The Inside Story Podcast

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How important is the UN General Assembly in today's world? Sep 24, 2025

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Contrasting speeches and world visions at the United Nations General Assembly. Attacks on the validity of the UN from US President Donald Trump before he met other world leaders there to discuss Gaza and Ukraine. So, how important is the UN General Assembly in today's world?

In this episode:

Ravi Agrawal, Editor in Chief, Foreign Policy.
Maleeha Lodhi, Former Pakistani Ambassador to the United Nations.
Mark Seddon, Director, Centre for United Nations Studies, University of Buckingham.

Host: Bernard Smith

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Why are so many countries falling behind on AI? Sep 23, 2025

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Artificial intelligence is the tech revolution of our times. But more than 100 countries are falling way behind those leading the AI surge and are losing out. That's what the UN General Assembly will hear this week. So what's the risk of a digital divide in AI?

In this episode:

Rahul Dogra, Founder, A.I. World Today.
Atoosa Kasirzadeh, Assistant Professor, Carnegie Mellon University.
Ramesh Srinivasan, Professor, Department of Information Studies, UCLA.

Host: Bernard Smith

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What's happened to diplomatic efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war? Sep 22, 2025

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NATO sends more forces east after Russia is again accused of violating a member state's airspace. Ukraine hit by some of the largest drone strikes of the war while it attacks Russian energy facilities. What's happened to diplomatic efforts to end the conflict?

In this episode:

Peter Zalmayev, Executive Director, Eurasia Democracy Initiative.
Chris Weafer, CEO, Macro-Advisory.
Steven Erlanger, Chief Diplomatic Correspondent in Europe, The New York Times.

Host: Tom McRae

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What are the chances for peace in Sudan? Sep 21, 2025

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A mosque bombed in Sudan is the latest atrocity in a conflict that's caused the world's worst humanitarian crisis, says the UN. A new US-led political initiative gets a cool response from Khartoum. What's happening in the conflict and what hopes for peace?

In this episode:

Amgad Fareid Eltayeb, Executive Director, Fikra for Studies and Development.
Kholood Khair, Sudanese Political Analyst.
Cameron Hudson, Senior Associate, Africa Program, Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Host: Tom McRae

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Will the US and China reach a deal on TikTok? Sep 20, 2025

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Will the US and China reach a deal on TikTok? Donald Trump says an agreement is well on the way, after a call with Xi Jinping. But why is the Chinese social media app problematic in America? And who stands to gain from the sale of its US operations?

In this episode:

Richard Weitz, Senior Non-Resident Associate Fellow, NATO Defense College.
Einar Tangen, Senior Fellow, Centre for International Governance Innovation.
Maria Curi, Technology Policy Reporter, Axios.

Host: Tom McRae

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How relevant is the United Nations in the Gaza war? Sep 19, 2025

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Yet again, the US blocks a UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. It's the sixth time Washington has used its veto power since October 2023. Where does this leave the UN's relevance in the war? And what are the options for international action?

In this episode:

William Lawrence - Professor of Political Science and International Affairs at American University.
Ardi Imseis - Associate Professor of Law at Queen’s University and a former UN legal officer.
Xavier Abu Eid - Political scientist and former adviser to the Palestine Liberation Organization.

Host: Sami Zeidan

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Will a suspension of free trade agreements with Israel stop its genocide? Sep 18, 2025

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The European Commission calls for a suspension of free trade agreements with Israel in response to the war on Gaza. It also wants to sanction two government ministers. But some EU countries oppose the move. Will it be enough to force Israel to stop its genocide?

In this episode:

Yannis Koutsomitis - European affairs analyst
Akiva Eldar - Israeli political analyst.
Ulrich Brückner - Jean Monnet Professor for European Studies.

Host: Folly Bah Thibault

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Will a UN report accusing Israel of genocide make a difference for Gaza? Sep 17, 2025

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Israel has committed genocide in the Gaza Strip, says the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry. Israel's accused of committing genocidal acts defined by global conventions. But will this new report make any difference to the plight of the Palestinians in Gaza?

In this episode:

Jonathan Kuttab, International Human Rights Lawyer.
Mouin Rabbani, Political Analyst.
Toby Cadman, International Criminal Lawyer.

Host: Adrian Finighan

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How important is this year's UN General Assembly? Sep 16, 2025

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The United Nations General Assembly meets to debate next week. Crises including the Gaza genocide, Ukraine war and climate change are placing the world body under severe scrutiny. It's also facing pressure from the Trump administration. What role can the gathering of world nations play?

In this episode:

Donnacha Ó Beacháin, Professor, International Relations, Dublin City University.
Shahd Hammouri, Lecturer, International Law, University of Kent.
Hugh Lovatt, Senior Policy Fellow, European Council on Foreign Relations.

Host: Adrian Finighan

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What's behind the anti-immigration protests in the UK? Sep 15, 2025

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More than a hundred thousand people demonstrate in London against immigration - with arrests after violent clashes with police. The rally was organised by a far-right activist with criminal convictions, backed by Elon Musk. What are the implications?

In this episode:

Peter Geoghegan, Editor, Democracy for Sale.
Jennifer Nadel, Director and Co-Founder, Compassion in Politics.
Tariq Ali, Political Writer and Historian.

Host: Adrian Finighan

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