, American Immigration Council. John Feehery - Partner, EFP Advocacy. 

A policeman shot dead in northern Kosovo, Serb gunmen killed in a monastery siege. It's the latest violent flashpoint between ethnic Serbs and Albanians. So, how damaging is this to international peace efforts? And can a lasting solution ever be found?  Join host Laura Kyle  Guests:  Helena Ivanov - Serbian Affairs Analyst. Dan IIazi - Head of Research, Kosovar Centre for Security Studies. Suzanne Lynch - Chief Brussels Correspondent, Politico. 

A Ukrainian missile strike hits Russia's naval headquarters in Crimea. Attacks on the Russian-controlled territory have intensified, just as Ukraine's ground offensive in the east, makes little headway. So why is Crimea so important to both sides in this war?   Join Host Laura Kyle Guests:  Andrey Baklanov - Deputy Chairman, Association of Russian Diplomats.  Domitilla Sagramoso - Senior Lecturer in Security and Development, King's College London. Michael Bociurkiw - Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council. 

The U.S. government is once again facing a shutdown. Infighting among Republicans is threatening a halt to this year's federal budget. But what will a shutdown mean for Americans and the rest of the world? And could it be averted at the last minute?   Join Host Laura Kyle Guests: Rina Shah - Founder and Principal, Rilax Strategies. Thomas Gift - Director, Centre on U.S. Politics, University College London. Elaine Kamarck - Founding Director, Center for Effective Public Management, Brookings.

The Democratic Republic of Congo has asked the UN to withdraw its troops saying it's failed to protect civilians. So, what's the role of UN peacekeepers? And will this pave the way for private armies to take over? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. Guests: Moussa Kondo - Executive Director at the Sahel Institute. Tara O'Connor - Founder and Executive Director at Africa Risk Consulting. Mukesh Kapila - Former UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan.

Armenian separatists in the region agree to disarm after a quick assault by Baku.They're also considering reintegrating into the Azerbaijani state. So is this the end of this decades-long conflict? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom Guests: Esmira Jafarova, Board member of the Center of Analysis of International Relations.  Arsen Kharatyan, Editor-in-Chief of Aliq Media, an Armenian-Georgian media platform.  Matthew Bryza, former U.S. mediator to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. 

Sikh activists have been operating for years outside India. Now, one has been killed in Canada. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accuses New Delhi of triggering tension between the two countries. So, can it be contained? And what does this tell us about the plight of religious minorities in India? Join Host Mohammed Jamjoom Guests: Garry Keller - Vice President, StrategyCorp. Steve Hewitt - Associate Professor, University of Birmingham. Brahma Chellaney - Professor of Strategic Studies, Center for Policy Research.

A prisoner swap between the U.S. and Iran. It's a rare agreement between two nations, long at odds on nearly all fronts. So does this deal signal a new dawn in relations?    Join Host Mohammed Jamjoom Guests:  Foad Izadi - Head of the American Studies Department, University of Tehran. Roxane Farmanfarmaian - Lecturer in Modern Middle East Politics, University of Cambridge. Scott Lucas - Professor of U.S. and International Relations, University College Dublin.

Covid cases are rising again - along with variants of the virus. The World Health Organization says it wants its experts to return to China to find out more about the origins of the disease. So how much of a danger is this wave?  Join Host Mohammed Jamjoom Guests: Dr. Paul Hunter - Professor in Medicine, University of East Anglia.  Dr. Patrick Tang - Division Chief of Microbiology, Sidra Medicine, Doha. Dr. Gabriel Scally - Professor of Public Health, Bristol University.

An auto workers' dispute in the U.S. underlines Washington's struggle to become competitive in the global electric car market. While the EU and China clash over subsidies. Are East and West revving up for another geopolitical battle?   Join Host Sami Zeidan  Guests:  Steven Erlanger - Chief Diplomatic Correspondent in Europe, The New York Times. Andy Mok - Senior Research Fellow, Center for China Globalization. Ferdinand Dudenhoffer - Professor and Director, Center for Automotive Research think-tank.

Looking for bodies...and answers. Teams in Libya are still searching for people after two dams collapsed. But how could structures like these fail? How safe are others dams around the world? And is climate change a factor?  Join Host Sami Zeidan  Guests:  Asma Khalifa - Research Fellow, German Institute for Global and Area Studies. Sara Hayat - Lawyer who specialises in climate change law, policy and advocacy, Pakistan. Edmond Harty - Chartered Engineer and President of Engineers Ireland. 

The leaders of Russia and North Korea are taking steps to strengthen their relationship. What sort of new era will emerge from this? And should the West be worried? Join host Sami Zeidan. Guests: Andrei Lankov - Director of the North Korea-focussed news-site N-K News. Jenny Town - Senior Fellow at the security-focussed American think-tank, the Stimson Center. Andrey Baklanov - Vice President of the Association of Russian Diplomats.

Italy's Prime Minister has promised a tough stance against undocumented migrants as the country is facing an increase in the number of people arriving by boat. So, what's behind this rise? And has the security approach failed? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. Guests: Andrea De Petris - Scientific Director at the Center for European Policy. Badder Dabbagh - A former Syrian refugee. Ferdinando Nelli Feroci - President of the Institute of International Affairs. 

Earthquakes, floods, fires, storms and drought...Natural disasters have ravaged many parts of the world on a scale not seen in decades. With this unprecedented rise, can countries alone deal with the consequences? And should a global agency be created?   Join Host Mohammed Jamjoom Guests: Zaid Belbagi - Managing partner, Hardcastle Advisory. Nilofer Afridi Qazi - Disaster management specialist and public policy adviser. Andrew Phelps - Vice President of planning and risk reduction, AC Disaster Consulting.    

Divided and embroiled in a civil war, Libya is hit by devastating floods. Thousands are dead and thousands more missing. How will the country deal with this disaster? And how are political rivalries affecting rescue operations?Join Host Mohammed Jamjoom  Guests: Salah ElBakkoush - Political analyst. Anas El Gomati - Founder and director, Sadeq Institute. Michele Servadei - UNICEF Libya country representative. 

Desperate efforts to reach people stranded in mountains in Morocco. After its worst earthquake in more than a century, the scale of the disaster is still not fully known. So does the country have what it needs to cope? Join Host Mohammed Jamjoom Guests: Amanda Mouttaki - Community volunteer.  Hassan Lemtouni - Moroccan community leader, Ireland. Martin Mai - Earthquake scientist. 

Morocco is in mourning after a devastating earthquake. Desperate rescue and recovery efforts continue to try to reach people in remote areas. So how is the country coping? And can any lessons be learned?  Join Host Laura Kyle  Souha Taha - Witness/community volunteer in the affected areas. Samir Bennis - Co-founder and editor-in-chief, Morocco World News.  Mohammad Mehdi Kashani - Associate Professor of Structural Engineering, University of Southampton.

Oil prices hit a nine-month high, after Saudi Arabia and Russia say production cuts are to continue. It's not good news for consumers or the White House. So, what's behind this move...money or politics or both?  Join Host Laura Kyle Cornelia Meyer - CEO, Meyer Resources. Chris Weafer - Chief Executive Officer, Macro-Advisory. Andrew Lipow - President, Lipow Oil Associates.

Armenia and Azerbaijan are accusing each other of moving troops to their border areas. Tension has been rising in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region. But why is this a concern now? And what's the role of foreign powers? Join host Imran Khan. Guests: Farid Shafiyev - Chairman, Center of Analysis of International Relations. Anna Ohanyan - International Relations Professor, Stonehill College. Ben Aris - Editor-in-Chief, bne IntelliNews.

Isolated and under sanctions. Are Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un planning a meeting to cement their alliance? The Russian leader badly needs weapons for his war in Ukraine. But what can Pyongyang offer? And how will the West react? Join host Imran Khan Guests: Youngshik Bong - Adviser to South Korea's National Unification Ministry. Julie Norman - Co-director Centre on US Politics, University College London. Sergei Markov - Former Spokesperson for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

They've been largely neutral during 12 years of war -- but now Syria's Druze are protesting in their heartland. They're demanding Bashar al-Assad to step down. But why now? What's really behind their anger? And could these demonstrations gain momentum?  Join host Imran Khan Guests: Mouaz Moustafa - Executive Director, Syrian Emergency Task Force. Joshua Landis - Director of Center for Middle East Studies, Oklahoma University. Steven Heydemann - Middle East Studies Program Director, Smith College.

Africa is holding its first climate summit. The aim is to find how to tackle the continent's climate change challenges. But although African countries are ambitious about green development, can they do it alone? And do they have the money? Join host Imran Khan Guests: Serah Makka-Ugbabe - Africa Executive Director, ONE Campaign. Donald Ikenna Ofoegbu - Program Manager of Sustainable Nigeria Programs, Heinrich Boel Stiftung. Maurice Onyango - Regional Head of Disaster Risk Management, Plan International. 

A high-stakes meeting in Sochi. Turkiye's leader, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, holds talks with Russia’s Vladimir Putin amid international efforts to revive the Black Sea Grain Deal. Can Erdogan convince Putin to rejoin? And how solid are relations between the two countries?   Join Host Folly Bah Thibault Guests: Andrey Baklanov - Former Russian Ambassador. Michael Bociurkiw - Global affairs analyst.  Seda Demiralp - Associate professor, Isik University.  

Violence in the Iraqi city of Kirkuk. Rival demonstrations between Kurdish, Arab and Turkmen communities have led to deaths and injuries. Plans by Iraqi security forces to return a building to Kurds that they previously held - have infuriated other ethnic groups. So how can the unrest be resolved? Join Host Folly Bah-Thibault Guests:  Ahmed Rushdi - President of House, Iraqi Expertise Foundation.  Julian Bechocha - Journalist and reporter, Rudaw. Zeidon Alkinani - Non-resident fellow,  Arab Center Washington DC.

Niger's coup leaders and France are in a stand-off. The military wants to cut ties with the former colonial power. President Emmanuel Macron refuses to recognize their takeover. So how might this end?  Join Host Folly Bah Thibault  Guests: Nicolas Norman - Former French Ambassador to Mali, Senegal and Republic of the Congo. Kabir Adamu - Managing Director, Beacon Consulting risk management and security consultancy. Leonard Mbulle-Nziege - Researcher, Institute for Democracy. 

A new classroom ban in France on clothing defined by the state as religious. The government says it's to defend the country's strict secularism - Muslims believe it's a targeted attack on fundamental freedoms. Why is the issue so contentious - both for and against? Join Host Folly Bah Thibault.  Guests:  Loubna Reguig - National President of the Muslim Students of France Jacques Reland - Senior Research Fellow at The Global Policy Institute, in Saint-Malo Rainbow Murray - Professor of Politics at Queen Mary University of London. 

A military coup in Gabon - celebrations on the street, but a very different reaction globally. The takeover's being condemned by the UN while China, Russia, the U.S. and EU all voice concern. So why has there been yet another coup in Africa? What's the response of African states? Join Host Mohammed Jamjoom Guests: Antoine Lawson - Veteran journalist in Libreville, Gabon Stella Agara - African government affairs analyst Lassane Ouedraogo - Research fellow, Centre for Democracy and Development. 

Can an initiative by Algeria end the crisis in neighbouring Niger? The Algerians are proposing a six-month transition period from military to civilian rule. While other African countries are threatening coup leaders with military intervention. So, how much leverage does Algeria have to push its initiative forward? Join Host Mohammed Jamjoom Guests: Alexis Akwagyiram - Managing Editor, Semafor Africa news website. Kabir Adamu - Managing Director, Beacon Consulting security risk management and intelligence provider. Jacques Reland - Senior Research Fellow, Global Policy Institute think tank.

Is the Panama Canal in danger of drying up? Low water levels caused by drought are forcing restrictions on the number of ships that are allowed to transit. Cargo deliveries are being delayed and supply chains hit worldwide. So is an alternative waterway needed?  Join Host Mohammed Jamjoom Guests: Lars Ostergaard Nielsen - Head of operations for North American & Latin America, Maersk Shipping & Logistics Company.  James Baker - Containers Editor, Lloyd's List Maritime Information Provider. Jean-Paul Rodrigue - Professor in Department of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University, New York. 

Will Ethiopia compromise on its Grand Renaissance Dam? Yet, another meeting is held with Egypt and Sudan, and Addis Ababa insists the dam won't harm its neighbours. But will it accept a binding agreement? And what will be the long-term consequences of this dam? Join Host Mohammed Jamjoom Guests: Yilma Seleshi - Professor of Water Resources and Engineering, Addis Ababa University. Sara Kira - Founder and Director of the European North African Center for Research. Allam Ahmed - Professor of Knowledge Management and Sustainable Development, University of East London. 

It is a new era for the BRICS nations. The five members of the bloc have agreed to invite six new ones, and they are planning new currency arrangements aimed at reducing reliance on the U.S dollar. So can BRICS really shake up the world's political and economic architecture?  Join Host Nick Clark Guests: Ben Aris - Founder and editor-in-chief, BNE IntelliNews.  Arina Muresan - Senior researcher, Institute for Global Dialogue.  Einar Tangen - China affairs analyst. 

A plane crashes in Russia, the passenger list including the leader of the Wagner mercenaries. Yevgeny Prigozhin led a brief revolt in June, which was described as treason by President Vladimir Putin, before he was apparently forgiven. What other facts can be drawn from what happened?  Join Host Cyril Vanier Guests:  Pavel Felgenhauer - Defence and military analyst. Donnacha Ó Beacháin - Professor of Post-Soviet Politics. Owen Matthews - Author of 'Overreach: The Inside Story of Putin's War on Ukraine'.

Thaksin Shinawatra returns home... Thailand’s former leader, back from exile, was immediately detained. He supports the new government - which is backed by the military that ousted him. The winners of the election are out in the cold. So, what's next for Thailand? And how will its people react to the latest political changes?    Join Host Laura Kyle  Guests:  Punchada Sirivunnabood - Specialist on Thailand's electoral system. Duncan McCargo - Professor of Public Policy and Global Affairs, Nanyang Technological University.  Kasit Piromya - Former Foreign Minister of Thailand. 

A recent report says some 50 million people are victims of exploitation by others and the situation is getting worse. So, what's being done to stop it? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. Guests: Sophie Otiende - CEO of the Global Fund to End Modern Slavery and human-trafficking survivor.   Phil Robertson - Deputy Director of the Asia Division at Human Rights Watch. Grace Forrest - Founding Director of Walk Free.*First published on May 25, 2023*

 The Russian spacecraft crashed on the moon instead of making a soft landing at the south pole. As other countries compete in the race to space, what lessons are being learned from the failure? Join Host Laura Kyle. Guests: Steve Maran - Astrophysicist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. Anil Kumar Bhatt - Director General, Indian Space Association. Derrick Pitts - Chief Astronomer & Planetarium Programs Director, Franklin Institute.

Surging prices, skyrocketing inflation and a plunging currency -- after a shock victory by a far-right candidate in Argentina's presidential primary. So, who is Javier Milei?  What's behind his election win? And what are his chances in October's presidential race? Join Host Rob Matheson Guests: Alan Cibils - Chairman of the Political Economy Department, Universidad Nacional de General Sarmiento. Javier Farje - Latin American Affairs Analyst. Sebastian Lacunza - Columnist, El Diario AR.

The worst violence in Libya in a year - dozens killed after the commander of an armed group is detained by rivals. The country remains divided - scarred by war and instability. Can Libya ever unite in peace again? What is its political future? Join host Adrian Finighan Guests:  Anas El Gomati - Founder and Director of the Sadeq Institute.  Emadeddin Badi - Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council. Mansour El-Kikhia - Professor of Politics, University of Texas at San Antonio. 

The Women's World Cup final kicks off on Sunday, the sport's most successful tournament yet. There's been rapid growth in the game, but is it a level playing field between richer and poorer nations? How far can the sport go for female footballers?  Join Host Adrian Finighan Guests:  Shireen Ahmed - A senior contributor with CBC Sports. Farkhunda Muhtaj - Captain of the Afghanistan women's national team. 

More trouble for former U.S. President Donald Trump - charged under Georgia's racketeering laws with trying to overturn his 2020 election defeat to Joe Biden. Trump says the latest indictment is rigged. So how serious is this for him and his presidential campaign? Join Host Adrian Finighan Guests:  Julie Norman - Co-director, Centre on U.S. Politics. Ross Feingold - Lawyer & Director, Association of Americans Resident Overseas.  Jennifer Ewing - Spokesperson, Republicans Overseas U.K.

Has Russia pulled the plug on Wagner? Moscow is said to have stopped funding the mercenary group after its failed mutiny in June. So, where does that leave Moscow's interests worldwide? And what's the future of this private army?   Join Host Sami Zeidan.  Guests: Patrick Bury - Defence and Security Specialist at the University of Bath.  Sergei Markov - Former Public Spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin.  Stefan Wolff - Professor at the University of Birmingham.

 The assassination of a presidential candidate has shocked Ecuador. The government blames drug cartels for the increase in violence in the country, but what's being done to stop it?Join host Adrian Finighan. Guests: Manuela Picq - Professor at Universidad San Francisco de Quito. Javier Farje - Journalist and Latin American Affairs Analyst. Grace Jaramillo - Professor at the University of British Columbia. 

Poland sends troops to the Belarus border - fearing threats from Russia via its neighbor. Warsaw's been central in helping Ukraine fight the war - but there's been tension too at times, just as with the EU. How will the Ukraine war affect Poland's future? Join host Sohail Rahman Guests: Liliana Smiech - President, Warsaw Institute.  Ben Aris - Founder and Editor-in-chief, BNE IntelliNews. Michal Baranowski - Managing Director, The German Marshall Fund East.    

Niger in crisis two weeks after a military coup - the generals in control ignoring international demands to reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum. So what's the future for the vast country and key Western ally? What could follow after Niger's political upheaval? Join host Adrian Finighan Guests: Idayat Hassan - Director of the Centre for Democracy and Development. Alexis Akwagyram - Managing Editor at Semafor Africa. Cameron Hudson - Senior Associate at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies.

Unrest in Ethiopia's Amhara region where Fano rebels - who fought with government troops in Tigray two years ago - are now battling the army. So, what's driving this conflict? And how's the government addressing the region's long-simmering grievances? Join host Adrian Finighan Guests:  Kemal Hashi Mohamoud - Member of the Ethiopian Parliament.  Yohannes Woldemariam - Ethiopia Researcher specializing in the Horn of Africa.  Tewodrose Tirfe - Chairman and Founding Member of the Amhara Association of America.       

Eight South American nations meet in Brazil to forge a common policy on the Amazon rainforest. But there are deep divisions on oil exploration and deforestation and conflicting domestic interests. What will this summit achieve?  Join host Adrian Finighan. Carlos Peres - Professor of Tropical Conservation Ecology, University of East Anglia. Jan Rocha - A Freelance Journalist and Author.  Bram Ebus - Journalist and Research Coordinator at Amazon Underworld.

Downgrading the credit rating of the United States. The White House lashes out at the 'flawed assessment' by Fitch Ratings, but what's worrying the financial experts? Is the world's biggest economy in trouble? Join host Sohail Rahman.With guests: William Lee - Chief Economist, Milken Institute.  Einar Tangen - Senior Fellow, Taihe Institute.  Frances Coppola - Economist and Banking Commentator.  

High hopes in Colombia as a six-month ceasefire with rebels begins. The ELN is the last remaining armed group operating in the country. But will this deal hold after others have failed? Join host Sohail Rahman. Guests: Jorge Restrepo - Director, Conflict Analysis Resource Center. Elizabeth Dickinson - Senior Analyst for Colombia, International Crisis Group.  Laura Bonilla - Deputy Director, Peace and Reconciliation Foundation.    

More criminal charges against Donald Trump - this time over the Capitol riots and efforts to overturn the 2020 U.S. presidential election. Despite all the indictments, he remains the front-runner to win the Republican nomination. So, what do the new charges mean for his ambitions to return to the White House and for Americans? Join host Adrian Finighan. Guests: Adolfo Franco - Republican Party Strategist and former adviser to Senator John McCain. Adam Kamenstein - Partner at law firm Adams, Duerk & Kamenstein.  Rina Shah- Political Strategist. 

The Taliban and U.S. meet face-to-face as Afghanistan endures one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. Afghan funds in the West remain frozen while repression of women and rights abuses continue. Will the talks bring Afghans some hope?   Join host Adrian Finighan. Guests: Mahbouba Seraj - Executive Director of the Afghan Women Skills Development Center. Timor Sharan - Author of 'Inside Afghanistan: Political Networks, Informal Order, and State Disruption'.  Michael Semple - Visiting Research Professor at Queen’s University Belfast. 

Resetting France's ties with Africa has been crucial to Emmanuel Macron's foreign policy. But former colonies are now deciding what ties they want with Paris. So, how and why is France's relationship with Africa changing?  Join host Adrian Finighan Guests: Jacques Reland - Senior Research Fellow at the Global Policy Institute. Anne Giudicelli - Political and Security Risks Consultant at Terrorisc Marisa Lourenco - an Independent Political and Economic Risk Analyst.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is hosting leaders from the continent, promising aid and lashing out at the West. But how much can he deliver with his country at war, under sanctions, and isolated? Join host Cyril Vanier Guests: Victor Olevich - Expert at Center for Actual Politics. Eric Acha, Executive Director of the African Policy Forum. Abdiwahab Sheikh Abdisamad - Chairman, Horn of Africa Institute for Strategic Studies.

Another coup in West Africa. Soldiers in Niger have seized power and removed the democratically-elected president. What does it mean for the fight against armed groups in the Sahel? How do recurrent military takeovers cripple democracy in Africa? Join host Sohail Rahman.  Guests: Kabir Adamu - Managing Director of Beacon Consulting. Nicholas Norbrook - Managing Editor of The Africa Report Magazine. Alex Vines - Director of the Africa Programme at Chatham House.

The Ethiopian prime minister says his landlocked country will have direct port access. Abiy Ahmed wants to increase economic growth. But how far is he prepared to go? And what could Ethiopia’s neighbours offer? Join host Adrian Finighan Guests: Kemal Hashi Mohamoud - Member of the Ethiopian Parliament. Martin Plaut - Journalist specialising in the Horn of Africa. Kwaku Nuamah - Senior Lecturer at the American University.

Israel's parliament approves a law to weaken the Supreme Court's power. Mass demonstrations by opponents say it gives the far-right government unlimited control. Can it be overturned? And what's the impact on Palestinians suffering daily Israeli brutality? Join host Adrian Finighan Guests: Diana Buttu - Lawyer/Former legal adviser to the Palestine Liberation Organization. Judy Maltz - Senior Correspondent for Haaretz newspaper. Hassan Jabareen - Founder of Adalah: The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel.

All change at Twitter. Not just the ownership, but now the brand with the website's bird icon to make way for a simple X. But is it that simple?  What's behind owner Elon Musk's move  and what will users make of it?  Join host Adrian Finighan. Guests.  James Greenfield - Founder and Chief Executive of Koto Studio. Elaine Burke - Science and technology journalist/host of the podcast For Tech's Sake. Allyson Stewart-Allen - Chief Executive of International Marketing Partners. 

Will Spain shift to the right? Its Socialist Prime Minister faces serious challenges in early elections as his party has lost in regional polls. Will Pedro Sanchez be able to maintain power? And how's this being watched in the rest of Europe? Join host Sohail Rahman Guests: Jose Maria Beneyto - President at the Governance and Society Institute. Emily Schultheis - Former Fellow at the Institute of Current World Affairs Pablo Calderon Martinez -  Associate Professor in Politics and International Relations at Northeastern University.

The northern hemisphere is witnessing unprecedented heat, floods, and fires. But is it all climate change, or are other factors at play? What are the dangers of extreme heatt and how do we keep safe? Join host Nastasya Tay. Guests: Catherine Gamper - Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. John Nairn - Senior Extreme Heat Adviser at the World Meteorological Organization. Dorothy Guererro - Head of Policy and Advocacy at Global Justice Now.

Israel says it recognizes Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara. It's an area also claimed by the armed group the POLISARIO front. What does this move mean for the long-running conflict in this region? And what will Israel get in return? Join host Sohail Rahman Guests Abdelmalek Alaoui - President of the Moroccan Institute of Strategic Intelligence. Yossi Mekelberg - Associate Fellow at Chatham House.  Mahjoub Mleiha, Advocacy Head of the Collective of Sahrawi Human Rights Defenders.    

Russia halts participation in Ukraine grain deal. Kremlin says its conditions for extending the deal brokered by the UN and Turkey had yet to be fulfilled. But the president of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, is hopeful it can be revived. So, how much politics is at play here  Join host Adrian Finighan. Guests: Andrey Baklanov - Former Russian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Helin Sari Ertem - Turkish Foreign Policy Specialist Rich Outen - Geopolitical consultant  

As global temperatures break records, the U.S. and China's climate envoys meet in Beijing.  But political disputes have stopped talks between the world's top two polluters. So can they find common ground? And will developed nations help more vulnerable ones adapt to climate change?  Join Host Adrian Finighan 

Foreign ministers of the south-east Asian ASEAN bloc have met in Jakarta - and have been joined by top envoys from China, Russia, and the U.S. What brought the visitors from afar? Who's looking for what - and from whom?  Join host Emily Angwin  Guests: Ja Ian Chong - Associate Professor, National University of Singapore Shirley Yu - Senior Visiting Fellow, London School of Economics Einar Tangen - Senior Fellow, Taihe Institute 

Can Egypt help end the war in Sudan? Cairo is hosting a regional summit, but the warring sides are not there. So, can diplomacy work this time? And what's the fallout of this conflict on the region? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom Guests Sara Kira, Founder/Director of the European North African Center for Research. Giorgio Cafiero, CEO of Gulf State Analytics. Dallia Abdelmoniem, Political Commentator 

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi is on an African tour, hoping to forge new alliances. As Iran's economy struggles under Western sanctions, what can Africa offer? And does Tehran have any influence on the continent? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom Guests: Ngala Chome - Senior Analyst at Sahan Research Ali Akbar Dareini - Researcher at the Center for Strategic Studies. Eric Lob - Associate Professor at Florida International University   

Why did Turkiye change its mind about Sweden's NATO membership? At its annual summit, the alliance is set to expand as it faces new security challenges. So how will this change the geopolitical landscape in Europe? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom  Guests: Robert Hunter, Former U.S. Ambassador to NATO  Mats Engstrom, Senior Policy Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations. Sinan Ulgen, Former Turkish diplomat 

The world is big enough for both the United States and China. The words of the U.S. Treasury Secretary during her visit to Beijing. But with the two superpowers continuously engaged in a trade war - what exactly does Washington want from China? Join host Adrian Finighan. Guests: Paul Triolo - Senior Vice President Albright Stonebridge Elizabeth Larus, Founder & President of E Larus Consulting Andy Mok, Senior Research Fellow, Center for China and Globalization

Hundreds of people from several African countries have been ordered out of Tunisia but are barred entry to neighboring Libya. Many, including women and children, say they have no food, water, or shelter and rely on aid to survive. Why are they there - and what's next for them? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. Guests Lauren Seibert - Human Rights Watch Researcher  Amine Snoussi -  Political Analyst and Specialist on Tunisian Politics.  Ahlam Chemlali - Ph.D. candidate at the Danish Institute for International Studies  

United Nations experts believe Israel's military assault against Palestinians in Jenin in the occupied West Bank may be a war crime. But what's behind this assessment? And will anyone face international justice?  Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. Guests: Nour Odeh - Political Analyst and Former Spokeswoman for Palestinian Task Force  Francesca Albanese - Special Rapporteur on human rights in Palestine  Geoffrey Robertson - Founding Head of Doughty Street Chambers 

The UK's National Health Service turns 75. But the NHS is facing several challenges and a great deal of criticism. So, how did it get to this point? And how does this revolutionary health system compare with others in the West? Join host Cyril Vanier.  Guests Siva Anandaciva, Chief Analyst at The King's Fund Dr. Sonia Adesara, NHS doctor and campaigner Jamie Hale - CEO of Pathfinders Neuromuscular Alliance  

Senegal's president says he won't seek a controversial third term. It ended weeks of speculation. But what's behind Macky Sall's decision? And will it have an impact on other nations in the region? Join host Cyril Vanier. Guests Aliou Sow, Senegalese Minister of Culture and Historical Heritage Paul Melly, Consulting Fellow for the Africa Programme at Chatham House Ousmane Diallo, West and Central Africa Researcher at Amnesty International  

They are exploring the dark universe. That's the mission of the Euclid space telescope. European scientists hope it'll solve some of the deepest mysteries of the cosmos. But for what purpose? And can Europe develop a space industry of its own? Join host Cyril Vanier Guests: Pierre Ferruit, Euclid Mission Manager at the European Space Agency.  Christopher Conselice, Professor of Extragalactic Astronomy at The University of Manchester Paul Taylor, Senior Fellow at the Friends of Europe think-tank.

Israel is under pressure to end the so-called automated apartheid. It's accused of using facial recognition technology to control Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. How much of a privacy breach is this? And does this technology really offer Israel greater security? Join host Adrian Finighan. Guests: Matt Mahmoudi - Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights adviser at Amnesty International.  Jalal Abukhater, - Writer and Community leader of Right to Movement. Ori Givati - Advocacy Director at Breaking The Silence.

A fatal police shooting of a teenager has triggered widespread protests in France, once again putting the use of excessive force by police - especially in ethnically diverse areas -  under the spotlight. So, how will the French government tackle this issue? Join host Folly Bah Thibault. Guests: Yasser Louati - Head of the Committee for Justice and Liberties.Rainbow Murray - Professor of Politics at Queen Mary University of London. Jacques de Maillard - Director of the Centre for Sociological Research on Law and Penal Institutions.

Media outlets in the United States have obtained an audio recording in which former president Donald Trump appears to acknowledge keeping classified documents after leaving office. So, just how damaging is this recording? And will it affect next year's presidential race?  Join host Folly Bah Thibault. Guests: John Malcolm - Former US Federal Prosecutor. Scott Lucas - Professor at the Clinton Institute, University College Dublin. Bruce Fein - Former US Associate Deputy Attorney General. 

As Russia recovers from what it calls Wagner's rebellion, there's a new focus on private armies. They're used in many conflicts around the world. But how much of a threat are they to the global order? And can they be stopped? Join Host Sohail Rahman.  Guests Sean McFate,  former military contractor and author of 'The Modern Mercenary'. He is a professor at National Defense University. Sorcha MacLeod, member of the UN working group on use of mercenaries. She is an associate professor at the faculty of law and University of Copenhagen and researches international law and mercenaries. John Lechner, a Wagner Group expert with focus on conflict in Africa.

Fighting in Sudan is once again intensifying. Several ceasefires have failed to stop the bloodshed, and the conflict has spread beyond Khartoum. So, what more can be done to bring peace? Especially by outside powers with influence. Join host Folly Bah Thibault  Guests: Kholood Khair, Founding Director at Confluence Advisory, a think-tank previously based in Khartoum. Hamid Khalafallah, Sudan Policy Researcher. Dallia Abdelmoniem, Political Commentator and former Journalist.      

The bodies of more than 300 members of a Christian doomsday cult have now been unearthed in Kenya. They're believed to have starved themselves to death. Dozens more are still alive - but refusing to eat. About 5,000 such movements are estimated to exist worldwide. So why do people join these often-secretive societies, and what dangers might they face? Join host Folly Bah Thibault. Guests:  Shipeta Mathias - Rapid response officer at Haki Africa - a rights group that's supporting cult victims in Kenya Diane Benscoter – A former ‘Moonie’ – a religious movement and founder of Antidote - a non-profit that exposes the dangers of psychological manipulation. Linda Dubrow-Marshall - Clinical Psychologist and Senior Lecturer at the University of Salford.  

Commercial companies offering adventures to the ends of the Earth - and beyond - are attracting billions of dollars annually. Some of the dangers have been exposed by the plight of the five men onboard the Titan submersible that went missing. So are these multi-billion-dollar industries contributing to science? And are they a benefit to society? Join host Folly Bah Thibault. Guests: Victor Lund Shammas, Head of Department, Sociology and Social Work, University of Agder, Norway Elizabeth Pearson, Features Editor, Sky at Night Magazine. Space journalist

What's being promised by the two leading candidates in Zimbabwe's upcoming elections? Unemployment, poverty, and high inflation will be a few of the core issues facing millions when they head to the polls. The two leading candidates are expected to be incumbent president Emmerson Mnangagwa and his younger rival - Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa. Will they deliver on the commitments they're making to voters? And what challenges will they face? Join host Tom McRae. Guests: Vince Musewe, Economist Piers Pigou, Head of the Southern Africa programme at the Institute for Security Studies. Tendai Ruben Mbofana, Political analyst and social commentator.

At least six Palestinians were killed and dozens injured in Israel's hours-long attack on the Jenin refugee camp on Monday. This follows near-daily raids by Israeli forces across the occupied West Bank. So, what's behind this rise in violence? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom.  Guests: Yossi Beilin, former Israeli Minister of Justice and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs/former Israeli negotiator at the Oslo Peace Accords. Nour Odeh, Political analyst, columnist, and former spokesperson for the Palestinian Authority. Bill Law, Editor of Arab Digest and a former BBC Gulf and Middle East Journalist.  

India's leader has suggested a full G20 membership for the African Union. Narendra Modi argues Africa should have a more prominent voice on the world stage. So, what's behind this call? And what will a potential G20 membership mean for the continent? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom.  Onyekachi Wambu, co-executive Director of the African Foundation for Development. Anusha Chari, professor of economics and finance at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Guido Cozzi, professor of macroeconomics at the University of St. Gallen.

Germany unveils its first national security strategy. Berlin argues that geo-political events have triggered this move.How is it being seen in Europe and beyond? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. Guests: Ulrich Brueckner, Jean Monnet Professor for European Studies at Stanford University in Berlin. Wolfgang Pusztai, Senior Adviser with the Austrian Institute for European and Security Policy. Jorn Fleck, Senior Director with the Atlantic Council's Europe Center. 

Ethnic violence has engulfed India's northeastern Manipur state since early May.  More than 100 people have been killed and thousands displaced. So can New Delhi bring peace to this often-overlooked part of the country? Join host Dareen Abughaida. Guests: Ngamjahao Kipgen, Associate Professor of Sociology, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati Bhagat Oinam, Professor, Jawaharlal Nehru University Subir Bhaumik, Journalist covering Northeast India        

It's described as a significant step towards setting a rulebook for artificial intelligence. European MPs passed a draft law to keep a check on risks posed by AI. The AI Act could serve as a framework for creating a global watchdog, but could it also suppress innovation? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. Guests: Mark Simpson, CEO of Pillar.hr  Atoosa Kasirzadeh, Director of Research, Centre for Technomoral Futures, Futures Institute, University of Edinburgh David Krueger, Professor of Machine Learning and Computer Vision, University of Cambridge  

Tunisian president reaches out to migrants months after launching a crackdown. Kais Saied hopes to clinch a one-billion-dollar EU bailout. And in return, stem the rising migration to Europe. Are migrants being used as political pawns?Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. Guests: Julien Hoez, European Union affairs analyst Yasmine Akrimi, North Africa research analyst at the Brussels International Centre  Tarek Kahlaoui, columnist and former director of the Tunisian Institute of Strategic Studies

Fighting in Sudan has led to a new wave of violence in Darfur. Thousands have fled to neighboring Chad - to escape attacks by militias. And there are fears this could re-ignite tribal tensions in the region. So, what is fueling this violence?  Join host Mohamed Jamjoom.  Guests: Maysoon Dahab, Assistant Professor of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Abdelwahab El-Affendi, Professor of Politics, Doha Institute for Graduate Studies Hafiz Mohamed, Director of Justice Africa Sudan  

Smoke from Canada's wildfires is choking millions of people along America's east coast. Global warming is to blame, and the impact of human-induced climate change has long been felt worldwide. So what are governments doing to tackle it? Join host Imran Khan. Guests: Dr. Maria Neira - Director of Public Health, Environment and Social Determinants of Health at WHO.  Emma Bud - A Clean Air Lawyer at Client Earth. Abhiir Bhalla -  Adviser to the Commonwealth Human Ecology Council board. 

Ministers from all EU states are working on how to deal with the tens of thousands of people seeking a better life in the bloc. But finding a consensus among all 27 members won't be easy. So, what are the challenges?  Join host Imran Khan.Guests:Ugochi Daniels - Deputy Director General for Operations at the International Organisation for Migration.Ferdinando Nelli Feroci - President of the Institute of International Affairs.Leila Bodeux - Senior Policy and Advocacy Officer at Caritas Europe.

Once firm allies, now fragile partners. A visit by the United States’ top diplomat to Saudi Arabia is a lot more challenging than in the past. So, what’s putting strains on American influence in the Middle East? And can Antony Blinken mend its fraying ties? Join host Imran Khan. Guests: Abdulaziz Alghashian - Saudi affairs analyst. Hillary Mann Leverett - CEO of STRATEGA, a political risk consulting firm. Foad Izadi - Head of American Studies Department at Faculty of World Studies at the University of Tehran.

International aid agencies say Palestinians in occupied territories are facing a deepening humanitarian crisis as they live under the continuous risk of Israeli attacks. So, why is their situation worsening? And what's the international response? Join host Nick Clark. Guests: Maha Hussaini - Award-winning journalist and strategy director at Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor.  Samer Abdeljaber - Palestine Country Director for the World Food Programme. Najla Shawa - Aid worker and mother of two children living in Gaza. 

Fresh fighting is intensifying in eastern Ukraine and there have been more attacks inside Russian territory as speculation grows about Kyiv's counteroffensive. Is the war in Ukraine entering a critical stage? Or is it just another phase, with no end in sight? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. Guests:  Pavel Felgenhauer - Defence and military analyst. Despina Afentouli - Executive director at the Institute of International Relations. Patrick Bury - Defence and security analyst at the University of Bath.

The trial and conviction of Senegal's opposition leader has sparked protests and riots in one of Africa's most stable democracies. Several people are dead. Why has the unrest been so widespread? And is there a risk of more instability? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. Guests: Mucahid Durmaz - Analyst with Verisk Maplecroft. Marie-Roger Biloa - Chairwoman and CEO of the Africa International Media Group. Borso Tall - Freelance journalist.

Artificial intelligence is a powerful technology that can transform human lives but industry leaders warn that the tool they built could one day pose an existential threat to humanity. So, how can governments regulate AI without stifling innovation?  Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. Guests: David Krueger - Assistant Professor in Machine Learning and Computer Vision at the University of Cambridge.  Sarah Myers West - Managing Director of the AI Now Institute. Ramesh Srinivasan - Professor of Information Studies at the University of California.

Leaders from South America's 12 nations have met in Brazil. Their host president, Lula da Silva, is calling for more unity and even a new single currency. So, what are his plans and could they become reality? Join host Adrian Finighan. Guests: Temir Porras Ponceleon - Managing Director of Global Sovereign Advisory.  Guillaume Long - Senior Analyst at the Center for Economic and Policy Research. Danny Shaw - Professor of Latin American and Caribbean Studies at City University of New York. 

Nigeria has a new president after an election with a turnout of only 27 percent. Many in the country face poverty and hunger, while armed groups present ongoing security threats.So, what are Bola Tinubu's key policies and his biggest challenges?  Join host Adrian Finighan. Guests:  Hamzat Lawal - Founder of Connected Development. Aisha Yesufu - Founder of Citizens Hub. Ovigwe Eguegu - International Security Analyst at Afripolitika consultancy.

Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has won a third term. Economic problems at home and balancing east-west relations are just two of the urgent challenges he faces. So, what does Erdogan's re-election mean for Turkey and for the world?  Join host Folly Bah Thibault. Guests:  Helin Sari Ertem - Associate Professor of International Relations at Istanbul Medeniyet University. Ben Aris - Founder and Editor-in-chief of bne IntelliNews. Onur Erim - Political adviser and President of Dragoman Strategies. 

Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan has got a much-needed endorsement from a nationalist party leader. But will that make a difference in Sunday's run-off? And what impact will it have on the country’s future? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. Guests: Mehmet Celik - Editorial Coordinator at the Daily Sabah Newspaper. Burak Dalgin - Vice Chairman of the opposition Democracy and Progress Party. Tarik Oguzlu - Professor of International Relations and the Dean of the Faculty of Science and Arts at Istanbul Aydın University.

A report says some 50 million people are victims of exploitation by others and the situation is getting worse. So, what's being done to stop it? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. Guests: Sophie Otiende - CEO of the Global Fund to End Modern Slavery and human-trafficking survivor.   Phil Robertson - Deputy Director of the Asia Division at Human Rights Watch. Grace Forrest - Founding Director of Walk Free.

Sudan has been embroiled in war for more than a month. Despite many agreements, battles are raging in Khartoum and many other areas. So, what will it take to persuade the warring sides to stop? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. Guests: Nisreen Elsaim - General Coordinator for the Youth and Environment - Sudan.  Aseel Geries - Civil servant with Sudan's Federal Ministry of Health. Dallia Abdelmoniem - Sudan political commentator.  

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis's party won the general election but fell short of a majority. So, after years of economic and financial turmoil, what does this mean for the country's future? Join host Adrian Finighan. Guests: George Tzogopoulos - Lecturer at Democritus University of Thrace. Despina Afentouli - Executive Director at the Institute of International Relations, Greece. Petros Fassoulas - Secretary General of European Movement International.  

Israel's cabinet has met underneath the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. Palestinians say it's another provocation. Israeli-funded digging below the area in occupied East Jerusalem has been condemned by international archaeologists. So, why is this work so controversial?  Join host Nastasya Tay. Guests:  Alon Arad - Executive Director of Emek Shaveh. Mazin Qumsiyeh - Director of Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability.  Rami Khouri - Director of Global Engagement at the American University of Beirut.

The US launched its so-called 'war on terror' in the wake of 9/11. Invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq followed with a huge loss of life. Instability spread across many parts of the Middle East. So, what's been the true impact of this so-dubbed war?  Join host Nastasya Tay.Guests: Stephanie Savell - Co-Director of Costs of War Project at Brown University. Ruba Ali Al-Hassani - Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Lancaster University. Michael O'Hanlon - Director of Research in Foreign Policy at the Brookings Institution. 

Russia has stepped up missile attacks on Kyiv and Ukrainian troops have made territorial gains in the east. Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has secured more weapons from European allies. But will it make a difference on the battlefield? And does diplomacy stand a chance? Join host Nastasya Tay. Guest: Peter Zalmayev - Executive Director of Eurasia Democracy Initiative. Samuel Ramani - Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute. Vladimir Sotnikov -  Associate Professor of International Relations at the Higher School of Economics University.

Fathi Bashagha was appointed prime minister in eastern Libya with a mandate to take over Tripoli. But he hasn't delivered and has been suspended. What does this mean for the war-torn, deeply divided country? Is it a prelude for a new round of fighting? Join Adrian Finighan. Guests: Anas El Gomati - Founder and director of Sadeq Institute, the first public think tank in Libya. Mustafa Fetouri - Journalist and political commentator on Libya. Jason Pack - President of Libya-Analysis.

Thailand's pro-democracy opposition has secured a significant general election victory and promises major reforms. But with the military so powerful, can they be achieved? Join host Laura Kyle. Guests: Parit Wacharasindhu - Policy campaign manager for the Move Forward Party. Punchada Sirivunnabood - Associate professor at Mahidol University. Sean Boonpracong - Political analyst.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is facing his first serious political challenge in two decades. As the country heads for a run-off vote, can Erdogan keep his job? Join host Laura Kyle. Guests: Tarik Oguzlu - Professor of international relations at Istanbul Aydin University. Helin Sari Ertem - Associate Professor at Istanbul Medeniyet University.  Yusuf Alabarda - Columnist for Turkiye Gazetesi.

Migrants have been rushing to the United States as Trump-era restrictions introduced during the pandemic are lifted. The Biden administration is replacing them with strict new measures. What impact will they have? And how do they differ from Trump's policy? Join host Imran Khan. Guests:  Richard Goodstein - Democratic political consultant. Alex Miller - Director of the Immigration Justice Campaign at the American Immigration Council. Adolfo Franco - Republican strategist.

A recent row involving the Wagner Group in Ukraine has revealed its role in the war. So, who's behind the private military group that Russia is said to rely on? And how is it serving Russia's global outreach? Join host Tom McRae. Guests: Peter Eltsov - Professor of International Security Studies. Catrina Doxsee - Associate Director and Fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Niko Vorobyov - Independent journalist.

Pakistan's popular opposition leader, Imran Khan, is under arrest. He was ousted as prime minister a year ago; now he's facing dozens of criminal charges. Supporters say the cases are politically motivated. So, could his arrest plunge Pakistan into turmoil? Join host Imran Khan. Guests: Sayed Zulfikar Bukhari - Senior member of Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party. Nasim Zehra - Writer and political commentator. Javaid-ur-Rahman - Parliamentary correspondent at The Nation.

Will Turkey's opposition be able to end Recep Tayyip Erdogan's grip on power? The president is facing a serious challenge in next week's election. He's outperformed rivals for two decades. But with a united opposition, could this vote bring change? Join host Imran Khan. Guests: Onur Erim - President of Dragoman Strategies. W. Robert Pearson - Turkey specialist and former US Ambassador in Ankara. Sinan Ulgen - Chairman of the Centre for Economics and Foreign Policy Studies and former Turkish diplomat.

After 12 years of civil war and government crackdowns in Syria, the Arab League has reinstated the country. But some countries have expressed reservations. So, does this end Bashar al-Assad's regional isolation? And what’s next for Syria and its people? Join host Folly Bah Thibault. Guests: Omar Alshogre - Director for Detainee Affairs at the Syrian Emergency Task Force. Joshua Landis - Director of the Center for Middle East Studies at the University of Oklahoma. Ammar Waqqaf - Director of Gnosos, a Middle East think tank.

The United Nations says Afghanistan has the worst humanitarian crisis in the world. A Taliban edict banning women from working is hindering the delivery of international aid. As the UN discusses the future of its mission, what's next for Afghans? Join host Adrian Finighan Guests:  James Bays - Al Jazeera's diplomatic editor. Mina Sharif - Afghan rights activist who founded 'Sisters 4 Sisters'. Obaidullah Baheer - Lecturer in Transitional Justice at the American University of Afghanistan.

Russia says the US gave the go-ahead for a drone attack on the Kremlin. It was intended to kill President Vladimir Putin. Ukraine firmly denies launching any attack, and Washington says Russia is lying. What are the possible implications of this incident? Join host Imran Khan. Guests:  Dmitry Babich - Political analyst at inoSMI, a Russian state-owned company that monitors Western media. Hanna Shelest - Security Studies Programme Director at Ukrainian Prism. Ben Aris - Editor-in-Chief of bne IntelliNews.

Sudan's warring generals have been invited to peace talks. Fighting has killed more than 530 people since mid-April. At least 100,000 Sudanese have fled to neighbouring countries. How likely is a new peace initiative to succeed? Join host Imran Khan. Guests: Nyagoah Tut Pur - South Sudan researcher at Human Rights Watch. Bakry Eljack Elmedni - Professor of public policy at Long Island University Brooklyn. Stella Agara - Africa governance analyst.

Chad hosts hundreds of thousands of refugees from Sudan and more have been pouring in since the latest fighting began last month. But beyond that, what does the war in Sudan mean for Chad? And how much of a threat is it to its security? Join host Imran Khan. Guests: Remadji Hoinathy - Senior researcher at the Institute for Security Studies. Abdelkhalig Shaib - Sudanese lawyer. Solomon Dersso - Founding director of Amani Africa.

Ethiopia is concerned about its security situation as fighting continues in neighbouring Sudan. What are the risks of a spillover? And can Ethiopia play the role of a mediator, as it has done in recent years? Join host Imran Khan. Guests: Aicha Elbasri - Researcher at the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies.  Etana Dinka - Assistant professor at James Madison University. Dallia Abdelmoniem - Political commentator.

Two weeks of violence have plunged Sudan into turmoil. Hundreds of people have been killed and tens of thousands have fled. The country is home to more than 500 ethnic groups and is rich in natural resources. Are these factors linked to the conflict?  Join host Tom McRae. Guests:  Khalid Medani - Associate professor of political science and Islamic studies at McGill University. Raga Makawi - Editor of African Arguments and author of  'Sudan's Unfinished Democracy.' Waleed Madibo - Founder and president of Sudan Policy Forum.

The US and South Korea have signed an agreement to counter nuclear threats from North Korea. China says Washington is provoking confrontation. What does this deal mean for the region? Join host Nastasya Tay. Guests:  Sean O'Malley - Professor of international studies at Dongseo University. Greg Scarlatoiu - Executive director of the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea. Einar Tangen - Senior fellow at the Taihe Institute.

US President Joe Biden is seeking re-election next year, with Donald Trump hoping to run against him once again. But the campaign ahead is uncertain and unpredictable. So, what challenges does Biden face? And what do American voters want?  Join host Adrian Finighan. Guests:  Liz Mair - Republican strategist and founder of Mair Strategies LLC. David Bolger - Democratic strategist and former staffer to then-Senator Joe Biden. Laura Blessing - Senior fellow at the Government Affairs Institute at Georgetown University.

European leaders have pledged to turn the North Sea into a renewable power engine. They want to cut use of fossil fuels and reliance on Russian gas. The plan is radical and costly but will it work? And where will the money come from?  Join host Imran Khan.  Guest: Gareth Davies - Founder of Aquatera, an environmental and sustainable energy consultancy. Sandrine Dixson-Decleve - Co-president of The Club of Rome, a climate policy advisory.  Noah Brenner - Eastern Hemisphere editorial director for Energy Intelligence. 

Global military spending has hit a new record. Parts of Europe saw the biggest increase since the Cold War. As the world witnesses more conflicts, can this trend be reversed? Join host Imran Khan. Guests: Elisabeth Braw - Senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. Major General S B Asthana - Former director general infantry in the Indian army.  Domitilla Sagramoso - Senior lecturer in security and development at King's College London.

The battle in Sudan rages on as ceasefires have so far failed. Can regional powers bring enough pressure to stop the fighting? Or is their involvement only complicating peace efforts? Join host Folly Bah Thibault. Guests: Mat Nashed - Journalist and analyst covering the Middle East and North African region. Kholood Khair - Founding director at Confluence Advisory, a Sudan based think tank.  Khalid Medani - Associate Professor and Chair of African Studies Program at McGill University.

Tunisia's main opposition leader Rached Ghannouchi is behind bars on charges of plotting against state security. President Kais Saied is intensifying his crackdown on opponents after granting himself greater powers two years ago. So, what's next for the country where the Arab Spring began? And for its opposition movement? Join host Folly Bah Thibault. Guest: Amine Snoussi - Political analyst and independent journalist. Kaouther Ferjani - Activist and daughter of jailed Tunisian politician Said Ferjani.   Elizia Volkmann - Journalist and photographer.

Sudan's Rapid Support Forces on Wednesday says it is committed to a 24-hour ceasefire starting at 6pm local time. But there's been no immediate comment by the Sudanese army.   Last week, The Inside Story Podcast explored how each side in the conflict was vying for more power. Could the standoff grow into a civil war?  Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. Guests: Waleed Madibo - Founder and President of Sudan Policy Forum. Kholood Khair - Founding Director of Confluence Advisory. Alex de Waal - Professor at Tufts Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.

Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega has banned church processions in his latest clampdown as he seeks to prevent anti-government unrest. Opposed by the US and accused of human rights abuses, Ortega has also moved closer to China and Russia. What's next for Nicaragua?  Joins host Folly Bah Thibault. Guests:  Ben Norton - Investigative journalist. Astrid Montealegre - Supervising attorney for the Nicaraguan American Human Rights Alliance.  Dan Kovalik - Human rights lawyer and author.

The US wants to deepen its relations with Vietnam. The once-warring countries already share strong trading ties. However, closer political and military cooperation presents Hanoi with a difficult balancing act. So, why is Washington wooing Vietnam? Join host Dareen Abughaida. Guests:  Chong Ja Ian - Associate professor of political science at the National University of Singapore. Natasha Lindstaedt - Deputy dean of education in the department of government at University of Essex. Donald Kirk - Veteran correspondent and author.

Military players in Sudan are turning against each other. Previously partners in a coup, now each side is vying for more power. So, could the standoff grow into a civil war?  Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. Guests: Waleed Madibo - Founder and President of Sudan Policy Forum. Kholood Khair - Founding Director of Confluence Advisory. Alex de Waal - Professor at Tufts Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.

Turkey and Egypt are close to restoring full diplomatic relations after years of enmity. Foreign ministers from both countries are meeting in Ankara. But what challenges do they face? And what does it all mean for the region? Join host Tom McRae. Guests: Yusuf Alabarda - Security expert with the Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research. Helin Sari Ertem - Associate professor of international relations at Istanbul Medeniyet University. Khalil Al-Anani - Senior fellow at Arab Center Washington DC.

Ethiopia's Amhara region has been gripped by violent protests. Plans to integrate local military forces into the national army and police have sparked a backlash.The government says the change is essential for national unity. So, why is there such opposition? And does it risk instability? Join host Tom McRae. Guests:  Kemal Hashi Mohamoud - Member of the Ethiopian parliament.  Etana Dinka - Assistant Professor of African history at James Madison University. Dessalegn Chanie - Senior member of the National Movement of Amhara.

Top secret US intelligence files have been leaked online. They reveal Ukrainian military preparations and the Pentagon's thinking across a range of sensitive international issues. How serious is this breach for the United States and its allies? What impact might it have on them and Russia?  Join host Tom McRae.Guests: Glenn Carle - Career CIA officer. Annie Machon - Former MI5 officer. Colin Wallace - Psychological warfare specialist.

Saudi officials and Iranian-backed Houthi representatives have held peace talks in Yemen. The conflict has killed hundreds of thousands of people and led to a humanitarian catastrophe. Could the talks be the breakthrough to end years of war? And what would a settlement mean for the region? Join host Folly Bah Thibault. Guests: Ibrahim Fraihat - Associate professor at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies. Afrah Nasser - Non-resident fellow at the Arab Center Washington DC. Trita Parsi - Executive vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft.

Israel has launched strikes on Gaza and Lebanon after it raided Al-Aqsa Mosque. There are fears the unrest will spread across the region. So, what will it take to de-escalate tensions? Join host Nick Clark. Guests: Nour Odeh - Political analyst and former spokeswoman to the Palestinian National Authority. Uri Dromi - Founder and President of the Jerusalem Press Club. Francesca Albanese - United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian territories.

France's president and the head of the European Commission are in Beijing. They're hoping Chinese President Xi Jinping can help end the war in Ukraine. But as China is accused of siding with Russia, what can it offer? Join host Nick Clark. Guests: Jacques Reland - Senior Research Fellow at the Global Policy Institute. Colleen Cottle - Deputy Director of the Global China Hub at the Atlantic Council. Andy Mok - Senior Research Fellow at the Center for China and Globalization.

Donald Trump is the first former US president to face prosecution. He calls the case a political witch-hunt. But is it? And what does it mean for his presidential bid, and America's democratic system? Join host Nick Clark. Guests: Bradley Moss - Attorney at Mark Zaid Law Firm. Ryan Wiggins - Chief of Staff for the Trump-opposing Lincoln Project. David Bolger - National security consultant.

Julian Assange is in a London prison facing extradition to the United States on espionage charges. Washington says he should be prosecuted; his supporters say he should be released on the basis of media freedom. So, what does the future hold for the Wikileaks founder? Join host Rob Matheson. Guests: Rebecca Vincent - Director of Operations and Campaigns at Reporters without Borders.Bruce Fein - Former US Associate Deputy Attorney General. Geoffrey Robertson KC - Human rights barrister.

Russia has assumed the presidency of the United Nations Security Council, taking on the position while waging war in Ukraine. So, what does this mean for the UN? And can it still play the role of peace its founders hoped for? Join host Nick Clark. Guests: Stanislav Mitrakhovich - International Relations researcher at the Financial University. Rasmus Hindren - Head of International Relations at the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats. Steven Erlanger - Chief Diplomatic correspondent in Europe for The New York Times.

Elon Musk and many other tech experts call for a six-month pause on artificial intelligence. They say there needs to be more research into possible risks, but will this happen? And how much of a threat is AI? Join host Cyril Vanier. Guests: Gary Marcus - Emeritus Professor at New York University. Atoosa Kasirzadeh - Director of Research at the University of Edinburgh's Centre for Technomoral Futures. Ramesh Srinivasan - Professor at the University of California.

Opposition leaders in Kenya say they're protesting against the high cost of living, but they also accuse the president of stealing the last election. So, can this unrest be contained? Or is there risk of an escalation? Join host Cyril Vanier. Guests Farah Maalim - Former Deputy Speaker of Kenya's National Assembly. Bina Maseno - Executive Director of Badili Africa, an NGO. Herman Manyora - Lecturer in Linguistics and Communication at the University of Nairobi.

Both sides in Libya's war committed crimes against humanity and war crimes according to UN investigators. They say the European Union was also involved. So, who will hold them all to account? Join host Nick Clark. Guests: Salah El Bakkoush - Political analyst. Julien Hoez - EU foreign policy analyst and editor of The French Dispatch. Anas El Gomati - Founder and director of the Sadeq Institute.

Angry protests in Israel have forced Benjamin Netanyahu to delay controversial changes. But he declared he'll push ahead with the judicial overhaul. What does this mean for his government coalition? Join host Nastasya Tay. Guests: Yaniv Segal - Head of the Pink Front, an Israeli protest movement. Alissa Pavia - Associate Director for Middle East Programs at the Atlantic Council. Jeremy Saltan - Israeli political analyst.

Russia's president Vladimir Putin said he'll deploy nuclear weapons in neighbouring Belarus. So, could the war in Ukraine take a new turn? And how might NATO respond? Join host Nick Clark. Guests: Pavel Felgenhauer - Defence and military analyst. Susi Snyder - Programme coordinator at the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons. Samuel Ramani - Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute.

TikTok is the world's fastest-growing social media app, but the US and some Western governments say it allows China access to private data and is a security threat. The company and the Chinese government both deny this. So who should we believe?  Join host Nastasya Tay  Guests:  Einar Tangen - a Senior Fellow at the Taihe Institute. Sarah Kreps - Founder and Director of the Technology Policy Institute at Cornell University.  Adrian Weckler - Technology Editor at the Irish Independent.

Israel has scrapped parts of a law barring settlers from some areas of the occupied West Bank, amid high tension in the region. So, what's behind this move? And how problematic are illegal settlements in the Palestinian territories? Join host Nastasya Tay. Guests: Akiva Eldar - Columnist and Author. Nour Odeh - Political Analyst. Michael Omer-Man - Director of Research for Israel-Palestine at Democracy for the Arab World Now.

China's president says his country and Russia are driving geopolitical changes globally. Xi Jinping has been in Moscow, in a show of support for Vladimir Putin. What do those changes mean for the broader world order? And how does the West view Xi's visit? Join host Nastasya Tay. Guests Sergei Markov - Director of the Institute of Political Studies in Moscow. Henry Huiyao Wang - funder and president of the Center for China and Globalization. Toby Gati - Former special assistant to President Bill Clinton.

Sri Lanka's economy is suffering its worst crisis in decades but hope may be on the horizon. The International Monetary Fund has agreed to provide a loan of $3 billion to the struggling country. So, will this help it recover?  Join host Nick Clark. Guests: Eran Wickramaratne - Member of Sri Lanka's parliament.Ganeshan Wignaraja -  Policy Adviser.Ahilan Kadeelgama - Political economist.

In a UN report, the world's leading climate scientists have issued a stark warning: the world must act now to secure a liveable future. But has the UN been successful in helping to mitigate the looming climate catastrophe? Join host Nick Clark. Guests:  Saleemul Huq - Director of International Centre for Climate Change and Development. Doug Parr - Greenpeace chief scientist in Oxford. Maruice Onyango - Regional Head of Disaster Risk Management, Plan International.

The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has been visiting Niger, describing it as a model of resilience and democracy. So, what's the purpose of his trip to the continent? And what does it mean for the region where Russia and China have become more active?  Join host Sami Zeidan. Guests:  Mamane Sani - Journalist and Analyst. Daniel Eizenga - Research Fellow at the National Defense University. Kabir Adamu - Managing Director at Beacon Consulting.

An unmanned US drone has crashed into the Black Sea after being pursued by Russian fighter jets.  It's the most serious incident involving the two superpowers directly since in the Ukraine war began. Is it just a one-off, or a more serious escalation?Join host Laura Kyle. Guests: Pavel Felgenhauer - Defence and Military Analyst.  Peter Lee - Author of 'Reaper Force: Inside Britain's Drone Wars'. Alexander Titov - Lecturer in Modern European History at Queen’s University Belfast. 

The shockwaves from the collapse of two US banks have been felt around the world, making it the biggest failure since the 2008 financial crisis. So, what lessons can be learned from then, and what happened now?  Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. Guests:Richard Squire - Professor at Fordham University's School of Law. Vicky Pryce - Chief Economic Adviser at the Centre for Economics and Business Research.  Ben Aris - Founder and Editor-in-chief of BNE IntelliNews.

Millions of people have been killed in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo in a decades-long conflict. And many more have been displaced. So, can there ever be long lasting peace? Join host Laura Kyle. Guests: Reagan Miviri -  Conflict Analyst at Ebuteli, a Congolese Research Institute. Stephanie Wolters - Senior Research Fellow at the South African Institute of International Affairs. Angele Dikongue-Atangana - UN Refugee Agency Representative in Democratic Republic of Congo.

A sportscaster's tweet has sent one of the world's most-respected broadcasters spinning into crisis. The BBC suspends then reinstates its best-paid star, promising a review of its own guidelines. So, what does this say about its impartiality and political influence? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom.  Guest: Aidan White - Founder of Ethical Journalism Network. Qays Sediqi - A former refugee and human rights lawyer. Steven Barnett - Professor of Communications at the University of Westminister.

Xi Jinping is formally appointed for a third term as China's president. All-powerful at home, he faces big challenges elsewhere: up against the US in a more polarised world. So, what will be the impact of Xi's third term, in China and abroad? Join host Adrian Finighan. Guests:  Andy Mok - Senior Research Fellow at the Center for China and Globalization. Shirley Yu - Senior Fellow with the Ash Center at the Harvard Kennedy School. Adrian Geiges - Co-Author of 'Xi Jinping: The Most Powerful Man in the World'.

There's a new wave of Russian strikes across Ukraine while the death toll mounts in the bloody battle for Bakhmut. But with both sides seemingly as far apart as ever, is the war locked in a violent stalemate? And what chances for diplomacy?  Join host Laura Kyle. Guests:  Pavel Felgenhauer - Defence and Military Analyst.  Hanna Shelest - Director of Security Programmes at the Think Tank, Ukrainian Prism.  Patrick Bury - Associate Professor in Security at the University of Bath.

There's been rioting in Georgia's capital Tbilisi over a so-called foreign agent law, which the government is moving through parliament. Opponents say it replicates similar measures in Russia. So what's behind the proposed legislation?  Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. Guests:  Maximilian Hess - a Fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute. Helen Khoshtaria - Politician and Founder of the Georgian opposition party, Droa. Donnacha Ó Beacháin - Author and Professor of Post-Soviet politics at Dublin City University. 

The United Nations is appealing for nearly $900 million to help Rohingya who've fled to Bangladesh from their native Myanmar. So, how will the international community respond? And can the Rohingya ever hope for an end to the stateless limbo they're trapped in? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. Guests: Razia Sultana - Founder of RW Welfare Society, a women's rights organisation.  Matthew Smith - Chief Executive and Co-Founder of Fortify Rights, a human rights organization. Regina De La Portilla - UNHCR Communication Officer for Cox's Bazar.

A fire at one of the world's largest refugee camps has brought new focus on the plight of the Rohingya. They've been stuck in Bangladesh since fleeing a 2017 crackdown in Myanmar. So, what does the future hold for them?  Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. Guests: Wendy McCance - Bangladesh Country Director of the Norwegian Refugee Council. Tom Andrews - UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar. Dr. Ambia Perveen - Berlin-based Chairperson, European Rohingya Council (ERC) and Founder of Rohingya Medics Organization (RMO).  

Israel is in crisis. There's a wave of killings by Israeli military raids, attacks on Palestinians by Jewish settlers, and continuing protests against proposed changes to the judicial system. So, how responsible is the country's new far-right government for this violence and unrest? Join host Nick Clark. Guests:  Gideon Levy - Columnist, Haaretz Newspaper. Sally Abed - Palestinian Activist in Israel Member of the national leadership of Standing Together.  Steven Erlanger - Chief Diplomatic Correspondent in Europe for The New York Times.

G20 foreign ministers have been meeting in India at a gathering overshadowed by the war in Ukraine. The host country wanted to talk more about other global challenges. So, did this summit bring about any solutions? Or just highlight deepening divisions?  Join host Nick Clark. Guests: Vicky Pryce - Chief Economic Adviser at the Centre for Economics and Business Research. Nikita Sud - Professor of the Politics of Development at the University of Oxford.  Chris Weafer - Chief Executive Officer of Macro-Advisory.

French president Emmanuel Macron is visiting four African nations, hoping to reset relations. But he faces competition for influence from others including China, Russia and Turkey. So, what kind of welcome will he get? Join host Tom Mcrae.  Guests:  Lara Marlowe - Author and Journalist based in France. Marie-Roger Biloa - President of Africa International Media Group. Marisa Lourenco - Political Risk Analyst specialising in the Horn of Africa.

The UK and EU have reached an agreement to break the deep stalemate on trade and customs in Northern Ireland. The deal came nearly seven years since Britain voted to leave the European Union. So, is Brexit finally done? Or will there be further objections? Join host Sohail Rahman. Guests:  Jill Rutter - Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government. Brian Feeney - a Historian, Author and a Columinst with the Irish News in Belfast. Donnacha Ó Beacháin - Professor at the School of Law and Government at Dublin City University.

It's been 20 years since the conflict in Darfur began, but hardly anyone talks about it these days. The violence has killed hundreds of thousands of people and displaced millions. So, will peace ever come to western Sudan? Join host Tom McRae. Guests: Eltigani Seisi,  Chairmain of the National Liberation and Justice Party. Abdelwahab El-Affendi - Professor at Doha Institute for Graduate Studies.  Hafiz Mohamed - Director of Justice for Africa Sudan.

A recent row involving the Wagner Group in Ukraine has revealed its role in the war. So, who's behind the private military group that Russia is said to rely on? And how is it serving Russia's global outreach? Join host Tom McRae. Guests: Peter Eltsov - Professor of International Security Studies. Catrina Doxsee - Associate Director and the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Niko Vorobyov - Independent journalist.

Voters in Nigeria are about to elect a new president and a new national assembly. But what's at play this time around? And is democracy strengthening in Nigeria? Join host Rob Matheson. Guests: Kazeem Balogun - Political analyst and broadcaster. Hassana Maina - Special Assistant on Sustainable Development Goals for the People's Democratic Party. Aliyu Audu - National Youth spokesman from Nigeria's ruling party, All Progressives Congress.

Russia says it's suspending the last remaining nuclear treaty with the US. The New START deal limits the number of nuclear warheads the two superpowers can deploy. So, what does this mean? And will it trigger an arms race? Join host Nick Clark. Guests: Donald N. Jensen - Director of Russia and Europe at the United States Institute of Peace. Rabia Akhtar - Director at University of Lahore.  Dmitry Babich - Political commentator.

There's tension at the border crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan as forces exchanged gunfires. So, what's behind this recent flare-up?  Join host Tom McRae. Guests: Faiz Zaland - Professor of political science at Kabul University. Orzala Nemat - Director of Development Research Group. Ayaz Wazir - Pakistan's former ambassador to Afghanistan.

India's national airline has sealed the biggest deal in aviation history with a record purchase of 470 new planes. So, will this be a game-changer in its travel industry? Join host Dareen Abughaida. Guests: Andrew Charlton - Managing director of Aviation Advocacy. Ajay Awtaney - Founder & editor of Aviation News website. Updesh Kapur - Aviation and communications consultant.

Leaders of the African Union gather yet again as the continent is grappling with many challenges. So, are they up to the task? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. Guests: Victor Ochen - Director for African Youth Initiative Network. Mohammed Loulichki - Senior Fellow at the Policy Center for the New South. Jonathan Offei-Ansah - Founder and Publisher at Africa Briefing Magazine.

There's a bird flu outbreak in many countries, causing global concern. So, how serious is it? And could it become a new pandemic? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. Guests: Marcus Rust - Chief Executive of Rose Acre Farms. Marion Koopmans - Head of the Viroscience Department at Erasmus Medical Centre. Munir Iqbal - Head of the Avian Influenza Group at The Pirbright Institute.

The Turkey-Syria earthquakes this month were among the most powerful ever recorded in which tens of thousands of people were killed. The rescue phase is coming to an end with the focus shifting to providing shelter, food and schooling. So, what's next? Join host Nastasya Tay. Guests:  Jomah Alqasem - Aid Worker. Noel Mcdermott - Psychotherapist. Mouaz Moustafa - Executive Director of Syrian Emergency Task Force.

Nigeria is said to hold elections this month. So, what's at stake? And will Africa's largest democracy and economy elect more women into senior political roles?  Join host Tom McRae. Guests: Idayat Hassan - Director of the Centre for Democracy and Development.  Annie Olaloku-Teriba - Political Analyst.  Amaka Anku - Head of Africa Practice of Eurasia Group. 

Israel say it'll step up its raids in the occupied West Bank, where Israeli forces have killed dozens of Palestinians this year. So, what needs to be done to stop the bloodshed? And is diplomacy enough?  Join host Mohammed Jamjoom.  Guests: David Pollock - Senior Fellow at Washington Institute.  Beth Miller - Political Director at Jewish Voice for Peace.  Khaled Elgindy - Senior Fellow at Middle East Institute. 

It's been nearly a year since Russia invaded Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is now seeking more weapons and hopes to join the European Union. But what can EU membership offer? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. Guests: Serhii Shapovalov - Political analyst at the Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation. Daniela Irrera - Professor of International Relations at the University of Catania. Samuel Greene - Director of the Democratic Resilience Program at the Center for European Policy Analysis.

Global food costs have hit a record high. Some blame the war in Ukraine and drought. So, what's driving this? And with soaring prices destabilising many countries, what's the way out of this crisis? Join host Sohail Rahman.  Guests: Monika Tothova - Economist for the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization.  Sarah Schiffling - Assistant Professor at the Hanken School of Economics. Chibuike Udenigwe - Professor and University Research Chair at the University of Ottawa.

The Syrian regime insists it should control aid and rescue efforts for victims of the earthquakes, but this will be difficult due to international sanctions and boycotts. So, how much is the country's response to the disaster down to politics?  Join host Adrian Finighan. Guests: Ahmet Keser - Associate Professor at Hasan Kalyoncu University. Assaad Al Achi - Executive Director of NGO, Baytna Syria. Joshua Landis - Director of Center for Middle East Studies at the University of Oklahoma.  

There are nationwide strikes in France over pension reforms as Parliament debates whether to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64. President Macron and his government say the choice is reform or bankruptcy. But are the proposals unfair to workers?  Join host Adrian Finighan.Guests: Remi Bourgeot -  Associate Fellow at the French Institute of International and Strategic Affairs. Paul Taylor - Contributing Editor at Politico. Rainbow Murray - Professor of Politics at Queen Mary University of London.

Sergey Lavrov is visiting Mali this week in the first official trip by a Russian foreign minister to the West African nation. Mali's junta has turned to Moscow to help it fight armed groups. So, is Moscow extending its reach in Africa at the expense of western powers? Join host Adrian Finighan. Guests: Sergei Markov - Director, Institute of Political Studies. Ovigwe Eguegu - Policy Analyst at the Africa-focused consultancy Development Reimagined. Gesine Weber - Fellow at the German Marshall Fund of the United States.

Spain's Prime Minister made a visit to Morocco this week, where his government has agreed to support Rabat's plans to grant autonomy to the disputed Western Sahara territory. But will this change in policy from Madrid make a difference? Join host Laura Kyle. Guests: Hugh Lovatt - Senior Policy Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations. Yasmine Hasnaoui - Professor of Political Science at the American International University in Kuwait. Mahjoub Mleiha - Advocacy Head of the Collective of Sahrawi Human Rights Defenders.

Public anger is spreading in the UK as hundreds of thousands of people have participated in wage strikes. The prime minister has described the industrial action as a political battle. So, how will his government deal with the growing dissatisfaction? Join host Laura Kyle. Guests: Alex Deane - Conservative commentator and a former Conservatie Party Aide. James Meadway - Former economic adviser to the Shadow Chancellor and currently Council Member of the Progressive Economy Forum. Jonathan Portes - Professor of Economics and Public Policy at King's College London.

Pope Francis has condemned the plundering of Africa's resources in his visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo as part of a continent-wide tour. What impact will his visit have on these states? And what future does Catholicism have in Africa? Join host Sohail Rahman. Guests: Christopher Lamb - Correspondent for weekly Catholic newspaper, The Tablet Massimo Faggioli - Church Historian and Professor of Theology and Religious Studies at Villanova University. Stan Chu Ilo - Research Professor of Catholic and African Studies at DePaul University.

There's grief and anger in Pakistan after dozens of people are killed in an attack at a mosque in Peshawar. The Pakistani Taliban has been blamed, but were there security failures? And can the embattled government win the war against the armed group? Join host Folly Bah Thibault. Guests: Imtiaz Gul - Executive Director of the Center for Research and Security Studies. Javaid Ur Rahman - Parliamentary Correspondent for Pakistan's daily English-language newspaper, The Nation. Mosharraf Zaidi - Founder and Senior Fellow at Tabadlab.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has caused thousands of deaths and destroyed entire cities.Western countries have answered Kyiv's pleas for military aid, but does this mean the conflict has become an international one? And what are the risks of escalation to a wider war? Join host Folly Bah Thibault. Guests: Geoffrey Roberts - Emeritus Professor of History at University College Cork. Patrick Bury - Senior Lecturer in Security at Bath University. Benjamin Tallis - Senior Research Fellow at Alfred von Oppenheim Center for the Future of Europe. 

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is visiting Israel and the West Bank on a trip to the Middle East. It's his first to the region since a new far-right government came to power in Israel. What is Washington's role in the worsening conflict? And what wider challenges does the Biden administration face in the Middle East?  Join host Mohammed Jamjoom  Guests: Jehad Abusalim - Education and Policy Associate at the American Friends Service Committee. Gideon Levy - Writer and columnist for the Haaretz newspaper. Julie Norman - Associate Professor at University College London.

The US and Germany are sending Leopard and Abrams tank models to Ukraine, a move in which Russia calls a provocation. But will such new weaponry change the course of the conflict?  Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. Guests: Pavel Felgenhauer - An independent defence and military analyst. Theresa Fallon - Director at Centre for Russia Europe Asia Studies. Olaf Boehnke - Berlin Director of Rasmussen Global.

Yet again, the United States has hit its debt ceiling, triggering a political battle in Congress. Republicans say spending must be cut, to lift the borrowing cap. But President Biden insists there should be no pre-conditions. So, what happens next? Join host Laura Kyle. Guests: William Lee - Chief Economist at the Milken Institute. Laura Blessing, Senior Fellow, Government Affairs Institute at Georgetown University. June Park, Shmidt Futures Asia Fellow at the International Strategy Forum.

A human rights group has filed a lawsuit in Germany against Myanmar's military leadership, accusing it of genocide and war crimes. But can this lawsuit change the situation on the ground? Join host Laura Kyle. Guests: Christopher Gunness - Director of the Myanmar Accountability Project. Toby Cadma - Lawyer and co-founder of the Guernica Group. Dr Sasa - Spokesman of the National Unity Government of Myanmar.

France is ordered to withdraw its troops from another African country, this time Burkina Faso. So, what's behind the growing anger against the former colonial power? And what does it mean for the fight against armed groups in West Africa? Join host Adrian Finighan. Guests: Ovigwe Eguegu - Policy analyst for Development Reimagined. Niagale Bagayoko - Chair of African Security Sector Network. Alex Vines - Director of Africa Programme at Chatham House.

The Indian government is proposing tough measures to clamp down on what it considers fake news. But opposition parties and journalists say it's state censorship. So, what do the plans mean for media freedom? Or are they necessary to stamp out disinformation?  Join host Nick Clark. Guests:  Ashish Shukla - Founder of NewsBred website. Rana Ayyub - Global opinions writer at Washington Post. Anant Nath - General secretary of Editors Guild of India.

The supply of weapons to Ukraine has become something of an international political battle. Germany has come under intense pressure to change its position and allow the supply of its most modern Leopard 2 tanks to Kyiv. What's behind Germany's reluctance? And why are tanks seen as so crucial in the war? Join host Nick Clark. Guests: Arthur Denaro - Retired British Army Major General.Domitilla Sagramoso - Senior Lecturer in Security and Development at King's College London.  Ben Aris - Founder and Editor-in-chief of BNE IntelliNews in Berlin.

Mass protests calling for change have taken place for weeks in Peru ever since the previous president was impeached and arrested. Peru is no stranger to political crises, so how is this one different? And what will it take to fix it? Join host Dareen Abughaida. Guests: Juan Claudio Lechin- political analyst and writer. Michael Shifter - President of Inter-American Dialogue and member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Alonso Gurmendi Dunkelberg - Lecturer in international relations at Oxford University.  

China's population has shrunk for the first time in 61 years. So, what's behind this downturn? And what will it take to reverse the trend? Join host Sohail Rahman. Guests: Einar Tangen - Senior Fellow, Taihe Institute Winnie King - Senior Lecturer in Chinese International Political Economy, University of Bristol. Guido Cozzi - Professor of Macroeconomics, University of St Gallen.

World leaders at this year's gathering in Davos are debating ways to revive the global economic order. But after Covid-19 and with the war in Ukraine ongoing, how realistic is that? And can the geopolitical challenges be overcome? Join host Laura Kyle. Guests: Max Lawson - Head of inequality policy and advocacy at Oxfam International. Shirley Yu - Senior practitioner fellow at Harvard Kennedy School. Inderjeet Parmar - Professor of International Politics at City University of London.

Classified documents are found in the home and private office of US President Joe Biden, months after the FBI recovered secret papers from the home of his predecessor Donald Trump. So, what are the political implications of this latest discovery? And how significant is the timing? Join host Folly Bah Thibault. Guests: Arshad Hasan - Democratic Party Political Strategist. James Davis - Republican Party Political Strategist. Glenn Carle - Former Central Intelligence Agency Officer.

A computer glitch has grounded thousands of planes across the United States and disrupted international travel. So, how did this happen? And how vulnerable are crucial IT systems elsewhere?  Join host Folly Bah Thibault. Guests: Kyle Bailey - Former Federal Aviation Administration Safety Team Representative. Jody Westby - Chief Executive at Global Cyber Risk. Alex Macheras - Aviation Analyst. 

Mercenaries are being used more widely in conflicts despite a UN Convention banning them. From the Russian Wagner Group to the former Blackwater, these organisations have been accused of widespread human rights abuses. So, why are states using them? And who's accountable for their actions?  Join Folly Bah Thibault. Guests:  Sorcha MacLeod - Chair of the UN Working Group on the use of Mercenaries. Samuel Ramani - Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute and Author of 'Putin's War on Ukraine'.  Marieke De Hoon - Assistant Professor in International Criminal Law at the University of Amsterdam.

The attack on Brazil's Congress by supporters of the former president has raised questions about democracy, such as how much mandate should governments have if they win power by a tiny margin? And what does it mean for elections and two-party systems? Join host Hashem Ahelbarra.  Guests: Mohammed Cherkaoui - Author and Professor of Conflict Resolution. Guilherme Casaroes - Professor of Political Science and head of the Far Right Observatory in Brazil. Inderjeet Parmar - Author and Professor of International Politics.  

Sweden needs unanimous approval in order to join NATO, but says it cannot meet all of the demands Turkiye's has set for its support. So, what would make Turkiye change its mind? And what does this mean for NATO's future? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. Guests: Tarik Oguzlu - Pprofessor of International Relations at Istanbul Aydin University. Theresa Fallon Founder and director of the Centre for Russia Europe Asia Studies. Pavel Felgenhauer - Defense and military analyst.

Cuba saw its largest emigration of people last year since Fidel Castro's revolution in the 1950s. Most headed for the US over the border with Mexico, along with many thousands from other countries. So what's causing this mass exodus? And can conditions change for the people of Cuba?  Join host Laura Kyle. Guests:  Rosa Maria Paya - Founder of Cuba Decide. Helen Yaffe - Senior Lecturer in Economic and Social History at University of Glasgow. Andrew Selee, President of the Migration Policy Institute, Washington DC.

M-23 fighters say they are pulling out of a town in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where conflict has forced many people to flee the region. A UN investigation has also documented widespread human rights abuses. So, what are the prospects for lasting peace?  Join host Laura Kyle. Guests: Djaffar Al Katanty - Reporter in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo.  Jean-Mobert Senga - DRC researcher at Amnesty International in Nairobi. Felix Ndahinda - Consultant and researcher from Democratic Republic of Congo based in Tilburg, Netherlands.

The Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Junior is in China with an intention to improve economic and political ties with Beijing. While China is hoping to woo him away from Washington. So, what's at stake in this trip? Join host Laura Kyle.  Guests:  Andy Mok - Senior Research Fellow at the Center for China and Globalization, Beijing. Marites Vitug - Editor-at-Large with the news website Rappler in Manila. Ei Sun Oh - Senior Fellow at the Singapore Institute of International Affairs. 

Croatia has finally adopted the euro, some ten years after joining the European Union. It's doing so at a time when the IMF is warning of a recession. So what's ahead for the European economy and the Eurozone's newest member? Join host Laura Kyle.  Guests:  Eleonora Poli - Head of Analysis at the Centres for European Policy Network in Rome.  Ben Aris - Founder and Editor-in-Chief of BNE IntelliNews in Berlin. Vicky Pryce - Chief Economic Adviser at the Centre for Economics and Business Research in London. 

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is back in power in Brazil, promising to unite the country and undo his predecessor's policies. But in a deeply divided nation, what can Lula deliver?Join host Hashem Ahelbarra. Guests: Guilherme Casaroes - Professor of Political Science at Fundacao Getulio Vargas University.Nizar Messari - Professor of International Relations at Al Akhawayn Univesrity.Vinicius de Carvalho - Reader in Brazilian and Latin American Studies at King's College London. 

Benjamin Netanyahu is back to power in Israel, leading the most hardline government to date. So, what are the intentions of this new government? And what does it mean for the so-called peace process with the Palestinians? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. Guests: Fleur Hassan-Nahoum - Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem and a member of the Likud party. Ofer Cassif - Israeli politician and member of the Hadash movement. Mustafa Barghouti - Secretary General of the Palestinian National Initiative.

After weeks of protests, ethnic Serbs in Kosovo have agreed to take down their barricades. Hopes are high that the latest flare-up in tensions will now calm down, but how fragile is the peace between Serbs and Kosovars?  Join host Imran Khan. Guests:  Mimoza Kusari-Lila - Former deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo. Helena Ivanov - Associate Research Fellow at the Henry Jackson Society. Florian Bieber - Professor of Southeast European History and Politics, University of Graz.

Three years ago, Juan Guaido declared himself Venezuela's leader instead of President Nicolas Maduro. Now the opposition has voted to remove his interim government while Maduro remains firmly in power, despite years of sanctions and economic ruin. So what's next for Venezuela?  Join host Imran Khan. Guests: Temir Porras - Managing Director of Global Sovereign Advisory. Vanessa Neumann - Founder & CEO of Asymmetrica. Phil Gunson - Senior Analyst at the International Crisis Group.

North Korean drones have breached South Korean airspace in the latest hostile act in a year that's seen Pyongyang test fire 90 missiles. What is the secretive nation trying to achieve? And how should Seoul and its Western allies respond without escalating into war? Join host Imran Khan. Guests: Mason Richey - Associate Professor of International Politics, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies.  Edward Howell - Lecturer in Politics, New College, University of Oxford. Lawrence Korb - Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress.

President Vladimir Putin says he's prepared to negotiate over Ukraine but accuses Kyiv of refusing talks. So, what's on the table? Join host Imran Khan. Guests: Pavel Felgenhauer - Defence and Military Analyst. Hanna Shelest - Security Studies Programme Director, Ukrainian Prism. Chris Weafer - CEO, Macro-Advisory.

Cases of Covid-19 are rising significantly in China, days after it relaxed restrictions following widespread protests. Now fears are growing that a resurgence of the virus may lead to new mutations and trigger another global health crisis. So, is another COVID outbreak on the horizon?  Join host Hashem Ahelbarra. Guests: Dr. Wafaa El-Sadr - Professor of Epidemiology and Medicine, Columbia University. Andy Mok - Senior Research Fellow, Center for China and Globalization Dr. Krishna Udayakumar - Founding Director,  Duke Global Health Innovation Center

Women in Afghanistan are in shock and despair after the Taliban barred them from going to universities in another setback for women's rights. The Taliban says it's taken the decision in the national interest but the measure has been condemned around the world. So, what's behind this action?  Join host Hashem Ahelbarra. Guests: Sahar - Psychosocial Counsellar at Afghanistan Norwegian Council. Obaidullah Baheer - Founder of Let Afghan Girls Learn campaign. 

Australia and China mark 50 years of diplomatic relations which have been frosty of late.The Australian foreign minister has travelled to Beijing in a step towards rapprochement. So what are the sticking points? And how important is their relationship? Join host Nastasya Tay. Guests: Tess Newton Cain - Project Leader for the Pacific Hub at Griffith University. Henry Huiyao Wang - Founder and President of the Center for China and Globalisation. Alicia Garcia Herrero - Chief Economist for Asia Pacific at NATIXIS.

Russia's war on Ukraine continues - with President Zelenskyy making another plea for weapons to help his country. The U.S. and its EU allies have bolstered Kyiv's military, enabling it to fight back - but critics say that more arms just mean that more people will die. Is further military aid for Ukraine the way forward?  Join host Nastasya Tay.  Guests: Peter Zalmayev -Eurasia Democracy Initiative . Pavel Felgenhauer - Defense and military analyst. Leonid Ragozin - Independent journalist.

Walkouts by healthcare workers threaten to disrupt the lives of millions of people in the UK.The standoff between public service employees and the government shows no sign of abating.So, what's gone wrong with the UK's National Health Service? Join host Nastasya Tay. Guests: Oksana Pyzik - Pharmacist and Lecturer at UCL School of Pharmacy Jeff Lazarus -  Barcelona Institute for Global Health Jonathan Portes - Department of Political Economy at King’s College London

South Africa's ANC party is holding a leadership poll during its national conference as it faces more scandal and bitter divisions. Its leader Cyril Ramaphosa is also at the centre of a cash controversy. So, with elections in 18 months, what's next for the ANC and South African politics? Join host Hazem Sika  Guests:  Melanie Verwoerd - Political Analyst. Moeletsi Mbeki - Chairman of the South African Institute of International Affairs. Karam Singh - Executive Director, Corruption Watch South Africa. 

The latest economic data from China paints a gloomy picture with slower than expected growth. As the World Bank warns of the risk of a worldwide recession next year, what could problems in China mean for the global economy?  Join host Mohammed Jamjoom.  Guests: Andy Mok - Senior Research Fellow at the Center for China and Globalisation. Shirley Ze Yu - Fellow at the Ash Center of Harvard Kennedy School. Gudio Cozzi - Professor of Macroeconomics at the University of Saint Gallen.

EU energy ministers meet again and fail - once more - to strike a deal to cap the price of natural gas. Prices have soared since Russia invaded Ukraine and the bloc wants to hurt Moscow. But can the deep divisions within the EU be overcome?  Join host Adrian Finighan. Guests:  Cornelia Meyer - CEO of Meyer Resources. Chris Weafer - CEO at Macro-Advisory, a strategic consultancy. Wojciech Przybylski - Editor-in-Chief at Visegrad Insight.

US President Joe Biden is hosting a three-day summit with African leaders. It comes as China is investing heavily in the continent and Russia is involved in regional conflicts. So, what does the US hope to achieve? And what's in it for African nations?  Join host Laura Kyle. Guests:  Onyekachi Wambu - Columnist at 'New African' Magazine.  David Shinn - Former U.S. Ambassador and Professor at George Washington University. Einar Tangen - Senior Fellow at Taihe Institute and Founder of Asia Narratives.

Tensions between Serbia and Kosovo have intensified, triggered by a dispute about car licence plates. It's led to road blocks, armed attacks, and delayed local elections. What's the bigger issue at play? And can the two sides find a way forward? Join host Laura Kyle. Guests: Xhemajl Rexha – Journalist in Kosovo. Darko Trifunović – Director, Institute for National and International Security in Serbia. David L Phillips – Director, Programme on Peace Building and Rights, Columbia University.

Peru's president Pedro Castillo impeached and detained. Argentina's vice president Cristina Kirchner convicted of corruption. What's behind a wave of investigation and criminal charges at the highest echelons of power in Latin America?  Join host Nastasya Tay. Guests: Javier Farje - Peruvian journalist and analyst. Sebastian Lacunza - Senior Reporter for REDD Intelligence Latin America. Ben Norton - Investigative Journalist.

German police have disrupted a far-right plot to seize power, arresting dozens of people on Wednesday. But as right-wing parties win more votes, and even power in some EU states, are we seeing a general move to the right in European politics?  Join host Nastasya Tay. Guests: Ben Aris - Founder and Editor-in-Chief of bne IntelliNews.  Eleonora Poli - Head of Analysis at the Centres for European Policy Network.  Paul Jackson - Professor at the University of Northampton.   

Thousands are braving temperatures of well below zero to demonstrate against the government in Mongolia. Bordered by China and Russia, the country depends heavily on the two economic powerhouses. So, what's forced people out onto the streets? Join host Imran Khan. Guests:  Anand Tumurtogoo - BNE Intellinews correspondent in Mongolia. Solongoo Bayarsaikhan - Mongolia's Deputy Minister of Justice and Home Affairs. Chris Weafer - CEO at Macro-Advisory, a strategic consultancy focused on Eurasia.

An agreement between Sudan's military and a coalition of political parties is a step towards democracy. It's been welcomed internationally, but opposition remains at home. So, is this really the end of military rule in Sudan? Join host Cyril Vanier. Guests:  Alaaeldin Awad Mohamed Nogoud - Sudanese Consultants and Specialists Committee. Kholood Khair - Founding Director, Confluence Advisory. Alan Boswell - Horn of Africa Director, International Crisis Group.

Hundreds of thousands of public sector employees are going on strike this month in the UK. They say they've had enough of low wages and rising living costs. So, how should the government respond? Join host Dareen Abughaida. Guests: Onay Kasab - National Lead Officer, Unite the Union. Claire Pearsall - UK Conservative Party Councillor. Naeem Aslam - Chief Market Analyst, AvaTrade.

The UN warns of violence reaching 'boiling point' between Israelis and Palestinians. At least 240 people have been killed this year. What's behind the increase? And can the situation be contained? Join host Dareen Abughaida. Guests: Akiva Eldar - Contributor to Haaretz. Nour Odeh - Political Analyst. Bill Law - Editor of Arab Digest 

Data from Japanese and American Pharmaceutical companies show how a new drug can significantly slow down cognitive decline in some patients by 27 percent. So, what will be the impact of this new drug? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. Guests: Graeme Sutherland - Social Media Ambassador for Alzheimer Scotland. Bart De Strooper - Director of the UK Dementia Institute. Susan Kohlhaas - Director of Research at Alzheimer's Research UK.

A court in Mozambique has begun delivering its verdict, which is expected to take five days, in the trial of 19 people accused of a wide range of financial crimes. It's in connection with a $2 billion scheme. So, how will Mozambique move on from this financial crisis?Join host Adrian Finighan.Guests:Denise Namburete - Founder, N'Weti.Fernando Lima - Investigative Journalist.Borges Nhamirre - Researcher with the Public Integrity Center in Mozambique

Museums around the world are returning artefacts to their countries of origin. One in London has sent back its entire collection of Benin Bronzes to Nigeria's government. So,  how can other countries ensure their cultural treasures are given back, and be displayed for generations to come? Join host Adrian Finighan. Guests: Barnaby Phillips - Author. Dr. Jos van Beurden - Senior Researcher at Free University, Amsterdam. Luigi Prada - Professor of Egyptology, Uppsala University.

The United Nations is holding meetings to discuss how to preserve and promote ancient cultures from around the world, from falconry to Zambian dance. So, how can it ensure such practices survive for generations to come?Join host Adrian Finighan. Guests:Juliette Hopkins - Associate Programme Specialist with UNESCO’s Living Heritage Cultural Sector.Molara Wood - Writer, arts editor and cultural activist.Karen Archer - Deputy Director of the French Heritage Society.

After decades in opposition, Anwar Ibrahim has become Malaysia's new Prime Minister. But he's the fourth leader in four years and faces a strong conservative opposition. Will Anwar Ibrahim bring political stability to Malaysia? Join host Hazem Sika. Guests: Fahmi Fadzil - Member of the Malaysian Parliament. James Chai - Visiting Fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute. Meredith Weiss - Professor of Political Science at the University of New York at Albany

There's anger and frustration in China as repeated Covid-19 lockdowns limit economic activity and isolate millions of people. So, why does Beijing persist with its strict policy while the rest of the world is moving on? Join host Cyril Vanier. Guests: Einar Tangen - Senior Fellow at the Taihe Institute. Alicia Garcia Herrero - Chief Economist for Asia Pacific at Natixis.Oksana Pyzik - Lecturer at University College London School of Pharmacy. 

Turkiye says it is more determined than ever to secure its southern border. The military has intensified air strikes on Kurdish fighters in northern Syria and Iraq. What's caused this latest escalation? And who are the main players? Join host Adrian Finighan. Guests: Galip Dalay - Non-resident Senior Fellow at the Middle East Council on Global Affairs.  Mahjoob Zweiri - Director of the Gulf Studies Center at Qatar University. Lawrence Korb - Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress.

Hundreds of thousands of Congolese are caught in a conflict between foreign-backed fighters and the soldiers trying to stop them. Rwanda is accused of supporting the M23 group - an allegation it denies. What's going on? Join host Adrian Finighan. Guests: Fred Bauma - Executive Director, Ebuteli Congolese Institute for Research on Politics, Governance and Violence Michela Wrong - Veteran Journalist and Africa Analyst. Angele Dikongue-Atangana - UN Refugee Agency Representative, Democratic Republic of Congo.

The 27th edition of the UN Conferences of Parties (COP) ended with no agreement to curb emissions. But a deal was agreed on a climate 'damage and loss' fund. Is that enough? And do these conferences serve any purpose? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. Guests: Chiara Martinelli - Climate Action Network Europe Director. Abdi Aynte - Former Minister of Planning of Somalia and a former Senior UN Official. Sharon George - Senior lecturer in green technology at Keele University.  

A Dutch court has convicted two Russians and a Ukrainian of murder for their role in the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17. All 298 people on board died when a missile struck the jet over eastern Ukraine eight years ago. So, has justice been served? Join host Folly Bah Thibault. Guests: Thomas Schansman - parent of son killed in the MH17 attack. Marieke de Hoon - Assistant Professor of international criminal law at the University of Amsterdam. Samuel Ramani - Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute.

Inflation in the UK is at its highest level in more than 40 years. Millions of people are suffering in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis. The government has announced tax increases and spending cuts to calm the economy. But will it be enough? Join host Hashem Ahelbarra.  Guests: Patrick Diamond - Professor in Public Policy, Queen Mary University of London. Alfie Stirling - Director of Research, New Economics Foundation. Max Lawson - Global Policy Lead in Equality, Oxfam International.

A missile has landed in Poland - killing two people. Ukraine accused Russia, while Moscow denied any involvement. The US and NATO are investigating. So, can the risk of a spillover from the war in Ukraine be contained? Join host Laura Kyle.  Guests: Alexander Titov - Lecturer in Modern European History, Queen's University Belfast. Samir Puri - Visiting Lecturer in War Studies at King's College London. Robert Hunter - Former US Ambassador to NATO under President Bill Clinton.

World leaders are in Bali for the G20 summit. They have a lot on their agenda - including the global food and energy crisis, and the war in Ukraine. But are they likely to find a unified solution? Join host Hashem Ahelbarra. Guests: Denisse Rudich - Director of the G20 Research Group in London. Daniel Speckhard - President and CEO of Corus International. Sergey Markov - Director of the Institute of Political Studies and a former Russian MP.

