The Inside Story Podcast

A vital speech for UK prime minister Keir Starmer to rally his party - hoping to reverse dismal poll ratings a year on from a huge election win. Immigration policy and the right-wing Reform UK party pose serious challenges. Can Starmer overcome them - and if not, what next?  In this episode:  Patrick Diamond - Professor in Public Policy at Queen Mary University of London. Jennifer Nadel - Political Communications Strategist and co-founder of Compassion in Politics. Michael Walker - Contributing Editor at Novara Media. Host: Nick Clark Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

In this enlightening discussion, Salman Shaikh, former UN official, Mustafa Barghouti, Palestinian political leader, and Nomi Bar-Yaacov, international peace negotiator, delve into Trump's 20-point plan for Gaza. They explore whether the timing is right for peace and critique the plan's representation of Palestinian interests. The guests voice concerns about Hamas's trustworthiness and the implications of foreign oversight. They also touch on the dire conditions in the West Bank and the importance of Palestinian self-determination amidst ongoing tensions.

In this thought-provoking discussion, Ashish Prashar, a political strategist behind the Game Over Israel campaign, advocates for banning Israel from global sports amid ongoing conflict. Dan Perry, a former AP editor, cautions against politicizing sports, arguing that such boycotts might backfire. Andrew Feinstein, an anti-apartheid activist, draws parallels to South Africa's sports isolation. The trio debates the effectiveness of these measures and whether they could truly shift policies or public opinion, with nuanced perspectives on the implications for both athletes and governments.

Iran is once again under pressure for its nuclear programme. The UN has reimposed sanctions that were lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal. Tehran insists its programme is peaceful, but Western countries say it's not. So, what's next in this long-standing crisis? And does diplomacy still stand a chance? In this episode:  Ellie Geranmayeh, Senior Policy Fellow, European Council on Foreign Relations.  Mark Fitzpatrick, Associate Fellow, International Institute for Strategic Studies. Marzie Khalilian, Iranian Political Analyst. Host: Nick Clark Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Taghreed El-Khodary, a Palestinian journalist, provides insight into the pervasive effects of surveillance on daily life in Gaza and the West Bank, describing a climate of fear and self-censorship. Kenneth Roth, former executive director of Human Rights Watch, critiques Microsoft's late response to its role in Israel's military actions, noting the ethical implications of tech firms in war. Both guests discuss how corporate pressure might influence change and the potential for technology to act as a tool of oppression, raising urgent moral questions.

In this discussion, Alan Makovsky, a seasoned policy analyst, and Baran Koyolu, an expert in international relations, delve into the potential thaw in U.S.-Turkey relations. They explore Trump's proposal to lift sanctions on Turkey in exchange for halting Russian oil purchases. Topics include the intricate dynamics of leader-to-leader diplomacy between Trump and Erdogan, the economic implications for Turkey, and the broader geopolitical impacts on regional stability and energy security. Their insights reveal a complex interplay of interests shaping the future of these two nations.

Will Donald Trump's plan for Gaza work? The U.S. President has presented a proposal to end Israel's war on the strip. And he's secured firm support from regional leaders. But what about the two main players: Hamas and Israel? In this episode:  Thomas Warrick - former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Counterterrorism Policy. Daoud Kuttab - journalist and columnist. Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka - Editor-in-Chief of the Gulf Times  Host: Bernard Smith Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

In this insightful discussion, Ravi Agrawal, Editor-in-Chief of Foreign Policy, emphasizes the UN's essential role in uniting world leaders despite criticisms. Maleeha Lodhi, former Pakistani ambassador, addresses the credibility crisis plaguing the Security Council, particularly issues in Gaza and Ukraine. Mark Seddon advocates for using the General Assembly as a counterbalance to Council deadlock, exploring practical reform alternatives. They all underscore the critical need for member-led initiatives to ensure the UN's relevance in a shifting global landscape.

Atoosa Kasirzadeh, an assistant professor at Carnegie Mellon, and Ramesh Srinivasan, a UCLA professor, dive into the alarming AI digital divide affecting over 100 countries. They discuss how lack of access, affordability, and proficiency hinder equitable AI use. Ramesh warns that simply providing access isn’t enough, as corporate data extraction threatens local sovereignty. They also highlight the need for regional AI development, democratic governance, and open-source solutions to empower emerging nations and bridge the growing technological gap.

In this engaging discussion, Peter Zalmayev, an expert on Ukrainian politics, emphasizes the country’s resilience amidst looming drone strikes. Chris Weafer, a strategic consultant, analyzes the shifting dynamics of Russian tactics and NATO’s heightened military posture. Steven Erlanger sheds light on evolving diplomatic efforts and the complexities in NATO’s response to airspace violations. Together, they explore the potential outcomes of the ongoing conflict and the future of international engagement, revealing insights into a war that shows no signs of abating.