The Inside Story Podcast

The UK government wants to introduce legislation to lower the voting age, saying it aims to modernise UK democracy. But will the reform make any difference? And has it worked in other countries? In this episode:  Afzal Khan, Labour Member of Parliament in the UK Yannis Koutsomitis, European affairs analyst Alex Deane, Political analyst and conservative commentator Host: Adrian Finig...

What is the real motive behind Israel's involvement in Syria? Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad, it's repeatedly bombed and extended its occupation, saying it's defending the Druze minority. But what are the long-term implications of Israel's actions in Syria? In this episode:  Akiva Eldar, Author, 'Lords of the Land: The War for Israel's Settlements in the Occupied Territories, 1967-2007' Ga...

Tokyo says China's growing military activity is a serious threat. So, what does this mean for an already volatile region? And how will the US react?  In this episode:  Tomohiko Taniguchi, Professor, University of Tsukuba. Einar Tangen, Senior Fellow, Taihe Institute.  Robert Kelly, Professor, International Relations, Pusan National University. Host:  James Bays Connect with us:...

Reluctant to recognise the new government in Syria, fighters from the Druze minority have been involved in sectarian violence. A ceasefire is in place, but some Druze leaders have called for international protection. So, how will President Ahmed al-Sharaa deal with them? And how is Israel's involvement complicating the situation? In this episode:  Louay Safi, Syrian Political Scientist. ...

Ten years ago Iran and world powers signed a historic nuclear deal, easing sanctions in return for limits on Tehran's nuclear programme. Since then, the US pulled out, and just weeks ago, they joined Israel in attacking Iran. What's the legacy of this deal and its collapse? In this episode:  Alan Eyre, Member, US Nuclear Deal Team (2010-2015). Abas Aslani, Senior Research Fellow, Center for M...

US President Donald Trump tells Europe and Mexico they face tariffs of 30 percent from next month. That's created shock and is raising fears of an all-out trade war. But both sides say they want talks to continue. So, what's Trump's strategy? And what are the risks?  In this episode:  Niall Stanage, White House Columnist, The Hill.  Greg Swenson, Chairman, Republicans Overseas UK.&n...

Sudden cuts to international funding have dealt a severe blow to the global fight against HIV/AIDS. The UN warns millions of people will die and millions more will contract the disease if urgent action isn't taken. So, how can countries prevent this disaster? In this episode:  Dr Helen Rees, Director, Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, University of the Witwatersrand. Dr Krishna Udayakuma...

Members of the Kurdish Workers' Party have laid down their arms, ending a decades-long struggle with Turkiye. But will this move by the PKK lead to real reconciliation? And what does this shift mean for Kurds across the region? In this episode:  Galip Dalay, Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Middle East Council on Global Affairs David L Phillips, Director of the Program on Peace-building...

The route to Greece is closing. The words of Greek Prime Minister as his country suspends requests for asylum. Athens warns it will now arrest those entering the country illegally from North Africa. But is this the right response to a surge in illegal migration? In this episode:  Eleni Spathana, Lawyer, Refugee Support Aegean Amine Snoussi, Political Analyst and Journalist Mari...

Millions of workers go on strike across India. They say new government measures discriminate against them in favour of corporations. It's another outpouring of public anger against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's economic policies. So, how has the country's economy fared under his decade-long premiership? In this episode:  Amarjeet Kaur, National Secretary, All India Trade Union Congress. Adil...

Donald Trump says talks to get a new ceasefire in Gaza are going well. Benjamin Netanyahu has been meeting him in the White House - the third time he has visited this year. They talked openly about a post war future for Gaza. But what is Israel's real plan? Is it trying to forcibly relocate Palestinians in a scheme being described as a crime against humanity? In this episode: Curt Mills, Executive...

Yet another BRICS summit, this time in Brazil, but with the leaders of two major member-countries staying away. The group has expanded and aims to reform what it calls a western-led global order. But is it still up to that goal? And what difference has it made on the world stage? In this episode: Gustavo Ribeiro, Founder and Editor-in-chief, The Brazilian Report. Sergey Markov, Dire...

Why has Iran stepped up its deportation of Afghan refugees? Thousands are being forced to go back to Afghanistan as Tehran tightens controls on immigration. But what's really behind this crackdown? And can Taliban government handle this sudden influx of returnees? In this episode: Arafat Jamal, Afghanistan Representative, United Nations Refugee Agency. Orzala Nemat, Director, Development Research...

First, Tehran accused the International Atomic Energy Agency of being complicit in Israel's attacks on its nuclear sites. Now, the UN agency's pulled all its inspectors out of Iran. So, who will monitor its nuclear activities? And could this trigger another round of tension? In this episode: Abas Aslani, Senior Research Fellow, Center, Middle East Strategic Studies. Tariq Rauf, Former Head, Verifi...

A report by the UN Special Rapporteur says some of the world's largest companies are complicit in and profiting from Israel's actions in the occupied Palestinian territories. Microsoft, Amazon and Google as just some of the major US tech firms identified. So, could they be held liable under international law?  In this episode:  Omar Barghouti, Co-founder of the Boycott, Divestment,...

Tibet's spiritual leader says the role he embodies will continue after his death, saying the next Dalai Lama will be chosen in line with tradition. But China insists it should have the final say. So, could this become a potential flashpoint in relations between Beijing and India - which is home to a large exiled Tibetan community? In this episode:  Robbie Barnett, Writer and researcher on mod...

What's bringing China and the EU closer? The two sides are marking fifty years of relations this month ... holding talks and pledging deeper cooperation. But how far will this go? And who stands to gain the most, Beijing or Europe? In this episode:  Karel Lannoo, CEO, Centre for European Policy Studies. Victor Gao, Vice President, Center for China and Globalisation. Raffaele Marchetti, Direct...

Suspended after a leaked recording of a controversial phone call, Thailand's Prime Minister is now fighting for her political survival. Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been facing growing public anger. So, will she survive this crisis? And what does it mean for democracy in Thailand? In this episode:  Sean Boonpracong, Political Analyst. Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Political Scientist, Chulalongko...

They escaped the horrors of war in their country. But millions of refugees from Sudan now face the risk of hunger. The United Nations World Food Programme is facing a dire shortage of funds. Who is to blame? And who might step in to feed the refugees? In this episode:  Carl Skau, UN World Food Programme's Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer. Alex de Waal,...

Will a deal to end war between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda work this time? They've signed an agreement in Washington to end the long-running conflict in eastern DRC and it has the full support of the US. But how will it work in practice? And what are the chances of success? In this episode:  Gatete Nyiringabo, Political Commentator.  Zainab Usman, Senior Fellow and Direct...

The US and Israel attacked Iran saying it can't have a nuclear weapon while the Islamic Republic denies trying to build one. The two are among nine countries armed with such weapons. So, who decides who can have nuclear arms? And have the actions of Israel and the US increased the risks that more countries will want them?  In this episode:  Tariq Rauf, Former Head, Verification and...

An EU summit in Brussels calls for a ceasefire in Gaza but not for sanctions against Israel.  Germany has led states blocking action throughout the war, while others express anger.  So, what's driving the EU's position on Israel and Gaza?   In this episode:  Claudio Francavilla, Associate EU Director, Human Rights Watch. Lynn Boylan, Sinn Féin Member of the European...

A political earthquake say the headlines. A stunning victory. A wake up call for the US Democratic Party. Zohran Mamdani's win in New York City's Mayoral primary has sent the news media into overdrive. But what's behind his win - and how significant is it for US politics?  In this episode:  Linda Sarsour, Palestinian American activist and political strategist  Joi Chaney, Democ...

Israel's war on Gaza raged on during its recent conflict with Iran which ended with a US brokered ceasefire. Meanwhile, Qatar has announced renewed mediation efforts to end the genocide. So, what are the prospects for peace now?  In this episode:  Xavier Abu Eid, Political Analyst.  Mairav Zonszein, Senior Israeli Analyst, International Crisis Group.  Rami Khouri, Distingu...

Donald Trump urges Israel and Iran to stick to the agreed ceasefire. The two sides have traded accusations of violations. It comes after Iran targeted a US military base in Qatar. So, will this ceasefire hold? And what does it mean for the wider Middle East? In this episode:  Dania Thafer, Executive Director, Gulf International Forum. Ellie Geranmayeh, Deputy Head, Middle East and North Afric...