Martin Amis – Author
Stephen Sackur speaks to Martin Amis, an author who was pigeon-holed early in his career as the ‘enfant terrible’ of the British literary world. Four decades on, he remains one of the most successful and closely scrutinised novelists of his generation. His books are filled with greed, lust, addiction and ignorance, and yet, he suggests he writes in a celebratory spirit. So, what exactly is he celebrating?
16 Jun 201323min
Ivo Daalder, US Permanent Representative to NATO
He’s European by birth; an American citizen by choice. But are those two outlooks becoming increasingly hard to reconcile? There’s tension over US surveillance that could affect Europeans; and a division in NATO between what one US defence secretary calls those who pay – principally the Americans – and those who enjoy the benefits – the Europeans. As Ivo Daalder ends his term, does he think it’s time for this 64-year-old veteran security organisation to be pensioned off? Presented by Shaun Ley.(Image: Ivo Daalder, Credit: AFP/Getty Images)
14 Jun 201323min
Mo Ibrahim – Chairman of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation
Shaun Ley speaks to Mo Ibrahim, creator of the Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership. His Index of African Governance suggests generally things are getting better. But some worry that China's willingness to lend money "no strings attached" is encouraging politicians to revert to their bad old ways. Is Mo Ibrahim's ambition of better governance being undermined from outside?
12 Jun 201323min
Jean-François Copé – President, UMP Party, France
France is one of the political heavyweights of the European Union, a key world economy and a major global player. Hardtalk speaks to Jean-François Copé, the leader of the UMP, the main opposition party on the centre-right, who has lurched farther to the right on issues like gay marriage. He has also made comments about the French Muslim community, which have led to accusations that he is threatening cultural harmony. Is he in danger of consigning his party to the political dustbin at home and on the world stage?(Image: Jean-François Copé, Credit: AFP/Getty Images)
9 Jun 201323min
Pierre Krähenbühl - Director of Operations, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is pulling some of its international staff out of Afghanistan, following a murderous attack on its Jalalabad compound. It's an unprecedented move in three decades of ICRC operations in Afghanistan. Stephen Sackur speaks to Pierre Krähenbühl, the ICRC’s operations director. Is his organisation being overwhelmed by the danger and complexity of modern conflict?(Image: Pierre Krähenbühl, Credit: AFP/Getty Images)
7 Jun 201323min
Robert Fowler - Former UN Special Representative to Niger
Robert Fowler, a senior Canadian diplomat, was held hostage for five months by Al Qaeda in Niger in 2009. He says that since his capture and release, terror attacks and events in the region, such as the brief Islamist takeover of northern Mali, should serve as a wake-up call of a jihadist danger. He believes militants aim to set up a seven thousand kilometre Islamic caliphate stretching from Mauritania to Somalia. Is he scaremongering, or does he have a point?(Image: Robert Fowler, Credit: AFP/Getty Images)
5 Jun 201323min
Lindiwe Mazibuko - Leader of the Opposition in the South African Parliament
South Africa’s government and politics and has been dominated by Nelson Mandela’s old party, the ANC, since the end of apartheid nearly twenty years ago. HARDtalk speaks to Lindiwe Mazibuko, the Parliamentary Leader of the largest opposition party in South Africa, the Democratic Alliance. What chance does her party have against the ANC, the party of liberation, which is still seen as the natural home of black voters?(Image: Lindiwe Mazibuko, parliamentary leader of the Democratic Alliance party, South Africa. Credit: AFP/Getty images)
3 Jun 201323min
Harold Koh - Legal Adviser, US State Department 2009-13
President Obama says the US needs to redefine and recalibrate its strategic response to terrorism. From drone strikes to the future of Guantanamo, the Obama Administration has consistently struggled to reconcile its stated values with the realities of the so-called ‘war on terror’. Stephen Sackur speaks to Harold Koh, who was chief legal adviser at the US State Department throughout Obama's first term. Did President Obama betray America's highest ideals in the name of national security?
31 Mai 201323min
