

Why are there mixed reactions to the US-India trade deal?
India and the U.S. announce a trade deal, with relief from some of President Donald Trump's harshest tariffs. He says India will stop buying Russian oil and open up to American business. So, why is the deal getting a mixed reaction in India? In this episode: Ajay Chhibber, visiting scholar at Ge…

Will there be conflict again between Iran and Israel?
US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is yet again in Israel to discuss growing tensions with Iran. The two sides have been trading threats. At odds for nearly half a century, can they find a common ground? Or is a new round of conflict inevitable? In this episode: Thomas Warrick, a non-resident fellow a…

How will the open Rafah border crossing impact Palestinian lives?
Gaza's Rafah border crossing reopened but under strict Israeli conditions. The crossing is once again operational as part of the US-brokered ceasefire. But with Israel's restrictions, will this reopening ease the suffering of Palestinians after two years of war? In this episode: Hussein Haridy, f…

How will Pakistan deal with growing security challenges in Balochistan?
How will Pakistan deal with growing security challenges in the southwestern province of Balochistan? Another coordinated attack by separatists has killed dozens of people. Many ethnic Baloch have long complained of neglect and oppression by Islamabad. So, what will it take to end the cycle of viol…

How much control will the US have over Venezuela's oil?
Caracas says it's opening up the sector to private players. That follows Washington's dramatic intervention in the country in early January. But who will stand to gain from the changes: Venezuela or the United States? Or both? In this episode: Elias Ferrer Founder and director of Orinoco Resear…

What is the significance of Keir Starmer's visit to China?
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in China this week with a large delegation of business people and cultural figures. He received a warm welcome from host Xi Jinping. But the visit got a frosty reception from the White House. US President Donald Trump called the trip 'dangerous'. Why and …

What does the new time on the Doomsday Clock represent?
The Doomsday Clock has reached the closest ever point to midnight. That's according to the atomic scientists who run it. They say more wars, aggression from nuclear powers and weaker arms controls are to blame - along with climate change and risks posed by artificial intelligence. Should we be worr…

What is in the trade deal between India and the European Union?
One of the biggest trade deals in history was struck by India and the European Union, months after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on both. So what's in their agreement? And how much is it driven by Washington's hostile measures? In this episode: Brahma Chellaney, Professor Emeritus o…

What will be the impact of finding the last Israeli captive's body?
The last Israeli captive's body found in Gaza — where many thousands of Palestinians lie buried under rubble. Israel, as part of its long-standing policy, has not returned the remains of many hundreds of Palestinians. Why? And what's the impact? In this episode: Amjad Sharwa, Director of the Pale…

Why has the US launched a violent crackdown on immigration?
Recent fatal shootings by federal US immigration agents have sparked outrage and protests. They're accused of using excessive force and indiscriminately arresting suspected undocumented immigrants. But does this violent crackdown serve any real purpose? In this episode: Darrin Porcher, Former NYP…