Undercurrents - Season 3

Bronwen Maddox is joined this week by Mohammed al-Ta’ishi, a civilian member of Sudan’s Sovereignty Council - where he served as the chief negotiator and main architect of the Juba Peace Agreement. Joining them both are BBC journalist James Copnall and Rosalind Marsden, an Associate Fellow with our Africa programme and the former UK ambassador to Sudan.

Has the world forgotten Sudan?

Bronwen Maddox is joined this week by Sanam Vakil, the director of our Middle East programme to discuss Iran's missile attack on Israel and the possible consequences across the region. Joining them both are Professor Yossi Mekelberg and Dr Elham Fakhro, Associate Fellows with our Middle East programme.

Are Israel and Iran on the brink of all out war?

Bronwen Maddox is joined this week by journalist Oz Katerji and Phillips P. O’Brien, a Professor of Strategic Studies at the University of St Andrews. Joining them both in the studio is Ukrainian journalist Olga Tokariuk, the OSUN Academy Fellow in the Ukraine Forum at Chatham House.

Is time running out for Ukraine?

This week, Bronwen Maddox discusses whether we are seeing a resurgence of the threat posed by nuclear weapons, given recent events in the Middle East and rhetoric from world leaders. 

On the panel is Robert E Kelly, Professor of Political Science at Pusan National University, Dr Hanna Notte, Director of the Eurasia Nonproliferation Program at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies and Dr Patricia Lewis, Director of the International Security Programme at Chatham House.

Which country is next to go nuclear?

In this special episode, Bronwen Maddox interviews a key figure in US foreign policy to the Middle East for over a decade, Ambassador Dennis Ross.

Ambassador Ross engaged directly with both Israeli and Palestinian parties in peace negotiations under multiple US presidents, and was instrumental in brokering agreements between them, including the ‘Oslo II’ accord of 1995 and the 1997 Hebron Accord.

They discuss topics including the US-Israel relationship, what pressure President Biden can exert on Benjamin Netanyahu over a possible invasion of Rafah, global protests against Israeli action in Gaza and whether any hope remains for a deal to end the conflict.

Will the US continue to support Israel?

As the New Year dawned a serious crisis emerged in the Middle East after US President Donald Trump ordered the assassination of Qassem Soleimani, commander of Iran's Quds special forces. In the aftermath Ben and Agnes speak to two experts about the background to the crisis.&nbsp; &nbsp; , Deputy Director of the Middle East and North Africa Programme, joins Ben to provide some historical context to the state of domestic politics in Iran and the factors driving its foreign policy.&nbsp; Agnes then speaks to , a Senior Research Fellow in the Middle East and North Africa Programme, who explains the effects of the crisis on the political situation in Iraq and delves into the history of Iran-Iraq relations.&nbsp; Read the Expert Comments:

Episode 44: the Iran Crisis, and Politics in Iraq

This week Ben explores the political outlook in Kazakshtan with colleagues from the Russia and Eurasia Programme. Kazakhstan is at a turning point in its history. A partial handover of political power through an orchestrated transition in 2019 has taken the country into uncharted territory. Will it be able to pursue modernization and reform, and break from its authoritarian past? In this episode Ben speaks to  and  from the Russia and Eurasia Programme at Chatham House to find out more.&nbsp;&nbsp; Afterwards Ben is joined by Communications Department colleague Jemma Finnegan to discuss a new youth engagement project, Common Futures Conversations.&nbsp; Read the Chatham House Report:  Learn about the project:  Credits: Speakers: James Nixey, Kate Mallinson and Jemma Finnegan Host: Ben Horton Sound Editor: Jamie Reed Producer: Ben Horton Recorded and produced at Chatham House

Episode 45: Politics in Kazakhstan

This week Undercurrents returns with interviews on decolonization and the impact of the coronavirus crisis on China’s economy. Ben is joined by Events team colleague Amrit Swali to interview  and  about the decolonization process. They explore the role of civic institutions in re-thinking the legacies of the British Empire and breaking down colonial power structures which survive to this day.&nbsp; Next, Agnes discusses the Coronavirus crisis with  from the Asia-Pacific Programme. They assess the impact of the health emergency on China's economy and its reputation globally.&nbsp; Watch the Chatham House Event:  Read the Chatham House Expert Comment:  Listen to the new podcast:  Credits: Speakers: Tristram Hunt, Meera Sabaratnam, Yu Jie Hosts: Agnes Frimston, Ben Horton, Amrit Swali Sound Editor: Jamie Reed Producer: Ben Horton Recorded and produced at Chatham House

Episode 46: Understanding Decolonization, and China’s Response to Coronavirus

A new documentary from Pakistani-American director  explores the politics behind Pakistan’s controversial blasphemy laws. The film follows conservative cleric Khadim Hussain Rizvi and examines the cases of those accused of disrespecting Islam, including Asia Bibi, the Christian woman who spent almost 10 years on death row. This week Agnes and Ben meet with Mohamed to discuss the making of the film and also consider how documentary films can drive political change.&nbsp; &nbsp; Watch the BBC Storyville documentary:  [available in UK only] Credits: Speaker: Mohamed Ali Naqvi Hosts: Agnes Frimston and Ben Horton Sound Editor: Jamie Reed Producer: Ben Horton Recorded and produced at Chatham House.

Episode 47: Pakistan's Blasphemy Laws

This week the Undercurrents team explores the debate around intelligence accountability, and asks who should be paying to fix climate change.&nbsp; How can democratic governments hold intelligence and security agencies to account when what they do is largely secret? Agnes meets author Jamie Gaskarth to find out how intelligence professionals view accountability in the context of 21st century politics.&nbsp; Next, Ben discusses climate financing with Iseoluwa Akintunde. While all states have a role in addressing the threat of climate change, some argue that developed countries should bear more of the financial burden.&nbsp; Find the book:  Read the Chatham House Interview:

Episode 48: UK Intelligence Agencies, and Paying for Climate Action

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Episode 44: the Iran Crisis, and Politics in Iraq

Chatham House

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