The Inside Story Podcast

International condemnation as Israel bulldozes the headquarters of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees in Occupied East Jerusalem. The UN says razing the compound is against international law. What are the implications? 

In this episode:

• Shireen Salti, political analyst who specialises in Palestine-Israel public affairs
• Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territory and a form...

US President Donald Trump threatens tariffs against seven EU countries and the UK for opposing his plans to take control of Greenland. EU leaders are considering how to respond. What are their options? And what are the dangers for both sides? 

In this episode: 

• Rebecca Christie, Senior Fellow at Bruegel
• Ben Aris, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of bne IntelliNews
• Pieter Cleppe, European policy analyst and Editor-in-Chief...

The Syrian army has taken territory long held by Kurdish-led forces before declaring a ceasefire. The lightning offensive changes the balance of power in the country. Are there wider implications for Kurds in the region — beyond Syria? 

In this episode: 

• David Des Roches, Professor at the Thayer Marshall Institute 
• Mohammed Salih, Non-Resident Senior Fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute
• Elijah M...

Will the Syrian army end up controlling all the country's Kurdish-held areas? The army has made significant territorial gains after intense battles with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in recent days. So, how will this play out within Syria and the wider region?

In this episode: 

• Omar Abu Laila, Syrian Affairs Analyst.
• Scott Lucas, Professor, US and International Politics, University College Dublin.
• Kamaran Palan...

Resetting ties with China. Canada's Prime minister visits Beijing hailing what he calls "a new partnership adapted to new global realities". The two countries are under pressure from U.S. tariffs. So, who stands to gain the most from this deal?

In this episode: 

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

• William Lee, Chief Economist ...

What are the hurdles to implementing the next phase of the ceasefire in Gaza? The US says it's a transition to disarmament and reconstruction. But with Israel repeatedly violating the ceasefire, is that transition even possible?

In this episode: 

• Xavier Abu Eid, political analyst and former adviser to the Palestine Liberation Organization negotiation team
• Yezid Sayigh, Senior Fellow at Carnegie Middle East Center
• Yossi Be...

What purpose does the massive U.S. military presence in the Gulf serve? Washington argues it maintains stability and security in this region. But with the escalating tensions in the region, will it protect America's allies and interests?

In this episode: 

• Rashid Al-Mohanadi, Vice President of Center for International Policy Research
• Andreas Krieg, Associate Professor in the School of Security Studies at King's C...

International alarm after the Trump administration announces the first-ever criminal investigation into the head of the US Federal Reserve. Jerome Powell says the probe is politically-motivated. So why is this case causing so much concern worldwide? 

In this episode: 

• Eric Ham, political analyst and former U.S. Congressional staffer in Washington DC
• Justin Urquhart-Stewart, investment manager and co-founder of Region...

Uganda holds elections on Thursday, with President Yoweri Museveni hoping to extend his four decades in power. Supporters of his main opponent, musician Bobi Wine, allege harassment and intimidation. So what's at stake for one the world's youngest populations? 

In this episode: 

• Robert Kabushenga, Host of The Bad Natives Podcast
• Alex Vines, Africa Programme Director at the European Council on Foreign Relations
• Joseph...

US President Donald Trump has said repeatedly he wants to take over Greenland — an idea rejected by most people living there. There's alarm in Denmark, which owns the world's biggest island, and in the EU and NATO too. So, could Trump really get his way? 

In this episode:

• Pele Broberg, Chairman of Naleraq, a pro-independence political party in Greenland
• Peter Nielsen, retired Colonel in the Danish Armed Forces who s...

Widespread unrest, killings and arrests in Iran during protests sparked by a collapse in the local currency. The leadership says it will listen to demonstrators but rioters face the death penalty. As the US warns against a crackdown, how volatile is the situation? 

In this episode: 

• Mehran Kamrava, Head, Iranian Studies, Arab Center for Policy Studies and Research.
• Roxane Farmanfarmaian, Professor, Modern Middle...

What are Saudi Arabia's plans in southern Yemen? Riyadh says it will soon host a dialogue between the main players. It comes after the Southern Transitional Council issued a statement saying it had disbanded. But will the new realities on the ground serve long-term Saudi goals in Yemen?

In this episode: 

• Khaled Batarfi, Political analyst
• Farea Al Muslimi, Research Fellow at Chatham House's MENA Programme
• Matthew...

What is the impact of the US withdrawal from dozens of United Nations and international agencies? Washington says the organisations threaten its sovereignty. But the UN says the US has a legal obligation to fund them. So, where does this all leave the multilateral global order?

In this episode: 

• Adolfo Franco, Republican strategist and former adviser to U.S. Senator John McCain
• And...

Renewed clashes in the Syrian city of Aleppo between the army and Kurdish fighters are undermining efforts to achieve national unity. The violence erupted after a failure to implement a deal on incorporating fighters of the Syrian Democratic Forces into the army. Can tension be contained this time?

In this episode:

• Labib Nahhas, Syria analyst
• Omer Ozkizilcik, Nonresident fellow for the Syria Project in the Atlantic C...

The so-called Coalition of the Willing says it is going to provide Ukraine with robust security guarantees if a peace deal is agreed with Russia. The UK and France pledged boots on the ground once the agreement takes effect.  But is that enough? And would Russia accept foreign troops in Ukraine?

In this episode: 

• Oleksiy Goncharenko, politician and member of the Ukrainian parliament
• Marina Miron, military a...

Venezuela's closest ally, Cuba, is on edge after the capture of president Nicolas Maduro and US politicians' warnings to Havana. US President Donald Trump says Cuba is near collapse. So what are Washington's plans? And what's the thinking in Havana? 

In this episode: 

• Liz Oliva Fernandez, independent Cuban journalist
• John Suarez, Executive Director, the Center for a Free Cuba
• Michael Shifter, senior fellow, Inter-Ame...

The capture of Venezuela's president Nicolas Maduro by the US came despite his country's long-standing alliance with both China and Russia. Both have criticised the US attack but have taken no action. What are the implications for Russia and China? 

In this episode: 

• Andrey Kortunov, former Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council 

• Chris Weafer, Chief Executive Officer of Macro-Advisory

• S...

The US capture of Venezuela's president Nicolas Maduro has been sharply criticised by his allies, but not by Western nations despite questions about its legality. So, does the attack on Venezuela signal a new aggressive US strategy? What might be its global impact?

In this episode: 

• Charles Shapiro, Former US Ambassador to Venezuela under President George W. Bush. 

• Stefan Wolff, Professor, International Security, ...

US special forces capture Venezuela's president Nicolas Maduro - in a daring attack that's taken the country and the world by surprise. He'd denied accusations by president Donald Trump of heading a narcotics cartel. So, what are the implications of Washington's actions? 

In this episode: 

• Phil Gunson - senior analyst for the Andes Project at the International Crisis Group. 

• Richard Weitz - a U.S. security an...