The Inside Story Podcast

Donald Trump could face more than 100 years in prison for falsifying business records. He'll find out shortly before Republicans decide whether he's their man for president. So how could all this shape the US election? And what does the rest of the world think?

In this episode:

• Christian Christensen, Politics Professor, Stockholm University.

• Ron Filipkowski, Former State and Federal Prosecutor. 

• Greg Swenson, Ch...

Asia's top security summit has begun in Singapore. But all eyes are on the US and China as tensions rise over the future of Taiwan. So, how is their relationship affecting stability in the region, and the rest of the world?

In this episode:

• Andy Mok, Senior research fellow at Center for China and Globalisation.

• Samir Puri, A visiting lecturer in War Studies at Kings College London.

• David Des Roches, Professor at...

Haiti has a new prime minister, Garry Conille, who was picked by the transitional council to turn the country around. Thousands of people have been killed in violence so far this year, and gangs control most of the capital. So, can Conille bring the stability Haiti needs?

In this episode:

• Yvens Rumbold, Communications director of Policite.

• Diego Da Rin, Consultant expert on Haiti for the International Crisis Group.

...

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is hoping a peace summit will return the world's attention to Ukraine's war with Russia. But Russia's not invited and some major world leaders aren't coming. Does it have any chance of success?

In this episode:

• Andrei Fedorov, Chairman, Fund for Political Research and Consulting, Russia.

• Domitilla Sagramoso, Senior Lecturer, King's College London. 

• Peter Zalmayev, Executive Director...

How tenuous is the decades-old peace deal between Egypt and Israel? The latest exchange of fire on the border exposes a fragile political relationship. The two countries insist peace is the strategic choice. But for how long, as the war in Gaza rages?

In this episode:

• H.A. Hellyer, Non-resident Scholar, Middle East Programme, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. 

• Uri Dromi, Former spokesman, Israeli government...

Mexicans are preparing to vote in the largest elections in the country's history. The Latin American nation is grappling with rising violence and several candidates have been killed during the campaign. What's behind the political violence in Mexico and the region?

In this episode:

• Carlos Bravo Regidor, Political analyst. 

• Maureen Meyer, Vice President, Programs, Washington Office on Latin America.

• Falko Ernst, ...

As South Africans prepare to go to the polls, the governing African National Congress faces its toughest test yet. The party risks losing its majority in parliament. Where has it failed? And what has it accomplished? Has democratic South Africa lost its way?

In this episode:

• Crystal Orderson, Host, Cape Talk.

• Lesego Makhubela, Spokesperson, African National Congress, Gauteng Province.

• Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, Opposi...

Israel intensifies military operations in Gaza. That's despite the UN's top court ordering it to immediately halt its assault on Rafah. It’s not the first time Israel has refused to comply with an order from the world court. So what's the point of these measures? And how can they be enforced?

In this episode:

• Mohammad Dahleh, Founder of an East-Jerusalem law firm.

• Alon Liel, Former Israeli Diplomat.

• William Scha...

In an effort to reshape US-Africa relations, President Joe Biden is hosting Kenya’s William Ruto for a state visit, declaring the East African nation a major non-NATO ally. So, what’s driving this effort to strengthen ties? And what does Kenya, and the African continent, stand to gain?

In this episode:

• Stella Agara, Governance and security analyst who specialises in youth development.
• David Shinn, Professor of Internationa...

China is conducting military exercises around Taiwan, just days after Lai Ching-te was sworn in as the island's new president. Beijing has called Lai a dangerous separatist. So, what do China's actions mean for the region?

In this episode:

• Fang-yu Chen, Assistant professor of political science at Soochow University, Taiwan.
• Victor Gao, Vice President of the Center for China and Globalisation.
• Tomohiko Taniguchi, Special a...

Norway, Ireland and Spain announce they will recognise an independent Palestinian state. Will other European nations follow suit? And what does this mean for Palestine's efforts to become a full member of the United Nations?

In this episode:

• Yossi Beilin, Former Israeli Cabinet Minister. 
• Julien Barnes-Dacey, Director, Middle East and North Africa programme, European Council on Foreign Relations.
• Carne Ross, Former Britis...

The International Criminal Court's top prosecutor seeks arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders. The United States has condemned the move against its ally. But will the ICC's action deepen Israel's international isolation for its war on Gaza?

In this episode:

• Diana Buttu, Palestinian Lawyer and Legal Analyst.
• Daniel Levy, President, U.S./Middle East Project.
• Kate Mackintosh, Executive Director, University of Califor...

A tragic twist of fate for Iran. President Ebrahim Raisi killed in a helicopter crash, at a time of rising tension in the region and domestic anger over an economic crisis. So, what does the death of a man, widely thought to have become the next supreme leader, mean for Iran?

In this episode:

• Mohammad Marandi, Professor, University of Tehran. 
• Roxane Farmanfarmaian, Professor, University of Cambridge.
• Trita Parsi, Executi...

An ultimatum for the Israeli prime minister. War cabinet member Benny Gantz threatens to quit the unity government if Benjamin Netanyahu fails to present a post-war plan for Gaza by June the 8th. What could this mean for the future of Netanyahu's administration?

In this episode:

• Yossi Mekelberg, Associate Fellow, Middle East and North Africa Programme, Chatham House.
• Alon Liel, Lecturer, Conflict Resolution Programme, Tel ...

In its latest appeal, South Africa has called on the UN's top court for urgent measures to order a halt on Israel's assault on Rafah. Since early this month, Israeli forces have been pounding the southern city where more than 1.5 million Palestinians had taken shelter, after escaping from other parts of Gaza. Hundreds of thousands are being forced to flee again. Israel says its operation is limited and aimed at targeting the last s...

Presidents Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping have met more than 40 times in the last 10 years, and Putin's latest visit to China comes as Russia's dependence on Beijing has increased due to sanctions imposed over its invasion of Ukraine. So, could this deepening friendship lead to a shift in alliances and the global balance of power? 

In this episode:

• Andy Mok, Senior Research Fellow at Center for China and Globalisation.
• Chri...

Donald Trump has accepted a challenge to face off against President Joe Biden in two TV debates, setting the stage for the US Presidential Election. But will they actually take place? And what difference could they make in the race to the White House?

In this episode:

• Brian Stelter, Journalist.
• Elaine Kamarck, Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution.
• Steve Herman, Chief National Correspondent at Voice of America. 

Angry protests in Georgia. The Parliament has approved a so-called 'foreign agents' bill.
Critics say it steers the country away from democracy, by adopting a Russian-style system. So what's next for Georgia? And could this end its aspirations to join the EU?

In this episode:

• Hans Gutbrod, Professor, Public Policy, Illia State University, Georgia.
• Ketevan Shoshiashvili, Senior Researcher, Transparency International.
• Da...

A predicted sharp right turn. From Italy to France, Germany and the Netherlands, right-wing and far-right parties have made significant gains across Europe ahead of June's parliamentary elections. So, what's at stake? And what are the consequences for the continent and the world?

In this episode:

• Pieter Cleppe, Editor-in-Chief, BrusselsReport.eu.
• Anna Maria Corazza Bildt, MEP Candidate, Renew Europe Group.
• Aurelien Mondon...