The Ethiopian and Tigray rebels have reached an agreement aimed at implementing a peace deal. It will allow humanitarian aid deliveries into the war-torn region. But will the truce hold? And is peace possible? Join host Hashem Ahelbarra. Guests: Teklay Gebremichael - associate editor of Tghat. Martin Plaut - senior research fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies. Bizuneh Getachew Yimenu - teaching fellow at the University of Birmingham.

France is officially ending its Operation Barkhane military mission in Africa's Sahel region, where its soldiers have fought armed groups in the area for nine years. So, what did it achieve? Join host Nastasya Tay. Guests: Jean-Hervé Jezequel - Project Director for the Sahel, Crisis Group. Niagalé Bagayoko - Chair of the African security sector network (ASSN). Chukwuemeka Eze - Executive Director, West Africa Network for Peacebuilding.

US Republicans were hoping to secure an easy majority in the House, but Democrats defied expectations and performed better in Tuesday’s midterms. So, what will this mean for Biden’s agenda? And US politics? Join host Patty Culhane. Guests: Ameshia Cross - Democratic Strategist. Adam Goodman - Republican strategist. Christine Chen - Political commentator.

For months, the United Nations and aid agencies have warned of extreme hunger and malnutrition on a catastrophic scale in Somalia. So, what's preventing an official declaration of famine? And would it make a difference on the ground? Join host Nastasya Tay. Guests: Guhad Adan - Research Associate, London School of Economics. Afyare Elmi - Author and Executive Director, Heritage Institute for Policy Studies. Hodan Ali - Adviser to the mayor of Mogadishu.

Hundreds of rescued migrants want to get into Italy, but the government won't let them off the boats. How will the new right-wing prime minister deal with the stand-off? And what responsibility lies with the rest of the European Union? Join host Dareen Abughaida. Guests: Cecilia Sottilotta - Assistant Professor, Political Science, University for Foreigners of Perugia. Hermine Poschmann - Mission Lifeline board member. Valerie Fagion - Professor of politics of European Integration, University of Florence.

US voters head to the polls for midterm elections on November 8th to decide who will represent them in Congress. In a divided country, what shapes voters' choices? And what will it mean for Joe Biden's presidency? Join host Patty Culhane. Guests:  Niambi Carter -  Associate Professor at the School of Public Policy at the University of Maryland.  Brett Bruen - Former Director of Global Engagement in the White House under President Barack Obama. Adolfo Franco - Republican Strategist and Assistant Administrator of the US Agency for International Development under President George Bush. 

Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan has been shot at a rally. His party accuses the prime minister, interior minister and a senior military officer of plotting an assassination attempt, denied by the government. So, what political dangers does this incident bring?  Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. Guests: Raoof Hasan - Spokesperson for former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan.  Haider Zaman Qureshi - Member of the Executive Committee of the Pakistan People's Party.Masood Akhtar, former Air Marshall and a political analyst. 

Ethiopia’s government and rebel forces in the northern Tigray region have agreed to end hostilities, but this isn't the first ceasefire in the two-year conflict. So, what are the terms of the deal, and will it last? Join host Folly Bah Thibault. Guests: Kaiderin Tezera - Assistant Professor of Social Anthropology at Addis Ababa University. Gebrekirstos Gebreselassie - Founder and Chief Editor at Tghat.com. Martin Plaut - Senior research fellow at Institute of Commonwealth Studies.

80 percent of people who murder journalists go unpunished. Reporters like Al Jazeera's Shireen Abu Akleh are targeted simply for doing their jobs. So, what should be done to combat impunity and ensure journalists are safe? Join host Folly Bah Thibault. Guests: Sawsan Zaher - Palestinian human rights lawyer. Jodie Ginsberg - President, Committee to Protect Journalists. Aye Chan Naing - Editor, Democratic Voice of Burma.

The Democratic Republic of Congo has expelled the Rwandan ambassador, accusing Kigali of supporting rebels in the east where fighting has displaced thousands of people. So, why has it been difficult to end this conflict? Join host Sohail Rahman. Guests: Gatete Nyiringabo – Human Rights Lawyer Okito Tongomo - President of the Congolese Exiled Government Felix Ndahinda  - Researcher on conflict, peace and justice in Africa's Great Lakes Region.

Russia is accused of blackmail by withdrawing from a grain export deal with Ukraine, which Turkiye and the UN are trying to salvage. How will this affect the global food crisis? And will countries that depend on shipments find enough food to eat? Join host Sohail Rahman. Guests:  Andrey Baklanov - Former Russian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia.  Steve Mathews - Senior VP of Financial Services, Gro Intelligence.  Masha Belikova - Grain News and Price Reporter, Fastmarkets AgriCensus.  

A maritime deal between Israel and Lebanon is now in force. In Tel Aviv, it's seen as a recognition of Israel. In Beirut, it's described as purely technical. So, what are the political implications, if any? Join host Dareen Abughaida.  Guests: Walid Fakhreddine - Media scholar and political activist. Jonathan Rynhold - Head of the department of Political Studies at Bar-Ilan University. Nabeel Khoury - Former US diplomat.

The first talks aimed at ending the war in Ethiopia’s Northern Tigray region are underway in South Africa. But fighting has intensified as both sides seek to strengthen their negotiating position. So, what are the chances of bringing the conflict to an end? Join host Folly Bah Thibault.  Guests:  Andualem Sisay - Journalist and Political commentator. Teklay Gebremichael - Associate Editor at Tghat. William Davison - Senior Ethiopia Analyst at the International Crisis Group.

The longstanding relationship between France and Germany is in crisis.Their leaders are meeting in Paris following disagreements on defence and energy policies, and the war on Ukraine. So, what sort of fallout could there be if the EU's two biggest economies can't find common ground? Join host Dareen Abughaida. Guests: Pieter Cleppe - Editor of BrusselsReport.eu. Eva Heidbreder - Professor at Otto Von Guericke University of Magdeburg. Julien Hoez - European policy specialist. 

Air strikes by Myanmar's military have killed dozens of people at a concert held by an ethnic minority group. Rights organisations say it's a war crime. So, has the military intensified the fight against rebels? And how have the country's many ethnic conflicts evolved since the coup? Join host Laura Kyle. Guests: Kyaw Win - Executive Director of the Burma Human Rights Network. Justine Chambers - Researcher at the Danish Institute for International Studies. Christopher Gunness - Director of the Myanmar Accountability Project.

At least 220 people have been killed in the latest fighting in Sudan, creating more turmoil in the country a year after a military takeover which scuttled the transition to civilian rule. So what can bring stability to Sudan? Join host Laura Kyle. Guests: Hajooj Kuka - Political Activist. Abdelkhalig Shaib - Sudanese Lawyer and Political Analyst. Bakry Eljack Elmedni - Visiting researcher at the Doha Institute of Graduate Studies. 

The UK's governing Conservative Party is choosing a leader for the second time this year after the resignation of Liz Truss, who lasted just 44 days. A new Prime Minister faces formidable economic and political challenges, so who is fit for the job? Or should early elections be held?Join host Sami Zeidan.Guests:Afzal Khan - Labour Party MPPeter Oborne - Political Commentator and Associate Editor at the Middle East Eye.Alex Deane - Conservative Party Member and Political Commentator.

In a political first in India in 24 years, the main opposition Congress party now has a head from outside the Nehru-Gandhi family, which has given the country three prime ministers. So, can a non-Gandhi leader take on Modi with national elections due in 2024? Join host Hashem Ahelbarra. Guests: K.S. Sabarinadhan - Vice-president of the Congress party's youth wing in Kerala. Sugata Srinivasaraju - Columnist and author. Javed Ansari - Journalist and political commentator. 

The UN has warned that Haiti is close to breaking point as the country is running out of fuel and food, while gangs control the streets. Will a foreign force intervene? And can it restore order? Join host Sami Zeidan.  Guest: Laurent Lamothe - Former Prime Minister of Haiti. Joseph Harold Pierre - Academic and consultant.  Daniel Foote - Former American diplomat. 

African countries say they're marginalised by the bigger players in the global economy. And that global financial policies hamper their access to capital markets. So, what should be done to better integrate the continent into the world economy? Join host Emily Angwin. Guests: Daouda Sembene - Center for Global Development Abdelmalek Alaoui - Economist and Founder of Geupard Group Pierre Tan-chou - Senior Director of ASG's Africa Practice

The city of Raqqa has been freed from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) for five years now.But it is still reeling from poverty and devastation.So who's responsible? And how much of a threat is a resurgence of ISIL, in its former capital? Join host Emily Angwin. Guests: Joshua Landis - Director, Center for Middle East Studies, University of Oklahoma. Murat Yesiltas - Director of Foreign Policy Research at the think tank SETA. Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi -  Aymenn is a specialist on ISIL, Castlereagh Associates.

Large parts of northeastern Nigeria are underwater in the worst flooding in decades. Hundreds of people have died and the release of water from a dam in neighbouring Cameroon has made it worse. So, what's been the government's response?  Join host Tom Mcrae.  Guests:  Suleiman Adamu - Nigeria's Water Resources Minister.  David Arinze - Climate activist. Manu Lekunze - Teaching fellow at University of Aberdeen.

The International Monetary Fund is warning the worst is yet to come as it paints a grim picture of the global economy. What's behind this spiralling crisis? And what should be done to stop it? Join host Tom Mcrae. Guests: Daniel Gros - Director of the Centre for European Policy Studies. Lord Meghnad Desai - Economist and Member of the House of Lords. Aly-Khan Satchu - Financial Adviser and CEO of Rich Management.

Russia is threatening more strikes following the bombing of the Kerch bridge linking the mainland to Crimea. Kyiv is now seeking more military aid. So, what direction will this war take next? Join host Tom Mcrae. Guests: Oleksiy Goncharenko - Member of the Ukrainian parliament. Alexandre Vautravers - Editor-in-Chief of Swiss Military Review. Andrey Baklanov - Vice Chair of the Association of Russian Diplomats.

In a month from now, Democrats and Republicans will fight for control of legislative power in the US Congress. So what's at stake this time, in the midterm elections? And is Joe Biden in danger of becoming a lame duck president? Join host Hazem Sika. Guests: Arshad Hasan - Democratic Political Strategist. Shannan Adler - Political Commentator and Host of The Shannan Show. James Davis - Republican Strategist and Founder and President of Touchdown Strategies.  

China has accused the US of weaponising technology by imposing sweeping controls on sales of semiconductors to Beijing. What's behind this decision? Join host Hazem Sika.  Guests: Dan Wang - Chief economist, Hang Seng Bank. Yang Wang - Senior Analyst, Counterpoint Research. Vasuki Shastry - Associate fellow in the Asia Pacific program, Chatham House.

North Korea has dramatically increased the number of its missile tests, launching six rockets in 12 days, including one that flew over Japan. What message is North Korea sending? And how should the international community respond? Join host Laura Kyle. Guest: Uk Yang - Fellow, Asan Institute for Policy Studies. Alastair Morgan - Professor at the University of Tokyo. Mark Fitzpatrick - Fellow, International Institute for Strategic Studies and former Deputy U.S. Assistant Secretary of State.

Somalia is on the verge of unprecedented famine and millions of people are in desperate need of aid. The UN is warning the nation is facing its worst drought in decades. So, can a human disaster be averted? Join host Hashem Ahelbarra . Guests: Adam Aw Hirsi - Somalian Minister of State for the Environment and Climate Change. Martin Griffiths - United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator. Samira Gaid - Hiraal Institute's Executive Director.

The Turkish and Libyan governments have signed an agreement for energy exploration in a deal that's expected to further muddy the waters in the eastern Mediterranean. What will this mean for regional stability? Join host Hazem Sika. Guests: Salah Al Bakkush -  Political analyst. George Tzogopoulos - Lecturer at Democritus University of Thrace. Matthew Bryza - Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council.

It's hoped that the election in Bosnia would bridge deep ethnic divides in this Balkan country. But with it still bearing the scars of civil war in the 1990's, is change possible? And what role can outside powers play? Join host Hazem Sika. Guests: Hikmet Karcic - Academic and Author. Bodo Weber - Senior Associate at Democratization Policy Council. Amna Popovac - Political Activist.

Japan's prime minister Fumio Kishida says his government will create a new national security strategy, including a pledge to spend more on defence capabilities. But what's his intention, and will it work? Join host Adrian Finighan.  Guests: Seijiro Takeshita - Professor at the University of Shizuoka. Craig Mark - Professor at Kyoritsu Women's University.  

Hurricane Ian could be the deadliest storm to ever hit the US state of Florida. It's one of many extreme weather events this year that have left millions homeless. So, what's making these disasters more common and intense? And how do we better prepare for them? Join host Folly Bah Thibault. Guests: Bradford Johnson – Assistant Professor of Geography, Florida State University. Maarten van Aalst – Director, IFRC Climate Centre. Fahad Saeed – Regional Climate Scientist, Climate Analytics.

Europe and Russia are trading blame for leaks on the Nord Stream gas pipelines. NATO calls it sabotage, and is warning of a military response, while Moscow denies involvement. So, could this signal the end of the biggest gas link between Russia and Western Europe? Join host Folly Bah Thibault.  Guests:  Leon Izbicki - Natural Gas Analyst at the research consultancy firm Energy Aspects. Cornelia Meyer - Economist and CEO of Meyer Resource. Vyacheslav Mishchenko - Oil and Gas expert.

Greece is deploying US-made military vehicles on two Aegean Islands, which Turkiye says breaches an agreement. Athens argues it's protecting its people. So, can this tension be contained, or could it spiral out of control? Join host Hazem Sika. Guests: Mehmet Celik - Editorial Coordinator at Daily Sabah. George Tzogopoulos - Senior Research Fellow at Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy/ Pieter Cleppe - Editor of Brussels Report.EU.  

The British pound has crashed to an all-time low against the US dollar, following the UK government's tax-cutting move to fight inflation. What's the fallout on an already struggling economy, both in the UK and outside? Join host Hazem Sika. Guests:  Vicky Pryce - Chief Economic Adviser at the Centre for Economics and Business Research. Jonathan Lis - Political Commentator. Brian Lucey - Professor of International Finance and Commodities at Trinity Business School.  

Italy has elected the country's first right-wing government since World War II, led by Giorgia Meloni. So what will that mean for country and Europe? Join host Hazem Sika. Guests: Cecilia Emma Sottilotta - Assistant Professor at American University of Rome. Pieter Cleppe - Editor-in-Chief at Brussels Report.EU. Andrea Mammone - Historian at Sapienza University in Rome.

An Al Jazeera investigation has revealed accusations of dirty tricks and manipulation within the UK's opposition Labour Party. A trove of internal documents, emails and social media messages show how unelected officials undermined former leader Jeremy Corbyn and his supporters. So, can Labour heal its internal divisions? Join host Imran Khan. Alex Nunns - Former speech writer for Jeremy Corbyn . John Curtice - Professor of Politics, University of Strathclyde. Jonathan Lis - Political commentator and deputy director of the think tank British Influence. 

The state of New York is suing former US president Donald Trump, his family business and his children for financial fraud. Trump dismissed the lawsuit as a witch-hunt. So will his latest legal woes weaken, or cement, his political standing? Join host Imran Khan. Guests:  Greg Swenson - Chairman of Republicans Overseas UK. Melanie Sloan - Partner at Summer Strategies and a former Federal Prosecutor. Scott Lucas - Professor of International Politics at the Clinton Institute at University College Dublin.

As Russia suffers setbacks in eastern Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin is calling up reservists to join the war. Could this raise the stakes in the seven-month war? Join host Imran Khan. Guests: Sergei Markov - Director, Institute of Political Studies, and former Spokesman for President Vladimir Putin Donnacha O Beachain - Professor, Dublin City University Michael Bocirkiew - Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council  

The Taliban has freed an American contractor in exchange for an Afghan drug dealer in a prisoner swap between the US and Afghanistan. The group says this is a new era in relations with Washington, but will it change anything?  Join host Hashem Ahelbarra.  Guests:  Peter Zwack - Retired Brigadier Generial in US army.  Graeme Smith - Senior Consultant on Afghanistan for the International Crisis Group. Ahmad Shuja Jamal - Former Director General of International Relations and Regional Cooperation at the National Council of Afghanistan. 

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II is laid to rest, marking the end of an era. How different will the reign of King Charles III be? And what role does the British monarchy play in a world where the Commonwealth's relevance is in doubt? Join host Hashem Ahelbarra. Guests: Zaid Belbagi - Managing Partner of Hardcastle Advisory. Mridula Mukherjee - Professor of History at Jawaharlal Nehru University. Cindy McCreery - Head of the Modern Monarchy in Global Perspectives Research Hub at Sydney University.

The World Health Organization says the end is in sight for the pandemic, but warns against complacency. Is its assessment realistic? And what lessons can be learned in case we face another one? Join host Imran Khan. Guests: Dr Margaret Harris – World Health Organization Spokeswoman. Jeffrey Lazarus – Head of the Health Systems Research Group, Barcelona Institute for Global Health. Sera Mekka – Interim Executive Director: Africa, ONE Campaign.

China's president is on his first foreign trip since the pandemic began more than two years ago. Xi Jinping met Russia's Vladimir Putin in Uzbekistan, as both leaders face isolation from the West. So, what message are they trying to send? Join host Imran Khan.  Guests:  Einar Tangen - Senior Fellow, Taihe Institute. Dmitry Babich - Political Analyst, InoSMI Internet project. Theresa Fallon - Director, Centre for Russia Europe Asia Studies.

Nearly 100 soldiers are killed in a flare-up in fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Russia is urging both sides to respect the truce agreed two years ago, but can another war be prevented? Join host Imran Khan. Guests: Nigar Arpadarai - Member of Azerbaijani Parliament. Vladimir Vardanyan - Member of Armenian Parliament. Daria Isachenko - Researcher, German Institute for International and Security Affairs.

Tigrayan rebels fighting the Ethiopian government say they're open to talks and a ceasefire. What led to this announcement? And will it help end the humanitarian crisis caused by the war? Join host Hashem Ahelbarra. Guests: Getachew Reda - Spokesman for Tigray People's Liberation Front. Ustaz Kamil Shemsu - Member of the Ethiopian Parliament. Teklay Gebremichael - Associate Editor of Tghat. William Davison - Senior Ethiopia Analyst at International Crisis Group.

Ukraine says it has regained territory across several regions including Kharkiv in a significant setback for Russia. So, is this a turning point in the conflict and how will Moscow respond? Join host Folly Bah Thibault. Guests: Mychailo Wynnyckyj - Professor at National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. Viktor Olevich - Lead Expert at Center for Actual Politics. Samuel Ramani - Associate Fellow at Royal United Services Institute. 

Queen Elizabeth II was a symbol of continuity in the United Kingdom for seven decades. What future does the monarchy have in the country after her death? And how will she be remembered? Join host Imran Khan. Guests: Joy Sigaud - Author of 'Jamaicans in Britain: A Legacy of Leadership' . Ian Lloyd - Royal writer and former royal photographer. Zaid Belbagi - Managing Partner of Hardcastle Advisory, a London-based political consultancy.

Human progress is in decline. The UN says life expectancies, education levels and living standards have fallen in nearly every country. So, what's behind the change? Join host Adrian Finighan. Guests:  Luis Felipe López Calva - UN Development Program's Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean.  Dr Jemilah Mahmood - Professor and Executive Director of Planetary Health at Sunwan University.  Charles Businge - Middle East and North and East Africa Director for Plan International.

Britain's New Prime Minister is promising brighter days ahead for the UK. Liz Truss takes over from Boris Johnson after a divisive leadership contest. What will the country look like under her leadership? Join host Folly Bah Thibault. Guests: Rod Dacombe - Reader in politics at King's College London. Lydia Preig - Head of economics, New Economics Foundation. Petros Fassoulas - Secretary General, European Movement International.

Israel has concluded that a soldier may have accidentally killed Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, but there will be no criminal investigation. So how can the case move forward? Can there be justice and accountability? Join host Folly Bah Thibault. Guests:  Omar Baddar - Political Analyst. Sawsan Zaher - Palestinian Human Rights Lawyer. Richard Falk - Professor of International Law Emeritus, Princeton University.  

Nearly eight million people are at risk of famine in Somalia because of severe drought, high food prices and political instability. Can this crisis be prevented? And what's needed to break Somalia's cycle of aid and dependency? Join host Laura Kyle. Guests: Afyare Elmi - Executive Director, Heritage Institute for Policy Studies. Michael Dunford - World Food Programme's regional director for Eastern Africa. Nisar Majid - Research associate at the London School of Economics.

From Europe to Asia, a number of countries are building new nuclear power plants. The aim is to reduce blackouts and energy dependence. But is it the right solution? And what are the risks? Join host Hashem Ahelbarra. Guests: Jonathan Cobb - Senior Analyst at World Nuclear Association. Shaun Burnie - Senior Nuclear Specialist at Greenpeace East Asia. Phil Chaffee - Deputy Editor of Nuclear Intelligence Weekly.

Late Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev was seen as someone who changed the world in the 20th century. So, how will he be remembered? Join host Hashem Ahelbarra. Guests: Pavel Felgenhauer - Defence and Military Analyst. Maria Lipman - Russian editor and political analyst. Donald Jensen - Director of Russia and Strategic Stability at the US Institute of Peace.

Scientists studying the melting Greenland ice sheet warned that nothing can be done to stop dramatic sea level rises. So, what does all this mean for attempts to deal with climate change? Join host Nick Clark. Guests: Yarrow Axford - Associate Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Northwestern University. Zita Sebesvari - Lead Author of the United Nations University ‘Interconnected Disaster Risk’ Report. Sharon George - Senior Lecturer in Environment and Sustainability at Keele University.

Iraq's powerful Shiite leader Muqtada Al Sadr has announced he's quitting politics, triggering violent protests and demands for new elections. Can the political unrest be contained? Join host Nick Clark. Guests: Ahmed Rushdi - Senior foreign policy adviser to the Iraqi parliament. Bilal Wahab - Wagner fellow at the Washington Institute. Zeidon Alkinani - Non-resident fellow at the Arab Center Washington, DC .

Pakistan is suffering from the worst floods in more than a decade. At least a thousand people have died in two months of torrential monsoon rains. How much is climate change to blame and can the country cope? Join host Rob Matheson. Guests: Dawar Butt - Environment policy analyst. Sara Hayat - Lawyer specialising in climate change policy. Peter Ophoff - Head of International Federation of Red Cross.

Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya fled a military crackdown in Myanmar five years ago. They've been refugees in Bangladesh ever since, with no hope of returning home. So, what future do they have? Join host Tom Mcrae. Guests: Kyaw Win - Executive Director at Burma Human Rights Network. Yasmin Ullah - Rohingya human rights activist. Tom Andrews - UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar.

The People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola has governed for nearly five decades and is set to remain in power following widely contested elections. But the opposition disputes the results. Could this lead to renewed turmoil in the country? Join host Kim Vinell. Guests: Jose Gama - Member of the Mudei Civic Movement. Borges Nhamirre - Research Consultant at the Institute for Security Studies Africa. Marisa Lourenco - Independent political analyst.

South Africa's powerful trade federations have called for a nationwide shutdown over unemployment and the rising cost of living. But will the mass action make a difference? Join host Tom Mcrae. Guests: Bheki Ntshalintshali - South African trade union leader. Jannie Roussouw - Economist and visiting professor at Wits Business School. Dakota Legoete - ANC national spokesperson.

After 16 months of negotiations, Iran has responded to the EU's plan to restore the 2015 nuclear deal. All sides are waiting for the US to reply. So what are the final hurdles to a new agreement? Join host Laura Kyle.  Guests: Mohammad Marandi - Adviser to Iranian negotiation team. Hamidreza Azizi - Visiting Fellow, German Institute for International and Security Affairs. Alex Vatanka - Director and Senior Fellow, The Middle East Institute.  

Tens of thousands of workers across different sectors in the UK have walked off the job.They want better pay and conditions to combat record-high inflation. Will businesses and government leaders meet their demands? Join host Laura Kyle.  Guests: Stephen Cotton - General Secretary, International Transport Workers' Federation.  Pushpin Singh – Economist, Centre for Economic and Business Research.  Giles Kenningham – Founder, Trafalgar Strategy.

