The Inside Story Podcast

Chaos at aid distribution sites in southern Gaza. The UN has distanced itself from the operations of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation that's backed by the US and Israel. What’s behind this move to establish a separate aid mechanism? And what needs to change to help desperate Palestinians? In this episode:  Chris Gunness, Former Director of Communications, UNRWA.  Amjad Shawa, Director, Palestinian NGOs Network. Eyal Weizman, Director, Forensic Architecture, Goldsmiths. Host: Folly Bah Thibault Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Donald Trump brands Vladimir Putin 'absolutely crazy' after Russia launched its largest aerial attack of the war on Ukraine. The Kremlin is downplaying Trump’s remarks, describing them as 'emotional overload'. So, is the US President emboldening Putin? Or will Trump’s fiery words be put into action with sanctions? In this episode:  Mark Storella, Former US Ambassador.  Alexey Muraviev, Associate Professor, National Security and Strategic Studies, Curtin University. Aaron Gasch Burnett, Senior Fellow, Democratic Strategy Initiative. Host: Adrian Finighan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Lynn Boylan, a European Parliament member focused on Palestine, joins Mouin Rabbani, a conflict expert, and Saul Takahashi, a former UN human rights official. They discuss the escalating pressure on Israel from Western nations amid a humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The trio critiques the ineffectiveness of political responses and the moral obligations of governments. They delve into the complexities of arms supply and the controversies surrounding aid distribution, while examining Israel's tarnished global reputation and the influence of U.S. policies.

260 miners trapped in a South African gold mine have been rescued after more than 24 hours. Countries across Africa are seeing a rise in mine-related accidents, exploitation and environmental damage. So, what lessons are being learned from past tragedies? And are Africans getting a raw deal? In this episode:  Claude Kabemba, Executive Director, Southern Africa Resource Watch. Christopher Vandome, Senior Research Fellow, Chatham House Africa Programme. Maurice Carney, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Friends of the Congo. Host: Tom McRae Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Paolo Von Schirach, President of the Global Policy Institute, shares his insights on international trade dynamics. Will Hutton, political economist, analyzes the tension between the U.S. and EU amidst Trump's tariff threats. Brian Wong discusses the broader implications for global markets and Chinese trade relations. They explore whether Trump's moves are genuine negotiations or dominance tactics, the historical context of U.S.-EU relations, and the potential economic fallout of a trade war on both sides.

Phyllis Bennis, an International Adviser at Jewish Voice for Peace, and Saba-Nur Cheema, a Political Scientist specializing in Islamophobia and anti-Semitism, tackle the controversial issue of whether criticisms of Israel equate to anti-Semitism. They discuss the impact of U.S. narratives surrounding recent violence, the complexities of anti-Semitism in political discourse, and the importance of distinguishing between valid criticisms of Zionism and genuine hatred. The conversation reveals how these dynamics shape perceptions in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Join Micheal O'Hanlon, a Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution, and Marina Mirren, a Postdoctoral Researcher at King's College, as they dive into the ambitious Golden Dome defense system. They discuss its potential to protect the U.S. from advanced missile threats and the looming risk of a new arms race. The conversation reveals challenges of space-based defense, the urgency of upgrades in response to global threats from countries like North Korea and Russia, and the importance of maintaining international security while supporting U.S. allies.

Traditional allies are putting pressure on Israel. The UK has paused trade talks and sanctioned West Bank settlers. And the EU is threatening to review its entire relationship with Israel. Is this a turning point in international policy? And will it make any difference for Palestinians?  In this episode:  James Moran, Former EU Ambassador to Egypt and Jordan. Yossi Mekelberg, Senior Consulting Fellow, Chatham House. Zaid Belbagi, Managing Partner, Hardcastle Advisory.  Host: Folly Bah Thibault Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

As Israel expands its war on Gaza, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are again forced from their homes. Israel's prime minister has vowed to seize all of the strip. So as its humanitarian crisis worsens, who can stop Benjamin Netanyahu's plans? In this episode:  Afif Safieh, Former Palestinian Diplomat.  Lex Takkenberg, Senior Adviser, Question of Palestine Program, Arab Renaissance For Democracy and Development. Meron Rapoport, Editor, Local Call. Host: Adrian Finighan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Europe's Super-Sunday elections see a pro-EU candidate defeat a hard-right rival in Romania, a centrist win in the first round of Poland's presidential election, and a victory for the incumbent government in Portugal. So can Brussels breathe a sigh of relief? Or is the far-right still rising as a political force? In this episode:  Pieter Cleppe, Editor-in-Chief, BrusselsReport.eu. Piotr Buras, Head, European Council on Foreign Relations' Warsaw office. Antonio Costa Pinto, Professor, Political Science, University of Lisbon. Host: Adrian Finighan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook