Conflict Zone: Confronting the Powerful

Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has declared victory in the conflict in Tigray, but a humanitarian crisis is growing. Zadig Abraha, the minister for democratization, is on DW's Conflict Zone.

Barring unforeseen events, Joe Biden will be sworn in as the 46th US President next month. But with his party deeply divided, are the Democrats really celebrating? DW's Conflict Zone meets Democratic congresswoman Debbie Dingell. Is Biden a man with a vision or will he struggle simply to control his party and the urgent crises Donald Trump will leave behind?

German authorities say Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny was poisoned with the Novichok nerve agent. The Kremlin has denied any involvement. State Duma member Vyacheslav Nikonov tells DW that Navalny is too irrelevant. So why do so many outspoken Russians face mortal danger?"What do you mean by Novichok?" Vyacheslav Nikonov told Conflict Zone’s Tim Sebastian when asked about the poisoning of Russian opposition figurehead Alexei Navalny.

The figurehead of the Russian opposition became ill during a flight from Siberia to Moscow in August. Navalny was evacuated to Germany and treated in a Berlin hospital.

Nikonov, who sits in the lower house of the Russian parliament for President Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party, said he "wasn’t very interested in Navalny" and implied Navalny wasn’t important enough to be targeted. The Kremlin has denied any involvement in the incident.

"Navalny, as you know, was saved by the Russian doctors," Nikonov pointed out.

Nikonov compared the Russian opposition figure to Angela Davis, a leftist radical who was one of the leaders of the US Communist party during the Cold War.

The State Duma member implied Navalny may have been poisoned with the nerve agent after arriving in Germany.

"Russophobia is not something new ... actually, in case of Germany, it started like five centuries ago."

Nikonov offered this insight into his thinking. "There is always some truth in propaganda, otherwise it won't work."

Asked about the oppression of demonstrations by opposition supporters in Russia, Nikonov said Russian police were polite, especially in comparison to those in the West. "Russian police is much more civilized than German, French or American [police]."

The Russian lawmaker also disputed that the murders of opposition figures were being ignored. "Most of the cases of political murders in Russia have been investigated."

Facing disquiet in Brussels, recent mass protests over abortion rights, and criticism on press freedom, is Poland’s government on a path to isolation? Conflict Zone asks MEP Ryszard Legutko from the ruling Law and Justice Party.

Zimbabwe’s government vowed essential reforms but has failed to reassure the international community, whose support it desperately needs. Are its promises just shallow phrases? DW’s Sarah Kelly asks Foreign Minister Sibusiso Moyo.

“Americans are looking for hope,” says a Trump campaign adviser, but will voters turn to a president who many say botched the country’s response to a global health emergency? Tim Sebastian meets Mica Mosbacher on Conflict Zone.

Benjamin Netanyahu remains prime minister while on trial for corruption, but unrest is growing in Israel, including over the response to the pandemic. Nir Barkat, a Likud MP and ally of the PM, is on DW's Conflict Zone.

A deeply divided US is heading towards its election with polls showing many people are afraid of violence. DW's Conflict Zone talks to Ken Cuccinelli, Acting Deputy Secretary for the Department of Homeland Security.

Sweden’s coronavirus strategy has led to a death rate much higher than that of its neighbors. Did the country badly miscalculate? DW’s Conflict Zone meets the country’s foreign minister.

Hezbollah is banned in many countries as a terrorist group but is a powerful political force in Lebanon and was a kingmaker of the new government. Is the group hindering or helping the reforms the country so desperately needs?