The Inside Story Podcast

Michael Boyle, a political science professor and author on modern warfare, explores concerns about rising military spending and its implications for the U.S.-China rivalry. Elijah Magnier, a senior political risk analyst, discusses how tensions over Taiwan are fueling an arms race. Fabrice Pothier, a former NATO head of policy, highlights Europe's rearmament in response to threats from Russia. The conversation also delves into the financial trade-offs of defense spending versus public needs and the shifting dynamics of warfare with new technologies like drones.

Jean-Martin Bauer, Director at the UN World Food Programme, sheds light on alarming hunger statistics, revealing that over 300 million may face severe food insecurity. Shahin Ashraf from Islamic Relief Worldwide discusses how conflicts and inequality exacerbate these issues, stressing the dire consequences of funding cuts. Manenji Mangundu, Oxfam's Country Director in the DRC, shares firsthand insights into the challenges of humanitarian access amidst ongoing conflicts. Together, they call for urgent political action and sustainable solutions to combat this rising crisis.

Rami Khouri, a seasoned commentator on Middle East politics, Ahmed Najar, a political analyst focused on Palestinian perspectives, and Mehmet Celik, an expert in Turkish and regional politics, delve into the complexities of Trump's Gaza peace plan. They discuss the mixed Palestinian reactions, with the Palestinian Authority's cautious welcome contrasting sharply with Hamas's outright rejection. The guests explore the vagueness of the resolution, geopolitical implications, and the delicate balance of rebuilding Gaza amidst long-standing justice concerns.

In a riveting discussion, Sohela Nazneen, a prominent political scholar from the University of Dhaka, shares the intense public reaction and fears following Sheikh Hasina's death sentence. Sreeradha Datta, a South Asia expert, critically analyzes India's unlikely extradition of Hasina and its diplomatic implications. Meanwhile, Taqbir Huda, a human rights lawyer, raises concerns about the fairness of the trial and the potential strategic errors of the death penalty. Together, they delve into the future of Bangladesh's political landscape and youth responses to this pivotal verdict.

Imtiaz Sooliman, founder of Gift of the Givers, shares harrowing accounts of Palestinians arriving in South Africa without documentation, raising questions about how they got there. Ori Goldberg provides insight from Israel, discussing potential complicity and the unsettling notion of voluntary expulsion. William Schabas delves into the legal implications of forced displacement and the rights of return. Together, they explore the impact of Gaza's devastation on migration patterns and the overarching narrative of ethnic cleansing.

It's one of the biggest betting scandals in sporting history.Turkish football is facing a gambling crackdown that's seen hundreds of players and officials suspended.It's shone a spotlight on a growing global gambling industry... and how it's affecting players, fans and the game itself. So - is sports betting out of control?  In this episode:  Ali Emre Dedeoglu - a sports commentator. Tancredi Palmeri - International sports analyst. Jamie Allen - a football journalist and writer. Host: Nick Clark Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is confronting his most serious political test since Russia’s invasion. Elected in 2019 on a promise to root out corruption, he now finds himself entangled in a $100 million scandal involving government officials, ministers and businessmen accused of arranging kickbacks through the state nuclear energy company. In a country at war, what does this mean for public morale — and how are Ukraine’s donors in the EU and beyond reacting? In this episode:  Peter Zalmayev, Director of the Eurasia Democracy Initiative  Olena Tregub, Secretary General of Ukraine’s Independent Defence Anti-Corruption Commission Ben Aris, Political & Security Analyst for eastern Europe Host: Mohammed Jamjoom Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Iran's capital is facing its worst drought in recorded history. The President warns the only option may be to evacuate Tehran. Some commentators call that idea 'a joke'. But water cuts have begun - and no rain is expected. How did things get this bad? And how many of the world's cities face a similar fate? In this episode:  Peter Newman - a Professor of Sustainability at Curtin University. Marcus D King - director of the Masters program for Environment and International Affairs at Georgetown University. Allam Ahmad - President of the World Association of Sustainable Development. Host: Bernard Smith Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Ukraine's President says Moscow is testing Europe's red lines. Unidentified drones are being spotted at some of the busiest airports and military sites in the EU. That's as the bloc pours billions of dollars into its defences. So, are Europe and Russia close to a confrontation? And is either side ready for conflict? In this episode:  Stefan Wolff - Professor of International Security at the University of Birmingham. Alexander Bratersky - Independent journalist, and former reporter for the Moscow Times and Defence News. Alexandre Vautravers - Associate Fellow at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy. Host: Adrian Finighan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

A landmark meeting between Presidents Donald Trump and Ahmed al-Sharaa at the White House.The historic sit-down signals a major shift in US-Syria relations. So, how will it shape Trump’s legacy in the Middle East? And what impact could it have on the region? In this episode:  Haid Haid, Senior Non-Resident Fellow, Arab Reform Initiative Robert Ford, Former US Ambassador to Syria.  Rob Geist Pinfold, Lecturer, International Security, King's College London.  Host: Adrian Finighan Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook