The Inside Story Podcast

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 
• Bas...

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

Connec...

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, ...

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,...

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 t...

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 ...

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 - ...

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, Mana...

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 Ass...

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 Counci...

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 ...

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 th...

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 fo...

European leaders meet to discuss Russia and the Ukraine war - after a surge in attacks by both sides in September. More sanctions are under discussion - and new defences against Russian drones. So what next for peace efforts - or are Russia and Europe moving closer to conflict?

In this episode: 

• Mattia Nelles - CEO and co-founder of the German-Ukrainian Bureau.
• Eldar Mamedov - Non-Resident Fellow at the Quincy Institute, ...

A vital speech for UK prime minister Keir Starmer to rally his party - hoping to reverse dismal poll ratings a year on from a huge election win. Immigration policy and the right-wing Reform UK party pose serious challenges. Can Starmer overcome them - and if not, what next? 

In this episode: 

• Patrick Diamond - Professor in Public Policy at Queen Mary University of London.
• Jennifer Nadel - Political Communic...

A 20-point plan unveiled by US President Donald Trump to end the war on Gaza with Israel's prime minister by his side. It's been welcomed internationally while Hamas studies the details. So, what's on the table? And what does it mean for Palestinians? 

In this episode: 

• Salman Shaikh, Founder, The Shaikh Group. 
• Mustafa Barghouti, Secretary General, Palestinian National Initiative. 
• Nomi Bar-Yaacov, As...

Calls for Israel to be banned from global sports and cultural competitions are growing. Many argue it should not take part in international events while committing genocide in Gaza. With next year's World Cup and Eurovision Song Contest on the line, what's the case for and against barring Israel? 

In this episode: 

• Ashish Prashar, Campaign Director, Game Over Israel campaign. 
• Dan Perry, Former Editor, Associate...

Iran is once again under pressure for its nuclear programme. The UN has reimposed sanctions that were lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal. Tehran insists its programme is peaceful, but Western countries say it's not. So, what's next in this long-standing crisis? And does diplomacy still stand a chance?

In this episode: 

• Ellie Geranmayeh, Senior Policy Fellow, European Council on Foreign Relations. 
• Mark Fitzpatrick, A...

Israel has spied on millions of Palestinians using Microsoft's powerful technology. Now, the high-tech giant says it's cancelled some of its services to the Israeli army. But as the military expands its devastating war on Gaza, is this move enough? And will it make any difference on the ground?

In this episode: 

• Rob Pegoraro - Technology journalist and Analyst.
• Taghreed El-Khodary - Palestinian journalist a...