The Documentary Podcast: Archive 2008

In Programme Three, Lyse Doucet looks at how the Iraq War changed the regional balance of power.

In the 1980s Kathy Flower became the most famous face on Chinese television, as English teacher to millions of students long isolated from the outside world.

According to US intelligence the Afghan president Hamid Karzai controls only 30 percent of Afghanistan, with the Taleban holding 10 percent. Most of the country is under local tribal control.

Nick Rankin travels to Africa to find out how modern day pirates are ruling the high seas. From hijacking, kidnapping and ransoms, he finds out what is being done to combat the problem.

Magdi Abdelhadi explores how the dream of a democratic Arab world was promoted then put in reverse as things went wrong in Iraq.

In Programme Two Magdhi Abdulhadi looks at how the neocon dream of a democratic Arab world was promoted then put in reverse as things went wrong in Iraq.

Sharon Mascall investigates the Australian mining industry where many inexperienced workers are lured by high wages but face harsh conditions, poor safety standards and an uncertain future.

Jacob Zuma is one of the most powerful men in South Africa. He controls the ruling African National Congress and is poised to replace President Thabo Mbeki as head of state. But Jacob Zuma has a problem. Prosecutors say he's corrupt and hope to bring him to trial in August. Mr Zuma says the charges are political, designed to keep him from power. For Assignment Martin Plaut travelled to South Africa to investigate.

Programme One: BBC correspondent Jim Muir evaluates how war has changed Iraq from the beginning of the invasion to the handover of power.

Martin Sixsmith gets under the skin of the fastest growing and arguably most politically influential secret service in the world the "new KGB".