The Rhine River is running dry, threatening Germany's shipping industry. What will that mean for Europe's largest economy which has already been struggling in recent months? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. Guests: Ulrich Brueckner - Professor of Political Science at Stanford University in Berlin. Nick Sitter - Professor of Public Policy at Central European University. Hubertus Bardt - Head of Research at the German Economic Institute.  

Serbia and Kosovo have met in Brussels to resolve a dispute sparked by vehicle licence plates. But can they reach an agreement?  Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. Guests: Una Hajdari - Reporter for Politico Europe. Aleksandar Brezar - Analyst and host of the podcast, Calling. Milan Antonijevic - Human Rights Lawyer.

Turkey and Russia are shoring up their cooperation as Moscow faces isolation and sanctions. As it wages a war in Ukraine, how will Russia benefit from the partnership? And should the West be nervous?  Join host Kim Vinell. Guests: Maximilian Hess,  fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute and an expert in Eurasian affairs. Liudmila Samarskaia, specialist in the contemporary history of the Middle East and a Research Fellow at the Institute of World Economy and International Relations. Sinan Ulgen, former Turkish diplomat and director of Edam, a think tank that focuses on Turkey's foreign, security, economic and digital policy.  

After years as vice president of Kenya, William Ruto is now president. But is he up to the job? And what's his plan to tackle the country's many problems? Join host Kim Vinell. Guests: Dennis Nthumbi - Campaign Secretary for President-Elect William Ruto. Nerima Wako-Ojiwa - Executive Director of Siasa. Bobby Mkangi - Constitutional lawyer.

UN member states are meeting in New York to try and agree on a global treaty for the high seas. They want to protect fragile ecosystems in international waters. What's prevented a deal until now? Join host Laura Kyle. Guests: Jessica Battle - Senior Expert on Global Ocean Policy at the World Wildlife Fund. Daanish Mustafa - Professor of Critical Geography at King's College London. Will McCallum - Head of Oceans at Greenpeace UK.

Rising living costs have triggered violent protests across Sierra Leone.Demonstrators want the president to resign. How should the government respond? And could the problem spark social unrest elsewhere? Join host Laura Kyle. Guests: Ovigwe Eguegu - Policy Analyst, Development Reimagined. Marcella Samba-Sesay - Executive Director, Campaign for Good Governance. Ken Ife - Development Economist.  

Thailand's Prime Minister seized power in a coup and later led the government. He's now  under pressure to step down. But what if he doesn't?  Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. Guests: Jade Donavanik - President of the Law Faculty at the College of Asian Scholars. Thitinan Pongsudhirak - Professor and Director of the Institute of Security. Sunai Phasuk - Senior Researcher in the Asia Division at Human Rights Watch.

FBI agents raided the house of former US president Donald Trump, who said the search of his Florida residence is part of a plan to destroy him. What did they find? And what does this mean for his potential second run for the White House? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. Guests: Rina Shah - Founder and Principal of Rilax Strategies. Henry Olsen - Senior Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center. Julie Norman - Associate Professor at University College London.

Chad's transitional government and opposition have signed a peace agreement to end decades of turmoil in the country. But with the main rebel group refusing to take part, will this accord hold? And if it does, how far off is democracy in the Central African nation? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. Guests:  Remadji Hoinathy - senior researcher at the Institute for Security Studies. Enrica Picco - director of the Central Africa Project at International Crisis Group. Andrew Yaw Tchie - senior researcher at Norwegian Institute of International Affairs.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta is stepping down after a decade in power. Previous elections were marred by violence, but will it be different this time? And what's at stake in this vote? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. Guests: Fergus Kell - Research analyst in the Africa Programme at Chatham House. Jacky Kwonyike - Lawyer at the High Court of Kenya.

There's been renewed fighting in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, despite a ceasefire signed two years ago. So, will the truce hold? Or could there be a new conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. Guests: Richard Giragosian - Director, Regional Studies Center in Yerevan, Armenia. Fariz Ismailzade - Vice Rector, ADA University. Matthew Bryza - Former U.S. Mediator on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Denmark's government is facing accusations of racism for its so-called 'anti-ghetto' laws, in which 'non-western' migrants are being moved out of city blocks. Some Syrian asylum seekers are fighting orders to deport them. So, are the criticisms justified? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. Guests: Muhammad Aslam - Chairman, Mjolnerparken Residents' Association.  Fatma Tounsi - Co-founder of Almen Modstand.

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has ended her controversial tour of Taiwan despite warnings from China. Beijing is responding with live-fire military drills and import bans. So, how will Taipei and Washington deal with the fallout? Join host Kim Vinnell. Guests: Vincent Chao - Former Director at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office. June Teufel Dreyer - Professor of Political Science, University of Miami. Henry Huiyao Wang - Founder and President, Center for China Globalization.  

The head of the UN warns that the world is at the most dangerous time since the Cold War. One miscalculation, and humanity faces nuclear annihilation. Nuclear-armed nations are calling for disarmament. But do they have the will to eliminate nuclear weapons? Join host Kim Vinnell. Guests: Robert Kelley - Distinguished Fellow, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Rabia Akhtar - Director, Centre for Security and Policy Research, University of Lahore. Richard Cupitt - Director at Partnerships in Proliferation Prevention, Stimson Center.

Vladimir Putin says the US is the biggest threat to Russia's global maritime goals and has promised to equip warships with unprecedented weapons. What does this new naval strategy mean? And how will it be viewed in Washington? Join host Kim Vinell. Guests: Sergei Markov, Director of the Institute of Political Studies. Wolfgang Pusztai - Security Defense Analyst.  Lawrence Brennan - Retired US Navy Captain.

Britain's national security adviser has warned that the threat of nuclear war is greater than ever. He blames this on the breakdown of communication between the West, Russia and China. So, what's needed to restore global security? Join host Imran Khan. Guests: Sahil Shah - Nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament analyst. Fabrice Pothier - CEO of the consultancy Rasmussen Global. Alexander Titov - Lecturer in Modern European History at Queen’s University Belfast.

People in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo want the UN to leave. They say the mission has failed to keep them safe. Several civilians and peacekeepers have been killed in days of unrest. So if UN troops can't keep the peace, who can? Join host Imran Khan. Guests: Jean-Mobert Senga - Researcher for the Democratic Republic of Congo, Amnesty International. Passy Mubalama - Founder and Executive Director, Action and Development Initiative for the Protection of Women and Children in D.R. Congo. Felix Ndahinda - Independent researcher focusing on conflict, peace, and justice in the Great Lakes Region.

Russia has decided to pull out of the International Space Station to build its own instead. How possible is this? And how will this impact the future of space exploration and research? Join host Bernard Smith.  Guests: Pavel Felgenhauer - defense and military analyst. Amy Thompson - science journalist and contributor to Space.com. Francisco Diego - lecturer at the department of physics and astronomy at University College London.

There's global outrage after Myanmar executed four pro-democracy prisoners. Its military junta says it was lawful. But can international pressure stop such killings? And what are the chances of Myanmar returning to democracy? Join host Bernard Smith. Guests: Minka Nijhuis - Freelance Journalist and Author.  Wai Hnin - Campaigns Officer at Burma Campaign UK. Helene Maria Kyed - Senior Researcher at the Danish Institute for International Studies.    

Hungary's Prime Minister says the European Union needs a new strategy for the War in Ukraine. Kyiv's forces appear to be making some gains in the East. But is the EU likely to change its policy on the conflict? Join host Bernard Smith. Guests: Roger Hilton - Defence Fellow at GLOBSEC. Michael Bociurkiw - Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council.  Samuel Ramani -  Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute.

He was brought in to unite Italy. But Prime Minister Mario Draghi has resigned, triggering snap elections. What's behind the latest political drama? And who has the most to gain from the turmoil? Join host Dareen Abughaida. Guests: Michele Geraci - former undersecretary at Italy's Economic Development Ministry.  Eleonora Poli - Head of Economic Analysis, Centre for European Policy.  Giovanni Orsina - Director of the School of Government, Luiss Guido Carli University.

Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss are the final two candidates to replace Boris Johnson as leader of the Conservative Party. So what's their vision for the UK, and its relationship with the rest of the world? Join host Nastasya Tay. Guests: Mo Hussein - Political Commentator and former Special Adviser to the UK Home Office. Lesley Riddoch - Director, Nordic Horizons. Jonathan Lis - Deputy Director, British Influence.

The world has enough oil, but not enough refineries to process it. That's the assessment from the biggest crude exporter, Saudi Arabia. So, is this to blame for record high fuel prices? And what are the solutions? Join host Nastasya Tay. Guests: Bob Cavnar - Energy and Oil analyst. Thomas O'Donnell - Energy and Geopolitical analyst. Josh Young - Chief investment officer, Bison Interests.

Nearly 80 people are killed in tribal fighting in Sudan's Blue Nile state, triggering protests in several cities. So what's behind the escalating tension? And has Sudan's military takeover worsened relations between tribes? Join host Nastasya Tay. Guests: Kholood Khair - founding director, Confluence Advisory. Mohamed Alamin Ahmed - Sudanese journalist. Gillian Lusk- Chairperson, Society for the Study of the Sudans, UK.

Heatwaves are sweeping across the northern hemisphere. With them come more severe and long-lasting wildfires. Is this all down to climate change? And is it too late to do anything about it? Join host Bernard Smith. Guests: Stephen Cornelius, deputy practice leader for climate change and energy at World Wildlife Fund International. Nigel Arnell, climate scientist and professor in the department of meteorology at University of Reading. Stefan Doerr, professor for wildlife science at Swansea University.

The hunt has begun for other habitable planets. The images from the James Webb Space Telescope have offered the most detailed and comprehensive view of the solar system we've ever seen. So how will that change our understanding of the universe? Join host Bernard Smith. With guests:Francisco Diego- University College London's Department of Physics and Astronomy. Amaya Moro-Martin- Astronomer at Space Telescope Science Institute. Abraham Loeb-Theoretical Physicist and Professor of Science at Harvard University.  

The President has fled and the acting leader has imposed a curfew. Protesters want him to step down too. Is there a way out of the crisis in Sri Lanka to prevent a power vacuum? Join host Dareen Abughaida. Guests: Kabir Hashim - Member of Parliament. Harshana Nanayakkara - Member of National People's Power. Jehan Perera - Executive Director, National Peace Council of Sri Lanka.

Joe Biden is on his first tour of the Middle East as US President. He's promised to reset ties and embark on a new relationship. So what can he achieve? And will he be held back by political pressure back home? Join host Nastasya Tay. Guests: Khaled Elgindy-Senior Fellow, Middle East Institute. Andreas Krieg-Senior Lecturer School of Security Studies, King’s College London. Scott Lucas-Emeritus Professor, University of Birmingham.          

The UN says the world population is expected to be eight billion by November. So, how do we deal with the challenges ahead? Join host Nastasya Tay. Guests: Kathleen Mogelgaard - President and CEO, Population Institute. Darrell Bricker - CEO, IPSOS Public Affairs and Co-Author, 'Empty Planet: The Shock of Global Population Decline'. Poonam Muttreja - Executive Director, Population Foundation of India.  

Sri Lankan protesters have occupied the homes of the president and prime minister. But neither men has officially resigned. There are negotiations to form a unity government, but will they have answers to the huge economic and social problems? Join host Imran Khan. Guests: Nishan De Mel - economist and executive director of Verite Research. Ganeshan Wignaraja - Senior research associate for Overseas Development Institute, ODI Global. Weerakoon Wijewardena - former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and columnist for Daily Financial Times.    

A daring attack on a prison outside Abuja in which hundreds of prisoners were freed has again tested Nigeria's security. ISIL claimed the ambush. So, does Nigeria have the resources -- and capabilities -- to curb violence by armed groups without assistance? Join host Imran Khan. Guests: Ali Ndume, Senator for Borno South Nigeria. Aisha Yesufu, founder of Citizens Hub. Bulama Bukarti, Senior Fellow on sub-Saharan.Africa at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change. 

Britain's defiant Prime Minister has been forced to resign. Boris Johnson clung to power but overwhelmingly lost support from within his party.Who will replace him?And what kind of leadership does the UK need at this time? Join host Imran Khan. GuestsJo-Anne Nadler - Political commentator and a former Media Adviser for the Conservative Party.Tim Bale - Professor of Politics at Queen Mary University of London.Matthew Goodwin - Professor of Politics at the University of Kent.

The UN warns the number of people going hungry across the world is rising rapidly. Billions of dollars are needed to prevent a global food crisis. But what’s causing it? And can we do something before it's too late? Join host Sohail Rahman. Guests: Nils Mollema -  Policy Adviser on Climate Justice for ActionAid, Netherlands Maurice Onyango - Regional Head of Disaster Risk Management at Plan International Abdolreza Abbassian - Food Market Analyst and Former Senior Economist at the FAO

Representatives from 40 countries and international organisations have met in Switzerland to discuss the reconstruction of Ukraine. But how productive are these talks while there's no clear end in sight to the fighting? And will the principles they agree on have any lasting impact? Join host Sohail Rahman. Guests:Olena Prokopenko - Co-chairwoman of the Transatlantic Task Force on Ukraine and a fellow at the German Marshall Fund of the United States.Timothy Ash - Senior Emerging Markets Sovereign Strategist at BlueBay Asset Management.Hanna Shelest - Security Studies Program Director at the Foreign Policy Council, Ukrainian Prism

Dutch Farmers say plans by the government to reduce nitrogen emissions will put many of them out of business.The Netherlands is the second largest agricultural exporter. Is this an unavoidable transition for the good of the climate or an unfair threat to livelihoods? Join host Rob Matheson.  Guests:Jeroen Van Maanen - Dairy Farmer and Protest OrganizerNatasja Oerlemans - Food and Agriculture Expert at World Wide Fund for Nature NetherlandsTheo Manderslou - Broker in Agriculture Commodities at AGRACOM  

Ferdinand Marcos Junior has won the presidency more than 30 years after his father was pushed out from power – a stunning comeback for a Philippine political dynasty. But will he unify the nation or bring back his father's controversial legacy? Join host Hashem Ahelbarra. Guests: Richard Heydarian - Columnist at the Philippine Daily Inquirer. Alvin Camba - Assistant Professor at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies, University of Denver. Danilo Arao - Convener at the election watchdog, Kontra Daya.

NATO vows to deter aggressors and defend its territory by boosting its presence on land, sea and in the air. Russia's War on Ukraine has shattered the global security order and NATO leaders are responding to what they're calling the most serious threat in decades. But will this new strategy work? And what will the consequences be? Join host Hashem Ahelbarra. Guests: Vladmir Sotnikov - Director at Russia-East-West Center for Strategic Studies and Analysis Theresa Fallon - Director at the Centre for Russia Europe Asia Studies Andrew Leung - China Affairs Analyst and Chairman of Andrew Leung International Consultants

Sri Lanka's economic crisis seems to be going from bad to worse. The government has now restricted the sale of fuel days after the Prime Minister said the economy had completely collapsed.So what's caused the crisis? And what are the consequences? Join host Hashem Ahelbarra  Guests: Jehan Perera, Executive Director of the National Peace Council of Sri Lanka. Thamil Ananthavinayagan, Lecturer in International Human Rights Law at University of Nottingham. Chayu Damsinghe, Economist at Frontier Research.

Parts of Ecuador have been brought to a standstill after days of violent protests against the rising cost of living.  The government is now negotiating with Indigenous groups and says it's listening. But will it help to solve the country's economic crisis? *Update: Soon after this episode aired the government called off the talks after a soldier was killed during the protests.  Join host Sohail Rahman.Guests: Adrian Perez Salaza, Attorney and Political Analyst Manuela Picq, Professor at Universidad San Francisco de Quito and Amherst College Danny Shaw, Professor of Latin American and Caribbean Studies at The City University of New York    

The leaders of the world's biggest powers say they're imposing more sanctions on Moscow. Ukraine is asking for more weapons and ammunition. What role can the G7 play in bringing the war to an end? Join host Adrian Finighan.Guests: Ulrich Brueckner, Professor of Political Science at Stanford University in BerlinDoug Bandow, Senior Fellow at the Cato Institute Glenn Diesen, Professor of International Relations at the University of Southeast Norway        

The UN Human Rights Office is urging countries not to impose communication blackouts. It says the impact of such action has had a negative effect on people's lives. But will governments listen? Join host Hashem Ahelbarra. Guests: Peggy Hicks - Director of Thematic Engagement at the United Nations Human Rights Office which produced the report. Stephen Nix - Senior Director for Eurasia at the International Republican Institute. Barbora Bukovska - Senior Director for Law and Policy at Article 19, an organization that campaigns for global freedom of expression.

Chinese president Xi Jinping warns against expanding military alliances and the weaponisation of economic sanctions at a BRICS summit, attended by Vladimir Putin. But what leverage does this group of emerging economies wield on the world stage? Join host Hashem Ahelbarra. Guests: Einar Tangen, Senior Fellow at Taihe Institute Sanusha Naidu, Senior Research Fellow at Institute for Global Dialogue, South African Think Tank focusing on China and Africa Nancy Snow, Visiting Distinguished Professor at Tsinghua University's , Schwarzman Scholars program  

Israel is to face its fifth election in less than four years. Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has disbanded the Knesset after failing to maintain his coalition. But will a new vote make a difference? And how can long-term political instability in Israel be tackled? Join host Dareen Abughaida. Guests: Gil Hoffman - Chief Political Correspondent at Jerusalem Post. Meron Rapoport - Writer and Editor, Local Call. Gideon Rahat - Senior Fellow at Israel Democracy Institute and Chair of Political Science at Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

The cryptocurrency Bitcoin has fallen to a level not seen in two years. What's behind this sharp drop? And what does that tell us about the future of the digital currency? Join host Sami Zeidan. Guests: Aly-Khan Satchu, Investor and CEO at Rich Management. Naeem Aslam, Chief Market Analyst at AvaTrade. Brian Lucey, Professor of International Finance and Commodities at Trinity Business School.

France's president has suffered a major setback. Emmanuel Macron's party has lost control of the National Assembly, after the far-left and far-right made historic gains in the legislative election. So, how will he govern during the next five years? Join host Adrian Finighan. Guests: Hamid Chriet – Political Analyst. Philippe Marliere - Professor of French & European politics at University College London. Fabrice Pothier - CEO of Rasmussen Global, a political consultancy.

The bullet that killed Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh is revealed for the first time, adding to mounting evidence a special Israeli military unit is responsible. Will this force Israel into taking action? And who can conduct a transparent and independent investigation? Join host Folly Bah Thibault. Guests: Ori Gitati - Advocacy Director, Breaking the Silence. Sawsan Zaher - Human rights lawyer and board member, B'tselem. Ahmad Abuznaid - Executive Director, U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights.

100 million people around the world are now displaced. War, violence, persecution and rights abuses are some of the main causes. But can this rising trend be reversed? And if so, how? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. Guests: Shabia Mantoo,  Spokesperson at UN Refugee Agency. Nando Sigona, Professor of International Migration at University of Birmingham and Director of Institute of Research into Superdiversity. Behrouz Boochani, Author and Former Refugee.

Attacks against Muslims have allegedly increased since the BJP took power. So, what does growing religious intolerance mean for the future of India? And is the country's governing party to blame for the rise in Islamophobia? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. Guests: Fatima Khan - Journalist at The Quint. Thulasi K. Raj - Lawyer at the Supreme Court of India and Kerala High Court. Ashish Shukla- Journalist and Author.

The UK is set to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda after legal challenges failed. It's a move described by many as inhumane. But will it stop refugees reaching Britain? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. Guests: Clare Moseley -Founder of Care4Calais, an organisation campaigning against the deportation. Joseph Ryarasa - Executive Secretary of Never Again, a social justice and peacebuilding organisation in Rwanda. Catherine Woollard - Secretary General of European Council on Refugees and Exiles.

There is renewed fighting between the DRC army and the M23 movement, which the Congo has accused Rwanda of supporting. What’s behind this round of conflict? And could it escalate into a full blown war between the two neighbours? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. Guests: Kambale Musavuli, Researcher at the Center for Research on the Congo-Kinshasa.Gatete Nyiringabo Ruhumuliza, Political Commentator.Felix Ndahinda, Researcher focusing on conflict, peace and justice in The Great Lakes region.

A neglected conflict is straining ties between Algeria and Spain. Trade and diplomatic links have been cut because of a dispute over the Western Sahara region. But what's behind the recent escalation? And can it be resolved? Join host Nick Clark. Guests: Sidi Omar - Polisario Front Representative at the United Nations. Yasmine Hasnaoui - North Africa affairs specialist. Riccardo Fabiani - Project Director for North Africa, International Crisis Group.  

Talks to resolve Sudan's political deadlock have started. Military leader Abdel Fatah Al Burhan calls it a historic opportunity but the main pro-democracy alliance is refusing to take part. So, what can the discussions achieve? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. With guests: Hajooj Kuka - Member of Girifna, a nonviolent resistance movement helping to organise protests in Sudan. Jonas Horner - Researcher and Former Deputy Director for Horn of Africa, International Crisis Group Mubarak Ardol - Political Bureau Chair, Democratic Alliance for Social Justice.

The legacy of Belgian colonialism in central Africa is back in the spotlight with the arrival of Belgium's royal couple on their first visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo. It's being billed as a way to move forward, but can any real action or accountability be achieved? Join host Kim Vinnell.  With guests: Jonathan Offei-Ansah - Founder and Publisher of AfricaBriefing, a pan-African news magazine, based in London. Theodore Trefon – Researcher, Royal Museum for Central Africa. Phil Clark – Professor of International Politics at the School of Oriental & African Studies

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has withstood a challenge to his Conservative Party leadership. With an election three years away - can he regain MPs' trust and perhaps more importantly - the trust of the British people? Join host Hashem Ahelbarra.  With guests: Kevin Craig - Political Communications Specialist and CEO and founder of PLMR Communications.  Ross Greer - Scottish Green Party politician and Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP).  Alan Mendoza - Executive Director of the Henry Jackson Society.

They've been called the future of money, but cryptocurrencies like bitcoin look to be in trouble. They're losing value, and financial regulators are considering tighter controls. So, can crypto make a comeback? With host Hashem Ahelbarra. Guest: Naeem Aslam - Chief market analyst at AvaTrade. Brian Lucey - Professor of International Finance and Commodities at Trinity Business School and a Former Central Banker. Zennon Kapron - Director of Kapronasia, a Financial Technology Research and Consulting Firm focused on Asia.

There are increasing hopes of ending the eight-year war in Yemen which has killed tens of thousands of people. The Saudi-led coalition and Iranian-backed Houthis have agreed to extend a ceasefire for another two months. So, can they end the conflict, once and for all? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. Guests: Jasmin Lavoie - Spokesperson, Norwegian Refugee Council in Yemen. Annelle Sheline - Research Fellow, Middle East program, Quincy Institute. Ibrahim Jalal - Non-resident Scholar, Gulf and Yemen Program, Middle East Institute.

When Russia began its invasion of Ukraine, many countries decided to stay neutral. But what does neutrality mean? Can a nation truly avoid taking sides in the face of conflict? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom.  Guests: Mark Farha - Author and Adjunct Professor of Sociology at the University of Zurich. Happymon Jacob - Associate Professor of Diplomacy at Jawaharlal Nehru University and Founder of the Council for Strategic and Defense Research. Glenn Diesen - Professor of International Relations at the University of Southeast Norway.

An Egyptian court has given a 15-year sentence to an Al Jazeera journalist for interviewing an opposition leader. Why is Egypt silencing critical voices? And can its leaders be pressured into protecting press freedom? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. Guests: Ahmed Taha - Al Jazeera presenter Sherif Mansour - Middle and North Africa Program Coordinator, Committee to Protect Journalists. Hussein Baoumi - Egypt and Libya Researcher, Amnesty International. Mohamad Elmasry - Chair of the Journalism Program, Doha Institute for Graduate Studies.

Many countries are reporting major increases in the prices of food, housing and energy. It's being called a 'cost of living' crisis, and developing nations are hurting the most. Is there a way out? Join host Kim Vinnell. Guests: Jeevun Sandher - Economist & Political Scientist at King’s College London. Kalyani Raghunathan - Economist and Research Fellow at the International Food Policy Research Institute. Stella Nordhagen - Senior Technical Specialist at the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition.  

