Andrius Kubilius, EU Commissioner for Defence and Space: A new era of defence readiness

Viewed from across the Atlantic, American politics is a mess. A stand-off between Congressional Republicans and President Obama temporarily shut down the federal government. Healthcare reform is a battleground and immigration reform is blocked. Hardtalk speaks to Florida Senator, Marco Rubio. He is widely seen as a Republican contender for the White House in 2016. Do the Republicans have what it takes to win a national election?(Photo: Senator Marco Rubio, Republican Florida, speaks at the 2013 Values Voter Summit. Credit: Getty Images)

9 Des 201323min

For the last few years the EU has been under enormous strain. Amid the bail outs, austerity and rising unemployment some Europeans have come to see the EU as part of the problem, not the solution. HARDtalk speaks to Martin Schulz, the President of the European Parliament. He'€™s one of Europe'€™s most powerful advocates of more integration, but is he out of tune with Europe'€™s mood?

6 Des 201323min

Is the stability and unity of the European Union threatened by internal migration? Over the past decade millions of people from the accession countries of Eastern Europe have taken advantage of the EU's integrated economic space to live and work in the union's richer countries. But now there are signs of a political backlash, not least here in Britain. Hardtalk speaks to the EU commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs, Laszlo Andor. Has Europe's freedom of movement gone too far?(Photo: Laszlo Andor, EU commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion. Credit: AFP/Getty Images)

2 Des 201323min

When Edward Snowden leaked American intelligence secrets the whole world became aware of the extent of US-UK surveillance of global phone and internet traffic. Have the revelations flagged up a corrosive infringement of individual liberty, or undermined efforts to protect the world from terrorism? Hardtalk speaks to journalist, Glenn Greenwald - the man who broke the Snowden story. His mission, he says, is to hold power to account. Is this a journalistic crusade that's gone too far?

29 Nov 201323min

Ukraine had a historic opportunity this week to move toward full integration with the European Union. EU leaders wanted to seal an association agreement which would have drawn one of Europe's largest nations firmly into Brussels' orbit. But Ukraine's president walked away from the deal, in favour of closer ties with Russia. Why? Hardtalk speaks to Petro Poroshenko, Ukrainian billionaire-businessman and former minister. East or West - where do Ukraine's real interests lie?

27 Nov 201323min

From genetic engineering to bioscience, human beings are close to acquiring the ability not just to combat disease, but to enhance and perfect our species. But should we seek to do it, or should we shy away from a path that led to Nazi eugenics? Hardtalk speaks to the Australian born, Oxford based medical ethicist Julian Savulescu. Can we trust ourselves to be wise masters of our own biology?

25 Nov 201323min

Mental illness is the invisible scourge of modern life, and it comes with a stigma. To admit to depression, or another illness of the mind, has been to risk being labelled as weak, self-indulgent or mad. Ruby Wax wants to change that. She made her name as a comedian and TV entertainer; long experience of depression eventually took her into neuroscience and psychotherapy. Mental illness raises difficult questions, where did she find answers?Picture: Ruby Wax

21 Nov 201323min

What exactly is progressive politics? In the rich world it is identified with the centre left, with a faith in the state's ability to ameliorate the perceived excesses of market capitalism. Hardtalk speaks to Roberto Unger, an influential Brazilian political philosopher who has a much more ambitious take on what it means to be progressive. He calls himself a revolutionary, but is the world - rich or poor - ready for his progressive revolution?Picture: Roberto Unger, Credit: Manpreet Romana/AFP/Getty Images

20 Nov 201323min