The Inside Story Podcast

Talks brokered by the US seek to end the war between Russia and Ukraine. Many civilians in Ukraine are suffering in freezing temperatures after Russian attacks on heating and energy supplies. Negotiations are to continue, despite big divisions. But what are those sticking points? And could an end come soon?  In this episode:  Alexander Bratersky, Independent Analyst and journalist in Mos...

India and the US announce a trade deal, with relief from some of President Donald Trump's harshest tariffs. He says India will stop buying Russian oil and open up to American business. So, why is the deal getting a mixed reaction in India? In this episode:  Ajay Chhibber, visiting scholar at George Washington University Biswajit Dhar, trade economist and former professor at Jawaharlal Nehru U...

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is yet again in Israel to discuss growing tensions with Iran. The two sides have been trading threats. At odds for nearly half a century, can they find a common ground? Or is a new round of conflict inevitable? In this episode: Thomas Warrick, a non-resident fellow at the Atlantic Council Marzie Khalilian, political analyst and researcher at Carleton University Alon...

Gaza's Rafah border crossing reopened but under strict Israeli conditions. The crossing is once again operational as part of the US-brokered ceasefire. But with Israel's restrictions, will this reopening ease the suffering of Palestinians after two years of war? In this episode:  Hussein Haridy, former Egyptian Assistant Foreign Minister Mosab Nasser, CEO of FAJR Global Akiva Eldar, political...

How will Pakistan deal with growing security challenges in the southwestern province of Balochistan? Another coordinated attack by separatists has killed dozens of people. Many ethnic Baloch have long complained of neglect and oppression by Islamabad. So, what will it take to end the cycle of violence there? In this episode: Raashid Wali Janjua, Former Brigadier, Pakistan's Army and Director, Isla...

Caracas says it's opening up the sector to private players. That follows Washington's dramatic intervention in the country in early January. But who will stand to gain from the changes: Venezuela or the United States? Or both? In this episode: Elias Ferrer Founder  and director of Orinoco Research. He analysis politics and the Venezuelan economy.   Andrew Lipow President of Lip...

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in China this week with a large delegation of business people and cultural figures. He received a warm welcome from host Xi Jinping. But the visit got a frosty reception from the White House. US President Donald Trump called the trip 'dangerous'. Why and how important is this visit?  In this episode: Will Hutton, political economist and author ...

The Doomsday Clock has reached the closest ever point to midnight. That's according to the atomic scientists who run it. They say more wars, aggression from nuclear powers and weaker arms controls are to blame - along with climate change and risks posed by artificial intelligence. Should we be worried?  In this episode: Karim Haggag, Director at the Stockholm International Peace Research Inst...

One of the biggest trade deals in history was struck by India and the European Union, months after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on both. So what's in their agreement? And how much is it driven by Washington's hostile measures?  In this episode: Brahma Chellaney, Professor Emeritus of Strategic Studies at the Centre for Policy Research Remi Bourgeot, Associate Fellow at the Fren...

The last Israeli captive's body found in Gaza — where many thousands of Palestinians lie buried under rubble. Israel, as part of its long-standing policy, has not returned the remains of many hundreds of Palestinians. Why? And what's the impact? In this episode:  Amjad Sharwa, Director of the Palestinian Non-Governmental Organizations Network in Gaza Issam Aruri, Commissioner Gener...

Recent fatal shootings by federal US immigration agents have sparked outrage and protests. They're accused of using excessive force and indiscriminately arresting suspected undocumented immigrants. But does this violent crackdown serve any real purpose? In this episode:  Darrin Porcher, Former NYPD Lieutenant and Criminal Justice Professor at Pace University Leon Fresco, Former Deputy Assista...

Sort out your own security. That's what the US is telling its allies as the Pentagon adopts a new national defence strategy. Washington is now focusing on the main homeland and its interests in the Western Hemisphere. So, what's behind this shift? And what's the fallout for America's allies around the world? In this episode: Adam Clements, US Foreign Policy Analyst and a Former Pentagon Official....

After being under threat for years - Tiktok will continue to operate in the United States. The Chinese platform reached a deal to create a new American entity. But does this deal satisfy security concerns for users in the US? And how much politics is at play? In this episode:  Einar Tangen, Senior Fellow at the  Centre for International Governance Innovation, a  Canadian t...

It was initially supposed to oversee the postwar arrangements in Gaza. Now, the newly created, so-called Board of Peace is expected to deal with other conflicts as well. But will it be able to achieve global peace? In this episode:  Faisal Al Mudahka, Editor In Chief of Gulf Times Christian Josi, republican political strategist and author  Jawad Anani, Former Deputy Prime Minis...

The world's rules-based order is ruptured, says Canada's prime minister Mark Carney — in a speech at Davos that avoided mentioning the US president. Donald Trump hit back — but Carney's words have been widely praised and analysed. So, is he right?  In this episode:  Lionel Barber, Former Editor of The Financial Times  Bessma Momani, Professor of Political Science at the...

International condemnation as Israel bulldozes the headquarters of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees in Occupied East Jerusalem. The UN says razing the compound is against international law. What are the implications?  In this episode: Shireen Salti, political analyst who specialises in Palestine-Israel public affairs Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Pa...

US President Donald Trump threatens tariffs against seven EU countries and the UK for opposing his plans to take control of Greenland. EU leaders are considering how to respond. What are their options? And what are the dangers for both sides?  In this episode:  Rebecca Christie, Senior Fellow at Bruegel Ben Aris, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of bne IntelliNews Pieter Cleppe, European poli...

The Syrian army has taken territory long held by Kurdish-led forces before declaring a ceasefire. The lightning offensive changes the balance of power in the country. Are there wider implications for Kurds in the region — beyond Syria?  In this episode:  David Des Roches, Professor at the Thayer Marshall Institute  Mohammed Salih, Non-Resident Senior Fellow at the Foreign Poli...

Will the Syrian army end up controlling all the country's Kurdish-held areas? The army has made significant territorial gains after intense battles with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in recent days. So, how will this play out within Syria and the wider region? In this episode:  Omar Abu Laila, Syrian Affairs Analyst. Scott Lucas, Professor, US and International Politics, University...

Resetting ties with China. Canada's Prime minister visits Beijing hailing what he calls "a new partnership adapted to new global realities". The two countries are under pressure from U.S. tariffs. So, who stands to gain the most from this deal? In this episode:  Einar Tangen, Senior Fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation; which is a Canadian think tank. Wi...

What are the hurdles to implementing the next phase of the ceasefire in Gaza? The US says it's a transition to disarmament and reconstruction. But with Israel repeatedly violating the ceasefire, is that transition even possible? In this episode:  Xavier Abu Eid, political analyst and former adviser to the Palestine Liberation Organization negotiation team Yezid Sayigh, Senior Fellow at Carneg...

What purpose does the massive U.S. military presence in the Gulf serve? Washington argues it maintains stability and security in this region. But with the escalating tensions in the region, will it protect America's allies and interests? In this episode:   Rashid Al-Mohanadi, Vice President of Center for International Policy Research Andreas Krieg, Associate Professor in the School...

International alarm after the Trump administration announces the first-ever criminal investigation into the head of the US Federal Reserve. Jerome Powell says the probe is politically-motivated. So why is this case causing so much concern worldwide?  In this episode:  Eric Ham, political analyst and former U.S. Congressional staffer in Washington DC Justin Urquhart-Stewart, investment ma...

Uganda holds elections on Thursday, with President Yoweri Museveni hoping to extend his four decades in power. Supporters of his main opponent, musician Bobi Wine, allege harassment and intimidation. So what's at stake for one the world's youngest populations?  In this episode:  Robert Kabushenga, Host of The Bad Natives Podcast Alex Vines, Africa Programme Director at the European Counc...

US President Donald Trump has said repeatedly he wants to take over Greenland — an idea rejected by most people living there. There's alarm in Denmark, which owns the world's biggest island, and in the EU and NATO too. So, could Trump really get his way?  In this episode: Pele Broberg, Chairman of Naleraq, a pro-independence political party in Greenland Peter Nielsen, retired Colonel in...