Centre Stage

Since October 2023, UNRWA has faced attacks by Israel’s government, funding cuts from the US, and legal cases questioning the organisation's neutrality. During that time, Israeli forces have killed more than 380 UNRWA staff in Gaza.In this episode of Centre Stage, Al Jazeera’s Mohamed Hassan speaks with UNRWA’s commissioner general, Philippe Lazzarini, about Israel’s ban on the agency and what he calls a turning point for international law and the global order.

In this episode of Centre Stage, Al Jazeera’s Mohamed Hassan speaks with Ali Omar, Somalia’s minister of state for foreign affairs, about Somaliland’s secession bid backed by Israel, the fight against al-Shabab and Somalia’s break with the UAE.

In this episode of Centre Stage, lawyer and international justice expert Ruben Carranza says that who stands trial at the ICC reflects the priorities of the countries enforcing its mandates and reflects on his work in the Philippines and elsewhere helping institute transitional justice mechanisms. This episode is hosted by Al Jazeera Digital’s Mohamed Hassan.  Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

In this episode of Centre Stage, political philosopher and historian Roy Casagranda delivers a sharp analysis of the US. He explains why the US is increasingly relying on military and economic coercion, and why the global landscape today feels eerily like the “1930s 2.0”.This episode is hosted by Al Jazeera English’s Cyril Vanier. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Iranian-born author and professor Trita Parsi joins Centre Stage to unpack the history between the US and Iran, Iran’s nuclear ambitions and Washington's role as a strategic player in an increasingly divided world. He also breaks down Tehran’s relationships with groups like Hezbollah and Hamas and how those alliances have shaped its regional position. Parsi is also the co-founder and executive vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft.   Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

In this episode of Centre Stage, our guest is journalist Karen Attiah. The Washington Post fired Attiah in September from her role as Global Opinions editor over one of her social media posts. It was written in the aftermath of the assassination of American right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk.Attiah, who’d been with The Washington Post for more than a decade, is contesting the decision, calling it unjust. She explains how she found out she lost her job, the state of free speech in the US and why she says everyone should be concerned about today’s political climate.Natasha Ghoneim is a senior correspondent. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Dr Mohammed Mustafa joins Centre Stage to talk about the horrific realities he witnessed during his volunteer postings in Gaza. The Australian emergency physician of Palestinian heritage witnessed first-hand Israel’s war on Gaza and discusses the immense pressure of making life-and-death decisions and what recognition of Palestinian statehood really means at this stage. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Fifty years after independence, Mozambique is navigating the challenges of a young democracy—from conflict and displacement to the urgent need for inclusive development. President Chapo shares how he’s tackling these issues while working to position Mozambique as a key player in Southern Africa. He talks about the country’s past, the importance of unity and his vision for a peaceful, prosperous future. In this episode: Daniel Chapo, Mozambique president Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Mary Trump, a clinical psychologist, bestselling author and niece of US President Donald Trump, joins Centre Stage to offer her analysis of her uncle’s influence on US politics, the evolution of the Republican Party and what the 2025 elections revealed about the state and future of US democracy. Mary Trump gained prominence with her bestselling book, Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World’s Most Dangerous Man, and recently released Who Could Ever Love You: A Family Memoir, offering a personal look at family and trauma behind the headlines. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Dr Mimi Syed, a US emergency physician, joins Centre Stage to talk about the horrific reality she witnessed during her two trips to Gaza in 2024. She shares evidence she says indicates the Israeli military is deliberately targeting children, the stories she carries from the patients and families she met and explains why she believes the US is no longer merely an accessory to Israel’s war on Gaza— but fully complicit. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube