Head to Head

By Al Jazeera

What's Head to Head about?

Interviews with attitude, tackling the big issues of our time with Mehdi Hasan.

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Head to Head episodes:

10.31.2021
This feed is no longer being updated
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08.07.2020
Is China a threat or a partner to the West? | Head to Head
Since the outbreak of COVID-19, tensions have mounted between China and the United States. In this special edition of Head to Head, we ask if the West is heading towards a new Cold War with China. In part one, we challenge retired...
07.31.2020
US healthcare: A cure worse than disease? | Head to Head
In this episode, Mehdi Hasan goes Head to Head with two guests with opposing views. In part one, he challenges Lanhee Chen, chief architect of former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney's campaign. Chen argues that "the employer-sponsored system ... has been...
07.24.2020
US coronavirus catastrophe: Who is to blame? | Head to Head
With more than 146,000 deaths and counting, the United States has been the hardest hit country by COVID-19. In this first episode of a special Head to Head series, we challenge prominent members of the Republican and Democratic parties on their...
05.04.2020
Most businesses resume operations in Thailand
Thailand has begun lifting restrictions after a steady decline in the number of coronavirus infections. But many people still need help putting food on the table and some businesses are expected to struggle. The government will evaluate the situation every two weeks...
05.04.2020
Highly-qualified medics unable to work in Canada
As Canada’s hospitals and medical personnel deal with the COVID-19 outbreak, calls are mounting to allow more internationally-trained doctors to practice and support front-line healthcare workers. But tight regulations are leaving many shut out of their chosen profession. Al Jazeera's Daniel...
05.04.2020
First factory in Afghanistan to make face masks
A factory in Afghanistan is making personal protective equipment (PPE) for the first time. The plan is to make five million affordable masks that cost a fraction of the imported ones. Not only will this provide affordable protective equipment to people,...
05.04.2020
US virus outbreak: Trump promises vaccine by the end of 2020
President Donald Trump says the United States is working very hard to come up with a vaccine for the coronavirus by the end of the year. He also reiterated claims that China was responsible for the severity of the outbreak and...
05.04.2020
Is this the right time to ease coronavirus restrictions?
Some Asian countries have begun lifting restrictions after spending weeks in strict lockdown over the coronavirus pandemic. Malaysia has allowed the majority of businesses to open with health and sanitation precautions and social distancing a must. Arisina Ma is a...
05.04.2020
Brazil's Bolsonaro rallies the right amid coronavirus criticism
Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro attacked Congress and the courts as he urged his right-wing supporters to rally against coronavirus curbs as he fights for his political survival, The country has reported more than 100,000 infections nationwide from COVID-19 and in...
05.04.2020
Russia reports highest 1-day rise in COVID-19 cases despite curbs
The latest virus figures for Europe suggest that some of its worst-affected countries are starting to turn a corner. But that is not the case in Russia, where another 10,500 people have tested positive in the last 24 hours. Al...
05.04.2020
Chinese man makes own prosthetic limbs
After losing both forearms in an accident decades ago, this Chinese veteran is now making affordable prosthetic limbs for fellow amputees.
05.04.2020
WHO says Madagascar's herbal tonic against COVID-19 not a cure
The World Health Organization is warning that Madagascar's herbal tonic its president claims can cure patients of COVID-19 has no scientific basis. Other African countries such as Tanzania and Guinea-Bissau have made plans to import the tonic, which contains the artemisia...
05.04.2020
Birx warns against gatherings as US reopens from lockdowns
Top public health official Dr Deborah Birx has warned the public not to congregate in large numbers, as more than 67,000 people die from the coronavirus in the United States. But about half the states are now loosening restrictions, bowing...
05.04.2020
Rohingya crisis through the eyes of Al Jazeera's journalists
August 25, 2019 marked two years since more than 700,000 Rohingya fled Myanmar to escape what United Nations investigators called a “genocide” in Rakhine state. In this video, Al Jazeera English journalists Mohammed Jamjoom, Stefanie Dekker, Showkat Shafi and Sorin Furcoi...
05.04.2020
China’s vast home delivery network
Despite China’s coronavirus lockdown lifting, many are still shopping online.
05.04.2020
Captain Tom promoted to Colonel on 100th birthday
The British veteran who raised millions for the National Health Service is celebrating his 100th birthday with an honorary promotion, approved by the Queen.
05.04.2020
Global fund-raising drive to raise $8.2bn for coronavirus vaccine
World leaders will be meeting virtually on Monday to raise an initial $8.2bn for vaccine research to fight the coronavirus pandemic. Scientists in several countries are embarking on human-testing trials but health officials caution that making populations immune to the virus...
