The Israeli military has already killed Al Jazeera journalists in its war on Gaza. Now, it’s accusing others of being 'terrorists'. The network says the claims are baseless and an attempt to silence the few remaining reporters in Gaza. Why is Israel targeting Al Jazeera?And what are the risks for journalists inside Gaza? Muhammad Shehada, Chief of Programs and Communications at the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor Jodie Ginsberg, CEO of the Committee to Protect Journalists Gideon Levy,  Columnist at Haaretz newspaper and author of 'The Punishment of Gaza' Host: Laura Kyle  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook At Al Jazeera Podcasts, we want to hear from you, our listeners. So, please head to https://www.aljazeera.com/survey and tell us your thoughts about this show and other Al Jazeera podcasts. It only takes a few minutes!  

Israel's relentless bombardment of Gaza is among the most destructive in history. An Al Jazeera investigation reveals the extent of US and UK support for Israel's assault. What impact has this assistance had on Israel's war ambitions? And is it legal? In this episode: Shahd Hammouri, Lecturer, International Law, University of Kent. Michael Spagat, Professor, Economics, Royal Holloway, University of London. Elijah Magnier, Military and Political Analyst.  Host: Laura Kyle  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook At Al Jazeera Podcasts, we want to hear from you, our listeners. So, please head to https://www.aljazeera.com/survey and tell us your thoughts about this show and other Al Jazeera podcasts. It only takes a few minutes!

The world is witnessing unimaginable scenes of horror in Gaza almost every day for more than a year. But Israel's near-total ban on media coverage has limited reporting on the war. Now, American politicians are finally urging the White House to pressure Israel to allow foreign journalists unrestricted access to Gaza. Will President Joe Biden listen? In this episode: Laura Albast, Fellow, Institute for Palestine Studies. Tim Dawson, Deputy Secretary General, International Federation of Journalists. Ashish Prashar, Former adviser to US President Joe Biden. Host: Hashem Ahelbarra  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook At Al Jazeera Podcasts, we want to hear from you, our listeners. So, please head to https://www.aljazeera.com/survey and tell us your thoughts about this show and other Al Jazeera podcasts. It only takes a few minutes!

Russia is set to host its biggest foreign policy event ever. Leaders representing more than 40 percent of the world's population are assembling in the south-western city of Kazan. The 16th BRICS summit will have five new members, doubling the group's strength to 10. The event gives President Vladimir Putin an opportunity to signal to the West that he has not been isolated because of the war in Ukraine. It's also an occasion for other member states to amplify their voices and policies. So, what's behind the rapid expansion of this bloc? And can it challenge the existing western-dominated global order? In this episode: Andrei Fedorov, Former Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia. Hassan Ahmadian, Professor, Middle East Studies, University of Tehran. Mark Seddon, Lead, Centre for UN Studies, University of Buckingham. Host: Hashem Ahelbarra  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook At Al Jazeera Podcasts, we want to hear from you, our listeners. So, please head to https://www.aljazeera.com/survey and tell us your thoughts about this show and other Al Jazeera podcasts. It only takes a few minutes!

Israeli strikes on Lebanon have killed more than 2,400 people since October 7, most of them in the past month. They have mostly targeted Hezbollah's leadership and fighters, but in recent days, some government buildings have come under attack. Christian towns further north, where fighters had reportedly taken shelter, have also been hit. Analysts say these attacks are intended to disrupt Lebanon's fragile power-sharing system, which is drawn along religious lines. Is Israel trying to isolate Shia Hezbollah supporters by inflaming sectarian tension? In this episode: Najat Aoun Saliba, Independent Member, Lebanon's Parliament. Georges Haddad, Lebanese Political and Security Analyst. Drew Mikhael, Non-resident Fellow, Tahir Institute for Middle East Policy. Host: Hashem Ahelbarra  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook At Al Jazeera Podcasts, we want to hear from you, our listeners. So, please head to https://www.aljazeera.com/survey and tell us your thoughts about this show and other Al Jazeera podcasts. It only takes a few minutes!

US President Joe Biden was in Berlin on Friday on a whirlwind trip to discuss with European allies what Washington calls, 'an opportunity' to turn the page on the war on Gaza. They expressed hope of a ceasefire and the release of Israeli captives after the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar on Wednesday. But Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the 'war is not over'. And a senior Hamas leader has said the captives will not be released until Israel ends its assault of Gaza. So, are world leaders right in their assessment of the situation of a post-Sinwar Gaza? And can they really negotiate peace? In this episode: Said Arikat, Washington Bureau Chief, Al Quds Newspaper. Brian Finucane, Senior Adviser, US Programme, International Crisis Group. Benoit Muracciole, President, Action Sécurité Ethique Républicaines.  Host: James Bays  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook At Al Jazeera Podcasts, we want to hear from you, our listeners. So, please head to https://www.aljazeera.com/survey and tell us your thoughts about this show and other Al Jazeera podcasts. It only takes a few minutes!

Yahya Sinwar was the face of the Palestinian armed struggle against Israel's decades-long occupation. The Israeli military says he was killed during a fire-fight with Israeli forces in southern Gaza. Israel's Prime Minister praised his killing and called it the beginning of the end of the war on Gaza. But how will this affect the ceasefire efforts and the fate of the Israeli captives? And what does it mean for the Palestinian resistance? In this episode: Azzam Tamimi, Author, 'Hamas: Unwritten Chapters'. Gilbert Achcar, Professor, Development Studies & International Relations, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. Tamer Qarmout, Associate Professor of Public Policy, Doha Institute for Graduate Studies. Host: James Bays  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook At Al Jazeera Podcasts, we want to hear from you, our listeners. So, please head to https://www.aljazeera.com/survey and tell us your thoughts about this show and other Al Jazeera podcasts. It only takes a few minutes!

Intolerable and catastrophic.That’s how the UN's top humanitarian official describes the siege of northern Gaza. Israel is accused of carrying out a plan to end Palestinian resistance by starving people to force them out of the area. Can the operation succeed? In this episode: Meron Rapoport, Veteran Israeli investigative journalist and editor, Local Call. Bushra Khalidi, Humanitarian Policy Lead, Oxfam. Luigi Daniele, Senior Lecturer, Laws of Armed Conflict, Nottingham Trent University. Host: James Bays  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook At Al Jazeera Podcasts, we want to hear from you, our listeners. So, please head to https://www.aljazeera.com/survey and tell us your thoughts about this show and other Al Jazeera podcasts. It only takes a few minutes!

Many African, Latin American and Asian nations are forcing their former occupiers to return historical objects and artworks. It's given rise to a global debate: Can developing nations, short of funds, preserve the centuries-old artefacts they are reclaiming? And what's the future of prestigious Western museums? In this episode: Karen Byera Ijumba, Senior Researcher, Open Restitution Africa. Jos van Beurden, Founder, Restitution Matters. Barnaby Phillips, Author, 'Loot, Britain and the Benin Bronzes'. Host: James Bays  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook At Al Jazeera Podcasts, we want to hear from you, our listeners. So, please head to https://www.aljazeera.com/survey and tell us your thoughts about this show and other Al Jazeera podcasts. It only takes a few minutes!

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces international condemnation for his wars on Gaza and Lebanon. Yet, opinion polls suggest his domestic popularity is rising from record lows. What does the future hold for Netanyahu and Israel? In this episode: Alon Pinkas, Former Israeli Ambassador.  Nomi Bar-Yaacov, International Negotiator.  Yossi Mekelberg, Associate Fellow, Middle East Programme, Chatham House. Host: James Bays  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook At Al Jazeera Podcasts, we want to hear from you, our listeners. So, please head to https://www.aljazeera.com/survey and tell us your thoughts about this show and other Al Jazeera podcasts. It only takes a few minutes!

Just three weeks to go before the US presidential election. The contest between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris is on a knife-edge with a sharp focus on seven key marginal states. So, how will the candidates fight the final stretch of the campaign? In this episode: John Zogby, Author, 'Beyond the Horse Race: How to Read Polls and Why We Should'.  Steven Erlanger, Chief Diplomatic Correspondent in Europe, The New York Times. Paul Musgrave, Associate Professor, Government, Georgetown University Qatar. Host: Tom McRae Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook At Al Jazeera Podcasts, we want to hear from you, our listeners. So, please head to https://www.aljazeera.com/survey and tell us your thoughts about this show and other Al Jazeera podcasts. It only takes a few minutes!

The Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to a Japanese grassroots movement working to eliminate nuclear weapons. It's made up of survivors of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings. The group's leader says he felt people helping Palestinians in Gaza deserved to win instead. So, what's behind the Nobel Committee's decision? In this episode: Asmund Aukrust, Member of Parliament, Norway's Labour Party.  Lex Takkenberg, Senior Advisor, Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development.   Henrik Urdal, Director, Peace Research Institute Oslo. Host: Tom McRae Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook At Al Jazeera Podcasts, we want to hear from you, our listeners. So, please head to https://www.aljazeera.com/survey and tell us your thoughts about this show and other Al Jazeera podcasts. It only takes a few minutes!

Condemnation from across the world after Israel attacked United Nations peacekeepers in Lebanon twice. The multi-nation UNIFIL force has been in southern Lebanon since 1978. So why is Israel targeting the mission? And can it remain in place?   In this episode: Ali Riza, Political and Security Affairs Analyst. Rami Khouri, Distinguished Public Policy Fellow, American University of Beirut. Raymond Murphy, Professor, Irish Centre for Human Rights, University of Galway. Host: Folly Bah Thibault Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook At Al Jazeera Podcasts, we want to hear from you, our listeners. So, please head to https://www.aljazeera.com/survey and tell us your thoughts about this show and other Al Jazeera podcasts. It only takes a few minutes!

Israel is weighing up its response to Iran's ballistic missile attack. The defence minister says it will be painful, precise and surprising. Does that mean Israel will hit Iran's nuclear facilities? And what would the fallout be across the region? In this episode: Mohammad Marandi, Professor at the University of Tehran. Gideon Levy, columnist at Haaretz newspaper and author of the book, 'The Punishment of Gaza'. Randa Slim, Director of the Conflict Resolution and Track 2 Dialogues Program at the Middle East Institute in Washington DC. Host: Hashem Ahelbarra Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook At Al Jazeera Podcasts, we want to hear from you, our listeners. So, please head to https://www.aljazeera.com/survey and tell us your thoughts about this show and other Al Jazeera podcasts. It only takes a few minutes!

It's been going on for a year and half now and getting worse by the day. The conflict in Sudan has killed thousands of people and led to one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. Diplomacy has so far failed. So, what lies ahead for Sudan and its people? In this episode: Sebastien Ponsford, Humanitarian Affairs Manager for Doctors without Borders. Abdelkhalig Shaib, Sudanese lawyer who advises on Sudan's constitution and politics. Hala Alkarib, Regional Director of the Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa Host: Tom McRae Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook At Al Jazeera Podcasts, we want to hear from you, our listeners. So, please head to https://www.aljazeera.com/survey and tell us your thoughts about this show and other Al Jazeera podcasts. It only takes a few minutes!

One year on and the war in Gaza shows no sign of abating. Instead, conflict is spreading across the region and diplomacy has all but failed. So, what's the likely result of the ongoing tension? Could the Middle East be heading for a new era? In this episode: Bassam Haddad, Director, Middle East and Islamic Studies Program, George Mason University. Raja Khalidi, Director General, Palestine Economic Policy Research Institute. Hugh Lovatt, Senior Policy Fellow, European Council on Foreign Relations. Host: Cyril Vanier Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook At Al Jazeera Podcasts, we want to hear from you, our listeners. So, please head to https://www.aljazeera.com/survey and tell us your thoughts about this show and other Al Jazeera podcasts. It only takes a few minutes!

Does anti-Zionism necessarily lead to anti-Semitism? Israel's war on Gaza has often led to a conflation of the two terms. But how misleading could this be? And does it mean anyone criticising Israel's actions in Gaza is anti-Semitic? In this episode: Giovanni Fassina, Executive Director, European Legal Support Center. Arielle Angel, Editor-in-Chief, Jewish Currents.  Omer Bartov, Samuel Pisar Professor, Holocaust and Genocide Studies, Brown University. Host: Nick Clark Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook At Al Jazeera Podcasts, we want to hear from you, our listeners. So, please head to https://www.aljazeera.com/survey and tell us your thoughts about this show and other Al Jazeera podcasts. It only takes a few minutes!

Is Israel still attractive for Jewish people around the world? Hundreds of thousands have left since it launched its war on Gaza last year. With the violence and hostility worsening, is Israel a place where Jewish people can find safety and security? Or has the Zionist model failed? In this episode: Avshalom Elitzur, Israeli Quantum Mechanics Physicist and Philosopher. Eva Borgwardt, National Spokesperson, IfNotNow. Daniel Levy, President, U.S. Middle East Project.  Host: Sami Zeidan  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook At Al Jazeera Podcasts, we want to hear from you, our listeners. So, please head to https://www.aljazeera.com/survey and tell us your thoughts about this show and other Al Jazeera podcasts. It only takes a few minutes!

France's president Emmanuel Macron says arms deliveries to Israel for use in Gaza should stop. His comments have been angrily rejected by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. So how significant is Macron's statement? And why such a furious reaction from Israel? In this episode: Benoit Muracciole, President, Action Sécurité Ethique Républicaines. Ziad Issa, Head, Humanitarian Policy, Action Aid UK. Bertrand Heilbronn, Honorary President, France-Palestine Solidarity Association. Host: Hashem Ahelbarra Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook At Al Jazeera Podcasts, we want to hear from you, our listeners. So, please head to https://www.aljazeera.com/survey and tell us your thoughts about this show and other Al Jazeera podcasts. It only takes a few minutes!

Lebanon is again under attack as Israel wages war against its dominant political and military force, Hezbollah. But the conflict is also bringing pressure to change Lebanon's fragmented political system. So who's looking for that change - and what might it mean? In this episode: Hala Jaber, Journalist.  Nadim Houry, Executive Director, Arab Reform Initiative. David Wood, Senior Analyst, International Crisis Group in Beirut. Host: Hashem Ahelbarra Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook At Al Jazeera Podcasts, we want to hear from you, our listeners. So, please head to https://www.aljazeera.com/survey and tell us your thoughts about this show and other Al Jazeera podcasts. It only takes a few minutes!

After firing nearly 200 ballistic missiles at Israel, Iran warns the U.S. of further action unless Israel's aggression is curbed. The world waits to see what Israel will do next, as it continues bombing Gaza and Lebanon. Can peace prevail - or is a wider war more likely? In this episode: Mohammad Marandi, Professor of American Studies at the University of Tehran. Gideon Levy, Columnist at Haaretz newspaper and author of the book, 'The Punishment of Gaza'. Thomas Pickering, Former U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Israel, Jordan and Russia Host: Hashem Ahelbarra Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook At Al Jazeera Podcasts, we want to hear from you, our listeners. So, please head to https://www.aljazeera.com/survey and tell us your thoughts about this show and other Al Jazeera podcasts. It only takes a few minutes!

Is Hezbollah still able to fight Israel after its leadership has been weakened? The group says fighters have already inflicted serious damage on Israeli troops in southern Lebanon. How different are these confrontations from previous conflicts? In this episode: Sami Atallah, Founding director of The Policy Initiative. Yezid Sayigh, Senior Fellow at the Malcolm H Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center Joseph Daher, Visiting Professor at Lausanne University  Host: Hashem Ahelbarra Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Benjamin Netanyahu says Iran 'will pay' for its missile attack, while Tehran threatens a crushing response if Israel hits back. Bombs, bullets and missiles in Gaza, Lebanon and Israel. Is the Middle East inching closer to a full-blown war? In this episode: Dan Perry, Author, 'Israel and the Quest for Permanence'. Roxane Farmanfarmaian, Professor, Modern Middle East Politics, University of Cambridge. Julien Barnes-Dacey, Director, Middle East and North Africa Programme, European Council for Foreign Relations. Host: Nick Clark Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Israel has killed much of Hezbollah's leadership. Now it says it's carrying out a ground operation inside Lebanon. The military says the offensive will be limited and localised. But air raids in the past week have killed hundreds of civilians. How can Israel root out Hezbollah? In this episode: Michael Wahid Hanna, US Program Director, International Crisis Group. Ilan Baruch, Chairperson, Policy Working Group. Andreas Krieg, Associate Professor, School of Security Studies, King’s College London. Host: Mohammed Jamjoom Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Already in a dire situation, Lebanon is facing a deepening humanitarian crisis. Israeli attacks have forced hundreds of thousands of people from their homes. So, who will come to the rescue of those caught in the middle of the conflict? In this episode: Dr Ghassan Abu Sittah, Professor, Conflict Medicine, American University of Beirut. Maureen Philippon, Lebanon Country Director, Norwegian Refugee Council. Arwa Damon, Founder, International Network for Aid, Relief and Assistance. Host: James Bays Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

The Middle East is bracing for further tension after the killing of Hezbollah's leader. Iran says Hassan Nasrallah's assassination will not go unavenged. Does that mean it will go into direct war with Israel? And can such a regional war be averted? In this episode: Mehran Kamrava, Head, Iranian Studies, Arab Center for Policy Studies and Research. Robert Geist Pinfold, Lecturer, Durham University.  Muhannad Ayyash, Professor, Mount Royal University. Host: James Bays Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Is the killing of Hassan Nasrallah a game changer? It's the culmination of a massive series of Israeli attacks that targeted Hezbollah's top political and military leadership. How will the group respond? And could events in the Middle East spin out of control? In this episode: Nicholas Noe, Editor-in-Chief, Mideastwire.com. Stephen Zunes, Founding Chair, Middle Eastern Studies, University of San Francisco. Gideon Levy, Columnist, Haaretz. Host: Hashem Ahelbarra Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

There were scenes of jubilation in newly captured areas of Khartoum. Sudan's army made gains against the paramilitary rapid support forces this week. But there's been more fighting in the capital.So, what will bring an end to Sudan's conflict? And what's the regional fallout? In this episode: Kholood Khair, Founding Director at Confluence Advisory, a Sudanese think-tank. Amgad Fareid Eltayeb,  Executive Director of the Sudanese think-tank Fikra for Studies and Development. Dr. Mukesh Kapila,  Former United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan. Host: Hashem Ahelbarra Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Gaza's health ministry is refusing to receive 88 unidentified bodies, sent by Israel. Authorities want to know who they are-- and how they died. So, is this another violation under international law?  In this episode: Muhammad Shehada, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor. Ahmed Al Naouq, Co-founder We Are Not Numbers. Mustafa Barghouti, Secretary General, Palestinian National Initiative. Host: Hashem Ahelbarra Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

World leaders meet at the United Nations as tensions in the Middle East are running high.There's consensus on the need to restore calm. But with no sign of the conflict abating, who is able to enforce a peaceful settlement? And can diplomacy really succeed? In this episode: Bassam Haddad, Founding Director, Middle East and Islamic Studies Program, George Mason University. Habib Battah, Founder and Editor-in-chief, Beirut Report.  Brian Finucane, Senior Adviser, U.S. program, International Crisis Group. Host: James Bays  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Are Israel and Hezbollah on the verge of all-out war? The Israeli military assault in Lebanon is the most intense in decades. Benjamin Netanyahu wants to change the balance of power in the north. But can Israel achieve this by bombarding its neighbour? In this episode: Ayman Mhanna, Executive Director, Samir Kassir Foundation.  Karim Makdisi, Associate Professor, American University of Beirut.  Elijah Magnier, Military and Political Analyst.  Host: James Bays  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

It boasts about being the only democracy in the Middle East. Yet, Israel has relentlessly cracked down on press freedom, with Al Jazeera Network being a main target. Even Israeli media outlets are complaining about constant censorship. So what is Israel trying to hide? In this episode: Fatima Abdulkarim, Veteran Palestinian Journalist, Christian Science Monitor. Oren Ziv, Reporter, Local Call and +972 Magazine. Fiona O'Brien, UK Director, Reporters without Borders.  Host: James Bays  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Almost a year into its war on Gaza, Israel is fighting on multiple fronts. So far, it doesn't seem to have achieved any of its stated war goals. Does the military have a clear plan? Or is it solely intent on degrading its enemies' capabilities? In this episode: Daniel Levy, President, U.S./ Middle East Project.  Meron Rapoport,  Award-winning Israeli Investigative Journalist. Ilan Pappe, Israeli Historian.  Host: James Bays  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

No refuge for enemies in Hezbollah strongholds. That's Israel's warning after bombing a residential suburb of Beirut. Dozens of people have been killed, including top commanders of the group. So what does this mean for Hezbollah and the region?  In this episode: Nicholas Noe, Editor-in-chief, Mideastwire.com.  Sami Nader, Director, Levant Institute for Strategic Affairs. Samuel Ramani, Associate Fellow, Royal United Services Institute. Host: James Bays  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Donald Trump says he'll deport millions of undocumented immigrants if he's elected U.S. president in November. Kamala Harris argues reforms and tightened security are the solution. So, how will immigration shape the upcoming elections? In this episode: Arshad Hasan, Democratic Political Strategist and founder of Convey Communications. Alexandra Miller, Interim CEO at Vecina - a nonprofit corporation that seeks to empower immigrant justice advocates. Patrick Mara, Chairman of the Washington Republican Party.   Host: Adrian Finighan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Hezbollah is weighing its options after two days of remote attacks targeted its members and civilians. Israel has not commented on the explosions - but says it's opening a new phase in its war on Gaza. But can it fight on two fronts? And is there any hope of a diplomatic solution? In this episode: Najat Aoun Saliba, Lebanese Member of Parliament with the non-sectarian party Taqqadum or Progress. Robert Geist Pinfold, Lecturer on Peace and Security at Durham University. Jamal Ghosn, Political commentator and former editor of Al Akhbar newspaper. Host: Elizabeth Puranam  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

A simultaneous, mass attack targets Hezbollah members in Lebanon. Devices used for communication explode injuring thousands and killing several people. Hezbollah is blaming Israel. So, is there a risk of a bigger conflict?  In this episode: Ayman Mhanna, Executive Director, Samir Kassir Foundation. Firas Maksad, Senior Director, Middle East Institute. Colin Clarke, Director, Research, Soufan Group. Host: Elizabeth Puranam  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Hamas is able to keep fighting the Israeli army despite its losses, so say senior leaders  after Israel announced the group no longer existed as a military force in Gaza. Hamas says it's recruiting a new generation. So, can Israel destroy Hamas? In this episode: Azzam Tamimi, Political Activist.  Mouin Rabbani, Non-resident Fellow, Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies. Paola Caridi, Veteran Middle East Journalist. Host: Imran Khan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Europe's migration dilemma. The deaths of people risking the dangerous Channel crossing from France to the UK puts more pressure on governments. Tough border controls are in place. So, how should countries tackle undocumented migration? In this episode: Nando Sigona, Professor, International Migration and Forced Displacement, University of Birmingham. Ravishaan Rahel Muthiah, Communications Director, Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants. Yasha Maccanico, Co-president, Migreurop. Host: James Bays  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Why does Israel get away with killing foreign activists in Palestine? American-Turkish dual citizen Aysenur Ezgi Eygi is the latest example. Investigations into these killings rarely lead to prosecutions. So, who will hold Israel to account? In this episode: Miko Peled, Founder and President, Palestine House of Freedom. Daniel Santiago, Peace Activist.  Amir Oren, Senior Correspondent, Haaretz.  Host: James Bays  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

No green light for Ukraine to use long-range Western-made missiles in Russian territory. Vladimir Putin says such a move would mean all-out war with NATO members. But how serious is this warning? And what difference could those weapons make on the battlefield? In this episode: Pavel Felgenhauer, Independent Russian Defence Analyst. Marina Miron, Post-Doctoral Researcher, War Studies Department, King's College London. Lawrence Korb, Former Assistant Secretary of Defense. Host: James Bays  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Donald Trump says no to another debate with Kamala Harris in the US presidential election. He claims he won their head-to-head on Tuesday. But fundraisers tell a different story - with a deluge of donations for Harris the next day. So what's next for both campaigns? In this episode: John Malcolm, Vice President of the Institute for Constitutional Government at the Heritage Foundation. Andrew Rudalevige, Thomas Brackett Reed Professor of Government at Bowdoin College. Joi Chaney, political strategist and domestic legal policy expert Host: James Bays  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

An Israeli air strike on a school in Gaza kills six people working for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. UNRWA has been repeatedly attacked by Israel during its war. So why is the agency so important to Palestinians - and why does Israel want to destroy it?In this episode: Riham Jafari, Communication and Advocacy Coordinator at ActionAid Palestine and former staff member of UNRWA.  Chris Gunness,  former spokesman for UNRWA. Tamara Al-Rifai, current Spokesperson for UNRWA Host: James Bays  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Frequent clashes in a fiery US presidential election debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. Both camps say they won after 90 minutes of sharp exchanges. So what impact will it have on undecided voters and on November's election? In this episode: Eric Ham, US Political Analyst.  Jennifer Victor, Associate Professor, Political Science, George Mason University’s Schar School. Amy Koch, Republican Strategist. Host: Hashem Ahelbarra Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Israel has targeted education in its war on Gaza. It's destroying schools and universities and has killed thousands of students and teachers. Yet, learning and teaching still goes on in tents and makeshift classrooms. How and why does Gaza's educational spirit remain so strong?   In this episode: Omar Salah, English Teacher, University College of Applied Sciences in Gaza.  Loay Elbasyouni, Power Electronics Lead Engineer. Ahmed Alnaouq, Co-Founder, We Are Not Numbers.  Host: Hashem Ahelbarra Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Sudan says NO to the deployment of an impartial force in the country. United Nations experts say serious human rights violations have been committed by both sides in the ongoing war. So who will protect the millions of civilians trapped in the conflict? In this episode: Alaaeldin Nugud, Sudanese Activist. Abdelkhalig Shaib, Sudanese International Attorney.  Dallia Abdelmoniem, Sudanese Political Commentator and Journalist. Host: Hashem Ahelbarra Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

The largest anti-government protest yet in Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is refusing to accept the Gaza ceasefire deal, which includes the release of captives. What could force his hand? Or force him out of office? In this episode: Dan Perry, Author, 'Ask Questions Later', Substack. Ilan Baruch, Chairman, Policy Working Group.  Yossi Mekelberg, Associate Fellow, Chatham House.  Host: James Bays Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

He's known as Monsieur Brexit and now he's France's new Prime Minister. Michel Barnier faces the challenge of fixing the country's polarised political landscape. But is that something he can achieve? And why is his appointment causing so much controversy in France? In this episode: Jacques Reland, Senior Research Fellow, Global Policy Institute. Rainbow Murray, Professor of Politics, Queen Mary University of London.  Diane de Vignemont, Historian and Political Journalist. Host: James Bays Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have pledged strong economic policies if elected in November. But as the country struggles with a huge deficit and high consumer prices, what can either of them offer? In this episode: Eric Ham, Political analyst. Robert Scott, Independent economist. Dimitris Valatsas, Chief economist and founding partner at Aurora Macro Strategies. Host: James Bays Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

China promises African nations $50 billion in loans and funding at a summit of leaders in Beijing. It underlines the country's position as the continent's number one investor. What does this investment mean for Africa, China and its western rivals?  In this episode: Hannah Ryder, former diplomat and economist. Sanusha Naidu, Senior Research Associate at the Institute for Global Dialogue. Einar Tangen, Senior Fellow at the Taihe Institute in Beijing. Host: James Bays Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Both Moscow and NATO have so-called 'red lines' that could trigger outright war between them if crossed. The conflict in Ukraine now involves many countries with western weapons being used inside Russia. So are these red lines shifting? And is there a greater risk of a wider war? In this episode: Dmitry Babich, Deputy Foreign Editor, Komsomolskaya Pravda, Moscow. Peter Zalmayev, Executive Director, Eurasia Democracy Initiative, Kyiv. Ben Aris, Editor, bne IntelliNews, Berlin. Host: Folly Bah Thibault  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

The UK government says it will stop some of its arms exports to Israel fearing the use of certain weapons could violate international law. Israel's prime minister calls the move 'shameful' and says it will help Hamas. But what are the implications of this decision? In this episode: Jeremy Corbyn, Independent UK Member of Parliament. Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories. Sam Perlo-Freeman, Research Coordinator, Campaign Against Arms Trade.   Host: Folly Bah Thibault  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Huge demonstrations in Israel against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - after the bodies of six Israeli captives were found in southern Gaza. The deaths have intensified public anger and political pressure on the Israeli leader. So, what will this mean for the war on Gaza? In this episode: Yossi Beilin, Former Israeli Cabinet Minister.  Akiva Eldar, Political Analyst and Veteran Journalist. Ori Goldberg, Political Commentator.    Host: Hashem Ahelbarra  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Social media platform X goes dark in Brazil. It failed to comply with a court order to block accounts linked to disinformation. Owner Elon Musk says it's a crackdown on free speech. How much politics is involved? And could other countries follow suit? In this episode: Flora Rebello Arduini, Senior Adviser, Technology and Human rights. Chris Stokel-Walker, Technology and Digital Culture Journalist.  Vinicius De Carvalho, Lecturer, Brazilian Studies, King’s College London.    Host: Dareen Abughaida Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

A feud over the leadership of Libya's central bank has led to the suspension of oil production. The two rival governments are trading blame for the standoff. Which has the upper hand? And what does it mean for Libya's economy and security? In this episode: Faraj Najem, Historian and Political Researcher.  Claudia Gazzini, Senior Libya Analyst, International Crisis Group. Mustafa Fetouri, Independent Libyan Academic.  Host: James Bays  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Israeli forces have conducted their largest assault in decades in the West Bank, killing and injuring dozens of Palestinians. The escalation is coupled with increasing settler violence. So, what are the consequences? In this episode: Menachem Klein, Professor of Political Science at Bar-Ilan University  Tahani Mustafa, Senior Palestine Analyst at the International Crisis Group Abbas Milhem, Executive Director of the Palestinian Farmers' Union Host: James Bays  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

In India angry protesters are demanding better safety measures and more protection for women after the rape and murder of a female trainee doctor. It has raised questions about what can be done to stop further sex crimes. In this episode: Ranjana Kumari, Director for the Centre for Social Research, Jhuma Sen, Advocate at Kolkata High Court. Amrita Dutta, National Editor at Scroll.in. Host: James Bays  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

