The Inside Story Podcast

Millions of people in Afghanistan face acute food insecurity, the UN warns. The crisis is exacerbated by sharp cuts in global aid funding and the forced deportation of Afghans from neighbouring countries. So, who could step in to avert a catastrophic hunger crisis? In this episode:  Kiana Alavi, Norwegian Refugee Council's advocacy manager in Afghanistan Zeeshan Salahuddin, Director Advisory...

Chileans have elected their most conservative leader in decades. Jose Antonio Kast's victory is another sign South America is veering to the right. But what's behind this shift? And what are the political implications, both across the region and beyond? In this episode:  Claudio Barrientos, Professor, School of History, Diego Portales University. Jose Ragas, Historian and Assis...

How will the US respond to the killing of three of its soldiers in Syria? Washington blames the Islamic State for the attack and vows retaliation. So, does that mean direct military involvement? And if so, what role would the new Syrian government play? In this episode:  Colin Clarke, Executive Director, The Soufan Center. Dareen Khalifa, Senior Adviser, International Crisis Group....

US president Donald Trump eases sanctions on Belarus after it frees more than 100 political prisoners. Stiff European sanctions remain in place against the close Russian ally. So, why's the deal been struck now, and what's the reaction in Russia, Ukraine and the EU?  In this episode:  Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Belarus Opposition Leader. Franak Viacorka, Non-resident fellow, Atlantic Coun...

The US and UN warn violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo could escalate into a regional conflict. Hundreds of people killed as Rwandan-backed M23 rebels seize another city, just over a week after the US brokered a peace deal. How dangerous is the situation?  In this episode:  Kambale Musavuli - Analyst at the Center for Research on the Congo- Kinshasa Richard Moncrieff - Project D...

Twenty-seven European nations which are signatories to the European Convention on Human Rights want the treaty changed to restrict migration. Opponents say altering it will weaken fundamental human rights protections in place for more than 70 years. So what are the arguments?  In this episode:  Michael O'Flaherty - Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights and former director of...

European leaders have sent new peace proposals for the war in Ukraine to US President Donald Trump. Loss of territory to Russia and use of frozen Russian assets in Ukraine remain areas of disagreement. But could the war be nearing an end? In this episode:  Peter Zalmayev - Director of Eurasia Democracy Initiative Chris Weafer - CEO of Macro-Advisory, a strategic consultancy focused on Russia...

Australia has become the first country in the world to ban social media use for children younger than 16. The move has divided public opinion there, but other countries are considering restrictions too.  What are the arguments for and against? Will the ban work?   In this episode:  Charlotte Armitage, Psychologist, author of ‘Generation Zombie’ Kate Sim, Program Dir...

Tanzania's government is under pressure. Opposition activists are angry about an election that they say was a sham and had called for protests to coincide with Independence Day. The US says it's reconsidering its relationship with the country for the crackdown that followed October's disputed vote. So, what does it all mean for Tanzania's future? In this episode:  Palamagamba Kabudi, Tan...

Nearly two thousand dead and hundreds missing in one of the worst storm seasons in Southeast Asia's recorded history. Cyclones, typhoons and back-to-back tropical storms are causing floods and landslides so large that some areas may never recover. So how can countries continue to face this escalating threat? And can they afford to keep rebuilding? In this episode:  Alexandre Borde, Environmen...

Hope, promise and enormous challenges. It's been one year since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria, and even while it celebrates, the country is also confronting the problems of a transitional state. So what kind of Syria is the new government building? In this episode:  Haid Haid, Researcher, Chatham House. Ammar Kahf, Executive Director, Omran Center for Strategic Studies. Heiko...

From limo diplomacy to a ceremonial guard - Vladimir Putin got a red-carpet welcome in India this week. He was there to talk trade ties and energy supply with Narendra Modi. But as New Delhi tries to walk a tightrope between Moscow and Washington - who stands to benefit the most, and what's at stake? In this episode:  Brahma Chellaney - Professor of Strategic Studies at the Center for Policy...

Surrounded by his cabinet, US President Donald Trump described Somalis living in America as 'garbage'. The comments have been widely condemned, but not by his supporters. What are the implications - not just in the US but elsewhere?  In this episode:  Samakab Hussein - Somali-American and Minnesota State House Representative Joi Chaney - Lawyer and Democratic political strategist Er...

