The Inside Story Podcast

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...Read more

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 we...Read more

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 ex...Read more

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 ha...Read more

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. C...Read more

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 t...Read more

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...Read more

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 G2...Read more

Division at the COP30 climate change summit in Brazil - a more difficult message to tell to the world than progress. Scientists, politicians, media and business all have a huge role to play in keeping the public engag...Read more

The Trump administration has crafted a controversial 28-point peace framework with Russia to end the Ukraine war. The plan demands some painful concessions: surrendering the Donbas region and slashing Ukraine's milita...Read more

Annual military spending is rising globally at its steepest level since the Cold War. And after a break of more than 30 years, the US says it might restart testing nuclear weapons. So if the global arms race is back o...Read more

The World Food Programme is warning more than 300 million people face critical levels of hunger next year. The United Nations body says that's double the number compared to 2019. What's behind this worsening crisis th...Read more

US President Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan wins UN Security Council backing. A mixed reaction from Palestinians: the Palestinian Authority welcomes the resolution, but Hamas rejects it along with plans for an interna...Read more

Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been sentenced to death for ordering the crackdown on last year's student-led uprising. 1,400 people were killed. But Hasina is in exile in India. So what are the c...Read more

South Africa is investigating how 153 Palestinians from Gaza arrived without proper documentation. It's raised fears: Was the chartered flight organised by Israeli-backed human trafficking networks? And is this part o...Read more

It's one of the biggest betting scandals in sporting history.Turkish football is facing a gambling crackdown that's seen hundreds of players and officials suspended.It's shone a spotlight on a growing global gambling...Read more

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is confronting his most serious political test since Russia’s invasion. Elected in 2019 on a promise to root out corruption, he now finds himself entangled in a $100 million sca...Read more

Iran's capital is facing its worst drought in recorded history. The President warns the only option may be to evacuate Tehran. Some commentators call that idea 'a joke'. But water cuts have begun - and no rain is expe...Read more

Ukraine's President says Moscow is testing Europe's red lines. Unidentified drones are being spotted at some of the busiest airports and military sites in the EU. That's as the bloc pours billions of dollars into its...Read more

A landmark meeting between Presidents Donald Trump and Ahmed al-Sharaa at the White House.The historic sit-down signals a major shift in US-Syria relations. So, how will it shape Trump’s legacy in the Middle East? And...Read more

Leaders are in Brazil for this year’s climate summit to map a path to cutting emissions. But wars in Gaza, Sudan and Ukraine, are unleashing unprecedented levels of greenhouse gases and pollution. So why isn’t the env...Read more

Al-Qaeda-linked fighters have blocked fuel deliveries to Mali’s capital for two months. They want to seize territory and drive out Western influence. But could their ultimate goal be to control the country? And what w...Read more

The Israeli military is ramping up its attacks on Lebanon, violating a year-long ceasefire. It's carrying out similar breaches in Gaza and occupying Syrian territory. As the disarmament of Hezbollah makes little progr...Read more

US President Donald Trump meets with five Central Asian leaders, seeking deals on critical minerals, energy, and trade. But can Washington gain a foothold in a region long dominated by Russia — and where China’s infl...Read more

Long queues at American airports. Thousands of unpaid federal workers surviving on food banks. The longest government shutdown in U.S. history has left millions without essential services. So, can both sides in Congre...Read more

Russia and China pledge to strengthen their relations. President Xi Jinping has met the Russian Prime Minister and called for more cooperation, to deal with what he called a 'turbulent external environment'. Can the t...Read more

Hope for a humanitarian truce in Sudan. The parliamentary Rapid Support Forces and the Army agree in principle with the US plan to stop fighting. But with violence spreading beyond the North Darfur region, can Washing...Read more

US president Donald Trump threatens Nigeria with military action claiming Christians are being persecuted. The government and Christian groups in the country deny this saying armed groups have killed people of all fai...Read more

There's no sign of an end to the US government shutdown. 1.4 million workers are going without pay, while some people on federal aid are worrying how they'll get their next meal. How can the stand-off between Republic...Read more

Tanzania's incumbent President has been declared re-elected with with 98% of the vote - in an election, denounced by the opposition as a sham... The government denies that hundreds of people have been killed in a p...Read more

China and the US ease their trade war...for now.  Concessions from both, with some of the most painful measures put on hold for a year. So, what tactics did each side use in the battle between the world's two biggest...Read more