The head of the UN's nuclear watchdog warns military action is posing serious risks to the Kursk nuclear power plant. Moscow says the facility in Russia has been attacked by Ukrainian forces. Kyiv hasn't commented. So how dangerous is the situation?  In this episode: Rafael Grossi, Director General, International Atomic Energy Agency. Robert Kelley, Distinguished Associate Fellow, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.  Elena Sokova, Executive Director, Vienna Center for Disarmament and Nonproliferation.  Anatol Lieven, Director, Eurasia Programme, Quincy Institute. Host: James Bays  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Israel again orders Palestinians to move in Gaza. That's forcing the UN to relocate its base for aid operations causing huge disruption. Palestinians are already facing malnutrition and disease while trying to survive Israel's attacks. So how can this situation go on?  In this episode: Mads Gilbert, Doctor and Activist. Dave Harden, Former USAID Mission Director, West Bank and Gaza. Ghada Alhaddad, Communications Officer, Oxfam, Gaza. Host: James Bays  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

The CEO of Telegram, Pavel Durov, is being held by French police. The detention of the Russian-born billionaire has been condemned by Moscow and Elon Musk. So why is he being detained? And does the case have wider implications?  In this episode: Ben Aris, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, bne IntelliNews. Chris Stokel-Walker, Technology & Digital Culture Journalist.  Host: Sami Zeidan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Hezbollah launches hundreds of rockets and drones at Israel - after it targeted the group in southern Lebanon. Both sides say more will follow. How significant are these cross-border attacks? And is there a risk of a wider regional conflict? In this episode: Hala Jaber, Author, 'Hezbollah: Born with a Vengeance'. Nicholas Noe, Political Adviser.  Mohammad Marandi, Professor, University of Tehran. Host: Sami Zeidan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Afghanistan's Taliban government has formally adopted a set of morality laws. Among other rules, it requires women to cover their faces and men to grow their beards. But many argue it's a violation of personal freedoms. So, what are the long term implications of this law? In this episode: Mariam Solaimankhil, Member, Afghanistan's Parliament in Exile.  Bahar Jalali, Assistant Teaching Professor, Loyola University Maryland. Mursal Wardak, Education and Women's Rights Advocate.  Host: Hashem Ahelbarra Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Kamala Harris has pledged her full support for Israel as she accepted the Democratic Party nomination. A prominent Muslim group withdrew its support. She has promised a new way forward. But what are her chances of becoming America's first female president? In this episode: Mark Pfeifle, Former adviser to President George W. Bush. John Zogby, American pollster, author and founder of John Zogby Strategies. Tariq Habash, Human rights activist.  Host: James Bays  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Ukraine's drone attack on Moscow was one of the largest since the start of the war. The Kyiv government controls more than 1,000 square kilometres of Kursk - How will Russia respond? In this episode: Hanna Shelest, Programme Director of Security Studies at Ukrainian Prism. Theresa Fallon, Founder and director of the Centre for Russia Europe Asia Studies. Owen Matthews, author of 'Overreach' a book about the origins of the war in Ukraine. Host: James Bays  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Will turmoil in Libya spill over into the region? A military mobilisation by warlord Khalifa Haftar to the southwest is raising alarm in neighbouring countries. What's behind this move in a deeply volatile region? And what does it mean for war-torn Libya? In this episode: Anas El Gomati, Founder and Director, Sadeq Institute.  Lahcen Haddad, Strategic Affairs Analyst and Moroccan Senator. Abdelkader Abderrahmane, Independent Consultant. Host: James Bays  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Israel bombs a school in Gaza killing more Palestinians as the top US diplomat Antony Blinken visits the region. He says talks in Egypt may be the last chance for a ceasefire in Gaza. But Hamas accuses the US and Israel of delay and adding new conditions. So can there be a breakthrough? In this episode: Professor Yezid Sayigh, Senior Fellow, Malcolm H Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center.  Akbar Shahid Ahmed, Senior Diplomatic Correspondent, HuffPost. Daniel Levy, President, U.S./Middle East Project.  Host: James Bays  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

More than half of the top 500 companies in the United States now see Artificial Intelligence as posing a potential risk. That's a five-fold increase in just two years, according to a new survey. And some believe the technology could become a threat to their businesses. So what's driving these fears? In this episode: Adrian Monck, Senior Adviser, AI and technology.  Elaine Burke, Science and Technology Journalist.  Cary Cooper, Professor, Organizational Psychology and Health, University of Manchester.  Host: James Bays  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

The mpox virus triggers the World Health Organization's highest state of alert. Democratic Republic of Congo has reported the majority of cases, but infections have been recorded in Sweden and Pakistan. So, who's at risk? And is the world prepared for another global health emergency? In this episode: Margaret Harris, Spokesperson, World Health Organization. David Munkley, Director, Eastern DRC, World Vision. Mukesh Kapila, Professor Emeritus, Global Health and Humanitarian Affairs, University of Manchester. Host: Sohail Rahman   Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

While Israel continues its relentless war on Gaza, Palestinians pin their hopes on talks which have paused in Doha before resuming in Cairo on Thursday. Israel and Hamas are studying proposals from mediators Qatar, Egypt and the US, but what are the chances of peace this time? In this episode: Alon Pinkas, Former Israeli ambassador and Previous Government Adviser. Rami Khouri, Distinguished Fellow, American University of Beirut. Niall Stanage, White House Columnist, The Hill. Host: Hashem Ahelbarra  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Talks to end the 16-month conflict are taking place in Geneva without the army delegation participating. With the violence taking a heavy toll on civilians, does diplomacy stand a chance? In this episode: Alaaeldin Nugud, Surgeon and human rights defender. Hala Al-Karib, Regional Director of SIHA Network (Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa). Ahmed El-Gaili, Sudanese lawyer and political analyst specialising in Sudan. Host: Hashem Ahelbarra  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Thailand's Constitutional Court removed the prime minister for breaching ethical standards. This comes a week after it dissolved the main opposition party. How big a role does politics play in these decisions? And could they lead to renewed turmoil in Thailand? In this episode: Kasit Piromya, Former Thai foreign minister of Thailand. Verapat Pariyawong, Public policy adviser and former special counsel to the deputy prime minister of Thailand. Sunai Phasuk, Senior researcher on Thailand at Human Rights Watch. Host: James Bays  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

The US approves a major weapons sale to Israel while also calling for an end to its war in Gaza. With another round of ceasefire talks in the works and tensions running high in the Middle East, is peace possible? And can diplomacy work? In this episode: Akbar Shahid Ahmed, Senior Diplomatic Correspondent, HuffPost. Mouin Rabbani, Non-resident fellow, Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies. Alon Liel, Former Director General and Spokesman, Israeli Foreign Ministry. Host: James Bays  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

How can X help Donald Trump get back into the White House? The former president and Republican nominee returns to the platform in a talk with Elon Musk. As he faces real challenge from Kamala Harris, will it boost his chances? In this episode: Brian Stelter, Special Correspondent, Vanity Fair. Steve Herman, Chief National Correspondent, Voice Of America.  Arshad Hasan, Democratic Political Strategist.  Host: James Bays  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

An expanding Ukrainian incursion into Russian territory forces Moscow to evacuate civilians. It's an embarrassment for President Vladimir Putin, and a morale-booster for Ukrainians. But why has Kyiv launched this operation now?  In this episode: Olesia HoriaInova, Co-founder, Ukrainian Security and Cooperation Center. Pavel Felgenhauer, Independent Russian Defence Analyst. Patrick Bury, Defence and Security Analyst, University of Bath.  Host: James Bays  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Despite killing nearly forty-thousand Palestinians, Israel justifies its war on Gaza as self-defence. It describes critics, including the International Criminal Court, as anti-semitic. So what drives these narratives? And do they help sustain a continuous cycle of violence against the Palestinian people? In this episode: Rabbi Yisroel Dovid Weiss, Spokesman, Neturei Karta.  David Miller, Former Professor, Political Sociology, Bristol University.  Muhannad Ayyash, Professor, Mount Royal University. Host: Elizabeth Puranam  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

As Israeli warplanes kill more than hundred Palestinians in a school in Gaza, Israel says it will attend talks brokered by the US, Qatar and Egypt next week. Hamas has a new leader since the assassination of the more moderate Ismail Haniyeh. So what are the chances this time of a ceasefire?  In this episode: Mustafa Barghouti, Secretary General, Palestinian National Initiative. Gideon Levy, Columnist, Haaretz Newspaper. Rami Khouri, Political Analyst.  Host: Cyril Vanier Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Thousands of people join demonstrations in the UK, in support of migrants and against racism. It follows days of rioting stoked by far-right groups and misinformation online.What's the public mood? And has the unrest been contained? In this episode: Jeremy Corbyn, Independent member of parliament.  Idil Osman, Lecturer at the University of Leicester.  Dal Babu, Former Chief Superintendent in the London Metropolitan Police Host: Hashem Ahelbarra Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Kenya’s President William Ruto gave in to protesters' demands, withdrew a controversial bill and reshuffled his cabinet after protests in the capital Nairobi. Tens of thousands of people have been calling for an end to what they say is corruption and mismanagement.So, is real change possible in Kenya? In this episode: Nanjala Nyabola, Political analyst and author. Hassan Khannenje, Director of the HORN International Institute of Strategic Studies. Aly-Khan Satchu, Emerging markets economist and author. Host: Laura Kyle Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

He's a wanted man and in hiding. Yahya Sinwar is named the political leader of Hamas after the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh. With no end in sight to Israel's war on Gaza, what does this mean for ceasefire talks? And will Hamas under Sinwar be different? In this episode: Omar Rahman, Fellow, Middle East Council on Global Affairs.  Beverley Milton-Edwards, Co-author of 'Hamas: The Quest for Power'.  Norman Finkelstein, Political Scientist.  Host: Mohammed Jamjoom Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

A new era in Bangladesh, after protests drove out Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and forced her to flee the country. The military says it's now in charge while an interim government is put in place. So, is Bangladesh on a path to stability or further turmoil? In this episode: Shireen Huq, Human Rights Activist. Najib Rahman, Member, Jemaat-e-Islami Bangladesh. Nadine Shaanta Murshid, Associate Professor, Social Work, University at Buffalo. Host: Laura Kyle Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Growing warnings of hunger in war-torn Sudan. The latest in a camp in North Darfur where aid has been blocked by the warring sides. As the conflict takes a devastating toll on civilians, what can be done to help them? And is peace possible? In this episode: Kholood Khair, Sudanese Political Analyst and Broadcaster. Amgad Fareid Eltayeb, Executive Director, Fikra for Studies and Development. William Carter, Sudan Country Head, Norwegian Refugee Council.  Host: Laura Kyle Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Days of rioting in England and Belfast. Social media has been used by the far-right to spread rumours about immigrants, and organise protests that have become violent. Thousands of police officers are on alert. So what's behind the surge in violence? In this episode: Shabna Begum, Chief Executive Officer, Runnymede Trust. Katy Brown, Postdoctoral Fellow, Maynooth University, Ireland.  Sohan Dsouza, Computational Social Scientist. Host: Mohammed Jamjoom Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

In Nigeria, people shot dead by police and hundreds arrested for protesting against government economic policies. President Tinubu says the reforms are vital. Critics say they're too extreme. So why are people so angry? And could this unrest spread? In this episode: Isa Sanusi, Director, Amnesty International Nigeria. Ayisha Osori, Director, Open Society Foundations Ideas and Fellowship Collaborative. Kabir Adamu, Managing Director, Beacon Security and Intelligence.  Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Nigeria. Host: Mohammed Jamjoom Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

It's the biggest prisoner swap between Russia and the West since the Cold War - despite the worst hostility in modern times because of the war in Ukraine. How was the deal done? Why did it happen now -- and could better relations follow? In this episode: Dmitry Babich -- Political analyst at Sputnik International news agency. Glenn Carle -- Former CIA officer. Steven Erlanger -- Chief Diplomatic Correspondent for Europe at the New York Times. Host: Mohammed Jamjoom Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

The political leader of Hamas assassinated in Iran. A senior Hezbollah commander killed in Lebanon. Two Al Jazeera journalists struck down in a targeted attack. After killing almost 40,000 Palestinians in Gaza, can Israel continue without accountability? In this episode: Mehran Kamrava, Professor of Government at Georgetown University in Qatar. Beverley Milton-Edwards, Co-author of 'Hamas: The Quest for Power'. Karim Makdisi, Political analyst and associate researcher. Host: Adrian Finighan  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

What's the fallout from the killing of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran? Hamas' political leader was assassinated as tensions in the Middle East are running high. How much of a blow is this to Hamas - and Iran? And could Haniyeh's death escalate into a full regional conflict? In this episode: Mohammad Marandi, Professor, University of Tehran. Sultan Barakat, Professor of Public Policy, Hamad Bin Khalifa University in Doha. Maha Yahya, Director, Malcolm H Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center. Host: Dareen Abughaida Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Extravagant but controversial. A scene in the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics has angered many for appearing to mock religious symbols. Others say it was a display of inclusivity. But was the host country France trying to convey a message? And if so, what was it? In this episode: Simon Kuper, Columnist, Financial Times.  David Goldblatt, Sports Journalist.  Gerard O'Connell, Vatican Correspondent, America Magazine. Host: Mohammed Jamjoom Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

The US will revamp its military command in Japan. Washington claims the move is to counter growing threats from China, North Korea and Russia. But is this a realistic deterrent? Or could it provoke more tension in an already volatile region? In this episode: Victor Gao, Vice President, Center for China and Globalisation. Tomohiko Taniguchi, Special Adviser, Fujitsu Future Studies Center. Evan Laksmana, Editor, Institute for Strategic Studies. Host: Mohammed Jamjoom Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

It's an election that could bring major change to Venezuela. President Nicolas Maduro is seeking another six years in office. But after a decade of economic crisis, many are disillusioned with the country's socialist revolution. So could it be near its end? And how's this vote being viewed in the region? In this episode: Paola de Aleman, Venezuelan Opposition Politician and Academic. David Smolansky, Former Mayor, Caracas district. Now living in exile. Christopher Sabatini, Senior Fellow, Latin America, Chatham House.    Host: Mohammed Jamjoom Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Contrasting welcomes for Israel's prime minister in the US, divisions over the war in Gaza on show with protests outside a cheering Congress. In a week of dramatic politics in Washington, how is Benjamin Netanyahu's visit being viewed there and back in Israel? In this episode: Phyllis Bennis, Fellow, Institute for Policy Studies.  Gideon Levy, Columnist, Haaretz.  Niall Stanage, White House Columnist, The Hill.  Host: Sami Zeidan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Ukraine's foreign minister is in Beijing for talks. It's the first trip by a Ukrainian government representative to China since Russia's invasion more than two years ago. Beijing is intensifying its diplomatic efforts. So, why now? And could they help end the war? In this episode: Einar Tangen, Chinese political and economic affairs specialist. Chris Weafer, CEO of Macro-Advisory. Owen Matthews, Contributing writer for Spectator Magazine.  Host: Sami Zeidan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Donald Trump attacks his likely opponent in the presidential election as a 'radical left lunatic'. Kamala Harris highlights Trump's criminal conviction and previous scandals, saying he offers 'chaos, fear and hate'. What kind of campaign will it be? In this episode: Eric Ham, Political Analyst Thomas Gift, Director of the Centre on U.S. Politics at University College London Jennifer Victor, Associate Professor of Political Science George Mason University Host: Sami Zeidan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Artificial Intelligence is driving a technological revolution. But feeding it requires much more electricity to run far more powerful computers and yet more giant data centres. So, how can such new demands be met - and what are the implications? In this episode: Adrian Weckler, Technology Editor, Irish Independent. Vince Perez, Former Philippines Energy Minister  Sasha Luccioni, Artificial Intelligence Researcher Host: Sami Zeidan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Kamala Harris is gaining support in her bid for the White House. And if she wins in November, she'd be the first minority woman to hold the top job in the United States. But what are her chances against Donald Trump? And what role do race and gender play in US politics? In this episode: Rina Shah, Political Strategist. Rania Batrice, Democratic Party Strategist. Nadia Brown, Professor of Government at Georgetown University. Host: Sami Zeidan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Joe Biden is out of the US presidential race. He's abandoned his re-election bid and backs his Vice President Kamala Harris. But what's behind this move? And will it energise the Democratic base ahead of November's election? In this episode: Steve Herman, Chief National Correspondent for Voice of America. A.Scott Bolden, Former Chair of the Washington DC Democratic Party. James Zogby, Democratic Party insider. Host: Mohammed Jamjoom Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

The Supreme Court in Bangladesh has scaled back a government jobs quota after protests against the controversial policy led to a nationwide curfew, killings and a communications blackout. Will this move appease angry students? And what's behind the recurrent unrest? In this episode:  Mubashar Hasan, Political analyst Zaman Ashraf, Asian Human Rights Commission Sreeradha Datta, Professor at Jindal School of International Affairs  Host: Mohammed Jamjoom Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

The UN's top court rules Israel's decades-long occupation of Palestinian territories is unlawful. The International Court of Justice says it must end as rapidly as possible. But what's the impact of this non-binding ruling? And will it change anything on the ground? In this episode: Wesam Ahmad, Head of the Center for Applied International Law at Al-Haq Ardi Imseis, Legal Counsel for State of Palestine Yossi Mekelberg, Associate Fellow of the MENA Programme at Chatham House Host: Mohammed Jamjoom Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Days after being shot, Donald Trump becomes the Republican presidential nominee. His rival President Joe Biden is isolating with COVID-19. More senior Democrats are urging him to quit the election race. So, will he? And how critical a week has this been for both men? In this episode: John Neffinger, Former Communications Director of the Democratic National Committee. Janelle King, Former Deputy State Director of the Republican Party in Georgia. James Warren, Executive Editor of NewsGuard, a media fact-checking ratings organisation. Host: Dareen Abughaida Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

The Summer Olympics, the world's biggest sporting event, opens in Paris next week. Russia is banned for its war in Ukraine, but not Israel for its war on Gaza. How big a role do politics and business play in the Games? And can the cost be justified? In this episode: Philip Barker, Editor of the 'Journal of Olympic History'. Elaine Cobbe, Veteran journalist and board member of Reporters Without Borders. David Goldblatt, Author of 'The Games: A Global History of the Olympics'. Host: Dareen Abughaida Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

The new UK government has set out its plans with a big focus on its ailing economy. On foreign policy, it wants better EU relations, while backing and arming Ukraine will continue. So, what can be expected from Keir Starmer's government? And what change on issues like the war on Gaza? In this episode: Lucy Fisher, Whitehall Editor at the Financial Times. Tim Bale, Professor of Politics at Queen Mary University in London. Peter Geoghegan, Political Commentator. Host: Dareen Abughaida Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Donald Trump wins the Republican presidential nomination -- two days after surviving an assassination attempt. He's picked Ohio Senator JD Vance as his running mate, all this deflecting debate away from President Biden's fitness to run. So, where do both campaigns stand now?  In this episode: Laura Blessing, a Senior Fellow at the Government Affairs Institute at Georgetown University. Michael Traugott, Research Professor Emeritus at the Center of Political Studies at the University of Michigan. Eric Ham, US Political Expert and Former Congressional Staffer. Host: Sami Zeidan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Former president Donald Trump escapes an assassination attempt -- that's cast a shadow on the U.S. political scene. How polarized is America? What's behind the rise in political violence there? And what are the implications?   In this episode: Rachel Kleinfeld, Senior Fellow at Carnegie's Democracy, Conflict and Governance Program. Amy Koch,  Republican Political Strategist. Natasha Lindstaedt,  Professor of U.S. Government at the University of Essex. Host: Sami Zeidan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Global outcry after Israel committed yet another massacre in Gaza. Its army killed at least 90 Palestinians in an area designated as a so-called safe zone. Israel claims it was targeting Hamas leaders. But is that justification for killing so many civilians?   In this episode: Ibrahim Yaghi - Writer, poet and activist Tahani Mustafa - Senior Palestine Analyst at the International Crisis Group Triestino Mariniello- Professor of Law at Liverpool John Moores University Host: Mohammed Jamjoom Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

The decades-long conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo has taken a heavy toll on civilians. The UN says 25 million people are in urgent need of aid. But what should be done to end the war? And what role do regional players have? In this episode: Emilie Katondolo, peace activist who advocates for the rights of women Greg Ramm, DRC Country Director for Save the Children Crystal Orderson, journalist for The Africa Report Host: Mohammed Jamjoom Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Is a new government the answer to Kenya's problems? In the face of growing public discontent, the president has sacked his cabinet. The country has been rocked by protests for weeks. What will it take to tackle Kenya's economic and financial woes? In this episode: Silvanus Osoro, Kenyan Member of Parliament  Wanjiru Gikonyo, Banker and researcher on good governance and accountability.  Kiritu Chege, Activist  Host: Mohammed Jamjoom Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Climate change is disrupting food production and supply worldwide. Crops, fruit, livestock and transport are all affected. Permanently higher inflation may result, as well as food security threats. What are the implications for people around the world?In this episode: George Monbiot, Environmental and Political Activist  Carin Smaller, Executive Director, Shamba Centre for Food & Climate Thin Lei Win, Food Systems and Climate Change Journalist  Host: Elizabeth Puranam  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

The Ukraine war and the risk of Donald Trump becoming US president again are major issues at NATO's 75th anniversary summit in Washington. The military alliance faces more challenges than ever before. What are they and what's next for NATO? In this episode: Shashank Joshi, Defence Editor, The Economist.  Janine di Giovanni, Executive Director, The Reckoning Project: Ukraine Testifies. Geoffrey Roberts, Emeritus Professor, History, University College Cork. Host: Mohammed Jamjoom Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook 

Resistance to antibiotics could cause ten million deaths a year, from 2050. That's according to the United Nations. Scientists say climate change is another factor driving the looming crisis. Why is there such risk and what's being done about it? In this episode: Mukesh Kapila, Advisor, World Health Organization.  Anna Farra, Infectious Diseases Specialist, Doctors Without Borders.  Alistair Farley, Scientific Lead, Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research.  Host: Sohail Rahman  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook 

An inconclusive election in France, but with one certainty, the far-right won't lead the next government. A leftist bloc came out on top, ahead of President Macron's centrists with the far-right National Rally beaten into third place. So, what does the result mean?   In this episode: Rokhaya Diallo, Researcher, Georgetown University. Victor Mallet, Senior Editor, Financial Times.  Suzanne Lynch, Associate Editor, Politico. Host: Neave Barker  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

They left ECOWAS saying it's influenced by foreign countries. Now, Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have set up their own bloc, calling it the Alliance of Sahel States. But what's behind their new agreement? And what impact will it have on the wider region? In this episode: Erwan De Cherisey, Specialist, sub-Saharan African armed forces.  Ahmedou Ould Abdallah, President, Sahel Sahara Security Strategy Center. Alkassoum Abdourahmane, Permanent Secretary, Sahel International Solidarity Forum. Host: Mohammed Jamjoom Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Iran's new president has promised to provide freedom at home and open up to the West. But with the Supreme Leader wielding the ultimate power, will Masoud Pezeshkian be able to fulfill his promises? And how will he deal with the many challenges faces his country? In this episode: Foad Izadi, Head of the American Studies Department, University of Tehran. Roxane Farmanfarmaian, Lecturer, Modern Middle East Politics, University of Cambridge.  Mehran Kamrava, Professor, Government, Georgetown University in Qatar. Host: Dareen Abughaida Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

The Conservative Party has suffered its worst defeat in decades in the UK general election. Labour is taking power and promising change. So, is this a watershed moment in UK politics? And how will it shape the way the country is governed? In this episode: Fran Boait, Former Labour Party Candidate. Leon Emirali, Former aide to UK Cabinet Minister Steve Barclay. Henry Newman, Former Senior Adviser for Boris Johnson. Host: Neave Barker Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

The US Democratic Party in disarray over Joe Biden’s future as its presidential nominee. After his debate performance, some want him out of the race, but the president is digging in his heels. So, will he stay or will he go? And who could replace Biden if he were to step aside? In this episode: A Scott Bolden, Chairperson of the U.S. National Bar Association's Political Action Committee. Kristin Wolfe, Chairperson of Democrats Abroad UK. Rania Batrice, Veteran Democratic Party strategist.  Host: Folly Bah Thibault  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

A hurricane rips through the Caribbean causing devastation, but alarm too among climate scientists. It's the fiercest and earliest Atlantic storm - a direct result of global warming, experts say. Why is this storm causing so much concern globally? In this episode: Daniel Gilford, Meteorologist and Atmospheric Scientist.  Rhea Marie Pierre, Caribbean Delegation Spokesperson, International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Naderev 'Yeb' Sano, Southeast Asia Executive Director, Greenpeace.  Host: Nick Clark Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

A historic US Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity is welcomed by Donald Trump but condemned by President Joe Biden. The judgment strengthens presidential powers, too much so, say critics. What's the long-term impact of this ruling and its timing? In this episode: Lynne Rambo, Professor Emerita, Constitutional Law, Texas A&M University's School of Law.  Steve Herman, Chief National Correspondent, Voice of America.  Leslie Vinjamuri, Director, US and Americas Programme, Chatham House. Host: Mohammed Jamjoom  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Palestinian detainees released from Israeli prisons say abuse and torture are widespread and systematic. Thousands, including children have been held since the war on Gaza began in October. So, how does Israel treat its Palestinian prisoners?  In this episode: Fadia Barghouti, Detained by the Israeli military for 90 days, under its so-called administrative detention programme.  Basil Farraj, Assistant Professor, Birzeit University.  Mustafa Barghouti, Founder, Palestinian National Initiative. Host: Mohammed Jamjoom  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

The UK is set to vote in a general election this week - called by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak whose conservative party has been in power for fourteen years. Polls suggest his rival, Labour leader Keir Starmer, could replace him. So, what are the issues - and how significant is this election?  In this episode: Will Hutton, President, UK's Academy of Social Sciences. Lesley Riddoch, Author, 'Blossom - What Scotland Needs to Flourish'.  Pablo O'Hana, Senior Political Adviser.  Host: Dareen Abughaida  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

France is preparing to vote in a snap presidential poll. It was called after the far-right made big gains in European parliament elections. So, what will a potential victory by the far-right mean for France's future? And how will it shape politics in the rest of Europe? In this episode: Renaud Girard, Chief Foreign Correspondent, Le Figaro. Rainbow Murray, Professor, Politics, Queen Mary University of London.  Hugo Drochon, Associate Professor, Political Theory, University of Nottingham. Host: Hashem Ahelbarra   Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Iranians are choosing a successor to the late Ebrahim Raisi. But with the Supreme Leader wielding enormous power, how much difference would a new president make? And how is this vote being viewed, both regionally and globally? In this episode: Hassan Ahmadian, Senior Fellow at the Center for Strategic Research. Ali Vaez, Project Director on Iran at the International Crisis Group. Sami Nader, Director of the Levant Institute for Strategic Affairs. Host: Sami Zeidan  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Kenya is shaken by mass demonstrations against proposed tax hikes. Protesters accuse the president of failing to live up to his election promises. But the government says the finance bill is needed to pay off debt. Will the unrest be contained? Or will it escalate even further? In this episode: Hassan Khannenje, Director, HORN International Institute, Strategic Studies. Westen Shilaho, Senior Research Fellow, Institute For Pan-African Thought and Conversation, University of Johannesburg. Otsieno Namwaya, East Africa Director, Human Rights Watch. Host: Elizabeth Puranam Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

US missiles fired by Ukraine, killed sunbathers including children on a beach in Crimea. Moscow warns Washington it will respond. Russia has hit many civilian targets in Ukraine during the war - where both sides are using new weapons. So is there now a greater danger of direct conflict between Russia and NATO? In this episode: Hanna Shelest, Director, Security Studies Program, Ukrainian Prism. Patrick Bury, Defence and Security Analyst, University of Bath. Pavel Felgenhauer, Independent Russian Defence Analyst, Moscow. Host: Sami Zeidan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Fury in India. Students see their state exams results scrapped because of a corruption scandal. Police are investigating widespread leaks of exam papers, affecting more than two million young people. So what next for the students - and the country's education system? In this episode: N. Sai Balaji, Former President, Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union. Kiran Bhatty, Senior Visiting Fellow, Centre for Policy Research.  Sravasti Dasgupta, Senior Reporter, The Wire.  Host: Sami Zeidan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Israel's prime minister is set to address a joint session of the US Congress next month. It's Benjamin Netanyahu's first trip to Washington since he launched his devastating war on Gaza. His speech could have big political implications for President Joe Biden, and Israel. So, what might happen? In this episode: Akbar Shahid Ahmed, Senior Diplomatic Correspondent, HuffPost. Yossi Mekelberg, Associate Fellow, Middle East and North Africa Programme, Chatham House. Rami Khouri, Distinguished Public Policy Fellow, American University of Beirut. Host: Elizabeth Puranam Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Widespread protests in Kenya against proposed new taxes - police criticised for using excessive force. Many on the streets are young, mobilised by social media. Why is the government pushing the new taxes? And why has there been such a reaction? In this episode: Stella Agara, Tax Justice Activist, Africa Governance and Security Analyst. Reginald Kadzutu, Finance Economist, Oxford Brooks University. Nicodemus Minde, Researcher, East Africa Peace and Security Governance Program, Institute for Security Studies.   Host: Elizabeth Puranam Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

President Vladimir Putin was in North Korea and Vietnam this week, strengthening old alliances as his war in Ukraine drags on. But what do both sides stand to gain? And what does the US think? In this episode: Andrei Lankov, Professor at Kookmin University and director of NK News. Benjamin Young, Assistant Professor at the Virginia Commonwealth University. Carlyle Thayer, Professor Emeritus at the University of New South Wales Canberra. Host: Laura Kyle Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Yet again, Israel is accused of committing war crimes against Palestinians, this time by a UN-backed commission of inquiry. The Palestinian armed groups also received a share of the blame. But who will enforce accountability? In this episode: Bill van Esveld, Acting Israel and Palestine Associate Director of the Middle East and North Africa Programme at Human Rights Watch. Uri Dromi, Former Israeli government spokesman and founding president of the Jerusalem Press Club. William Law, Editor of Arab Digest, an online current affairs newsletter. Host: Neave Barker Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Are Israel and Hezbollah on the verge of a full-blown war? The two sides are stepping up rhetoric and cross-border attacks. Israel says plans for an offensive in Lebanon have been approved. But what would a war look like this time round? And does diplomacy stand a chance? In this episode: Nicholas Noe, Editor-in-Chief, Mideastwire.com Robert Geist Pinfold, Lecturer, Peace and Security, Durham University. Mohanad Hage Ali, Deputy Director for Research, Malcolm H Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center.  Host: Neave Barker Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Is a global nuclear arms race underway? A report finds nuclear powers have increased spending on a scale never seen before. Ongoing armed conflicts are said to be the reason. So does that mean atomic weapons are likely to be used? And has nuclear deterrence failed? In this episode: Nikolai Sokov, Senior Fellow, Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation. Gary Samore, Professor, Brandeis University.  Victor Gao, Vice President, Center for China and Globalisation. Host: Neave Barker Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Soaring temperatures are setting records around the world. And severe floods and storms are becoming more frequent and unpredictable. So how do this year's weather conditions, differ from those before? And what is that telling us? In this episode: Carolina Pereira Marghidan, Heat Risk Consultant, Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre. Linnea Wikstrom, Director, Construction and Health & Safety, Building and Woodworkers International. Eleni Myrivili, Global Chief Heat Officer, Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht–Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center and UN Habitat. Host: Tom McRae Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Campaigning and protesting intensify in France ahead of a snap election. It's been called by President Emmanuel Macron after the far-right made big gains in the European Parliament election. So how important is this vote for France - and for Europe?  In this episode: Samantha de Bendern, Associate Fellow at Chatham House and geopolitical commentator on French TV channel La Chaine Info. Philippe Marliere is a Professor of French and European politics at University College London. Peter Humi is an independent France correspondent and university lecturer in Paris. Host: Tom McRae Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

