The Inside Story Podcast

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Is Eurovision's future under threat because of Israel's participation? May 13, 2026

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Five nations boycott Eurovision, citing Israel's participation. Their action is against Israel's war in Gaza and allegations of vote manipulation in the song contest. But why is it so important for Israel to take part? And is the competition's future under threat?

In this episode:

Steve Wall, musician, actor, and member of the Irish Palestinian Solidarity Campaign
Jonathan Hendrickx, Assistant Professor in Media Studies at the University of Copenhagen
Ori Goldberg, Political commentator in Tel Aviv

Host: Folly Bah Thibault

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Is there hope for an end to the war in Sudan? May 12, 2026

Show notes

A drone attack on Khartoum's international airport. The UN says such strikes have killed nearly 900 people in Sudan this year. And the conflict between the army and a paramilitary group is only intensifying. So, is there hope for an end to the fighting?

In this episode:

Caroline Bouvard, Country Director, Sudan Mission of Solidarites International
Kholood Khair, Founding Director at Confluence Advisory
Cameron Hudson, former Director for African Affairs at the U.S. National Security Council

Host: Sasha Andrijevic

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Who is behind the new wave of violence in eastern DR Congo? May 11, 2026

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A new wave of violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Attacks by two lesser-known armed groups have killed dozens of people. So, who are they? And how serious a threat do they pose?

In this episode:

Henry-Pacifique Mayala, Kivu Security Tracker Project Co-ordinator at Ebuteli
Rawya Rageh, Senior Crisis Adviser, Amnesty International
Kambale Musavuli, Analyst, Center for Research on the Congo-Kinshasa

Host: James Bays

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Could the Russia-Ukraine war be entering its final phase? May 10, 2026

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Russia's President Vladimir Putin says the Ukraine war may be over soon. Attacks have been intensifying in recent weeks. Stalemate on the battlefield is increasing political pressure for an end. So could the conflict be entering its final phase?

In this episode:

Dmitry Polyanskiy, Ambassador and Permanent Representative, Russian Federation to the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
Bob Seely, Former Member, UK Parliament.
Ben Aris, Founder and Editor-in-chief, bne IntelliNews.

Host: James Bays

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How the Covid-19 pandemic experience could help deal with Hantavirus? May 09, 2026

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The World Health Organization says public health risks from hantavirus are low. Arrangements are being made to repatriate passengers from a cruise ship, after three people who'd been on board, died. How's the experience from the Covid-19 pandemic being used?

In this episode:

Dr. Mukesh Kapila - Professor Emeritus of Global Health and Humanitarian Affairs at the University of Manchester.
Dr. Margaret Harris - Lecturer at the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, former W.H.O. spokesperson.
Nicholas Locker - Professor of Virology at the Pirbright Institute, near Guildford, UK.

Host: James Bays

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What caused the backlash against UK PM Keir Starmer? May 08, 2026

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There's been a backlash against UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in local and regional elections across England, Scotland, and Wales, despite a huge parliamentary majority. He's rejecting calls to quit, but faces new challenges from both the left and the right. So, why are these elections so significant?

In this episode:

Peter Geoghegan, Editor of the investigative news site Democracy for Sale.
Lesley Riddoch, Podcaster, journalist and author of 'Blossom: What Scotland Needs to Flourish'.
Tim Bale, Professor of Politics at Queen Mary University of London.

Host: Mohammed Jamjoom

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Can China help end the Iran war? May 07, 2026

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China's diplomatic role in the Middle East is under sharp focus, as foreign ministers from Beijing and Tehran meet. It's calling on the US and Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and for a 'comprehensive' ceasefire. So, can China help end the war?

In this episode:

Setareh Sadeqi, Assistant Professor, Tehran University's Faculty of World Studies
Scott Uehlinger, Former senior CIA officer and U.S. Navy veteran
Andy Mok, Senior Research Fellow, Center for China and Globalization

Host: Mohammed Jamjoom

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What does the BJP’s victory in West Bengal mean for India’s democracy? May 06, 2026

Show notes

India's Hindu nationalist BJP sweeps West Bengal, a state governed by the opposition for decades and historically seen as a symbol of secularism. What does this mean for democracy in India? And for its 200 million Muslims?

In this episode:

Shaina NC, National spokesperson for Shiv Sena, a conservative party in India
Javed Ansari, Political commentator and senior journalist
Yogendra Yadav, Civil society activist and co-founder of the Swaraj India political party

Host: Mohammed Jamjoom

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Can the Iran war peace talks survive Gulf escalation? May 05, 2026

Show notes

Tension escalates rapidly across the Gulf, despite last month's ceasefire. An oil facility hit in the United Arab Emirates, Iranian boats attacked, while the US tries to force open a shipping route in the Strait of Hormuz. So, what does this mean for hopes of an end to the Iran war?

In this episode:

Negar Mortazavi, Senior Fellow at the Center for International Policy in Washington DC and host of the 'Iran Podcast'
Jason Campbell, Senior Fellow at the Middle East Institute in In Washington DC
Jasmine El Gamal, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Averos Strategies, former Pentagon Middle East Adviser between 2008 and 2015

Host: Tom McRae

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Is Israel's interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla legal? May 04, 2026

Show notes

Israeli forces detained two activists after stopping the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla off the coast of Greece. It happened in international waters nearly a thousand kilometres from the Gaza Strip. So, was this action legal?

In this episode:

Heidi Matthews, Assistant Professor at Osgoode Hall Law School at York University in Toronto
Dan Perry, former Editor of the Associated Press for Europe, the Middle East and Africa and publisher of 'Ask Questions Later' on Substack
Lynn Boylan, Member of the European Parliament for Dublin for the Sinn Fein party and Chair of the European Parliament Delegation for Relations with Palestine

Host: Tom McRae

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