A long-standing agreement bans Jews from praying at the Al Aqsa Mosque Compound, but ultranationalist groups want to change that, and they're getting more political support.  Join host Kim Vinnell. Guests: Mustafa Barghouti - Secretary General, Palestinian National Initiative.  Akiva Eldar - Author and Contributing Writer at Haaretz newspaper.  Rami Khouri - Professor, Senior Public Policy and Journalism Fellow, American University of Beirut

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has unveiled Washington's strategy to compete with China, in which he accused Beijing of undermining global security. But is the criticism justified?  Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. Guests: Michael D. Swaine – Director, East Asia program, Quincy Institute. Martin Jacques – Author, 'When China Rules the World'. Henry Huiyao Wang – Founder, Center for China and Globalization.  

No more thoughts and prayers. Grieving Americans are demanding gun control after the worst school shooting in the US in a decade. But Congress has repeatedly failed to pass tougher laws. So, what's stopping action to prevent another tragedy? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. Guests: Joseph Sakran - gun violence survivor and Director of Emergency General Surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Jocelyn Sage Mitchell - Professor of American and Comparative Politics, Northwestern University in Qatar. Richard Feldman - Former Regional Political Director at the National Rifle Association.

The UN's High Commissioner for Refugees urges more help for a million Rohingya refugees stuck in camps in Bangladesh. So, what must be done to support one of the world's most persecuted minorities? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. Guests: Imrul Islam - Advocacy Manager in Bangladesh, Norwegian Refugee Council. Yasmin Ullah - Rohingya social justice activist. Dr. Ambia Perveen - Chairperson, European Rohingya Council.

It's been three months since Russia began the invasion of Ukraine. Moscow calls it a special operation - but has it achieved any of its objectives?  Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. Guest: Dmytro Shulga - European program director, International Renaissance Foundation. Domitilla Sagromoso - Lecturer in Security and Development, Department of War Studies, Kings College, London. Dmitry Babich - Political Analyst, InoSMI Internet project in Moscow .

The UN says a record 100 million people have been forcibly displaced worldwide. The war in Ukraine is one of the factors driving people to leave. But will this be the wake-up call to resolve other conflicts? Join host Hashem Ahelbarra. Guests:  Nazanine Moshiri - Senior Analyst for Climate & Security, Africa, Crisis Group. Jesper Bjarnesen - Senior Researcher, Nordic Africa Institute. Parvati Nair - Professor of Hispanic, Cultural and Migration Studies, Queen Mary University of London.

The US, EU and their allies imposed heavy sanctions on Russia as punishment for invading Ukraine. But Moscow says the country is weathering the storm. So, what's the real picture? Join host Hashem Ahelbarra. Guests:  Vyacheslav Mishchenko - Energy Markets and Oil Gas expert.  Chris Weafer - Chief Executive Officer, Macro-Advisory, a strategic consultancy focused on Russia/Eurasia. Eric Chaney - Economic adviser to Institute Montaigne think tank.

Once again, two rival Prime Ministers are jostling for power in Libya and triggering fighting in the capital Tripoli. Elections are delayed, and peace talks have made little progress. So, could this be the return of civil war? Join host Hashem Ahelbarra. Guests: Salah Elbakkoush - Political Analyst and Former Senior Adviser to Negotiating Team of the High Council of States in Libya. Mustafa Fetouri - Journalist and Contributor, Middle East Monitor. Silvia Colombo – Associate Fellow, International Affairs Institute in Italy.    

Independent and reformist candidates have made gains in Lebanon's parliamentary elections, while some traditional parties lose ground. But will the newcomers have the answers to pull the country out of a deep economic crisis? And bring about political change?  Join host Kim Vinnell. Guest: Verena El Amil - Former Parliamentary Candidate and political activist. Jamal Ghosn - Political Commentator. Alia Ibrahim – Co-founder and CEO, Daraj.com, an independent digital media platform.

Mali is withdrawing from the G5 Sahel joint force fighting armed groups linked to ISIL and Al Qaeda. Despite being a founding member of the West African security alliance, the military government blamed a lack of progress and internal divisions. So, is it time for a new strategy to maintain security in the Sahel? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. Guest: Niankoro Yeah Samake - Malian Politician and President of the Party of Civic Patriotic Action. Emmanuel Kwesi Aning - Director of Research at Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre. Jacques Reland - Senior Research Fellow at The Global Policy Institute.

Despite warnings from Russia, Finland and Sweden have decided to join NATO after the invasion of Ukraine. How will the Kremlin respond? And will it make Europe safer? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom.  Guest: Eoin McNamara - Visiting Research Fellow, Finnish Institute of International Affairs. Theresa Fallon - Director, Centre for Russia Europe Asia Studies. Pavel Felgenhauer - Defense and Military Analyst.

After killing Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, the Israeli army beats mourners during her funeral. As she's laid to rest, how can Palestinians use her death to highlight Israel's crimes? And can they win the battle for global public opinion? Join host Hashem Ahelbarra. Guests: Munir Nuseibah, Professor of International Law at Al-Quds University. Francesca Albanese,  UN Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories and an Affiliate Scholar of Georgetown University. Akiva Eldar, political analyst and a Contributor for the Israeli newspaper Haaretz.

Israeli forces have killed Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in cold blood. And this is not the first time. Will Israel get away with its crimes? And who can hold it to account? Join host Hashem Ahelbarra.  Guests: Hagai El-Ad – Executive Director of The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories (B'Tselem). Aicha Elbasri - Researcher at Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies. Rami Khouri - Professor of Journalism at American University of Beirut  and Senior Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School.

Israeli forces have killed Al Jazeera correspondent Shireen Abu Akleh as she covered Israeli raids in the Occupied West Bank. The network calls it a blatant murder in cold blood and there are international demands for a thorough investigation. But will anyone be held accountable for her death? Join host Nastasya Tay.  Guest: Nour Odeh - Political Analyst. Pauline Ades-Mevel - Spokesperson, Reporters without Borders. Ofer Cassif - Knesset Member.    

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is under pressure to resign, after his brother Mahinda stepped down as Prime Minister. But that wasn't enough to calm violent protests. Is the Rajapaksa political dynasty in Sri Lanka about to end? And where does Sri Lanka go from here? Join host Nastasya Tay. Guests: Harsha De Silva - Sri Lankan Member of Parliament. Ganeshan Wignaraja -  Senior Research Associate, Overseas Development Institute Bhavani Foneska - Senior Researcher and Attorney at Law with the Centre for Policy Alternatives.  

For the first time, the nationalist party Sinn Fein has won the largest number of seats in Northern Ireland's parliament. What's behind this political shift? And what does it mean for the future of the United Kingdom? Join host Nastasya Tay. Guests: Duncan Morrow - Professor of Politics at Ulster University. Nicholas Whyte - International Affairs Strategist and Senior Director in Brussels for APCO. Graham Gudgin - Research Associate at the University of Cambridge and a Former Special Adviser to First Minister David Trimble in the Northern Ireland Assembly.  

The World Health Organization says nearly 15 million people died in the first two years of the pandemic, mostly as a result of the virus itself - but also because people couldn't get proper treatment since hospitals were overwhelmed. The WHO says it's a wake up call for countries to invest in data and their healthcare systems to make them resilient to crises. So, what lessons should be learned? Join host Adrian Finighan. Guests: Bharat Pankhania - Senior Clinical Lecturer at the University of Exeter Medical School. Azeddine Ibrahimi - Professor of Medical Biotechnology at the Rabat Medical School. T. Sundararaman - Health Systems Expert.  

More than 22,000 arrests have been made in El Salvador since a state of emergency was imposed in March to tackle the rising gang violence. Gangs are estimated to make millions of dollars a year, through illegal drug trafficking, robbery and kidnapping. So, what's the reason for the increase in gang crime?  Join host Hashem Ahelbarra. Guests: Carolina Jimenez - President of Washington office on Latin America. Colin Harding - Latin America Analyst and Director of Latinform. Hector Silva Avalos - Senior Research Fellow at American University's Center for Latin American and Latino Studies.

Sweden and Finland say they want to join NATO despite threats from Moscow. With Russia's war on Ukraine, are these countries under threat? And what would it all mean for the Nordic region? Join host Adrian Finighan. Guests: Dmitry Babich, Political Analyst at InoSMI Internet media project. Eoin McNamara, Visiting Research Fellow at Finnish Institute of International Affairs. Nicholas Whyte, International Affairs Strategist.

This year's UN World Press Freedom Day is highlighting threats to the media, especially online. Russia's war on Ukraine is a major example, in which journalists are facing threats in the field and on the internet. So, what can be done to protect the free flow of news and information? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom . Guests: Rebecca Vincent - Director of Operations and Campaigns, Reporters Without Borders. Romeo Kokriatski - Managing Editor, The New Voice of Ukraine. Tim Squirrell - Head of Communications and Editorial, Institute for Strategic Dialogue.

Chad has again delayed a dialogue on national peace.The military government, opposition groups and rebels were supposed to start discussions on a new constitution and holding elections. So, what will this mean for Chad after a year of political turmoil? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. Guests:  Remadji Hoinathy - Senior Researcher, Institute for Security Studies. Ovigwe Eguegu - Security Analyst, Afripolitika, an Africa Security consultancy. Enrica Picco - Director, Central Africa Project, International Crisis Group.

The world is losing its trees despite a decades long effort to stop deforestation. A report by Global Forest Watch says the earth lost a staggering 11.1 million hectares of forest last year. So, what's behind this destruction? And can it be stopped? Join host Laura Kyle. Guests: Frances Seymour - Distinguished Senior Fellow at the World Resources Institute. Wessel Van Eeden - Global Communications Director at justdiggit, an organization working to restore trees and landscape in Africa. Michael Jacobs - Professor of Political Economy at the University of Sheffield.

Russia has halted gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria, saying the two nations are refusing to pay in Roubles. The EU calls it blackmail and says it has contingency plans. But can Europeans survive without Russian gas? And what are the alternatives? Join host Laura Kyle. Guests: Andreas Goldthau - Professor at the Willy Brandt School of Public Policy. Chris Weafer - Chief Executive Officer at the consultancy, Macro-Advisory. Ole Hvalbye - Commodities Analyst at SEB Financial Services Group.

The government in the Maldives has banned a campaign called 'India Out', which is critical of New Delhi's military presence and political influence in the country. So, what's behind this campaign? And what does that mean for the close ties between India and the Maldives? Join host Hashem Ahelbarra. Guests: Hamdhan Shakeel - Founder and Editor at Maldives News Network. Uday Chandra - Assistant Professor of Government at Georgetown University Doha. Nitin Gokhale - CEO and Editor-in-Chief at Strategic News Global.

Elon Musk, the world's richest man, is set to take control of Twitter as he sealed the deal for $44 billion. So, what will it mean for the future of this platform? And for freedom of speech? Join host Laura Kyle. Guests: Quinn McKew - Executive Director at Article 19. Ramesh Srinivasan - Professor of Information Studies at the University of California. Charles Arthur - Journalist who specialises in technology and social media.   

Emmanuel Macron's re-election as President of France seems more a sigh of relief than a grand victory. He defeated far-right candidate Marine Le Pen but many voters admitted they only chose him to keep her out. So, what challenges will Macron face in his second term? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. Thomas Guénolé - Political Scientist. Gesine Weber - Programme Coordinator, The German Marshall Fund of the United States, Paris Office. Aurelien Mondon - Senior Lecturer in Politics, University of Bath. 

The Afghan Taliban says it has arrested the so-called 'mastermind' of a bomb attack on a mosque. Police say he's a major ISIL operative, suspected of helping to kill at least 12 people on Thursday. The armed group claimed at least two attacks on the same day in Afghanistan, highlighting the security challenges for the Taliban since returning to power last August.Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. Guests: Faiz Zaland -  Executive Director of the Democracy, Peace & Development Think Tank. Rabia Akhtar - Director of the Centre for Security, Strategy and Policy Research at the University of Lahore. Neil Turner - Country Director in Afghanistan for the Norwegian Refugee Council.  

With just days to go, the French presidential contenders have a held a televised debate. A lot has changed since Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen first went head-to-head in the 2017 election. Ukraine is at war. The EU is in crisis after Brexit snd France is facing numerous challenges. Opinion polls suggest Macron may have a lead-- but it's a tight race and anything could happen. Join host Hashem Ahelbarra. Guests Jacques Reland, Senior Research Fellow at The Global Policy Institute. James Shields, professor of French Politics at the University of Warwick. Famke Krumbmuller, European Political Analyst.  

It's been nearly two months since Russian forces invaded neighbouring Ukraine. Now, Moscow says it's shifting its focus to the east where it's increased its assault in the Donbas region. Many say this is a crucial stage of the conflict and could lead to the breakup of Ukraine. But what does this new phase mean for the larger conflict? Join host Kim Vinnell. Guests:  Halyna Yachenko - Member of the Ukrainian Parliament and Secretary of the National Presidential Council. Pavel Felgenhauer - Defence and Military Analyst for Novaya Gazetta, an independent newspaper. Theresa Fallon - Director of the Centre for Russia Europe Asia Studies.

Twitter's board has armed itself against a possible takeover bid. Billionaire Elon Musk has made a 43-billion dollar offer. He says the social media giant needs to be taken private to grow and become a platform for free speech. But what would a possible takeover mean for this platform? Join host Kim  Guests: Tim Hubbard, Assistant professor of management at the University of Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business. Jim Anderson, Social Media Sector Lead at Glasswing Ventures. William Cohan, founder of Puck News and a Former Mergers & Acquisitions Investment Banker.  

India's history contains centuries of diversity and coexistence between different groups. But its present times are marked by violence and hate speech against minorities. Politicians with ties to the ruling BJP are accused of inciting and promoting that violence. Indian and global human rights watchdogs say the frequency of attacks has been on the rise since 2014 - the year Narendra Modi became Prime Minister. Some opposition parties accuse him of ignoring the issue. Will Narendra Modi act? Join host Kim Vinnell.  Guests: Sudhanshu Mittal, BJP leader and author of RSS:Building India Through Sewa. Imran Ahmed, Founder & CEO of the Center for Countering Digital Hate. Saba Naqvi, Independent journalist.  

An agreement between Britain and Rwanda means that single men will be flown to Africa to have their asylum claims processed there. The government says it's needed to deter 'vile' people smugglers, but rights groups see it as cruel. So, will it work? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. With guests: Maya Goodfellow - Academic, University of Sheffield and author of 'Hostile Environment: How Immigrants Became Scapegoats'. Natalie Hodgson - Assistant Professor in Law, University of Nottingham. Emilie McDonnell - UK Advocacy and Communications Coordinator, Human Rights Watch.

The war in Ukraine is creating what the UN calls a 'perfect storm' of crises for developing countries – that's because Russia and Ukraine are major food and energy suppliers. So, what are the solutions? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. With guests: Chris Weafer – Chief Executive Officer, Macro Advisory. Parvin Ngala - Regional Director for Oxfam International in Horn, East & Central Africa. Abdolreza Abbassian - Senior food market analyst and former head senior economist, Food and Agriculture Organizaton of the United Nations (FAO).

Sri Lanka says it's defaulting on all external debt as it sees its worst economic crisis in decades. Growing public anger, electricity cuts and fuel shortages are also adding to the instability. But what will this mean for Sri Lanka? Join host Dareen Abughaida.  With guests: Jehan Perera, Executive Director of the National Peace Council of Sri Lanka. Ahilan Kadirgamar, Political economist and a Senior lecturer at the University of Jaffna Amantha Perera, Researcher at the School of Education and the Arts at CQUniversity in Australia.

Shehbaz Sharif has been sworn in as Pakistan's new Prime Minister, succeeding Imran Khan, who was removed from office in a no-confidence vote. Tens of thousands of Khan's supporters are protesting against his removal, and more than 100 MPs from his party have also resigned in protest. So, where is the country heading? Join host Folly Bah Thibault.  With guests: Zulfikar Bukhari - Former Special Assistant to Former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Maria Iqbal Tarana - General Secretary of Pakistan Peoples Party Human Rights wing. Zubair Iqbal - Researcher the National University of Modern Languages.  

Yet again, Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen will fight for the top job in France. As it’s a tight race, does the far right stand a chance to rule this time? And what would that mean for France?  Join host Nick Clark.  With guests:  Jacques Reland - Senior Research Fellow at Global Policy Institute.  Ariane Bogain - Senior Lecturer in French and Politics at Northumbria University. Anne-Elisabeth Moutet - Columnist for the Telegraph and UnHerd online magazine. 

Attempts to end seven years of civil war in Yemen appear to be gathering pace. President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who's in exile in Saudi Arabia, has stepped aside and has transferred powers to a presidential council to lead talks with Houthi rebels. Could this be the way out of a conflict? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. With guests: Raiman Al-Hamdani - Independent consultant on Yemeni Affairs Baraa Shiban- Yemeni political analyst. Gerald Feierstein - Former U.S. Ambassador to Yemen

Mass killings, rape and torture - they're some of the most serious allegations from almost 18 months of war in Ethiopia's Tigray region. Rights groups say evidence of ethnic cleansing and war crimes is being ignored internationally, while Ethiopian government leaders say the allegations could fuel racial hatred. So, what should the response be? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. With guests: Ann Fitz-Gerald - Professor of International Security and Director, Balsillie School of International Affairs in Waterloo, Canada. Laetitia Bader - Horn of Africa Director, Human Rights Watch. Gebrekirstos Gebreselassie - Founder and Editor, tghat.com – a website documenting the war on Tigray.

Five years ago, Emmanuel Macron swept aside France's political traditions and became the youngest ever president. Now, he is seeking a second term, launching his re-election bid in the shadow of the war in Ukraine. What are his chances of winning?  Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. With guests: Hamid Chriet – French Political Commentator. Gesine Weber - Programme Coordinator, The German Marshall Fund of the United States, Paris Office. Jacques Reland – Senior Research Fellow, The Global Policy Institute.

Images of bodies in civilian clothes in Bucha, Ukraine, have led to international condemnation against Russia. Moscow has strongly denied the allegations - saying Ukraine's special forces staged the killings. Now, there are calls for a war crimes investigation. Join host Folly Bah Thibault. With guests: Hugh Williamson - Director for Europe and Central Asia Division of Human Rights Watch. Andrey Ontikov - Political Analyst. Alexander Hinton - Director of the Center for the Study of Genocide and Human Rights.  

Climate scientists say it is time for action. The UN-mandated Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change – or IPCC – has already released two reports warning that extreme weather events will become more common unless there are drastic cuts to global emissions. In its third and final report – the IPCC looks at ways to reverse the damage. Will politicians listen? What's the fallout if they don't?  Join host Rob Matheson. With guests: Andy Reisinger - Member of the Bureau of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Syeda Rizwana Hasan - Chief executive of the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association. Stephan Singer - Senior Climate Science and Global Energy Policy Advisor at the Climate Action Network International.

It's been nearly eight months since Tunisia's president, Kais Saied, sacked the prime minister, suspended parliament, and granted himself broad executive powers. He has now dissolved parliament, accusing the members of attempting a coup. But the MPs say it's Saied who's grabbing power illegally. So, what happens now? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. With guests: Rabeb Aloui – Tunisian journalist. Moncef Khaddar – Associate Professor, Department of International Relations, Cyprus International University. Cherif El Kadhi – Political Commentator.  

No Prime Minister in Pakistan has ever completed a full five year term, and it appears Imran Khan could suffer the same fate. He faces a no-confidence vote in the National Assembly after his main coalition partner switched sides and joined the opposition. Khan says there's a foreign conspiracy to oust him. So, can he survive the biggest test of his career? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. With guests: Faisal Vawda – Former Federal Minister for Water Resources & Pakistan Affairs specialist.  Farzana Shaikh – Associate Fellow, Asia Pacific Programme, Chatham House.  Shiraz Paracha - Professor of Journalism and a Specialist in the Affairs of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Central Asia.

Three Palestinian attacks on Israelis have killed at least 11 people in a week. Israel's Prime Minister describes it as a wave of 'terrorism'. The latest shooting left five dead in an Ultra-Orthodox Jewish town east of Tel Aviv.  Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. With guests: Yossi Mekelberg - Senior Consulting Research Fellow, Chatham House. Yaser Alashqar - Assistant Professor, Trinity College Dublin. Daniel Levy - President of the US/Middle East Project and former Israeli negotiator.

Russian and Ukrainian diplomats are meeting face-to-face in Turkey to try and end the war. But what compromises are each side prepared to make? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. With guests: Peter Zalmayev – Executive Director, Eurasia Democracy Initiative. Andrey Kortunov – Director General, Russian International Affairs Council. Zachary Paikin – Researcher, EU Foreign Policy unit, Centre for European Policy Studies.

Poland has received more Ukrainian refugees than any other country. But is there a risk of a spillover? And if so, what will be the fallout?  Join host Hazem Sika.  With guests: Ray Wojcik - Senior Fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis.  Robert Pszczel - a Senior Fellow at the Casimir Pulaski Foundation. Samuel Ramani - Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute. 

The leaders of NATO, the European Union and the Group of Seven nations have met in Brussels. Their aim was to show solidarity to Ukraine, but only up to a point. Many have been willing to supply weapons. But is that enough? Join host Folly Bah Thibault.  With guests: Hanna Shelest - Director of Security Programmes with Ukrainian Prism. Vladimir Sotnikov - Director of the consultancy Russia-East-West Center for Strategic Studies and Analysis. Nigel Gould-Davies - Senior Fellow for Russia and Eurasia with the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

The Kremlin is accusing the US of pressuring other countries to bar President Vladimir Putin from attending the G20 summit this year in Indonesia. So, who controls the G20 and what lies ahead for the bloc? Join host Dareen Abughaida.  With guests: Elizabeth Shackelford - Senior Fellow at the Chicago Council on Global affairs. Danil Bochkov - Fellow at the Russian International Affairs Council. Thomas Noto Suoneto - Host of Foreign Policy Talks Podcast. 

Somalia is facing its worst drought in four decades. Aid agencies say only a tiny fraction of the funds needed for food assistance has been raised, while The United Nations is warning more than half of Somalia's people are at risk of severe hunger or starvation this year. So, can the country avert another famine? Join host Dareen Abughaida.  With guests: Mursal Mohamed Khaliif - Minister of Planning & International Cooperation in Somalia's semi-autonomous region of Jubaland. Hodan Ali - Nurse Practitioner and Senior Adviser to the Mayor of Mogadishu. Omar Mahmood - Senior Eastern Africa Analyst at the International Crisis Group. 

Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis since independence in 1948. Food shortages and power cuts have become common. The government is looking for help. So, can an international bailout save Sri Lanka's economy? Join host Adrian Finighan.  With guests: Nishan De Mel - Head of Verité Research. Jabin Jacob - Associate Professor at Shiv Nadar University.  Bhavani Fonseka - Senior Researcher at Centre for Policy Alternatives.

Russian artists and sports figures are being asked to condemned the invasion of Ukraine, or risk being banned from performing in the West. This is despite laws that protect freedom of expression in Europe. So, should they take a political stance on the war? Join host Hazem Sika.  With guests: Natalia Pelevine - British-Russian playwright, political activist and blogger. Alexey Yaroshevsky - Russian sports reporter. Danyel Reiche - Visiting associate professor at Georgetown University.

Russian tanks and military convoys remain at a standstill outside of Ukraine's capital Kyiv. The Kremlin has yet to capture any of Ukraine's biggest cities, despite three weeks of attacks fighting. So, is the war stalling? Join host Folly Bah Thibault.  With guests: Olexiy Haran - Professor of Politics at Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. Anna Matveeva - Russia and Eurasia affairs expert.  Doug Klain - Assistant Director at the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center.

It's been three weeks since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, and as the destruction worsens, the warring sides are discussing a ceasefire. One possibility is Ukraine declaring its neutrality like Sweden or Austria. But will Ukrainians accept the compromise? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. With guests: Peter Zalmayev - Executive Director, Eurasia Democracy Initiative. Pavel Felgenhauer - Defense and Military Analyst, Novaya Gazeta newspaper. Andreas Umland - Research Fellow, Stockholm Centre for Eastern European Studies.