The EU plans to impose harsh new tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles. Beijing says it's pure protectionism. Division too in the EU about the plan, among German and other carmakers highly exposed to the Chinese market. So, what's behind this dispute and could it worsen? In this episode: Andy Mok, Senior Research Fellow, Center for China and Globalization, Beijng. Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer, Director, Center Automotive Research, Bochum, Germany. Vicky Pryce, Chief Economic Adviser, Centre for Economics and Business Research, London. Host: Tom McRae Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

There's a coalition for South Africa as the African National Congress has been forced to share power for the first time, following a bruising election. The leftist ANC will partner with former opponents from the centre-right. But what lies ahead and how will it work? In this episode: Pauline Bax, Africa Program Deputy Director at the International Crisis Group. FM Lucky Mathebula, CEO of the Thinc Foundation. Ongama Mtimka, Lecturer and Political Analyst at the Nelson Mandela University. Host: Sami Zeidan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

There's fierce fighting for Al Fasher, the capital of Sudan's North Darfur state. While human rights violations are being reported, just how important is this region in the year-long conflict? And what role are outsiders playing? In this episode: Dallia Mohamed Adelmoniem, Political Commentator and Analyst. Mathilde Vu, Norwegian Refugee Council's Advocacy Adviser. Hala Alkarib, Regional Director of the SIHA network. Host: Laura Kyle Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

A gathering in Jordan calls for the need to accelerate aid delivery to Gaza. It comes more than eight months into Israel's war. But how is providing aid possible without a ceasefire?And what have regional countries done to help Palestinians? In this episode: Hisham Mhanna, Gaza Spokesman, International Committee of the Red Cross/Red Crescent. Tahani Mustafa, Senior Palestine Analyst, International Crisis Group. Mustafa Barghouti, Secretary General, Palestinian National Initiative. Host: Laura Kyle Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Shifting to the right. Far-right parties made gains in the European Parliament election, seriously threatening mainstream politicians. So what is behind their rise in popularity in Europe? And how could that shape politics on the 'old continent'? In this episode: Janine di Giovanni, Foreign Policy Analyst.  Katy Brown, Postdoctoral Fellow, Maynooth University.  Host: Nastasya Tay Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Six candidates have been cleared to run in Iran's presidential race. Who are they, how do they differ and what role will they play? The vote is less than a month after the death of the former president. So what's at stake this time around? And how could the outcome affect the country's role in the region? In this episode: Abas Aslani, Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Middle East Strategic Studies. Sanam Vakil, Director, Middle East and North Africa Programme, Chatham House. Mehran Kamrava, Director, Iranian Studies Unit, Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies. Host: Laura Kyle Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

The Israeli government is under MORE pressure to secure the release of ALL captives in Gaza... after four were freed on Saturday. Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition is ALSO under threat of collapse. So how will all this affect talks to reach a deal on captives and a ceasefire? In this episode: Gershon Baskin, Middle East Director, International Communities Organization.  Mohammad Dahleh, Lawyer and Founder, Muhammad Dahleh and Associates. Scott Lucas, Professor, International Politics, Clinton Institute, University College Dublin. Host: Laura Kyle Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

A list of shame...Israel lashes out at the UN after being added to a blacklist of countries harming children in wars. It says its army is the most moral in the world. So how does that stand up given the thousands of children it's killed in its ongoing war on Gaza? In this episode: Damien Lilly, Former Head, Protection Division, UNRWA.  Arwa Damon, Founder, INARA. Gideon Levy, Columnist, Haaretz.  Host: Laura Kyle Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Sudan has the world's largest number of displaced people and a majority are facing famine after more than a year of conflict. Sudan sits in a strategic area of northeast Africa, so, what are the regional implications of this conflict? And what can the international community do to bring Sudan back from a nationwide food emergency?  In this episode: Amgad Fareid Eltayeb, Executive Director of the Sudanese think-tank Fikra for Studies and Development.  Dr. Alaaeldin Nugud, Leadership member of the Civil Democratic Forces Alliance.  Alex De Waal - Executive Director of the World Peace Foundation. Host: Cyril Vanier Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

US President Joe Biden has signed an executive order to curb the flow of asylum seekers at the southern border - a departure from his policies when he came to power. So, is the move motivated by the upcoming election? In this episode: Krish O'Mara Vignarajah, President and CEO of the non-profit organisation, Global Refuge. Amy Koch, Republican Strategist Leon Fresco, Immigration Attorney. Host: Cyril Vanier Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

He failed to get the sweeping majority he promised voters...India's Narendra Modi will now have to join a coalition to form a government. He's been accused of promoting divisive policies. But what lesson has this vote sent to his party? And will there be change? In this episode: Asif Bhamla, BJP Spokesman, Maharashtra.  Valay Singh, Author, 'Ayodhya: City of Faith, City of Discord'. Ravi Agrawal, Editor-In-Chief, Foreign Policy.  Host: Cyril Vanier Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

A general strike demanding higher wages brings Nigeria to a standstill. Protesters say economic reforms have pushed more people into poverty, but the government argues that they're needed. But what's the root cause of the crisis in Africa's most populous country? In this episode: Khalil Halilu, Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria's National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure. Amaka Anku, Head, Africa Practice, Eurasia Group. Hamzat Lawal, Founder, Connected Development.  Host: Cyril Vanier Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

It's a US ceasefire plan that's stirred heated debate in Israel. Benjamin Netanyahu is warned by his allies that their coalition will collapse if he accepts. Hamas said it's positive, but work still needs to be done. So could President Joe Biden's proposal end the war on Gaza? In this episode: Alon Liel, Former Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman and Ambassador. Mouin Rabbani, Non-resident Fellow, Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies.  Akbar Shahid Ahmed, Senior Diplomatic Correspondent, HuffPost. Host: Cyril Vanier Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

The ANC has controlled politics in South Africa for three decades. But not anymore. The African National Congress has lost its majority for the first time since taking power. So what's behind this setback? And how will it shape politics in this country? In this episode: Malaika Mahlatsi, Researcher, Institute for Pan African Thought and Conversation. Jan Hofmeyr, Head, Policy and Analysis Programme, Institute for Justice and Reconciliation. Mondli Makhanya, Editor-at-Large, City Press. Host: Tom McRae Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Donald Trump could face more than 100 years in prison for falsifying business records. He'll find out shortly before Republicans decide whether he's their man for president. So how could all this shape the US election? And what does the rest of the world think? In this episode: Christian Christensen, Politics Professor, Stockholm University. Ron Filipkowski, Former State and Federal Prosecutor.  Greg Swenson, Chairman, Republicans Overseas UK.  Host: Tom McRae Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Asia's top security summit has begun in Singapore. But all eyes are on the US and China as tensions rise over the future of Taiwan. So, how is their relationship affecting stability in the region, and the rest of the world? In this episode: Andy Mok, Senior research fellow at Center for China and Globalisation. Samir Puri, A visiting lecturer in War Studies at Kings College London. David Des Roches, Professor at the Near East South Asia Center for Security Studies. Host: Sohail Rahman Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Haiti has a new prime minister, Garry Conille, who was picked by the transitional council to turn the country around. Thousands of people have been killed in violence so far this year, and gangs control most of the capital. So, can Conille bring the stability Haiti needs? In this episode: Yvens Rumbold, Communications director of Policite. Diego Da Rin, Consultant expert on Haiti for the International Crisis Group. Erwan de Cherisey, Principle consultant at Janes. Host: Sami Zeidan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is hoping a peace summit will return the world's attention to Ukraine's war with Russia. But Russia's not invited and some major world leaders aren't coming. Does it have any chance of success? In this episode: Andrei Fedorov, Chairman, Fund for Political Research and Consulting, Russia. Domitilla Sagramoso, Senior Lecturer, King's College London.  Peter Zalmayev, Executive Director, Eurasia Democracy Initiative. Host: Sami Zeidan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

How tenuous is the decades-old peace deal between Egypt and Israel? The latest exchange of fire on the border exposes a fragile political relationship. The two countries insist peace is the strategic choice. But for how long, as the war in Gaza rages? In this episode: H.A. Hellyer, Non-resident Scholar, Middle East Programme, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.  Uri Dromi, Former spokesman, Israeli government. Hussein Haridi, Veteran Egyptian Diplomat. Host: Cyril Vanier Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Mexicans are preparing to vote in the largest elections in the country's history. The Latin American nation is grappling with rising violence and several candidates have been killed during the campaign. What's behind the political violence in Mexico and the region? In this episode: Carlos Bravo Regidor, Political analyst.  Maureen Meyer, Vice President, Programs, Washington Office on Latin America. Falko Ernst, Senior Analyst on Mexico, International Crisis Group.  Host: Cyril Vanier Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

As South Africans prepare to go to the polls, the governing African National Congress faces its toughest test yet. The party risks losing its majority in parliament. Where has it failed? And what has it accomplished? Has democratic South Africa lost its way? In this episode: Crystal Orderson, Host, Cape Talk. Lesego Makhubela, Spokesperson, African National Congress, Gauteng Province. Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, Opposition MP, United Democratic Movement. Host: Elizabeth Puranam  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Israel intensifies military operations in Gaza. That's despite the UN's top court ordering it to immediately halt its assault on Rafah. It’s not the first time Israel has refused to comply with an order from the world court. So what's the point of these measures? And how can they be enforced? In this episode: Mohammad Dahleh, Founder of an East-Jerusalem law firm. Alon Liel, Former Israeli Diplomat. William Schabas, Lecturer, Middleses University. Host: Folly Bah Thibault  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

In an effort to reshape US-Africa relations, President Joe Biden is hosting Kenya’s William Ruto for a state visit, declaring the East African nation a major non-NATO ally. So, what’s driving this effort to strengthen ties? And what does Kenya, and the African continent, stand to gain? In this episode: Stella Agara, Governance and security analyst who specialises in youth development. David Shinn, Professor of International Relations at George Washington University. Nicodemus Minde, Researcher at the Institute for Security Studies. Host: Folly Bah Thibault  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

China is conducting military exercises around Taiwan, just days after Lai Ching-te was sworn in as the island's new president. Beijing has called Lai a dangerous separatist. So, what do China's actions mean for the region? In this episode: Fang-yu Chen, Assistant professor of political science at Soochow University, Taiwan. Victor Gao, Vice President of the Center for China and Globalisation. Tomohiko Taniguchi, Special adviser at the Fujitsu Future Studies Centre.  Host: Tom McRae Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Norway, Ireland and Spain announce they will recognise an independent Palestinian state. Will other European nations follow suit? And what does this mean for Palestine's efforts to become a full member of the United Nations? In this episode: Yossi Beilin, Former Israeli Cabinet Minister.  Julien Barnes-Dacey, Director, Middle East and North Africa programme, European Council on Foreign Relations. Carne Ross, Former British Diplomat, United Nations. Host: Cyril Vanier  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

The International Criminal Court's top prosecutor seeks arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders. The United States has condemned the move against its ally. But will the ICC's action deepen Israel's international isolation for its war on Gaza? In this episode: Diana Buttu, Palestinian Lawyer and Legal Analyst. Daniel Levy, President, U.S./Middle East Project. Kate Mackintosh, Executive Director, University of California Los Angeles Law School's Promise Institute for Human Rights Europe. Host: Adrian Finighan  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

A tragic twist of fate for Iran. President Ebrahim Raisi killed in a helicopter crash, at a time of rising tension in the region and domestic anger over an economic crisis. So, what does the death of a man, widely thought to have become the next supreme leader, mean for Iran? In this episode: Mohammad Marandi, Professor, University of Tehran.  Roxane Farmanfarmaian, Professor, University of Cambridge. Trita Parsi, Executive Vice President, Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft.  Host: Dareen Abughaida Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

An ultimatum for the Israeli prime minister. War cabinet member Benny Gantz threatens to quit the unity government if Benjamin Netanyahu fails to present a post-war plan for Gaza by June the 8th. What could this mean for the future of Netanyahu's administration? In this episode: Yossi Mekelberg, Associate Fellow, Middle East and North Africa Programme, Chatham House. Alon Liel, Lecturer, Conflict Resolution Programme, Tel Aviv University. Udi Goren, Cousin of an Israeli hostage who was killed while being held captive in Gaza. Host: Cyril Vanier Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

In its latest appeal, South Africa has called on the UN's top court for urgent measures to order a halt on Israel's assault on Rafah. Since early this month, Israeli forces have been pounding the southern city where more than 1.5 million Palestinians had taken shelter, after escaping from other parts of Gaza. Hundreds of thousands are being forced to flee again. Israel says its operation is limited and aimed at targeting the last stronghold of Hamas in Rafah. South Africa calls it a 'genocidal act'. The International Court of Justice has ordered some provisional measures since Pretoria first filed a case in January. But Israel has largely ignored them. So can the ICJ enforce its orders? And will its decisions make any difference, apart from affecting world opinion? In this episode: Toby Cadman, International Human Rights lawyer.  Nour Odeh, Political Analyst.  Robbie Sabel, Professor, International Law, Hebrew University.  Host: Elizabeth Puranam Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Presidents Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping have met more than 40 times in the last 10 years, and Putin's latest visit to China comes as Russia's dependence on Beijing has increased due to sanctions imposed over its invasion of Ukraine. So, could this deepening friendship lead to a shift in alliances and the global balance of power?  In this episode: Andy Mok, Senior Research Fellow at Center for China and Globalisation. Chris Weafer, Chief Executive Officer at Macro-Advisory. Theresa Fallon, Director of the Centre for Russia Europe Asia Studies. Host: Elizabeth Puranam Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Donald Trump has accepted a challenge to face off against President Joe Biden in two TV debates, setting the stage for the US Presidential Election. But will they actually take place? And what difference could they make in the race to the White House? In this episode: Brian Stelter, Journalist. Elaine Kamarck, Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution. Steve Herman, Chief National Correspondent at Voice of America.  Host: Elizabeth Puranam Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Angry protests in Georgia. The Parliament has approved a so-called 'foreign agents' bill.Critics say it steers the country away from democracy, by adopting a Russian-style system. So what's next for Georgia? And could this end its aspirations to join the EU? In this episode: Hans Gutbrod, Professor, Public Policy, Illia State University, Georgia. Ketevan Shoshiashvili, Senior Researcher, Transparency International. Dachi Imedadze, Campaign Strategist, SHAME Movement. Host: Tom McRae Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

A predicted sharp right turn. From Italy to France, Germany and the Netherlands, right-wing and far-right parties have made significant gains across Europe ahead of June's parliamentary elections. So, what's at stake? And what are the consequences for the continent and the world? In this episode: Pieter Cleppe, Editor-in-Chief, BrusselsReport.eu. Anna Maria Corazza Bildt, MEP Candidate, Renew Europe Group. Aurelien Mondon, Lecturer, French and Comparative Politics, University of Bath. Host: Folly Bah Thibault  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says his troops are locked in fierce battles in northeastern Ukraine, where the Russian army is taking control of villages and attacking energy facilities. How significant is this latest Russian offensive in Kharkiv? In this episode: Hanna Shelest, Security Studies Program Director, Ukrainian Prism.  Roger Hilton, Defence and Security Fellow, GLOBSEC. Pavel Felgenhauer, Independent Russian Defence and Military Analyst. Host: Sami Zeidan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Voters are going to the polls in Indian-administered Kashmir. It's the first parliamentary elections since Narendra Modi's government cancelled the region's partial autonomy in 2019. And for the first time in years, people aren't boycotting the vote.The prime minister says repealing Kashmir's special status has helped integrate it with the rest of the country. He also says it's brought peace and development after decades of separatist violence. Why then has Modi's party not nominated a candidate to contest the three seats in the Muslim-majority region? In this episode: Noor Ahmad Baba, Retired Political Science Professor, University of Kashmir. Sunil Sethi, Chief Spokesman, Bharatiya Janata Party, Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir.  Radha Kumar, Author, academic and one of three government-appointed interlocutors to represent the views of Kashmiri society to India's Cabinet Committee on Security in 2010.  Host: Laura Kyle Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Overwhelming support at the UN General Assembly for Palestine's bid for full membership. It comes as condemnation of Israel's war on Gaza increases. But the US says it will veto the motion again at the Security Council. So what difference could the resolution make? In this episode: Jeffrey Sachs, Former Advisor, UN Secretary Generals. Mustafa Barghouti, General Secretary, Palestinian National Initiative. Yossi Mekelberg, Associate Fellow, Middle East and North Africa Programme, Chatham House. Host: Neave Barker  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

China's president Xi Jinping has wrapped up his first trip to Europe in five years, visiting France, Serbia and Hungary. So, what did he achieve during this tour? In this episode: David Mahon, Founder and Chairman of Mahon China. Steve Tsang, Director of SOAS China Institute, University of London. Nenad Stekic, Research Fellow, Institute of International Politics and Economics. Host: Neave Barker  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Joe Biden has issued the strongest warning yet over a potential ground invasion of Rafah by Israeli forces, threatening to stop supplying arms which have been part of the United States' efforts 'to secure Israel'. So, what's behind Biden's? In this episode: Scott Lucas, Professor at University College Dublin's Clinton Institute.  Tahani Mustafa, Senior Palestine Analyst with the NGO International Crisis Group.  Menachem Klein, Political Science professor at Bar-Ilan University.  Host: Neave Barker  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Israel's seizure of the Rafah Crossing worsens an already dire situation for 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza. Their last gateway to the outside world, is now closed. Why has Israel defied the US over this? And what could the consequences be for all sides? In this episode: Salman Sheikh, Founder, The Sheikh Group. Nour Odeh, Political Analyst. H.A. Hellyer, Senior Associate Fellow, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.  Host: Tom McRae Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Russia's president Vladimir Putin has been installed for a fifth term with his hold on power firmer than ever. But the war in Ukraine has led to the worst relations with the West since the Cold War. So what will six more years of Putin mean for Russia and the world? In this episode: Andrey Baklanov, Deputy Chairman, Association of Russian Diplomats.  Philip Short, Biographer of Vladimir Putin.  Christopher Weafer, CEO, Macro-Advisory. Host: Tom McRae Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Al Jazeera banned in Israel. The government's move condemned by the network as a criminal act against international and humanitarian law. Al Jazeera has shown the realities of what's happening in Gaza. But what's behind this ban? And how effective will it be? In this episode: Ronnie Kasrils, A Leading Anti-apartheid Activist.  Maria Ressa, Co-Founder, Rappler.  Jonathan Dagher, Head, Middle East Desk, Reporters Without Borders. Host: Tom McRae Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

After a landslide win in the last general election, the UK's governing Conservative Party's support collapses in local elections in England. Gains for the Labour Party - dented however by its stance on the war on Gaza. So, how significant are these election results? In this episode: Chris Wilkins, Former Director, Strategy, for Prime Minister Theresa May. Peter Geoghegan, Author, 'Democracy For Sale'. Alistair Jones, Associate Professor, Politics, De Montfort University.  Host: Neave Barker  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

For years, Israel and Turkey had been crucial trade partners. It was a commercial relationship worth nearly 7-billion dollars a year. But Israel's war on Gaza changed all that. The Turkish government has been demanding a halt to the violence that's killed nearly 35,000 Palestinians. Ankara has now announced a total trade ban until Israel agrees to a ceasefire. But has President Recep Tayyip Erdogan acted under domestic pressure, after a setback in local elections was blamed partly for continuing to do business with Israel? And how will this affect the economies of both sides?  In this episode: Vehbi Baysan, Assistant Professor, İbn Haldun University. Gideon Levy, Columnist, Haaretz. Vladimir Vano, Chief Economist, GLOBSEC. Host: Neave Barker  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Successive US administrations across the political divide have backed Israel since it was created in 1948.  But polls suggest that unequivocal public support now appears to be waning, especially among the young.A Pew Research study two years ago indicated that only 41% in the age-group of 18 to 29 had a favourable view of Israel. And many from this generation are now protesting in university campuses against the war on Gaza. So, is the anger among young Americans highlighting a generational divide in Washington's policy towards Israel? And what are the reasons reshaping public opinion? In this episode: Clair Davenport-- Student, Columbia Journalism School Julie Norman-- Deputy Director, UCL Centre on US PoliticsKeir Milburn-- Author, 'Generation Left'    Host:  Nick Clark Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube  

Standoffs between police and Palestine solidarity protesters on US college campuses are intensifying. Violent confrontations are giving rise to fears of outside interference. Politicians are taking sides. How will the protests affect President Joe Biden's bid for a second term?In this episode: Niambi Carter -- Associate Professor, University of Maryland Rami Khouri -- Political analyst  James Davis -- Republican strategist   Host:  Nastasya Tay Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

The 'time is now' -  Antony Blinken striking an urgent tone in his attempts to get a ceasefire in Gaza. America's top diplomat says a strong proposal is on the table, as he makes his seventh visit to the Middle East since fighting began in October. That's as indirect negotiations for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, carry on in Egypt. But questions are being raised about the chances of an agreement after Israeli Prime Minister reiterated his plan to invade Rafah. Can Benjamin Netanyahu's threat disrupt talks to end the war ? In this episode: Daniel Levy, President, US Middle East Project.  Nour Odeh, Political Analyst.  William Lawrence, Professor, American University.  Host: Nick Clark  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

A political standoff in Georgia. The government says a bill it's trying to pass for a second time would regulate foreign influence and protect the country's sovereignty. But critics are protesting it would crush freedoms. European leaders have criticised the bill. Can the crisis undermine Georgia's ambition to join the European Union? In this episode: Mariam Lashkhi, Member, Georgian Parliament. Thornike Gordadze, Fellow, Jacques Delors Institute. Khatia Dekanoidze, Member, Georgian Parliament.  Host: Laura Kyle Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

All eyes are on the International Criminal Court. It's investigating Israel's actions in Gaza and the West Bank. And Israeli officials fear it's preparing to issue arrest warrants against the Prime Minister and other senior figures. So what would legal action mean for the country and its leaders? Host: Nick Clark and Guests. Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

A wasteland of rubble. The UN says clearing the debris from Israel's war on Gaza will be a huge challenge that could take 14 years. Unexploded munitions will also make this a dangerous task. So, what will this mean for the millions of Palestinians who hope to return to their homes? In this episode: Jonathan Guthrie, Director of Operations, Norwegian People's Aid. Federico Dessi, Middle East Director, Humanity and Inclusion. Raja Khalidi, Director General, Palestine Economic Policy Research Institute. Host: Folly Bah Thibault Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

30 years of Freedom. South Africans are marking three decades since the end of apartheid. But the country is facing major challenges as it heads into an election So, has the governing ANC failed to live up to its promises? In this episode: Melanie Verwoerd, Political Analyst. William Gumede, Founder, Democracy Works Foundation. Zackie Achmat, Activist and Independent Candidate for South Africa's Parliament. Host: Neave Barker Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

From coast to coast, anger is rising in US universities against Israel's war on Gaza. Students are defying a crackdown and demanding their schools cut off links with Israel. But have these protests become politicised? And is freedom of speech under threat? In this episode: Jude Taha, a Palestinian Journalist and Student at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.  Jeremi Suri, Historian and Professor of Global Leadership, History, and Public Policy at the University of Texas at Austin.  Rina Shah, Political Strategist and a Former Senior U.S. Congressional Aide.  Host:  Laura Kyle Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

There's a global outcry after the discovery of more mass graves in two Gaza hospitals. Israel is under pressure to provide answers. But will it? And how will it be held to account? In this episode: Mansour Shouman, Gaza Citizen Journalist. Andreas Kleiser, Director for Policy and Cooperation at the International Commission on Missing Persons. Kenneth Roth, Visiting Professor at Princeton School for Public and International Affairs.  Host: Mohammed Jamjoom Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

How can we reduce food insecurity? A report by 16 agencies finds the lives of nearly 300 million people globally are in danger. And that spreading conflict, rather than climate change, is the biggest cause. Has enough been done to address the crisis? In this episode: Alex de Waal,  Executive Director, World Peace Foundation, Tufts University.  Mamadou Goita, Member, International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems.  Jemilah Mahmood, Executive Director, Sunway Centre for Planetary Health, Sunway University.  Host: Mohammed Jamjoom Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

The first senior Israeli official has resigned over Hamas' October attack. The military intelligence chief took responsibility for major security failures. What message does it send during Israel's war on Gaza? And could it be the first step towards accountability? In this episode: Daniel Levy, President, U.S. / Middle East Project. Antony Loewenstein, Author, 'The Palestine Laboratory'.  Gideon Levy, Columnist, Haaretz.  Host: Mohammed Jamjoom Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Rafah in southern Gaza, the last refuge for 1.5 million Palestinians, is sheltering in fear of an Israeli ground invasion. The US and European allies are all opposed. So will Israel push ahead regardless? What would be the consequences? In this episode: Kholoud Jwefil, Economic Justice Officer, Oxfam.  Robert Geist Pinfold, Peace and Security Lecturer, Durham University. Hisham Mhanna, Spokesman in Gaza, International Committee of the Red Cross. Host: James Bays Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

The US House of Representatives agrees to a 61 billion dollar aid package to Ukraine after months of political wrangling. More than a-third will go to weapons to battle Russian forces.Will this help end the war? Or will it just prolong the fighting? In this episode: Chris Hedges, Former Middle East Bureau Chief, New York Times. Anatol Lieven, Director, Eurasia Programme, Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. Patrick Bury, Defence and Security Analyst. Host: Tom McRae Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Six weeks of voting in an election where India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeks a third term. Opponents say repression and sectarianism have increased under his leadership. So, what are the issues for Indians? And will this election be free and fair? In this episode: Mohan Krishna, Spokesperson, Bharatiya Janata Party or BJP. Arshpreet Khadial, Chief Spokesperson, Indian National Congress. Sravasti Dasgupta - Reporter, The Wire.  Host: Sami Zeidan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Iran has shot down Israeli drones in the latest confrontation, igniting global calls for restraint. Both east and west are fearful of what more conflict could mean for the region and the world. So, what are Iran and Israel thinking? And what's next? In this episode: Mohammad Marandi, Dean of Faculty of World Studies at the University of Tehran. Gideon Levy, Columnist for the Haaretz Newspaper. Roxane Farmanfarmaian, Professor of Modern Middle East Politics at the University of Cambridge. Host: Elizabeth Puranam Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Federal leaders are invited to discuss insecurity and constitutional changes with the aim of ending divisions in Somalia. But with Somali politics so deeply fragmented, is national unity possible? And what role do Somalia's neighbours play in achieving a more peaceful future? In this episode: Abdi Ismail Samatar, Somali Senator for Somaliland. Afyare Elmi, Research Professor at City University of Mogadishu. Omar Mahmood, Senior Analyst for Eastern Africa at the International Crisis Group. Host: Mohammed Jamjoom Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Why is Pakistan expelling Afghan refugees? Afghanistan says the move is illegal. Pakistan insists it's for security reasons. Is this politically motivated? And how will Taliban officials deal with it? In this episode: Nilofer Afridi Qazi, Social Worker by Trade.  Faiz Zaland, Professor, Political Science, Kabul University.  Devon Cone, Senior Advocate, Women and Girls, Refugees International. Host: James Bays Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

A conflict with no end in sight. The war in Sudan is taking a heavy toll on civilians, with millions forced from their homes and on the verge of famine. What does it take to stop the humanitarian crisis? And can diplomacy stop the fighting? In this episode: Hala Al-Karib, Regional Director, Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa. Duncan Riddell, Norwegian Refugee Council.  Host: James Bays Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Will Israel respond to Iran's first ever direct attack? The Israeli government is under pressure not to retaliate, but says it's weighing its options. What could they be? And what would a direct confrontation between the regional rivals mean for an already volatile Middle East? In this episode: Randa Slim, Senior Fellow and Director, Conflict Resolution, Middle East Institute. Robert Geist Pinfold, Lecturer, Peace and Security, Durham University. Akiva Eldar, Political Analyst. Host: James Bays Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

For the first time ever, a direct Iranian attack on Israel - a barrage of drones and missiles fired in retaliation for a strike on the Iranian consulate in Syria. Most were shot down, but the world watches with deepening concern. Who'll be saying what to whom to try to bring calm? In this episode: Mohammad Marandi, Professor, University of Tehran. Yossi Mekelberg, Associate Fellow, Chatham House. Akbar Shahid Ahmed, Senior Diplomatic Correspondent, Huffpost.  Host: James Bays Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Iran is threatening retaliation for the Israeli attack on the Iranian consulate in Syria. The US talks up the possibility of an imminent strike by Tehran and vows to defend Israel. How dangerous is the situation? What's the risk of a wider conflict? In this episode: Hassan Ahmadian, Professor, Middle East and North Africa Studies, University of Tehran. Trita Parsi, Executive Vice President, Quincy Institute. Carne Ross, Founder, Independent Diplomat Advisory Group. Host: James Bays Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

'Humanity has only two years left to save the world' - according to the UN's climate chief.As more people worldwide deal with record-breaking temperatures and natural disasters, what more can be done to cut emissions and cool our heating planet? In this episode: Patrick Ten Brink, Secretary General of the European Environmental Bureau. John Sweeney, Professor Emeritus at Maynooth University. Suzanne Lynch, Associate Editor at Politico, Global Playbook Author. Host: Laura Kyle Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

The three sons and four grandchildren of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh have been assassinated in Gaza. Their names added to a long list of people killed by Israeli targeted operations worldwide. So, why does Israel pursue such a policy? And what impact does it have? In this episode: Ilan Pappe, Professor of History at Exeter University in the UK. Rami Khouri, Columnist and Analyst. Colin Clarke, Director of Research at The Soufan Group. Host: Sohail Rahman Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Germany denies supplying Israel with weapons of war, yet it's one of the staunchest supporters of Israel's war on Gaza. What's behind Germany's position? And what are the long-term consequences for its diplomacy in the Middle East? In this episode: Tobias Bacherle, Member of the German Parliament and a political scientist. John Kampfner, Author and Journalist. Shir Hever, Director of the Alliance for Justice between Israelis and Palestinians. Host: Laura Kyle Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Germany is complicit in Israel's genocide in Gaza and that must end, according to Nicaragua's argument before the UN's top court. Germany says Nicaragua has a one-sided view of the war in Gaza. So, what does this case mean for countries supplying Israel with weapons? In this episode: Matthias Goldmann, Senior research fellow at the Max Planck Institute. Diana Buttu, Palestinian lawyer. Kenneth Roth, Sisiting professor at the Princeton School for Public and International Affairs.  Host: James Bays Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Is Myanmar's military losing ground? A daring attack by rebel groups is seen as a turning point. The country has been in turmoil since a coup three years ago. So, is Myanmar on a path to civil war? And what would that mean for the region? In this episode: Khin Ohmar, Spokesperson, Progressive Voice.  Kim Jolliffe, Independent Consultant, Myanmar.  Nicholas Bequelin, Visiting Fellow, Paul Tsai China Center, Yale Law School.  Host: James Bays Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Yet, another round of talks to reach a truce in Gaza. Repeated attempts have so far failed to end Israel's 6-month war on the strip. With both Israel and Hamas sticking to their positions, will this round be any different? And is a deal even possible? In this episode: Dan Perry, Author, "Ask Questions Later", Substack. Munir Nuseibah, Professor, International Law, Al Quds University. Hafsa Halawa, Non-resident Fellow, Middle East Institute. Host: James Bays Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube  

The sharpest criticism yet of Israel's actions in Gaza among its allies with even the US joining the global chorus of condemnation. After more than 33,000 Palestinian deaths, Israel's killing of seven international aid workers triggered the west's most furious response to date. So how have events this week affected Israel's international standing? In this episode: Nour Odeh, Palestinian Political Analyst. Gideon Levy, Columnist, Haaretz. Chris Doyle, Director, Council for Arab-British Understanding. Host: James Bays Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

A deal between Ethiopia and the breakaway region of Somaliland has further worsened diplomatic relations with Somalia. Its government is furious at the agreement that would give landlocked Ethiopia access to the Red Sea. Why is this dispute worsening? And could there be wider consequences? In this episode: Samuel Getachew, Political commentator specialising in Ethiopia. Sharmake Ali, Activist with UK-Somaliland Alliance. Abdulkareem Jama, Chair of the Heritage Institute for Policy Studies. Host: James Bay Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

A state of emergency has been declared in Zimbabwe due to extreme drought putting millions of people in danger. As wars rage in Gaza and Ukraine, there's another battle: climate change, which arguably makes fewer headlines. So, is the world paying enough attention to this global threat? In this episode: John Sweeney, Professor Emeritus at Maynooth University. Maurice Onyango, Regional Head of Disaster Risk Management at Plan International. Carlo Buentempo, Director of the Copernicus Climate Change Service. Host: Mohammed Jamjoom  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

US president Joe Biden says he's outraged by Israel's killing of international aid workers in Gaza. The seven victims join the nearly 200 Palestinian relief workers killed by Israeli forces in the past few months. Is attacking aid supplies one of the tactics in Israel's genocidal war? In this episode: Bushra Khalidi, Policy Lead, Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel, Oxfam. Chris Gunness, Human Rights Activist. Sari Bashi, Program Director, Human Rights Watch. Host: Hashem Ahelbarra Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Al Jazeera targeted. Benjamin Netanyahu says the network will no longer broadcast from Israel because it threatens national security. The channel says that's inflammatory slander. What's really behind the ban? And what does it mean for Israel's war on Gaza? In this episode: Irene Khan, United Nations Special Rapporteur. Mansour Shouman, Gazan Aid Activist. Daniel Levy, President, U.S./Middle East Project. Host: Hashem Ahelbarra Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Will Narendra Modi serve a third term? The Indian prime minister has launched his party's campaign for the upcoming elections - boasting of his achievements in the past decade. But what about his controversial policies on Hindu nationalism? In this episode: Yamini Aiyar, Former president, Centre for Policy Research. Ravi Agrawal, Editor-in-chief, Foreign Policy. Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay, Journalist, Hindu Nationalistic Politics.  Host: James Bays Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Will Ultra-Orthodox Jews in Israel serve in its military? The government is under growing pressure to end their decades-long exemption. That's as calls are growing for ALL groups to join the army, as the war rages on in Gaza. But what would a change mean for Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition? In this episode: Efraim Inbar, President, Jerusalem Institute for Strategy. Yossi Mekelberg, Associate Fellow, Chatham House. Meron Rapoport, Editor, "Local Call".  Host: James Bays Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Turks go to the polls again, this time for municipal elections. President Erdogan's party hopes to re-take control of major cities, while the opposition wants to cement gains made in 2019. But what shapes these elections? And what direction could Turkiye take? In this episode: Ahmet Kasim Han, Professor, Political Science and International Relation, Beykoz University. Vehbi Baysan, Assistant Professor, İbn Haldun University. Mehmet Celik, Editorial Coordinator, Daily Sabah Newspaper. Host: James Bay Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

The International Court of Justice tells Israel to allow supplies into Gaza - saying famine is setting in there. But its previous orders in the war have so far been ignored. So, what's the significance of this latest decision? And can it help Gaza's people? In this episode: Ardi Imseis, Professor of International Law at Queen's University. Ahmed Abofoul, International lawyer and researcher. Akbar Shahid Ahmed, Senior diplomatic correspondent at Huffpost. Host: James Bay Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

A new law in Florida will restrict or ban children from social media. Supporters say it gives them much needed protection. But it's opposed by tech corporations, and free speech and privacy advocates. So, what are the arguments for and against it? And what's the rest of the world doing? In this episode: Hannah Oertel, Founder of Delay Smartphones. Nirali Bhatia, A cyber psychologist. Noeline Blackwell, Online Safety Coordinator of the Irish charity Children's Rights Alliance. Host: Nick Clark Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

A report by a UN special rapporteur accuses Israel of genocidal acts in Gaza. The entire area has been classified as a military objective, making all Palestinians there potential targets. So, how does the report reflect the reality on the ground? In this episode: Mustafa Barghouti, Secretary General, Palestinian National Initiative. Yousef Hammash, Gaza Advocacy Officer, The Norwegian Refugee Council. Geoffrey Nice, Human Rights Lawyer. Host: Mohammed Jamjoom Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Israel reacts with fury as the United Nations Security Council votes for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The US abstained and didn't use its veto. What does the resolution mean for the Palestinians, Israel and its allies? In this episode: Diana Buttu, Palestinian Lawyer.  Gideon Levy, Columnist, Haaretz.  Chris Hedges, Former Middle East Bureau Chief, New York Times.  Host: Hashem Ahelbarra Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Another blow to UNRWA. A new US law includes a year-long ban on funding to the UN agency that supports Palestinian refugees. Washington stands with Israel - accusing some employees of taking part in Hamas' attacks. What does this mean for the people of Gaza? In this episode: Loay Elbasyouni, Gaza Native, Educated, UNRWA school in Gaza.  Chris Gunness, Former UNRWA spokesperson. Tamer Qarmout, Professor, Doha Institute for Graduate Studies. Host: Hashem Ahelbarra Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

How will Russia retaliate to the mass shooting in Moscow? An affiliate of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant has claimed responsibility. The group has targeted Russia before. What are the implications of this latest attack? In this episode: Ahmed Rashid, Veteran Journalist who specialises on Afghanistan and Pakistan.  Owen Matthews, Author, 'Overreach: The Inside Story of Putin's War Against Ukraine'.  Jerome Drevon, Senior Analyst, Jihad and Modern Conflict, International Crisis Group.  Host: James Bays Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Can the United Nations Security Council agree on a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza? It's rejected the latest text drafted by the US. Other members will present a new one. But how likely is it to pass? And if it does, how would it be enforced? In this episode: Francis J. Ricciardone, Former US Ambassador to Egypt and Turkiye. Hussein Haridi, Member, Egyptian Foreign Affairs Council.  Hanan Ashrawi, Former Member, Palestine Liberation Organization Executive Committee. Host: James Bays Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

The US Secretary of State is on his sixth visit to the Middle East since Israel started its war on Gaza. So what has Antony Blinken got to offer this time? And can Washington pressure Israel's government to change direction? In this episode: Marcelle Wahba, President Emeritus of the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington. Roxane Farmanfarmaian, specialist in Modern Middle East Politics. Nour Odeh, Palestinian political analyst. Host: Nick Clark Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Vietnam's president is being forced out after only a year in office. Vo Van Thuong is the latest high-profile figure to be toppled in a country important to both China and the West.So why has he gone? And what are the international implications? In this episode: Hai Hong Nguyen, A senior lecturer at VinUniversity in Hanoi. Carlyle Thayer, Professor Emeritus at the University of New South Wales.  Nguyen Khac Giang, Visiting Fellow at ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute. Host: Rob Matheson Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Israel's war on Gaza has relied mostly on western arms and technology to kill around thirty-two thousand Palestinians. And despite growing opposition, those weapons keep flowing. So who's supplying Israel with the tools for genocide? And could there be legal consequences? In this episode: Sarah Yager, Washington Director, Human Rights Watch. Wendela de Vries, Co-founder, top Wapenhandel. Brian Finucane, US Senior Adviser, International Crisis Group. Host: Elizabeth Puranam  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube  Elizabeth Puranam 

Famine in Gaza. Israel's genocidal assault is continuing after five months of slaughter, mostly with western supplied weapons. International pressure has amounted to little more than words. What can bring Gaza's suffering to an end? In this episode: Fidaa Al Araj, Oxfam Aid Worker, Gaza. Arwa Mhanna, Middle East Senior Adviser, Advocacy and Policy, Mercy Corps Aid Agency. Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur, Occupied Palestinian Territory. Host: Cyril Vanier Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Niger has cut military ties with the United States - a setback from what was once a crucial ally in West Africa. It follows other leaders in the Sahel in forging closer ties with Russia, after taking power in military coups. So, what impact will this have on the region? In this episode: Idayat Hassan, A Senior Associate, Non-Resident, Centre for Strategic and International Studies, Abuja. Alexis Akwagyiram, Managing Director, Semafor Africa, London. Kabir Adamu - Security and Intelligence Specialist, focusing on West Africa and the Sahel region, Abuja. Host: Hashem Ahelbarra Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Could Haiti be on the brink of collapse? Gangs control most of the capital, people are starving as humanitarian aid is blocked, and a political vacuum is only worsening the crisis. What's caused this unprecedented chaos in Haiti? And what's the way out? In this episode: Jean Eddy Saint Paul, Founding director, City University of New York's Haitian Studies Institute.  Emmanuela Douyon, Executive Director, 'Policite'.  John Packer, Director, Human Rights Research and Education Centre, Ottawa University.  Host: Hashem Ahelbarra Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Under growing US pressure to reform the Palestinian Authority, leader Mahmoud Abbas has appointed a new prime minister. Other factions have criticised the move. Israel's war in Gaza is still raging, so what purpose will he serve? And is the PA still relevant? In this episode: Tahani Mustafa, Senior Palestine Analyst, International Crisis Group. Mansour Shouman, Canadian-Palestinian Citizen Journalist. Mustafa Barghouti, Secretary General, Palestinian National Initiative. Host: James Bays Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Vladimir Putin is running for a fifth term in Russia's presidential election as the war in Ukraine is entering its third year.  At home, he's accused of cracking down on political opponents. So, what would another six years of Putin mean for Russia? In this episode: Dmitry Babich, Veteran Russian journalist. Anatol Lieven, Director of the Eurasia Programme at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. Alexander Clackson, Founder of Global Political Insight. Host: James Bays Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

A US bill has passed that could make the Chinese platform unavailable in the country. The reason given is that Tiktok is a national security threat. But what about freedom of speech? And how will Beijing respond? In this episode: Professor Sarah Kreps, Founder and director of the Technology Policy Institute at Cornell University Don Horan, Former acting executive deputy chief information officer for New York.  Chung Ching Kwong, Senior analyst with the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China. Host: James Bays Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

US intelligence agencies have concluded Hamas cannot be destroyed - a core aim of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's merciless onslaught on Gaza. So why is the US continuing to arm Israel - to fight a war it doesn't believe can be won? In this episode: Glenn Carle, U.S. National Security and Foreign Policy Specialist. Yossi Mekelberg, Associate Fellow, Middle East and North Africa Programme, Chatham House. Tamer Qarmout, Assistant Professor, Public Policy, Doha Institute for Graduate Studies. Host: James Bays Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

China's plans for the coming year have been set out at its National People's Congress. The fortunes of the planet's second-largest economy are now of global interest - as are its political intentions. So what's in store for China and the rest of the world? In this episode: Einar Tangen, Senior Fellow at the Taihe Institute, Beijing. Bert Hofman, Professor, East Asian Institute, National University of Singapore. Vicky Pryce, Chief Economic Adviser, Centre for Economics and Business Research.  Host: Jonah Hull Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Pope Francis calls for talks and an end to the war in Ukraine - in comments rebuffed by Kyiv but welcomed in Moscow. The war which has cost thousands of lives continues with little movement by either side. Should Ukraine talk or fight on? In this episode: Volodymyr Yermolenko, Chief Editor, Ukraine World. Pavel Felgenhauer, Independent Russian Foreign Policy Analyst, Moscow. Patrick Bury, Senior Lecturer, University of Bath. Host: Jonah Hull Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

As Gaza's people face starvation from Israel's war and siege, the US and EU reveal plans to send supplies. But the US and EU members have also been busy supplying weapons to Israel. Will their new initiatives help Gaza? Or are they just a PR exercise for US President Joe Biden and his EU allies? In this episode: Mansour Shouman, Aid activist who has been in Gaza throughout the war until two weeks ago. Dr Mads Gilbert, Professor of Emergency Medicine, University of Tromso.  Marwan Bishara, Al Jazeera's Senior Political Analyst. Host: Hashem Ahelbarra Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Why can’t Nigeria stop the kidnapping of schoolchildren? Almost 300 pupils are missing after the latest in years of similar attacks. The mass abductions are blamed on armed groups and bandits demanding ransom. So how is the Nigerian government failing to deal with the long-running problem? In this episode: Kemi Okenyodo, Founder and Executive Director, Partners West Africa. Bulama Bukarti, Senior Fellow, Tony Blair Institute for Global change. Sadeeq Garba Shehu, Security and Defence Consultant. Host: Hashem Ahelbarra Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Joe Biden lashed out at Donald Trump during his State of the Union address, who'll almost certainly be his election rival again in November. The US President also came up with an initiative to get food into Gaza. But how many will be convinced by what Biden had to say? And was the address also an early election campaign speech?  In this episode: Anish Mohanty, Communications Director of Gen-Z for Change. Julie Norman, Associate Professor in Politics and International Relations, University College London. Steve Herman, Voice of America's Chief National Correspondent. Host: Jonah Hull Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Angry farmers in Poland and elsewhere are protesting against cheap imports from Ukraine, and governments are under pressure to take action. So, what does this mean for Ukraine as its war with Russia enters its third year? And is European public support for it faltering?  In this episode: Aleksandra Rybinska,  Journalist and commentator. Tymofiy Mylovanov, President of the Kyiv School of Economics. Suzanne Lynch, Chief Brussels Correspondent for Politico Europe. Host: Jonah Hull Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Will Joe Biden and Donald Trump face each other in the US election in November? The current and former presidents swept polls in the Super Tuesday vote. Now, they hope to get their parties' nominations. But what are American voters' priorities this time round? In this episode: James Zogby, President, Arab American Institute. Arshad Hasan, Democratic Party Political Strategist.  Rina Shah, Conservative Political Adviser. Host: Adrian Finighan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Parts of Haiti are under a state of emergency following an escalation in violence. Gangs have taken control of most of the capital, and they want Prime Minister Ariel Henry out. So, what's behind this unrest? And what will it take to restore long-lasting stability to the country? In this episode: Francois Guillaume, Haitian Ambassador to Qatar. Erwan de Cherisey, Principal, Janes Defence Intelligence Company. Vanda Felbab-Brown, Director of Initiative on Non-state Armed Actors, Brookings Institution. Ralph Emmanuel Francois, Haitian Social Entrepreneur and Activist. Host: Jonah Hull Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

