The Interview

The Catholic Church has been rocked by not one but two shock and surprise resignations. First, Pope Benedict steps down after announcing he was too old and infirm for the office. Then Britain's most senior Catholic, Cardinal Keith O'Brien, resigned after allegations - which he contests - of inappropriate behaviour towards priests 30 years ago. His departure has once again put the spotlight on the Catholic Church's attitudes towards homosexuality.Zeinab Badawi speaks to Father Bernard Lynch, one of a few openly gay Catholic priests. How will the church recover from these embarrassing blows at a time of historic transition?

1 Maalis 201323min

Hardtalk speaks to one of the most influential women in the history of the modern feminist movement. Gloria Steinem grew up in an America where women were expected to put husband and children first. But that was never her intention. She forged a successful career as a writer. She co-founded Ms magazine; and she became one of the world’s best known campaigners for gender equality. So how much of what she hoped for and fought for, has been achieved?(Image: Gloria Steinem. Credit: Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

27 Helmi 201323min

The state of the US Republican Party has been described as a mess. Badly beaten in the race for the White House, it is seemingly out of touch with mainstream opinion on issues from immigration to gun control and is in danger of being outmanoeuvred by President Obama in the continued stand-off over the federal budget. Hardtalk speaks to the former Republican candidate Jon Huntsman - a moderate frequently at odds with his own party. Is the American right on the wrong road?(Jon Huntsman, former Republican presidential candidate (2011). Credit: Associated Press)

25 Helmi 201323min

Stephen Sackur talks to Mamphela Ramphele, anti-apartheid activist, prominent public figure and former partner of the late Steve Biko, one of the heroes of the liberation struggle. She has launched a new political movement with an outspoken attack on the failings of ANC governance. The political supremacy of the African National Congress in post-apartheid South Africa has never been seriously threatened. She says she is on a journey to realise South Africa's dreams, but how far will she get?

22 Helmi 201323min

This is Latin America’s decade – so says the leader of one of the countries contributing to its impressive economic boom. But as the world slows, can growth be sustained? The region’s politicians are divided – talking about free trade deals for years even as some impose ever more restrictions on competition from the world outside. Enrique Garcia has been juggling the demands of protectionists and free marketeers for twenty years. The veteran President of Latin America’s Development Bank says times have never been so good. But which side will he come down on to make the good times last?

18 Helmi 201323min

Hardtalk travels to Dublin, capital of Ireland, to speak to Europe Minister Lucinda Creighton. The country currently holds the Presidency of the European Union; a symbolic leadership role in Europe. At the same time it is struggling to emerge from the economic straitjacket imposed by the EU/IMF bailout of the Irish economy. Can Dublin convince the world that it has bounced back from the brink of disaster?

15 Helmi 201323min

The government of Guatemala has promised to tackle the high murder rate of a country living under the threat of gangs, organised crime and drug traffickers. Some have expressed fears that it could become a narco-state, with state institutions that are weak or corrupted by criminal activity. When President Otto Perez Molina took office just over a year ago he said the war on drugs has failed and that it is time to consider decriminalising them. Hardtalk speaks to the newly appointed Foreign Minister of Guatemala, Fernando Carrera.

13 Helmi 201323min

Can there be a negotiated way out of the high stakes stand-off between Iran and the West over the Islamic Republic's nuclear ambitions? A new round of talks is planned for later this month but the basic facts haven't changed, Iran's enrichment programme gets ever more sophisticated, international sanctions on Tehran bite deeper and the warnings from the West grow darker. Stephen Sackur’s guest on Hardtalk is a former Iranian negotiator on the nuclear issue, Hossein Mousavian. Does diplomacy have a chance?

11 Helmi 201323min