The Inside Story Podcast

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Why is Iran's capital facing the worst drought in recorded history? Nov 13, 2025

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Iran's capital is facing its worst drought in recorded history. The President warns the only option may be to evacuate Tehran. Some commentators call that idea 'a joke'. But water cuts have begun - and no rain is expected. How did things get this bad? And how many of the world's cities face a similar fate?

In this episode:

Peter Newman - a Professor of Sustainability at Curtin University.
Marcus D King - director of the Masters program for Environment and International Affairs at Georgetown University.
Allam Ahmad - President of the World Association of Sustainable Development.

Host: Bernard Smith

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Are Europe and Russia close to a confrontation? Nov 12, 2025

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Ukraine's President says Moscow is testing Europe's red lines. Unidentified drones are being spotted at some of the busiest airports and military sites in the EU. That's as the bloc pours billions of dollars into its defences. So, are Europe and Russia close to a confrontation? And is either side ready for conflict?

In this episode:

Stefan Wolff - Professor of International Security at the University of Birmingham.
Alexander Bratersky - Independent journalist, and former reporter for the Moscow Times and Defence News.
Alexandre Vautravers - Associate Fellow at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy.

Host: Adrian Finighan

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How will the Syrian president's visit to the White House impact the region? Nov 11, 2025

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A landmark meeting between Presidents Donald Trump and Ahmed al-Sharaa at the White House.The historic sit-down signals a major shift in US-Syria relations. So, how will it shape Trump’s legacy in the Middle East? And what impact could it have on the region?

In this episode:

Haid Haid, Senior Non-Resident Fellow, Arab Reform Initiative
Robert Ford, Former US Ambassador to Syria.
Rob Geist Pinfold, Lecturer, International Security, King's College London.

Host: Adrian Finighan

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Is war one of the biggest threats to the world’s climate? Nov 10, 2025

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Leaders are in Brazil for this year’s climate summit to map a path to cutting emissions. But wars in Gaza, Sudan and Ukraine, are unleashing unprecedented levels of greenhouse gases and pollution. So why isn’t the environmental cost of war on the agenda? And is war now one of the biggest threats to the global climate?

In this episode:

Kate Mackintosh, Deputy Chair, Independent Expert Panel, Legal Definition of Ecocide.
Elaine Donderer, Disaster Risk Specialist.
Farai Maguwu, Director, Centre for Natural Resource Governance.

Host: Adrian Finighan

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Is Mali about to fall to an al-Qaeda-affiliated armed group? Nov 09, 2025

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Al-Qaeda-linked fighters have blocked fuel deliveries to Mali’s capital for two months. They want to seize territory and drive out Western influence. But could their ultimate goal be to control the country? And what would that mean for the rest of the Sahel?

In this episode:

Moussa Kondo, Executive Director, Sahel Institute.
Oluwole Ojewale, Regional Coordinator, West and Central Africa, Institute for Security Studies.
Nicolas Normand, Former French Ambassador to Mali, Senegal and Congo Republic/Congo-Brazzaville.

Host: Nick Clark

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Why is Israel ramping up its attacks on Lebanon? Nov 08, 2025

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The Israeli military is ramping up its attacks on Lebanon, violating a year-long ceasefire. It's carrying out similar breaches in Gaza and occupying Syrian territory. As the disarmament of Hezbollah makes little progress, is Israel inching towards another regional war?

In this episode:

Nabeel Khoury, Senior Non-Resident Fellow, Arab Center Washington DC.
Heiko Wimmen, Project Director, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, International Crisis Group.
Harlan Ullman, Senior Advisor, Atlantic Council.

Host: Cyril Vanier

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Can Trump break Russia’s grip on Central Asia as China’s influence grows? Nov 07, 2025

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US President Donald Trump meets with five Central Asian leaders, seeking deals on critical minerals, energy, and trade. But can Washington gain a foothold in a region long dominated by Russia — and where China’s influence is rapidly expanding?

In this episode:

Zhumabek Sarabekov, Acting Director at the Institute of World Economics and Politics in Kazakhstan
William Courtney, Senior Fellow at the RAND Corporation & former US Ambassador to Kazakhstan
Dakota Irvin, Senior Analyst at PRISM Strategic Intelligence

Host: Nick Clark

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Can both sides in Congress compromise and reopen the US government? Nov 06, 2025

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Long queues at American airports. Thousands of unpaid federal workers surviving on food banks. The longest government shutdown in U.S. history has left millions without essential services. So, can both sides in Congress compromise and reopen the government?

In this episode:

Mark Pfeifle - Republican Strategist and Former White House Deputy National Security Advisor.
Jeremy Mayer - Political Analyst, and Professor of Political Science at George Mason University.
David Bolger - Democratic Strategist and a former Campaign Communications Advisor.

Host: Bernard Smith

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Can Russian and China relations survive US and other western nations? Nov 05, 2025

Show notes

Russia and China pledge to strengthen their relations. President Xi Jinping has met the Russian Prime Minister and called for more cooperation, to deal with what he called a 'turbulent external environment'. Can the traditional allies weather the challenges posed by the US and other western nations?

In this episode:

Richard Weitz, Senior Non-Resident Associate Fellow, NATO Defense College.
Einar Tangen, Senior Fellow, Centre for International Governance Innovation.
Andrey Kortunov, former Director General, Russian International Affairs Council.

Host: Bernard Smith

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Can the US's ceasefire plan for Sudan succeed? Nov 04, 2025

Show notes

Hope for a humanitarian truce in Sudan. The parliamentary Rapid Support Forces and the Army agree in principle with the US plan to stop fighting. But with violence spreading beyond the North Darfur region, can Washington's proposal succeed?

In this episode:

Amjad Farid, Executive Director, Fikra for Studies and Development.
Mathilde Vu, Advocacy Manager for Sudan, Norwegian Refugee Council.
Susan Page, Professor, Practice, University of Michigan Law School Ford School of Public Policy.

Host: Adrian Finighan

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