Reports of massacres by Sudan's Rapid Support Forces in Darfur - after the army was pushed out of the region. Tens of thousands of civilians are now feared trapped in el-Fasher. The conflict in Sudan has caused one of...Read more

Why is Donald Trump so interested in rare earth minerals? The US President has struck a number of deals in his tour of Asia this week while China keeps a tight grip on the metals. So, what can Trump do to break Beijin...Read more

Sudan's army says it's pulled out of el-Fasher in the north Darfur region. The area is now said to be under the control of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. So, how significant is this development? Is there a ris...Read more

From armed struggle to politics. The Kurdistan Workers' Party says it's withdrawing from Turkey after a decades-long fight for a Kurdish homeland. So, how will Turkey build on this move? And what does it mean for Kurd...Read more

US President Donald Trump says an international stabilisation force will operate in Gaza soon. Hours later, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel can veto which countries take part. What are the challenges fac...Read more

US strikes near Venezuela - which President Donald Trump says are targeting drugs gangs. That's disputed, but the major military mobilisation has brought the issue of narcotics centre stage. How bad is the pro...Read more

The Israeli parliament votes to annex the occupied West Bank - a move unlikely to become law but described as an 'insult' by the U.S. vice president. Donald Trump insists annexation won't happen, but settler violence...Read more

U.S. President Donald Trump sanctions Russia's two biggest oil companies - after scrapping a summit with President Vladimir Putin on the Ukraine war. New EU measures too - targeting Russian oil and assets. Will they b...Read more

Has the world lost its fight against malaria? A new report suggest the resurgence of the mosquito-borne disease could cause more deaths, particularly in parts of Africa. But what's behind this? And what should be done...Read more

How will China tackle its many challenges in the coming five years? Its Communist Party's top leadership is meeting behind closed-doors to draft a plan. From domestic issues to its trade war with the United States, Be...Read more

Israel breaches the Gaza ceasefire killing dozens of Palestinians. Now, it says it's returned to the deal but warns Hamas it hinges on handing over the captives' remains. So, how challenging will it be to move to the...Read more

After a week of cross-border violence, Pakistan and Afghanistan agree to an immediate ceasefire. Islamabad accuses its neighbour of harbouring armed groups, allegations that Kabul denies. So, will this lead to lasting...Read more

Hamas hands over the remains of another captive as part of the ceasefire deal with Israel. Eighteen bodies remain in Gaza and the group says it needs heavy machinery to retrieve them. But Israel says Hamas knows where...Read more

Palestinians are returning to 16 million tonnes of rubble and there's concern evidence that lies under the ruins could be erased. So, will the ceasefire make genocide harder to prove? And is there enough international...Read more

The Palestinian Authority says it's ready to operate Gaza's only gateway to the outside world - a vital window to the outside world. But for now, the PA has been sidelined by the US-brokered ceasefire deal. So, who wi...Read more

Nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners released as part of the ceasefire deal describe what they went through in Israeli jails. But with many of their loved ones killed and homes destroyed what will their fragile freedom...Read more

How will Donald Trump enforce his plan for Gaza? In his address to the Israeli Knesset and in Sharm el-Sheikh on Monday, the US President urged leaders to move past conflicts. But how challenging will that be?...Read more

What's the US planning for the Middle East? President Donald Trump came to the region on Monday to cement his plan for peace in Gaza. He says the end of the war ushers in a historic new dawn. But can he succeed where...Read more

Israel agrees to release thousands of Palestinian prisoners as the ceasefire holds. It has detained tens of thousands since its occupation of Palestine. Many have never been convicted of crimes. So why has Israel arre...Read more

Holding onto their land. After resisting forcible transfer, Palestinians are returning to northern Gaza during the ceasefire. Both Israel and the U.S. wanted to remove them from the strip. So, has a new Nakba been ave...Read more

Demilitarisation and no role for Hamas and other factions in the future governance of Gaza.That's part of US President Donald Trump's 20-point plan which led to the ceasefire deal. So what's next for the Palestinian r...Read more

A ceasefire agreement for Gaza - and cautious hopes among Palestinians of an end to two years of genocide. US president Donald Trump announced the deal - after putting pressure on Israel to agree. What impact has the...Read more

A US military build-up and strikes on boats near Venezuela. President Donald Trump says he's targeting drug gangs - without presenting evidence. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro says he'll stand up to Washington -...Read more

France's political turmoil deepens - President Emmanuel Macron's fifth prime minister in less than two years quits after just 27 days and his government lasting just 14 hours. The Left and Right want elections and for...Read more

Will parliamentary elections in Syria lead to a democratic transition? The country has held its first indirect vote since the overthrow of the al-Assad regime. The new parliament is due to pass a new constitution. But...Read more

Talks to implement Donald Trump's 20-point plan for Gaza are underway. The proposal aims to end Israel's war on the strip, but ignores its decades-long occupation. So, could there ever be peace if Israel continues to...Read more

The U.S. president tells Israel to stop bombing the strip. Now, negotiations will seek to implement the plan. So, are they likely to work? And can the war finally come to an end? In this episode: Moui...Read more

That's come after the Senate failed to agree on extending federal spending. Hundreds of thousands of employees are affected. But how is it being felt across the country? And what is it costing the economy? In t...Read more

European leaders meet to discuss Russia and the Ukraine war - after a surge in attacks by both sides in September. More sanctions are under discussion - and new defences against Russian drones. So what next for peace...Read more

A vital speech for UK prime minister Keir Starmer to rally his party - hoping to reverse dismal poll ratings a year on from a huge election win. Immigration policy and the right-wing Reform UK party pose serious chall...Read more

A 20-point plan unveiled by US President Donald Trump to end the war on Gaza with Israel's prime minister by his side. It's been welcomed internationally while Hamas studies the details. So, what's on the table? And w...Read more

Calls for Israel to be banned from global sports and cultural competitions are growing. Many argue it should not take part in international events while committing genocide in Gaza. With next year's World Cup and Euro...Read more

Iran is once again under pressure for its nuclear programme. The UN has reimposed sanctions that were lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal. Tehran insists its programme is peaceful, but Western countries say it's not. S...Read more

Israel has spied on millions of Palestinians using Microsoft's powerful technology. Now, the high-tech giant says it's cancelled some of its services to the Israeli army. But as the military expands its devastating wa...Read more

Reviving ties between Turkiye and the U.S. Donald Trump hints at lifting sanctions on Ankara buying F-35 jets during a meeting with Recep Tayyip Erdogan. In return, Turkiye is urged to stop buying Russian oil. So, can...Read more

Will Donald Trump's plan for Gaza work? The U.S. President has presented a proposal to end Israel's war on the strip. And he's secured firm support from regional leaders. But what about the two main players: Hamas and...Read more

Contrasting speeches and world visions at the United Nations General Assembly. Attacks on the validity of the UN from US President Donald Trump before he met other world leaders there to discuss Gaza and Ukraine. So,...Read more

Artificial intelligence is the tech revolution of our times. But more than 100 countries are falling way behind those leading the AI surge and are losing out. That's what the UN General Assembly will hear this week. S...Read more

NATO sends more forces east after Russia is again accused of violating a member state's airspace. Ukraine hit by some of the largest drone strikes of the war while it attacks Russian energy facilities. What's happened...Read more

A mosque bombed in Sudan is the latest atrocity in a conflict that's caused the world's worst humanitarian crisis, says the UN. A new US-led political initiative gets a cool response from Khartoum. What's happening in...Read more

Will the US and China reach a deal on TikTok? Donald Trump says an agreement is well on the way, after a call with Xi Jinping. But why is the Chinese social media app problematic in America? And who stands to gain fro...Read more

Yet again, the US blocks a UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. It's the sixth time Washington has used its veto power since October 2023. Where does this leave the UN's relevance in the war...Read more

The European Commission calls for a suspension of free trade agreements with Israel in response to the war on Gaza. It also wants to sanction two government ministers. But some EU countries oppose the move. Will it be...Read more

Israel has committed genocide in the Gaza Strip, says the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry. Israel's accused of committing genocidal acts defined by global conventions. But will this new report make...Read more

The United Nations General Assembly meets to debate next week. Crises including the Gaza genocide, Ukraine war and climate change are placing the world body under severe scrutiny. It's also facing pressure from the Tr...Read more

More than a hundred thousand people demonstrate in London against immigration - with arrests after violent clashes with police. The rally was organised by a far-right activist with criminal convictions, backed by Elon...Read more

Russia and Ukraine target each other with large-scale drone attacks. Tension rises in Europe after Russian drone incursions in Poland and Romania. US President Donald Trump's efforts to end the war have failed so far....Read more

International condemnation at the UN Security Council for Israel's attack on Qatar. Qatari prime minister meets US President Donald Trump ahead of a regional summit in Doha. What can Gulf states do? And how much has I...Read more

An attack that exposes the deep polarisation in America. The shooting of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk has triggered fears of a cycle of political violence. But what's fuelling this trend in the US? And...Read more

