The Real Story

Geert Wilders, the Dutch Donald Trump, discusses the rise of right-wing populism in Europe. Topics covered include the factors behind right-wing populism, differences between right-wing populism and far-right politics, and the implications for Europe. Other guests analyze the impact of right-wing populism on European politics, immigration policies, and the upcoming French election. The podcast delves into the strategies employed by populist leaders and the challenges of keeping these parties out of influential positions.

Israeli journalist Anshel Pfeffer and other experts discuss the prospects for peace in the Middle East, including the two-state solution, the Oslo Accords, and alternative proposals like an Israeli-Palestinian Confederation. The podcast explores the challenges, opposition, and hopes for finding a resolution amidst ongoing conflict in Gaza, emphasizing the importance of trust, dialogue, and support from different countries.

The podcast explores the global obesity epidemic and its consequences. It discusses the rising rates of obesity in Western countries, China, and India. The podcast also highlights the potential of new injectable weight-loss drugs and the challenges of tackling obesity. It discusses the prevalence of obesity in different countries, the heritability of obesity, and strategies implemented by countries to combat obesity.

Elon Musk envisions a world without work due to artificial intelligence, while NR Narayana Murthy believes young people should work 70 hours a week. The debate explores the future of work, the impact of AI on job loss, and the blurring boundary between work and leisure. It also discusses the challenges of integrating new technologies, aligning payment with contribution, and the shift towards hybrid work models.

Discussion on the escalating Israel-Gaza war and the potential for regional conflict, including the role of Iran and Hezbollah. Exploring the dynamics between Hamas and Egypt, and the challenges surrounding Palestinian refugees. Speculating on the future of a Saudi-Israel agreement and the concerns of Jordan. The involvement of Houthi rebels and the potential role of China as a mediator.

The podcast discusses Argentina's presidential elections and the emergence of populist candidate Javier Milei. They delve into the country's economic crisis, including high inflation and poverty rates. The hosts explore the controversial policies and dirty campaign tactics of the governing party. They also touch on the proposal for dollarization and the perspective of young Argentinians on the future. The resilience of the Argentinian people and the future of democracy are explored, along with the risks posed by the brain drain phenomenon.

Earlier this month police in Delhi raided the homes of several prominent journalists in connection with an investigation into the funding of news website NewsClick. Officials are reportedly investigating allegations that NewsClick got illegal funds from China - a charge it denies, the case is currently in the Indian supreme court. Are the raids an attempt by the government to "muzzle" free speech, as some activists say - or simply a straightforward police investigation into the funding of news website Newsclick? Critics say the harassment of journalists, nongovernmental organisations, and other government critics has increased significantly under the current administration. In addition to this, Prime Minister Modi’s premiership has been dogged by persistent allegations over his political party’s anti-Muslim stance. Has Modi’s re-definition of India as a Hindu nation intensified discrimination against minorities? India is known as the world’s largest democracy - over one billion people are eligible to vote in its general election in 2024. But is democracy now under threat in India?Shaun Ley is joined by: Lisa Mitchell - Professor of anthropology & history in the Department of South Asia Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. Author of a recent book: 'Hailing the State: Indian Democracy between Elections'. Debasish Roy Chowdhury - journalist and co-author of the book 'To Kill A Democracy: India's Passage To Despotism'. Tripurdaman Singh - a British Academy Postdoctoral Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of LondonAlso featuring: Swapan Dasgupta - national executive member of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Hartosh Singh Bal - the Executive editor of Caravan News MagazineProduced by : Rumella Dasgupta & Ellen OtzenThis programme has been edited since originally broadcast(Photo : Journalists protesting in Delhi this week, Credit : Vipin Kumar/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)

It has been a decade since Chinese President Xi Jinping's launched the Belt and Road Initiative, an ambitious plan to connect Asia with Africa and Europe through a series of land and sea networks via investments in local infrastructure. But ten years on has it been - as some claim - a debt trap for some developing economies, a road to nowhere? Or has the sweeping infrastructure project - which has funded trains, roads and ports in many countries - successfully expanded global trade links and helped the economic development of countries in Africa and Asia? Shaun Ley is joined by Eyck Freymann, economic historian and China specialist, currently a Hoover Fellow at Stanford University; Niva Yau, political scientist from Hong Kong and a non-resident fellow with the Atlantic Council’s Global China Hub; Kerry Brown, professor of Chinese Studies and director of the Lau China Institute at King's College, London.Also featuring: Pakistan Senator Afnan Khan, Pakistan Muslim League, Victor Gao of the Beijing based Centre for China and Globalisation, a think tank with links to the governing Chinese Communist Party and Nicola Procaccini, Member of the European Parliament from the Fratelli d'Italia party(Photo: Chinese President Xi Jinping waves to children upon arrival at Islamabad airport in Islamabad, 20 April, 2015. Credit: Pakistan Presidency Press Information Department /Getty Images)Producer: Rumella Dasgupta and Ellen Otzen

The podcast explores the fast decline of insect populations globally and the potential risks associated with it. It discusses the causes of their decline, the crucial role of insects in nature, and the impact on pollination services, bird life, and soil quality. The detrimental impact of synthetic pesticides on insects is also discussed, along with the need for long-term thinking and the importance of citizen science in gathering data on insect populations.

The podcast discusses a catastrophic flood in Derna, Libya, exposing the broken state of the country and the lack of a functional government. It delves into power dynamics in Eastern Libya, international actors involved in Libya, and the skewed perspective on the nation. The role of social media and challenges in organizing dissenting voices are also explored.