The Inside Story Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Is China's new ethnic unity law a step towards forced assimilation? Jul 03, 2026

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China's new ethnic unity law has come into effect. Rights groups and activists overseas say it will further shrink the rights of minorities. Will the law help forge a shared national identity, as Beijing says? Or is it a step towards forced assimilation?

In this episode:

Einar Tangen, Senior Fellow, Centre for International Governance Innovation
Zumretay Arkin, Vice President, World Uyghur Congress
William Yang, Senior Analyst for Northeast Asia, International Crisis Group

Host: Mohammed Jamjoom

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Could water become a flashpoint between Islamabad and New Delhi? Jul 02, 2026

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Pakistan has said India's suspension of a decades-old treaty could amount to an act of war. And tensions between the two are already high. So, how could they avoid a further escalation?

In this episode:

Siddharth Varadarajan, founding editor of the independent investigative news organisation, The Wire
Michael Kugelman, Senior Fellow for South Asia at the Atlantic Council
Zeeshan Salahuddin, Advisory Director at Tabadlab, a think-tank and consultancy on geopolitics

Host: Mohammed Jamjoom

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Why are Sudan's Rapid Support Forces battling for control of el-Obeid? Jul 02, 2026

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The Rapid Support Forces are trying to seize the strategic southern city of el-Obeid from the Sudanese military. Rights groups are warning of a potential humanitarian catastrophe. But why is the battle to control the city so important?

In this episode:

Ali Mahmoud Ali, Sudan Researcher with the Armed Conflict, Location & Event Data project
Kholood Khair, Founding Director of Confluence Advisory, a think tank founded in Khartoum with a focus on Sudan
Nathaniel Raymond, Executive Director of the Humanitarian Research Lab at Yale School of Public Health

Host: Mohammed Jamjoum

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How is South Africa dealing with immigration? Jun 30, 2026

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A June 30th deadline set by anti-migrant groups for undocumented foreigners to leave, has come and gone. Thousands protested across the country, against what they say is a broken immigration system. So, what's driving this debate? And what are the political, economic and diplomatic costs?

In this episode:

William Gumede, Associate Professor at the University of the Witwatersrand
Nomvula Mokonyane, First Deputy Secretary General of South Africa's governing ANC party
Richard Pithouse, Distinguished Research Fellow at The Global Centre for Advanced Studies

Host: Imran Khan

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How far will Iraq's new government go to crack down on corruption? Jun 29, 2026

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Several senior politicians have been detained in a wave of arrests. The government says it's just the beginning. But is this about graft, or is politics involved?

In this episode:

Ahmed Rushdi, President of the think-tank, House of Iraqi Expertise Foundation
Renad Mansour, Deputy Director of the Middle East and North Africa Programme at Chatham House
Manuel Pirino, Regional Advisor for Middle East and North Africa at Transparency International

Host: Imran Khan

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Can the International Court of Justice help end the conflict in eastern DRC? Jun 28, 2026

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The Democratic Republic of Congo takes Rwanda to the International Court of Justice. Kinshasa seeks to hold Kigali responsible for the war in the eastern DRC. But can international law help end one of Africa's longest running conflicts?

In this episode:

Demas Kiprono, Executive Director at the International Commission of Jurists, Kenya.
Kambale Musavuli, Analyst at the Center for Research on the Congo-Kinshasa.
Phil Clark, Professor of International Politics at SOAS University of London.

Host: James Bays

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Why is Crimea so critical to the Russia-Ukraine conflict? Jun 27, 2026

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Crimea under a state of emergency. The move comes as Ukraine intensifies attacks on the Russian-controlled region. Kyiv says its aim is to press Moscow to end the war. But is that realistic? And why is Crimea so critical to the wider conflict?

In this episode:

Leonid Ragozin, independent journalist who focuses on Russia, Ukraine and Eastern Europe.
Yulia Kazdobina, Senior Fellow in the Security Studies Program at the Ukrainian Prism Foreign Policy Council.
Stefan Wolff, Professor of International Security at the University of Birmingham.

Host: James Bays

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How much disaster aid will the US provide to Venezuela? Jun 26, 2026

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Death and destruction after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela. The disaster comes just months after U.S. forces abducted the former president. So, how may that impact the flow of aid from Washington? And what kind of politics are at play?

In this episode:

Jan Eagland, secretary general of the Norwegian Refugee Council
Chris Gilbert, Professor at the Bolivarian University of Venezuela
Michael Shifter, Adjunct Professor of Latin American Studies at Georgetown University
Paul Dobson, political analyst and independent journalist

Host: James Bays

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Has Marco Rubio's tour of the Gulf reassured US allies? Jun 26, 2026

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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has wrapped up his three-day tour of the Gulf. Regional states want a greater say in security--after coming under attack during the Iran war. So, can Washington rebuild trust with its regional allies? And will Gulf states be able to steer the future of the Strait of Hormuz?

In this episode:

Abdulla Banndar Al Etaibi, Assistant Professor of International Relations at Qatar University
Gordon Gray, Former U.S. Ambassador and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs
Sina Toossi, Senior Fellow at the Center for International Policy, focusing on U.S.-Iran relations

Host: James Bays

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Why does Israel want to be less dependent on US weapons? Jun 24, 2026

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Benjamin Netanyahu says he's grateful to the US for its military aid but that it's time for Israel to build its own weapons-production capacity. The Israeli prime minister's announcement comes as tensions grow over the US agreement with Iran. But demand soars for Israel's weapons — its arms exports hit a record $19 billion last year. Supporters say that it strengthens Israel's ability to stand on its own. Can Israel afford to lose its greatest ally?

In this episode:

Alexandre Vautravers, Security and defence policy specialist
Michael Mulroy, Former US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East
Antony Loewenstein, Author of 'The Palestine Laboratory'

Host: Folly Bah Thibault

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