The Inside Story Podcast

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What's behind Viktor Orban's defeat? Apr 13, 2026

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Hungary's opposition has defeated Prime Minister Viktor Orban by a landslide. He governed for 16 years with a far-right agenda often described as 'authoritarian'. What led to his loss? And what does the outcome mean for the EU, US, and Russia?

In this episode:

Gabor Scheiring, Assistant Professor at Georgetown University in Qatar and a former member of National Assembly of Hungary
Carl Bildt, Co-Chair of European Council on Foreign Relations and the Former Swedish Prime Minister
Kim Lane Scheppele, Professor at Princeton University

Host: Scott McLean

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What risks does the war on Iran pose to global food security? Apr 12, 2026

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The Iran war has created risks to food security from higher energy costs and shipping restrictions. The world's fertiliser production has been badly hit due to attacks on Gulf chemical plants. Where is food supply most at risk and could there be a lasting impact?

In this episode:

Mourad Wahba, Acting Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia.
Avinash Kishore, Senior Research Fellow, International Food Policy Research Institute, New Delhi,
Steve Keen, Economist and Honorary Professor, University College London.

Host: Adrian Finighan

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Has Israeli society become conditioned to permanent war? Apr 11, 2026

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A negative political and public reaction in Israel to the ceasefire with Iran - regardless of the respite it brings. No pause for Israel's army however or its victims - hundreds killed in Lebanon and more dead in Gaza. Has Israeli society become conditioned to permanent war?

In this episode:

Ilan Pappe - a historian and professor at Exeter University
Gideon Levy - a columnist at Haaretz newspaper in Tel Aviv
Haim Bresheeth - professor at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London

Host: Tom McRae

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Why is Hungary's election of such international importance? Apr 10, 2026

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Opinion polls in Hungary suggest long-time prime minister Viktor Orban has a battle on his hands in Sunday's election. The outcome will be keenly awaited in Washington, Moscow, Kyiv, and Brussels. So why is this election so important outside of Hungary?

In this episode:

Gabor Scheiring, a former member of the National Assembly of Hungary
Istvan Kiss, political scientist, director of the Danube Institute and former political adviser in Prime Minister Viktor Orban's office
Daniel Kelemen, law and politics professor, and McCourt Chair at the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University

Host: Tom McRae

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How far is Iran willing to go to protect its friends and allies? Apr 09, 2026

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The bombing of Iran has stopped, but the bombing of Lebanon has not. Even as Iran and the US say they'll try to work out their many differences at the negotiating table in Pakistan, Israel is busy ramping up its attacks on what it says are Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. The group has been a key player in Iran's axis of resistance for decades. So how far is Tehran willing to go to protect its allies?

In this episode:

Hassan Ahmadian, Associate Professor at the University of Tehran
Rob Geist Pinfold, Lecturer in International Security at King's College London
Nadim Houry, Executive Director of the Arab Reform Initiative

Host: James Bays

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Has the world order been changed by Trump's war on Iran? Apr 08, 2026

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Donald Trump has found his Iran off-ramp — but what has it cost? After apocalyptic threats, Washington and Tehran have agreed to a two-week ceasefire. It's still unclear whether that will mean a lasting peace. What's more certain is that the US and the world stage have been changed by Trump's war. Has the world order been changed by Trump's war on Iran? And can any of it be walked back?

Host: James Bays

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How is the Iran war affecting Russian-Iranian ties? Apr 07, 2026

Show notes

The US and Israel's war with Iran has put pressure on Tehran's relations with Moscow. They've been allies, but the Kremlin is seeking to maintain ties with the US to reach a deal on the Ukraine conflict.

In this episode:

Afshin Shahi, a Middle East political analyst
Leonid Ragozin, independent journalist
Maximilian Hess, founder of Enmetena Advisory and a senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute

Host: James Bays

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Why has Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant been targeted? Apr 06, 2026

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Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant has been targeted four times since the US-Israeli war began. Tehran accuses the UN's nuclear watchdog of inaction, which the IAEA rejects, saying the situation is of deep concern. But why are the attacks happening? And what risks do they pose?

In this episode:

Tariq Rauf, Former Head of Verification and Security Policy Co-ordination at the International Atomic Energy Agency
Abas Aslani, Senior Research Fellow at the Center for Middle East Strategic Studies
Alicia Sanders-Zakre, Head of Policy at the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons

Host: James Bays

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How is the war on Iran impacting the humanitarian crisis in Gaza? Apr 05, 2026

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The war in Iran is worsening the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. In violation of the ceasefire, Israel has severely restricted aid and maintained its air strikes. The US-brokered deal is meant to be in Phase 2 but appears to be in limbo. So, who could step in to help Palestinians?

In this episode:

Dr Mohammed Tahir, Orthopaedic surgeon, worked in Gaza.
Alex de Waal, Executive Director, World Peace Foundation.
Xavier Abu Eid, Former Communications Director, PLO.

Host: Imran Khan

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How will Pakistan deal with the global energy crisis? Apr 04, 2026

Show notes

The war in the Middle East has worsened the economic crisis in Pakistan. Most of its energy supplies are shipped through the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has largely blocked for five weeks.

In this episode:

Kaiser Bengali - Economist and former head of the Policy Reform Unit for the Balochistan Chief Minister
Michael Kugelman - Senior Fellow for South Asia at the Atlantic Council
Ali Salman - Founder and CEO of the Policy Research Institute of Market Economy

Host: Rishaad Salamat

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