Episodes

  • Why has Trump rejected Iran's peace proposal?

    Why has Trump rejected Iran's peace proposal?
    Oct 13 2026
    Unacceptable. That was the immediate reaction from the US President Donald Trump to Iran's proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran says it's still awaiting what it called a "definitive response" from Washington through mediators. But Trump has said Iran needs a deal because, in his words, it's "losing badly." So, is his rejection of the proposal an effort to pressure Tehran for more concessions?
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    28 mins
  • How is Europe dealing with 'hybrid war'?

    How is Europe dealing with 'hybrid war'?
    Oct 12 2026
    Multiple attacks on multiple fronts, but no-one is calling it 'war'. Europe says it's facing wide-ranging attacks, from explosive-laden drones and sabotage, to political meddling and cybertargeting. It blames Russia, as its war with Ukraine drags on. But Russia says it's innocent. So how is a 'hybrid war' different from military conflict? And how do countries fight back?
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    28 mins
  • What could stop the Houthis' advance across Yemen?

    What could stop the Houthis' advance across Yemen?
    Oct 11 2026
    Already war-torn and under blockade for more than a decade, Yemen risks descending into another civil war. The Ansarullah Houthis have tightened their grip on islands in the Red Sea -- giving them control over a vital global shipping route. The fighting has unravelled a shaky ceasefire that had largely held since 2022. It comes as the Iran war has disrupted maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. So, what does it mean for this volatile region?
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    28 mins
  • Will Houthi gains give Iran leverage in its war with the US?

    Will Houthi gains give Iran leverage in its war with the US?
    Oct 10 2026
    The Ansarullah Houthi advance along Yemen’s Red Sea coast has raised fears of a second front in the US-Iran conflict. It has also put Saudi Arabia, the main ally of Yemen’s internationally recognised government, in a difficult position. The Houthis now control areas near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a key route for Saudi oil exports. With the Strait of Hormuz already blockaded, fears of further supply disruption have pushed oil prices above $100 a barrel. So what could developments in Yemen mean for the wider US-Iran conflict?
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    28 mins
  • Can BRICS reshape the global order to benefit emerging economies?

    Can BRICS reshape the global order to benefit emerging economies?
    Oct 9 2026
    The leaders of China, Russia and Iran are among those attending the 11-nation BRICS summit in New Delhi this weekend. The meeting comes at a time when the Trump administration has jolted global trade. And the U.S. war with Iran has disrupted energy supplies. The conflict is a major test for the bloc's cohesion, with Tehran wanting condemnation of Washington. But BRICS also includes the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, two countries that have faced Iranian attacks. Will the members agree on a common stance on the war? And how far will they go in rebalancing the global economy?
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    28 mins
  • How significant are latest European sanctions against illegal Israeli settlements?

    How significant are latest European sanctions against illegal Israeli settlements?
    Oct 8 2026
    Goods from illegal Israeli settlements, worth billions of dollars, are now sanctioned. Led by the UK, several European countries and Canada have announced a ban on trade with illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank. They say Israel's actions in the Palestinian territory undermine the possibility of a two-state solution. They have also condemned the sharp increase in settler violence. Targeting illegal settlements isn't new, but this time Israel has been quick to respond. It's announced the closure of the British consulate in occupied East Jerusalem, and threatened further measures. But will the import ban make a difference on the ground?
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    27 mins
  • Is the UK legally obliged to redress the harms of slavery?

    Is the UK legally obliged to redress the harms of slavery?
    Oct 7 2026
    Jamaica is petitioning the British king to refer three questions about the Transatlantic slave trade to a London court. Was the enslavement of Africans unlawful under English law at the time? Does it constitute crimes against humanity under international law? Does Britain therefore have a legal obligation to provide redress? Jamaica hopes the answers could establish a legal basis for reparations. This campaign is part of a broader push for countries to pay for their roles in the Transatlantic slave trade. A UN committee said last month that governments are obliged by law to consider paying damages.
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    28 mins
  • How will the far-right AfD's electoral rise impact Germany?

    How will the far-right AfD's electoral rise impact Germany?
    Oct 6 2026
    The Alternative for Germany is on top in Sunday's election in the east German state of Saxony-Anhalt, with about 44 percent of the vote. It's benefited from voters' economic concerns and anger over immigration. The party is also leading in national polls. But Germany's domestic intelligence agency has classified its branch in Saxony-Anhalt as a proven right-wing extremist group, a label the AfD rejects. Chancellor Friedrich Merz insists there can be no co-operation with the AfD, and mainstream German parties have been maintaining a 'firewall' against forming coalitions with the far-right. But it's not clear if the strategy will hold.
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    28 mins