The Inside Story Podcast

Epizodes

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  Can a warming Arctic become an important commercial highway? 14.09.2026 25min

  Climate change has contributed to major melting in the Arctic, making it navigable for greater stretches of the year. Some countries are already taking notice. The first South Korean container ship to transit the Arctic route arrived in the UK on Saturday. But can it become a viable alternative to existing shipping corridors? In this episode:  Mads Frederiksen, Executive Director at the Arctic Economic Council Vyacheslav Mishchenko, Russia energy expert Jimmy Suroto Huang, Founder of Nava Analytics and Research Host: Neave Barker Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
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  Will the Houthis seizing the Red Sea coast give Iran leverage in the war? 12.09.2026 25min

  The Ansarullah Houthis seize Yemen's Red Sea coast, cementing their hold on the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. The advance of the Tehran-aligned group threatens an alternative route for energy supplies - with traffic in the Strait of Hormuz already limited. Will it give Iran leverage in its war with the US? In this episode:  Ahmed Al-Ashwal - Military and security researcher, and a former pilot officer with Yemen's armed forces. Jennifer Gavito - Former U.S. Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Middle East and a former State Department Official  Abas Aslani - Senior Research Fellow at the Center for Middle East Strategic Studies Host: Neave Barker Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
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  How will the far-right AfD's electoral rise impact Germany? 08.09.2026 25min

  The Alternative for Germany is on top in Sunday's election in the east German state of Saxony-Anhalt, with about 44 percent of the vote. It's benefitted from voters' economic concerns and anger over immigration. The party is also leading in national polls. So what are the implications of the AfD's electoral rise for Germany and for Europe? In this episode:  Olaf Boehnke - Berlin Director of the political consultancy Rasmussen Global and former Senior Advisor in the German Bundestag Max Otte - Founder of Privatinvestor Capital and a 2022 German presidential candidate Ulrich Bruckner - Professor of European Studies at Stanford University in Berlin Host: Rishaad Salamat Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
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  What's triggered the latest argument about the Falkland Islands? 05.09.2026 24min

  Reigniting the centuries-old Falklands dispute. Argentina's president says sovereignty over the islands remains a national objective. The UK insists the territory is British. What's really triggered the latest argument about the Falkland Islands? In this episode:  Diego Guelar - Former Argentinian ambassador to the U.S., EU and China Christopher Sabatini - Director of the Latin America Programme at Chatham House Javier Farje - Journalist and historian specialising in Latin American affairs Host: Cyril Vanier Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
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  Can Libya find a way to govern the fractured country? 29.08.2026 24min

  International efforts intensify to find a way forward for Libya.  The country is controlled by two rival governments.  And diplomacy is aimed at holding elections - to help find a way to govern the fractured country.  So, can a way forward be found?  In this episode:  Mustafa Fetouri - Independent Libyan academic and award-winning journalist William Lawrence - Director of the North African Area Studies Program at the National Council on US-Arab Relations, former US diplomat in Libya  Faraj Najem - Libyan historian and political researcher and author of 'Tribe, Islam and State in Libya' Host: Cyril Vanier Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
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  Will Trump's new sanctions against Iran work? 23.08.2026 25min

  Will Donald Trump's new sanctions against Iran work? The US president says he will impose 'crushing measures' on Tehran. While the Iranian leadership has warned countries not to join what it calls America's 'economic warfare'. What does this mean for the conflict? In this episode:  Jamal Abdi, President, National Iranian American Council. Hassan Ahmadian, Professor, University of Tehran.  Mark Pfeifle, Founder, Off the Record Strategies. Host: James Bays Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
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  Why is Israel bidding for new illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank? 22.08.2026 26min

  Israel opens construction bids for new illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank. That's despite widespread international condemnation. What's driving this land grab? And what does it mean for the future of Palestinians -- and an independent Palestinian state? In this episode:  Ammar Hijazi - Ambassador and Head of the Palestinian Mission to the Netherlands Alon Pinkas - Former Israeli Ambassador and Consul General in New York Host: James Bays Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
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  What's driving the escalating Israeli settler violence against Palestinians? 16.08.2026 25min

  Israeli settler attacks in the occupied West Bank trap Palestinian families in their homes. The violence takes place as Israel's far-right government fights elections in October. Why are attacks by settlers intensifying and what are the consequences?  In this episode:  Ofer Cassif, Member of the Knesset. Mouin Rabbani, Co-editor, Jadaliyya online magazine. Ori Goldberg, Israeli political commentator. Host: Imran Khan Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
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  What is driving the Ebola crisis? 15.08.2026 26min

  The Ebola outbreak in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo has already killed two thousand people. And it's spreading faster than any before - outpacing efforts to contain it, says the WHO So, what's driving this crisis? And what are the dangers?  In this episode:  Alex Lock - Communications Co-ordinator for the Ebola response with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Kinshasa Dr Marie Roseline Belizaire - Emergency Director for the World Health Organization Africa  Dr Margaret Harris - Global health consultant Host: James Bays Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
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  Can the Doha Framework end the conflict in Democratic Republic of Congo? 09.08.2026 25min

  Can the Doha Framework end the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo? Kinshasa has handed over 15 prisoners to a powerful rebel alliance. It's part of an agreement signed last year in the Qatari capital. So, what are the hurdles to lasting peace? In this episode:  Kambale Musavuli, Analyst, Center for Research, Congo-Kinshasa. Felix Ndahinda, Researcher, Great Lakes region, specialising in conflict resolution, peace and transitional justice. Abdulla Al Etaibi, Assistant Professor, International Affairs, Qatar University. Host: Per Nyberg Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
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  What are the hurdles facing the Mecca agreement?  08.08.2026 25min

  What are the hurdles facing the Mecca agreement? The defence pact between Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan comes at a time of heightened tension in the Middle East. So, who stands to gain from the new alliance? And how is it viewed in the region and beyond? In this episode:  Abdulaziz Alghashian - Senior Non-Resident Fellow at the Gulf International Forum David Des Roches - Professor at the Thayer Marshall Institute Zaid M Belbagi - Managing Partner at Hardcastle Advisory Host: Anna Burns-Francis Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
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  How fragile is Lebanon's uneasy peace? 06.08.2026 25min

  New Israeli attacks in Lebanon, after soldiers were killed for the first time since a fragile truce with Beirut began in June. It comes despite more Lebanese-Israeli talks in Rome in a U.S.-brokered peace process. So where do things stand now?  In this episode:  Maha Yahya, Director of the Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut Jennifer Gavito, Former U.S. Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Rami Khouri, Distinguished Public Policy Fellow at the  American University of Beirut Host: James Bays  Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
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  Is the conflict between Russia and Ukraine deepening? 05.08.2026 24min

  A surge in missile and drone attacks by Russia and Ukraine with civilians killed on both sides. Little movement on the diplomatic front, while U.S. attention is largely focused on Iran. So, what's next for Europe's worst conflict since World War Two?  In this episode:  Andrey Kortunov, Russian affairs analyst and a former Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council  Oleksiy Goncharenko, a Member of the Ukrainian parliament  Thomas Graham, Henry A. Kissinger Distinguished Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York  Host: Mohammed Jamjoom Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
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  How much of a challenge are wildfires to Europe? 04.08.2026 28min

  How much of a challenge are wildfires to Europe? Rapidly spreading blazes are scorching the continent, destroying forests, farmland, homes and businesses. They're becoming bigger and more difficult to control. So, what's fuelling the flames? In this episode:  Paleologos Paleologou -- Geographer and an Associate Professor of Forest Protection at the Agricultural University of Athens Marta Yebra, Director of the Bushfire Research Centre of Excellence, Australian National University Carlo Buontempo, Director of Copernicus Climate Change Service  Host: Mohammed Jamjoom Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
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  Will Israel withdraw from Gaza if Hamas disarms? 03.08.2026 26min

  Israel says it has doubts about Hamas disarming. The group and other Palestinian factions in Gaza have agreed to lay down their weapons. But they say it's dependent on the withdrawal of Israeli troops — which Israel has refused to do unless they disarm. Where does this leave Gaza? In this episode:  Xavier Abu Eid, Political analyst and former adviser to the Palestinian negotiating team Michael Mulroy, Former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East Nimrod Novick, Former special envoy and senior adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres Host: Frankie McCamley Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
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  What does the US hope to gain from Venezuela's government-opposition talks? 02.08.2026 25min

  Venezuela's government and a section of the opposition plan to hold talks, backed by the United States. But prominent opposition politician and Nobel laureate Maria Corina Machado has been excluded. So, what can the talks achieve and what's Washington seeking to get from it? In this episode:  Elias Ferrer, Political Economy Analyst.  Vanessa Neumann, Founder and CEO, Asymmetrica.  Charles Shapiro, Former US Ambassador to Venezuela.  Host: Frankie McCamley Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
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  Why did thousands of migrants cross into Spain's Ceuta? 01.08.2026 12min

  Tens of thousands of migrants crossed into Spain's north African territory of Ceuta from Morocco. While most of them have since returned - Spain's been condemned by right-wing politicians in Europe and the United States. Is the criticism about border management or is it politics? In this episode:  Anna Terron Cusi - Spain’s former Secretary of State for Immigration and Emigration, who's now a Senior Fellow at the Migration Policy Institute. Daniel Gros - Director of the Institute for European Policymaking at Bocconi University and an Advisor to the EU parliament.  Deborah Fleischaker - Former Acting Chief of Staff at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), who's now a Senior Advisor for Immigration Policy and Strategy at UnidosUS.  Host: Anna Burns-Francis Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
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  Does FIFA need private investment? 31.07.2026 24min

  FIFA is facing a growing backlash after its proposal to sell a stake in its top events. Europe's governing body UEFA has threatened to boycott the World Cup if this plan goes ahead. So, does FIFA need private investment? In this episode:  Chris Brady, Football finance expert and Chief Intelligence Officer for the Sportsology Group  Bassirou Sakho, FIFA-licensed football agent and professor in the sports department at the Sorbonne University  Keir Radnedge, Football journalist covering politics and business and a former Editor of World Soccer magazine Host: Scott McLean Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
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  Will Saudi Arabia be dragged further into the war in Iran? 31.07.2026 26min

  Anger in Iraq after Saudi Arabia attacked an umbrella paramilitary group with ties to Iran. Riyadh accuses the Popular Mobilization Forces of targeting its oil facilities. As the US-Iran war drags on, what are the risks of the conflict spreading? In this episode: Ahmed Rushdi, Head of the House of Iraqi Expertise Foundation, a policy think-tank and research organisation Ahmed Al Maimouni, Head of Research at the Rasanah International Institute of Iranian Studies And Muhanad Seloom, Assistant Professor in Critical Security Studies at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies Host: James Bays Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
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  What will it take to stop the conflict in Sudan? 28.07.2026 25min

  Sudan's army says it's regained control of a highway connecting the capital to North Kordofan state. The area has become the latest front in the conflict with paramilitaries, which has killed tens of thousands of people. Will it be enough to shift the outcome of the fighting? In this episode:  Sanosi Zakaria, Editor-in-chief of the Sudan Mirror and former Sudanese army officer Shashwat Saraf, Sudan Country Director for the Norwegian Refugee Council  Elbashir Idris, Sudan analyst Host: James Bays Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube