Sudan's Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok has resigned less than two months after he was reinstated under a deal with the military. Now the country once again finds itself in political turmoil, unable to transition from dictatorship to democracy. So, what's next? 

Join host Kim Vinnell.

With guests:

Kholood Khair - Political Commentator and Managing Partner at Insight Strategy Partners.

Alex de Waal - Executive Director at World Peace Foundation at Tufts University.

Ahmed El-Gaili - Lawyer and legal commentator.

Mali's election is supposed to be held in February but has now been delayed by five years. Military leaders have blamed insecurity in the north for postponing the return to civilian rule, while the regional bloc ECOWAS is threatening to impose more sanctions. So, can democracy return to Mali?

Join host Dareen Abughaida. 

With guests:

Ornella Moderan - Head of Sahel Programme at Institute for Security Studies.

Emmanuel Kwesi Aning - Director of Research at Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Center.

Signe Cold-Ravnkilde - Senior Researcher at Danish Institute for International Studies.

The world's largest trading bloc is opening for business on New Year's Day. The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, or RCEP, involves 15 countries in Asia - including China - and the Pacific, covering a third of the world's population. So, who'll benefit most from the agreement? 

Join host Mohammed Jamjoom. 

With guests:

Jayant Menon - Visiting Senior Fellow, ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, Singapore.

Einar Tangen - China Political and economics analyst.

Niels Graham - Assistant Director with the Atlantic Council's GeoEconomics Center.

The Biden administration has continued to reassure allies of its commitment to global stability despite America's waning footprint in the Middle East. Its military withdrawal from Afghanistan may still reverberate across the region, but is America's role as a global leader in decline? And if so, who will fill the void?

Join host Hashem Ahelbarra.

With guests:

Hillary Mann Leverett - Former Director for Iran, Afghanistan and Persian Gulf affairs at the U.S National Security Council.

Matthew Bryza - Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council think tank. 

Rami Khouri - Senior Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School. 

Memorial services are being held in South Africa for anti-apartheid hero Desmond Tutu. The Archbishop was known for energising public opinion against racial inequity, both at home and abroad. So, what's next for the country following his death? And will South Africans be able to achieve racial justice without their guiding moral compass?

Join host Hashem Ahelbarra.

With guests:

Professor Farid Esack - family friend and veteran of South Africa's liberation struggle.

David Monyae - researcher and political commentator focusing on African international relations.

Thembisa Fakude - Senior Research Fellow at Africa Asia Dialogues.

Human rights organisations around the world are sounding the alarm on India, saying that hate speech is fuelling violence against minorities to unprecedented levels. Critics of Prime Minister Narendra Modi accuse him of moving India towards a Hindu nationalist state. So, what's really driving this intolerance?

Join host Hashem Ahelbarra.

With guests:

Saba Naqvi - Journalist and Author of 'Shades of Saffron: From Vajpayee to Modi'.

Ashish Shukla - Journalist and Author and manages the Newsbred website.

Sanjay Hegde - Senior Advocate at the Supreme Court of India.

Humankind has embarked on another space adventure as the James Webb Space Telescope successfully launched into orbit. Described as NASA's revolutionary mission, the voyage will take weeks, and the risks are high. So, how will this space observatory help us further understand our universe?

Join host Hashem Ahelbarra.

With guests:

Abraham Loeb – Professor of Science, Harvard University.

Elizabeth Pearson – Astrophysicist.

Francisco Diego – Senior Research Fellow at University College London.

When the Libyan revolution brought down Muammar Gaddafi 10 years ago, many thought his name was consigned to history. Now his son, Saif Al Islam Gaddafi, is running for president. What are his chances? And what will the vote mean for Libya? 

Join host Nastasya Tay.

With guests:

Youcef Bouandel - Professor of Political Science and International Relations at Qatar University.

Anas El Gomati - Director of the Sadeq Institute.

Mustafa Fetouri - Journalist and Contributor to Middle East Monitor.

Armed with smartphones and millions of social media followers, young Palestinians and some Israelis have emerged as the new face of activism against Israel’s occupation of Gaza and the West Bank. 

In this episode, our host Mohammed Jamjoom asks whether they can change the conversation on the Israel-Palestine conflict.

With guests: 

Mariam Afifi – Palestinian activist

Morriah Kaplan – Spokesperson for If Not Now, a movement working to end American Jewish support for the occupation

Najla Shawa – Humanitarian worker

Russia has been rejecting accusations from the US and Europe that it's preparing to invade Ukraine as early as next month. In a series of demands, it wants NATO and the US to reduce their presence in eastern Europe to defuse the crisis, which Western countries say they're unwilling to compromise on. So, does diplomacy still stand a chance?

Join host Hashem Ahelbarra.

With guests:

Pavel Felgenhauer - Military Analyst and Columnist for Novaya Gazeta.

Thorsten Benner - Co-founder and director of the Global Public Policy Institute.

David DesRoches - Professor at National Defense University.