The Interview

Latest Episodes:

Thomas Piketty - Economist Jul 14, 2014

Show notes

Just occasionally a big idea makes waves across the world. Hardtalk speaks to French economist Thomas Piketty whose book Capital in the 21st Century, has become an unlikely international bestseller. His thesis carries echoes of Karl Marx - modern capitalism, he believes, works in favour of entrenched wealth and exacerbates inequality. His research and conclusions have come under intense fire - has Thomas Piketty emerged unscathed?

Swedish Foreign Minister - Carl Bildt Jul 11, 2014

Show notes

The European Parliament are selecting a new set of officials including the key post of commission president. The choice of EU insider Jean-Claude Juncker has led to a bitter and public row between the UK and other member states. How far has this damaged the reputation of the EU and what does it tell us about the future direction of the European Union? Hardtalk speaks to one of the EU's most experienced politicians, Sweden's Foreign Minister, Carl Bildt.

Picture: Carl Bildt, Credit: Marko Mumm/AFP/Getty Images

Adviser to Israel Prime Minister - Dore Gold Jul 09, 2014

Show notes

The kidnap and murder of four teenagers - three Israeli and then one Palestinian - has triggered protests and violent clashes in both Israel and the Occupied Territories and unleashed the heaviest rocket fire between Israel and Hamas for nearly two years. Israel blames Hamas for the abduction and killings of the Israelis. The tensions flared over the past week after the bodies of the Israeli boys were found on the West Bank. Two days later a 16-year-old Palestinian boy Mohammed Abu Khdair was killed in Jerusalem. Jewish suspects have been arrested for his murder. This latest crisis has exposed the abyss between the two communities - could it escalate into a wider conflict? Hardtalk speaks to Dore Gold - adviser to the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.

(Photo: Dore Gold, Adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Credit: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Mohamoud Nur - Mayor of Mogadishu, 2010 - 2014 Jul 07, 2014

Show notes

Most of us probably don't associate local government with racing pulses and grave danger. But few local government jobs are like the Mayor of Mogadishu's. Hardtalk speaks to Mohamoud Nur who had that post for more than three years, trying to improve life in one of the most violent, most corrupt, most rundown capital cities in the world. So what persuaded him to leave home life in London to take up the post? And, with the benefit of distance now, what hope does he hold out for Somalia?

(Photo: Mohamoud Nur)

Economic Historian - Deirdre McCloskey Jul 04, 2014

Show notes

Is rising inequality the sickness that could yet kill capitalism? It's a debate currently raging in politics as well as economics.

President Obama says income inequality is the defining challenge of our time. The influential American economist Deirdre McCloskey thinks that is to misunderstand 300 years of global growth and enrichment. She focuses on the enduring power of innovation, rather than wealth distribution.

So is it ok for the rich to enjoy a party to which no one else is invited?

(Photo: American economist Deirdre McCloskey)

Salih Muslim Mohammed – Democratic Union Party, Syria Jul 01, 2014

Show notes

The extremist group Isis is expanding its foothold in Syria, after its recent gains in neighbouring Iraq. The first town it seized was Raqqa in northern Syria a year ago; it holds parts of Aleppo province in the north as well as more territory on the border with Iraq. Isis is now engaging in battles with other rebel groups in Syria, splintering efforts by the opposition who now find themselves battling both Isis forces and government troops. What does the advance of Isis mean for moderate secular opposition groups inside Syria? Hardtalk speaks to Salih Muslim Mohammed, leader of the Syrian Kurdish Party, the PYD, which is part of the National Co-ordination Body for Democratic Change, a secular, pro-democracy coalition inside Syria.

(Photo: Salih Muslim, head of the Democratic Union Party (PYD) receives condolences after his son is killed. Credit: Fabio Bucciarelli/AFP/Getty Images)

War Correspondent - Anthony Loyd Jun 30, 2014

Show notes

More than 60 journalists have been killed in Syria's civil war. Across the world journalists have become targets as never before, murdered, kidnapped and, in the case of three Al-Jazeera journalists in Egypt, locked up by the state for doing their jobs. Hardtalk speaks to Anthony Loyd, the award winning war correspondent of The Times newspaper, who was shot and seriously injured in Syria last month. Is the fear factor forcing journalists to retreat from the frontline?

(Photo: Anthony Loyd - war correspondent, The Times newspaper)

Governor, Central Bank of Ireland - Patrick Honohan Jun 24, 2014

Show notes

Three years ago Ireland was a basket case economy - hollowed out by broken banks, bad debts and a property crash. What about now? Ireland was the first of the Eurozone bail out countries to emerge from the economic emergency room. Hardtalk speaks to Patrick Honohan, Governor of Ireland’s Central Bank. Growth has returned, optimism is on the rise, but is it justified?

(Photo: Patrick Honohan, Governor of Ireland’s Central Bank)

Chief Science Officer, SENS Foundation - Aubrey De Grey Jun 23, 2014

Show notes

Imagine life without ageing. You could live for hundreds of years with the mental and physical attributes of your 25-year-old self. Would you be tempted? Hardtalk speaks to a scientist and futurologist who believes it is a proposition that 21st Century biotechnology will soon be able to deliver. Aubrey de Grey's Californian research foundation is spending millions of dollars in a bid to conquer the ageing process. Is his vision inspiring, daft, or downright dangerous?

CEO, EasyJet - Carolyn McCall Jun 18, 2014

Show notes

Low cost airlines have revolutionised the European aviation business over the past 25 years - offering cheap flights, no frills and a service sometimes to be endured rather than enjoyed. How much further can the budget airlines grow? Hardtalk speaks to Carolyn McCall, the CEO of easyJet, which carries more international passengers than Lufthansa, British Airways or Emirates. Is flying always going to be this affordable and accessible?

(Photo: Chief Executive Officer of easyJet Carolyn McCall. Credit: Reuters)

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected