The Inside Story Podcast
The Inside Story Podcast -- where we dissect, analyse and help define major global stories.
Episodes
Angry protests across Iran as the country faces economic turmoil. The president is calling on the government to hear the protesters' demands. But who's to blame for Iran's deep economic crisis? And how far will the demonstrations go?
In this episode:
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Ali Akbar Dareini - Researcher at Center for Strategic Studies.
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Marzie Khalilian - Political Analyst and Academic Researcher.
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Stephen Zunes...
From close allies to rivals. The United Arab Emirates says it's pulling its troops out of Yemen. That's after an ultimatum by the Saudi-backed presidential council of Yemen. After a decade of alliance, what's triggered this rupture? And where does it leave its plans in war-torn Yemen?
In this episode:
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Abdul-aziz Al Ghashian, Senior Non-Resident Fellow at Gulf International Forum.
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Alkharder Sulaiman...
Tension is running high between China and Taiwan. Beijing is carrying out its biggest-ever military drills off the island, saying they're a warning to what it calls separatist forces. So what's behind this show of power? And would China use force against Taiwan?
In this episode:
- Shaun Rein, Founder & Managing Director of China Market Research Group.
- Chen Shen Yen, Research Fellow Institute of International Relat...
Renewed sectarian anger grips parts of Syria. Alawite protesters confront government supporters and masked men attack security forces. Alawites say they're being marginalised. How serious is this latest threat to President al-Sharaa's effort to unify the country?
In this episode:
- Fadel Abdulghany, Founder & Executive Director, Syrian Network for Human Rights.
- Gamal Mansour, Specialist, Comparative Poli...
Israel has become the first country to recognise Somaliland, the breakaway region of Somalia. That's angered Mogadishu, as well as African and Arab states. Why are they upset? And how will it affect politics in the region?
In this episode:
- Adam Matan, Independent Horn of Africa Consultant.
- Alon Pinkas, Former Ambassador and Consul General of Israel in New York.
- Xavier Abu Eid, Political Scientist.
H...
The US President says they are against ISIL, claiming it targets Christians in the country.But are his allegations of religious persecution in Nigeria justified?And could his administration have other motives?
In this episode:
- Malik Samuel, Senior Researcher at Good Governance Africa.
- Ebenezer Obadare, Senior Fellow for Africa Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations.
- David Otto, Deputy Director of Counterterrorism Tr...
UN experts say the group remains a major threat to stability in Somalia and neighbouring countries. And it is still able to carry out attacks repeatedly. So what does it mean for security in this part of Africa?
In this episode:
- Ismael Tahir, Research Fellow at Hilin, an organisation committed to development, governance and politics in the Somali Peninsula.
- Afyare Elmi, Research Professor at City University of Moga...
Israel is escalating the confiscation of Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank and approving new illegal settlements at an unprecedented scale. Its actions have drawn condemnation. But what are the consequences on the ground? And how does this hinder prospects for peace?
In this episode:
- Xavier Abu Eid - Political analyst and former adviser to the P-L-O negotiation team
- Daniel Levy - President of the U.S. / Middle E...
After another year of fighting, is peace on the horizon for Sudan in 2026? Khartoum has come up with a plan to end the conflict, but the UN warns the violence is worsening. Where does this leave the country's future and the millions affected by the fighting?
In this episode:
- Ahmad Ibrahim, Independent Sudan Analyst.
- Cameron Hudson, Former Director, African Affairs, US National Security Council.
- Khalid Medani, Chairperson...
How will the Syrian government deal with its growing security challenges? Renewed fighting between the army and Syrian Democratic Forces is highlighting the volatility facing the country. A truce is now in place, but will it lead to an agreement to integrate the SDF militia into the army?
In this episode:
- Haid Haid, Researcher, Chatham House.
- Steven Heydemann, Professor and Middle East Studies Program Director, Smith Col...
In the ongoing fighting between Thailand and Cambodia - does diplomacy stand a chance? The two sides have held their first face-to-face meeting in a regional push for peace. But without any let-up in the long-running conflict, what will it take to bring it to an end?
In this episode:
- Chheang Vannarith, Chairman, Angkor Social Innovation Park.
- Ilango Karuppannan, Adjunct Senior Fellow, Nanyang Technological Universi...
Political tension and unrest in Bangladesh after the assassination of a student leader of last year's uprising that ousted Sheikh Hasina. Elections for a new government are due in February. So how volatile is the political situation now?
In this episode:
- Taqbir Huda, Human Rights Lawyer.
- Asif Shahan, Professor, Development Studies, University of Dhaka.
- Fahmida Khatun, Executive Director, Centre for Polic...
European farmers protest against the EU-Mercosur agreement. That's as signing has been postponed until January, due to disagreements in Europe. The European-South American deal planned for more than 25 years, would create the world's largest free-trade zone. So why is there division?
In this episode:
- Pieter Cleppe - Editor-in-Chief at BrusselsReport-dot-eu
- Ciaran Mullooly - Member of the European Parliament fo...
Daily Israeli breaches of the Gaza ceasefire agreement threaten the entire peace process, says the Qatari prime minister, who helped broker the deal forged by Donald Trump. So, what's gone wrong -- and what might the US president do to get it back on track?
In this episode:
- Tamer Qarmout - Associate Professor of Public Policy at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies
- Daniel Levy - President of the U.S. / Middle Ea...
Russia and China voice support for Venezuela after Donald Trump intensifies pressure on Nicolas Maduro. The US blockades sanctioned oil tankers in the midst of a major military build-up in the region. What are the dangers - and what might happen next?
In this episode:
- Paul Dobson - Independent journalist and political analyst in Venezuela
- Elias Ferrer - Founder of Orinoco Research, a consulting comp...
Millions of people in Afghanistan face acute food insecurity, the UN warns. The crisis is exacerbated by sharp cuts in global aid funding and the forced deportation of Afghans from neighbouring countries. So, who could step in to avert a catastrophic hunger crisis?
In this episode:
- Kiana Alavi, Norwegian Refugee Council's advocacy manager in Afghanistan
- Zeeshan Salahuddin, Director Advisory of the Centre for Regional and...
Chileans have elected their most conservative leader in decades. Jose Antonio Kast's victory is another sign South America is veering to the right. But what's behind this shift? And what are the political implications, both across the region and beyond?
In this episode:
- Claudio Barrientos, Professor, School of History, Diego Portales University.
- Jose Ragas, Historian and Assistant Professor, Catholic Unive...
How will the US respond to the killing of three of its soldiers in Syria? Washington blames the Islamic State for the attack and vows retaliation. So, does that mean direct military involvement? And if so, what role would the new Syrian government play?
In this episode:
- Colin Clarke, Executive Director, The Soufan Center.
- Dareen Khalifa, Senior Adviser, International Crisis Group.
- Orwa Ajjoub, Syria Expert and ...
US president Donald Trump eases sanctions on Belarus after it frees more than 100 political prisoners. Stiff European sanctions remain in place against the close Russian ally. So, why's the deal been struck now, and what's the reaction in Russia, Ukraine and the EU?
In this episode:
- Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Belarus Opposition Leader.
- Franak Viacorka, Non-resident fellow, Atlantic Council
- Mark Episkopos, Research F...
The US and UN warn violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo could escalate into a regional conflict. Hundreds of people killed as Rwandan-backed M23 rebels seize another city, just over a week after the US brokered a peace deal. How dangerous is the situation?
In this episode:
- Kambale Musavuli - Analyst at the Center for Research on the Congo- Kinshasa
- Richard Moncrieff - Project Director for the Great Lakes re...
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