The US has vetoed every resolution at the UN Security Council calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. That's since Israel launched its war in October. So is Washington misusing its veto power? And does the council's voting system need to change? In this episode: Richard Gowan, UN Director, International Crisis Group. Mouin Rabbani, Non-resident fellow, Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies. Carne Ross, Adviser, UN Summit of the Future. Host: Adrian Finighan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

The U.S. begins airdropping food into Gaza as Palestinians there face starvation. But aid agencies say it's an ineffective way to deliver much-needed assistance. So can the airlift make a big difference for the many who are desperate to eat? In this episode: Bushra Khalidi, Policy Lead, Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel, Oxfam. Tamer Qarmout, Professor, Doha Institute, Graduate Studies. Aseel Baidoun, Acting Director, Advocacy and Campaigns, Medical Aid for Palestinians. Host: Adrian Finighan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza are growing louder. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains defiant - insisting his military won't back down until Hamas is wiped out. So, what does this mean for ceasefire negotiations? And how serious is Netanyahu about diplomatic efforts? In this episode: Yossi Beilin - Former Israeli Justice Minister. Ibrahim Fraihat - Associate Professor, Conflict Resolution, Doha Institute. Mohammed Cherkaoui - Professor, Conflict Resolution and Diplomacy, George Mason University. Host: Jonah Hull Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

There's renewed debate in Israel about ultra-Orthodox Jews being exempted from military service. With the war on Gaza escalating, there are now calls to remove that exemption.  But what will take to do it? And how much politics is at play in this debate? In this episode: Efraim Inbar, President of the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security. Akiva Eldar, political analyst and former columnist for Haaretz newspaper. Yehoshua Pfeffer, community Rabbi and executive member of Netzah Yehuda. Host: Hashem Ahelbarra  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Iranians are choosing a new legislature, and many hope it will pave the way for reform. But with a strict vetting system and anti-establishment candidates barred from running, is change possible in the Islamic Republic? What role does parliament actually play?  In this episode: Mohammad Marandi, Professor at the University of Tehran and and Iranian political analyst. Roxane Farmanfarmaian, Professor of International Relations and Modern Middle East Politics at the University of Cambridge. Adnan Tabatabai, Iranian affairs analyst and chief executive of CARPO, a think tank focused on the Middle East. Host: Hashem Ahelbarra  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Russia is making gains in the war with Ukraine, and the West is considering its response. France has not ruled out sending troops to Ukraine, but the idea's rejected by its allies. So is the West's existing support enough for Kyiv? And what else might it need to face Russia? In this episode: Peter Zalmayev, Executive Director, Eurasia Democracy Initiative. Oana Lungescu, Former Principal Spokesperson, NATO.  Alexander Clackson, Founder, Global Political Insight. Host: Nastasya Tay Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

After attacking Gaza for nearly five months, the Israeli prime minister is focusing on Rafah. Benjamin Netanyahu says a ground offensive is vital to eliminating Hamas -- and any ceasefire would only delay the inevitable. But what about the 1.5 million Palestinians trapped there? In this episode: Akbar Shahid Ahmed, Senior Diplomatic Correspondent, Huffpost. Najla Shawa, Country Relations Manager, Oxfam. Patrick Bury, Senior Lecturer in Security Studies, University of Bath.  Host: Laura Kyle Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Heavy fighting in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee for their lives. And the conflict between the government and M23 fighters has escalated in recent weeks in the north east. So what's driving rebel activity? And can peace be achieved? In this episode: Patrick Muyaya, Minister of Communication and Media Spokesman, Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Lawrence Kanyuka, Political spokesman, M23 rebel group.  Crystal Orderson, Journalist, The Africa Report. Fred Bauma, the Executive Director, Senior Fellow, NYU Center on International Cooperation. Host: Adrian Finighan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Palestinian police escorting aid trucks in Gaza, are being regularly attacked by Israel's military. That's as tens of thousands of people are starving in the strip, and civil order is breaking down. Is Benjamin Netanyahu's government creating a security vacuum in Gaza - and if so, why? In this episode: Chris Gunness, Former Spokesman, UNRWA. Walid Habbas, Researcher, Palestinian Forum for Israeli Studies. Sultan Barakat, Professor of Public Policy, Hamad Bin Khalifa University. Host: Dareen Abughaida  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Tens of thousands dead on both sides and millions of Ukrainians displaced. As a third year of war begins, we examine what Russia has achieved since its full-scale invasion. So who's benefiting? And is this a war that can be won? In this episode: Pavel Felgenhauer, Defense Analyst, Moscow. Stefan Wolff, Professor of International Security, University of Birmingham. Hanna Shelest, Security Studies Program Director, 'Ukrainian Prism'. Host: Laura Kyle  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

The consequences of Israel's war on Gaza is causing a maritime crisis in the Red Sea, one that has drawn in major powers like the United States, the UK and China. So, is the Red Sea becoming fully militarised?  In this episode: Betul Dogan-Akkas, Researcher at Ankara University. Stavros Karamperidis, Head of the Maritime Transport Research Group at the University of Plymouth.  Farea Al-Muslimi, Research fellow at Chatham House’s Middle East and North Africa Programme.  Host: Mohammed Jamjoom Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Israel is blamed for blocking aid deliveries to Gaza - an accusation the government denies. So, what mechanisms are in place for Israel to ensure food and humanitarian assistance reaches the millions of people the UN says are at risk of starvation? In this episode: Andreas Krieg, Associate Professor of Security Studies at King's College London. Sarah Davies, Spokesperson for the International Committee of the Red Cross in Israel and the Occupied Territories.  Raymond Johansen, Secretary General of Norwegian People's Aid. Host: Mohammed Jamjoom Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Already under relentless Israeli bombardment for months, Palestinians in northern Gaza are also going hungry. The UN food agency has halted aid deliveries, saying civil order has collapsed. So, how can Israel be stopped from using starvation as a weapon of war? In this episode: Shaina Low, Communications Adviser, Noregian Refugee Council. Nebal Farsakh, Spokesperson, Palestine Red Crescent Society. Sara Pantuliano, Chief Exeuctive, ODI - A Humanitarian Policy Think Tank. Host: Mohammed Jamjoom Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

South Sudan is facing a hunger catastrophe. The effects of civil war and natural disasters are compounded by an influx of refugees fleeing the conflict in neighbouring Sudan. So, how desperate is the situation? And who should step in to help South Sudan? In this episode: Angelina Nyajima, Executive Director, Hope Restoration South Sudan. Alan Boswell, Horn of Africa Director, International Crisis Group. Gemma Snowdon, Head of Communications, World Food Programme, South Sudan. Host: Mohammed Jamjoom Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Israel is once again before the ICJ. This time for public hearings on the legal consequences of its occupation of Palestinian territories. It's more pressure while its military wages war on Gaza. But does Israel care about international justice? And what difference would a verdict make? In this episode: Riad Malki, Foreign minister, State of Palestine. Ardi Imseis, Legal counsel, State of Palestine. Nour Odeh, Palestinian Political Analyst. Mehran Kamrava, Professor of Government, Georgetown University, Qatar. Host: Adrian Finighan  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Calls are growing louder in Israel for the resignation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - and for elections to be held. Many who were dissatisfied before the war on Gaza began are even more unhappy now with how the country is being led. So, can Netanyahu be toppled from what many say is his disastrous leadership? In this episode: Oren Ziv, Journalist and Commentator, +972 Magazine. Thabet Abu Rass, Co-Executive Director, Abraham Initiatives. Akiva Eldar, Political Analyst and Journalist. Host: Adrian Finighan  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

World leaders blame Vladimir Putin for the death of his most outspoken critic. Will the unexplained passing in prison of Alexey Navalny change anything in Russia? Or will the voices of dissent become too afraid to challenge the power of the Kremlin? In this episode: Vladimir Sotnikov, Associate Professor, International Relations, Higher School of Economics University.  Samuel Ramani, Associate Fellow, Royal United Services Institute. Peter Nikitin, Russian Pro-Democracy Activist and Lawyer. Host: Adrian Finighan  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Israel has ramped up its strike on Hezbollah, killing civilians in Lebanon. Combined with the war on Gaza, could this exchange escalate into a regional one? In this episode: Gilbert Achcar, Professor of Development Studies and International Relations at SOAS. Hala Jaber, Journalist and Author.  Elijah J Magnier, Military analyst.  Host: Adrian Finighan  Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza are living under the never-ending threat of famine because of the shortage of humanitarian aid.  So, is the starvation of civilians being used by Israel as a weapon of war?  In this episode: Fidaa Al Araj, Food Security & Livelihood Co-ordinator, Oxfam. Donatella Rovera, Senior Crisis Response Adviser, Amnesty International. Dr Abdel-Mannan, a paediatric neurology doctor  Host: Hashem Ahelbarra Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Yet, another inconclusive meeting to reach a deal between Hamas and Israel. It comes as the Israeli military is threatening a ground offensive in Rafah, at the southern tip of Gaza. So, does diplomacy still stand a chance in this war? And why does Rafah matter? In this episode: Robert Geist Pinfold, Lecturer, Peace and Security, Durham University. Hafsa Halawa, Independent Political Consultant, Middle East, North Africa and the Horn of Africa. Omar Rahman, Fellow, Middle East Council on Global Affairs. Host: Hashem Ahelbarra Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

The United Nations' top court has ordered Israel to prevent destruction in Gaza. Yet its military is razing entire neighbourhoods to the ground. Large swathes of the strip have become uninhabitable. So, what will it take for Israel to stop its war? In this episode: Ahmed Abofoul, Advocacy Officer, Al Haq. Kate Mackintosh, Executive Director, University of California Los Angeles Law Promise Institute Europe.  Mohammed Abu-Nimer, Chair, Abdula Aziz Said for Peace and Conflict Resolution,  American University. Host: Hashem Ahelbarra Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Is Israel obstructing aid deliveries to Gaza? The UN says some Palestinians are on the brink of starvation. That's even after the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to allow humanitarian assistance into Gaza. So, who can force it to comply? In this episode: Ardi Imseis, International Law Professor, Queen’s University.  Chris Gunness, Former UNRWA Spokesperson. Host: Hashem Ahelbarra Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Is Israel in breach of the UN court's ruling? The International Court of Justice ordered its military to end acts of genocide, as well as prevent incitement to commit genocidal acts. But with more Palestinians killed in Gaza every day, who can force Israel to comply? In this episode: Yousef al Hammash, Advocacy officer, Norwegian Refugee Council. Mouin Rabbani, Co-editor, Jadaliyya. Neve Gordon, International Law Professor, Queen Mary University. Host: Adrian Finighan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

An inconclusive general election in Pakistan - with rival former prime ministers Imran Khan and Nawaz Sharif both claiming victory. Horsetrading between different parties will now follow on forming the next government. Who's likely to lead Pakistan next? And what does the outcome mean for the country with deep political divisions and serious economic problems? In this episode: Zulfi Bukhari, Chairman, Tehreek-e-Insaf Party. Farzana Shaikh, Associate Fellow, Asia Pacific Programme, Chatham House.  Haider Zaman Qureshi, Member, Central Executive Committee, Pakistan Peoples Party. Host:  Adrian Finighan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

European organisations have no plans to ban Israel from events such as the UEFA football championships and Eurovision song contest, despite its war on Gaza. Why does Israel compete in Europe? And why are European organisations defending its continued participation? In this episode: Andrew Feinstein, Writer and campaigner. Omar Barghouti, Co-founder of the Boycott, Divestments and Sanctions movement. Chris Rose, Director of Amos Trust, a creative human rights organisation. Host:  Adrian Finighan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

There are more talks underway for a possible ceasefire in Gaza - while Israel is still bombing much of the Strip after rejecting a Hamas offer for a lengthy pause. So, what next? And when will respite come for millions of Palestinians suffering from months of bombardment? In this episode: Daniel Levy, President of the U.S.-Middle East Project. Mustafa Barghouti, Secretary General of the Palestinian National Initiative. Akbar Shahid Ahmed, Senior Diplomatic Correspondent for Huffpost. Host:  Adrian Finighan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Furious farmers drive their protests home to European Union leaders. And more demonstrations are planned in their revolt against high costs, EU climate change policies, food imports and support for Ukraine. So what political impact could their action have? In this episode: Michael Fitzmaurice, Independent member, Irish Parliament. Francisco Guerreiro, Independent Member, European Parliament. Pieter Cleppe, European Policy Analyst. Host:  Adrian Finighan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Sudan is facing several catastrophic crises. Millions are forced from their homes and people are dying of starvation. The UN accuses the warring parties of impeding aid delivery. So, what should be done to save those caught up in the fighting? In this episode: Hajooj Kuka, Spokesman for Emergency Response Rooms. Raga Makawi, Editor of African Arguments, a pan-African online news platform. William Carter, Sudan Country Director for the Norwegian Refugee Council. Host: Tom McRae Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

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 U.S. Presidential election — a repeat contest is expected between President Joe Biden and his predecessor Donald Trump. One is the oldest candidate in U.S. 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 U.S. and Americas Programme, Chatham House. Trita Parsi, executive Vice President at the 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 Dina 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 U.S. 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.

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 President Vladimir Putin.  Stefan Wolff - Professor at the University of Birmingham.

Is Ecuador succumbing to gang violence and organised crime? The assassination of a presidential candidate shocked the Latin American country. The government blames drug cartels for the increase in violence. 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? And is the world's biggest economy in trouble? Join host Sohail Rahman 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, a 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

What can Russia offer to Africa? 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? And 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 neighbors offer? Join host Adrian Finighan Guests: Kemal Hashi Mohamoud - Member of the Ethiopian Parliament Martin Plaut - Journalist specializing 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 who 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. His party has lost in regional polls. So, 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? And what are the dangers of extreme heat, 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 - an independent UK health charity organisation Dr. Sonia Adesara, NHS doctor and campaigner Jamie Hale - CEO of Pathfinders Neuromuscular Alliance - a disabled-led organisation offering social support services.  

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, a South African think tank. 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. But why now? And 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, a 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.