The Inside Story Podcast

Al Jazeera
undefined
Nov 16, 2025 • 24min

Are Israeli-backed human trafficking networks transferring people out of Gaza?

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.
undefined
Nov 15, 2025 • 26min

Is sports betting out of control? 

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
undefined
Nov 14, 2025 • 25min

What does Ukraine’s corruption scandal mean for morale — and its donors?

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
undefined
Nov 13, 2025 • 26min

Why is Iran's capital facing the worst drought in recorded history?

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
undefined
Nov 12, 2025 • 25min

Are Europe and Russia close to a confrontation?

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
undefined
Nov 11, 2025 • 25min

How will the Syrian president's visit to the White House impact the region?

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
undefined
Nov 10, 2025 • 24min

Is war one of the biggest threats to the world’s climate?

Kate Mackintosh, an expert in international criminal law and ecocide advocacy, joins disaster risk specialist Elaine Donderer and resource governance director Farai Maguwu. They explore how wars in Gaza, Sudan, and Ukraine release massive greenhouse gases, often overlooked at climate summits. Mackintosh explains the need for legal recognition of ecocide, while Donderer highlights the devastating environmental aftermath of conflicts. Maguwu discusses the political barriers to addressing these issues and how resource demands complicate recovery efforts.
undefined
Nov 9, 2025 • 23min

Is Mali about to fall to an al-Qaeda-affiliated armed group?

Al-Qaeda-linked fighters have blocked fuel deliveries to Mali’s capital for two months. They want to seize territory and drive out Western influence. But could their ultimate goal be to control the country? And what would that mean for the rest of the Sahel? In this episode:  Moussa Kondo, Executive Director, Sahel Institute. Oluwole Ojewale, Regional Coordinator, West and Central Africa, Institute for Security Studies. Nicolas Normand, Former French Ambassador to Mali, Senegal and Congo Republic/Congo-Brazzaville.  Host: Nick Clark Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook
undefined
Nov 8, 2025 • 25min

Why is Israel ramping up its attacks on Lebanon?

The Israeli military is ramping up its attacks on Lebanon, violating a year-long ceasefire. It's carrying out similar breaches in Gaza and occupying Syrian territory. As the disarmament of Hezbollah makes little progress, is Israel inching towards another regional war?  In this episode:  Nabeel Khoury, Senior Non-Resident Fellow, Arab Center Washington DC. Heiko Wimmen, Project Director, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, International Crisis Group. Harlan Ullman, Senior Advisor, Atlantic Council.  Host: Cyril Vanier Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook
undefined
Nov 7, 2025 • 25min

Can Trump break Russia’s grip on Central Asia as China’s influence grows?

US President Donald Trump meets with five Central Asian leaders, seeking deals on critical minerals, energy, and trade. But can Washington gain a foothold in a region long dominated by Russia — and where China’s influence is rapidly expanding? In this episode:  Zhumabek Sarabekov, Acting Director at the Institute of World Economics and Politics in Kazakhstan William Courtney, Senior Fellow at the RAND Corporation & former US Ambassador to Kazakhstan Dakota Irvin, Senior Analyst at PRISM Strategic Intelligence Host: Nick Clark Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

The AI-powered Podcast Player

Save insights by tapping your headphones, chat with episodes, discover the best highlights - and more!
App store bannerPlay store banner
Get the app