The Inside Story Podcast

Worldwide demand for natural gas is growing and discoveries in the eastern Mediterranean are changing the EU's policies on its energy supplies.

For decades, it's relied on Russia for gas. But Israel, Greece and Cyprus have signed off on a project for a pipeline that would lessen Europe's dependence on Moscow.

The supply will connect Israel's offshore fields with Europe and is expected to meet about 10% of the EU's demand for natural gas.

But that unites the three signatories in opposition to Turkey and Libya.

Last month, Ankara and Tripoli agreed on a new maritime boundary they call their Exclusive Economic Zone.

They say this gives them full rights to exploit natural resources in the eastern Mediterranean - including oil and gas.

So, how is this deal shaping politics in the region?

Presenter: Julie McDonald

Guests

Gabriel Mitchell, Policy Fellow at the Mitvim Institute think tank.

Mehmet Ogutcu, Chairman of the London Energy Club and a former Turkish diplomat.

James Moran, Associate Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for European Policy Studies and former EU Ambassador to Egypt.

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#AlJazeeraEnglish #InsideStory #PipelineDeal

Dramatic scenes at the U.S. embassy in Iraq - supporters and members of the Iranian-backed Popular Mobilization Forces surrounding the U-S embassy compound in Iraq's capital Baghdad.

Their demand - an end to American intervention in the country.

They threw rocks and set fires outside - security personnel responded with tear gas.

The U.S. then deployed marines to secure the compound, before the protesters' leaders told them to withdraw.

President Donald Trump has blamed Iran for the demonstrations - Tehran's denied being involved.

There's widespread anger over recent U.S. air strikes against the Hezbollah Bridgades in Iraq and in Syria.

The U.S. says they were launched in retaliation to a rocket attack on Friday near Kirkuk.

That killed an American civilian contractor.

So, how can this latest tension be contained?

Presenter: Julie McDonald

Guests

Ahmed Rushdi, Senior Foreign Policy Adviser for the Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament.

Mohammad Marandi, Head of North American Studies at the University of Tehran.

Ismael Alsodani, Former Iraqi Defense Attache to the United States and a retired Iraqi Brigadier General.

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#AlJazeeraEnglish #Iraq #Iran

Dramatic scenes at the U.S. embassy in Iraq - supporters and members of the Iranian-backed Popular Mobilization Forces surrounding the U-S embassy compound in Iraq's capital Baghdad.

Their demand - an end to American intervention in the country.

They threw rocks and set fires outside - security personnel responded with tear gas.

The U.S. then deployed marines to secure the compound, before the protesters' leaders told them to withdraw.

President Donald Trump has blamed Iran for the demonstrations - Tehran's denied being involved.

There's widespread anger over recent U.S. air strikes against the Hezbollah Bridgades in Iraq and in Syria.

The U.S. says they were launched in retaliation to a rocket attack on Friday near Kirkuk.

That killed an American civilian contractor.

So, how can this latest tension be contained?

Presenter: Julie McDonald

Guests

Ahmed Rushdi, Senior Foreign Policy Adviser for the Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament.

Mohammad Marandi, Head of North American Studies at the University of Tehran.

Ismael Alsodani, Former Iraqi Defense Attache to the United States and a retired Iraqi Brigadier General.

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- Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish

- Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera

- Check our website: https://www.aljazeera.com/

#AlJazeeraEnglish #Iraq #Iran

The year 2019 will be remembered for the wave of protests that swept the world, with millions of people protesting to demand change.

Often, those demonstrations turned violent.

Security forces killed in some countries like Iraq, and also used extreme force leading to the deaths of several hundred people.

In Hong Kong, the use of tear gas and live ammunition became common.

Each protest movement had its own reasons.

But they were united, in their demand for democracy and fairness.

So, what's behind this global dissatisfaction?

And is such action making any difference?

Presenter: Sami Zeidan

Guests

Marwan Bishara, Al Jazeera's Senior Political Analyst

Remi Bourgeot, Associate Fellow at the French Institute of International and Strategic Affairs.

Mohammed Cherkaoui, Senior Researcher at the Al Jazeera Centre for Studies.

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The year 2019 will be remembered for the wave of protests that swept the world, with millions of people protesting to demand change.

Often, those demonstrations turned violent.

Security forces killed in some countries like Iraq, and also used extreme force leading to the deaths of several hundred people.

In Hong Kong, the use of tear gas and live ammunition became common.

Each protest movement had its own reasons.

But they were united, in their demand for democracy and fairness.

So, what's behind this global dissatisfaction?

And is such action making any difference?

Presenter: Sami Zeidan

Guests

Marwan Bishara, Al Jazeera's Senior Political Analyst

Remi Bourgeot, Associate Fellow at the French Institute of International and Strategic Affairs.

Mohammed Cherkaoui, Senior Researcher at the Al Jazeera Centre for Studies.

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- Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish

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North Korea's leader Kim Jong UN has called for 'positive and offensive measures' to protect the country's security and sovereignty.

That's ahead of a year-end deadline he set for the U.S. to soften it's position on stalled talks aimed at Pyongyang dismantling its nuclear and missile programmes.

Kim also warned during a ruling Workers' Party meeting that he may take an unspecifiied 'new path' if Washington fails to act.

U.S. military commanders said that could include testing a long-range missile, something North Korea hasn't done since 2017.

How will Washington respond?

And what is the new approach Pyong Yang says it's considering?

Presenter: Sami Zeidan

Guests

Victor Gao, President at the Center for China and Globalisation think tank.

Andrei Lankov, Director at NK News, an online news source focused on North Korea.

Richard Weitz, Security Analyst at the global risk consultancy Wikistrat.

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#AlJazeeraEnglish #InsideStory #NorthKoreaUS

North Korea's leader Kim Jong UN has called for 'positive and offensive measures' to protect the country's security and sovereignty.

That's ahead of a year-end deadline he set for the U.S. to soften it's position on stalled talks aimed at Pyongyang dismantling its nuclear and missile programmes.

Kim also warned during a ruling Workers' Party meeting that he may take an unspecifiied 'new path' if Washington fails to act.

U.S. military commanders said that could include testing a long-range missile, something North Korea hasn't done since 2017.

How will Washington respond?

And what is the new approach Pyong Yang says it's considering?

Presenter: Sami Zeidan

Guests

Victor Gao, President at the Center for China and Globalisation think tank.

Andrei Lankov, Director at NK News, an online news source focused on North Korea.

Richard Weitz, Security Analyst at the global risk consultancy Wikistrat.

- Subscribe to our channel: http://aje.io/AJSubscribe

- Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish

- Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera

- Check our website: https://www.aljazeera.com/

#AlJazeeraEnglish #InsideStory #NorthKoreaUS

Russia says its new hypersonic weapon is a technological breakthrough on the scale of Sputnik - the first satellite launched by the Soviet Union in 1957. The Avangard is launched on top of an intercontinental ballistic missile. But unlike a regular missile warhead it can sverve sharply, making it much harder to intercept.

That's worrying the U.S. - that's also having to contend with China's development of hypersonic arms.

Beijing displayed the Dong Feng 17 at a military parade in October.

The U.S. defence secretary has said developing the technology is a priority.

So will the Avangard, which Russia says can fly at 27 times the speed of sound, change the balance of power?

Presenter: Dareen Abughaida

Guests:

Pavel Felgenhauer - Defence and Military Analyst

Tariq Rauf - Nuclear Arms Control Specialist

Paul Schulte - Former Director of Proliferation and Arms Control at the British Ministry of Defence

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Russia says its new hypersonic weapon is a technological breakthrough on the scale of Sputnik - the first satellite launched by the Soviet Union in 1957. The Avangard is launched on top of an intercontinental ballistic missile. But unlike a regular missile warhead it can sverve sharply, making it much harder to intercept.

That's worrying the U.S. - that's also having to contend with China's development of hypersonic arms.

Beijing displayed the Dong Feng 17 at a military parade in October.

The U.S. defence secretary has said developing the technology is a priority.

So will the Avangard, which Russia says can fly at 27 times the speed of sound, change the balance of power?

Presenter: Dareen Abughaida

Guests:

Pavel Felgenhauer - Defence and Military Analyst

Tariq Rauf - Nuclear Arms Control Specialist

Paul Schulte - Former Director of Proliferation and Arms Control at the British Ministry of Defence

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For months now, Iraqis have been voicing their anger and demanding a change in their political leadership.

They say they're fed up with corruption, unemployment and lack of basic services.

Hundreds of people have been killed.

Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi resigned in November -- and now many are rejecting the nominee to replace him.

They say Asaad Al Eidani will only help Iran extend its influence in Iraq.

President Barham Salih says he will resign rather than appoint Eidani.

But the main political bloc that picked Eidani is refusing to back down.

So, what next for the crisis in Iraq?

Presenter: Dareen Abughaida

Guests:

Zeidon Alkinani - Independent researcher on identity politics in Iraq and the Middle East.

Ali Al Nashmi - Professor of International Relations at Mustansiriya University.

Salah Hashimi - Legal Adviser to the National Council for Iraqi Opposition.

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