How much of a burden has Israel become for the US? Washington stands accused of shielding Benjamin Netanyahu's government as it continues its genocide in Gaza. From providing weapons to using veto power, is there no l...Read more

Israel's strike in Qatar is condemned around the world. Benjamin Netanyahu says it targeted leaders of Hamas. It comes as he's expanding Israel's war on Gaza. So, how will this strike affect the conflict - and the tal...Read more

France's prime minister quits after losing a confidence vote in parliament. There's a sense of deja vu. The country is in a deep financial crisis that a succession of prime ministers hasn't been able to resolve. But w...Read more

A gun attack at an illegal Israeli settlement in Occupied East Jerusalem. Settler and army violence against Palestinians there and elsewhere in the Occupied West Bank have intensified under the far-right Israeli gover...Read more

South Korean workers held in a US immigration swoop - the latest jolt to a once rock-solid relationship. Turbulence too, over tariffs and military spending. Is the raid a one-off - or a sign of deeper trouble between...Read more

A political crisis for the UK prime minister - reshuffling his cabinet after his deputy quit for not paying enough tax. He's under attack too from the right-wing Reform UK party over migration. A year after a landslid...Read more

The leaders of China, Russia and North Korea together for the first time - at a major military parade in Beijing. The three nuclear powers have shared interests, but competing ones too. Is a new bloc being formed to c...Read more

Why is the US military building up its presence in the Caribbean? It recently targeted a Venezuelan boat it said - was carrying drugs. President Nicolas Maduro says the mobilisation is aimed at his government. So, wil...Read more

China's growing power on full display with its largest military parade ever commemorating the end of the second World War. But many say Beijing is projecting its power. So, what message is China sending both at home a...Read more

Israel's policies and actions in Gaza meet the legal definition of genocide, says the International Association of Genocide Scholars. Israel has faced similar accusations in the past. So, will this new finding make a...Read more

How will Pakistan deal with its worst floods on record? Hundreds of people are dead and millions affected. Now, the country is facing outbreaks of diseases and severe food shortages. But what's caused this disaster? A...Read more

Led by the US, Western weapons and support have been central to Israel's genocide in Gaza. UK and EU relations with Israel remain essentially unchanged despite the war. Is this complicity? And could there be legal con...Read more

Violence on the streets of Indonesia after a motorcycle taxi driver is run over and killed by the police. The president has apologised and appealed for calm, but protests continue. What's driving the anger? And how wi...Read more

Thailand's suspended prime minister has been dismissed by the Constitutional Court. Judges ruled Paetongtarn Shinawatra failed to defend the nation's interests in a leaked phone call with a powerful former Cambodian l...Read more

Outrage in Lebanon after the U.S. envoy calls journalists 'animalistic'. Tom Barrack's comments come at a time when the U.S. president has stepped up his attacks on the media. So, what's behind this hostility towards...Read more

Hit by a funding shortfall, a UN body responsible for investigating Israeli violence in the occupied territories says the shortage is hampering its work. So, what does this mean for securing justice and holding Israel...Read more

Has the world forgotten about the plight of the Rohingya? Bangladesh says it's run out of resources for the hundreds of thousands of refugees it's hosting, and is now calling for their safe return to Myanmar. But give...Read more

Why has Donald Trump not spoken out about famine in Gaza? He publicly acknowledged last month that 'children looked very hungry' there. What's behind his silence now? And is it a green light for Israel to continue its...Read more

Has Israel become a divisive issue in Europe? The Dutch foreign minister has resigned after failing to secure sanctions against Israel. Many European countries have broken their silence about the war on Gaza, but can...Read more

Famine in Gaza from Israel's deliberate starvation policy, more than half a million people in immediate danger. Yet, Israel intensifies its war backed by the US and Western allies. How can an engineered famine be allo...Read more

An investigation into leaked classified Israeli military data reveals five out of six Palestinians killed in Gaza were civilians, not fighters. It's one of the highest death rates recorded in modern wars. What more do...Read more

Escalating Israeli attacks around Gaza City - while diplomatic efforts intensify. Hamas has accepted the latest proposal from Egypt and Qatar. Israel has yet to respond. So, as international pressure mounts, can a cea...Read more

An unprecedented effort by European leaders to sway US President Donald Trump on Ukraine. They're hoping to influence any deal with Russia's President Vladimir Putin. But what's the status of the trans-Atlantic allian...Read more

He met them separately - Now, Donald Trump says he's arranging a summit between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Both leaders have expressed a willingness to meet. But would that lead to a deal to end the war i...Read more

European leaders are joining President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in his meeting with Donald Trump. The Ukrainian leader is under pressure to accept a deal to end the war. Washington is promising security guarantees in retur...Read more

South Africa is holding a national dialogue. The president says it aims to shape the next chapter of democracy, three decades after the end of apartheid. With the government facing mounting criticism, can this process...Read more

What will the Putin-Trump meeting mean for the war in Ukraine? There was no agreement to end the conflict. Washington said it was a 'listening exercise' for President Trump to better understand President Putin’s condi...Read more

Violence in Serbia - involving government supporters, police and anti-corruption demonstrators who've been on the streets for months, demanding elections. President Aleksandar Vucic says the protests are part of a for...Read more

Sudan's worst cholera outbreak in years is spreading in a country ravaged by conflict. Health and aid workers are battling desperately to stop it from escalating and crossing into neighbouring countries. What's drivin...Read more

Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin are set to meet in Alaska for talks on the war in Ukraine. But concern is increasing in Kyiv and among its European allies over fears of being sidelined.  So, what's at stake...Read more

International condemnation at Israel's murder of four Al Jazeera journalists in Gaza. And it's not the first time - Israel has killed at least 237 media workers since its war began. But these and other killings before...Read more

Israel has killed five Al Jazeera staff in an attack in Gaza City. Al Jazeera has called it a desperate attempt to silence voices in anticipation of the occupation of Gaza. So, why is Israel intent on killing journali...Read more

What's the fallout from a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia? The US brokered the deal, giving it leverage and business opportunities. But will it hold? And what will Washington's growing presence in the S...Read more

As Israel's war on Gaza rages, chances of normalising ties with its neighbours are fading. Even those with relations are facing growing domestic pressure, and allies in Europe are distancing themselves. So, what will...Read more

After starving its people for months, Israel now says it will seize Gaza City. The move entails forcibly displacing hundreds of thousands of Palestinians. As Israel blocks aid, what will this decision mean for the alr...Read more

US President Donald Trump is intensifying his efforts to end the war in Ukraine, and is expected to meet Russia's President Vladimir Putin. Western sanctions against Russia and military support for Ukraine have failed...Read more

Brazil, India, China and Russia remain firmly in Donald Trump's sights as targets for his tariffs. Others like the EU have caved and negotiated deals. But for those that haven't, could the US president's confrontat...Read more

Israel's war on Gaza has injured more than 150-thousand Palestinians. Many with life-changing injuries need specialist long-term care - but face devastation and blockade by Israel. So, what's the impact of all this on...Read more

The US has imposed a punitive 25% tariff on India. President Trump warns more could follow. It's a spectacular change from six months ago when the leaders of the two nations declared their warm friendship at the W...Read more

How will Russia respond to Donald Trump's statement--that he's re-positioning two nuclear submarines? The move comes after comments by Russia's former president on the war in Ukraine, which Trump says amount to...Read more

The US President has imposed new levies on several countries, set to take effect in the coming days. But will the new measures reduce the US trade deficit? And what's the long-term impact on the global economy?...Read more

The US announces sanctions against the Palestinian leadership, saying it has undermined peace efforts. It comes as the war in Gaza still rages and the push for Palestinian statehood is gaining momentum. So, what are t...Read more

Is Sudan on the path to irreversible fragmentation? A parallel government recently formed by the Rapid Support Forces has been widely rejected. The conflict shows no sign of ending and the humanitarian crisis is worse...Read more

Palestinians dying from hunger in Gaza. Those who've survived Israel's relentless war so far are now in immediate danger of starvation. Desperate people queuing for food are gunned down by Israeli and US contractors....Read more

The US and European Union say they have struck a trade deal. It will impose 15% tariffs for Europe but not the US, and there are pledges for huge US energy and weapons contracts. EU supporters say it averts a trade wa...Read more

Starvation in Gaza. The entire population food-deprived after months of Israel blocking vital supplies and waging relentless attacks. Experts say the strategy means long-term damage for the health of Gaza's people. So...Read more

France says it will recognise a Palestinian state and the UK is under pressure to follow suit. But as Israel continues its war and starvation in Gaza, will this move serve any purpose? Or is it intended to appease Wes...Read more

Thailand and Cambodia have been exchanging fire along their disputed border. At the heart of the feud is a number of centuries-old Hindu temples. So, could it lead to a full-blown war? In this episode: Yo...Read more

Has Donald Trump's policy of imposing trade tariffs worked? He has signed a major trade deal with Japan, with Tokyo pledging to invest hundreds of billions of dollars in the US. Could this open the way for similar dea...Read more

Yet again, the US is pulling out of UNESCO claiming the UN agency focuses on divisive issues. It's not the first time Washington has quit a global organisation. But what's behind these decisions? And where do they lea...Read more

Palestinians dying from hunger in Gaza. Those who've survived Israel's relentless war so far are now in immediate danger of starvation. Desperate people queuing for food are gunned down by Israeli and US contractors....Read more

Protests against the UK ban on Palestine Action and its designation as a terrorist group. The government acted after military aircraft were vandalised at an airbase. Critics say the ban is excessive and an attack on f...Read more

Israel bombs Gaza's only Catholic church, the latest religious site hit in the war. Hundreds of mosques damaged or destroyed with cemeteries obliterated too. In the occupied West Bank, attacks on Christians and Muslim...Read more

Deepening conflict between the US and Brazil over the prosecution of former president Jair Bolsonaro. US President Trump threatens 50 percent tariffs, unacceptable blackmail, says Brazil's President Lula da Silva. So...Read more

The UK government wants to introduce legislation to lower the voting age, saying it aims to modernise UK democracy. But will the reform make any difference? And has it worked in other countries? In this episode...Read more

What is the real motive behind Israel's involvement in Syria? Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad, it's repeatedly bombed and extended its occupation, saying it's defending the Druze minority. But what are the long-term...Read more

Tokyo says China's growing military activity is a serious threat. So, what does this mean for an already volatile region? And how will the US react? In this episode: Tomohiko Taniguchi, Professor, Univer...Read more

Reluctant to recognise the new government in Syria, fighters from the Druze minority have been involved in sectarian violence. A ceasefire is in place, but some Druze leaders have called for international protection....Read more

Ten years ago Iran and world powers signed a historic nuclear deal, easing sanctions in return for limits on Tehran's nuclear programme. Since then, the US pulled out, and just weeks ago, they joined Israel in attacki...Read more

US President Donald Trump tells Europe and Mexico they face tariffs of 30 percent from next month. That's created shock and is raising fears of an all-out trade war. But both sides say they want talks to continue. So,...Read more

Sudden cuts to international funding have dealt a severe blow to the global fight against HIV/AIDS. The UN warns millions of people will die and millions more will contract the disease if urgent action isn't taken. So...Read more

Members of the Kurdish Workers' Party have laid down their arms, ending a decades-long struggle with Turkiye. But will this move by the PKK lead to real reconciliation? And what does this shift mean for Kurds across t...Read more

The route to Greece is closing. The words of Greek Prime Minister as his country suspends requests for asylum. Athens warns it will now arrest those entering the country illegally from North Africa. But is this the ri...Read more

Millions of workers go on strike across India. They say new government measures discriminate against them in favour of corporations. It's another outpouring of public anger against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's econo...Read more

Donald Trump says talks to get a new ceasefire in Gaza are going well. Benjamin Netanyahu has been meeting him in the White House - the third time he has visited this year. They talked openly about a post war future f...Read more

Yet another BRICS summit, this time in Brazil, but with the leaders of two major member-countries staying away. The group has expanded and aims to reform what it calls a western-led global order. But is it still up to...Read more

Why has Iran stepped up its deportation of Afghan refugees? Thousands are being forced to go back to Afghanistan as Tehran tightens controls on immigration. But what's really behind this crackdown? And can Taliban gov...Read more

First, Tehran accused the International Atomic Energy Agency of being complicit in Israel's attacks on its nuclear sites. Now, the UN agency's pulled all its inspectors out of Iran. So, who will monitor its nuclear ac...Read more

A report by the UN Special Rapporteur says some of the world's largest companies are complicit in and profiting from Israel's actions in the occupied Palestinian territories. Microsoft, Amazon and Google as just some...Read more

Tibet's spiritual leader says the role he embodies will continue after his death, saying the next Dalai Lama will be chosen in line with tradition. But China insists it should have the final say. So, could this become...Read more

What's bringing China and the EU closer? The two sides are marking fifty years of relations this month ... holding talks and pledging deeper cooperation. But how far will this go? And who stands to gain the most, Beij...Read more

Suspended after a leaked recording of a controversial phone call, Thailand's Prime Minister is now fighting for her political survival. Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been facing growing public anger. So, will she survive...Read more

They escaped the horrors of war in their country. But millions of refugees from Sudan now face the risk of hunger. The United Nations World Food Programme is facing a dire shortage of funds. Who is to blame? And who m...Read more

Will a deal to end war between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda work this time? They've signed an agreement in Washington to end the long-running conflict in eastern DRC and it has the full support of the U...Read more

The US and Israel attacked Iran saying it can't have a nuclear weapon while the Islamic Republic denies trying to build one. The two are among nine countries armed with such weapons. So, who decides who can have nucle...Read more

An EU summit in Brussels calls for a ceasefire in Gaza but not for sanctions against Israel. Germany has led states blocking action throughout the war, while others express anger. So, what's driving the EU's p...Read more

A political earthquake say the headlines. A stunning victory. A wake up call for the US Democratic Party. Zohran Mamdani's win in New York City's Mayoral primary has sent the news media into overdrive. But what's behi...Read more

Israel's war on Gaza raged on during its recent conflict with Iran which ended with a US brokered ceasefire. Meanwhile, Qatar has announced renewed mediation efforts to end the genocide. So, what are the prospects for...Read more

Donald Trump urges Israel and Iran to stick to the agreed ceasefire. The two sides have traded accusations of violations. It comes after Iran targeted a US military base in Qatar. So, will this ceasefire hold? And wha...Read more

The US says it has 'obliterated' Iran's nuclear capabilities. But is that true? Tehran says it removed all nuclear material before the US air strikes. And insists its know-how can't be destroyed. So, is bombing the an...Read more

Donald Trump says the US bombing attacks he ordered have totally obliterated Iran's key nuclear sites. And he's threatening more strikes if Tehran doesn't return to diplomacy. But what if it decides not to? And what a...Read more

What is the cost of the war between Israel and Iran? Continuing strikes from both countries are already draining their economies. And the global economy faces the threat of inflation. So, what could be the outcome of...Read more

The German leader and EU commission president were quick to back Israel as the conflict began with Iran. The EU has since called for de-escalation, reflecting growing anxiety over what might happen next. So what's the...Read more

Israel says ending Iran's nuclear programme is a key aim of its attacks on the country. Israel is widely believed to have nuclear arms - but has never admitted that. So what are the nuclear capabilities of both sides...Read more

As Israel attacks Iran, its genocide in Gaza has shown no signs of easing. At least 70 Palestinians were killed in a single day at a food distribution site run by a controversial Israeli-US-backed group in Khan Younis...Read more

The Israel-Iran conflict brings more instability to the Middle East, a region with extensive US interests. They'll be central to shaping president Donald Trump's strategy. So, what's at stake for Washington--and the p...Read more

As Israel and Iran continue to attack each other, how do their militaries compare? Israel's air force dominates the skies, while Iran relies heavily on its ballistic missiles and drones. But who will have the upper ha...Read more

Will Russia, Turkey and China provide support to Iran in its conflict with Israel? The three countries have condemned Israel's actions. But is that enough? And what do they all stand to lose if the conflict spirals ou...Read more

With its allies significantly weakened, Iran is left to confront Israel on its own. It's launched a barrage of missiles at Israel in retaliatory strikes without its traditional support. With Tehran apparently exposed,...Read more

Israel has attacked Iranian military and nuclear sites, claiming Tehran was close to producing a nuclear weapon. Tehran says it's a declaration of war. So, how far will it go with its response? And what does it all th...Read more

Israel's far-right finance minister says he wants to cut off Palestinian banks from the global financial system. The plan's not yet been approved by the Israeli government. But if it does happen, what could be the con...Read more

Renewed violence by armed groups Boko Haram and ISIL has forced thousands of people to leave their homes in Nigeria. Despite repeated government pledges, the military has been unable to end the violence. So why is it...Read more

National Guard troops and even the Marines are on the streets of Los Angeles - deployed by President Donald Trump after mass protests against his immigration raids. California's governor is suing him while the protest...Read more

Attacks by both Russia and Ukraine have intensified in recent weeks, with little sign that Europe's largest conflict since World War II is nearing an end. So, what are the strengths and weaknesses of each side and the...Read more

The UK government is planning major defence reforms, at the cost of welfare programmes – drawing public anger. European members of NATO are under pressure to increase their military budgets. But could they defend them...Read more

From mutual admiration to a fierce public blow-up. The short-lived alliance between US president Donald Trump and Elon Musk appears to have come to a dramatic end. The two men have been trading accusations, threats an...Read more

Why does Donald Trump seem to be fixated by foreign nationals? He's barred citizens from a number of countries from entering the United States. He says he wants to keep the country safe. But what are the implications...Read more

There is outrage over the US vetoing a UN Security Council resolution for Gaza. The resolution calls for a permanent ceasefire and demanded unrestricted aid entry to the Strip. But while Israel is bombing and starving...Read more

The Netherlands faces political chaos. Dutch far-right politician Geert Wilders abruptly withdrew his party from the governing coalition setting the stage for snap elections. So, will his bet on a push to toughen immi...Read more

Bangladeshi prosecutors accuse former leader Sheikh Hasina of crimes against humanity during an uprising last year. But with her in exile in India, what are the chances she'll face justice back home? And why is the fu...Read more

Ukraine carries out large-scale drone strikes on multiple Russian airbases and the operation timed just ahead of crucial peace talks. So, does the daring attack give the US leverage against Russia? And is it the right...Read more

The US sends Iran what it calls an 'acceptable' proposal for a nuclear deal after the UN watchdog says Tehran is producing record amounts of near weapons-grade uranium. So, does this mark a turning point? And will dip...Read more

Has Israel turned Gaza into a starvation camp? The UN says the strip is the hungriest place on Earth. As Israel continues its blockade and bombardment, every single person is at risk of famine. What are the long-term...Read more

Israel is expanding its settlements in the occupied West Bank which, under international law, are illegal. Israel says they're being established with a long-term strategic vision. But, what does that mean for the futu...Read more

Donald Trump's administration said it will revoke the visas of Chinese students studying at US universities. US embassies have also been instructed to pause new interviews. So, how much of this is politics? And what f...Read more

Chaos at aid distribution sites in southern Gaza. The UN has distanced itself from the operations of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation that's backed by the US and Israel. What’s behind this move to establish a separate...Read more

Donald Trump brands Vladimir Putin 'absolutely crazy' after Russia launched its largest aerial attack of the war on Ukraine. The Kremlin is downplaying Trump’s remarks, describing them as 'emotional overload'. So, is...Read more

Spain hosts European and Arab nations as Israel's aid blockade fuels a famine in Gaza. 'The Madrid Group' is calling for an arms embargo and condemned silence as complicity. So why is Israel facing pressure from some...Read more

260 miners trapped in a South African gold mine have been rescued after more than 24 hours. Countries across Africa are seeing a rise in mine-related accidents, exploitation and environmental damage. So, what lessons...Read more

US President Donald Trump is threatening to impose 50% tariffs on European Union imports starting June 1st. The EU says it stands ready to defend its interests. But is Trump genuinely seeking a deal with the European...Read more

Israel was quick to label the killing of two of its embassy staff in Washington DC this week as antisemitic. Other officials in the West have followed suit. But as its war in Gaza expands, does criticising Israel amou...Read more

Will a Golden Dome protect America? It's an ambitious and unprecedented defence project that president Donald Trump says will shield the country from advanced missile threats, including those launched from space. But...Read more

Traditional allies are putting pressure on Israel. The UK has paused trade talks and sanctioned West Bank settlers. And the EU is threatening to review its entire relationship with Israel. Is this a turning point in i...Read more

As Israel expands its war on Gaza, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are again forced from their homes. Israel's prime minister has vowed to seize all of the strip. So as its humanitarian crisis worsens, who can s...Read more

Europe's Super-Sunday elections see a pro-EU candidate defeat a hard-right rival in Romania, a centrist win in the first round of Poland's presidential election, and a victory for the incumbent government in Portugal....Read more

Global hunger has hit a new high. The United Nations says nearly 300 million people faced acute hunger last year. And the outlook for 2025 is bleak due to wars and cuts in aid. So which countries are experiencing the...Read more

A Russian drone strike hit Ukraine's Sumy region just hours after the first direct talks in three years. The warring sides agreed to a prisoners exchange in those talks. But will it lead to a lasting ceasefire? And ca...Read more

Trillions of dollars were pledged during the US president’s three-nation tour of the Gulf this week. So, are the Gulf nations now in sync with Washington on some of the biggest challenges in the region? And is Donald...Read more

US President Donald Trump has signed record-breaking agreements during his state visit to Qatar. It's part of a three-nation tour of the region. A trip that's expected to fetch America billions in new investments. But...Read more

Celebrations in Syria after the US president announced that he's lifting decades of sanctions. Donald Trump says his decision will give the nation a chance at greatness after years of civil war. So, can Syria's new le...Read more