The Inside Story Podcast

In a riveting discussion, Brian Wong, Assistant Professor of Philosophy at the University of Hong Kong, explores the crucial role of rare earth minerals in modern technology and why China dominates their supply. Gracelyn Baskaran, a mining economist, outlines the national security motivations behind the U.S. desire for rare earth deals. Henry Huiyao Wang, head of the Center for China and Globalization, argues for cooperation over conflict in resource politics. They dive into the geopolitical implications and the challenges of diversifying supply chains.

Join Caroline Bouvard, a humanitarian expert in Sudan, Alex de Waal, an authority on Sudanese politics, and Dallia Abdelmoneim, a political commentator from Khartoum, as they dissect the alarming shift in el-Fasher’s control to the RSF. They explore the dire humanitarian situation, the risk of genocide, and potential partitioning of Sudan. The guests discuss foreign influence, operational challenges for aid, and regional consequences, highlighting the urgent need for effective international intervention to prevent further disaster.

From armed struggle to politics. The Kurdistan Workers' Party says it's withdrawing from Turkey after a decades-long fight for a Kurdish homeland. So, how will Turkey build on this move? And what does it mean for Kurds across the region? In this episode:  Hiwa Osman, Former Adviser, Iraqi President Jalal Talabani (2005-2008). Mohammed D Salih, Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Foreign Policy Research Institute. Hisyar Ozsoy, Former Deputy Chairman, Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP). Host: Adrian Finighan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

US President Donald Trump says an international stabilisation force will operate in Gaza soon. Hours later, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel can veto which countries take part. What are the challenges facing such a force and in setting it up?  In this episode:  Tamer Qarmout, Associate Professor, Public Policy, Doha Institute for Graduate Studies. Tahani Mustafa, Visiting Fellow, European Council on Foreign Relations. Mehmet Celik, Editorial Co-ordinator, Daily Sabah.  Host: Adrian Finighan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

US strikes near Venezuela - which President Donald Trump says are targeting drugs gangs. That's disputed, but the major military mobilisation has brought the issue of narcotics centre stage. How bad is the problem in the US - and what's Trump's strategy?  In this episode:  Sanho Tree - Fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies and Director of the Drug Policy Project. Carrie Sheffield - Senior Policy Analyst at the Independent Women's Forum.  Ernesto Castaneda - Director of the Center for Latin American and Latino Studies at American University. Host: Adrian Finighan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

The Israeli parliament votes to annex the occupied West Bank - a move unlikely to become law but described as an 'insult' by the U.S. vice president. Donald Trump insists annexation won't happen, but settler violence is escalating.  Are US-Israeli relations in upheaval?  In this episode:  Alon Pinkas - Former Israeli ambassador and Consul General in New York. Mark Pfeifle - Republican strategist and President of Off the Record Strategies.  Gideon Levy - Columnist at Haaretz newspaper and author of 'The Punishment of Gaza'. Host: Adrian Finighan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

U.S. President Donald Trump sanctions Russia's two biggest oil companies - after scrapping a summit with President Vladimir Putin on the Ukraine war. New EU measures too - targeting Russian oil and assets. Will they bring an end to the war any closer? In this episode:  Anatol Lieven - Director of the Eurasia Programme at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. Steven Erlanger - Chief Diplomatic Correspondent for Europe at The New York Times.  Chris Weafer - CEO of Macro-Advisory, a strategic consultancy focused on Russia and Eurasia. Host: Bernard Smith Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Has the world lost its fight against malaria? A new report suggest the resurgence of the mosquito-borne disease could cause more deaths, particularly in parts of Africa. But what's behind this? And what should be done to avoid a catastrophe? In this episode:  Joy Phumaphi, Former Minister of Health of Botswana and former Assistant Director General, WHO Tanya Haj-Hassan, Paediatric Intensive Care Doctor Heather Ferguson, Professor of Medical Entomology and Disease Ecology at the University of Glasgow Host: Bernard Smith Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

How will China tackle its many challenges in the coming five years? Its Communist Party's top leadership is meeting behind closed-doors to draft a plan. From domestic issues to its trade war with the United States, Beijing has so much to deal with. But does it have a clear vision? In this episode:  Einar Tangen, Senior Fellow, Centre for International Governance Innovation. Shirley Ze Yu, Senior Fellow, London School of Economics. Wen-Ti Song, Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council's Global China Hub. Host: Bernard Smith Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Israel breaches the Gaza ceasefire killing dozens of Palestinians. Now, it says it's returned to the deal but warns Hamas it hinges on handing over the captives' remains. So, how challenging will it be to move to the next phase? And how far will the guarantors go to enforce it?In this episode:  Alon Pinkas, Former Israeli Ambassador.  Hussein Haridy, Former Egyptian Assistant Foreign Minister. Frank Lowenstein, Former US Special Envoy for Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. Host: Bernard Smith Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook