The Inside Story Podcast

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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US President Donald Trump has announced a deal to bring Russian diesel into the United States, a move welcomed by the Kremlin. He's accused Ukraine of ignoring his calls to halt strikes on Russian refineries. Ukraine insists it will only stop striking Russian refineries if Moscow ceases attacks on its energy facilities. With Washington and Europe diverging further on Ukraine, how long can European leaders continue their economic and military support for Kyiv?

In this episode:

• Lisa Yasko, Member of the Ukrainian Parliament

• Andrey Kortunov, Russian affairs analyst

• John Lough, Head of Foreign Policy at the New Eurasian Strategies Centre

Host: Rishaad Salamat

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Zionism should be treated as any other form of racism. That's what members of the Green Party have agreed on at their annual conference in the UK. Israel has condemned the decision, calling it antisemitic. So, what's the motivation? And what impact will the Greens' new policy have on British politics and beyond?

In this episode:

• Tim Bale, Professor of Politics at Queen Mary University of London

• Yossi Beilin, former Israeli Justice Minister

• Jonathan Lis, Journalist and Broadcaster

Host: Neave Barker

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Voters in Bosnia and Herzegovina go to the polls for the 10th time since the end of the war more than three decades ago. They're electing more than 500 members of a complex government structure. But deep political and ethnic divides remain. So, how will it play out, both in Bosnia and in the region?

In this episode:

• Jahja Muhasilovic, Assistant Professor at the International University of Sarajevo

• Nina Sajic, Professor in the School of Political Science at the University of Banja Luka 

• Bodo Weber, Senior Associate at the Democratization Policy Council

Host: Sami Zeidan

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The Malaysian government is facing accusations of forcibly deporting Rohingya refugees, a charge the government denies. It says the process is voluntary and coordinated with Myanmar’s government. But human rights groups say this process violates international law by sending refugees to countries where they risk facing persecution or torture. So, will this concern stop the Rohingya being sent back to Myanmar?

In this episode:

• Phar Kim Beng, Director of the Institute of International and ASEAN Studies and Geopolitics Professor at the University of Malaysia

• Lucky Karim, Democracy and Human Rights Advocate and Founder of Refugee Women for Peace and Justice

• Maung Zarni, Genocide Scholar and Co-Founder of the scholar-activist network, Forces of Renewal Southeast Asia

Host: Imran Khan 

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The last remaining US troops have left Iraq, ending a military presence that began with the 2003 invasion to oust Saddam Hussein. After years of conflict and instability, Iraq is entering a new phase without US forces on the ground. Is the Iraqi government ready? And who stands to gain from the US withdrawal?

In this episode: 

• Ahmed Rushdi, President of the House of Iraqi Expertise Foundation
• Kenneth Katzman, Senior Fellow at The Soufan Center
• Abdullah AlShayji, Professor at Kuwait University

Host: Dareen Abughaida

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Unacceptable. That was the immediate reaction from US President Donald Trump to Iran's proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran says it's still awaiting what it called a "definitive response" from Washington through mediators. But Trump has said Iran needs a deal because, in his words, it's "losing badly." So, is his rejection of the proposal an effort to pressure Tehran for more concessions?

In this episode: 

• Abas Aslani, Senior Research Fellow at the Center for Middle East Strategic Studies
• Henry Ensher, former US diplomat and former US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State
• Zeidon Alkinani, Founding Director of the Arab Perspectives Institute

Host: Mohammed Jamjoom

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Fighting is intensifying between Yemen's Ansar Allah Houthis and Saudi Arabia. For the first time since a ceasefire in 2022, the Houthis have fired missiles towards the capital, Riyadh. The Iran-backed group says it will respond to any escalation with an escalation of its own. But it also risks dragging the wider region into conflict. What will it take to stop the attacks?

In this episode: 

• Nawaf Obaid, Senior Research Fellow at King’s College London and former advisor to the Saudi government 
• Muhanad Seloom, Non-Resident Senior Fellow at the Middle East Council on Global Affairs
• Ibrahim Jalal, Yemeni affairs analyst who specialises in regional security and armed groups

Host: Rob Matheson

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Climate change has contributed to major melting in the Arctic, making it navigable for greater stretches of the year. Some countries are already taking notice. The first South Korean container ship to transit the Arctic route arrived in the UK on Saturday. But can it become a viable alternative to existing shipping corridors?

In this episode: 

• Mads Frederiksen, Executive Director at the Arctic Economic Council
• Vyacheslav Mishchenko, Russia energy expert
• Jimmy Suroto Huang, Founder of Nava Analytics and Research

Host: Neave Barker

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