Advertise on podcast: The Inside Story Podcast

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing alliance has fallen short of a majority after a historic election, while the opposition also lacks enough seats to govern alone. Palestinian Israeli parties have made unprecedented gains, raising questions about whether the opposition will work with them as Israeli military assaults on Gaza and the Occupied West Bank continue. In this episode: Mairav Zonszein, Senior Israel Analyst at the International Crisis Group Mustafa Barghouti, Secretary General of the Palestinian National Initiative Phyllis Bennis, Fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies and author of Understanding Palestine and Israel Host: Sami Zeidan Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

With the US and Israel signalling possible attacks, and Iran promising to respond, top officials from the Mecca pact nations – Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye – have sat down with Iranian leaders in Tehran. It’s being viewed as the last chance to defuse tensions in the Gulf. Diplomacy has so far failed to secure a peace agreement between Iran and the US. So, with fighting in Yemen spilling over into Saudi Arabia, can the Mecca alliance work with Iran to help secure the region? In this episode: Hamid Reza Gholamzadeh, Director of DiploHouse, a Tehran-based think-tank Khaled Batarfi, Saudi political analyst and academic Joey Hood, former Acting Director for the Office of Iranian Affairs at the State Department Host: Folly Bah Thibault Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Another weekend - another wave of protests in many European countries. But it's in France where some of the largest demonstrations have taken place. It's a similar story across other parts of the continent. So, what would it take for governments to enact the changes protesters are demanding? In this episode: Jack Eisner, public law student at Science Po Paris Rainbow Murray, specialist in French politics and Professor of Politics at Queen Mary University of London Petros Fassoulas, Secretary General of European Movement International and a European policy analyst Host: James Bays Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Three-and-a-half years of war in Sudan have forced millions of people from their homes. Most remain in limbo in temporary camps and shelters, facing a worsening food crisis, while aid agencies say a sharp global funding shortfall means they can’t reach everyone. So will anyone step in to help the civilians caught up in the fighting? In this episode: Cameron Hudson, Former Director for African Affairs at the US National Security Council Noah Taylor, Head of Operations in Sudan for the Norwegian Refugee Council Kholood Khair, Founding Director of Confluence Advisory Host: Mohammed Jamjoom Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

The US brokered a ceasefire to end Israel's war on Gaza. But since then, Israel has not stopped its attacks. Meanwhile, funding shortages are forcing the World Food Programme to cut back its operations in Gaza, leaving half a million Palestinians without badly needed food aid. So how can that gap be closed? In this episode: Tamer Qarmout, Associate Professor of Public Policy at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies Mohammed Salah, entrepreneur and founder of Tech From Palestine Natasha Hall, Senior Advocate for the Middle East with Refugees International and an Associate Fellow at Chatham House Host: Imran Khan Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Weeks of student protests in France have grown into some of the worst unrest in recent years. They started as a call for reforms to the education system. But they've since expanded into demonstrations against the high cost of living and planned cuts to social services. And France isn't alone. Demonstrators have taken to the streets in other parts of Europe. So how will Europe deal with the protests? In this episode: Diane de Vignemont, independent journalist and historian Julius Fintelmann, Co-founder and Editor-in-chief at The European Correspondent Jaime Velazquez, independent journalist Host: James Bays Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Joseph Kabila, who ruled DR Congo for almost two decades, is making a comeback. He will lead the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN), a political-military alliance with M23 fighters that opposes President Felix Tshisekedi's government in Kinshasa. Several attempts at a peace deal between government forces, rebels and armed groups have already failed, and many fear the move will worsen the fighting in eastern DR Congo. Is this coalition likely to escalate the conflict? In this episode: Henry-Pacifique Mayala, Co-ordinator of the Kivu Security Tracker at Ebuteli institute Ovigwe Eguegu, Policy Analyst at Development Reimagined, specialising in African geopolitics and great power competition Vincent Rouget, Head of Political Risk for Africa at Control Risks, a global consultancy Host: Dareen Abughaida Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

