The Inside Story Podcast

Latest Episodes:

How will the Syrian government deal with its growing security challenges? Dec 23, 2025

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How will the Syrian government deal with its growing security challenges? Renewed fighting between the army and Syrian Democratic Forces is highlighting the volatility facing the country. A truce is now in place, but will it lead to an agreement to integrate the SDF militia into the army?

In this episode:

Haid Haid, Researcher, Chatham House.
Steven Heydemann, Professor and Middle East Studies Program Director, Smith College.
Omer Ozkizilcik, Nonresident Fellow, Syria Project, Atlantic Council's Middle East Program.

Host: Dareen Abughaida

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Can diplomacy end the fighting between Thailand and Cambodia? Dec 22, 2025

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In the ongoing fighting between Thailand and Cambodia - does diplomacy stand a chance? The two sides have held their first face-to-face meeting in a regional push for peace. But without any let-up in the long-running conflict, what will it take to bring it to an end?

In this episode:

Chheang Vannarith, Chairman, Angkor Social Innovation Park.
Ilango Karuppannan, Adjunct Senior Fellow, Nanyang Technological University.
Phil Robertson, Director, Asia Human Rights Labour Advocates.

Host: Dareen Abughaida

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How volatile is Bangladesh's political situation? Dec 21, 2025

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Political tension and unrest in Bangladesh after the assassination of a student leader of last year's uprising that ousted Sheikh Hasina. Elections for a new government are due in February. So how volatile is the political situation now?

In this episode:

Taqbir Huda, Human Rights Lawyer.
Asif Shahan, Professor, Development Studies, University of Dhaka.
Fahmida Khatun, Executive Director, Centre for Policy Dialogue in Bangladesh.

Host: Dareen Abughaida

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Why are European farmers protesting the EU-Mercosur agreement? Dec 20, 2025

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European farmers protest against the EU-Mercosur agreement. That's as signing has been postponed until January, due to disagreements in Europe. The European-South American deal planned for more than 25 years, would create the world's largest free-trade zone. So why is there division?

In this episode:

Pieter Cleppe - Editor-in-Chief at BrusselsReport-dot-eu
Ciaran Mullooly - Member of the European Parliament for Independent Ireland
Gustavo Ribeiro - founder and Editor-In-Chief of the Brazilian Report online newspaper

Host: Folly Bah Thibault

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What might Trump do to get the Gaza ceasefire agreement back on track? Dec 19, 2025

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Daily Israeli breaches of the Gaza ceasefire agreement threaten the entire peace process, says the Qatari prime minister, who helped broker the deal forged by Donald Trump. So, what's gone wrong -- and what might the US president do to get it back on track?

In this episode:

Tamer Qarmout - Associate Professor of Public Policy at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies
Daniel Levy - President of the U.S. / Middle East Project and a former Israeli negotiator
Rami Khouri - Distinguished Fellow at the American University of Beirut

Host: Folly Bah Thibault

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What are the dangers of Trump ramping up pressure on Venezuela? Dec 18, 2025

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Russia and China voice support for Venezuela after Donald Trump intensifies pressure on Nicolas Maduro. The US blockades sanctioned oil tankers in the midst of a major military build-up in the region. What are the dangers - and what might happen next?

In this episode:

Paul Dobson - Independent journalist and political analyst in Venezuela
Elias Ferrer - Founder of Orinoco Research, a consulting company based in Caracas Temir
Temir Porras - Former foreign policy adviser to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and former Venezuelan deputy foreign minister

Host: Folly Bah Thibault

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Can Afghanistan avert a hunger crisis? Dec 17, 2025

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Millions of people in Afghanistan face acute food insecurity, the UN warns. The crisis is exacerbated by sharp cuts in global aid funding and the forced deportation of Afghans from neighbouring countries. So, who could step in to avert a catastrophic hunger crisis?

In this episode:

Kiana Alavi, Norwegian Refugee Council's advocacy manager in Afghanistan
Zeeshan Salahuddin, Director Advisory of the Centre for Regional and Global Connectivity at Tabadlab
Obaidullah Baheer, Adjunct Lecturer at the American University of Afghanistan

Host: Tom McRae

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What's behind South America's shift to the right? Dec 16, 2025

Show notes

Chileans have elected their most conservative leader in decades. Jose Antonio Kast's victory is another sign South America is veering to the right. But what's behind this shift? And what are the political implications, both across the region and beyond?

In this episode:

Claudio Barrientos, Professor, School of History, Diego Portales University.
Jose Ragas, Historian and Assistant Professor, Catholic University of Chile.
Christopher Sabatini, Senior Fellow, Latin America, Chatham House.

Host: Dareen Abughaida

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How will the US respond to the killing of three of its soldiers in Syria? Dec 15, 2025

Show notes

How will the US respond to the killing of three of its soldiers in Syria? Washington blames the Islamic State for the attack and vows retaliation. So, does that mean direct military involvement? And if so, what role would the new Syrian government play?

In this episode:

Colin Clarke, Executive Director, The Soufan Center.
Dareen Khalifa, Senior Adviser, International Crisis Group.
Orwa Ajjoub, Syria Expert and PHD Candidate, Global Politics.

Host: Dareen Abughaida

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Why has Trump eased sanctions on Belarus now? Dec 14, 2025

Show notes

US president Donald Trump eases sanctions on Belarus after it frees more than 100 political prisoners. Stiff European sanctions remain in place against the close Russian ally. So, why's the deal been struck now, and what's the reaction in Russia, Ukraine and the EU?

In this episode:

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Belarus Opposition Leader.
Franak Viacorka, Non-resident fellow, Atlantic Council
Mark Episkopos, Research Fellow, Quincy Institute’s Eurasia Program.
Andrey Kortunov, Russian Foreign Affairs Analyst.

Host: Adrian Finighan

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