The Inside Story Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Why do the UK's prime ministers keep resigning? Jun 23, 2026

Show notes

Keir Starmer is the latest to step down, after nearly two years in office. He'd been expected to put an end to the political chaos. So, what went wrong? And what does it mean for the future of the UK?

In this episode:

Jennifer Nadel, Co-Founder of the cross-party think tank Compassion in Politics.
Tim Bale, Professor of Politics at Queen Mary University of London.
Zaid M Belbagi, Managing Partner at Hardcastle Advisory.

Host: Imran Khan

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Can the US and Iran turn the ceasefire into a permanent peace? Jun 22, 2026

Show notes

The US and Iran have finished the first round of talks with an agreement on a roadmap to a final deal.

But is there enough trust to end the conflict?

In this episode:

Mohammad Eslami - Research Fellow at Tehran University.
Kenneth Katzman - Senior Fellow at The Soufan Center.
Zeidon Alkinani - Founding Director at the Arab Perspectives Institute.

Host: Anna Burns-Francis

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Strait of Hormuz closed again: What happens next? Jun 21, 2026

Show notes

Iranian armed forces say they've closed the Strait of Hormuz after Israeli attacks on Lebanon, just days after an agreement with the U.S. reopen it. Disruption to the crucial waterway has had a huge economic impact worldwide. So, what happens next?

In this episode:

Ian Ralby - Senior Fellow at the Center for Maritime Strategy and Associate Fellow with the International Law Programme at Chatham House.
Mehran Kamrava - Professor of Government at Georgetown University in Qatar and Head of the Iranian Studies Unit at the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies.
Stavros Karamperidis - Associate Professor in Maritime Economics and Head of the Maritime Transport Research Group at the University of Plymouth.

Host: Tom McRae

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What's gone wrong so fast for UK PM Keir Starmer? Jun 20, 2026

Show notes

A landslide win, only two years ago - yet now UK prime minister Keir Starmer's resisting calls to step down. The return to parliament of Andy Burnham makes a leadership challenge more likely. What's gone wrong so fast, for Starmer? And why so much turmoil at the top of British politics?

In this episode:

Peter Oborne - UK Political Commentator and Associate Editor of Middle East Eye - a digital news organisation.
Jonathan Tonge - Professor of Politics at the University of Liverpool and author of numerous books on British and Northern Irish politics.
Peter Geoghegan - Editor of Democracy for Sale - an investigative news site in London

Host: Per Nyberg

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How is the Iran-US agreement being viewed in Israel? Jun 19, 2026

Show notes

Fury from Israeli ministers over the agreement US President Donald Trump has signed with Iran.
And a sharp rebuke in response from his vice president JD Vance. What are the implications for Israel and its prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu?

In this episode:

Gideon Levy, Columnist at Haaretz newspaper
Mairav Zonszein, Senior Israel Analyst at the International Crisis Group
Mitchell Barak, Founder of KEEVOON Research, Strategy and Communications and a former aide to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Host: Per Nyberg

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Can the Global South have a say in global affairs? Jun 19, 2026

Show notes

China calls for stronger representation for the Global South. It warns that the international rules-based order is at a critical crossroads. Beijing says it has a solution to a more equitable system. But does it have the leverage and tools to enforce it?

In this episode:

Steve Tsang, Director of the SOAS China Institute
Cobus van Staden, Head of Research at the China-Global South Project
Allen Carlson, Associate Professor in the Government Department at Cornell University

Host: Sami Zeidan

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Will Ukraine become an EU member? Jun 18, 2026

Show notes

Kyiv has just started formal talks to join the bloc. It comes after Moscow declined an offer of direct talks to end the war. So, would membership protect Ukraine? And what would it mean for Europe?

In this episode:

Peter Zalmayev, Executive Director at Eurasia Democracy Initiative
Theresa Fallon, Director at the Centre for Russia Europe Asia Studies
Alexander Bratersky, independent journalist and political analyst

Host: Imran Khan

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What has Iran won and lost from this war? Jun 16, 2026

Show notes

An agreement between Washington and Tehran has all but ended the Iran war, both claiming victory despite the huge cost. Among that is damage to Iranian relationships with its Gulf neighbours, which it attacked. So, what has Iran won and lost in the region from this war?

In this episode:

Ali Akbar Dareini, Researcher at the Center for Strategic Studies in Tehran.
Roxane Farmanfarmaian, Professor of Modern Middle East Politics at the University of Cambridge.
Mehran Kamrava, Professor of Government at Georgetown University in Qatar and Head of the Iranian Studies Unit at the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies.

Host: Scott McLean

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Can a social media ban protect young users? Jun 15, 2026

Show notes

The UK says it's banning access to social media for those under 16. Its government argues it's the right choice to protect young people from online harm. But will this policy work? And how will it be enforced?

In this episode:

Dr Charlotte Armitage, Psychologist and Psychotherapist and author of Generation Zombie: Why Devices Are Harming Our Children and What We Can Do About It
Paolo Gerbaudo, Sociologist and Political Theorist at Complutense University in Madrid
Bhargav Srinivasa Desikan, AI and Tech Lead at the Autonomy Institute and a Doctoral Researcher at the Oxford Internet Institute

Host: Scott McLean

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Can the G7 help resolve global crises as geopolitical realities shift? Jun 14, 2026

Show notes

The annual G7 summit is set to be held in France. But this time, differences within the group are growing. From tensions in the Middle East to the war in Ukraine, can the G7 help resolve global crises as geopolitical realities shift?

In this episode:

Jacques Reland, Senior Research Fellow, Global Policy Institute.
Scott Lucas, Professor, US and International Politics, Clinton Institute, University College Dublin.
Einar Tangen, Senior Fellow, Centre for International Governance Innovation.

Host: Scott McLean

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