The Inside Story Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Who benefits from India's sweeping new labour reforms? Dec 03, 2025

Show notes

India is rolling out a set of simplified labour codes to modernise outdated laws. Unions describe the changes as sweeping and aggressive. So, who stands to benefit -- workers seeking job security and fair wages? Or employers looking for flexibility and lower staffing costs?

In this episode:

Harshil Sharma - Labour economist who specialises in reforms and welfare
Surbhi Kesar - Senior Lecturer in Economics at SOAS University of London
Sudip Dutta - National Secretary of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions

Host: Adrian Finighan

Connect with us:
@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Can former colonial powers be held accountable for past atrocities? Dec 02, 2025

Show notes

African leaders want colonial-era abuses recognised and criminalised. Algeria says a legal framework would ensure reparations are neither a gift nor a favour. So, how could former colonial powers be held accountable? And can the cost of those atrocities be measured?

In this episode:

Abdelkader Abderrahmane, Independent Researcher.
Liliane Umubyeyi, Co-Founder, African Futures Lab.
Nicolas Normand, Former French Ambassador to Mali, the Republic of Congo/Congo-Brazzaville and Senegal.

Host: Bernard Smith

Connect with us:
@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

What would it mean for Israel if Netanyahu is pardoned in his court cases? Dec 01, 2025

Show notes

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked for a presidential pardon to end his criminal prosecution. He says it will unite the public but critics say he's driving further division. So, what are the long-term implications for Israel?

In this episode:

Dan Perry, Political Analyst.
Neve Gordon, Professor, Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law, Queen Mary University of London.
Mitchell Barak, Former Aide to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Host: Bernard Smith

Connect with us:
@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

What are Trump's real intentions with Venezuela? Nov 30, 2025

Show notes

Venezuela accuses Washington of colonialism after President Donald Trump said he's shutting down its airspace. The country's on high alert after US attacks on boats nearby and a huge military and naval build-up. Trump says he's fighting drug trafficking. But is that the real reason?

In this episode:

Mark Pfeifle, US Republican Strategist.
Paul Dobson, Independent Journalist.
Christopher Sabatini, Senior Research Fellow, Latin America, Chatham House.

Host: Bernard Smith

Connect with us:
@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

What does the resignation of Zelenskyy's top aide mean for Ukraine? Nov 29, 2025

Show notes

A corruption scandal in Ukraine claims its biggest scalp yet - with the resignation of President Volodomy Zelenskyy's top aide. Andriy Yermak had been due to lead key talks with the U.S. on the war with Russia this weekend. So what does this mean for Ukraine?

In this episode:

Olena Tregub - Secretary General of Ukraine’s Independent Anti-Corruption Commission.
Leonid Ragozin - Independent journalist and political analyst, specialist on Ukrainian.
Donnacha Ó Beacháin - Professor of Politics at Dublin City University.

Host: Bernard Smith

Connect with us:
@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Could military service become reality again in European countries? Nov 28, 2025

Show notes

France is to bring back a form of military service. That comes weeks after Germany announced plans to assess young people's suitability for military duty. Russia's invasion of Ukraine has forced European states to examine their readiness. So could conscription return?

In this episode:

Jacques Reland - Senior Research Fellow in European Affairs, focusing on French politics, European defence and wider EU institutions.
Paul Beaver - former soldier and defence analyst with experience assessing trends in European armed forces and recruitment.
Peter Nielsen - former Commander of NATO’s Force Integration Unit in Lithuania

Host: Dareen Abughaida

Connect with us:
@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Why was there a coup in Guinea-Bissau and what are the implications? Nov 27, 2025

Show notes

The military seizes power in Guinea-Bissau - a day before Sunday's presidential election results were due to be announced. The African Union and West African regional bloc Ecowas have condemned the coup. Why has it happened - and what are the implications?

In this episode:

Kabir Adamu - Managing Director of Beacon Security and Intelligence
Bram Posthumus - Political and economic analyst specialising in West Africa and the Sahel region
Ovigwe Eguegu - Peace and Security Policy Analyst at the consultancy Development Reimagined

Host: Dareen Abughaida

Connect with us:
@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Can the US help end the Ukraine - Russia war? Nov 26, 2025

Show notes

Little sign of peace in Ukraine - but trans-Atlantic diplomatic efforts to end the war are intensifying.
Ukraine and its European allies are vying with Russia to sway US President Donald Trump in forging a deal. Can one be reached - or will the war go on?

In this episode:

Chris Weafer, Chief Executive Officer at Macro-Advisory, a strategic consultancy focused on Russia and the Eurasia region.
Anatol Lieven - Director of the Eurasia Programme at Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft.
Michael Bociurkiw - Senior Fellow at Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center.

Host: Imran Khan

Connect with us:
@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

What are the risks as tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan escalate? Nov 25, 2025

Show notes

Pakistan accused of air strikes killing civilians in Afghanistan. A day earlier, a suicide bomb in Pakistan killed three security personnel. Recent peace efforts and a temporary ceasefire have failed. What's driving the violence and what are the risks?

In this episode:

Obaidullah Baheer, Adjunct Lecturer, American University of Afghanistan.
Sahar Khan, Security Analyst, South Asia.
Hameed Hakimi, Associate Fellow, Asia-Pacific Programme, Chatham House.

Host: Imran Khan

Connect with us:
@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

What are the implications of Israel killing Hezbollah's top military commander? Nov 24, 2025

Show notes

An Israeli air strike on Beirut kills Hezbollah's top military commander, its highest-level target during a ceasefire that came into force a year ago. There have been frequent Israeli breaches throughout.
But why this strike now, and what are the implications?

In this episode:

Joe Macaron, Geopolitical analyst specialising in US strategy in the Middle East
Nadim Houry, Executive Director of the Arab Reform Initiative
Alon Pinkas, Former Israeli Ambassador and Consul General of Israel in New York

Host: Imran Khan

Connect with us:
@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected