The Debate

By FRANCE 24 English

The Debate episodes

February 04, 2019 Facebook turns fifteen: 2018, a turning point for good or bad?
Like it or hate it, you can't escape it. The original social network has links everywhere. On its 15th birthday, we're asking: how is Facebook doing in its difficult adolescence? 2018 was a difficult year, with data hacks and personal account details mined by suspicious online shady characters. Facebook, already the "bête noire" of the authorities with an eye on "fake news", was the prime reason for a whole revamp of world wide data protection to patch up the problem.
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January 31, 2019 Talking to the Taliban: What future for Afghanistan without US troops?
Is it the beginning of the end to the longest military campaign in US history? 17 years after a coalition chased the Taliban out of Kabul, Washington's envoy has reached a tentative deal on a roadmap that would see US forces pull out by an unspecified date. But there are many "ifs"... If the Taliban themselves unite behind the plan, if the insurgents negotiate a durable ceasefire with the government in Kabul, and if Ashraf Ghani is still the president.
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January 30, 2019 Showdown in Venezuela: Can Guaido win over the military?
The showdown in Venezuela is once again playing out in the streets, with the first big day of protests since National Assembly speaker Juan Guaido declared himself acting president a week ago. He's since been recognised by two dozen countries, including the US, which says it's going to funnel Venezuelan state oil payments his way.
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January 29, 2019 The end of the 'caliphate': What to do with foreign fighters?
What to do with foreign fighters in Syria and Iraq wanting to return home from Syria and Iraq? FRANCE 24 has a team on the ground for what could be the final days of the so-called caliphate in eastern Syria. Up until now, France's official policy had been to take back their children, but male and female insurgents were to face charges where crimes were committed. Now, the policy is set for a reversal.
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January 28, 2019 Dealing with Sisi: Macron justifies soft approach on human rights in Egypt
How can France help Egypt? The Arab world's most populous nation is rolling out the red carpet for Emmanuel Macron. His three-day state visit is raising eyebrows among human rights advocates who claim there are as many as 60,000 political prisoners in Egypt today - with repression far greater than before the 2011 overthrow of Hosni Mubarak.
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January 25, 2019 Dueling Presidents: Venezuela crisis comes to a head
Juan Guaido, the speaker of Venezuela's parliament swore himself in as acting president on Wednesday. The US led coalition of regional powers quickly recognized the new leader. What's next for Venezuela? Also on the programme, DR Congo's new president, Felix Tshisekedi, was sworn in on Thursday amid acusations of election fraud. And will Greece and Macedonia finally make peace? The Greek government accepted a deal with the with what is now officially the Republic of NOrth Macedonia.
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January 25, 2019 Who's the president? Venezuela crisis deepens as US and allies recognise Guaido
Did Donald Trump make the right call on Venezuela? The US president is leading the way among the Lima group of North and Latin American nations that have decided to recognise parliament speaker Juan Guaido as acting president. The 35-year-old emerged as the face of the opposition and swore himself in on a copy of the Bolivarian constitution. That constitution states that the speaker is next in line if the president's out. Nicolas Maduro still enjoys support from the army. Can he stay in power?
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January 24, 2019 Is Davos listening? Populist wind blows over World Economic Forum
The hills are alive with the sound of Davos but in the Swiss Alps this year, the music's more muted. No Trump, Macron or May - they've got bigger fires to put out at home. Ten years ago, the World Economic Forum reeled as it gathered weeks after the worst of the financial crisis. A decade on, the red carpet is rolled out for a new generation of leaders who have ridden the wave of a populist backlash against global elites. How long can the disconnect go on between the masses and the happy few?
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January 22, 2019 Yemen's civil war: How to make truce work in Houthi-held Hodeida?
Will Yemen finally see a turn for the better in 2019? Last month's peace talks in Sweden raised hopes that the tide had finally turned in a nation battered by nearly four years of civil war and the ensuing famine, with three-quarters of the population dependent on humanitarian assistance. But the truce and prisoner swaps promised in December have yet to materialise.
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January 21, 2019 What's the plan? Theresa May promises more talks, Corbyn cries foul
No one was seriously expecting a major about-face of any sort from Theresa May. Still, with ten weeks to go, what was billed as her "Plan B" speech after the rout of her Brexit divorce deal offered up very familiar talking points - no second referendum, a refusal to take no-deal off the table and a commitment to leave the Good Friday agreement on Northern Ireland untouched. Even if further cross-party talks really do deliver a Plan B, can lawmakers reach a deal?
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A live debate on the topic of the day, with four guests. From Monday to Thursday at 7:10pm Paris time.

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