The Inside Story Podcast

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Why has Trump rejected Iran's peace proposal? Sep 28, 2026

Show notes

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

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How will Saudi Arabia deal with the Houthis? Sep 21, 2026

Show notes

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

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Can a warming Arctic become an important commercial highway? Sep 14, 2026

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Climate change has contributed to major melting in the Arctic, making it navigable for greater stretches of the year. Some countries are already taking notice. The first South Korean container ship to transit the Arctic route arrived in the UK on Saturday. But can it become a viable alternative to existing shipping corridors?

In this episode:

Mads Frederiksen, Executive Director at the Arctic Economic Council
Vyacheslav Mishchenko, Russia energy expert
Jimmy Suroto Huang, Founder of Nava Analytics and Research

Host: Neave Barker

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Will the Houthis seizing the Red Sea coast give Iran leverage in the war? Sep 12, 2026

Show notes

The Ansarullah Houthis seize Yemen's Red Sea coast, cementing their hold on the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. The advance of the Tehran-aligned group threatens an alternative route for energy supplies - with traffic in the Strait of Hormuz already limited. Will it give Iran leverage in its war with the US?

In this episode:

Ahmed Al-Ashwal - Military and security researcher, and a former pilot officer with Yemen's armed forces.
Jennifer Gavito - Former U.S. Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Middle East and a former State Department Official
Abas Aslani - Senior Research Fellow at the Center for Middle East Strategic Studies

Host: Neave Barker

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How will the far-right AfD's electoral rise impact Germany? Sep 08, 2026

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The Alternative for Germany is on top in Sunday's election in the east German state of Saxony-Anhalt, with about 44 percent of the vote. It's benefitted from voters' economic concerns and anger over immigration. The party is also leading in national polls. So what are the implications of the AfD's electoral rise for Germany and for Europe?

In this episode:

Olaf Boehnke - Berlin Director of the political consultancy Rasmussen Global and former Senior Advisor in the German Bundestag
Max Otte - Founder of Privatinvestor Capital and a 2022 German presidential candidate
Ulrich Bruckner - Professor of European Studies at Stanford University in Berlin

Host: Rishaad Salamat

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What's triggered the latest argument about the Falkland Islands? Sep 05, 2026

Show notes

Reigniting the centuries-old Falklands dispute. Argentina's president says sovereignty over the islands remains a national objective. The UK insists the territory is British. What's really triggered the latest argument about the Falkland Islands?

In this episode:

Diego Guelar - Former Argentinian ambassador to the U.S., EU and China
Christopher Sabatini - Director of the Latin America Programme at Chatham House
Javier Farje - Journalist and historian specialising in Latin American affairs

Host: Cyril Vanier

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Can Libya find a way to govern the fractured country? Aug 29, 2026

Show notes

International efforts intensify to find a way forward for Libya. The country is controlled by two rival governments. And diplomacy is aimed at holding elections - to help find a way to govern the fractured country. So, can a way forward be found?

In this episode:

Mustafa Fetouri - Independent Libyan academic and award-winning journalist
William Lawrence - Director of the North African Area Studies Program at the National Council on US-Arab Relations, former US diplomat in Libya
Faraj Najem - Libyan historian and political researcher and author of 'Tribe, Islam and State in Libya'

Host: Cyril Vanier

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Will Trump's new sanctions against Iran work? Aug 23, 2026

Show notes

Will Donald Trump's new sanctions against Iran work? The US president says he will impose 'crushing measures' on Tehran. While the Iranian leadership has warned countries not to join what it calls America's 'economic warfare'. What does this mean for the conflict?

In this episode:

Jamal Abdi, President, National Iranian American Council.
Hassan Ahmadian, Professor, University of Tehran.
Mark Pfeifle, Founder, Off the Record Strategies.

Host: James Bays

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Why is Israel bidding for new illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank? Aug 22, 2026

Show notes

Israel opens construction bids for new illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank. That's despite widespread international condemnation. What's driving this land grab? And what does it mean for the future of Palestinians -- and an independent Palestinian state?

In this episode:

Ammar Hijazi - Ambassador and Head of the Palestinian Mission to the Netherlands
Alon Pinkas - Former Israeli Ambassador and Consul General in New York

Host: James Bays

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What's driving the escalating Israeli settler violence against Palestinians? Aug 16, 2026

Show notes

Israeli settler attacks in the occupied West Bank trap Palestinian families in their homes. The violence takes place as Israel's far-right government fights elections in October. Why are attacks by settlers intensifying and what are the consequences?

In this episode:

Ofer Cassif, Member of the Knesset.
Mouin Rabbani, Co-editor, Jadaliyya online magazine.
Ori Goldberg, Israeli political commentator.

Host: Imran Khan

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