The Inside Story Podcast

There's been a backlash against UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in local and regional elections across England, Scotland, and Wales, despite a huge parliamentary majority. He's rejecting calls to quit, but faces new challenges from both the left and the right. So, why are these elections so significant?
In this episode:
Peter Geoghegan, Editor of the investigative news site Democracy for Sale.
Lesley Riddoch, Podcaster, journalist and author of 'Blossom: What Scotland Needs to Flourish'.
Tim Bale, Professor of Politics at Queen Mary University of London.
Host: Mohammed Jamjoom
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China's diplomatic role in the Middle East is under sharp focus, as foreign ministers from Beijing and Tehran meet. It's calling on the US and Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and for a 'comprehensive' ceasefire. So, can China help end the war?
In this episode:
Setareh Sadeqi, Assistant Professor, Tehran University's Faculty of World Studies
Scott Uehlinger, Former senior CIA officer and U.S. Navy veteran
Andy Mok, Senior Research Fellow, Center for China and Globalization
Host: Mohammed Jamjoom
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India's Hindu nationalist BJP sweeps West Bengal, a state governed by the opposition for decades and historically seen as a symbol of secularism. What does this mean for democracy in India? And for its 200 million Muslims?
In this episode:
Shaina NC, National spokesperson for Shiv Sena, a conservative party in India
Javed Ansari, Political commentator and senior journalist
Yogendra Yadav, Civil society activist and co-founder of the Swaraj India political party
Host: Mohammed Jamjoom
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Tension escalates rapidly across the Gulf, despite last month's ceasefire. An oil facility hit in the United Arab Emirates, Iranian boats attacked, while the US tries to force open a shipping route in the Strait of Hormuz. So, what does this mean for hopes of an end to the Iran war?
In this episode:
Negar Mortazavi, Senior Fellow at the Center for International Policy in Washington DC and host of the 'Iran Podcast'
Jason Campbell, Senior Fellow at the Middle East Institute in In Washington DC
Jasmine El Gamal, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Averos Strategies, former Pentagon Middle East Adviser between 2008 and 2015
Host: Tom McRae
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Israeli forces detain two activists after stopping the Gaza-bound Global Sumud flotilla off the coast of Greece. It happened in international waters nearly a thousand kilometres from the Gaza Strip. So, was this action legal?
In this episode:
Heidi Matthews, Assistant Professor at Osgoode Hall Law School at York University in Toronto
Dan Perry, former Editor of the Associated Press for Europe, the Middle East and Africa and publisher of 'Ask Questions Later' on Substack
Lynn Boylan, Member of the European Parliament for Dublin for the Sinn Fein party and Chair of the European Parliament Delegation for Relations with Palestine
Host: Tom McRae
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