President Biden has reportedly paused arms sales to Saudi Arabia as his administration reviews relations with its long-time strategic ally. But is there any prospect of external or internal pressure challenging the authority of Saudi Arabia’s de facto leader Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman? Stephen Sackur speaks to exiled opposition activist Madawi Al-Rasheed. What next for Saudi Arabia, reform, repression, or maybe both?

Madawi Al-Rasheed: Can the Saudi Crown Prince's authority really be challenged?

In-depth, hard-hitting interviews with newsworthy personalities.

Government

Stephen Sackur speaks to Jonathan Haidt, the American social psychologist whose work focuses on how social and cultural change affects our minds and thoughts. How worried should we be about what smartphones and social media are doing to our children’s mental health?

Jonathan Haidt: Are phones and social media affecting our children's mental health?

Stephen Sackur speaks to Mihai Popșoi, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Moldova. The former Soviet Republic in south east Europe is now seeking EU membership. Just as in neighbouring Ukraine, Moldova’s western orientation has infuriated Moscow; is another conflict looming?

Mihai Popșoi: Is Moldova the new Russian battleground?

In 2021, Stephen Sackur is travelled to New York to speak to writer Paul Auster, who died this week aged 77.

Paul Auster: 'We are divided in ways we have never seen before'

Stephen Sackur speaks to Ami Ayalon, former director of the Israeli Security Agency, also known as Shin Bet, and now a fierce critic of Prime Minister Netanyahu's government. Is today's Israel ready to listen to the lessons of one of its ageing warriors?

Ami Ayalon: Is Israel fighting an unwinnable war?

Stephen Sackur speaks to Lebanon’s economy minister, Amin Salam. After years of economic meltdown, Lebanon is once again threatened by escalating regional conflict involving Israel and Iran. Does the Beirut government have the will or the means to prevent a further slide into chaos?

Madawi Al-Rasheed: Can the Saudi Crown Prince's authority really be challenged?

Download our free app to listen on your phone