The Interview
BBC World Service
Conversations with people shaping our world, from all around the globe. Listen to The Interview for the best conversations from the BBC, the world's most trusted international news provider.
We hear from titans of business, politics, finance, sport and culture. Global leaders, decision-makers and cultural icons. Politicians, activists and CEOs.
Each interview is around 20-minutes, packed full of insight and analysis, covering some of the biggest issues of our time.
How does it work? Well, at the BBC, our journalists interview amazing people every single day. And on The Interview, we bring them to you.
It’s your one-stop-shop to the best conversations coming out of the BBC, with the people shaping our world, from all over the world.
Get in touch with us on emailTheInterview@bbc.co.uk and use the hashtag #TheInterviewBBC on social media.
We hear from titans of business, politics, finance, sport and culture. Global leaders, decision-makers and cultural icons. Politicians, activists and CEOs.
Each interview is around 20-minutes, packed full of insight and analysis, covering some of the biggest issues of our time.
How does it work? Well, at the BBC, our journalists interview amazing people every single day. And on The Interview, we bring them to you.
It’s your one-stop-shop to the best conversations coming out of the BBC, with the people shaping our world, from all over the world.
Get in touch with us on emailTheInterview@bbc.co.uk and use the hashtag #TheInterviewBBC on social media.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jan 19, 2018 • 23min
Former White House Communications Director - Anthony Scaramucci
The White House has never before seen a president like Donald Trump. He does not play by any conventional political rules – that much is obvious from his Twitter feed, his hiring and firing of staff and his apparent relish for outrage. Stephen Sackur speaks to Anthony Scaramucci, the White House Director of Communications for all of 11 days before he was fired in a media firestorm in 2017. He has stayed loyal to his former boss – why?(Photo: Anthony Scarmuccin on Hardtalk)
Jan 17, 2018 • 23min
Chair of Republican National Committee, 2009-2011 - Michael Steele
A year after President Trump’s inauguration and not a day goes by without a new media storm over a presidential comment, tweet or announcement that has Democrats decrying him as unfit for office. What do Republicans feel and do about their de facto party leader? Stephen Sackur speaks to Michael Steele, a former Chairman of the Republican National Committee.(Photo: Michael Steele on Hardtalk)
Jan 15, 2018 • 23min
Actor and UN Goodwill Ambassador - Ashley Judd
Stephen Sackur is in New York to speak to the actor and activist Ashley Judd. The movie and entertainment industries have been rocked by allegations of systemic sexism, misogyny and abusive behaviour. Ms Judd was one of the first women to go public with her accusations about the producer Harvey Weinstein. What began with voices of anger and pain has become a movement demanding radical change. How far can it go?(Photo: Ashley Judd accepts the WMC Speaking Truth To Power Award, Oct 2017, New York. Credit: Cindy Ord/Getty Images)
Jan 12, 2018 • 24min
Former Zimbabwean Cabinet Minister - Jonathan Moyo
The removal of Robert Mugabe as President of Zimbabwe in November 2017 led to several Mugabe loyalists going underground. The most prominent of these is probably Jonathan Moyo - until recently a cabinet minister, key ally and close adviser to Robert Mugabe and his wife Grace. He has been described as one of the most hated men in Zimbabwe and is wanted in the country on corruption charges. Jonathan Moyo is now in hiding in self-imposed exile and says his family is being harassed and that his life is under threat. HARDtalk’s Zeinab Badawi speaks to him in his first interview since the ousting of President Mugabe. What has he got to say for himself?
Jan 10, 2018 • 23min
Comedian and Disability Advocate - Maysoon Zayid
Zeinab Badawi speaks to comedian, actor and disability advocate Maysoon Zayid. She was born in the United States to Palestinian immigrant parents and since birth has been living with cerebral palsy - a condition which affects the brain and nervous system. She believes comedy has the power to transform lives by helping people overcome the disadvantages of being disabled. She also says her stand-up comedy shows help normalise the perceptions of Muslims when many seek to demonise them. Can comedy really do all that and where do you draw the line between what is funny and what is going too far?(Photo: Maysoon Zayid at the OZY FEST 2017. Credit: Brad Barket/Getty Images)
Jan 8, 2018 • 23min
Co-founder of Hamas' Political Bureau - Mahmoud Zahar
Stephen Sackur speaks to Mahmoud al-Zahar, co-founder of the Islamist movement Hamas. Donald Trump broke with long established diplomatic convention by recognising Jerusalem as Israel's capital. His recent tweets on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have been music to the ears of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. So what do the Palestinians do now? Hamas controls Gaza and has been at loggerheads with the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank for more than a decade. Are the Palestinians staring defeat in the face?(Photo: Palestinian Hamas leader Mahmud al-Zahar speaks against the renewed Israeli-Palestinian talks in Washington, in 2010. Credit: Mahmud Hams/AFP)
Jan 5, 2018 • 23min
Britain's former Foreign Secretary - Lord David Owen
HARDtalk’s Stephen Sackur speaks to former British Labour Foreign Secretary, Lord David Owen. The beginning of the year is a time for reflecting on the past and plotting a better future. In Britain the focus is on where Brexit is taking the nation. How will leaving the EU affect the UK's sense of itself and its international standing? Lord Owen, David Owen tried and failed to change the face of British politics by launching a new party on the centre left. Does the UK currently have a clue where its going ?
Jan 3, 2018 • 23min
Last surviving British Dambuster - George 'Johnny' Johnson
We are slowly and inevitably losing the generation of men who fought in and survived the last world war. HARDtalk’s Stephen Sackur speaks to 96 year old George ‘Johnny’ Johnson – the last remaining British survivor of one of the most extraordinary and most famous aerial missions of World War 2 - the Dambusters raid. It was costly and not entirely successful. So why has it become such a part of Britain’s national folklore?
Dec 20, 2017 • 24min
Israel's Education Minister Naftali Bennett
Israel's prime minister Benyamin Netanyahu took great satisfaction from President Trump’s decision to ignore longstanding international convention and recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital. But that diplomatic boost can't disguise Mr Netanyahu’s vulnerability at home. He's the target of a long running police anti-corruption investigation and may soon face charges. Stephen Sackur speaks to Cabinet Minister Naftali Bennett who has declared he wants to be Israel's next Prime Minister. Is a changing of the guard in the offing?
Dec 15, 2017 • 24min
Sudan's Minister of Foreign Affairs - Ibrahim Ghandour
Is Sudan's government coming in from the cold? HARDtalk’s Zeinab Badawi speaks to Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour. The US lifted economic sanctions on Sudan in October ending two decades of its financial isolation. Washington says Sudan has made progress on human rights, democratic reforms and ending ethnic tensions in the country. But critics argue it has not done enough: there’s still no peace in Darfur and other conflict areas, and human rights violations continue. Has the government really made a fresh start?
