A group linked to the Al Qaeda Islamist network is closing in on the capital of Mali, in north-west Africa. This group, known as JNIM, now controls swathes of territory in the Sahel, a region that stretches across several countries in the Sahara. If JNIM takes the capital, Bamako, it would be the first time an Al Qaeda affiliate has seized power in a country. What would that mean for Africa and the Islamic world? Dr TESSA DEVEREAUX has been analysing the situation.

On the fiftieth anniversary of the dismissal of the Whitlam government, you’ll hear many theories about Gough Whitlam’s downfall. But ROY WILLIAMS has explored one reason that by no means caused but may have contributed to the events of November 11, 1975. Williams is the author of In God They Trust: The Religious Beliefs of Australia’s Prime Ministers. He also has a very personal connection. His late father, Evan Williams, was a speechwriter and long-time confidante of Whitlam. Roy wonders if a throwaway insult about the faith of then Queensland premier Joh Bjelke Petersen hardened the resolve of Whitlam’s opponents.

One of the geopolitical tactics Russia has used in its war with Ukraine has been to divide opinion among the world’s Orthodox Christians. Vladimir Putin is not the first Russian leader to style himself as a champion of Orthodox communities but in Greece and the Middle East, he’s tried to marshal sympathy among Christians. Dr MANOS KARAGIANNIS aas in Australia recently with the Affinity Intercultural Foundation.

GUESTS:

• Dr Tessa Deveraux- Assistant Professor in Politics at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London
• Professor Roy Williams - legal academic and author
• Dr Manos Karagiannis specialises in international security at Kings College, London.

This program was made on the lands of the Gadigal People