Hindustan Times Podcast

Today marks the 90th birthday of the 14th Dalai Lama, a spiritual icon, a refugee, and the voice of a nation in exile. For decades, the world has wondered: What happens after him? Now, for the first time, the Dalai Lama has given a definitive answer, his spiritual lineage will continue, and his successor will be born in the “free world.” This is not just a religious statement. It’s a direct challe...

In this episode of Point Blank, Hindustan Times Executive Editor Shishir Gupta delves into the escalating tensions between China and the Tibetan Buddhist community following the Dalai Lama’s recent succession declaration. The 14th Dalai Lama said the institution will continue after him, and added that his successor will be chosen by a trust he founded, not by the Chinese authorities. With his 90th...

Syria’s civil war is over. Assad is gone. But a new chapter has begun, one that’s raising eyebrows across the Middle East. The United States is lifting sanctions. Israel is pushing for peace. And Syria, broken and broke, is being nudged toward normalisation with a country it once called its enemy. So what’s really going on? In this episode of Grey Zone, Ananya Dutta breaks down how Trump flipped U...

Thailand is once again in political turmoil. In this episode of Grey Zone, we unpack the dramatic suspension of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra triggered by a leaked 17-minute phone call with Cambodia’s Hun Sen. Why did she call him "uncle"? What did she offer him? And why did her own army become the target of her alleged criticism? The scandal is not just personal, it's shaking the foundati...

In this episode of Point Blank, Hindustan Times Executive Editor Shishir Gupta gives an analysis of recent statements by Pakistan's Field Marshal Asim Munir. The Pakistan army chief, during a speech at the Pakistan Naval Academy, characterised what India calls terrorism as a “legitimate struggle” under international conventions. The discussion highlights how such statements are nothing but dog...

The 12-day Israel-Iran war may be over, but its impact is just beginning. In this episode of Grey Zone, Ananya Dutta unpacks how the U.S. and Israel are seizing this moment to push the Abraham Accords further — hoping more Arab nations will normalise ties with Israel. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff says military gains may compel new countries to join the accords. But will Arab governments follow suit, o...

The ceasefire between Iran and Israel is holding for now. But has the war changed anything? Despite targeted U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, reports suggest Tehran’s core nuclear infrastructure remains intact. Which brings us to the real question: was this ever just about nuclear weapons? Or was it always about oil? From Eisenhower to Carter to Obama, and now Trump - U.S. presidents have pa...

Is Donald Trump laying the groundwork for regime change in Iran? And is Washington preparing for the return of the Shah’s son, Reza Pahlavi? In a dramatic escalation, the U.S. has joined Israel in striking Iran’s nuclear sites, and just hours later, Trump posted a tweet echoing his famous slogan: “Make Iran Great Again.” But this time, it's not a campaign rally. It’s a signal perhaps, to toppl...

Understanding women’s rights, regime change and Middle East politics. Human rights activist Ryma Sheermohammadi shares exclusive insights on the struggle for freedom, the challenges women face in Iran, and the hope for a better future. Watch this in-depth full interview for expert analysis on YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPJKBtDqnVc #Khamenei #Trump #Netanyahu #Iran #Israel #IranIsrael...

U.S. President Donald Trump on June 18 said he was “honoured” to meet Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir. Donald Trump also confirmed that he discussed Iran with Asim Munir during their White House meeting. The rare meeting between the U.S. President and an Army Chief of South Asian nation came amid an ongoing war between Iran and Israel. Trump admin has already hinted at joining Israel's...

Get the latest updates on the escalating Israel-Iran conflict, Donald Trump’s bold statements, and the US’s direct involvement. Join Aayesha Varma and West Asia strategist Dr. Waiel Awwad as they analyse nuclear risks, global oil impacts, and the roles of Russia, China, and the G7. Discover what’s at stake for Netanyahu, Khamenei, and the Middle East. Don’t miss this in-depth discussion on potenti...

Israel has launched a massive wave of airstrikes deep inside Iran, targeting nuclear facilities and high-ranking military leaders in what Prime Minister Netanyahu is calling Operation “Rising Lion.” This is the most direct and expansive Israeli attack on Iranian soil in recent memory—striking Tehran, Natanz, Isfahan, and more. Iran has responded by launching around 100 UAVs towards Israeli territo...

