The World with Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim

Ex-CIA analyst predicted Iran crisis years ago - so why was Trump surprised? 03.06.2026 38min

In 2012, a former CIA analyst ran a war game between the US and Iran.One of the first things he found was that Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz after America attacked. From there, his war game spiralled to a grisly end.So why did the Trump administration expect a quick victory?Fourteen years after the war game, Richard Engel sits down with Ken Pollack - the man behind the war game and now vice president for policy at the Middle East Institute to ask him exactly this.Would Trump and his team have been given this information? Why did he press ahead?The two also discuss the situation inside Iran as well as Israel's renewed strike on Lebanon, and ask the big question: where is this all going next?You can email your questions to Richard and Yalda at theworld@sky.ukYou can also watch our podcasts on our YouTube channel here.

China versus America: who will win the AI race? 27.05.2026 28min

Will China ever produce an Elon Musk?Kyle Chan, research fellow at the Brookings Institution and an expert on the AI race between the two superpowers thinks not.He talks to Yalda about the new Cold War - the race for the best AI between China and America.The two talk about Taiwan, Tehran and the different ways that each country approaches AI research and development. Could the Chinese government actually be holding progress back?You can email your questions to Richard and Yalda at theworld@sky.ukYou can also watch our podcasts on our YouTube channel here.

Robots on the frontline: Is Ukraine now winning the war? 20.05.2026 39min

Fully automated frontlines? Robots on the battlefield? Drones fighting drones? The Ukraine war has been transformed from an old-fashioned trench war to a modern one in a matter of years. On this episode of the podcast, Richard talks to Professor Phillips O’Brien, a defence expert and head of international relations at St Andrews University - an expert on the Ukraine war. He tells Richard how Ukraine's frontlines have developed with the use of tech and how Ukraine is now able to strike deep into the heart of Russia. Four years into the war, has the tide now turned in Ukraine's favour? Professor O’Brien gives Richard his assessment. Yalda also discusses Sky News' exclusive reporting in Minab, Iran. International affairs editor Dominic Waghorn is at the site of an alleged US strike on a primary school which left more than 150 people dead, most of them children, on the first day of the US-Israeli war on Iran. You can watch Dom’s full report here You can email your questions to Richard and Yalda at theworld@sky.uk You can also watch our podcasts on our YouTube channel here.

Trump versus Xi: Who will win the battle of the superpowers in Beijing? 13.05.2026 25min

A US President has not been to China since Donald Trump’s last trip nine years ago, so what will happen when Xi Jinping rolls out the red carpet for him again? Could there be progress made in Iran, Taiwan, or rare earth minerals? Yalda tells Richard what her contacts in the region are making of the meeting and where the war in Iran might be heading. Richard also details some of his reporting in the West Bank, in light of the New York Times investigation which alleges Israeli forces committed crimes against Palestinians. Some details of this story may be upsetting. You can watch Richard’s full report from 2023 here. And read Kristoff’s NYT piece here. You can email your questions to Richard and Yalda at theworld@sky.uk You can also watch our podcasts on our YouTube channel here.

How Pakistan became the peacemaker in the Middle East 06.05.2026 33min

More than eight weeks into the war in Iran, an unlikely country has emerged as the go-between for the two sides: Pakistan. How did General Asim Munir emerge as both the Trump and Iran whisperer?Yalda explains to Richard how this came about and why India may feel sidelined.Richard also tells Yalda about the fear of Israeli extremists felt by some members of Jerusalem's Christian community. He has spoken to religious leaders following the attack by a 36-year-old man on a nun.A man has been arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated assault but not charged. The Israeli Foreign Ministry says: "This shameful act stands in direct contradiction to the values of respect, coexistence, and religious freedom upon which Israel is founded and to which it remains deeply committed".You can email your questions to Richard and Yalda at theworld@sky.ukYou can also watch our podcasts on our YouTube channel here.

Who are the jihadists sweeping across Africa? 29.04.2026 41min

On Saturday 25 April armed terrorists rode into the capital of Mali in West Africa. Al Qaeda affiliated jihadists now say they are going to launch a total siege of the capital – home to some four million people. Who are these jihadists? What do they want? And could Mali be about to fall? Yalda speaks to Yousra Elbagir, Sky’s Africa correspondent, about the growing threat of jihadism in West Africa and why the world needs to pay attention - because what happens in Africa does not stay there. Meanwhile, Richard is back in Israel and talks about the potential opposition to Benjamin Netanyahu and why he’s keen to stay on a war footing. You can email your questions to Richard and Yalda at theworld@sky.uk You can also watch our podcasts on our YouTube channel here.

