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Former Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Ya'alon Jun 30, 2017

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Moshe Ya'alon served in the Israel Defence Force for 38 years including as Chief of Staff from 2002 to 2005. He then entered politics and served as Minister of Defence for three years until his resignation in May 2016. At the time warned that Israel had been taken over by "dangerous and extreme elements." He wants to run for prime minister at Israel's next election and he tells HARDtalk's Stephen Sackur "I found too many politicians generating hatred against someone, against the Arabs, against leftists, against the media, against the Supreme Court, which is a challenge".

Screenwriter and LGBTQ Activist Dustin Lance Black Jun 28, 2017

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Stephen Sackur speaks to the American film-maker and screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, who won an Oscar for the film Milk and has just completed a major series on the struggle for gay rights. It’s fifty years since homosexuality was decriminalised in much of Britain. Since then, the campaign for LGBTQ rights has won landmark victories in many parts of the world. Has the time come to declare a famous victory?

(Photo: Director Dustin Lance Black 2017. Credit: Andrew Toth/Getty Images)

Philippines Senator - Antonio Trillanes Jun 23, 2017

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Stephen Sackur speaks to Philippines Senator, Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes. When it comes to populist politics delivered with robust action no-one does it quite like Rodrigo Duterte, elected President of the Philippines a year ago. Since he came to power, around 7000 people have been killed in his war on drugs crime. Human rights groups are aghast, but a majority of Filipinos seem to admire his iron fist policy. Is President Duterte taking the Philippines and the region in a new direction?

(Photo: Senator Antonio Trillanes attends a senate hearing in Manila, 2016. Credit: Noel Celis/AFP/Getty Images)

South Africa's Public Protector (2009-2016) - Thuli Madonsela Jun 23, 2017

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HARDtalk’s Stephen Sackur speaks to Thuli Madonsela, South Africa's Public Protector until late 2016. President Zuma's grip on power in South Africa appears to be weakened. He will relinquish leadership of the ANC at the end of 2017. Whether he will complete his term as South Africa's President is uncertain as allegations of cronyism and corruption pile up around his government. Thuli Madonsela exposed a web of worrying connections between the state and big business interests; but are her concerns about to be brushed off?

(Photo: Former South African public protector Thuli Madonsela is presented with the Mahatma Gandhi Satyagraha Peace Award 2016. Credit: Rajesh Jantilal/AFP/Getty Images)

Former President of Russian Railways - Vladimir Yakunin Jun 16, 2017

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Stephen Sackur speaks to the former head of Russian Railways, Vladimir Yakunin. For the past 17 years Vladimir Putin has ruled Russia - as President or Prime Minister. But he hasn't done it alone. He has been backed by a coterie of trusted associates, connected through past ties in St. Petersburg, or in the KGB or in business. Yakunin was part of President Putin's inner circle, so much so the US made him a target of sanctions after the invasion of Crimea. Are cracks showing in the Putin project?

(Photo: Vladimir Yakunin at the BRICS/SCO Summit. Credit: Ria Novosti/Getty Images)

Belgium's Deputy Prime Minister - Alexander De Croo Jun 15, 2017

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HARDtalk’s Stephen Sackur speaks to the Deputy Prime Minister of Belgium, Alexander de Croo. The recent UK General Election was supposed to strengthen the British Government’s hand in the looming Brexit negotiations. Instead, it has backfired with Theresa May a weakened Prime Minister at the head of a minority government ill-prepared for the complex, difficult talks that lie ahead. Does Europe view Britain's travails with sympathy or relish?

Economist Stephen King Jun 14, 2017

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Stephen King was the chief economist at HSBC from 1998 to 2015. He now says 'Western led globalization is in big trouble. We may be witnessing the collapse of the post-war international economic and political order'. Stephen Sackur asks him why he thinks globalisation could go into reverse and what damage could be done to economies across Europe and the United States.

(Photo: Stephen King on Hardtalk)

Nicola Benyahia - Founder of anti-radicalisation service Families for Life Jun 09, 2017

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HARDtalk’s Stephen Sackur speaks to Nicola Benyahia, the mother of a deceased ‘IS’ fighter. After terrorist attacks in London and Manchester, the UK is preoccupied with questions about how best to counter the Jihadist threat. For politicians the focus is on policing, intelligence, and detention powers. Nicola Benyahia's son Rasheed was radicalised in Birmingham, went to fight with the so called ‘Islamic State’ group in Syria and was killed aged just 19. She now offers support to other families facing the dangers of radicalisation at home. How best to close the door on the Jihadis?

US Democratic Party Insider - Jake Sullivan Jun 08, 2017

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Zeinab Badawi speaks to US Democratic Party insider Jake Sullivan, a key adviser to senior Democrats, including Hillary Clinton when she was Secretary of State as well as on the campaign trail last year. President Trump has attracted a lot of criticism at home and abroad over his rhetoric and style of leadership. But is he not proving more effective in important foreign policy issues, like the fight against extremists than the previous Democratic administration?

(Photo: Jake Sullivan)

Civil Rights Activist - Rachel Dolezal Jun 06, 2017

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Stephen Sackur talks to Rachel Dolezal, the ostensibly black American human rights activist whose life unravelled in 2015 when it turned out that she was the daughter of white parents. So what gives us our sense of who we are? Our upbringing and our communities both have a huge impact, but what about the most basic pillars of identity that we tend to regard as immutable? Is our racial identity something we can define for ourselves?

(Photo: Rachel Dolezal talks to Stephen Sackur as part of BBC Identity season)

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