The Inside Story Podcast

Iran warns that any conflict with the US would have no geographical limits, as fears grow of a return to all-out war. With tensions rising across the region and President Donald Trump warning of possible attacks on Iran, mediators are working to bring Tehran and Washington closer to a peace deal.

In this episode:

• Abdulla Banndar Al Etaibi , Assistant Professor in International Relations at Qatar University
• Ali Akbar Dareini ,Researcher at the Center for Strategic Studies
• Sina Azodi ,Director of the Middle East Studies Program at George Washington University

Host: Imran Khan

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Millions of South Africans are voting in the country’s seventh municipal elections since the end of apartheid, in what many see as a referendum on the African National Congress. The party that helped defeat white minority rule has dominated politics for three decades, but its support has steadily eroded, and two years ago it lost its parliamentary majority for the first time. That raises questions about what’s driving the ANC’s decline, and whether it can reverse it.

In this episode:

• Oscar Van Heerden, Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for African Diplomacy and Leadership, University of Johannesburg
• Alex Vines, Africa Programme Director at the European Council on Foreign Relations
• Sandile Swana, Principal Consultant at the Centre for Strategic Leadership

Host: Imran Khan

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing alliance has fallen short of a majority after a historic election, while the opposition also lacks enough seats to govern alone. Palestinian Israeli parties have made unprecedented gains, raising questions about whether the opposition will work with them as Israeli military assaults on Gaza and the Occupied West Bank continue.

In this episode:

• Mairav Zonszein, Senior Israel Analyst at the International Crisis Group
• Mustafa Barghouti, Secretary General of the Palestinian National Initiative
• Phyllis Bennis, Fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies and author of Understanding Palestine and Israel

Host: Sami Zeidan

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With the US and Israel signalling possible attacks, and Iran promising to respond, top officials from the Mecca pact nations – Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye – have sat down with Iranian leaders in Tehran. It’s being viewed as the last chance to defuse tensions in the Gulf. Diplomacy has so far failed to secure a peace agreement between Iran and the US. So, with fighting in Yemen spilling over into Saudi Arabia, can the Mecca alliance work with Iran to help secure the region?

In this episode:

• Hamid Reza Gholamzadeh, Director of DiploHouse, a Tehran-based think-tank
• Khaled Batarfi, Saudi political analyst and academic
• Joey Hood, former Acting Director for the Office of Iranian Affairs at the State Department

Host: Folly Bah Thibault

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Another weekend - another wave of protests in many European countries. But it's in France where some of the largest demonstrations have taken place. It's a similar story across other parts of the continent. So, what would it take for governments to enact the changes protesters are demanding?

In this episode:

• Jack Eisner, public law student at Science Po Paris
• Rainbow Murray, specialist in French politics and Professor of Politics at Queen Mary University of London
• Petros Fassoulas, Secretary General of European Movement International and a European policy analyst

Host: James Bays

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Three-and-a-half years of war in Sudan have forced millions of people from their homes. Most remain in limbo in temporary camps and shelters, facing a worsening food crisis, while aid agencies say a sharp global funding shortfall means they can’t reach everyone. So will anyone step in to help the civilians caught up in the fighting?

In this episode:

• Cameron Hudson, Former Director for African Affairs at the US National Security Council
• Noah Taylor, Head of Operations in Sudan for the Norwegian Refugee Council
• Kholood Khair, Founding Director of Confluence Advisory

Host: Mohammed Jamjoom

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The US brokered a ceasefire to end Israel's war on Gaza. But since then, Israel has not stopped its attacks. Meanwhile, funding shortages are forcing the World Food Programme to cut back its operations in Gaza, leaving half a million Palestinians without badly needed food aid. So how can that gap be closed?

In this episode:

• Tamer Qarmout, Associate Professor of Public Policy at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies
• Mohammed Salah, entrepreneur and founder of Tech From Palestine
• Natasha Hall, Senior Advocate for the Middle East with Refugees International and an Associate Fellow at Chatham House

Host: Imran Khan

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Weeks of student protests in France have grown into some of the worst unrest in recent years. They started as a call for reforms to the education system. But they've since expanded into demonstrations against the high cost of living and planned cuts to social services. And France isn't alone. Demonstrators have taken to the streets in other parts of Europe. So how will Europe deal with the protests?

In this episode:

• Diane de Vignemont, independent journalist and historian
• Julius Fintelmann, Co-founder and Editor-in-chief at The European Correspondent
• Jaime Velazquez, independent journalist

Host: James Bays

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Joseph Kabila, who ruled DR Congo for almost two decades, is making a comeback. He will lead the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN), a political-military alliance with M23 fighters that opposes President Felix Tshisekedi's government in Kinshasa. Several attempts at a peace deal between government forces, rebels and armed groups have already failed, and many fear the move will worsen the fighting in eastern DR Congo. Is this coalition likely to escalate the conflict?

In this episode:

• Henry-Pacifique Mayala, Co-ordinator of the Kivu Security Tracker at Ebuteli institute
• Ovigwe Eguegu, Policy Analyst at Development Reimagined, specialising in African geopolitics and great power competition
• Vincent Rouget, Head of Political Risk for Africa at Control Risks, a global consultancy

Host: Dareen Abughaida

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NATO says it is ready to fight as it unveils a new defence strategy using low-cost drones, artificial intelligence and rapid strikes to deter potential attacks. With the US planning to withdraw thousands of troops from Europe and concerns growing over Russia, European leaders are increasing military spending. Will NATO’s new strategy be enough to address the perceived Russian threat and protect its members?

In this episode:

• Ray Wojcik, Senior Research Fellow at The Saratoga Foundation
• Marina Miron, Researcher in Defence Studies at King’s College London
• Alexander Bratersky, Political analyst specialising in Russian foreign policy

Host: Rishaad Salamat

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