The Inside Story Podcast

Iran attacks Gulf Arab states, hitting civilian buildings and energy infrastructure, as well as U.S. bases. The impact of the American-Israeli strikes on the Islamic Republic is felt across the region. What does this mean for Gulf states' relations with Iran and with the US?  In this episode:  Abdulaziz Alghashian, Senior non-resident fellow at the Gulf International Forum Bade...

Israel's assault on Iran comes while it's still attacking Gaza and Lebanon, after bombing Syria, Yemen, and Qatar in the past year. What are the risks for Israel opening another battlefront, and from the collapse, or the survival, of the Islamic Republic?  In this episode:  Alon Pinkas, Former Ambassador and Consul General of Israel in New York Rami Khouri, Distinguished Fellow at the Am...

 Iran's Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khomeini assassinated in attacks by the US and Israel. There are huge crowds of mourners on the streets, and the complex process of selecting his successors are already underway. So, how does Iran work and how robust are these state systems now under attack? In this episode:  Ibrahim Fraihat, Associate Professor, International Conflict Resolution, Doha Ins...

The US and Israel attack Iran - and Tehran retaliates, firing missiles at Israeli targets and US assets in the region. It follows a massive military build-up by Washington - and indirect talks between the US and Iran over its nuclear program. So how dangerous is the situation? In this episode:  Daniel Levy - President of the U.S. / Middle East Project and a former Israeli negotiator  Meh...

"I am not backing down." That's what a defiant Nouri Al Maliki had to say, after the US objected to his return as Iraq's prime minister. Washington has set a Friday deadline for him to pullout. But what if he doesn't? And what would the implications be for Iraq? In this episode:  Muhanad Seloom, assistant professor at Doha Institute for Graduate Studies Ahmed Rushdi, president...

There has been another visit by a Western leader to China. This time, the German chancellor is in Beijing, saying he wants to reset ties. It comes against the backdrop of tensions between Europe and the United States. But can China be an alternative? And what does it have to offer? In this episode:  Jost Wubbeke, Managing Partner at Sinolytics Harry Broadman, Former Assistant to the U.S....

"We have a great interest in creating an axis of our own." Those are the words of Benjamin Netanyahu as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi makes his second visit to Israel. In an increasingly volatile region, what's driving what Israel describes as its special relationship with India? In this episode: Alon Liel, Former director of Israel's Foreign Ministry and international relations commentator...

How much power do drug cartels have in Mexico? The killing of the leader of one the country's largest criminal organisations has sparked a wave of violence. But can Mexico win its war against drug trafficking? In this episode:  Sergio Aguayo, Professor at the College of Mexico Chris Dalby, Author of 'CJNG: A Quick Guide to Mexico's Deadliest Cartel' Michael Vigil, former Chief of In...

More talks are planned for Thursday between Iran and the US, which is mobilising its largest military force since the invasion of Iraq more than two decades ago. There are mixed messages from President Donald Trump, while Tehran says it wants talks but is ready for war, too. So where do both sides stand?  In this episode: Jamal Abdi, President of the National Iranian American Council Has...

US President Donald Trump slaps 15 percent trade levy on all imports. The move comes just a day after he'd set them at 10 percent - enraged by a Supreme Court ruling striking down much of his tariff regime. What are the global implications?  In this episode:  Deborah Elms, Head of Trade Policy, Hinrich Foundation. Rebecca Christie, Senior Fellow, Bruegel.  Garima Kapoor, Deputy...

US President Donald Trump's Board of Peace meets for the first time, pledging money, peacekeeping troops and investment for Gaza. Only one Palestinian was present, while major European nations stayed away. So, what did the gathering mean for the people of Gaza? In this episode:  Rami Khouri, Distinguished Fellow at the American University of Beirut Gideon Levy, Columnist at the Haaretz Newspa...

Is social media addictive? Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg testifies in court, defending his company against charges of deliberately designing features that are addictive to children. Just how much influence does social media have on youth users? And how harmful could it be to their mental health? In this episode:  Adele Walton, Online safety campaigner and author of Logging Off: The Human Cost of...

The US has transferred thousands of detainees linked to the group from Syria to Iraq. It cites security concerns, but is the move enough to prevent ISIL from re-emerging in Syria? In this episode:  Zeidon Alkinani, independent researcher on identity politics in Iraq and the Middle East Colin Clarke, executive director of The Soufan Center Sarah Sanbar, researcher in the Middle East and North...

India hosts an international gathering focusing on the impact of AI's growing dominance. What's the best approach to governing the use of such rapidly advancing technology? And can it be regulated? In this episode: Amba Kak, Co-Director of the A.I. Now Institute Ruta Piepina, Associate Professor at Riga Graduate School of Law Marc Einstein, Research Director and Global Head of AI Research at Count...

Israel has taken another step towards annexing the occupied West Bank — approving the registration of Palestinian land as state land. It follows a decision that makes it easier for settlers to seize Palestinian property. So, what are the implications of Israel's ongoing land grab? In this episode:  Mohammad Dahleh, Human rights lawyer Mitchell Barak, Founder of KEEVOON Research, St...

African nations must have permanent seats on the UN Security Council, the head of the world body tells the African Union. Most of Asia and Latin America don't have a permanent presence either, despite their huge populations. Can the United Nations be reformed?  In this episode: Olukayode Bakare, Visiting Scholar, International Relations and African Politics, University of Colorado Denver. Muk...

Germany's chancellor says the international rules-based order is gone. The US secretary of state responds, saying the Trump administration wants the transatlantic alliance - but while criticising Europe again. So what is emerging? A new global order, or something else?  In this episode: Chet Love - U.S. Republican strategist and political commentator  Scott Lucas - Professor of U.S. and...

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party wins the country's first elections since the 2024 uprising. Rare international unity as the US, China, India, and Pakistan all welcome the result. But how's it being seen at home — especially by the young people who led the protests for change?  In this episode: Shahab Enam Khan, International Relations Professor at Bangladesh University of Professionals...

Amnesty International and Israeli human-rights organisation B'Tselem say the genocide in Gaza is still ongoing. Four months after a deal to stop the war, aside from continuing Israeli attacks, Palestinians face other dangers. In this episode:  Mansour Shouman, Middle East political analyst and citizen journalist from Gaza  Shai Parnes, Director of Public Outreach, B'Tselem Michael Lynk,...

Will Thursday's elections be a watershed moment for Bangladesh? Millions of people are expected to cast ballots in the first polls since long-time prime minister Sheikh Hasina was removed in 2024. But can the vote spark a real political transition for the country's democracy? In this episode:  Ashikur Rahman, principal economist at the Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh Prapti...

There's condemnation of Israel's latest move to tighten its grip over the occupied West Bank. Its security cabinet has approved plans to expand illegal settlements there. Is this a step towards annexation? And where does it leave the historic Oslo Accords? In this episode:  Ammar Hijazi, ambassador and head of the Palestinian Mission to the Netherlands Yossi Mekelberg, Senior Consulting Fello...

Voters in Portugal have overwhelmingly chosen a centre-left Socialist president. But his far-right rival secured a record share of the vote. What's fuelling this support? And does it signal a future political shift in the European country? In this episode:  Miguel Poiares Maduro, Director of the School of Transnational Governance at the European University Institute Karel Lanno...

How has Israel’s war on Gaza shaped the Middle East? This year, the Al Jazeera Forum discusses the regional implications of the war. With new realities on the ground, how has the conflict changed the geopolitics in this volatile region? This show was produced on the sidelines of the Al Jazeera Forum in Doha. In this episode:  Mustafa Barghouti, General Secretary, Palestinian N...

Armed groups have killed more than 200 people in several attacks in Nigeria in recent days. The Christian worshippers abducted from churches last month have been released. How serious is Nigeria's security situation -- and what progress is being made?  In this episode:  James Barnett -- Non-resident research fellow at the Hudson Institute, specialising in armed groups in Nigeri...

For more than five decades, nuclear arms control treaties were enforced between Russia and the US until this week. The last agreement has been allowed to lapse without a new one to replace it. So, why has this happened, and what are the dangers?  In this episode:  Thomas Countryman, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for International Security and Non-Proliferation under the Obama...