How does the war in Iran end? 22.04.2026 35min

With Trump saying the ceasefire with Iran is 'extended', how could this conflict end? And what are the long-term implications for the region, and who will dominate – Israel or Iran?Richard is joined by Hamidreza Azizi, an Iranian analyst and Visiting Fellow at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs in Berlin. He has spent much of his career in Iran, studying the regime, and talks at length about the current war, its origins and what could happen next in the Middle East.The two also discuss Iran's 'Axis of Resistance' in the region - made up of Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis. Azizi's new book The Axis of Resistance: Iran, Israel and the Struggle for the Middle East is out later in the spring.You can also watch our podcasts on our YouTube channel here.You can email your questions to Richard and Yalda at theworld@sky.uk

‘Black Wednesday’ - Inside Lebanon after Israel’s airstrikes 15.04.2026 32min

On Wednesday 8 April, more than 300 people were killed after Israel launched ‘100 strikes in 10 minutes’ in Lebanon during what is being dubbed ‘Black Wednesday’. What exactly unfolded that day? Yalda has spent time with those who witnessed the attacks and shares with Richard what they have been telling her. While a shaky ceasefire remains in place between Iran and the US, no such ceasefire exists between Lebanon and Israel although talks are underway between the two countries in Washington. Richard gives his view from Tel Aviv, where life is much more normal. So what could happen next in this war? Listen to the full episode to find out. You can email your questions to Richard and Yalda at theworld@sky.uk You can also watch our podcasts on our YouTube channel here.

Inside Lebanon: A war within the war 25.03.2026 36min

Is Trump winding down the war or just playing for time? Did Netanyahu just reveal his grand plan for the Middle East? And how is the conflict is playing out in Lebanon?Yalda is in Beirut where Israeli bombs continue to devastate the capital. She has spent time in residential areas that have been largely destroyed and spoken to people living there. Is this the Israeli next front line?Meanwhile Richard is in Tel Aviv where he managed to speak to Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a press conference. But why is what he said so extraordinary?You can email your questions to Richard and Yalda at theworld@sky.ukYou can also watch our podcasts on our YouTube channel here.

Inside Iran: What's it like in Tehran right now? 19.03.2026 27min

Sky News International Affairs Editor Dominic Waghorn and his team are currently some of the only international journalists inside Iran. The internet is sporadic but they managed to connect with Yalda to bring her news from straight from Iranian capital Tehran. The team were there to witness the Israeli air strike that killed Iran's security chief Ali Larijani. They were able to see the thousands of supporters take to the streets for his funeral and have spoken to ordinary Iranians about the conflict. Yalda also talked to Dominic and his producer Zein Ja'Far about the difficulties they have faced in reporting from Iran. If you have any questions for Yalda and the team, please email them at theworld@sky.uk You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here

Did America and Israel just ramp up the war in the Middle East? 18.03.2026 34min

Is Israel about to occupy Lebanon? Why is Donald Trump sending more troops to the Middle East? And what is it actually like reporting from an active war zone?Yalda and Richard discuss the latest developments in Iran and what the killing of the country's security chief Ali Larijani could mean for any peace process.They assess the reaction of the Gulf states to the war and look at how possibly putting troops on the ground could affect the conflict.Meanwhile, Israel says its forces have begun “limited and targeted” ground operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. What’s the justification? The pair examine the possible reason and talk about when they were both there in 2024.The two of them will answer listeners' questions, so write to them at theworld@sky.ukYou can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here

10 days of war: How the Iran conflict is becoming a global crisis 11.03.2026 34min

Who is the new Iranian leader and will he make a difference to the conflict? Trump says the war is "won" but do his team agree? And who is set to gain from the war in Iran? Yalda is in Qatar and Richard is in Tel Aviv for this week's episode. Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al Thani has told Yalda he wants a diplomatic solution to the conflict and has told Iran to stop the attacks in the region. The pair discuss what the conflict means for the Gulf States and Richard gives some context to Iran's new leader Mojtaba Khamenei and what his appointment might mean for hopes of peace. They also answer listeners' questions on which countries will benefit from the war, that reveal some surprising answers. To watch the episode on YouTube, click here. Send your questions to theworld@sky.uk

Have America and Israel just started a forever war with Iran? 04.03.2026 26min

What happens next in Iran? Will there be regime change? And what are the actual objectives of Israel and America? Yalda and Richard are both in Israel as the conflict in the region ramps up. Both have been reporting on the ground and working their contacts to find out what the American and Israeli strategy is. As the death toll in Iran climbs, and the Americans say the biggest hits are yet to come, just what happens next? The two of them will answer listeners' questions, so write to them at theworld@sky.uk To listen to Richard’s bonus Q&A episode, click here. You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here.

Ayatollah Khamenei killed: What next for The Middle East? Q&A with Richard Engel 01.03.2026 20min

Can you carry out regime change without boots on the ground? Will President Trump walk away now the Supreme Leader is dead? Does this feel like 2003 all over again?Richard has been in Israel watching events unfold. He was in Tel Aviv when Israel and America launched strikes against Iran which ultimately led to the killing of Ayatollah Khamenei and many members of the top command.In this special episode, Richard answers some questions about the situation and what might happen next.He will be back with Yalda for a regular episode later in the week.The two of them will answer listeners' questions, so write to them at theworld@sky.ukYou can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here.

