The Inside Story Podcast

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Will Saudi Arabia be dragged further into the war in Iran? Jul 31, 2026

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Anger in Iraq after Saudi Arabia attacked an umbrella paramilitary group with ties to Iran. Riyadh accuses the Popular Mobilization Forces of targeting its oil facilities. As the US-Iran war drags on, what are the risks of the conflict spreading?

In this episode:

Ahmed Rushdi, Head of the House of Iraqi Expertise Foundation, a policy think-tank and research organisation
Ahmed Al Maimouni, Head of Research at the Rasanah International Institute of Iranian Studies
And Muhanad Seloom, Assistant Professor in Critical Security Studies at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies

Host: James Bays

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What will it take to stop the conflict in Sudan? Jul 28, 2026

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Sudan's army says it's regained control of a highway connecting the capital to North Kordofan state. The area has become the latest front in the conflict with paramilitaries, which has killed tens of thousands of people. Will it be enough to shift the outcome of the fighting?

In this episode:

Sanosi Zakaria, Editor-in-chief of the Sudan Mirror and former Sudanese army officer
Shashwat Saraf, Sudan Country Director for the Norwegian Refugee Council
Elbashir Idris, Sudan analyst

Host: James Bays

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Will Peru's Keiko Fujimori administration move beyond her father's legacy? Jul 27, 2026

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Peru is getting its ninth president in ten years. Keiko Fujimori is taking the reins more than 25 years after her father's polarising presidency. But the scars of that era still divide Peru. Will her government move beyond his legacy?

In this episode:

Jose Ragas, Historian and Assistant Professor at the Catholic University of Chile
Renata Segura, Programme Director for Latin America and the Caribbean at the International Crisis Group
Christopher Sabatini, Director of the Latin America Programme at Chatham House

Host: James Bays

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What will it take to bring the wildfires under control in Europe? Jul 26, 2026

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Europe engulfed in flames as wildfires spread rapidly. Hundreds of thousands forced from their homes; swathes of land scorched. Climate change has contributed to this unprecedented fire season. But what will it take to bring the situation under control?

In this episode:

Eduardo Rojas, Chairman of the Board, Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification.
Soraya Fettih, Global Campaigns Coordinator, 350.org.
Laurie Laybourn, Executive Director, Strategic Climate Risks Initiative.

Host: Per Nyberg

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Why are settler attacks on Palestinians intensifying? Jul 25, 2026

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Israel says it's planning a major military operation in the occupied West Bank. Settler attacks on Palestinians are intensifying, becoming increasingly violent. As Israel is gearing up for an election, how does this escalation serve Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right partners?

In this episode:

Alon Pinkas - Former Israeli ambassador and consul general in New York
Sari Bashi - Human rights lawyer and executive director of the Public Committee Against Torture in Israel
Mairav Zonszein - Senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, focused on Israel and Palestine

Host: Per Nyberg

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What's the significance of the US-Saudi nuclear deal? Jul 24, 2026

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What's the significance of the U.S.-Saudi nuclear deal? The two countries signed an agreement to co-operate on what they say is generating energy for civilian purposes. But in a volatile Middle East, could this deal lead to a new global nuclear arms race?

In this episode:

Abdulaziz Alghashian, Senior Non-Resident Fellow at Gulf International Forum
Barbara Slavin, Distinguished Fellow at the Stimson Center
Simon Mabon, Author, ‘The Struggle for Supremacy in the Middle East: Saudi Arabia and Iran

Host: Frankie McCamley

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Can India's youth-led protest movement bring lasting change? Jul 23, 2026

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India's government is under pressure. Tens of thousands of students are on the streets - demanding the Education Minister's resignation. What started as a protest after exam papers were leaked has turned into a campaign for better living conditions. So, can the youth-led movement bring lasting political change?

In this episode:

Amulya Dhawan, Political Science and Sociology student at Ashoka University and media volunteer with the Cockroach Janta Party
MK Venu, Founding Editor of The Wire
Yamini Aiyar, Visiting Professor of Practice at The Watson School of International and Public Affairs, Brown University

Host: Anna Burns-Francis

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Will the US-Iran war dominate discussions at the ASEAN summit? Jul 22, 2026

Show notes

Southeast Asian nations are gathering for the 2026 ASEAN Summit where topics such as Myanmar and regional security are on the agenda. But officials are gathering amidst an escalating war between the US and Iran. So, will the conflict overshadow the other issues facing ASEAN?

In this episode:

Richard Heydarian, Political Scientist.
Phar Kim Ben, Professor in ASEAN studies at International Islamic Univerisity of Malaysia.
Don McLain Gill, Lecturer at De La Salle University.

Host: James Bays

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How will Khalil al-Hayya's leadership shape Hamas? Jul 21, 2026

Show notes

Khalil al-Hayya has been appointed head of the Hamas political bureau. He played a major role in the ceasefire talks to end Israel's devastating war on Gaza. How significant is his election for both Hamas and the Palestinian territory?

In this episode:

Ibrahim Fraihat, Professor at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies.
Muhammad Shehada, Senior Fellow at European Council on Foreign Relations.
Max Rodenbeck, Project Director for Israel and Palestine at International Crisis Group.

Host: James Bays

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How will Zelenskyy handle the growing political crisis at home? Jul 20, 2026

Show notes

Ukraine hits back after Russia carries out one of its largest missile attacks of the war. At the same time, Kyiv is dealing with demonstrations and the political fallout following the dismissal of the defence minister. How will the president handle the crisis?

In this episode:

Olesia Horiainova, Co-founder and deputy head of the Ukrainian Security and Cooperation Center
Glenn Diesen, Professor of International Relations at the University of South-East Norway
Bob Seely, Foreign affairs security analyst and stakeholder in the defence tech company, Trypillian

Host: James Bays

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