The Inside Story Podcast

It was a long-awaited verdict after an investigation which has cost hundreds of millions of dollars.

Fifteen years after the assassination of Rafik Hariri, the UN-backed international tribunal in the Hague convicted Salim Ayyash, a member of Hezbollah.

Three other defendants belonging to the armed group were acquitted of killing Lebanon's former Prime Minister.

All four were tried in their absence.

Hezbollah denies any involvement in the massive bomb blast in Beirut which killed 21 other people.

So, how will the murder verdict of Lebanon's former Prime Minister be received when tension there is already high?

Presenter: Hashem Ahelbarra

Guests;

Rami Khouri - Senior Public Policy Fellow and Professor of Journalism at the American University in Beirut

Firas Maksad - Adjunct Professor, George Washington University

Elias Hanna - Retired General from Lebanon's army

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They've been rallying almost daily for the past month - anti-government protesters led by students are attracting different sectors of Thai society.

Their main demand is a change of the entire political system.

That includes the resignation of former army general now Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha.

Some are calling for what has long been unthinkable; reform of the monarchy

Any criticism of the royal family is an offence that can lead to a long prison sentence.

How likely is political change in Thailand?

Presenter: Hashem Ahelbarra

Guests:

Pravit Rojanaphruk - political reporter and columnist for Kaosod English news website

David Streckfuss - Thai historian and author of: 'Truth on Trial in Thailand; Defamation, Treason and Lese- Majeste

Jade Donavanik, Dean of the Graduate School of Law at Siam University and a former Adviser to the Constitution Drafting Committee in Thailand

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#AlJazeeraEnglish #InsideStory #Thailand

The coronavirus pandemic means we are facing our worst ever recession.

When times are tough, investors tend to put their money into so-called 'safe haven' assets such as gold.

The gold price hit a record high of $2,060 an ounce a couple of weeks ago, a 30 percent rise this year.

Could the rush affect the chances of economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic?

Presenter: Imran Khan

Guests:

Christian Lawrence - Senior Market Strategist at Rabobank

Michael Hewson - Chief Market Analyst at the financial firm CMC Markets

Arun Kumar - Professor of economics at the Institute of Social Sciences

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#AlJazeeraEnglish #Gold #InsideStory

The US president is vowing retaliation for the latest setback to his "maximum pressure" campaign on Iran.

Donald Trump's threatening to reinstate international sanctions that were scrapped under the 2015 nuclear deal.

It followed the UN rejecting a US bid to extend the international arms embargo on Iran after it expires in October.

Will Trump's threat lead to the collapse of the nuclear agreement?

Presenter: Imran Khan

Guests:

Hassan Ahmadian - Professor of Middle East Studies, University of Tehran

Holly Dagres - Non-resident Fellow, Atlantic Council Middle East programmes

Steven Rogers - Member, Donald J Trump for President Advisory Board

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#AlJazeeraEnglish #Iran #US #Nuclear #InsideStory

Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko's controversial re-election has triggered a week of unprecedented demonstrations against his 26-year rule.

Protesters accuse Lukashenko of rigging the vote, and ordering a police crackdown.

Opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who fled to Lithuania after the poll, is calling for more peaceful rallies.

The EU is working on sanctions against Belarussian officials.

How long can Lukashenko stay in power?

Presenter: Imran Khan

Guests:

Jaroslav Romanchuk - President of the Mises Scientific Research Centre think tank.

Peter Zalmayev - Executive Director at the Eurasia Democracy Initiative.

Domitilla Sagramoso - Lecturer in Security and Development at King's College London.

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Government forces in Mozambique are fighting to regain control of a remote area in the north.

Soldiers are trying to push back ISIL-linked fighters in Cabo Delgado province, a resource-rich region.

The fighters have taken control of the port of Mocimboa da Praia near offshore gas projects.

Over the past three years, monitoring groups say more than 1,500 people have been killed.

Will other countries need to intervene to stem the violence?

Presenter: Imran Khan

Guests:

Tom Bowker - Editor of the Mozambican news website Zitamar.

Zeinado Machado - Researcher in the Africa Division at Human Rights Watch.

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U.S. Senator Kamala Harris has joined Joe Biden's presidential campagin.

Biden's choice of a black woman of Indian-descent as his Vice President, comes at a crucial time for the United States.

President Donald Trump is facing mounting pressure over systemic racism and police brutality.

He's also been accused of mismanaging the COVID-19 pandemic.

And during their first campagin event together - Biden and Harris went after the president's track record.

They said Trump has failed to lead the nation and run the economy into the ground.

In a time of increasing racial tension, what role will Kamala Harris play?

Presenter: Hashem Ahelbarra

Guests:

Janelle King, Republican Analyst

Richard Painter, former Chief Ethics Lawyer, for President George W. Bush and is now a Professor at University of Minnesota Law School.

Trevor Hunnicutt, Political Correspondent embedded with the Biden Campaign for the Reuters news agency.

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#AlJazeeraEnglish #Biden #US #USElection

Niger has struggled to cope with years of attacks by armed groups.

They've killed thousands.

Areas around the capital Niamey were largely considered secure.

But on Sunday, gunmen on motorbikes targeted a wildlife sanctuary a short drive from the city.

Six French humanitarian aid workers were shot dead, along with their Nigerien driver

French prosecutors say a 'terror investigation' is under way.

And President Emmanuel Macron chaired a national defence council meeting to consider further action.

So, how big a threat are the fighters with an Islamic agenda in west Africa?

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His critics describe him as Europe's last dictator. Alexander Lukashenko, who has already been President of Belarus for 26 years, is set to rule for a sixth term.

Official results from Sunday's election say he won by a landslide. But the opposition says the election was rigged.

Lukashenko's pre-election popularity fell because of his handling of coronavirus and economy.

He faced his toughest election challenger so far - Svetlana Tikhanovskaya.

The former teacher and stay at home mother with no political experience attracted huge support.

That was despite crackdown on election rallies.

So, how different is the election this time?

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Lebanon was in a dire state even before Tuesday's explosions in Beirut.

The government is bankrupt, millions of Lebanese are jobless, and the country is hosting 1.5 Syrian refugees.

The huge blast made things worse by destroying the main port for a nation heavily reliant on food imports.

300,000 homeless people Beirut have received little help from the government.

How will aid organisations deal with the challenge?

Presenter: Mohammed Jamjoom

Guests:

Violet Speeks-Warnery - Deputy Lebanon Representative, UNICEF

Carlo Gherardi - Lebanon Director, Norwegian Refugee Council

Basma Tabaja - Deputy Head of Delegation, International Commitee of the Red Cross Lebanon

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#AlJazeeraEnglish #Lebanon #Beirut #InsideStory