The Debate

By FRANCE 24 English

The Debate episodes

May 17, 2017 French revolution: Will Macron blow up traditional left-right divide? (part 1)
Monday's naming of a prime minister from the Les Républicains party already split the main French centre-right bloc that just a few months ago was the heavy favourite to win the elections. Is the naming of a cabinet that brings under the same tent a wide palate of politicians the final nail in the coffin for the conservatives but also for the other mainstream parties, be they centrist or Socialist? Has Emmanuel Macron already succeeded in blowing up French politics as we know them? Click here for PART TWO.
Produced by Michele BARBERO, Alessandro XENOS, Van MEGUERDITCHIAN
17 min
May 16, 2017 Trump defends sharing classified intel with Russians: Can he keep a secret? (part 1)
The Washington Post broke the story: US intelligence has been sent into a mad scramble after Donald Trump gave the Russian foreign minister and ambassador intel about the IS group that came courtesy of an ally of Washington. Does the most powerful nation on the planet have a president who can't keep a secret? Click here for PART TWO.
Produced by Charles WENTE, Alessandro XENOS and Van MEGUERDITCHIAN
19 min
May 16, 2017 Trump defends sharing classified intel with Russians: Can he keep a secret? (part 2)
The Washington Post broke the story: US intelligence has been sent into a mad scramble after Donald Trump gave the Russian foreign minister and ambassador intel about the IS group that came courtesy of an ally of Washington. Does the most powerful nation on the planet have a president who can't keep a secret? Click here for PART ONE.
Produced by Charles WENTE, Alessandro XENOS and Van MEGUERDITCHIAN
26 min
May 15, 2017 New Beginning? Macron looks to redraw French political landscape
After appointing centre-right politician Edouard Philippe as his Prime Minister, Macron vows to follow through on his pledge to reform France. It’s music to the ears of a German chancellor who's welcomed Macron to Berlin for his first foreign visit. Who holds the cards? More broadly, can France's 39-year-old president offer new solutions to the imbalances, fears and frustrations felt both in France and across the continent? Produced by Michele BARBERO, François WIBAUX and Van MEGUERDITCHIAN.
21 min
May 12, 2017 Trump's Firing Line: FBI Director sacked as Russia probe gets warmer (part 1)
Today our panel of international journalists tries to surmise the motivations and strategy behind Donald Trump’s sudden firing of FBI director James Comey. We also look at the complex web of alliances that’s leading an offensive to retake the Islamic State’s capital, the high hopes that rest on French president-elect Emmanuel Macron, and the Cannes Film Festival where Netflix seems to be ruffling some feathers in the movie industry. Click here for PART TWO.

Produced by Yi SONG, François WIBAUX and Aline SCHMIDT.
18 min
May 12, 2017 Grand Bargain Over Syria, Macron's Great Expectations, No Cannes Do (part 2)
Today our panel of international journalists tries to surmise the motivations and strategy behind Donald Trump’s sudden firing of FBI director James Comey. We also look at the complex web of alliances that’s leading an offensive to retake the Islamic State’s capital, the high hopes that rest on French president-elect Emmanuel Macron, and the Cannes Film Festival where Netflix seems to be ruffling some feathers in the movie industry. Click here for PART ONE.

Produced by Yi SONG, François WIBAUX and Aline SCHMIDT.
27 min
May 11, 2017 Trump Fires Comey: FBI director's ouster rocks Washington (part 2)
Is this Trump’s Watergate moment? Just as the FBI is investigating his administration's present and past ties to Russia, director James Comey heard on the news that he'd been fired. The official reason: Comey's handling of the investigation of Hillary Clinton’s emails. How will the sacking define Trump's presidency, his way of governing, and his relations with his own government agencies? Will this latest twist play to Vladimir Putin's advantage? Click here for PART ONE.
Produced by Charles WENTE, François WIBAUX and Chris DAVIS.
26 min
May 11, 2017 Kurdish Offensive: Turkey furious over US arming of Syrian Kurds (part 1)
The Pentagon's announcement that it would directly arm Syrian Kurds has been quickly followed by Kurdish militias taking the Tabqa dam, a key lever on the road to the IS group stronghold of Raqqa. Could victory now be in sight? The Trump administration's announcement bolsters the boots on the ground, and has also enraged Erdogan who claims Kurds are says are in cahoots with the PKK insurgency he's fighting near his southeastern border. What will Erdogan get from his trip to Washington next week? Click here for PART TWO.
Produced by Charles WENTE, François WIBAUX and Christopher DAVIS.
19 min
May 11, 2017 Kurdish Offensive: Turkey furious over US arming of Syrian Kurds (part 2)
The Pentagon's announcement that it would directly arm Syrian Kurds has been quickly followed by Kurdish militias taking the Tabqa dam, a key lever on the road to the IS group stronghold of Raqqa. Could victory now be in sight? The Trump administration's announcement bolsters the boots on the ground, and has also enraged Erdogan who claims Kurds are says are in cahoots with the PKK insurgency he's fighting near his southeastern border. What will Erdogan get from his trip to Washington next week? Click here for PART ONE.
Produced by Charles WENTE, François WIBAUX and Christopher DAVIS.
27 min
May 10, 2017 Trump Fires Comey: Russia probe looms large in FBI director's dismissal (part 1)
Is this Trump’s Watergate moment? Just as the FBI is investigating his administration's present and past ties to Russia, director James Comey heard on the news that he'd been fired. The official reason: Comey's handling of the investigation of Hillary Clinton’s emails. How will the sacking define Trump's presidency, his way of governing, and his relations with his own government agencies? Will this latest twist play to Vladimir Putin's advantage? Click here for PART TWO.
Produced by Charles WENTE, François WIBAUX and Chris DAVIS.
18 min

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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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