The Inside Story Podcast

Will Thursday's elections be a watershed moment for Bangladesh? Millions of people are expected to cast ballots in the first polls since long-time prime minister Sheikh Hasina was removed in 2024. But can the vote spark a real political transition for the country's democracy?

In this episode: 

• Ashikur Rahman, principal economist at the Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh
• Prapti Taposhi, activist and a first-...

There's condemnation of Israel's latest move to tighten its grip over the occupied West Bank. Its security cabinet has approved plans to expand illegal settlements there. Is this a step towards annexation? And where does it leave the historic Oslo Accords?

In this episode: 

• Ammar Hijazi, ambassador and head of the Palestinian Mission to the Netherlands
• Yossi Mekelberg, Senior Consulting Fellow at Chatham House
• Chris Doyle...

Voters in Portugal have overwhelmingly chosen a centre-left Socialist president. But his far-right rival secured a record share of the vote. What's fuelling this support? And does it signal a future political shift in the European country?

In this episode: 

• Miguel Poiares Maduro, Director of the School of Transnational Governance at the European University Institute
• Karel Lannoo, CEO of the Centre for Europ...

How has Israel’s war on Gaza shaped the Middle East? This year, the Al Jazeera Forum discusses the regional implications of the war. With new realities on the ground, how has the conflict changed the geopolitics in this volatile region? This show was produced on the sidelines of the Al Jazeera Forum in Doha.

In this episode: 

• Mustafa Barghouti, General Secretary, Palestinian National Initiative.
• Abdullah A...

Armed groups have killed more than 200 people in several attacks in Nigeria in recent days. The Christian worshippers abducted from churches last month have been released. How serious is Nigeria's security situation -- and what progress is being made? 

In this episode: 

• James Barnett -- Non-resident research fellow at the Hudson Institute, specialising in armed groups in Nigeria  
• Oluwole Ojewale ...

For more than five decades, nuclear arms control treaties were enforced between Russia and the US until this week. The last agreement has been allowed to lapse without a new one to replace it. So, why has this happened, and what are the dangers? 

In this episode: 

• Thomas Countryman, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for International Security and Non-Proliferation under the Obama administration
• Rebecca E Johns...

Talks brokered by the US seek to end the war between Russia and Ukraine. Many civilians in Ukraine are suffering in freezing temperatures after Russian attacks on heating and energy supplies. Negotiations are to continue, despite big divisions. But what are those sticking points? And could an end come soon? 

In this episode: 

• Alexander Bratersky, Independent Analyst and journalist in Moscow 
• Oleksiy Goncharenko,...

India and the US announce a trade deal, with relief from some of President Donald Trump's harshest tariffs. He says India will stop buying Russian oil and open up to American business. So, why is the deal getting a mixed reaction in India?

In this episode: 

• Ajay Chhibber, visiting scholar at George Washington University
• Biswajit Dhar, trade economist and former professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University
• Harry Broadman, form...

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is yet again in Israel to discuss growing tensions with Iran. The two sides have been trading threats. At odds for nearly half a century, can they find a common ground? Or is a new round of conflict inevitable?

In this episode:

• Thomas Warrick, a non-resident fellow at the Atlantic Council
• Marzie Khalilian, political analyst and researcher at Carleton University
• Alon Pinkas, Former Israeli Ambassa...

Gaza's Rafah border crossing reopened but under strict Israeli conditions. The crossing is once again operational as part of the US-brokered ceasefire. But with Israel's restrictions, will this reopening ease the suffering of Palestinians after two years of war?

In this episode: 

• Hussein Haridy, former Egyptian Assistant Foreign Minister
• Mosab Nasser, CEO of FAJR Global
• Akiva Eldar, political analyst and contributor to Ha...

How will Pakistan deal with growing security challenges in the southwestern province of Balochistan?

Another coordinated attack by separatists has killed dozens of people. Many ethnic Baloch have long complained of neglect and oppression by Islamabad. So, what will it take to end the cycle of violence there?

In this episode:

• Raashid Wali Janjua, Former Brigadier, Pakistan's Army and Director, Islamabad Polic...

Caracas says it's opening up the sector to private players. That follows Washington's dramatic intervention in the country in early January. But who will stand to gain from the changes: Venezuela or the United States? Or both?

In this episode:

• Elias Ferrer Founder  and director of Orinoco Research. He analysis politics and the Venezuelan economy.

   

• Andrew Lipow President of Lipow Oil Associates

   

• ...

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in China this week with a large delegation of business people and cultural figures. He received a warm welcome from host Xi Jinping. But the visit got a frosty reception from the White House. US President Donald Trump called the trip 'dangerous'. Why and how important is this visit? 

In this episode:

• Will Hutton, political economist and author 
• Andy Mok, Senior Research Fel...

The Doomsday Clock has reached the closest ever point to midnight. That's according to the atomic scientists who run it. They say more wars, aggression from nuclear powers and weaker arms controls are to blame - along with climate change and risks posed by artificial intelligence. Should we be worried? 

In this episode:

• Karim Haggag, Director at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute
• Ramesh Srinivasan, Profe...

One of the biggest trade deals in history was struck by India and the European Union, months after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on both. So what's in their agreement? And how much is it driven by Washington's hostile measures? 

In this episode:

• Brahma Chellaney, Professor Emeritus of Strategic Studies at the Centre for Policy Research
• Remi Bourgeot, Associate Fellow at the French Institute for International...

The last Israeli captive's body found in Gaza — where many thousands of Palestinians lie buried under rubble. Israel, as part of its long-standing policy, has not returned the remains of many hundreds of Palestinians. Why? And what's the impact?

In this episode: 

• Amjad Sharwa, Director of the Palestinian Non-Governmental Organizations Network in Gaza
• Issam Aruri, Commissioner General of the Independent Commissi...

Recent fatal shootings by federal US immigration agents have sparked outrage and protests. They're accused of using excessive force and indiscriminately arresting suspected undocumented immigrants. But does this violent crackdown serve any real purpose?

In this episode: 

• Darrin Porcher, Former NYPD Lieutenant and Criminal Justice Professor at Pace University
• Leon Fresco, Former Deputy Assistant Attorney General
• Alex Vital...

Sort out your own security. That's what the US is telling its allies as the Pentagon adopts a new national defence strategy. Washington is now focusing on the main homeland and its interests in the Western Hemisphere. So, what's behind this shift? And what's the fallout for America's allies around the world?

In this episode:

• Adam Clements, US Foreign Policy Analyst and a Former Pentagon Official.
• Marina Miron, Researcher, Defe...

After being under threat for years - Tiktok will continue to operate in the United States. The Chinese platform reached a deal to create a new American entity. But does this deal satisfy security concerns for users in the US? And how much politics is at play?

In this episode: 

• Einar Tangen, Senior Fellow at the  Centre for International Governance Innovation, a  Canadian think tank

   

• Sarah Krep...