'We are not out of the woods': Why democracy in the United States is being tested 26.02.2026 36min

Ken Burns is one of America's most successful documentary filmmakers.Ahead of the 250th anniversary of American independence later this year, he sits down with Yalda in this extra episode to reflect on where the US has come from, as well as the current state of the nation.Burns has been making films for more than 40 years, winning Emmys and Grammys, and has even had a film effect named after him - 'the Ken Burns'.His most recent project is a six-part series on the American Revolution that took Burns and his team at PBS 10 years to make.He also talks to Yalda about why he chose this project, the process of making it and why he fears for the current state of America under President Trump.You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here.Do you have a question for Richard and Yalda? Write to them at theworld@sky.uk

'Not a Palestinian in sight': Inside Gaza after the ceasefire 25.02.2026 38min

What is Gaza like four months on from the ceasefire? Are Hamas still operating? Why won’t Israeli troops withdraw completely? And what about the Palestinians who have been forced to leave their homes?Richard has been taken into Gaza by the IDF, which is still the only way that international journalists are allowed into the Strip. He is shown a Hamas tunnel which the IDF says was used until recently.He also paints Yalda a picture of the complete destruction that he saw.The two also reflect on the war in Ukraine, four years on from Russia’s full-scale invasion.Yalda’s interview with the iconic American filmmaker, Ken Burns, will be available on Thursday 26th February.You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here.Do you have a question for Richard and Yalda? Write to them at theworld@sky.uk

Is Iran about to go to war? 18.02.2026 41min

Why did the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei just threaten to sink US warships? Is the progress made in the talks between America and Iran meaningful? What could happen next?US President Donald Trump has sent more military equipment towards Iran and has said regime change is the “best thing that could happen”. At the same time, Iranian officials have said that some progress has been made in indirect talks with America. So, what’s really going on?Richard and Yalda have both been talking to their contacts in the region and bring each other up to speed with what they are hearing.Yalda also spent the weekend at the Munich Security Conference and gives her view on the last Shah of Iran’s son, Reza Pahlavi, who was also there.Richard also talks about the Savannah Guthrie case. Savannah is a good friend and colleague of Richard, and the two have worked closely together for years.You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here.Do you have a question for Richard and Yalda? Write to them at theworld@sky.uk

Former spy chief on Mandelson, Ukraine, China and Trump 10.02.2026 38min

What is next for Iran? Did MI6 know about Peter Mandelson’s past with Epstein? How does Europe bring Putin to the negotiating table? When he left his job in 2025, the former head of MI6 said that he didn't think he’d left the world in a better place than when he was first appointed in 2020. But a lot has happened since he took the position, Sir Richard Moore has served two monarchs, four prime ministers, five deputy prime ministers and six foreign secretaries. He was also in charge of the security service when Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, when Trump returned to the White House, and during the upheaval in the Middle East with the war in Gaza. In this episode of The World podcast, Yalda Hakim asks him about the vetting of Peter Mandelson, how the war in Ukraine might end, and the new world order including China and the US. To watch the episode on The World YouTube channel click here.

After the crackdown: what is happening on the streets of Iran? 04.02.2026 21min

What is the mood in Iran’s capital? Are people still protesting in the streets? What is the regime saying about what happened?Richard Engel is in Tehran for NBC News and tells Yalda what he is seeing and what officials are telling him.Because of the internet issues in Iran, Richard’s connection dropped off halfway through. Yalda then speaks about her exclusive interview with FIFA boss Gianni Infantino. When asked whether FIFA should lift its ban on Russia, he said it had "not achieved anything". He also explains why he stands by his decision to give President Trump the FIFA Peace Prize.You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here.To watch Yalda’s full interview with FIFA boss Gianni Infantino, click here.Do you have a question for Richard and Yalda? Write to them at theworld@sky.uk

Iran's information war: the battle for control of the internet 31.01.2026 31min

How does the Iranian regime use technology to control its people? How has AI and misinformation been used in the current wave of protests?The Iranian regime just implemented the longest internet shutdown in its history. For over two weeks, very little information was getting in or out of the country as security forces cracked down hard on protestors.Shutting off the internet is something the regime has done many times before. But why and how does it do it?Mahsa Alimardani is associate director of technology threats and opportunities at WITNESS and specialises in how disinformation and AI are used in protests across the globe.An Iranian herself, Mahsa tells Yalda the full scale of the misinformation tactics used by the regime as well as her ambitions to democratise satellite internet access.You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here.Do you have a question for Richard and Yalda? Write to them at theworld@sky.uk