France's President Emmanuel Macron visits China for a three-day state visit - at a tricky time in relations. Under discussion - trade and the Ukraine war - with big differences between the two.  What are the divisions - and what's at stake? In this episode:  Andy Mok - Senior Research Fellow at the Center for China and Globalization Rémi Bourgeot - Associate Research Fellow at the...

India is rolling out a set of simplified labour codes to modernise outdated laws. Unions describe the changes as sweeping and aggressive. So, who stands to benefit -- workers seeking job security and fair wages? Or employers looking for flexibility and lower staffing costs? In this episode:  Harshil Sharma - Labour economist who specialises in reforms and welfare  Surbhi K...

African leaders want colonial-era abuses recognised and criminalised. Algeria says a legal framework would ensure reparations are neither a gift nor a favour. So, how could former colonial powers be held accountable? And can the cost of those atrocities be measured? In this episode:  Abdelkader Abderrahmane, Independent Researcher.  Liliane Umubyeyi, Co-Founder, Afric...

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked for a presidential pardon to end his criminal prosecution. He says it will unite the public but critics say he's driving further division. So, what are the long-term implications for Israel?  In this episode:  Dan Perry, Political Analyst.  Neve Gordon, Professor, Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law, Queen Mar...

Venezuela accuses Washington of colonialism after President Donald Trump said he's shutting down its airspace. The country's on high alert after US attacks on boats nearby and a huge military and naval build-up. Trump says he's fighting drug trafficking. But is that the real reason?  In this episode:  Mark Pfeifle, US Republican Strategist.  Paul Dobson, Independent J...

A corruption scandal in Ukraine claims its biggest scalp yet - with the resignation of President Volodomy Zelenskyy's top aide. Andriy Yermak had been due to lead key talks with the U.S. on the war with Russia this weekend. So what does this mean for Ukraine?  In this episode:  Olena Tregub - Secretary General of Ukraine’s Independent Anti-Corruption Commission. Leonid Ragozin - In...

France is to bring back a form of military service. That comes weeks after Germany announced plans to assess young people's suitability for military duty.  Russia's invasion of Ukraine has forced European states to examine their readiness. So could conscription return? In this episode:  Jacques Reland - Senior Research Fellow in European Affairs, focusing on French politics, Europea...

The military seizes power in Guinea-Bissau - a day before Sunday's presidential election results were due to be announced. The African Union and West African regional bloc Ecowas have condemned the coup. Why has it happened - and what are the implications?  In this episode:  Kabir Adamu - Managing Director of Beacon Security and Intelligence Bram Posthumus - Political and economic analys...

Little sign of peace in Ukraine - but trans-Atlantic diplomatic efforts to end the war are intensifying.  Ukraine and its European allies are vying with Russia to sway US President Donald Trump in forging a deal. Can one be reached - or will the war go on?  In this episode:  Chris Weafer, Chief Executive Officer at Macro-Advisory, a strategic consultancy focused on Russia and the Eu...

Pakistan accused of air strikes killing civilians in Afghanistan. A day earlier, a suicide bomb in Pakistan killed three security personnel. Recent peace efforts and a temporary ceasefire have failed. What's driving the violence and what are the risks?  In this episode:  Obaidullah Baheer, Adjunct Lecturer, American University of Afghanistan. Sahar Khan, Security Analyst, South Asia...

An Israeli air strike on Beirut kills Hezbollah's top military commander, its highest-level target during a ceasefire that came into force a year ago. There have been frequent Israeli breaches throughout.   But why this strike now, and what are the implications?  In this episode:  Joe Macaron, Geopolitical analyst specialising in US strategy in the Middle East Nadim Houry,...

Africa's first ever G20 summit - and the first boycotted by a member, the United States. Its host, South Africa hails it as a success with a declaration agreed across a wide range of issues. But what's next for the G20?  In this episode:  Thembisa Fakude, Director, Africa Asia Dialogues. Richard Weitz, Senior Non-Resident Associate Fellow, NATO Defense College.  Omar Ashour, Profess...