The Inside Story Podcast

Tension escalates rapidly across the Gulf, despite last month's ceasefire. An oil facility hit in the United Arab Emirates, Iranian boats attacked, while the US tries to force open a shipping route in the Strait of Hormuz. So, what does this mean for hopes of an end to the Iran war? 

In this episode: 

• Negar Mortazavi, Senior Fellow at the Center for International Policy in Washington DC and host of the 'Iran Podcast'...

Israeli forces detained two activists after stopping the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla off the coast of Greece. It happened in international waters nearly a thousand kilometres from the Gaza Strip. So, was this action legal? 

In this episode: 

• Heidi Matthews, Assistant Professor at Osgoode Hall Law School at York University in Toronto 
• Dan Perry, former Editor of the Associated Press for Europe, the Middle Ea...

An unlikely coalition of armed groups and rebels launches an offensive in Mali. Russian forces backing the military government are forced to withdraw from bases in the north. Soldiers are suspected of being involved in the attacks.Is Mali's junta losing control?

In this episode: 

• Oluwole Ojewale, Regional Coordinator for West and Central Africa, Institute for Security Studies.
• Kabir Adamu, Managing Director, Beacon Securi...

Commercial vessels under attack.The blockades by the US and Iran in the Strait of Hormuz are disrupting global trade.The crisis highlights the danger conflicts and territorial disputes pose to shipping. Why are maritime laws failing to secure the seas?

In this episode: 

• Rockford Weiz - Director of Fletcher Maritime Studies program at Tufts University
• George Theocharidis - Professor of Maritime Law and Policy at the World ...

Pakistan opens land trade routes to Iran, allowing the transit of goods. It's a much-needed reprieve for both economies. But does it undercut Washington's pressure campaign on Tehran? And how will it impact the Islamabad-mediated talks to end the war?

In this episode: 

• Mushahid Hussain Syed, Pakistani defence and foreign policy specialist
• Setareh Sadeqi, Assistant Professor at the University of Tehran, specialising in U.S...

Widespread destruction by Israel of houses and civilian facilities in Lebanon, leaving a fifth of the population out of their homes. Israel's defence minister says tactics used in Gaza are being replicated in Lebanon. So, what are the similarities? 

In this episode:

• Ramzi Kaiss, Lebanon Researcher at Human Rights Watch.
• Elijah Magnier, Specialist in Middle East wars and regional military dynamics
• Nicholas Noe, Editor-in-C...

The United Arab Emirates quits OPEC. The oil-producing bloc is losing one of its most important members. It comes during the worst global energy crisis of modern times, caused by the Iran war, which has hit the UAE hard. So why now - and what's the impact? 

In this episode: 

• Chris Weafer, Chief Executive Officer at Macro-Advisory strategic consultancy 
• Cornelia Meyer, CEO of Meyer Resources and an oil and gas Sp...

The UN Secretary General has given a dire warning about the waning influence of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). It's being reviewed in the shadow of a tense ceasefire between the US and Iran. Will the agreement survive? And is it enough to prevent a nuclear disaster?

In this episode:  

• Tariq Rauf, Former Head of Verification and Security Policy Coordination at the International Atomic Energy Agency 
• ...

Palestinians exercising their democratic right to vote. But the municipal elections alienated most factions. The Palestinian Authority's party, Fatah, and its affiliates claimed victory. Will the elections make a difference to the people under Israeli occupation?

In this episode: 

• Ahmed Fattouh, Fatah spokesperson 
• Jalal Abukhater, Policy Manager at 7amleh - The Arab Center for the Advancement of Social Media
• Xavier ...

Former enemies in Mali, including an Al-Qaeda-linked group, join forces to target military sites. The defence minister has been killed. Russian mercenaries backing the government have come under attack. What are the implications of this unrest? 

In this episode: 

• Oluwole Ojewale, Regional Co-ordinator for West and Central Africa, Institute for Security Studies.
• Nicolas Normand, Former French Ambassador to Mali. 
...

Divisions widen within NATO. US president Donald Trump is furious after a refusal by European member states to join the Iran war. Reports say he's considering measures against the UK and Spain. So, how serious is the rift for the future of the military alliance?

In this episode: 

• Carne Ross - former British Diplomat and founder of the non-profit advisory group, Independent Diplomat.
• Eli Bremer - Retired Major in the ...

Reports of unauthorised access to one of the most powerful artificial intelligence models yet developed. Nothing malicious, the owners say, but it has intensified focus on such technology falling into the wrong hands.

In this episode: 

• Ramesh Srinivasan, Professor at UCLA Department of Information Studies, AI and technology specialist
• Marc Einstein, Research Director and Global Head of AI Research at Counterpoint Research...

Ukraine reopens a pipeline, enabling the delivery of Russian crude to some EU countries. In return, it gets a multibillion-dollar loan, while Moscow rakes in oil revenue. How will this complex deal play out on the battlefield?

In this episode: 

• Marina Miron, Researcher in Defence Studies at King’s College London
• Maximilian Hess, Author of 'Economic War: Ukraine and the Global Conflict between Russia and the West'
• Pi...

Within the EU, a split is growing over how to respond to Israel's actions in the Middle East. Some members want to suspend a trade deal. But its staunchest allies have foiled the move. Can a divided bloc become a voice against Israel's aggression?

In this episode: 

• Bobby McDonagh, a former Irish ambassador to the EU, Italy and the UK
• Daniel Levy, President of the U.S. / Middle East Project and a former Israeli negotiator
• ...

A report by the UN and European Union estimates it will take 71 billion dollars to rebuild Gaza. About a third of that is needed to restore essential services destroyed by Israel's war. So, how will Gaza be rebuilt, and who will pay? 

In this episode: 

• Xavier Abu Eid, political analyst and former Communications Director for the Palestine Liberation Organization
• Sultan Barakat, Professor of Public Policy at Hamad Bin ...

Ukraine attacks oil facilities in Russia, which is benefiting from higher fuel prices and sanctions relief due to the Iran war. It comes after Moscow launches intense aerial attacks on its neighbour. How is the Iran war affecting Russia and Ukraine? 

In this episode: 

• Chris Weafer, CEO of Macro-Advisory, a strategic consultancy focused on Russia and Eurasia 
• Steven Erlanger, Chief Diplomatic Correspondent for Eu...

Defending democracy ... The slogan of left-leaning world leaders in Spain meeting to counter the growing influence of the far right. Meanwhile in Italy, right-wing figures aim to build momentum. So, who will shape the global agenda?

In this episode:

• Ruth Ferrero-Turrion, Professor, Political Science, Complutense University of Madrid.
• Georgios Samaras, Assistant Professor, Public Policy, King's College London.
• Re...

He's accused of links to the sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. He also failed government security checks. Yet Peter Mandelson was appointed UK ambassador to the US. Now, the prime minister is under pressure to resign. But will he? And how will the fallout impact the UK Labour Party?

In this episode:

• Denis MacShane - Former UK Foreign Office Minister of State and Labour MP

   

• Jennifer Nadel - Co-founder o...

Lebanon and Israel are holding their first direct talks in decades. But as Israel considers Hezbollah a threat, is a lasting peace agreement possible? And how much influence does Iran have in Lebanon?

In this episode:

• Joe Macaron, Middle East geopolitical analyst
• Yossi Mekelberg, Senior Consulting Fellow at the Middle East and North Africa Programme at Chatham House
• Rami Khouri, Distinguished Fellow at the American U...