BACK STORY With DANA LEWIS

Can Hamas be removed from power in Gaza?

In this probing discourse, we engage with Israeli Army Spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Peter Lerner and Palestinian lawmaker Mustafa Barghouti. 
We aim to shed light on this intense conflict, the war in Gaza, the contentious ground war, and the emotive information war.

 What are the military objectives - their achievability, their focus on targeting Hamas' regime, and...

Join us as we traverse the complex terrain of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with Yossi Beilin, a key figure in crafting the original Oslo peace accords. Yossi's insightful reflections on the current crisis in Gaza shine a light on the international outcry and the potential routes towards a resolution.  

 Beilin blames Israeli P.M. Netanyahu for the current crisis in Israel, and for allowing Hamas to strengthen, ign...

Unfiltered analysis of Israel's ongoing conflict with Hamas and Hezbollah. This episode promises to unravel the complexities of Israel's military response to Hamas' brutal attacks, the potential of a reoccupation of Gaza, the risks and challenges, and the possibility of this being Israel's very own Pearl Harbor moment. Hear from Jonathan Panikoff, a former US career intelligence officer, and military affairs cor...

Have you ever wondered how it feels to lose your loved ones to senseless violence? 
Ilan Troin, a grieving father who lost his daughter and stepson to the ongoing conflict in Israel, shares his heart-wrenching story. The devastating cost of a well planned shocking and inhuman attack by the terror group Hamas.

Beyond personal stories, we delve into the geopolitical factors behind the conflict. Ibrahim Hazboun, a seasone...

This episode brings you a fascinating discussion that challenges you to rethink your understanding of the crisis between Ukraine and Russia. Featuring our esteemed guests, Oleksandra  Matviichuk, a human rights war crimes investigator, and Richard Gowan from the International Crisis Group, we shed light on the importance of shifting the narrative from 'helping Ukraine not to fail' to 'helping Ukraine win fast'. ...

Ever wondered why more than 300 London Met police officers decided to protest by refusing to carry firearms? Are you intrigued by the intricate labyrinth of laws, ethics, and emotions surrounding police use of lethal force? This episode of Backstory with Dana Lewis discusses this complex issue. We welcome Tony Long, a former Metropolitan Police Specialist Firearms Officer and author of 'Lethal Force,' to share his firstha...

On Back Story this week host Dana Lewis examines where does the West truly stand when it comes to Iran's volatile human rights scenario, particularly concerning women? This thought-provoking question sets the tone for our in-depth conversation with Azadeh Zabeti, from the Committee of Anglo-Iranian Lawyers. We shine a light on the distressing state of the women's movement in Iran and unpack a new bill passed in the Irania...

Buckle up as we dive into the murky waters of international politics with our esteemed guest, former CIA intelligence analyst Sue Mi Terry, and Professor Robert English. This episode takes you to the heart of the surprising alliance between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin. We dissect the possible implications of this event, the potential impact on the conflict in Ukraine, and the threats this un...

On Back Story this week we speak to former Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov, who says in the wake of an attempted coup by Wagner, President Putin is dramatically weakened and predicts his time is over soon.

And Soufan Group's Jason Blazakis on calls for Wagner to be deemed a terrorist organization so  Governments can cutoff it's funding and bring it's members to justice.

On this Back Story an interview with Jade McGlynn, from the Department of War Studies at Kings College on Putin's Russia.

Dana Lewis speaks to McGlynn about how Putin uses politics of the past to frame his war in Ukraine, and campaign for a new Russian Empire. 

Some of the methods were used by Soviet leaders of the past. 

They are lies wrapped in powerful emotive images of Russia's Great Patriot...

This week who are these Russian Nationalists who attacked Russian territories from Ukraine?

They have promised more attacks and the overthrow of President Putin and they appear to have backing from  Ukrainian Authorities.

Host Dana Lewis  talks to a member of the Freedom of Russia Legion, Ilya Ponomarev who says they were indeed armed by Ukraine and received clearance to attack Russia.

And an expert on fa...

On this Back Story Dana Lewis speaks to UK (Ret) Rear Admiral John Gower, who says Russia is increasing the nuclear threat level as President Putin pledged to move tactical nuclear weapons to neighbouring Belarus.

Gower also speaks about why nuclear submarines for Australia are needed, but cautions about why arming those SSNs with cruise missiles,  if indeed the U.S. proceeds with rearming it's cruise missile arsenal ...

Did Russia just mortgage the Kremlin to China?

At a 2 day summit in Moscow, Chinese leader Xi and Russian President Putin spoke of their close friendship.

Russia isolated by international sanctions because of it's bloody invasion of Ukraine, now counts on China to buy it's oil and gas and possibly provide lethal military aid.

On this Back Story Host Dana Lewis talks to U.S. Ambassador Douglas Lu...