The Inside Story Podcast

Ten years ago Iran and world powers signed a historic nuclear deal, easing sanctions in return for limits on Tehran's nuclear programme. Since then, the US pulled out, and just weeks ago, they joined Israel in attacking Iran. What's the legacy of this deal and its collapse?

In this episode: 

• Alan Eyre, Member, US Nuclear Deal Team (2010-2015).
• Abas Aslani, Senior Research Fellow, Center for Middle East Strategic Studies.
• ...

US President Donald Trump tells Europe and Mexico they face tariffs of 30 percent from next month. That's created shock and is raising fears of an all-out trade war. But both sides say they want talks to continue. So, what's Trump's strategy? And what are the risks? 

In this episode: 

• Niall Stanage, White House Columnist, The Hill. 
• Greg Swenson, Chairman, Republicans Overseas UK. 
• Daniel Gros, Director, In...

Sudden cuts to international funding have dealt a severe blow to the global fight against HIV/AIDS. The UN warns millions of people will die and millions more will contract the disease if urgent action isn't taken. So, how can countries prevent this disaster?

In this episode: 

• Dr Helen Rees, Director, Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, University of the Witwatersrand.
• Dr Krishna Udayakumar, Founding Director, Duke Glo...

Members of the Kurdish Workers' Party have laid down their arms, ending a decades-long struggle with Turkiye. But will this move by the PKK lead to real reconciliation? And what does this shift mean for Kurds across the region?

In this episode: 

• Galip Dalay, Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Middle East Council on Global Affairs
• David L Phillips, Director of the Program on Peace-building and Rights, Columbia Universit...

The route to Greece is closing. The words of Greek Prime Minister as his country suspends requests for asylum. Athens warns it will now arrest those entering the country illegally from North Africa. But is this the right response to a surge in illegal migration?

In this episode: 

• Eleni Spathana, Lawyer, Refugee Support Aegean
• Amine Snoussi, Political Analyst and Journalist
• Marianna Karakoulaki, Researcher, ...

Millions of workers go on strike across India. They say new government measures discriminate against them in favour of corporations. It's another outpouring of public anger against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's economic policies. So, how has the country's economy fared under his decade-long premiership?

In this episode: 

• Amarjeet Kaur, National Secretary, All India Trade Union Congress.
• Adil Hossain, Assistant Professor,...

Donald Trump says talks to get a new ceasefire in Gaza are going well. Benjamin Netanyahu has been meeting him in the White House - the third time he has visited this year. They talked openly about a post war future for Gaza. But what is Israel's real plan? Is it trying to forcibly relocate Palestinians in a scheme being described as a crime against humanity?

In this episode:

• Curt Mills, Executive Director, The American Conse...

Yet another BRICS summit, this time in Brazil, but with the leaders of two major member-countries staying away. The group has expanded and aims to reform what it calls a western-led global order. But is it still up to that goal? And what difference has it made on the world stage?

In this episode:

• Gustavo Ribeiro, Founder and Editor-in-chief, The Brazilian Report.
• Sergey Markov, Director, Institute of Political ...

Why has Iran stepped up its deportation of Afghan refugees? Thousands are being forced to go back to Afghanistan as Tehran tightens controls on immigration. But what's really behind this crackdown? And can Taliban government handle this sudden influx of returnees?

In this episode:

• Arafat Jamal, Afghanistan Representative, United Nations Refugee Agency.
• Orzala Nemat, Director, Development Research Group. 
• Hassan Ahmadian,...

First, Tehran accused the International Atomic Energy Agency of being complicit in Israel's attacks on its nuclear sites. Now, the UN agency's pulled all its inspectors out of Iran. So, who will monitor its nuclear activities? And could this trigger another round of tension?

In this episode:

• Abas Aslani, Senior Research Fellow, Center, Middle East Strategic Studies.

• Tariq Rauf, Former Head, Verification and Security Policy, ...

A report by the UN Special Rapporteur says some of the world's largest companies are complicit in and profiting from Israel's actions in the occupied Palestinian territories. Microsoft, Amazon and Google as just some of the major US tech firms identified. So, could they be held liable under international law? 

In this episode: 

• Omar Barghouti, Co-founder of the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement.

• Vaniya Ag...

Tibet's spiritual leader says the role he embodies will continue after his death, saying the next Dalai Lama will be chosen in line with tradition. But China insists it should have the final say. So, could this become a potential flashpoint in relations between Beijing and India - which is home to a large exiled Tibetan community?

In this episode: 

• Robbie Barnett, Writer and researcher on modern Tibetan-Chinese history an...

What's bringing China and the EU closer? The two sides are marking fifty years of relations this month ... holding talks and pledging deeper cooperation. But how far will this go? And who stands to gain the most, Beijing or Europe?

In this episode: 

• Karel Lannoo, CEO, Centre for European Policy Studies.
• Victor Gao, Vice President, Center for China and Globalisation.
• Raffaele Marchetti, Director, Center for International a...

Suspended after a leaked recording of a controversial phone call, Thailand's Prime Minister is now fighting for her political survival. Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been facing growing public anger. So, will she survive this crisis? And what does it mean for democracy in Thailand?

In this episode: 

• Sean Boonpracong, Political Analyst.
• Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Political Scientist, Chulalongkorn University. 
• Kasit Pir...

They escaped the horrors of war in their country. But millions of refugees from Sudan now face the risk of hunger. The United Nations World Food Programme is facing a dire shortage of funds. Who is to blame? And who might step in to feed the refugees?

In this episode: 

• Carl Skau, UN World Food Programme's Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer.
• Alex de Waal, Executive Director, World Pea...

Will a deal to end war between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda work this time? They've signed an agreement in Washington to end the long-running conflict in eastern DRC and it has the full support of the US. But how will it work in practice? And what are the chances of success?

In this episode: 

• Gatete Nyiringabo, Political Commentator. 
• Zainab Usman, Senior Fellow and Director, Africa Program, Carnegie E...

The US and Israel attacked Iran saying it can't have a nuclear weapon while the Islamic Republic denies trying to build one. The two are among nine countries armed with such weapons. So, who decides who can have nuclear arms? And have the actions of Israel and the US increased the risks that more countries will want them? 

In this episode: 

• Tariq Rauf, Former Head, Verification and Security Policy Coordination, ...

An EU summit in Brussels calls for a ceasefire in Gaza but not for sanctions against Israel. 
Germany has led states blocking action throughout the war, while others express anger. 
So, what's driving the EU's position on Israel and Gaza?  

In this episode: 

• Claudio Francavilla, Associate EU Director, Human Rights Watch.
• Lynn Boylan, Sinn Féin Member of the European Parliament.
• Giorgia Gus...

A political earthquake say the headlines. A stunning victory. A wake up call for the US Democratic Party. Zohran Mamdani's win in New York City's Mayoral primary has sent the news media into overdrive. But what's behind his win - and how significant is it for US politics? 

In this episode: 

• Linda Sarsour, Palestinian American activist and political strategist 
• Joi Chaney, Democratic political strategist
• Oma...