The Inside Story Podcast

Richard Weitz, NATO Defence College senior fellow, on military deployments and strategy. Hassan Ahmadian, University of Tehran assistant professor, offering an Iranian policy view. Jamal Abdi, National Iranian American Council president, on US-Iran diplomacy. They discuss military buildup vs diplomacy, Iranian public posture and enrichment stances, US negotiating intent and internal divisions, and possible compromises.

Garima Kapoor, Deputy Head of Research at Elara Securities, examines India’s negotiating strategy and market positioning. Rebecca Christie, Senior Fellow at Bruegel, unpacks EU deliberations and retaliation dilemmas. Deborah Elms, Head of Trade Policy at the Hinrich Foundation, discusses U.S. tariff statutes, geopolitical responses and likely sectoral impacts. They explore sudden policy shifts, global alignment and what to watch next.

Hugh Lovatt, a European foreign policy analyst; Gideon Levy, an Israeli columnist focused on Palestinian humanitarian issues; and Rami Khouri, a seasoned Middle East commentator, dissect Trump’s Board of Peace. They debate the Washington spectacle, why Europe kept away, the exclusion of Palestinian voices, legal doubts about pledges, and tensions between glossy plans and Gaza’s devastation.

Adele Walton, online safety campaigner and author advocating stronger platform regulation; Donna Dawson, psychologist specializing in adolescent brain and behaviour; Larry Magid, internet safety expert and CEO of ConnectSafely.org. They discuss the California trial and Zuckerberg's testimony. They explore how social media can trigger compulsive scrolling, risks of exploitation, the debate over regulation, and practical family safety measures.

Sarah Sanbar, Human Rights Watch researcher on ISIL detainees and camp conditions. Colin Clarke, intelligence expert on ISIL’s evolution and tactics. Zeidon Alkinani, analyst of Iraqi politics and ISIS origins. They discuss detainee transfers to Iraq, dire camp conditions and legal risks, ISIL’s roots and tactics, and whether political and justice gaps could let the group re-emerge.

Marc Einstein, AI research leader with industry and technical insight. Ruta Piepina, law professor focused on AI governance. Amba Kak, tech policy expert on public-interest AI accountability. They debate agentic and generative AI, hallucinations and safeguards, power concentration and geopolitics, regulation versus innovation, enforcement of existing laws, and who should bear accountability in the AI supply chain.

Simon Mabon, a Middle East politics professor, offers academic analysis. Mohammad Dahleh, a human rights lawyer, advocates for Palestinian land rights. Mitchell Barak, former Netanyahu aide, provides a pro-government view. They debate Israel’s land registration changes in the West Bank. Discussions cover legal mechanisms, risks to Palestinian ownership, political motives, and potential for unrest.

Olukayode Bakare, scholar of African politics, weighs which African states could sit on the Security Council. Mukesh Kapila, former UN humanitarian coordinator, challenges permanent seats and urges governance-led reform. Tim Murithi, African peace and security specialist, explains AU strategies for collective representation. They debate rotating membership, geopolitical hurdles and the need to rethink UN structures for today’s challenges.

Germany's chancellor says the international rules-based order is gone. The US secretary of state responds, saying the Trump administration wants the transatlantic alliance - but while criticising Europe again. So what is emerging? A new global order, or something else?  In this episode: Chet Love - U.S. Republican strategist and political commentator  Scott Lucas - Professor of U.S. and International Politics at University College Dublin Einar Tangen - Senior Fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation  Host: Mohammed Jamjoom Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party wins the country's first elections since the 2024 uprising. Rare international unity as the US, China, India, and Pakistan all welcome the result. But how's it being seen at home — especially by the young people who led the protests for change?  In this episode: Shahab Enam Khan, International Relations Professor at Bangladesh University of Professionals.  Prapti Taposhi, Activist and first-time voter in Thursday's general elections Sohela Nazneen, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Development Studies, UK Host: James Bays Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube