The 1930s 2.0 & the collapse of American soft power

In this episode of Centre Stage, political philosopher and historian Roy Casagranda delivers a sharp analysis of the US. He explains why the US is increasingly relying on military and economic coercion, and why the global landscape today feels eerily like the “1930s 2.0”. This episode is hosted by…

Trita Parsi on Iran, the US and the Middle East

Iranian-born author and professor Trita Parsi joins Centre Stage to unpack the history between the US and Iran, Iran’s nuclear ambitions and Washington's role as a strategic player in an increasingly divided world. He also breaks down Tehran’s relationships with groups like Hezbollah and Hamas and …

Fired Washington Post columnist Karen Attiah on free speech

In this episode of Centre Stage, our guest is journalist Karen Attiah. The Washington Post fired Attiah in September from her role as Global Opinions editor over one of her social media posts. It was written in the aftermath of the assassination of American right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk. Atti…

Beyond the rubble: The cost of a Palestinian state

Dr Mohammed Mustafa joins Centre Stage to talk about the horrific realities he witnessed during his volunteer postings in Gaza. The Australian emergency physician of Palestinian heritage witnessed first-hand Israel’s war on Gaza and discusses the immense pressure of making life-and-death decisions …

Mozambique at 50: A conversation with President Chapo

Fifty years after independence, Mozambique is navigating the challenges of a young democracy—from conflict and displacement to the urgent need for inclusive development. President Chapo shares how he’s tackling these issues while working to position Mozambique as a key player in Southern Africa. He…

Mary Trump on politics, power and the future of US democracy

Mary Trump, a clinical psychologist, bestselling author and niece of US President Donald Trump, joins Centre Stage to offer her analysis of her uncle’s influence on US politics, the evolution of the Republican Party and what the 2025 elections revealed about the state and future of US democracy. M…

Bearing witness: A doctor’s reckoning with Gaza

Dr Mimi Syed, a US emergency physician, joins Centre Stage to talk about the horrific reality she witnessed during her two trips to Gaza in 2024. She shares evidence she says indicates the Israeli military is deliberately targeting children, the stories she carries from the patients and families sh…

The importance of preserving Palestinian archives

In this episode of Centre Stage, our guest is Zach Foster, a Jewish historian of Palestine.  He joins us to discuss his work on preserving Palestinian maps and archival materials, despite the deliberate destruction of archives by Israel. Foster explains his journey from growing up in a Zionist hou…

The West’s 'principles fall apart' over Palestine

French political analyst Francois Burgat was charged with supporting terrorism over a social media post he shared, which included a statement by Hamas. He was later acquitted. Burgat joins Centre Stage to unpack the case, the politics behind it, and what he believes it reveals about free speech and…

When justice fails: Genocide and colonialism in Palestine

Rula Shadid, discusses the global perception of Palestine and Western complicity in Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube