The Inside Story Podcast

Claudio Barrientos, a historian at Diego Portales University, discusses how Chile's failed constitutional reform led to a conservative resurgence. Jose Ragas, an assistant professor at Catholic University, frames this shift as a protest vote amid broader regional trends. Christopher Sabatini, a senior fellow at Chatham House, warns of the geopolitical implications, linking Latin America's rightward turn to Trump's influence on themes like crime and immigration. Together, they explore the future of leftist movements and the volatility of political landscapes across South America.

How will the US respond to the killing of three of its soldiers in Syria? Washington blames the Islamic State for the attack and vows retaliation. So, does that mean direct military involvement? And if so, what role would the new Syrian government play? In this episode:  Colin Clarke, Executive Director, The Soufan Center. Dareen Khalifa, Senior Adviser, International Crisis Group. Orwa Ajjoub, Syria Expert and PHD Candidate, Global Politics. Host: Dareen Abughaida Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Franak Viacorka, a Belarusian opposition figure, sheds light on the implications of Trump easing sanctions and whether it grants legitimacy to Lukashenko. Mark Episkopos discusses the shift in U.S. policy towards pragmatic engagement and its potential to improve human rights dialogue. Andrey Kortunov explores how this move might provoke the Kremlin and its effects on negotiations regarding Ukraine. The guests also debate the humanitarian aspects of the decision, the sidelining of Europe, and what it means for future interactions with authoritarian regimes.

Kambale Musavuli, an analyst at the Center for Research on the Congo, shares on-the-ground insights about the escalating violence in the DRC, critiquing M23's motives tied to mineral exploitation. Richard Moncrieff from the International Crisis Group discusses Rwanda's denial of support for M23 and the risks of regional conflict. They explore the failure of the Washington Accord, the potential impact of U.S. sanctions, and the urgent need for peace efforts. Both emphasize the dire consequences if the situation remains unaddressed.

Michael O'Flaherty, Commissioner for Human Rights, discusses the potentially damaging effects of proposed changes to the European Convention on Human Rights. Michael McDowell, Irish senator, presents a political viewpoint on the challenges posed by mass migration. Jennifer Nader, co-founder of Compassion in Politics, warns against capitulating to far-right pressures that threaten fundamental rights. Together, they explore how these reforms could transform asylum systems while highlighting the need for protections and evidence-based policies.

European leaders have sent new peace proposals for the war in Ukraine to US President Donald Trump. Loss of territory to Russia and use of frozen Russian assets in Ukraine remain areas of disagreement. But could the war be nearing an end? In this episode:  Peter Zalmayev - Director of Eurasia Democracy Initiative Chris Weafer - CEO of Macro-Advisory, a strategic consultancy focused on Russia and Eurasia Steven Erlanger - Chief Diplomatic Correspondent for Europe at The New York Times  Host: Folly Bah Thibault Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Australia has become the first country in the world to ban social media use for children younger than 16. The move has divided public opinion there, but other countries are considering restrictions too. What are the arguments for and against? Will the ban work?   In this episode:  Charlotte Armitage, Psychologist, author of ‘Generation Zombie’ Kate Sim, Program Director of Children's Online Safety and Privacy Research at the University of Western Australia Adrian Monck, Author of 'Can You Trust the Media?' and a senior adviser on artificial intelligence and technology Host: Folly Bah Thibault Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Palamagamba Kabudi, Tanzania's Minister of Information, offers the government's stance on recent protests and election disputes, citing legal requirements for demonstrations. Dorothy Semu, leader of the opposition ACT Wazalendo, passionately argues for electoral accountability and a transparent inquiry into allegations of violence. Oryem Nyeko from Human Rights Watch highlights the need for restoring civic space and media freedom. Together, they dissect the political tension surrounding Tanzania's future and the ongoing struggle for democratic reforms.

Join experts Benjamin Horton, a professor specializing in climate impacts, Seher Raheja, a climate justice advocate, and Alexandre Borde, an environmental economist, as they tackle the aftermath of Southeast Asia’s devastating storm season. They discuss the extreme conditions that fueled these storms and the hidden toll on vulnerable communities. The trio also explores the limitations of insurance, the urgent need for adaptive finance, and innovative strategies like nature-based defenses to ensure resilience against future climate threats.

In this discussion, Haid Haid shares insights from Damascus on the mixed public mood, celebrating the regime's fall while grappling with economic struggles. Ammar Kahf examines the challenges of political and economic reintegration, highlighting infrastructure gaps. Heiko Wimmen delves into the nuances of international recognition and the risks of power monopolization by new leadership. They all agree that despite some successes, significant obstacles remain, including Israeli incursions and the need for political inclusivity.