The Inside Story Podcast

The United States often calls itself the world's greatest democracy, defending freedom, equality and justice for all.

However, some are questioning America's moral authority after Donald Trump supporters besieged the Capitol on Wednesday in anger at Joe Biden's certification as the next president.

Adversaries such as Iran say the chaos proved the failure of western democracy.

So has the U.S. lost its moral high ground?

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In Algeria, the younger brother of deposed president Abdelaziz Bouteflika and two former intelligence chiefs jailed during mass protests in 2019, have been acquitted by a military court.

Said Bouteflika, and generals Mohamed Me-dene and At-man Tar-tag, had been sentenced to 15 years in prison for plotting against the state and undermining the army.

The three were the highest-profile prosecutions after the president resigned in April 2019 - following 20 years in power and months of protests against his rule.

Will this trigger renewed public anger?

Presenter: Peter Dobbie

Guests

Amel Boubekeur, Research Fellow at the School for Advanced Studies in Social Sciences at the Doha Institute.

William Lawrence, visiting Professor of Political Science and International Affairs at George Washington University.

Dalia Ghanem , Resident Scholar at the Carnegie Middle East Center.

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A new year, and a new start for Africa.

The world's largest single market has opened, enabling all but one of the 54 nations to begin trading.

The African Continental Free Trade Area is a landmark deal - bringing together the continent's multi-trillion dollar economy into one bloc.

While only 33 of the signatories have put the deal into effect, it's already being heralded as a turning point for Africa's economic future.

But many argue the continent lacks proper infrastructure to implement the agreement

So, is Africa ready for the free movement of goods and people?

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The European Union has begun one of the world's biggest coronavirus vaccination campaigns.

It aims to protect 450 million people across 27 countries.

The bloc's leaders have hailed the rollout of the Pfizer-Biontec vaccine as a moment of unity and hope.

A group of nurses in Rome was the first in Italy to get the jab.

The country was one of the first in Europe to go into lockdown.

More than 70,000 people there have died from the virus since February.

But with a new variant spreading quickly, will the initiative be effective?

Presenter: Hashem Ahelbarra

Guests

Annie Sparrow, Professor of Population Health Science and Policy at Mount Sinai Hospital.

Gloria Taliani, Professor of Infectious Diseases at the Sapienza University of Rome.

Azeddine Ibrahimi, Professor of Medical Biotechnology at Mohammed V University.

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Humanitarian groups are warning 60% of South Sudan's population will face 'catastrophic' famine.

That is if aid cannot reach areas affected by floods, violence and the pandemic.

A joint report by three UN agencies, says 6.5 million people in the region are facing starvation and that number could rise.

Aid agencies blame the worsening situation on violence that has made it impossible to produce food, and dangerous and difficult to deliver aid.

Last month, the UN released $7m in emergency funding to try to avert famine.

So, what can be done to save Africa's youngest country?

Presenter: Hashem Ahelbarra

Guests

Matthew Hollingworth, South Sudan Country Director for the World Food Programme.

Douglas Johnson, former member of the Abyei boundary commission and author of, "South Sudan: A New History for a New Nation"

Geoffrey Duke, security analyst and director of the South Sudan Action Network on Small Arms.

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It has been investigating rights violations in Mali for more than two years.

Now the UN says it has evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Both security forces and armed groups have been implicated in a report.

The 338-page document details atrocities allegedly committed since the 2012 armed conflict.

The investigators have handed their report to the secretary general.

And their conclusion could be used as a legal basis for prosecution.

They have already recommended setting up a court.

Presenter: Mohammed Jamjoom.

Guests:

Mohamed Salaha, journalist and publisher at Le Mali Mag dot com, a Malian news website. Mohamed writes extensively on security and conflict in the Sahel region.

Susanna Wing, a specialist on West Africa and associate professor at Haverford College. Susanna is also author of 'Constructing Democracy in Africa: Mali in Transition.'

Manu Lekunze, Lecturer at the University of Aberdeen and author of 'Inherent and contemporary challenges to African Security'.

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It may be up to 70 percent transmissable.

A coronavirus variant in south-east England is spreading, and spreading quickly.

But health experts say there is no evidence it is more deadly, or will react differently to a vaccine.

PM Boris Johnson has imposed stricter restrictions in some parts of the country.

It's believed the virus mutation was first detected in September and the UK government has been aware of it since last month.

Scientists wanted tougher lockdown measures introduced then, but Johnson's been accused of ignoring their pleas.

Various countries have imposed bans on travel to and from the UK.

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US government agencies are rushing to tighten their computer security, after they have been hit by a hacking operation described as the worst in American history.

More than 40 organisations have been targeted, including the US Energy, Defense, State and Homeland Security departments.

Software giant Microsoft also confirmed it has been affected

The hacking operation was uncovered last week, but investigators believe it has been going on for months.

US officials suspect it is carried out by Russian hackers, and warned of the 'grave' risk it poses to government and private networks.

What does it mean for America's national security?

And how will Washington respond?

Presenter: Mohammed Jamjoom

Guests

Jody Westby, Chief Executive of Global Cyber Risk and Chair of the American Bar Association Privacy and Computer Crime Committee.

Vladimir Sotnikov, specialist on Russia foreign affairs and political analyst at the Russia Academy of Sciences.

Karen Greenberg, Director at the Center on National Security at Fordham University School of Law.

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Mozambique's military is struggling to hold back ISIL-linked groups in the northern Cabo Delgado region.

Violence has intensified in recent months, displacing at least 400,000 people.

The government has asked for help from neighbours South Africa and Tanzania, as well as the European Union.

So what's driving the conflict and could it spell trouble for the whole region?

Presenter: Imran Khan

Guests:

Fernando Lima - journalist specialising in Mozambique

Angele Dikongue-Atangana - UNHCR Deputy Director for Southern Africa

Adriano Nuvunga - Director, Centre for Democracy and Development

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Morocco is joining three other Arab nations in establishing diplomatic ties with Israel. The Trump administration negotiated the four deals in what many are describing as a Quid Pro Quo style.

In the case of Morocco, normalisation came in exchange of a U-S proclamation of sovereignty.

The outgoing U.S. president recognised the Kingdom of Morocco's claim over the Western Sahara - fought over for decades by Morocco and the pro-indendence Polisario Front.

In one announcement he automatically sidelined the United Nations' efforts to resolve the dispute in that region.

But how does this boost Morocco's claim to this territory?

Presenter: Mohammed Jamjoom

Elie Jacobs, partner with the Truman National project and President of public affairs consultancy firm E-J Strategies.

Lahcen Haddad, strategic affairs analyst and a former Moroccan minister.

Rami Khouri, Director of Global Engagement at the American University of Beirut

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