The Interview
BBC World Service
Conversations with people shaping our world, from all around the globe. Listen to The Interview for the best conversations from the BBC, the world's most trusted international news provider.
We hear from titans of business, politics, finance, sport and culture. Global leaders, decision-makers and cultural icons. Politicians, activists and CEOs.
Each interview is around 20-minutes, packed full of insight and analysis, covering some of the biggest issues of our time.
How does it work? Well, at the BBC, our journalists interview amazing people every single day. And on The Interview, we bring them to you.
It’s your one-stop-shop to the best conversations coming out of the BBC, with the people shaping our world, from all over the world.
Get in touch with us on emailTheInterview@bbc.co.uk and use the hashtag #TheInterviewBBC on social media.
We hear from titans of business, politics, finance, sport and culture. Global leaders, decision-makers and cultural icons. Politicians, activists and CEOs.
Each interview is around 20-minutes, packed full of insight and analysis, covering some of the biggest issues of our time.
How does it work? Well, at the BBC, our journalists interview amazing people every single day. And on The Interview, we bring them to you.
It’s your one-stop-shop to the best conversations coming out of the BBC, with the people shaping our world, from all over the world.
Get in touch with us on emailTheInterview@bbc.co.uk and use the hashtag #TheInterviewBBC on social media.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 4, 2024 • 23min
Andrei Kelin: Is Vladimir Putin reshaping geopolitics?
Stephen Sackur speaks to Russia’s ambassador in London, Andrei Kelin. Thanks to the war in Ukraine and allegations of Russian hybrid warfare in Europe and beyond, diplomatic relations between Moscow and the West are poisonous. Is Vladimir Putin right to think he’s reshaping geopolitics?
Nov 1, 2024 • 23min
Fred Fleitz: What would Donald Trump's foreign policy look like?
Fred Flights, a former CIA officer and current vice chair of the Center for American Security, shares insights from his time in the Trump administration. He discusses the implications of the U.S. presidential election on foreign policy, emphasizing challenges in Ukraine and threats from Iran and North Korea. The conversation also examines NATO's defense spending, contrasting Trump's approach with current policies. Lastly, they delve into U.S.-China relations, focusing on Taiwan's security and the potential ramifications of Trump's leadership style on global dynamics.
Oct 30, 2024 • 23min
Diane Foley: Bringing detained Americans home
Diane Foley, mother of journalist James Foley, shares her harrowing journey after his murder by ISIS. She discusses the emotional toll on families of captives and her relentless campaign for U.S. policy change regarding hostage negotiations. Diane opens up about the ethical dilemmas tied to securing the release of detained Americans, pondering the consequences of high-profile exchanges. With a blend of love and courage, she reflects on navigating grief while advocating for those still awaiting freedom.
Oct 28, 2024 • 23min
Chris Murphy: Is Kamala Harris a candidate for change?
Stephen Sackur is in Washington DC to speak to Democratic Party Senator Chris Murphy. In the final days of an eye-wateringly close presidential election campaign, how can Vice President Kamala Harris convince Americans that she and the Democrats stand for change rather than business as usual?
Oct 23, 2024 • 23min
John Bolton: Is America too divided to offer global leadership?
Stephen Sackur is in Washington DC to speak to Donald Trump’s former national security adviser John Bolton. With the election looming, Bolton calls his former boss a danger to America. But he won’t back Kamala Harris either. Is America too divided to offer global leadership?
Oct 21, 2024 • 23min
Frank Skinner: What unites his many sides?
Stephen Sackur speaks to stand-up comedian, and broadcaster Frank Skinner, who also happens to be a writer on poetry, religion and much more. Football and sex were, and are, the staples of much of his humour, but he’s never been a one-trick pony. What unites his many facets?
Oct 17, 2024 • 23min
Seyed Hossein Mousavian: How vulnerable is Iran?
Seyed Hossein Mousavian, a former Iranian nuclear negotiator and now a Middle Eastern nuclear policy expert at Princeton, discusses Iran’s precarious position amid escalating tensions with Israel. He details Iran's perceived vulnerabilities and resilience, touching on the enduring strength of its proxies like Hezbollah and Hamas. The conversation also addresses Iran's economic crisis, public discontent, and the complexities of U.S.-Iran relations, highlighting how external threats can foster national pride and unity among Iranians.
Oct 16, 2024 • 23min
Ali Abbasi: Is censorship a growing cross-cultural problem?
Ali Abbasi, an Iranian-Danish film director known for his controversial works like Holy Spider, dives deep into the world of film and censorship. He discusses the challenges of creating 'The Apprentice,' a sharp critique of Donald Trump's rise in real estate, and the complex balance between truth and artistic expression. Abbasi reflects on the hurdles posed by political climates, emphasizing the struggle for artistic integrity. He also shares insights into the impact of censorship in both Iran and the U.S., highlighting the vital role of storytelling in oppressive environments.
Oct 14, 2024 • 23min
Marietje Schaake: Is Silicon Valley too powerful?
Stephen Sackur speaks to the former MEP Marietje Schaake, who is now a cyber expert at Stanford University. Her book, The Tech Coup, suggests the world’s failure to properly regulate digital technology threatens individual rights and democratic freedom worldwide. Is it too late to change course?
Oct 10, 2024 • 23min
Danny Danon: Can force alone deliver security for Israel?
Danny Danon, Israel’s Ambassador to the UN and former Likud MP, discusses Israel's military actions against groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah amidst a multi-front conflict. He questions whether military force can truly deliver the security Israel seeks. The conversation delves into the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, military morality, and the necessity for a balanced approach to achieve lasting peace. Danon emphasizes the importance of mutual recognition in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the need for leaders to denounce extremism for a hopeful future.