05.03.2020
Israel's elected coalition government faces major legal hurdle
Israel's troubled coalition government has not been sworn in yet, but it is already facing a major legal hurdle. A petition to the High Court argues the power-sharing deal between Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party and Benny Gantz's Blue and White party...
05.03.2020
Why are journalists reporting on the pandemic facing threats?
The spread of the coronavirus and how to stop it dominates the news agenda of nearly every media outlet in the world right now. Public health bodies rely on them to keep people informed. But journalists are facing threats as they try...
05.03.2020
Coronavirus: Lessons From Asia (Featured Documentary)
One day, when the coronavirus pandemic is merely of historical concern, much time will be spent discussing its origins and evolution and evaluating its long-term effects. But for now, for today, the coronavirus is still a matter of life and death. With...
05.03.2020
Amnesty: Somalia journalists face abusive means of suppression
Somali journalists continue to face arbitrary arrests, physical attacks and censorship. A recent Amnesty International report says harassment and intimidation of journalists are so deeply entrenched, it makes Somalia one of the most dangerous places to report from. Al...
05.03.2020
Iran forces accused of drowning Afghans amid pandemic
The coronavirus pandemic has caused tens of thousands of Afghans to cross the border from Iran, the region's worst hit country. But some have also been trying to go in the other direction, looking for work. Now, Afghanistan is accusing Iranian...
05.03.2020
Rights group says Malaysia risks health of detained migrants
Police in Malaysia have detained more than 700 refugees and migrant workers. They live in areas where COVID-19 cases surged last month, triggering accusations that foreigners are spreading the virus. Rights groups say they could be held for months in...
05.03.2020
North Korea’s Kim Jong Un reappears in public amid health rumours
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has appeared in public for the first time in 20 days, according to state media, ending rumours about his health.
05.03.2020
Sudanese struggle with inflation, lockdown during Ramadan
Nearly eight million people in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, are marking the fasting month of Ramadan under a lockdown imposed to try and curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. But with the country facing an economic crisis as well,...
05.03.2020
Home delivery network fuels China economy amid lockdown
Tens of millions of people in China were confined to their homes during its strict coronavirus lockdown. Now, although restrictions have been eased, many are afraid of venturing outside even for basic supplies. But thanks to China's vast home delivery network,...
05.03.2020
Algerian Berber musician Idir dies at 70
One of the most well-known figures of Indigenous Berber music has died. Born Hamid Cheriet in 1949 in Ath Yenni, a Berber-speaking region in the central Atlas Mountains of Algeria, his musical prowess began to be recognised by his colleagues in...
05.03.2020
Where are we with a coronavirus vaccine? | Start Here
As government lockdowns focus on limiting the spread of the coronavirus, scientists around the world are working on treating and protecting us. They have their work cut out. Vaccine and drug development is laborious, full of experimentation and repeated testing. Knowing...
05.03.2020
Who holds WHO accountable? | The Listening Post (Feature)
Much of the coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic treats the World Health Organization (WHO) as an authoritative, impartial source of information. But should it? From the advent of COVID-19, the WHO's press conferences have been a fixture in global news coverage....
05.03.2020
India at 142 on World Press Freedom Index over Kashmir blackout
India has dropped two places on the World Press Freedom Index, now ranking at 142 out of 180 countries. Reporters Without Borders says a communications blackout in Indian-administered Kashmir, which made it increasingly difficult for journalists to report on what is...
03.06.2019
Blackwater's Erik Prince: Iraq, privatising wars, and Trump | Head to Head
In this episode of Head to Head, Mehdi Hasan challenges Erik Prince, the founder and former CEO of Blackwater, on his security firm’s performance during the Iraq war, the “exit strategy” he’s proposing for the war in Afghanistan, and his...
08.10.2018
Has #MeToo failed? | Head to Head
In this episode of Head to Head, Mehdi Hasan challenges public intellectual and feminist icon Germaine Greer on why she criticises the #MeToo movement against sexual harassment and assault. When the Harvey Weinstein scandal erupted in Hollywood in October 2017, a...
08.03.2018
Is it time to rethink democracy? | Head to Head
In this episode of Head to Head, Mehdi Hasan challenges the renowned economist and thinker Dambisa Moyo on why she believes liberal democracy is under siege and requires a radical overhaul. The best-selling author first made waves with her book Dead...
07.27.2018
Trump: Global threat or new world order? | Head to Head
In this episode of Head to Head, Mehdi Hasan challenges former Trump campaign national security director, JD Gordon, on allegations of collusion with Russia, the US president's foreign policy agenda and what it was like to work for the former...
07.20.2018
Gaza Killings: Who is to blame? | Head to Head
In this episode of Head to Head, Mehdi Hasan challenges Danny Ayalon on whether Israel is responsible for the recent killings of Palestinians following months of protests along the Gaza fence. Formerly a deputy foreign minister to Israel and ambassador...
05.16.2016
Head to Head - Meddling in other people's business?
From Bosnia in 1994 to Syria today, via Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and Mali, is western military intervention ever justified? In this episode of Head to Head at the Oxford Union, Mehdi Hasan challenges one of the world's most renowned...
05.13.2016
Head to Head - What is wrong with Islam today?
Is there really a problem with Islam today? Critics see Muslim women as downtrodden and sectarian conflict dominates the headlines, but for many Muslims this is a gross misrepresentation. In this episode of Head to Head at the Oxford Union, Mehdi...
05.09.2016
Head to Head - Should the US be neutral on Israel-Palestine? promo
Mehdi Hasan goes head to head with former US Ambassador to Israel Martin Indyk, on whether the US has been an honest broker in the Israel-Palestine conflict. More from Head to Head on: YouTube - http://aje.io/headtoheadYT Facebook - http://facebook.com/AJHeadToHead Twitter -...
05.06.2016
Kenya: Democracy on trial? - Head to Head
In this episode of Head to Head, Mehdi Hasan challenges former Prime Minister Raila Odinga on the state of Kenya's "tribal" democracy, political violence, impunity and corruption, and the rise of al-Shabab. In this episode we explore Odinga's defeat in a...
04.29.2016
Head to Head - Kenya: Democracy on trial? promo
Mehdi Hasan challenges former Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Kenya’s ‘tribal’ democracy, political violence, impunity and corruption, and the rise of al-Shabab. More from Head to Head on: YouTube - http://aje.io/headtoheadYT Facebook - http://facebook.com/AJHeadToHead Twitter - http://twitter.com/AJHeadToHead Website - http://aljazeera.com/headtohead
04.21.2016
Head to Head - Brexit: Au revoir Europe?
Mehdi Hasan goes head to head with Norman Lamont, former British chancellor and fervent Eurosceptic over why he wants the UK to quit the European Union. More from Head to Head on: YouTube - http://aje.io/headtoheadYT Facebook - http://facebook.com/AJHeadToHead Twitter - http://twitter.com/AJHeadToHead Website - http://aljazeera.com/headtohead
04.18.2016
Head to Head - Series 7 Coming Soon promo
Interviews with attitude, tackling the big issues of our time with Mehdi Hasan. More from Head to Head on: YouTube - http://aje.io/headtoheadYT Facebook - http://facebook.com/AJHeadToHead Twitter - http://twitter.com/AJHeadToHead Website - http://aljazeera.com/headtohead
03.31.2016
Head to Head - Europe: Is the Union over?
Viviane Reding, the former vice president of the European Commission, on austerity, democratic deficit and Ukraine. More from Head to Head on: YouTube - http://aje.io/4a46 Facebook - http://facebook.com/AJHeadToHead Twitter - http://twitter.com/AJHeadToHead Website - http://aljazeera.com/headtohead
03.31.2016
Head to Head - Europe: Is the Union over?
Viviane Reding, the former vice president of the European Commission, on austerity, democratic deficit and Ukraine. More from Head to Head on: YouTube - http://aje.io/4a46 Facebook - http://facebook.com/AJHeadToHead Twitter - http://twitter.com/AJHeadToHead Website - http://aljazeera.com/headtohead
03.31.2016
Head to Head - Europe: Is the Union over?
Viviane Reding, the former vice president of the European Commission, on austerity, democratic deficit and Ukraine. More from Head to Head on: YouTube - http://aje.io/4a46 Facebook - http://facebook.com/AJHeadToHead Twitter - http://twitter.com/AJHeadToHead Website - http://aljazeera.com/headtohead
03.31.2016
Head to Head - Europe: Is the Union over?
Viviane Reding, the former vice president of the European Commission, on austerity, democratic deficit and Ukraine. More from Head to Head on: YouTube - http://aje.io/4a46 Facebook - http://facebook.com/AJHeadToHead Twitter - http://twitter.com/AJHeadToHead Website - http://aljazeera.com/headtohead
03.31.2016
Head to Head - Europe: Is the Union over?
Viviane Reding, the former vice president of the European Commission, on austerity, democratic deficit and Ukraine. More from Head to Head on: YouTube - http://aje.io/4a46 Facebook - http://facebook.com/AJHeadToHead Twitter - http://twitter.com/AJHeadToHead Website - http://aljazeera.com/headtohead
12.25.2015
Head to Head - Is Modi's India flirting with fascism?
In this episode of Head to Head, Mehdi Hasan challenges Ram Madhav, National General Secretary of India's ruling BJP and former spokesman of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the right-wing Hindu nationalist organisation and ideological wing of the BJP. More...
12.18.2015
Head to Head - Who rules Pakistan?
In this episode of Head to Head , Mehdi Hasan challenges Hina Rabbani Khar, former foreign minister of Pakistan, on whether the army is in control of the country, and if Pakistan has been supporting the Taliban. Joining the discussion are: Omar...

What's Head to Head about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Head to Head episodes:

This feed is no longer being updated

Is China a threat or a partner to the West? | Head to Head

US healthcare: A cure worse than disease? | Head to Head

US coronavirus catastrophe: Who is to blame? | Head to Head

Most businesses resume operations in Thailand

Highly-qualified medics unable to work in Canada

First factory in Afghanistan to make face masks

US virus outbreak: Trump promises vaccine by the end of 2020

Is this the right time to ease coronavirus restrictions?

Brazil's Bolsonaro rallies the right amid coronavirus criticism

Russia reports highest 1-day rise in COVID-19 cases despite curbs

Chinese man makes own prosthetic limbs

WHO says Madagascar's herbal tonic against COVID-19 not a cure

Birx warns against gatherings as US reopens from lockdowns

Rohingya crisis through the eyes of Al Jazeera's journalists

China’s vast home delivery network

Captain Tom promoted to Colonel on 100th birthday

Global fund-raising drive to raise $8.2bn for coronavirus vaccine

Israel's elected coalition government faces major legal hurdle

Why are journalists reporting on the pandemic facing threats?

Coronavirus: Lessons From Asia (Featured Documentary)

Amnesty: Somalia journalists face abusive means of suppression

Iran forces accused of drowning Afghans amid pandemic

Rights group says Malaysia risks health of detained migrants

North Korea’s Kim Jong Un reappears in public amid health rumours

Sudanese struggle with inflation, lockdown during Ramadan

Home delivery network fuels China economy amid lockdown

Algerian Berber musician Idir dies at 70

Where are we with a coronavirus vaccine? | Start Here

Who holds WHO accountable? | The Listening Post (Feature)

India at 142 on World Press Freedom Index over Kashmir blackout

Blackwater's Erik Prince: Iraq, privatising wars, and Trump | Head to Head

Has #MeToo failed? | Head to Head

Is it time to rethink democracy? | Head to Head

Trump: Global threat or new world order? | Head to Head

Gaza Killings: Who is to blame? | Head to Head

Head to Head - Meddling in other people's business?

Head to Head - What is wrong with Islam today?

Head to Head - Should the US be neutral on Israel-Palestine? promo

Kenya: Democracy on trial? - Head to Head

Head to Head - Kenya: Democracy on trial? promo

Head to Head - Brexit: Au revoir Europe?

Head to Head - Series 7 Coming Soon promo

Head to Head - Europe: Is the Union over?

Head to Head - Europe: Is the Union over?

Head to Head - Europe: Is the Union over?

Head to Head - Europe: Is the Union over?

Head to Head - Europe: Is the Union over?

Head to Head - Is Modi's India flirting with fascism?

Head to Head - Who rules Pakistan?