It's often said that the first casualty of war is the truth, and the media is the battleground for competing narratives on the Russia-Ukraine war. Both sides accuse each other of disinformation. So, are we getting an accurate picture of the conflict? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. With guests:  Olga Tokariuk - Ukrainian Journalist and non-resident Fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis. Nikolai Petrov - Senior research fellow at the Russia and Eurasia Programme at Chatham House. Markus Ziener - Professor of Journalism at the University of Applied Sciences.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine is intensifying with aerial attacks on civilian areas. Ukraine's president made another plea for NATO to impose a no-fly zone, but the Western military alliance says that would escalate the war. So, what are the options? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. With guests: Halyna Yanchenko - Member of the Ukrainian Parliament. Robert Pszczel - Senior Fellow at the Casimir Pulaski Foundation in Poland and a former NATO official. Alexey Muraviev - Associate Professor of National Security and Strategic Studies at Curtin University.

China is one of Russia's closest allies, but Beijing has come under international pressure to condemn the invasion of Ukraine. This goes against its own stated principle of protecting sovereignty and non-interference. So, what are the options for Chinese leaders? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom.  With guests: Andy Mok - Senior Research Fellow at the Centre For China and Globalisation. Theresa Fallon - Director of the Centre for Russia, Europe, Asia Studies. Heino Klinck - Former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for East Asia.

Russia is facing the most severe set of Western sanctions ever imposed on a single country. They target a variety of sectors including oil, banking and aviation. But President Vladimir Putin says his country will emerge stronger and more independent. So, will the sanctions work? Join host Hazem Sika.  With guests: Chris Weafer - Chief Executive Officer at Macro-Advisory. Glenn Diesen - Professor of International Relations at the University of South-Eastern Norway. Tom Burgis - Author of "Kleptopia: How Dirty Money Is Conquering the World".

As the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues, the UN warns the humanitarian crisis could grow and affect millions more. People are crossing to neighbouring Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary and Moldova, but how many Ukrainians can they receive? Will they introduce a new migration policy? Join host Hazem Sika With guests: Matthew Saltmarsh - Head of News and Media for United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Camille Le Coz - Senior Policy Analyst at Migration Policy Institute. Alexander Betts - Professor of Forced Migration and International Affairs at Oxford University.

US President Joe Biden has imposed a ban on Russian oil and gas. And the UK announced it will phase out imports of Russian oil by the end of the year. What are the consequences for the rest of the world? And will it stop Vladimir Putin's war on Ukraine? Join host Adrian Finighan. With guests: Ben Cahill - Senior Fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Cornelia Meyer - Economist and CEO of the consulting firm, Meyer Resources. Leonid Savin - Chief editor of Geopolitica.ru and a political analyst.

Some expected a quick victory – but Russia's invasion of Ukraine is in its second week. So, how far will Vladimir Putin go to reach his objectives? And how far will the West be prepared to go in supporting Ukraine militarily?  Join host Folly Bah Thibault. With guests: Pavel Felgenhauer - Defence and Military Analyst. Samuel Ramani - Associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies (RUSI). Baptiste Robert - Chief Executive Officer of Predicta Lab.

As Russia intensifies its war on Ukraine, leaders from the US, France, Turkey and Israel are stepping up attempts to stop the conflict. Does diplomacy still stand a chance? And what's needed for a breakthrough? Join host Folly Bah Thibault.  With guests:  Andrei Fedorov - Former Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia.  Karel Lannoo - Chief Executive, Centre for European Policy Studies.  Marwan Kabalan - Head of Policy Analysis, Arab Center for Research & Policy Studies.

NATO Foreign Ministers have met in Brussels for a special summit on Ukraine. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says NATO does not want confrontation with Moscow - but it stands ready if conflict comes. What will be the consequences if the alliance gets involved? Join host Dareen Abughaida. With guests: Brooks Tigner - Correspondent for Jane's Defense Weekly. Robert Hunter - Former U.S. Ambassador to NATO Andrey Baklanov-  Chairman of the Board of the Association of Russian Diplomats.

The war in Ukraine has pushed up the price of oil. With Russia under sanctions, prices are expected to hit a record high. So how, and for how long, will the world deal with this energy crisis? Join host Hazem Sika. With guests: Alex Schindler – President of Energy Intelligence and Former Editor of Petroleum Intelligence Weekly. Bjarne Schieldrop – Specialist on European Energy Politics. Ben Cahill – Senior Fellow at the Energy Security and Climate Change Program at the Center for Strategic & International Studies.

Joe Biden talks tough on Vladimir Putin in his first State of the Union address, in which he warns that the Russian leader has no idea what's coming. But beyond threats and sanctions, what can the US do to stop Russia's attacks on Ukraine? Join host Hazem Sika.  With guests:  Aaron Kall - Editor and co-author of 'The State of the Union is...Memorable Addresses of the Last Sixty Years'. Kira Rudik - Ukrainian Member of Parliament. Robert Hunter - Former US Ambassador to NATO.

The war in Ukraine has pushed many countries in the continent to ramp up their defence spending. But is that enough to counter external threats? And can Europe have a military power of its own? Join host Hazem Sika. With guests:  Maria Avdeeva - Head of Research for European Expert Association. Andreas Krieg - Senior Lecturer in the Defence Studies Department at King's College London. Theresa Fallon - Director at the Centre for Russia Europe Asia Studies.

Russians are paying a price for the invasion of Ukraine as economic sanctions start to bite. But Russia is also a major producer of oil, gas and grains for the rest of the world, so could the sanctions hurt our pockets as well? Join host Nick Clark. With guests: Jeevun Sandher - Economist at King’s College London. Pavel Felgenhauer Columnist for Novaya Gazeta and Political Commentator. Dan Wang - Chief economist, Hang Seng Bank.  

Russia's invasion of Ukraine is intensifying with air and ground assaults. The Ukrainian president says his country is being forced to fight alone, and that the response from the West is not good enough. So what are the options and can Ukraine defend itself? Joint host Mohammed Jamjoom. With guests: Halyna Yanchenko - Member of the Ukranian Parliament.  Dmitry Bridzhe - Russian Political Analyst.  Andreas Krieg - Assistant Professor at the Defence Studies Department at King’s College London.

Russia has carried out a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin says he's "demilitarising and denazifying" the country. How far is he willing to go, and can the West stop him? Joint host Sami Zeidan. With guests:  Sergiy Tsivkach - CEO of UkraineInvest at Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. Vladimir Sotnikov - Senior Research Associate, Russian Academy of Sciences. Lawrence Korb - Former U.S Assistant Secretary of Defense.

French troops are being withdrawn from Mali after a nine-year mission. Other European troops are also leaving but Russian mercenaries are staying. Where's the French connection now in West Africa, and what does it mean for the people of Mali? Join host Sami Zeidan.  With guests: Niankoro Yeah Samake - Malian Politician and Former Diplomat. Jacques Reland - Senior Research Fellow at the Global Policy Institute. Kwaku Danso - Research Fellow at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree recognising Donetsk and Luhansk as independent territories in eastern Ukraine. Is this a prelude to a wider armed conflict? And are western sanctions enough? Join host Sami Zeidan. With guests: Pavel Felgenhauer - Defence and Military Analyst. Theresa Fallon - Director at Centre for Russia Europe Asia Studies. Peter Zalmayev - Executive Director at Eurasia Democracy Initiative.

Ethiopia has started generating power from its Grand Renaissance dam, which is seen as a threat by Sudan and Egypt. Why is there a regional dispute over this? And who stands to gain or lose? Join host Sami Zeidan. With guests: Adem Kassie Abebe - Program Officer at International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance. Allam Ahmed - Professor of Knowledge Management and Sustainable Development at University of Sussex. Alex de Waal - Executive Director, World Peace Foundation.

Russia insists it won't invade Ukraine, but the US and its allies say the signs suggest otherwise. Shelling has intensified in eastern Ukraine, while diplomatic talks for Russia to de-escalate appear to be going nowhere. So, is war inevitable? Joint host Mohammed Jamjoom. With guests: William Taylor - Vice President, Russia and Europe at the U.S. Institute of Peace, and a former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine. Hanna Shelest - Director of Security Programmes at the think-tank Ukrainian Prism. Pavel Felgenhauer - independent Defence and Military Analyst.

NATO's secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, says the Russia-Ukraine crisis shows Europe needs stronger defences, so he's proposed sending more troops to Central and Eastern Europe. But will the plan protect the continent, or worsen relations with Moscow? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. With guests: Theresa Fallon - Director, Centre for Russia Europe Asia Studies.  Kadri Liik - Senior Policy Fellow, European Council on Foreign Relations. Alex Titov  - Lecturer in Modern European History, Queen’s University Belfast. 

A European watchdog says the controversial spying tool - known as Pegasus - has been used in a way that harms people's privacy. Governments have been accused of using it to spy on activists and journalists. So, who can stop Pegasus and why now?  Join host Sami Zeidan. With guests: Stéphane Duguin, Chief Executive Officer of the CyberPeace Institute. Fanny Hidvegi, European Policy Director at Access Now. Siddharth Varadarajan, Founding Editor of digital news portal The Wire. 

Global food prices have been rising at an alarming rate. They've worsened inflation and made it difficult for families around the world to make ends meet. So, will the trend continue and what are the implications? Join host Sami Zeidan.  With guests: Jas Kalra, Assistant Professor in Supply Chain Management at Newcastle University Business School. Lawrence Haddad, Executive Director at the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition. Peter Kamalingin, Pan Africa Director at Oxfam International.

India's state elections will be a test for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his governing BJP party. Modi stands accused of being divisive, so, how will these elections shape his political future? And what will they mean for democracy in India?Join host Kim Vinnel.  With guests:  Sudhanshu Mittal, Politician and Senior Leader in Bharatiya Janata Party. Thulasi K. Raj, Lawyer at Supreme Court of India and Kerala High Court. Fatima Khan, Journalist at The Quint.

There's light at the end of the tunnel for the pandemic in Africa according to the World Health Organization. It says the continent will soon be able to manage COVID-19 as an endemic disease, but is the optimism justified? Join host I'm Mohammed Jamjoom. With guests: Shabir Madhi – Director, Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Analytics Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand. Serah Makka-Ugbabe - Executive Director of engagement and mobilization, ONE Campaign. Dr Ifeanyi Nsofor - community health physician.

A ban on headscarves in schools has become the latest flashpoint on minority rights in India. Muslim and Hindu students have faced off in the southern state of Karnataka, after female muslim pupils wearing religious veils were barred from class. Is this simply a religious issue, or a broader debate on identity in India? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. With guests: Fatima Khan - Journalist, The Quint Uday Chandra - Assistant Professor of Government, Georgetown University Anas Tanwir - Advocate at the Supreme Court of India

Ferdinand Marcos Junior has emerged as the frontrunner in the Philippines presidential election, set for May. Sound familiar? He's the son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Senior. Other candidates include a movie star and a boxing icon. So what does the race tell us about the state of Philippine politics today? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. With guests: Danilo Arao - Professor of Journalism, University of the Philippines and convener of the election watchdog Kontra Daya Criselda Yabes – Journalist and Author. Richard Heydarian - Professor of Political Science, Polytechnic University of the Philippines and author of the book ‘The Rise of Duterte’ - A Populist Revolt against Elite Democracy.

Canada's capital is at a standstill. Truck drivers are blocking roads in Ottawa's downtown area, where they and their supporters are protesting against vaccine rules and other Covid-19 measures. So, is it just one battle in a bigger war over how we live with the virus? Join host Hashem Ahelbarra. With guests: Manan Gupta - Editor, "Road Today" magazine. David Anber - Lawyer and individual rights and freedom of speech advocate. Kerry Bowman - Bioethicist and Assistant Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto.

A new report is revealing startling information about the state of our planet's glaciers. Scientists say they contain less water and ice than they thought. So, how will this alter the way we manage the effects of climate change? Join host Hashem Ahelbarra. With guests: Daniel Farinotti - Chair of Glaciology, Swiss Federal institute of Technology Stephan Singer - Senior Climate Science and Global Energy Policy Advisor, Climate Action Network International Mathieu Morlighem - Distinguished Professor of Earth Sciences, Dartmouth College and co-author of the report.

The leader of ISIL has been killed in a U.S. military operation in Syria. President Joe Biden called it a major blow to global terrorism. But what kind of force is ISIL now? And will the killing of Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi have any effect on the war in Syria? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. With guests: Wa'el Alzayat - CEO, Emgage Foundation and former Syria Outreach Coordinator for the U.S. Department of State. Marwan Kabalan - Head of Policy Analysis, Arab Center for Research & Policy Studies. Colin Clarke - Senior Research Fellow, The Soufan Center and author of 'After the Caliphate: The Islamic State & The Future Terrorist Diaspora'.

A decade of European military interventions in Mali is unravelling. France and Germany are considering to withdraw their troops after the country's junta ordered Danish soldiers to leave. The French ambassador to Bamako has also been expelled.  Join host Nick Clark. With guests:  Fabrice Pothier - Chief Strategy Officer at Rasmussen Global. Noufal Abboud - Executive Director of the Nordic Center for Conflict Transformation. Chukwuemeka Eze - Executive Director of the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding.

The pandemic has created not just a global health crisis, but an environmental one as well. The World Health Organization says tonnes of medical waste have ended up in landfills, and polluted our waterways. So, what can we do to prevent an ecological disaster? Join host Elizabeth Puranam. With guest: Vimlendu Jha - Environmentalist and Founder of SWECHHA. Ziad Abichaker - Founder of Cedar Environmental. Jop De Vrieze - Science Medical journalist.

It's the first anniversary of the military coup in Myanmar. Protesters demanding a return to civilian rule have paid a heavy price for their dissent, with many killed and jailed. International pressure against rights abuses don't seem to be working as the military junta is extending its grip on power for another six months. So, does democracy still have a chance in Myanmar? Join host Elizabeth Puranam. With guests: Debbie Stothard - Founder and Coordinator of ALTSEAN-Burma. Ronan Lee - Fellow at Loughborough University London. Yasmin Ullah - Rohingya Human Rights Activist.

Facing the music, Spotify has announced new rules to deal with Covid-19 misinformation. Artists have been pulling their songs because of the streaming service's star podcaster, who's a vaccine sceptic. How do companies tread the line between harmful lies and healthy debate? Join host Dareen Abughaida.  With guests: Jeffrey Lazarus - Head of the Health Systems Research Group, Barcelona Institute for Global Health. Catalina Goanta - Associate Professor of Law and Technology, Utrecht University. Courtney Radsch - Fellow at the UCLA Institute for Technology, Law & Policy.

Critical Race Theory is an academic concept that's been around in the United States for decades. Now, more than ever, conservatives are leading the charge against its assertion that racism is embedded in society. The battle is increasingly being waged in school libraries and classrooms -- but is it an attempt to fan a political firestorm in an election year? Join host Elizabeth Puranam. With guests: Treeva Lindsey - Associate Professor, Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Ohio State University.  Maurice Jackson - Associate Professor, African American Studies, Georgetown University. Kaaryn Walker - Republican Party Strategist & Founder, Black Conservatives for Truth.

EU leaders are worried that Russia will turn off the taps on much-needed gas supplies if tensions with Ukraine get worse. The United States is helping its allies look for different suppliers, but will the alternatives be enough to fuel Europe's energy needs and reduce its dependent on Russian gas? Join host Imran Khan. With guests:  Pavel Felgenhauer - Defence and Military Analyst. Cornelia Meyer - CEO of Meyer Resource and a specialist in oil and gas. Ulrich Brueckner - Professor of Political Science at Stanford University in Berlin.  

Most social media firms promise to allow users to freely express themselves on their platforms. But Twitter says that's becoming increasingly difficult as it reported a number of government requests to remove content deemed illegal or offensive. So, can some restrictions be justified to maintain a safe and open internet? Join host Imran Khan. With guests: Quinn McKew - Executive Director at ARTICLE 19. Vigjilenca Abazi - Assistant Professor of European Law, Maastricht University. Melody Patry - Advocacy Director at Access Now.

The capital of the United Arab Emirates is 1,200 kilometres from the battlefields of Yemen's civil war. Despite this territorial separation, it's now being targeted by the Houthis. The UAE intercepted two missiles over Abu Dhabi on Monday, a week after Houthi drones killed at least three people near the airport. So, could the Gulf region be dragged into a new phase of the war in Yemen? Join host Imran Khan. With guests: Abdullah Baabood - Academic and researcher focusing on the Gulf region. Afrah Nasser - Yemen Researcher at Human Rights Watch. Nabeel Khoury - Former U.S. diplomat & former deputy chief of mission Yemen.

Soldiers in Burkina Faso have detained the president in the latest military coup attempt. They're angry at the government's failure to stop attacks by armed groups such as ISIL and Al Qaeda, which have killed thousands and displaced millions. So, what's required to restore stability? Join host Imran Khan. With guests: Emmanuel Kwesi Aning - Director of Research at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Center. Jesper Bjarnesen - Senior Researcher at the Nordic Africa Institute. Adama Gaye - journalist, author and Former Director of Information at ECOWAS.

After two years of lockdowns, struggling economies, crippled health services and hundreds of thousands of deaths, several European countries are hoping to put the pandemic in the past. Soon, they say, it'll be time to treat Covid-19 like any number of other illnesses we already live with. But is that possible? And is now the right time? Join host Hashem Ahelbarra. With guests: Tikki Pangestu - Visiting Professor, Yoo Loo Lin School of Medicine at the National University of Singapore and a former WHO Director specialising in pandemic preparedness and global health governance.Dr. Mohga Kamal-Yanni - Senior Health Policy Adviser, People's Vaccine Alliance.Chris Smith - Editor and Host, 'The Naked Scientists' podcast.

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson has defied calls to quit for violating lockdown rules, saying he won't step down over the so-called 'partygate' scandal. Now he faces the prospect of a no-confidence vote. So, what are the implications of unseating a prime minister in the UK?  Join host Dareen Abughaida.  With guests:  John Peet - Brexit and Political Editor at The Economist. Gillian Mackay - Member of the Scottish Parliament and member of Scottish Green Party. Mujtaba Rahman - Managing Director for Europe at Eurasia Group.

Nearly six million Palestinian refugees in the Middle East rely on The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) for basic services such as food aid, healthcare and education. The agency is in desperate need of more funding, but what happens if it doesn't come through?  Join host I'm Rob Matheson. Tamara Alrifai - UNRWA Spokesperson.  Marwan Kabalan - Head of Policy Analysis, Arab Center for Research & Policy Studies.  Anne Irfan - Lecturer in Interdisciplinary Race, Gender and Postcolonial Studies, University College London.

The United Arab Emirates has retaliated against the most significant attack by Yemen's Houthi rebels in years. At least three people have died when drones struck oil facilities near Abu Dhabi airport. So, why did the Houthis attack? Join host Rob Matheson. With guests: Hussain Al Bukhaiti - Journalist and Houthi Supporter. Sabah Al-Khozai - Academic and Political Analyst. Elisabeth Kendall - Senior Research Fellow at Pembroke College, University of Oxford.

In China, a handful of infections is enough to trigger lockdowns, mandatory tests and travel restrictions for millions of people. So, why is the government so determined to pursue a 'zero-covid' strategy? And how will this affect the economy and lives of one and a half billion Chinese? Join host Rob Matheson. With guests: Dan Wang - Chief economist, Hang Seng Bank China. Jeffrey Lazarus - Head of the Health Systems Research Group at Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal). Professor Steve Tsang - Director of the China Institute, SOAS University of London.

In 2016 dozens of US diplomats and their family members in Cuba fell sick with a mystery illness. Since then hundreds of cases of 'Havana Syndrome' have been reported amongst US Embassy personnel around the world. Now, new cases have been reported in the American missions in Paris and Geneva. But who, or what, could be to blame? Join host Peter Dobbie. With guests: Robert Bartholomew - Honorary Senior Lecturer, Department of Psychological Medicine at the University of Auckland and co-author of 'Havana Syndrome: Mass Psycogenic Illness and the Real Story Behind the Embassy Mystery and Hysteria'. Natasha Lindstaedt - Deputy Dean of Social Sciences at the University of Essex. Glenn Carle - former CIA and Deputy National Intelligence Officer.

Russia and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization - or NATO - are holding high-stakes meetings to diffuse tensions between Moscow and Ukraine. There is a risk of armed conflict in Europe if they fail to reach an understanding. So, does diplomacy still have a chance? Join host Peter Dobbie. With guests: Theresa Fallon - Director of Centre for Russia Europe Asia Studies. Pavel Felgenhauer - Defence and Military Analyst. Glenn Diesen - Professor of International Relations at the University of South-Eastern Norway.

Over the past 20 years, the idea of smart guns has been developed and contested around the world without reliable results - until now. Promoters in the United States hope to avoid tragedies with what they say is gun control, which is at odds with the wishes of powerful pro-gun lobbies. So, what's the debate about? Join host Peter Dobbie. With guests: Richard Feldman - Former Regional Political Director, National Rifle Association. Pastor Mike McBride - Co-founder of National Black Brown Gun Violence Prevention Consortium. Chuck Nesby - Firearms instructor and Former Navy Officer.

Nicaragua's president, Daniel Ortega, has begun a fourth straight term after an election that most countries called a sham. His critics describe him as a dictator who crushes dissent, while his supporters say he's standing up to the West. So, what's now in store for one of Central America's poorest nations? Joint host Mohammed Jamjoom. With guests: Danny Shaw - Professor of Latin American and Caribbean Studies at City University of New York. Jairo Lugo-Ocando - Director of Executive Education and Graduate Studies, Northwestern University in Qatar. Michael Shifter - President of Inter-American Dialogue.

Armed groups have terrorised people in central and northwestern Nigeria for years, burning down villages and kidnapping families for ransom. Attacks from the so-called 'bandits' are on the rise, despite government efforts. So, can anything be done to stop the cycle of violence? Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. With guests: Mike Ejiofor - Former Director of Nigeria's State Security Service. Bulama Bukarti - Analyst at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change. Aliyu Musa - Independent researcher on conflict and Nigerian politics. 

Just as the world begins to emerge from the Coronavirus pandemic, economists are warning of a new crisis: food price rises. The UN food agency says prices jumped 28 percent during the year, reaching their highest level since 2011. So, what will it take to bring prices down? Join host Kim Vinnell. With guests: Jane Battersby - Senior Lecturer, Department of Environmental and Geographical Science at University of Cape Town. Abdolreza Abbassian - Senior Economist, United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. Dipa Sinha - Professor of Economics, Ambedkar University Delhi.

A Russian-led alliance is sending peacekeepers to Kazakhstan to quell mass demonstrations across the country, prompted by a sharp increase in fuel prices. The government has resigned, a two-week state of emergency has been imposed and there's an internet blackout. So, what more is behind the unrest? Join host Kim Vinnell. With guests: Asya Tulesova – Political Activist. Bruce Pannier – Veteran journalist and Correspondent at Radio Free Europe. Viktor Olevich – Lead Expert at Center for Actual Politics.

South Koreans are marking 30 years since they began weekly protests against Japan's wartime sex slavery system. But after so many decades, will they finally get the sincere apology and compensation they've been protesting for? And how will this impact ties between Tokyo and Seoul? Join host Kim Vinnell. With guest: Seijiro Takeshita – Professor of Management at University of Shizuoka Craig Mark – Professor of International Studies, Kyoritsu Women's University Se-Woong Koo – Publisher of Korea Exposé, an independent media outlet

Sudan's Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok has resigned less than two months after he was reinstated under a deal with the military. Now the country once again finds itself in political turmoil, unable to transition from dictatorship to democracy. So, what's next?  Join host Kim Vinnell. With guests: Kholood Khair - Political Commentator and Managing Partner at Insight Strategy Partners. Alex de Waal - Executive Director at World Peace Foundation at Tufts University. Ahmed El-Gaili - Lawyer and legal commentator.

Mali's election is supposed to be held in February but has now been delayed by five years. Military leaders have blamed insecurity in the north for postponing the return to civilian rule, while the regional bloc ECOWAS is threatening to impose more sanctions. So, can democracy return to Mali? Join host Dareen Abughaida.  With guests: Ornella Moderan - Head of Sahel Programme at Institute for Security Studies. Emmanuel Kwesi Aning - Director of Research at Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Center. Signe Cold-Ravnkilde - Senior Researcher at Danish Institute for International Studies.