The Inside Story Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Why is Lebanon such a central issue to Iran? Jun 02, 2026

Show notes

Lebanon under Israeli attack - while diplomatic efforts continue to end the war in Iran. And with Israel escalating attacks on Hezbollah, Tehran wants any peace deal to cover both conflicts. So, why is Iran making Lebanon a central issue in its own war?

In this episode:

Naim Salem, Professor of Political Science at the Lebanese Army Military Academy
Marzie Khalilian, Political Analyst and Academic Researcher
Nicholas Noe, Editor-in-Chief of Mideastwire.com

Host: Mohammed Jamjoom

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Is the US-backed Gaza peace process in serious danger? Jun 01, 2026

Show notes

Israel continues killing Palestinians in Gaza and threatens to seize more of the Strip - all in breach of October's ceasefire deal. Attacks go on everyday, with more than 900 killed since then. So, is the US-backed peace process in serious danger?

In this episode:

Muhammad Shehada, Senior Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations
Daniel Levy, President of the U.S. / Middle East Project
Tamer Qarmout, Associate Professor of Public Policy at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies

Host: Mohammed Jamjoom

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

What's at stake in Ethiopia's elections? May 31, 2026

Show notes

What's at stake in Ethiopia's elections? The governing party is seeking to cement its power, but in a country embroiled in conflicts and deeply fragmented, will this vote solve Ethiopia's many woes? And how are these elections viewed across the Horn of Africa?

In this episode:

Samuel Getachew, Journalist and Ethiopian politics and security commentator.
Martin Plaut, Senior Research Fellow, King’s College London.
Bizuneh Yimenu, Lecturer in Comparative Politics, Queen's University Belfast.

Host: Mohammed Jamjoom

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Is the Russia-Ukraine war entering a new phase? May 30, 2026

Show notes

NATO says it's ready to defend allied territory against Russian attacks. Ukraine warns Moscow is preparing for a major aerial assault, and appeals for more military support. Both sides seem confident they are advancing on the battlefield. So, is the war entering a new phase?

In this episode:

Olesia Horiainova - Co-founder of the Ukrainian Security and Cooperation Centre
Donald Jensen - Adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins University
Alexey Muraviev - Russian defence and security specialist

Host: Mohammed Jamjoom

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

What's next after scrapping the 'Black Code' in France? May 29, 2026

Show notes

France has repealed a controversial law called Code Noir, or Black Code. It classified people in its colonies as property. But why now? What does it mean for the millions of victims of French colonialism?

In this episode:

Liliane Umubyeyi, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the African Futures Lab
Marlene Daut, Professor of French and African Diaspora Studies at Yale University
Anne Giudicelli, Global relations specialist and former security analyst for the French Foreign Office

Host: Tom McRae

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

What's driving anti-migrant sentiment in South Africa? May 28, 2026

Show notes

What's behind the recent anti-migrant protests in South Africa? Thousands of foreign workers are under increasing pressure to leave the country. So, what's driving this anti-migrant sentiment that many have called xenophobic? And is politics involved?

In this episode:

William Gumede, Associate Professor, School of Governance at the University of the Witwatersrand
Lindywe Zulu, member of the ANC Committee on International Relations and a former South African Minister of Social Development
Ashraf Essop, immigration lawyer

Host: Tom McRae

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Why is Israel ramping up attacks in Lebanon despite a ceasefire? May 27, 2026

Show notes

Israel intensifies its military action in Lebanon, killing and injuring dozens of people, despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire. Iran insists those attacks must also end as part of any deal with the United States. So, why is Israel ramping up its strikes?

In this episode:

Najat Aoun Saliba, Independent Member of the Lebanese Parliament
Rami Khouri, Distinguished Fellow at the American University of Beirut
Michael Mulroy, Former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East

Host: James Bays

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Will Pope Leo's encyclical on AI have an impact on big tech? May 26, 2026

Show notes

In the first keynote policy statement of his papacy, Pope Leo has warned that artificial intelligence must be for the benefit of humanity, not geopolitical or corporate dominance. Will his views have any impact on big tech and governments?

In this episode:

Gerard O’Connell, Senior Vatican correspondent for the Catholic magazine, America
Aya Ibrahim, Senior Visiting Fellow at the AI Now Institute
Elaine Burke, Science and technology writer and host of the podcast, For Tech's Sake

Host: James Bays

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Is a US-Iran deal taking shape? May 25, 2026

Show notes

A possible US-Iran deal to end the conflict is taking shape. While mediators try to bridge some critical divides, Israeli officials are reportedly worried. What are their concerns? And will they throw a spanner in the works?

In this episode:

Mairav Zonszein, Senior Israel Analyst at the International Crisis Group
Yossi Mekelberg, Senior Consulting Fellow with the Middle East and North Africa Programme at Chatham House
Paul Musgrave, Professor of U.S. Government at Georgetown University

Host: James Bays

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

What could be the lasting legacy of the US-Israeli war on Iran? May 24, 2026

Show notes

The Iran war has caused the worst energy crisis in history, according to the International Energy Agency. It's been politically unpopular in the US too ahead of crucial mid-term elections in November. So, even after it ends, could this war have long-lasting implications?

In this episode:

Foad Izadi, Associate Professor, University of Tehran.
Christopher Hill, Former US diplomat.
Abdullah Al Shayji, Professor, Political Science, Kuwait University.

Host: James Bays

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected