Acting Director General, Al Jazeera Media Network - Mostefa Souag
HARDtalk’s Stephen Sackur speaks to Mostefa Souag, Acting Director General of Al Jazeera. The news network was launched in Qatar in 1996 it had a seismic impact on the media landscape in the Middle East. Here was an Arab broadcaster refusing to play by local rules: ambitious, punchy and provocative in its coverage of the region and the world. Two decades on, it seems that patience is wearing thin in much of the Arab world. Saudi Arabia and its closest allies recently demanded Qatar close the network down. Does Al Jazeera have a future?
15 Aug 201723min
Anti-Maduro Dissident - Isaias Medina
HARDtalk’s Stephen Sackur speaks to Isaias Medina, former Venezuelan diplomat at the UN and now an anti-Maduro dissident. Venezuela's political and economic crisis is precariously poised - the Maduro regime is determined to re-write the constitution to strengthen its grip on power - the opposition is intent on using mass protest to bring the Government down. The current standoff isn’t sustainable, but which side will prevail? Can Maduro outlast his enemies?
11 Aug 201723min
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Poland - Witold Waszczykowski
Is Poland, a country that was held up as a model of post-Soviet transition, turning away from liberal democracy? In July the EU announced that it would launch legal action against Poland over plans to give politicians more power to sack and appoint judges. Zeinab Badawi speaks to Poland's foreign minister Witold Waszczykowski and asks what this latest dispute means for Poland's place in Europe.
11 Aug 201723min
Former Governor of the Bank of France Christian Noyer
Zeinab Badawi speaks to one of the most influential voices in global finance today. He was made honorary Governor of the Central Bank of France, following a period as Governor for twelve years. Prior to that he was a Vice President of the European Central Bank and has worked for various leading international financial institutions. Christian Noyer has been tasked with making the case for Paris as a financial hub following Brexit. Is he making too tough a sell and potentially damaging ties with the UK?
9 Aug 201723min
Vice President of Iraq - Dr Ayad Allawi
This summer, Iraqis can perhaps see a glimmer of light amid the darkness that's enveloped their country for so long. The country's second city, Mosul, is no longer in the hands of jihadist fanatics, with the so-called Islamic State caliphate shrinking fast. But will any semblance of stability and unity follow? HARDtalk’s Stephen Sackur speaks to one of the great survivors of Iraqi politics, Vice President Ayad Allawi. Does he think Iraq has a viable future?
7 Aug 201723min
Mother of Deceased 'IS' fighter - Nicola Benyahia
Stephen Sackur speaks to Nicola Benyahia, the mother of a deceased ‘IS’ fighter. After terrorist attacks in London and Manchester, the UK is preoccupied with questions about how best to counter the Jihadist threat. For politicians the focus is on policing, intelligence, and detention powers. Nicola Benyahia's son Rasheed was radicalised in Birmingham, went to fight with the so called Islamic State group in Syria and was killed aged just 19. She now offers support to other families facing the dangers of radicalisation at home. How best to close the door on the Jihadis?
1 Aug 201723min
Director General of the IPPF - Tewodros Melesse
Few issues are as controversial as abortion when it comes to discussing women's rights. Pro-life campaigners believe a woman's right to control her fertility does not extend to abortion on demand. In January, President Trump blocked US federal funding to groups who provide or promote abortions. One such organisation is the IPPF - the International Planned Parenthood Federation - which will lose millions of dollars as a result. Zeinab Badawi speaks to its Ethiopian-born director-general Tewodros Melesse. Does he accept that the IPPF's support of abortion means it is right that it forfeit US government funding?
27 Jul 201723min
Lebanon’s Deputy Prime Minister - Ghassan Hasbani
Shaun Ley speaks to Lebanon’s Deputy Prime Minister Ghassan Hasbani. A quarter of the country's population are Syrian refugees which is putting Lebanon’s infrastructure and resources under increasing strain. Some leading political figures in the country are now calling for the refugees to be sent home. But since some in the government have ruled out talking directly to President Assad, how can they be sure any returning refugees would be safe?(Photo: Deputy Prime Minister Ghassan Hasbani)
25 Jul 201723min