The Israel-Iran conflict is exploding into open warfare. Discover the 5 major escalations pushing the Middle East towards all-out war: Iran’s missile build-up, Israel’s nuclear strike plans, proxy assaults from Gaza to Lebanon, global isolation, and Netanyahu’s political gambles. Will the world witness an apocalyptic showdown? Get the latest updates, expert analysis, and what it means for the regi...

The biggest drone strike in the Ukraine-Russia war’s history has just taken place. But this wasn’t just about military retaliation, it was a show of force, tech, and alliances. In this episode of Grey Zone, Ananya Dutta unpacks how drones are no longer just tools of war—they are rewriting its very DNA. We dive into Ukraine’s “ Operation Spiderweb ,” where cheap FPV drones allegedly outsmarted Russ...

An exclusive interview with Fangzhou Jiang, Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and Harvard Kennedy School student, on the Trump administration’s aggressive visa revocations for Chinese students. Hear first-hand about the anxiety and uncertainty among Chinese students at Harvard, the impact on academic freedom, and the broader implications for US-China relations. Jiang shares insights on national security,...

In this episode of Hindustan Times Point Blank, Executive Editor Shishir Gupta explores India's ongoing Operation Sindoor. Gupta emphasises India's need to bolster intelligence to avoid terror attacks like Pahalgam massacre. Notably, Ukraine's recent drone operation against Russia and Hamas' Oct 7 terror attack proves having prior intelligence is the key to avoiding such incidents....

Ukraine launched its most daring assault on Russia on June 1 when it blew up around 40 Russian warplanes, including nuclear-capable Tu-95 and Tu-95M, at five different locations. The attack codenamed ‘Operation Spiderweb’ reportedly took 18 months of meticulous planning, and was overseen by Ukraine’s security agency SBU. But how did Kyiv manage to execute the attack deep inside Russian territory,...

As Russia and Ukraine edge deeper into chaos—with deadly airstrikes, prisoner swaps, and failed ceasefires—the one man positioning himself above the war is Donald Trump. He’s called Putin “crazy” while still claiming to understand him. He’s criticized the killings yet reminded the world of his friendship with the Kremlin. What is Trump really playing at? Why is he distancing himself from the war w...

India hit hard, Pakistan panicked, and then came the ceasefire. India’s former Deputy National Security Advisor broke down 'Operation Sindoor'. Pankaj Saran opened the lid on a range of explosive issues: the backstory behind 'Sindoor', India’s bold strike that shook Pakistan to the core, the “hasty” ceasefire that followed, the role of Donald Trump, and the looming threat of nuclea...

What happens when diplomacy turns into theatre? When a U.S. President accuses another country of “white genocide” in the Oval Office and forces a head of state into a televised, deeply uncomfortable confrontation? Just days after fast-tracking asylum for 59 white South Africans, Donald Trump welcomed South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa with a barrage of accusations, confrontational soundbites...

Nearly 600 days of war. Thousands dead. A new offensive was launched. Israel says it’s still about Hamas. But with every passing day, that claim wears thinner. This week, Netanyahu launched “Operation Gideon’s Chariots”, a massive new ground assault on Gaza. So why now? What’s the goal? And who’s really calling the shots? From leaked tapes and stalled ceasefires to U.S. double-deals and rising dis...

Join us for an exclusive interview with Dr. Prahlada Ramarao, the visionary scientist behind India’s Akash missile defence system . Discover how Dr. Ramarao, mentored by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, led a team of over 1,000 scientists to create this groundbreaking technology. Hear about the challenges, breakthroughs, and the Akash system’s crucial role in strengthening India’s security. This is a rare ins...

It’s been nearly a year since mass protests in Bangladesh toppled Sheikh Hasina’s regime, ushering in an era of political uncertainty and bold realignments. Now, Dhaka is tightening export rules on Indian goods. India has hit back, imposing restrictions on imports through land ports, affecting over $770 million worth of trade. But this isn't just a tariff war. It’s about power, influence, and...

From the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu & Kashmir on April 22 to India's Operation Sindoor, to a ceasefire announcement between India and Pakistan on May 10, a series of big events have taken place over the last few weeks. India has struck both terror and military infrastructure in Pakistan in the past few days. Now that the two nuclear-armed neighbours have agreed to a ceasefire, one que...

Today, millions of Filipinos voted in the country’s midterm elections, but the spotlight is on Rodrigo Duterte, the former President who now sits in custody at the International Criminal Court, facing charges of crimes against humanity. Yet from 11,000 kilometres away in The Hague, Duterte remains a political force, even running for mayor of Davao City. In this episode of Grey Zone, Ananya Dutta d...