The Interview

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Pyotr Verzilov - Russian artist and political activist Sep 14, 2012

Show notes

To their critics they're publicity hungry blasphemers; to their minds they are feminist punk rockers protesting against what they say is Russian president Vladimir Putin's authoritarianism and sexism.

When three members of the Russian band Pussy Riot were jailed in August, there was an international outcry.

They were found guilty of hooliganism for staging an illegal performance early this year in Moscow's Cathedral of Christ the Saviour.

Zeinab Badawi speaks to Pyotr Verzilov, the husband of one of the jailed activists, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova.

Is Pussy Riot's high media profile the result of their shock tactics rather than real political clout?

(Image: Members of the female punk band Pussy Riot (R-L) Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Maria Alyokhina and Yekaterina Samutsevich sit in a glass-walled cage during a court hearing in Moscow. Credit: REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/Files)

Tyler Hamilton - Former professional cyclist Sep 12, 2012

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For years, it's been one of the biggest questions in sport.

Did Lance Armstrong - the seven time winner of cycling's greatest race, the Tour de France - dope?

Is the man who beat cancer to become one of the greatest sporting figures ever - a cheat?

Armstrong has denied wrongdoing.

But now a former teammate and roommate of Armstrong's, Tyler Hamilton, has produced the most detailed and wounding set of allegations yet.

Is Hamilton self-serving and greedy, as Armstrong insists?

Or a shaft of light on a sport that's been mired in murk?

(Image: US cyclist Tyler Hamilton. Credit: AFP/Getty Images)

Maryam Al Khawaja - Bahraini Human Rights Activist Sep 10, 2012

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The future of the Gulf state of Bahrain remains uncertain after 18 months of street protests inspired by the Arab Spring.

Some of the most outspoken Bahraini critics of the ruling Al Khalifa family are behind bars, violent clashes between police and demonstrators continue.

Maryam Al Khawaja is a prominent human rights campaigner, whose father was sentenced to life in prison for plotting to overthrow the government.

Who will win the fight for Bahrain's future?

Xavier Rolet - Chief Executive, London Stock Exchange Group Sep 07, 2012

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The 2008 banking crash prompted a prolonged crisis of confidence in the financial institutions and markets that underpin Western capitalism.

Governments on both sides of the Atlantic have tried to recalibrate the balance between risk and reward and to encourage genuine wealth creation rather than short term speculation.

Xavier Rolet is the CEO of the London Stock Exchange Group.

Have financial markets learned the right lessons from recent history?

(Image: Xavier Rolet, Chief Executive of the London Stock Exchange (LSE). Copyright London Stock Exchange press office handout)

Raymond Tshibanda - Minister for Foreign Affairs, Democratic Republic of Congo Sep 05, 2012

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The grim threat of renewed conflict hangs over the Democratic Republic of Congo.

An armed rebellion in the East - on the Rwandan border - has already forced hundreds of thousands to flee.

The DRC army is in disarray and the Kinshasa government has been undermined by allegations of electoral fraud and corruption.

Stephen Sackur talks to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Raymond Tshibanda.

What hope is there for the Democratic Republic of Congo?

(Image: Democratic Republic of Congo's Minster for Foreign Affairs Raymond Tshibanda. Credit: JUNIOR D.KANNAH/AFP/GettyImages)

Tarek al-Hashimi - Vice President of Iraq Aug 30, 2012

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Tarek al-Hashimi is in a very strange position: he is Iraq's vice president but right now he is a de facto fugitive in Turkey. He is being tried in absentia on charges of sponsoring death squads inside Iraq.

The conflict in Syria is fuelling sectarian tension across the Middle East.

In neighbouring Iraq a political and security crisis has deepened in the last year.

What hope is there for justice or peace in a region in the grip of sectarian strife?

(Image: Iraq's Vice President Tarek al-Hashimi. Credit: AFP / Getty Images)

Brian Sayers – Syrian Support Group Aug 28, 2012

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While some Arab states are actively funding the Syrian opposition, the West has publicly refused to provide arms.

The US, in particular, has been criticised for its reluctance to get involved beyond talks and diplomacy.

Brian Sayers is a lobbyist for a US-based non-profit organisation. The Syrian Support Group has been given the green light by the US Treasury to raise money for the Free Syrian Army despite the fears that the FSA might have links to extremist groups in the region.

The Syrian Support Group insists that the money raised will not get into the wrong hands. How can they be sure?

(Image: Brian Sayers)

Maajid Nawaz - Chairman of Quilliam, counter extremisim organisation Aug 27, 2012

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Maajid Nawaz is a British born Muslim who became a radical Islamist.

He was arrested and imprisoned in Hosni Mubarak's Egypt but when he emerged from prison he renounced his former views and launched a campaign to counter Islamist ideology.

To some he's a truth teller, to others a traitor.

Stephen Sackur asks him to explain his extraordinary transformation.

Rob Davies - South Africa's Minister for Trade and Industry Aug 24, 2012

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Stephen Sackur talks to Rob Davies, South Africa’s Minister for Trade and Industry.

The labour unrest in South Africa’s platinum mines has claimed the lives of dozens and produced the kind of violence not seen since apartheid.

The strike has driven up the cost of platinum prices and shaken investor confidence. It has also drawn the world’s attention to the low wages and poor working conditions of South Africa’s miners.

Is the call to invest in Africa’s biggest economy being stifled by the rage against social and economic disparity?

(Image: Rob Davies addressing the media at the TIME / FORTUNE / CNN Global Forum in June 2010. Credit: Getty Images)

Angélique Kidjo - Musician and Activist Aug 22, 2012

Show notes

Angélique Kidjo has been hailed as Africa's premier diva, known for her passionate voice and fierce determination to help African girls fulfil their potential.

Three decades ago she left her home continent and became an international star.

Stephen Sackur asks Kidjo how much Africa and its music scene has changed between then and now.

(Image: Angelique Kidjo performing in 2010. Credit: AFP / Getty Images)