The US and Israel attack Iran - and Tehran retaliates, firing missiles at Israeli targets and US assets in the region. It follows a massive military build-up by Washington - and indirect talks between the US and Iran over its nuclear program. So how dangerous is the situation?

In this episode: 

• Daniel Levy - President of the U.S. / Middle East Project and a former Israeli negotiator 
• Mehran Kamrava - Professor of Government at Georgetown University in Qatar 
• Richard Weitz - Senior Fellow at NATO Defense College in Washington DC 

Host: James Bays

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"I am not backing down." That's what a defiant Nouri Al Maliki had to say, after the US objected to his return as Iraq's prime minister. Washington has set a Friday deadline for him to pullout. But what if he doesn't? And what would the implications be for Iraq?

In this episode: 

• Muhanad Seloom, assistant professor at Doha Institute for Graduate Studies
• Ahmed Rushdi, president of the House of Iraqi Expertise Foundation
• Kenneth Katzman, senior fellow at The Soufan Center

Host: James Bays

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There has been another visit by a Western leader to China. This time, the German chancellor is in Beijing, saying he wants to reset ties. It comes against the backdrop of tensions between Europe and the United States. But can China be an alternative? And what does it have to offer?

In this episode: 

• Jost Wubbeke, Managing Partner at Sinolytics
• Harry Broadman, Former Assistant to the U.S. Trade Representative
• Dan Wang, Economist and Director on Eurasia Group's China team

Host: James Bays

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"We have a great interest in creating an axis of our own." Those are the words of Benjamin Netanyahu as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi makes his second visit to Israel. In an increasingly volatile region, what's driving what Israel describes as its special relationship with India?

In this episode:

• Alon Liel, Former director of Israel's Foreign Ministry and international relations commentator
• Andreas Krieg, Associate Professor at the School of Security Studies at King's College London
• Siddharth Vardarajan, Founding editor of The Wire, an Indian digital news portal

Host: James Bays

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How much power do drug cartels have in Mexico? The killing of the leader of one the country's largest criminal organisations has sparked a wave of violence. But can Mexico win its war against drug trafficking?

In this episode: 

• Sergio Aguayo, Professor at the College of Mexico
• Chris Dalby, Author of 'CJNG: A Quick Guide to Mexico's Deadliest Cartel'
• Michael Vigil, former Chief of International Operations at the US Drug Enforcement Administration

Host: Mohammed Jamjoom

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More talks are planned for Thursday between Iran and the US, which is mobilising its largest military force since the invasion of Iraq more than two decades ago. There are mixed messages from President Donald Trump, while Tehran says it wants talks but is ready for war, too. So where do both sides stand? 

In this episode:

• Jamal Abdi, President of the National Iranian American Council
• Hassan Ahmadian, Assistant Professor at the University of Tehran
• Richard Weitz, Senior Fellow at NATO Defense College

Host: James Bays

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US President Donald Trump slaps 15 percent trade levy on all imports. The move comes just a day after he'd set them at 10 percent - enraged by a Supreme Court ruling striking down much of his tariff regime. What are the global implications? 

In this episode: 

• Deborah Elms, Head of Trade Policy, Hinrich Foundation.
• Rebecca Christie, Senior Fellow, Bruegel. 
• Garima Kapoor, Deputy Head, Research, Elara Securities

Host: Tom McRae

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US President Donald Trump's Board of Peace meets for the first time, pledging money, peacekeeping troops and investment for Gaza. Only one Palestinian was present, while major European nations stayed away. So, what did the gathering mean for the people of Gaza?

In this episode: 

• Rami Khouri, Distinguished Fellow at the American University of Beirut
• Gideon Levy, Columnist at the Haaretz Newspaper
• Hugh Lovatt, Senior Policy Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations 

Host: James Bays 

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Is social media addictive? Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg testifies in court, defending his company against charges of deliberately designing features that are addictive to children. Just how much influence does social media have on youth users? And how harmful could it be to their mental health?

In this episode: 

• Adele Walton, Online safety campaigner and author of Logging Off: The Human Cost of our Digital World
• Larry Magid, CEO of ConnectSafely.org
• Donna Dawson, psychologist focusing on personality and behaviour

Host: James Bays

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The US has transferred thousands of detainees linked to the group from Syria to Iraq. It cites security concerns, but is the move enough to prevent ISIL from re-emerging in Syria?

In this episode: 

• Zeidon Alkinani, independent researcher on identity politics in Iraq and the Middle East
• Colin Clarke, executive director of The Soufan Center
• Sarah Sanbar, researcher in the Middle East and North Africa division at Human Rights Watch

Host: James Bays

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