The Inside Story Podcast

International alarm after the Trump administration announces the first-ever criminal investigation into the head of the US Federal Reserve. Jerome Powell says the probe is politically-motivated. So why is this case causing so much concern worldwide?  In this episode:  Eric Ham, political analyst and former U.S. Congressional staffer in Washington DC Justin Urquhart-Stewart, investment manager and co-founder of Regionally, an online investment service in London David McWilliams, economist, author and podcast host in Dublin Host: Adrian Finighan  Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Uganda holds elections on Thursday, with President Yoweri Museveni hoping to extend his four decades in power. Supporters of his main opponent, musician Bobi Wine, allege harassment and intimidation. So what's at stake for one the world's youngest populations?  In this episode:  Robert Kabushenga, Host of The Bad Natives Podcast Alex Vines, Africa Programme Director at the European Council on Foreign Relations Joseph Ochieno, Commentator on African affairs Host: Adrian Finighan  Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

US President Donald Trump has said repeatedly he wants to take over Greenland — an idea rejected by most people living there. There's alarm in Denmark, which owns the world's biggest island, and in the EU and NATO too. So, could Trump really get his way?  In this episode: Pele Broberg, Chairman of Naleraq, a pro-independence political party in Greenland Peter Nielsen, retired Colonel in the Danish Armed Forces who specialises in NATO readiness Greg Swenson, Chairman of Republicans Overseas UK Host: Imran Khan Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Widespread unrest, killings and arrests in Iran during protests sparked by a collapse in the local currency. The leadership says it will listen to demonstrators but rioters face the death penalty. As the US warns against a crackdown, how volatile is the situation?  In this episode:  Mehran Kamrava, Head, Iranian Studies, Arab Center for Policy Studies and Research. Roxane Farmanfarmaian, Professor, Modern Middle East Politics, University of Cambridge. Trita Parsi, Executive Vice President, Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. Host: James Bays Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Khaled Batarfi, a Saudi political analyst, shares insights on Riyadh's strategy concerning southern Yemen's dynamics. Farea al-Muslimi discusses the Southern Transitional Council's loss of power and risks of instability from shifting alliances. Matthew Bryza delves into the STC's frustrations and the complex motivations behind their actions. They explore public sentiment on independence versus unity, and the challenges facing negotiations in Riyadh, stressing the importance of security and the role of external influences.

Adolfo Franco, a Republican strategist and former USAID official, shares his critical views on the UN's inefficiencies. Matthew Duss, former adviser to Bernie Sanders, argues US withdrawals damage national security and global stability. Andrew Gilmour, ex-UN Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, discusses the detrimental effects on humanitarian efforts and US influence. They delve into the political motives behind cuts, the risks of unilateralism, and the debate over the UN's relevance amid calls for reform.

Renewed clashes in the Syrian city of Aleppo between the army and Kurdish fighters are undermining efforts to achieve national unity. The violence erupted after a failure to implement a deal on incorporating fighters of the Syrian Democratic Forces into the army. Can tension be contained this time? In this episode: Labib Nahhas, Syria analyst Omer Ozkizilcik, Nonresident fellow for the Syria Project in the Atlantic Council's Middle East Program Rob Geist Pinfold, Lecturer in International Security at King's College London Host: James Bays Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

The so-called Coalition of the Willing says it is going to provide Ukraine with robust security guarantees if a peace deal is agreed with Russia. The UK and France pledged boots on the ground once the agreement takes effect.  But is that enough? And would Russia accept foreign troops in Ukraine? In this episode:  Oleksiy Goncharenko, politician and member of the Ukrainian parliament Marina Miron, military analyst and researcher at King's College London Pavel Felgenhauer, defence and Russian foreign policy analyst Host: Adrian Finighan Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook  

Venezuela's closest ally, Cuba, is on edge after the capture of president Nicolas Maduro and US politicians' warnings to Havana. US President Donald Trump says Cuba is near collapse. So what are Washington's plans? And what's the thinking in Havana?  In this episode:  Liz Oliva Fernandez, independent Cuban journalist John Suarez, Executive Director, the Center for a Free Cuba Michael Shifter, senior fellow, Inter-American Dialogue and adjunct professor, Georgetown University Host: Adrian Finighan Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

The capture of Venezuela's president Nicolas Maduro by the US came despite his country's long-standing alliance with both China and Russia. Both have criticised the US attack but have taken no action. What are the implications for Russia and China?  In this episode:  Andrey Kortunov, former Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council  Chris Weafer, Chief Executive Officer of Macro-Advisory Shaun Rein, Founder & Managing Director of the China Market Research Group in Shanghai and author of The Split Host: Adrian Finighan Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook