After another year of fighting, is peace on the horizon for Sudan in 2026? Khartoum has come up with a plan to end the conflict, but the UN warns the violence is worsening. Where does this leave the country's future and the millions affected by the fighting?

In this episode:

• Ahmad Ibrahim, Independent Sudan Analyst.
• Cameron Hudson, Former Director, African Affairs, US National Security Council.
• Khalid Medani, Chairperson, African Studies Program, Canada's McGill University.

Host: Sami Zeidan

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How will the Syrian government deal with its growing security challenges? Renewed fighting between the army and Syrian Democratic Forces is highlighting the volatility facing the country. A truce is now in place, but will it lead to an agreement to integrate the SDF militia into the army?

In this episode:

• Haid Haid, Researcher, Chatham House.
• Steven Heydemann, Professor and Middle East Studies Program Director, Smith College.
• Omer Ozkizilcik, Nonresident Fellow, Syria Project, Atlantic Council's Middle East Program.

Host: Dareen Abughaida

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In the ongoing fighting between Thailand and Cambodia - does diplomacy stand a chance? The two sides have held their first face-to-face meeting in a regional push for peace. But without any let-up in the long-running conflict, what will it take to bring it to an end?

In this episode:

• Chheang Vannarith, Chairman, Angkor Social Innovation Park.
• Ilango Karuppannan, Adjunct Senior Fellow, Nanyang Technological University.
• Phil Robertson, Director, Asia Human Rights Labour Advocates.

Host: Dareen Abughaida

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Political tension and unrest in Bangladesh after the assassination of a student leader of last year's uprising that ousted Sheikh Hasina. Elections for a new government are due in February. So how volatile is the political situation now?

In this episode:

• Taqbir Huda, Human Rights Lawyer.
• Asif Shahan, Professor, Development Studies, University of Dhaka.
• Fahmida Khatun, Executive Director, Centre for Policy Dialogue in Bangladesh.

Host: Dareen Abughaida

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European farmers protest against the EU-Mercosur agreement. That's as signing has been postponed until January, due to disagreements in Europe. The European-South American deal planned for more than 25 years, would create the world's largest free-trade zone. So why is there division?

In this episode:

• Pieter Cleppe - Editor-in-Chief at BrusselsReport-dot-eu
• Ciaran Mullooly - Member of the European Parliament for Independent Ireland
• Gustavo Ribeiro - founder and Editor-In-Chief of the Brazilian Report online newspaper

Host: Folly Bah Thibault

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Daily Israeli breaches of the Gaza ceasefire agreement threaten the entire peace process, says the Qatari prime minister, who helped broker the deal forged by Donald Trump. So, what's gone wrong -- and what might the US president do to get it back on track?

In this episode:

• Tamer Qarmout - Associate Professor of Public Policy at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies
• Daniel Levy - President of the U.S. / Middle East Project and a former Israeli negotiator
• Rami Khouri - Distinguished Fellow at the American University of Beirut

Host: Folly Bah Thibault

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Russia and China voice support for Venezuela after Donald Trump intensifies pressure on Nicolas Maduro. The US blockades sanctioned oil tankers in the midst of a major military build-up in the region. What are the dangers - and what might happen next?

In this episode:

• Paul Dobson - Independent journalist and political analyst in Venezuela
• Elias Ferrer - Founder of Orinoco Research, a consulting company based in Caracas Temir
• Porras - Former foreign policy adviser to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and former Venezuelan deputy foreign minister

Host: Folly Bah Thibault

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Millions of people in Afghanistan face acute food insecurity, the UN warns. The crisis is exacerbated by sharp cuts in global aid funding and the forced deportation of Afghans from neighbouring countries.So, who could step in to avert a catastrophic hunger crisis?

In this episode:

• Kiana Alavi, Norwegian Refugee Council's advocacy manager in Afghanistan
• Zeeshan Salahuddin, Director Advisory of the Centre for Regional and Global Connectivity at Tabadlab
• Obaidullah Baheer, Adjunct Lecturer at the American University of Afghanistan

Host: Tom McRae

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