Celebrations in Syria after the US president announced that he's lifting decades of sanctions. Donald Trump says his decision will give the nation a chance at greatness after years of civil war. So, can Syria's new leadership deliver on the hopes of the people and rebuild the country?

In this episode: 

• Sinan Hatahet, Non-Resident Fellow, Atlantic Council's Syria Project. 
• Joshua Landis, Director, Center for Middle East Studies, University of Oklahoma. 
• Omar Alshogre, Director, Detainee Affairs, Syrian Emergency Task Force. 

Host: Folly Bah Thibault

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A ceasefire between the two main rivals of a global trade war. The US and China have struck a complicated deal to de-escalate a soaring tariff face off that had nations on the edge. So will the agreement reverse fears of a global recession? And can it revive world business sentiment?

In this episode: 

• William Lee, Chief Economist, Milken Institute. 
• Huiyao Wang, Founder, Center for China and Globalization. 
• Jayant Menon, Former Lead Economist, Asian Development Bank. 

Host: Elizabeth Puranam

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A twist in efforts to end the war in Ukraine. Russia's President pitches direct talks with Ukraine. That's after Kyiv's EU allies propose a 30-day ceasefire. Donald Trump backs Vladimir Putin's plan for talks first and negotiations later. So can this meeting in Istanbul stop the fighting? 

In this episode: 

• Olesia Horiainova, Co-founder, Ukrainian Security and Cooperation Centre.
• Vasily Kashin, Expert, Russian International Affairs Council.
• Barin Kayaoglu, Assistant Professor and Chair of American Studies, Social Sciences, University of Ankara.

Host: Cyril Vanier

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The guns have gone silent along the India-Pakistan line of control. After the most intense exchanges in decades between the nuclear-armed neighbours, a ceasefire is in place. But will it hold? And what lessons can be learned from this conflict?

In this episode: 

• Walter Ladwig, Senior Lecturer, International Relations, King’s College, London.
• Elijah Magnier, Military and Political Analyst. 
• Shashank Joshi, Defence Editor, The Economist.

Host: Cyril Vanier

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A ceasefire has been announced to stop a bitter conflict over one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Kashmir has repeatedly been troubled by a dispute dating back nearly eight decades between India and Pakistan. Will the latest truce resolve differences going back to colonial times? 

In this episode: 

• Victoria Schofield, British Biographer and Historian. 
• Radha Kumar, Negotiator, Kashmir Crisis.
• Ayesha Jalal, Professor, Tufts University. 

Host: Sami Zeidan

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A new Pope has been elected, the first from the US to lead the Catholic Church. It's church that's divided between progressives and traditionalists, and in a world polarised by conflict and widening political division. So, what role might Pope Leo XIV play within his church and on the world political stage?

In this episode: 

• Stan Chu Ilo, Research Professor of World Catholicism at DePaul University 
• Joanne Pierce, Professor Emerita at the Department of Religious Studies at College of the Holy Cross
• Neil Thorns, Director of Advocacy and Communications at CAFOD, Catholic Agency for Overseas Development

Host: James Bays

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International concern is mounting over the India-Pakistan conflict - as both are armed with substantial nuclear arsenals. Atomic bombs have only been used twice - eighty years ago on Japan. What nuclear risks do the current hostilities pose?

In this episode: 

• Dan Smith, Director, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)
• Susi Snyder, Programme co-ordinator at the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons.
• Elizabeth Threlkeld, Senior fellow and director of the South Asia Program at the Stimson Center.

Host: James Bays

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The US president has announced he'll stop attacks on Yemen. Donald Trump says he made the decision after the Houthis assured him they'll end their strikes on American ships in the Red Sea. They had been targeting vessels after Israel launched its war on Gaza. But will Israel also stop its air strikes? And what does this mean for Yemen? 

In this episode: 

• Maysaa Shuja Al Deen, Senior Researcher, Sana'a Center for Strategic Studies.
• Ahmed Al Ashwal, Political and Military Analyst.
• Nabeel Khoury, Former US Diplomat. 

Host: James Bays

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Donald Trump says Hollywood is 'dying fast'. The US President blames foreign countries for the crisis. And he has ordered a 100% tariff on imported films and those produced outside the United States. But how will the tariffs work? And what will be their larger impact?

In this episode: 

• Jonathan Handel, Entertainment Lawyer and Journalist. 
• Chris Southworth, Secretary General, International Chamber of Commerce United Kingdom. 
• Kamran Pasha, Hollywood Director, Screenwriter and Novelist. 

Host: James Bays

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Cardinals of the Catholic Church gather in Rome to elect the next Pope. Whether a moderniser or conservative wins, big challenges await them within the church and on the global political stage. So what are they? And what could be the future direction of the Church?

In this episode: 

• Gerard O'Connell, Vatican Correspondent, America Magazine. 
• Michel Mondengele, Country Director, Sierra Leone and Liberia, Catholic Agency for Overseas Development.
• Stan Chu Ilo, Research Professor, World Catholicism, DePaul University.

Host: Folly Bah Thibault 

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