The Inside Story Podcast

Within the EU, a split is growing over how to respond to Israel's actions in the Middle East. Some members want to suspend a trade deal. But its staunchest allies have foiled the move. Can a divided bloc become a voice against Israel's aggression? In this episode:  Bobby McDonagh, a former Irish ambassador to the EU, Italy and the UK Daniel Levy, President of the U.S. / Middle East Project an...

A report by the UN and European Union estimates it will take 71 billion dollars to rebuild Gaza. About a third of that is needed to restore essential services destroyed by Israel's war. So, how will Gaza be rebuilt, and who will pay?  In this episode:  Xavier Abu Eid, political analyst and former Communications Director for the Palestine Liberation Organization Sultan Barakat, Professor...

Ukraine attacks oil facilities in Russia, which is benefiting from higher fuel prices and sanctions relief due to the Iran war. It comes after Moscow launches intense aerial attacks on its neighbour. How is the Iran war affecting Russia and Ukraine?  In this episode:  Chris Weafer, CEO of Macro-Advisory, a strategic consultancy focused on Russia and Eurasia  Steven Erlanger, Chief D...

Defending democracy ... The slogan of left-leaning world leaders in Spain meeting to counter the growing influence of the far right. Meanwhile in Italy, right-wing figures aim to build momentum. So, who will shape the global agenda? In this episode: Ruth Ferrero-Turrion, Professor, Political Science, Complutense University of Madrid. Georgios Samaras, Assistant Professor, Public Pol...

He's accused of links to the sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. He also failed government security checks. Yet Peter Mandelson was appointed UK ambassador to the US. Now, the prime minister is under pressure to resign. But will he? And how will the fallout impact the UK Labour Party? In this episode: Denis MacShane - Former UK Foreign Office Minister of State and Labour MP   Je...

Lebanon and Israel are holding their first direct talks in decades. But as Israel considers Hezbollah a threat, is a lasting peace agreement possible? And how much influence does Iran have in Lebanon? In this episode: Joe Macaron, Middle East geopolitical analyst Yossi Mekelberg, Senior Consulting Fellow at the Middle East and North Africa Programme at Chatham House Rami Khouri, Distingu...

China tells its ally Iran that the Strait of Hormuz must be reopened. International leaders have been visiting Beijing almost daily, underlining its importance in the crisis. So what's the impact of the war on China, and what role is it playing?  Host: James Bays In this episode: Doug Bandow, Senior Fellow at the Cato Institute in Washington DC Shaun Rein, Founder and Managing Director of the...

Israel's alliance with the European Union is under mounting political pressure. Behind the shift are demands to suspend the main agreement underpinning their close relations. But their ties survived Israel's war on Gaza, so why have there been difficulties between them?  Host: James Bays In this episode: Barry Andrews, Member of the European Parliament  Sven Kuhn Von Burgsdorff,&nbs...

Donald Trump in a war of words with the leader of the Roman Catholic Church. The U.S. president refuses to apologise for criticising Pope Leo's opposition to the Iran conflict. He says the pontiff should stay out of American affairs. So, is this political interference or a moral duty to speak out? And what are the consequences? Host: Folly Bah Thibault In this episode: Cornel W...

Hungary's opposition has defeated Prime Minister Viktor Orban by a landslide. He governed for 16 years with a far-right agenda often described as 'authoritarian'. What led to his loss? And what does the outcome mean for the EU, US, and Russia?  In this episode:  Gabor Scheiring, Assistant Professor at Georgetown University in Qatar and a former member of National Assembly of Hungary...

The Iran war has created risks to food security from higher energy costs and shipping restrictions. The world's fertiliser production has been badly hit due to attacks on Gulf chemical plants. Where is food supply most at risk and could there be a lasting impact?  In this episode:  Mourad Wahba, Acting Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia.&n...

A negative political and public reaction in Israel to the ceasefire with Iran - regardless of the respite it brings. No pause for Israel's army however or its victims - hundreds killed in Lebanon and more dead in Gaza. Has Israeli society become conditioned to permanent war?  In this episode:  Ilan Pappe - a historian and professor at Exeter University  Gideon Levy - a col...

Opinion polls in Hungary suggest long-time prime minister Viktor Orban has a battle on his hands in Sunday's election. The outcome will be keenly awaited in Washington, Moscow, Kyiv, and Brussels. So why is this election so important outside of Hungary?  In this episode:  Gabor Scheiring, a former member of the National Assembly of Hungary Istvan Kiss, political scientist, director of th...

The bombing of Iran has stopped, but the bombing of Lebanon has not. Even as Iran and the US say they'll try to work out their many differences at the negotiating table in Pakistan, Israel is busy ramping up its attacks on what it says are Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. The group has been a key player in Iran's axis of resistance for decades. So how far is Tehran willing to go to protect its allies...

Donald Trump has found his Iran off-ramp — but what has it cost? After apocalyptic threats, Washington and Tehran have agreed to a two-week ceasefire. It's still unclear whether that will mean a lasting peace. What's more certain is that the US and the world stage have been changed by Trump's war. Has the world order been changed by Trump's war on Iran? And can any of it be walked back? Host...

The US and Israel's war with Iran has put pressure on Tehran's relations with Moscow. They've been allies, but the Kremlin is seeking to maintain ties with the US to reach a deal on the Ukraine conflict. In this episode:  Afshin Shahi, a Middle East political analyst  Leonid Ragozin, independent journalist Maximilian Hess, founder of Enmetena Advisory and a senior fellow at the Foreign P...

Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant has been targeted four times since the US-Israeli war began. Tehran accuses the UN's nuclear watchdog of inaction, which the IAEA rejects, saying the situation is of deep concern. But why are the attacks happening? And what risks do they pose?  In this episode:  Tariq Rauf, Former Head of Verification and Security Policy Co-ordination at the Internation...

The war in Iran is worsening the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. In violation of the ceasefire, Israel has severely restricted aid and maintained its air strikes. The US-brokered deal is meant to be in Phase 2 but appears to be in limbo. So, who could step in to help Palestinians? In this episode:  Dr Mohammed Tahir, Orthopaedic surgeon, worked in Gaza. Alex de Waal, Executive Director...

The war in the Middle East has worsened the economic crisis in Pakistan. Most of its energy supplies are shipped through the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has largely blocked for five weeks. In this episode:  Kaiser Bengali - Economist and former head of the Policy Reform Unit for the Balochistan Chief Minister Michael Kugelman - Senior Fellow for South Asia at the Atlantic Council Ali Sa...

Several countries say they will take action against Iran's near-total closure of the Strait of Hormuz. But with no end in sight to the war, what would make Tehran open the waterway? And is using force an option? In this episode:  Hassan Ahmadian, Associate Professor at the University of Tehran Rockford Weitz, Maritime Studies Program Director at Tufts University's Fletcher School Craig M...

Israel and the US continue to bomb Iran. But Israeli opinion polls suggest support for the war is dropping, while Iranian missiles still force millions into shelters there. So, what does Israel now seek from attacking Iran, and what could end its onslaught?  In this episode:  Daniel Levy, President of the U.S. / Middle East Project and a former Israeli negotiator during the Oslo Accords&...

As Israel's parliament approves the death penalty to hang Palestinians convicted of lethal attacks, far-right ministers celebrate with champagne. The UN, Europe, and rights groups have condemned the law, but not the US. What are the implications?  In this episode:  Mustafa Barghouti, General Secretary of the Palestinian National Initiative political party  Ofer Cassif, member of the...

US President Donald Trump is threatening to take over or destroy Iran's main oil export hub at Kharg Island. Trump admits such a move would require boots on the ground. But, given the nature of this conflict, will he take that chance? And why does Kharg Island matter so much? In this episode:  Negar Mortazavi, Senior Non-Resident Fellow at the Center for International Policy Matthew Kroenig,...

Pakistan says it's ready to host talks on ending the war in Iran. That came after a meeting of regional foreign ministers in Islamabad. But what leverage do these players have to reach a ceasefire? And with fighting escalating, is a peaceful settlement possible? In this episode:  Munir Akram, A former Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations Ali Vaez, Director...

What difference will the Houthis' involvement in the war make? They have launched missiles at Israel in support of Iran and threatened more attacks. What are the consequences of opening a new front? And given the Yemeni group's proximity to the Red Sea, what could it mean for global shipping? In this episode:  Hisham Al-Omeisy, Senior Yemen Advisor, European Institute of Peace....