The Debate

By FRANCE 24 English

The Debate episodes

February 28, 2017 Spending blitz: Trump unveils $54 billion hike in the military spending (part 2)
Why the huge hike in defense spending? That's the 54-billion dollar question ahead of Donald Trump's first speech to a joint session of Congress. The new US president ran as the nominee of a Republican party that had mostly been against big spending ever since the Iraq war blew up the national budget. How will his plans go down with Tea Party supporters, and what exactly are his plans? Produced by Alessandro XENOS, Yi SONG and Laure FOURQUET.
22 min
February 27, 2017 Fillon, Le Pen cry 'witch hunt' over corruption probes (part 1)
When the French head to the polls to pick a president this spring, there could be two candidates under formal investigation. But, as we’ve seen in the United States, facing legal woes doesn’t necessarily mean that National Front leader Marine Le Pen or Les Républicains’ candidate François Fillon will lose out in the race. Both of them accuse the media of conducting a witch-hunt and the judiciary of being biased. What are the consequences of what's been said so far and what's still to come? Click here for PART TWO.
Produced by Yi SONG, François WIBAUX and Laure FOURQUET.
17 min
February 27, 2017 Do scandals matter? Fillon, Le Pen cry 'witch-hunt" over corruption probes (part 2)
When the French head to the polls to pick a president this spring, there could be two candidates under formal investigation. But, as we’ve seen in the United States, facing legal woes doesn’t necessarily mean that National Front leader Marine Le Pen or Les Républicains’ candidate François Fillon will lose out in the race. Both of them accuse the media of conducting a witch-hunt and the judiciary of being biased. What are the consequences of what's been said so far and what's still to come? Click here for PART ONE.
Produced by Yi SONG, François WIBAUX and Laure FOURQUET.
25 min
February 23, 2017 Borderline Politics: US-Mexico relations hit a wall (part 1)
Mexico is the first big foreign assignment for an untested US Secretary of State. And just to raise the stakes for Rex Tillerson and head of homeland security John Kelly, the Trump administration preceded their departure with sweeping new guidelines that make it easier to criminalize and deport illegal aliens to Mexico regardless of their nationality. With no sign of Donald Trump's "build a wall" rhetoric slowing, how does Mexico handle relations with its number one trade partner? Click here for PART TWO.
Produced by Yi SONG, François WIBAUX and Laure FOURQUET.
17 min
February 23, 2017 Borderline Politics: US-Mexico relations hit a wall (part 2)
Mexico is the first big foreign assignment for an untested US Secretary of State. And just to raise the stakes for Rex Tillerson and head of homeland security John Kelly, the Trump administration preceded their departure with sweeping new guidelines that make it easier to criminalize and deport illegal aliens to Mexico regardless of their nationality. With no sign of Donald Trump's "build a wall" rhetoric slowing, how does Mexico handle relations with its number one trade partner? Click here for PART ONE.
Produced by Yi SONG, François WIBAUX and Laure FOURQUET.
27 min
February 22, 2017 France's Topsy-Turvy Election: Uncertain outcome as insurgents blow away old guard (part 1)
The first round of France's presidential election is two months away but already, it's fair to say that politics here has been turned on its head. The only near-certainty is that for the first time, a far-right candidate will be in the lead going into May's runoff. But Marine Le Pen faces a crowded field, so how are her rivals responding to Le Pen's "roll back the clock" brand of politics? It all depends on what kind of France voters want. Click here for PART TWO.
Produced by Yi SONG, François WIBAUX and Laure FOURQUET.
18 min
February 22, 2017 France's Topsy-Turvy Election: Uncertain outcome as insurgents blow away old guard (part 2)
The first round of France's presidential election is two months away but already, it's fair to say that politics here has been turned on its head. The only near-certainty is that for the first time, a far-right candidate will be in the lead going into May's runoff. But Marine Le Pen faces a crowded field, so how are her rivals responding to Le Pen's "roll back the clock" brand of politics? It all depends on what kind of France voters want. Click here for PART ONE.
Produced by Yi SONG, François WIBAUX and Laure FOURQUET.
27 min
February 21, 2017 Rogue nation: North Korea and the death of Kim Jong-nam (part 1)
The presumed poisoning at Kuala Lumpur airport of the half-brother of North Korean strongman Kim Jong-un has triggered a recall of ambassadors and put Pyongyang watchers on high alert. Why him? Why now? Hot on the heels of a fresh ballistic missile test, one of the world's most reclusive regimes has yet again succeeded in grabbing our full attention. We ask our panel whether - if this is indeed a political assassination - it's a sign of strength or weakness. Click here for PART TWO.
Produced by Yi SONG, François WIBAUX and Laure FOURQUET.
19 min
February 21, 2017 Rogue nation: North Korea and the death of Kim Jong-nam (part 2)
The presumed poisoning at Kuala Lumpur airport of the half-brother of North Korean strongman Kim Jong-un has triggered a recall of ambassadors and put Pyongyang watchers on high alert. Why him? Why now? Hot on the heels of a fresh ballistic missile test, one of the world's most reclusive regimes has yet again succeeded in grabbing our full attention. We ask our panel whether - if this is indeed a political assassination - it's a sign of strength or weakness. Click here for PART ONE.
Produced by Yi SONG, François WIBAUX and Laure FOURQUET.
27 min
February 20, 2017 Mosul offensive: New phase in battle for Iraq's second city (part 1)
After four months of urban warfare, a new chapter is opening in the battle to retake Iraq's second city as the government announces an offensive to retake the western part of Mosul. It promises to be a long fight, with at least 700,000 residents still trapped inside ISIS-controlled areas. Will the White House start to weigh in on the Russia-backed campaign by the Syrian regime, which includes a small dose of engaging ISIS while most of the shelling is directed at other rebels elsewhere? Click here for PART TWO.
Produced by Yi SONG, François WIBAUX and Laure FOURQUET.
19 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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