The Interview

Stephen Sackur speaks to influential far-right Israeli politician Ohad Tal, who wants the military to push for total victory in Gaza, against Hezbollah, and in the de-facto conflict for Iran. Amid the assassinations and vows of retribution, is Israel gearing up for a multi-front war?

Stephen Sackur speaks to US Democratic party congressman Adam Smith. Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the presidential race and Kamala Harris’s anointment as his replacement has left Democrats almost giddy with excitement. But what makes them think they can beat Donald Trump?

Stephen Sackur speaks to Syed Zafar Islam, spokesman for India’s Hindu nationalist BJP party. Recent elections dealt Prime Minister Narendra Modi an unexpected blow; he lost seats, and his majority. Will that prompt him to row back on a policy agenda his critics call divisive and dangerous?

Stephen Sackur speaks to Taro Kono, Digital Transformation Minister for a Japanese government wrestling with massive problems. This erstwhile economic powerhouse is stuck with low growth, massive debt and an ageing, declining population. Can Japan reboot itself for the 21st Century?

Sarah Montague speaks to Venezuelan opposition politician Maria Corina Machado. Banned from running in the country’s presidential elections this weekend, she’s still a leading figure in the movement trying to unseat socialist authoritarian Nicolas Maduro. With the country’s economy in ruins and more than a quarter of the population having fled, could the next few days change the fortunes of this o...

Sarah Montague speaks to former Catholic priest Oliver McTernan who has spent more than two decades working in conflict resolution in the Middle East. He is the director of the organisation Forward Thinking and was involved in negotiations that led to the release of the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in 2011. While he has no formal role in the current talks over the war in Gaza, he regularly speaks...

Stephen Sackur speaks to Maria Butina, member of the State Duma for President Putin’s United Russia party. The war in Ukraine now hinges on strength of will and staying power: the fighting is attritional, the bloodshed horrendous, and Nato has just reaffirmed its commitment to Kyiv. Two and a half years after the invasion, is time really on Russia’s side?

Stephen Sackur speaks to Sir Laurie Bristow, Britain’s last Ambassador to Afghanistan who led a desperate evacuation when Kabul fell to the Taliban three years ago. What are his reflections on the significance of the West’s strategic failure in Afghanistan?

Stephen Sackur speaks to Ilya Ponomarev, a former Russian MP who’s now a key leader of an anti-Putin armed resistance movement active both inside and outside Russia. As Putin’s assault on Ukraine grinds on, how significant is this Russian resistance?

Stephen Sackur is in the heart of London to speak with Indian-born restaurateur and activist Asma Khan. She created the first all-female, high-end Indian restaurant in the world

Stephen Sackur speaks to the top Palestinian diplomat in London, Husam Zomlot. As Israel’s military assault on Gaza approaches the nine-month mark, with the Palestinian death toll still rising, Israeli hostages still in captivity and ceasefire hopes seemingly dashed, is diplomacy dead in the water?

Stephen Sackur speaks to Anne Enright, the Irish novelist whose fiction digs deep into the dynamics of family, motherhood, and sexuality. In the course of her long writing career, just how much has Ireland changed?

Stephen Sackur speaks to Fabrice Leggeri, an MEP in Marine Le Pen’s National Rally party. The far right has high hopes of winning power in parliamentary elections in France over the next two weeks. The once unthinkable is now very possible – what would it mean for France and Europe?

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi’s third term will depend on the reliability of two smaller parties in his ruling coalition. Stephen Sackur speaks to Sachin Pilot, a senior figure in the Indian National Congress party, which will lead a diverse opposition coalition. Is India heading for a period of consensual government or chaos?

Ukraine is under enormous pressure as Russia seeks new frontline gains and, in the diplomatic arena, some Western allies show signs of war fatigue. Stephen Sackur asks Ukraine’s foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, whether Kyiv will be bounced into a deal on President Putin’s terms.

Stephen Sackur is in Paris to speak to the acclaimed actor and director Mathieu Kassovitz. Three decades ago, his film La Haine (Hate) focused on inequality, racism and police brutality in a Parisian suburb. He has a powerful voice in French culture, so what is his take on where his country is now and where it’s going?

Stephen Sackur speaks to Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank. He wants massive international financial backing to turn his continent into a global economic powerhouse. But amid chronic poverty, debt and climate threats, will Africa get the support it needs?

Stephen Sackur is in Paris to speak to the French Minister Delegate for Europe, Jean-Noël Barrot. President Emmanuel Macron has just taken the gamble of his political life, calling a snap parliamentary election in an effort to outsmart the extremes of right and left. If it backfires, what will it mean for France and Europe?

Mishal Husain speaks to the architect Eyal Weizman. He works in what he calls ‘forensic architecture’, where details of buildings and physical spaces – and their destruction – are used to highlight abuses and persecution. Is he right to see architecture as political – a way in which human beings can oppress as well as create?

Sarah Montague speaks to hostage negotiator Mickey Bergman, who has spent much of the last two decades working behind the scenes to help negotiate the release of Americans kidnapped or detained abroad – either by criminals, political actors or governments. What difference do such “fringe diplomats” make? Are they a help or a hindrance?

Mishal Husain speaks to R. Derek Black, who was brought up in a family steeped in America’s white nationalist ideology, with a father who was a Ku Klux Klan leader. Then came exposure to a different world, and Derek’s journey to anti-racism. How did it come about, and what can we all learn from it?

Mishal Husain speaks to the former Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority Mohammed Shtayyeh. How does he see the Palestinian people’s future? Can he, and should he, work with Hamas?

Stephen Sackur speaks to the data scientist Stephen J Shaw, who argues that humanity faces a looming demographic crisis, with falling birth rates having dire economic and social consequences. But in an age of economic turbulence and ecological concern, do we really want to be promoting the idea that humans need to have more babies?

Sarah Montague speaks to Norway’s Foreign Minister, Espen Barth Eide. His country, along with Ireland and Spain, says it will recognise a Palestinian state. Israel says that decision sends a message to the world that “terrorism pays”. Will the move help or hinder the path to peace in the Middle East?

Stephen Sackur speaks to Professor Jim Skea, chair of the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. He is a key player collating the latest climate science and right now the situation looks grim; global emissions are still rising, so are temperatures and targets seem likely to be missed. Are humans bungling our chance to avert disaster?