NATO says it is ready to fight as it unveils a new defence strategy using low-cost drones, artificial intelligence and rapid strikes to deter potential attacks. With the US planning to withdraw thousands of troops from Europe and concerns growing over Russia, European leaders are increasing military spending. Will NATO’s new strategy be enough to address the perceived Russian threat and protect its members? In this episode: Ray Wojcik, Senior Research Fellow at The Saratoga Foundation Marina Miron, Researcher in Defence Studies at King’s College London Alexander Bratersky, Political analyst specialising in Russian foreign policy Host: Rishaad Salamat Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

US President Donald Trump has announced a deal to bring Russian diesel into the United States, a move welcomed by the Kremlin. He's accused Ukraine of ignoring his calls to halt strikes on Russian refineries. Ukraine insists it will only stop striking Russian refineries if Moscow ceases attacks on its energy facilities. With Washington and Europe diverging further on Ukraine, how long can European leaders continue their economic and military support for Kyiv? In this episode: Lisa Yasko, Member of the Ukrainian Parliament Andrey Kortunov, Russian affairs analyst John Lough, Head of Foreign Policy at the New Eurasian Strategies Centre Host: Rishaad Salamat Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Zionism should be treated as any other form of racism. That's what members of the Green Party have agreed on at their annual conference in the UK. Israel has condemned the decision, calling it antisemitic. So, what's the motivation? And what impact will the Greens' new policy have on British politics and beyond? In this episode: Tim Bale, Professor of Politics at Queen Mary University of London Yossi Beilin, former Israeli Justice Minister Jonathan Lis, Journalist and Broadcaster Host: Neave Barker Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Voters in Bosnia and Herzegovina go to the polls for the 10th time since the end of the war more than three decades ago. They're electing more than 500 members of a complex government structure. But deep political and ethnic divides remain. So, how will it play out, both in Bosnia and in the region? In this episode: Jahja Muhasilovic, Assistant Professor at the International University of Sarajevo Nina Sajic, Professor in the School of Political Science at the University of Banja Luka  Bodo Weber, Senior Associate at the Democratization Policy Council Host: Sami Zeidan Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

The Malaysian government is facing accusations of forcibly deporting Rohingya refugees, a charge the government denies. It says the process is voluntary and coordinated with Myanmar’s government. But human rights groups say this process violates international law by sending refugees to countries where they risk facing persecution or torture. So, will this concern stop the Rohingya being sent back to Myanmar? In this episode: Phar Kim Beng, Director of the Institute of International and ASEAN Studies and Geopolitics Professor at the University of Malaysia Lucky Karim, Democracy and Human Rights Advocate and Founder of Refugee Women for Peace and Justice Maung Zarni, Genocide Scholar and Co-Founder of the scholar-activist network, Forces of Renewal Southeast Asia Host: Imran Khan  Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

The last remaining US troops have left Iraq, ending a military presence that began with the 2003 invasion to oust Saddam Hussein. After years of conflict and instability, Iraq is entering a new phase without US forces on the ground. Is the Iraqi government ready? And who stands to gain from the US withdrawal? In this episode:  Ahmed Rushdi, President of the House of Iraqi Expertise Foundation Kenneth Katzman, Senior Fellow at The Soufan Center Abdullah AlShayji, Professor at Kuwait University Host: Dareen Abughaida Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Unacceptable. That was the immediate reaction from US President Donald Trump to Iran's proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran says it's still awaiting what it called a "definitive response" from Washington through mediators. But Trump has said Iran needs a deal because, in his words, it's "losing badly." So, is his rejection of the proposal an effort to pressure Tehran for more concessions? In this episode:  Abas Aslani, Senior Research Fellow at the Center for Middle East Strategic Studies Henry Ensher, former US diplomat and former US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Zeidon Alkinani, Founding Director of the Arab Perspectives Institute Host: Mohammed Jamjoom Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Fighting is intensifying between Yemen's Ansar Allah Houthis and Saudi Arabia. For the first time since a ceasefire in 2022, the Houthis have fired missiles towards the capital, Riyadh. The Iran-backed group says it will respond to any escalation with an escalation of its own. But it also risks dragging the wider region into conflict. What will it take to stop the attacks? In this episode:  Nawaf Obaid, Senior Research Fellow at King’s College London and former advisor to the Saudi government  Muhanad Seloom, Non-Resident Senior Fellow at the Middle East Council on Global Affairs Ibrahim Jalal, Yemeni affairs analyst who specialises in regional security and armed groups Host: Rob Matheson Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube