The Inside Story Podcast

Division at the COP30 climate change summit in Brazil - a more difficult message to tell to the world than progress. Scientists, politicians, media and business all have a huge role to play in keeping the public engaged. But are they succeeding? In this episode: Professor John Sweeney - one of Ireland's foremost climate scientists and contributor to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change or IPCC’s Nobel Peace Prize. Professor Allam Ahmed - a leading scholar in sustainable development and the knowledge economy. Michael Shank - a climate communication expert and a former Director of Media Strategy at Climate Nexus. Host: Neave Barker Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

The Trump administration has crafted a controversial 28-point peace framework with Russia to end the Ukraine war. The plan demands some painful concessions: surrendering the Donbas region and slashing Ukraine's military by half to name just a few. So, is Washington negotiating Ukraine's future to favour Russia - just to promise a lasting peace? In this episode: Alexander Bratersky - Political analyst and and an independent journalist. Samir Puri - Chatham House's Director for the Global Governance and Security Centre, and author of Russia's Road to War with Ukraine Donald Jensen - Former US diplomat in Moscow and former U.S. staffer on U.S.-Soviet arms-control negotiations. Host: Neave Barker Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Annual military spending is rising globally at its steepest level since the Cold War. And after a break of more than 30 years, the US says it might restart testing nuclear weapons. So if the global arms race is back on - who's winning and what's the true cost of escalation? In this episode: Michael Boyle - Professor of Political Science at Rutgers University–Camden, and author of The Drone Age. Elijah Magnier - senior political risk analyst, and an regional military expert Fabrice Pothier - former Head of Policy Planning at NATO, as well as a senior defence and strategy analyst. Host: Neave Barker Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

The World Food Programme is warning more than 300 million people face critical levels of hunger next year. The United Nations body says that's double the number compared to 2019. What's behind this worsening crisis that's putting so many people in danger? In this episode: Jean-Martin Bauer, Director, Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Service, United Nations World Food Programme. Shahin Ashraf, Head, Global Advocacy, Islamic Relief Worldwide. Manenji Mangundu, Oxfam's Country Director, Democratic Republic of Congo. Host: Adrian Finighan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

US President Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan wins UN Security Council backing. A mixed reaction from Palestinians: the Palestinian Authority welcomes the resolution, but Hamas rejects it along with plans for an international stabilisation force. So, what's next? In this episode: Rami Khouri, Distinguished Fellow, American University of Beirut. Ahmed Najar, Political Analyst and Writer. Mehmet Celik, Editorial Co-ordinator, Daily Sabah. Host: Adrian Finighan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been sentenced to death for ordering the crackdown on last year's student-led uprising. 1,400 people were killed. But Hasina is in exile in India. So what are the chances she'll face justice back home? In this episode: Sohela Nazneen, Professor, International Relations, University of Dhaka. Sreeradha Datta, Professor, OP Jindal Global University. Taqbir Huda, Human Rights Lawyer and Clarendon Scholar, University of Oxford. Host: Adrian Finighan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

South Africa is investigating how 153 Palestinians from Gaza arrived without proper documentation. It's raised fears: Was the chartered flight organised by Israeli-backed human trafficking networks? And is this part of a wider strategy of ethnic cleansing? In this episode: Imtiaz Sooliman, Founder and Chairman, Gift of the Givers. Ori Goldberg, Israeli Political Commentator. William Schabas, Professor, International Law, Middlesex University. Host: Nick Clark Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

It's one of the biggest betting scandals in sporting history.Turkish football is facing a gambling crackdown that's seen hundreds of players and officials suspended.It's shone a spotlight on a growing global gambling industry... and how it's affecting players, fans and the game itself. So - is sports betting out of control? In this episode: Ali Emre Dedeoglu - a sports commentator. Tancredi Palmeri - International sports analyst. Jamie Allen - a football journalist and writer. Host: Nick Clark Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is confronting his most serious political test since Russia’s invasion. Elected in 2019 on a promise to root out corruption, he now finds himself entangled in a $100 million scandal involving government officials, ministers and businessmen accused of arranging kickbacks through the state nuclear energy company. In a country at war, what does this mean for public morale — and how are Ukraine’s donors in the EU and beyond reacting? In this episode: Peter Zalmayev, Director of the Eurasia Democracy Initiative Olena Tregub, Secretary General of Ukraine’s Independent Defence Anti-Corruption Commission Ben Aris, Political & Security Analyst for eastern Europe Host: Mohammed Jamjoom Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Iran's capital is facing its worst drought in recorded history. The President warns the only option may be to evacuate Tehran. Some commentators call that idea 'a joke'. But water cuts have begun - and no rain is expected. How did things get this bad? And how many of the world's cities face a similar fate? In this episode: Peter Newman - a Professor of Sustainability at Curtin University. Marcus D King - director of the Masters program for Environment and International Affairs at Georgetown University. Allam Ahmad - President of the World Association of Sustainable Development. Host: Bernard Smith Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Ukraine's President says Moscow is testing Europe's red lines. Unidentified drones are being spotted at some of the busiest airports and military sites in the EU. That's as the bloc pours billions of dollars into its defences. So, are Europe and Russia close to a confrontation? And is either side ready for conflict? In this episode: Stefan Wolff - Professor of International Security at the University of Birmingham. Alexander Bratersky - Independent journalist, and former reporter for the Moscow Times and Defence News. Alexandre Vautravers - Associate Fellow at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy. Host: Adrian Finighan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

A landmark meeting between Presidents Donald Trump and Ahmed al-Sharaa at the White House.The historic sit-down signals a major shift in US-Syria relations. So, how will it shape Trump’s legacy in the Middle East? And what impact could it have on the region? In this episode: Haid Haid, Senior Non-Resident Fellow, Arab Reform Initiative Robert Ford, Former US Ambassador to Syria. Rob Geist Pinfold, Lecturer, International Security, King's College London. Host: Adrian Finighan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Leaders are in Brazil for this year’s climate summit to map a path to cutting emissions. But wars in Gaza, Sudan and Ukraine, are unleashing unprecedented levels of greenhouse gases and pollution. So why isn’t the environmental cost of war on the agenda? And is war now one of the biggest threats to the global climate? In this episode: Kate Mackintosh, Deputy Chair, Independent Expert Panel, Legal Definition of Ecocide. Elaine Donderer, Disaster Risk Specialist. Farai Maguwu, Director, Centre for Natural Resource Governance. Host: Adrian Finighan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Al-Qaeda-linked fighters have blocked fuel deliveries to Mali’s capital for two months. They want to seize territory and drive out Western influence. But could their ultimate goal be to control the country? And what would that mean for the rest of the Sahel? In this episode: Moussa Kondo, Executive Director, Sahel Institute. Oluwole Ojewale, Regional Coordinator, West and Central Africa, Institute for Security Studies. Nicolas Normand, Former French Ambassador to Mali, Senegal and Congo Republic/Congo-Brazzaville. Host: Nick Clark Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

The Israeli military is ramping up its attacks on Lebanon, violating a year-long ceasefire. It's carrying out similar breaches in Gaza and occupying Syrian territory. As the disarmament of Hezbollah makes little progress, is Israel inching towards another regional war? In this episode: Nabeel Khoury, Senior Non-Resident Fellow, Arab Center Washington DC. Heiko Wimmen, Project Director, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, International Crisis Group. Harlan Ullman, Senior Advisor, Atlantic Council. Host: Cyril Vanier Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

US President Donald Trump meets with five Central Asian leaders, seeking deals on critical minerals, energy, and trade. But can Washington gain a foothold in a region long dominated by Russia — and where China’s influence is rapidly expanding? In this episode: Zhumabek Sarabekov, Acting Director at the Institute of World Economics and Politics in Kazakhstan William Courtney, Senior Fellow at the RAND Corporation & former US Ambassador to Kazakhstan Dakota Irvin, Senior Analyst at PRISM Strategic Intelligence Host: Nick Clark Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Long queues at American airports. Thousands of unpaid federal workers surviving on food banks. The longest government shutdown in U.S. history has left millions without essential services. So, can both sides in Congress compromise and reopen the government? In this episode: Mark Pfeifle - Republican Strategist and Former White House Deputy National Security Advisor. Jeremy Mayer - Political Analyst, and Professor of Political Science at George Mason University. David Bolger - Democratic Strategist and a former Campaign Communications Advisor. Host: Bernard Smith Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Russia and China pledge to strengthen their relations. President Xi Jinping has met the Russian Prime Minister and called for more cooperation, to deal with what he called a 'turbulent external environment'. Can the traditional allies weather the challenges posed by the US and other western nations? In this episode: Richard Weitz, Senior Non-Resident Associate Fellow, NATO Defense College. Einar Tangen, Senior Fellow, Centre for International Governance Innovation.  Andrey Kortunov, former Director General, Russian International Affairs Council. Host: Bernard Smith Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Hope for a humanitarian truce in Sudan. The parliamentary Rapid Support Forces and the Army agree in principle with the US plan to stop fighting. But with violence spreading beyond the North Darfur region, can Washington's proposal succeed? In this episode: Amjad Farid, Executive Director, Fikra for Studies and Development.  Mathilde Vu, Advocacy Manager for Sudan, Norwegian Refugee Council.  Susan Page, Professor, Practice, University of Michigan Law School Ford School of Public Policy. Host: Adrian Finighan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

US president Donald Trump threatens Nigeria with military action claiming Christians are being persecuted. The government and Christian groups in the country deny this saying armed groups have killed people of all faiths. So what's behind Trump's claims? And what's the security situation? In this episode: Malik Samuel, Senior Researcher, Good Governance Africa in Abuja. Yinka Adegoke, Africa Editor, Semafor. James Barnett, Research Fellow, Hudson Institute. Host: Adrian Finighan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

There's no sign of an end to the US government shutdown. 1.4 million workers are going without pay, while some people on federal aid are worrying how they'll get their next meal. How can the stand-off between Republicans and Democrats be resolved and what'll happen if it goes on? In this episode: Marena Lin, Co-founder, Project Restore Us. Niall Stanage, White House Columnist. The Hill. Chris Tilly, Professor, University of California Los Angeles. Host: Adrian Finighan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Tanzania's incumbent President has been declared re-elected with with 98% of the vote - in an election, denounced by the opposition as a sham...The government denies that hundreds of people have been killed in a police crackdown. So, what's behind this crisis - and what's next? In this episode: Tito Magoti - an independent human rights lawyer and activist who was jailed in Tanzania during former President John Magufuli's leadership. Nicodemus Minde - a researcher with the East Africa Peace and Security Governance Program at the Institute for Security Studies in Nairobi. Fergus Kell - a Research Fellow with the Africa Programme at Chatham House in London. Host: Adrian Finighan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

China and the US ease their trade war...for now. Concessions from both, with some of the most painful measures put on hold for a year. So, what tactics did each side use in the battle between the world's two biggest economies? And what's next? In this episode: Andy Mok - Senior Research Fellow at the Center for China and Globalization think tank in Beijing. Neil Thomas - Fellow on Chinese Politics at the Asia Society Policy Institute's Center for China Analysis in Washington DC. William Lee - Chief Economist at the Milken Institute in Los Angeles Host: Nick Clark Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Reports of massacres by Sudan's Rapid Support Forces in Darfur - after the army was pushed out of the region. Tens of thousands of civilians are now feared trapped in el-Fasher. The conflict in Sudan has caused one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. So, what can be done to stop the bloodshed? In this episode: Hamid Khalafallah - Researcher and Policy Analyst who specialises in governance and development in Sudan. Bakry Eljack - Professor of Public Policy at Long Island University Brooklyn and a Sudan analyst. Justin Lynch - Managing Director, Conflict Insights Group, which monitors and analyses the conflict in Sudan. Host: Nick Clark Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Why is Donald Trump so interested in rare earth minerals? The US President has struck a number of deals in his tour of Asia this week while China keeps a tight grip on the metals. So, what can Trump do to break Beijing's monopoly? And why do rare earths matter so much? In this episode: Brian Wong, Assistant Professor in Philosophy, University of Hong Kong Gracelin Baskaran, Mining Economist and Director, Critical Minerals Security program at Center for Strategic and International Studies. Huiyao Wang, President and Founder, Center for China and Globalization. Host: Bernard Smith Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Sudan's army says it's pulled out of el-Fasher in the north Darfur region. The area is now said to be under the control of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. So, how significant is this development? Is there a risk Sudan could break up? And who can stop the dire humanitarian crisis there? In this episode: Caroline Bouvard, Country Director, Sudan Mission of Solidarities International. Alex de Waal, Executive Director, World Peace Foundation. Dallia Abdelmoneim, Political Commentator. Host: Bernard Smith Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

From armed struggle to politics. The Kurdistan Workers' Party says it's withdrawing from Turkey after a decades-long fight for a Kurdish homeland. So, how will Turkey build on this move? And what does it mean for Kurds across the region? In this episode: Hiwa Osman, Former Adviser, Iraqi President Jalal Talabani (2005-2008). Mohammed D Salih, Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Foreign Policy Research Institute. Hisyar Ozsoy, Former Deputy Chairman, Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP). Host: Adrian Finighan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

US President Donald Trump says an international stabilisation force will operate in Gaza soon. Hours later, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel can veto which countries take part. What are the challenges facing such a force and in setting it up? In this episode: Tamer Qarmout, Associate Professor, Public Policy, Doha Institute for Graduate Studies. Tahani Mustafa, Visiting Fellow, European Council on Foreign Relations. Mehmet Celik, Editorial Co-ordinator, Daily Sabah. Host: Adrian Finighan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

US strikes near Venezuela - which President Donald Trump says are targeting drugs gangs. That's disputed, but the major military mobilisation has brought the issue of narcotics centre stage. How bad is the problem in the US - and what's Trump's strategy? In this episode: Sanho Tree - Fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies and Director of the Drug Policy Project. Carrie Sheffield - Senior Policy Analyst at the Independent Women's Forum. Ernesto Castaneda - Director of the Center for Latin American and Latino Studies at American University. Host: Adrian Finighan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

The Israeli parliament votes to annex the occupied West Bank - a move unlikely to become law but described as an 'insult' by the U.S. vice president. Donald Trump insists annexation won't happen, but settler violence is escalating. Are US-Israeli relations in upheaval? In this episode: Alon Pinkas - Former Israeli ambassador and Consul General in New York. Mark Pfeifle - Republican strategist and President of Off the Record Strategies. Gideon Levy - Columnist at Haaretz newspaper and author of 'The Punishment of Gaza'. Host: Adrian Finighan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

U.S. President Donald Trump sanctions Russia's two biggest oil companies - after scrapping a summit with President Vladimir Putin on the Ukraine war. New EU measures too - targeting Russian oil and assets. Will they bring an end to the war any closer? In this episode: Anatol Lieven - Director of the Eurasia Programme at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. Steven Erlanger - Chief Diplomatic Correspondent for Europe at The New York Times. Chris Weafer - CEO of Macro-Advisory, a strategic consultancy focused on Russia and Eurasia. Host: Bernard Smith Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Has the world lost its fight against malaria? A new report suggest the resurgence of the mosquito-borne disease could cause more deaths, particularly in parts of Africa. But what's behind this? And what should be done to avoid a catastrophe? In this episode: Joy Phumaphi, Former Minister of Health of Botswana and former Assistant Director General, WHO Tanya Haj-Hassan, Paediatric Intensive Care Doctor Heather Ferguson, Professor of Medical Entomology and Disease Ecology at the University of Glasgow Host: Bernard Smith Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

How will China tackle its many challenges in the coming five years? Its Communist Party's top leadership is meeting behind closed-doors to draft a plan. From domestic issues to its trade war with the United States, Beijing has so much to deal with. But does it have a clear vision? In this episode: Einar Tangen, Senior Fellow, Centre for International Governance Innovation. Shirley Ze Yu, Senior Fellow, London School of Economics. Wen-Ti Song, Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council's Global China Hub. Host: Bernard Smith Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Israel breaches the Gaza ceasefire killing dozens of Palestinians. Now, it says it's returned to the deal but warns Hamas it hinges on handing over the captives' remains. So, how challenging will it be to move to the next phase? And how far will the guarantors go to enforce it?In this episode: Alon Pinkas, Former Israeli Ambassador. Hussein Haridy, Former Egyptian Assistant Foreign Minister. Frank Lowenstein, Former US Special Envoy for Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. Host: Bernard Smith Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

After a week of cross-border violence, Pakistan and Afghanistan agree to an immediate ceasefire. Islamabad accuses its neighbour of harbouring armed groups, allegations that Kabul denies. So, will this lead to lasting peace? And how does the conflict play out regionally?In this episode: Javaid Ur-Rahman, Investigative Journalist. Elizabeth Threlkeld, Senior Fellow and Director, South Asia Program, Stimson Center. Obaidullah Baheer, Adjunct Lecturer, American University of Afghanistan. Host: Adrian Finighan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Hamas hands over the remains of another captive as part of the ceasefire deal with Israel. Eighteen bodies remain in Gaza and the group says it needs heavy machinery to retrieve them. But Israel says Hamas knows where they are. So is time running out? And will Israel use the delay as an excuse to resume the war? In this episode: Ori Goldberg - Israeli political commentator and journalist. Xavier Abu Eid - Political analyst and former PLO communications director. Mehmet Celik - Editorial Co-ordinator at the Daily Sabah, an English language newspaper in Turkiye. Host: Tom McRae Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Palestinians are returning to 16 million tonnes of rubble and there's concern evidence that lies under the ruins could be erased. So, will the ceasefire make genocide harder to prove? And is there enough international political will to investigate war crimes in Gaza? In this episode: Sawsan Zaher - Palestinian human rights lawyer. Dr Mads Gilbert - Researcher and medical doctor who has worked in Palestinian healthcare for more than 30 years. Neve Gordon - Professor of International Law at Queen Mary University of London. Host: Adrian Finighan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

The Palestinian Authority says it's ready to operate Gaza's only gateway to the outside world - a vital window to the outside world. But for now, the PA has been sidelined by the US-brokered ceasefire deal. So, who will be in control of Gaza's lifeline? In this episode: Mustafa Barghouti - Secretary General at the Palestinian National Initiative. Tahani Mustafa - Visiting Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations. Rob Geist Pinfold - Lecturer of International Security at King's College London. Host: Dareen Abughaida Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners released as part of the ceasefire deal describe what they went through in Israeli jails. But with many of their loved ones killed and homes destroyed what will their fragile freedom look like under Israeli occupation? And what does the future hold for those forced into exile? In this episode: Milena Ansari, The Israel and Palestine Researcher, Human Rights Watch Basil Farraj, Assistant Professor, Birzeit University. Fadia Barghouti, English Supervisor at the Palestinian Ministry of Education Host: Sami Zeidan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

How will Donald Trump enforce his plan for Gaza? In his address to the Israeli Knesset and in Sharm el-Sheikh on Monday, the US President urged leaders to move past conflicts. But how challenging will that be? In this episode: Ori Goldberg, Political Commentator. Phyllis Bennis, Fellow, Institute for Policy Studies. Muhammad Shehada, Political Analyst. Host: Nick Clark Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

What's the US planning for the Middle East? President Donald Trump came to the region on Monday to cement his plan for peace in Gaza. He says the end of the war ushers in a historic new dawn. But can he succeed where his predecessors have failed? In this episode: Sarah Eltantawi, Professor, Fordham University. Yezid Sayigh, Senior Fellow, Carnegie Middle East Center. Kenneth Katzman, Senior Fellow, The Soufan Center. Host: Neave Barker Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Israel agrees to release thousands of Palestinian prisoners as the ceasefire holds. It has detained tens of thousands since its occupation of Palestine. Many have never been convicted of crimes. So why has Israel arrested that many Palestinians? And has this policy served its occupation? In this episode: Naji Abbas, Director, Prisoners and Detainees, Physicians for Human Rights Israel. Ubai Al-Aboudi, Executive Director, Bisan Center for Research and Development. Milena Ansari, Israel and Palestine Researcher, Human Rights Watch. Host: Neave Barker Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Holding onto their land. After resisting forcible transfer, Palestinians are returning to northern Gaza during the ceasefire. Both Israel and the U.S. wanted to remove them from the strip. So, has a new Nakba been averted? In this episode: Ines Abdel Razek - Co-director of the Palestine Institute for Public Diplomacy. Ilan Pappe - Chairman of the Nakba Memorial Foundation. Ghada Karmi - Academic and the author of ‘Return: A Palestinian Memoir’. Host: Imran Khan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Demilitarisation and no role for Hamas and other factions in the future governance of Gaza.That's part of US President Donald Trump's 20-point plan which led to the ceasefire deal. So what's next for the Palestinian resistance movements? In this episode: Muhammad Shehada - Senior Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations. Andreas Krieg - Associate Professor at the School of Security Studies, King's College London. Ronnie Kasrils - former guerrilla and military commander and former Minister for South Africa's Intelligence Services. Host: Imran Khan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

A ceasefire agreement for Gaza - and cautious hopes among Palestinians of an end to two years of genocide. US president Donald Trump announced the deal - after putting pressure on Israel to agree. What impact has the war had on Israeli-US relations? In this episode: Yossi Mekelberg - Senior Consulting Fellow at Chatham House. Rami Khouri - Distinguished Fellow at the American University of Beirut. Tahani Mustafa - Visiting fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations. Host: Nick Clark Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

A US military build-up and strikes on boats near Venezuela. President Donald Trump says he's targeting drug gangs - without presenting evidence. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro says he'll stand up to Washington - with his country now on high-alert. So, what's next? In this episode: Elias Ferrer, Founder of Orinoco Research Paola Bautista de Aleman, Member of the Venezuelan opposition in exile Temir Porras, Managing Director at Global Sovereign Advisory and a former Foreign Policy Advisor to President Hugo Chávez Host: Nick Clark Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

France's political turmoil deepens - President Emmanuel Macron's fifth prime minister in less than two years quits after just 27 days and his government lasting just 14 hours. The Left and Right want elections and for Macron to quit. So, what's next for France? In this episode: Thierry Mariani, Member, European Parliament, National Rally Party. Eleonore Caroit, Member, Renaissance party and French National Assembly deputy. Eric Bocquet, Mayor, Marquillies. Host: Nick Clark Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Will parliamentary elections in Syria lead to a democratic transition? The country has held its first indirect vote since the overthrow of the al-Assad regime. The new parliament is due to pass a new constitution. But with Syria still facing challenges and some minorities excluded, will this poll serve any purpose? In this episode: Celine Kasem, Human Rights Activist. Omer Ozkizilcik, Non-Resident Fellow, Atlantic Council. Heiko Wimmen, Project Director for Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon, International Crisis Group. Host: Nick Clark Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Talks to implement Donald Trump's 20-point plan for Gaza are underway. The proposal aims to end Israel's war on the strip, but ignores its decades-long occupation. So, could there ever be peace if Israel continues to occupy Palestinian territories? In this episode: Andrew Gilmour, Former UN Assistant Secretary General for Human Rights. Victor Kattan, Assistant Professor, Public International Law, University of Nottingham. Simon Mabon, Professor, Middle East and International Politics, Lancaster University. Host: Mohammed Jamjoom Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

The U.S. president tells Israel to stop bombing the strip. Now, negotiations will seek to implement the plan. So, are they likely to work? And can the war finally come to an end? In this episode: Mouin Rabbani - Researcher, Analyst and Co-Editor of Jadaliyya. Yossi Mekelberg - Political Analyst and Senior Consulting Fellow at Chatham House. Muhammad Shehada - Analyst from Gaza and Senior Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations. Host: Dareen Abughaida Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

That's come after the Senate failed to agree on extending federal spending. Hundreds of thousands of employees are affected. But how is it being felt across the country? And what is it costing the economy? In this episode: Eric Ham - Political Analyst and Author of ‘The GOP Civil War: Inside the Battle for the Soul of the Republican Party’. Drew Friedman - Reporter at Federal News Network focusing on federal workforce, pay and benefits. Rina Shah - Political Strategist and Former Senior Congressional Adviser. Host: Dareen Abughaida Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook