The Inside Story Podcast

What are the hurdles facing the Mecca agreement? The defence pact between Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan comes at a time of heightened tension in the Middle East. So, who stands to gain from the new alliance? And how is it viewed in the region and beyond?
In this episode:
Abdulaziz Alghashian - Senior Non-Resident Fellow at the Gulf International Forum


David Des Roches - Professor at the Thayer Marshall Institute


Zaid M Belbagi - Managing Partner at Hardcastle Advisory

Host: Anna Burns-Francis
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New Israeli attacks in Lebanon, after soldiers were killed for the first time since a fragile truce with Beirut began in June. It comes despite more Lebanese-Israeli talks in Rome in a U.S.-brokered peace process. So where do things stand now?
In this episode:
Maha Yahya, Director of the Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut
Jennifer Gavito, Former U.S. Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs
Rami Khouri, Distinguished Public Policy Fellow at the American University of Beirut
Host: James Bays
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A surge in missile and drone attacks by Russia and Ukraine with civilians killed on both sides. Little movement on the diplomatic front, while U.S. attention is largely focused on Iran. So, what's next for Europe's worst conflict since World War Two?
In this episode:
Andrey Kortunov, Russian affairs analyst and a former Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council
Oleksiy Goncharenko, a Member of the Ukrainian parliament
Thomas Graham, Henry A. Kissinger Distinguished Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York
Host: Mohammed Jamjoom
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How much of a challenge are wildfires to Europe? Rapidly spreading blazes are scorching the continent, destroying forests, farmland, homes and businesses. They're becoming bigger and more difficult to control. So, what's fuelling the flames?
In this episode:
Paleologos Paleologou -- Geographer and an Associate Professor of Forest Protection at the Agricultural University of Athens
Marta Yebra, Director of the Bushfire Research Centre of Excellence, Australian National University
Carlo Buontempo, Director of Copernicus Climate Change Service
Host: Mohammed Jamjoom
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Israel says it has doubts about Hamas disarming. The group and other Palestinian factions in Gaza have agreed to lay down their weapons. But they say it's dependent on the withdrawal of Israeli troops — which Israel has refused to do unless they disarm. Where does this leave Gaza?
In this episode:
Xavier Abu Eid, Political analyst and former adviser to the Palestinian negotiating team
Michael Mulroy, Former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East
Nimrod Novick, Former special envoy and senior adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres
Host: Frankie McCamley
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