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.

The promise of a new beginning for Libya could be slipping away as the country's first presidential elections won't happen as planned. Despite months of negotiations and preparations, has the political process and dialogue failed?

Join host Hashem Ahelbarra.

With guests:

Mustafa Fetouri - Journalist specialising in Libya Politics.

Anas El Gomati - General Director of  Libya based think tank Sadeq Institute.

Yasmine Hasnaoui - Board member with the Institute of Saharan Studies Al Andalous.

The global surge in COVID-19 cases linked to the Omicron variant is forcing some nations to reimpose strict lockdown measures days before the holiday season begins. But is it enough? And how can Omicron be stopped from spreading? 

Join host Hashem Ahelbarra.

Oksana Pyzik – Leader of the Global Citizenship Programme on outbreaks of infectious diseases at University College London.

Jop De Vrieze – Journalist specialising in medical science.

John Nicholls – Clinical Professor in Pathology at the University of Hong Kong.

Despite a slow start, COVID-19 vaccines are starting to arrive in Africa in large numbers. Only seven percent of people on the continent are fully immunised as health workers deal with widespread misinformation and scepticism about vaccines. So, what's needed to boost vaccination rates?

Join host Dareen Abughaida.

With guests:

Helen Rees - Chair of the Regional Immunization Technical Advisory for Africa for WHO.

Anand Madhvani - Co-founder of Covid Kenya.

Karsten Noko - Lawyer with an interest in human rights and global health issues.

Presidents Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping have held a virtual summit where they pledged to cooperate on security and trade. They call their relationship a model for the 21st century but the US and its allies are suspicious. So, what's behind the summit? And is this the start of a new Cold War for global leadership?

Join host Imran Khan.

With guests:

Glenn Diesen - Professor of International Relations at the University of Southeast Norway.

Steve Tsang - Director, SOAS China Institute.

David L. Phillips - Director, Program on Peace-building and Rights, Columbia University.

Armenia and Turkey have often been described as enemies. Their longest dispute is over what to call the mass killings of Armenians during WWI. Armenia calls it a genocide, but Turkey disagrees. Both sides are now trying to normalise ties, but why is this happening? And can they build trust after decades of animosity?

Join host Imran Khan. 

With guests:

Mitat Celikpala - Professor of İnternational Relations at Kadir Has University.

Richard Giragosian - Director of the Regional Studies Center in Armenia.

Matthew Bryza - Non-resident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council's Eurasia Center.

There have been growing calls for a united European defence strategy to confront security threats and global crises. Leaders including EU Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen have highlighted the need for the bloc to increase its military capabilities. But can the EU survive without NATO and the United States?

Join host Hazem Sika.

With guests: 

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

Theresa Fallon – Director of Centre for Russia Europe Asia Studies.

Glenn Diesen – Professor of International Relations at the University of South-Eastern Norway.

COVID-19 is still taking its toll across the world, with the Omicron variant causing further uncertainty. As countries continue to shut and reopen, how will they deal with the economic impact of the pandemic?

Join host Kamahl Santamaria. 

With guests:

Lorenzo Fioramonti – Professor of Political Economy at the University of Pretoria.

Vicky Pryce  – Chief Economic Adviser at the Centre for Economics and Business Research.

Seijiro Takeshita – Dean of the School of Management at the University of Shizuoka.

The US, UK, Australia and now Canada have joined what they call a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics. The aim is to protest against China's human rights record. The four countries will still send athletes, but not government representatives. So, what will the boycott achieve? 

Join host Nick Clark.

With guests:

Victor Teo - Political Scientist affiliated with The Cold War Project at the University of Cambridge. 

Ross Griffin - Middle East Editor, International Journal of the History of Sports. 

Jules Boykoff - Chair of Pacific University's Politics and Government Department.

US President Joe Biden says democracy is under siege around the world and he's holding a virtual summit to defend it. Countries like Russia and China haven't been invited. Some argue that the US is in no position to lead on democracy. 

Join host Nick Clark.

With guests:

Scott Lucas - Emeritus Professor at the University of Birmingham.

Peter Neumann - Senior Fellow at the Egmont Institute.

Ross Feingold - Asia Political Risk Analyst.