Advertise on podcast: The World with Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim

What is the mood in Iran’s capital? Are people still protesting in the streets? What is the regime saying about what happened? Richard Engel is in Tehran for NBC News and tells Yalda what he is seeing and what officials are telling him. Because of the internet issues in Iran, Richard’s connection dropped off halfway through. Yalda then speaks about her exclusive interview with FIFA boss Gianni Infantino. When asked whether FIFA should lift its ban on Russia, he said it had "not achieved anything". He also explains why he stands by his decision to give President Trump the FIFA Peace Prize. You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here. To watch Yalda’s full interview with FIFA boss Gianni Infantino, click here. Do you have a question for Richard and Yalda? Write to them at [email protected]

How does the Iranian regime use technology to control its people? How has AI and misinformation been used in the current wave of protests? The Iranian regime just implemented the longest internet shutdown in its history. For over two weeks, very little information was getting in or out of the country as security forces cracked down hard on protestors. Shutting off the internet is something the regime has done many times before. But why and how does it do it? Mahsa Alimardani is associate director of technology threats and opportunities at WITNESS and specialises in how disinformation and AI are used in protests across the globe. An Iranian herself, Mahsa tells Yalda the full scale of the misinformation tactics used by the regime as well as her ambitions to democratise satellite internet access. You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here. Do you have a question for Richard and Yalda? Write to them at [email protected]

It's been a month since a wave of protests spread across Iran, followed by a brutal government crackdown. With the country under an internet blackout, it's still unclear how many have been killed - Richard and Yalda discuss what the death toll could be and we hear from one woman who shares what life is like inside Iran. With Trump’s Board of Peace now established, Richard and Yalda explain what it is, who is on it and whether it could ultimately rival the United Nations. Finally, as the United States deals with the aftermath of the killing of Alex Pretti – the man who was shot dead by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis - Richard and Yalda explain whether this could be a turning point for the country. You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here. Do you have a question for Richard and Yalda? Write to them at [email protected]

Why does Donald Trump want Greenland so much? How is Europe reacting? Yalda is at Davos where the president insisted that America must have Greenland. He has announced a framework has been agreed with NATO, but that the details still need to be worked out. Yalda has been speaking to officials in Davos, who told her how betrayed they felt by the president. Yalda also speaks to foreign policy expert Richard Fontaine about how Washington is reacting to the president’s latest moves. Richard and Yalda then bring an update on the ongoing protests and internet blackout in Iran. With reports of soldiers firing on those in the streets, what will happen next? To listen to Yalda’s bonus episode on the situation in Iran, go to the page on Spotify or Apple. If you want to know more about the framework agreed on Greenland between Trump and NATO listen to our sister podcast Trump100. You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here. Do you have a question for Richard and Yalda? Write to them at [email protected]

What does the Iranian diaspora want America to do? Do they want intervention? And what do they think is next for Iran? As protests continue across Iran and President Trump warns of consequences if the killing continues Yalda Hakim sits down with two Iranian American women to hear the views of the Iranian diaspora. In this extra episode of the World, she speaks to Azadeh Afsahi, a human rights activist and Moj Mahdara who set up the Iranian Diaspora Collective about their motherland, their relationship to it, and what they want to happen next. You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here. Do you have a question for Richard and Yalda? Write to them at [email protected]

US President Donald Trump says "help is on its way" to the protesters in Iran – but what does he mean? Will the president strike Iran? And what could actually happen if the regime falls? Protests in Iran have been spreading across the country for nearly two weeks. Why are tens of thousands of people out on the street? Richard and Yalda take stock of the fast-moving situation in Iran and try to make sense of what might happen next. The two of them have been speaking to their contacts from across the globe, and Yalda has had a conversation with Shervin Pishevar, an American-Iranian businessman who has been instrumental in getting Elon Musk’s Starlink up and running in the country. Richard also explains why even if Mr Trump acts, it will not be as easy a task as what he did in Venezuela. You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here. Do you have a question for Richard and Yalda? Write to them at [email protected]

What is the real reason that Trump wanted to remove Nicolas Maduro? Could he be about to do the same thing in other countries? And why is he saying he “needs” Greenland? After the audacious events in Venezuela which saw President Nicolas Maduro removed by American special forces and taken to New York to face trial, Richard and Yalda discuss what could happen next in the region. Richard is in Colombia and tells Yalda what the mood is like in the neighbouring country. Yalda also talks about what is happening in Iran and why she thinks Israel could strike the country this year. You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here. Do you have a question for Richard and Yalda? Write to them at [email protected]

In this special Christmas episode, Richard and Yalda answer your questions. After a huge year in international news, the two reflect on the year that has been and what might be coming up in 2026. Questions include: What was the defining story of 2025? If you weren’t a journalist, what would you be? And how do you adjust to life after covering conflict? They also answer some more light hearted questions and reveal their favourite cocktails, cities and best cures for jet lag. You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here. If you have a question for Richard and Yalda, write to them at [email protected]

What's next for Australia after the deadly Bondi Beach terrorist attack?  Yalda grew up in Sydney and tells Richard about why Bondi is such a special place for her and Australians, as well as sharing how the country might recover after the horrific events.   Yalda has also been speaking exclusively to the sons of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, who give her an update on the conditions their father is in.   To hear the full interview with the sons, click here.  To hear what the Pakistan government says about the claims Kasim and Sulaiman make, click here.  Richard also gives an update on the peace talks to end the war in Ukraine. US President Donald Trump says a deal is closer than ever. But how true is that?  You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here.  Do you have a question for Richard and Yalda? Write to them at [email protected] 

What is the truth behind that deepfake of Yalda? Why was it so inflammatory?   A deepfake of Yalda and her guest went viral after it made the two women say something completely false. Yalda tells Richard exactly what happened and why these types of videos can be so dangerous.   Yalda also gets to grips with the new powers granted to Pakistan’s military chief Asim Munir with the help of journalist and human rights activist, the British Pakistani woman Gul Bukhari.   Richard and Yalda also break down America’s new national security strategy. Why was Russia happy with it? And why did European leaders reject it?   Yalda also spoke to Donald Trump’s son, Don Junior, who revealed whether or not his father might walk away from the war in Ukraine.   You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here.   Do you have a question for Richard and Yalda? Write to them at [email protected] 

 Is Pakistan slipping into military rule? Why is the UN sounding the alarm about new changes to the country’s constitution?  Will Imran Khan ever be released?    Yalda breaks down exactly what is going on in Pakistan and speaks to one of Imran Khan's close advisors Zulfi Bukhari to get the latest on the former Prime Minister.    Richard is in Ukraine and has an update as negotiations on a possible peace plan continue between America, Ukraine and Russia. But will President Putin accept the amendments President Zelenskyy has made to the plan that appeared last week?   You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here.     Do you have a question for Richard and Yalda? Write to them at [email protected] 

What is actually in the detail of the Ukraine plan? Will Russia agree to the EU and Ukraine's amendments?   The leaked 28-point plan for peace in Ukraine which emerged last week was seen by many as capitulation to Russian demands. In response, European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy submitted their counter demands.   Richard has been at the peace talks happening in Geneva and breaks down the US plan with Yalda. They go through the main sticking points: territory, military and NATO membership.   They also recap the corruption scandal engulfing the heart of Zelenskyy's government, which is putting extra pressure on the need for a ceasefire with Russia.   You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here.   Do you have a question for Richard and Yalda? Write to them at [email protected] 

Is this Mohammed bin Salman’s comeback tour?   Mohammed bin Salman, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, also known as MBS, is returning to the White House for the first time since the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018 at the country's consulate in Istanbul.  US intelligence concluded that the crown prince approved the capture or killing of Khashoggi, a prominent critic. MBS has denied this but acknowledged responsibility as de-facto ruler.  Plus, Richard, now back from Colombia, reveals what he learnt from his interview with the country’s president, Gustavo Petro, who is currently in a war of words with Donald Trump about the flow of drugs into the US.   And Yalda explains why the former Bangladesh leader Sheikh Hasina has been sentenced to death, and Yalda shares a story about when she caught the ‘fiery woman' off guard.  You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here.   Do you have a question for Richard and Yalda? Write to them at [email protected] 

Donald Trump has moved a large amount of US military force to the Caribbean, but why? Trump recently referred to Colombia's left-wing president, Gustavo Petro, as "an illegal drug leader" and has ordered even more troops to the region. The US military has been bombing alleged "drug-boats" suspected of taking illegal drugs such as cocaine and fentanyl to the US, but are drugs just one part of the story? And how might it escalate? Richard is on the ground in Colombia where he explains how tensions have built and why China might play a role in Trump's motivations. Yalda discusses the importance of Syrian leader, Ahmed al Sharaa, visiting the White House. Previously labelled a terrorist by the US, al Sharaa had a $10m bounty on his head and led a faction of al Qaeda, yet now he is in the Oval Office being labelled "handsome" by Trump. How could this impact the dynamics of the Middle East? You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here. Do you have a question for Richard and Yalda? Write to them at [email protected]

What does Zohran Mamdani's win in the New York mayoral race mean for America? Will the Democrats embrace him? What will Donald Trump do?   The youngest person in 100 years has just been elected the city's mayor and Yalda and Dominic Waghorn - stepping in this week for Richard - assess what's happened.   While young people voted overwhelmingly for Mamdani, young people in Iran’s capital Tehran defied authorities and came out singing and dancing in the streets. But what does this tell us about the current status of the regime? Dom has been to Iran recently and tells Yalda what he thinks.  Dom also brings an update on Sudan where horrifying images are emerging. He has spoken to the Sudanese ambassador to the UK who says a genocide is unfolding and the world must wake up.  You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here.   Do you have a question for Richard and Yalda? Write to them at [email protected]