Mickey Bergman: What difference do hostage negotiators make?
Sarah Montague speaks to hostage negotiator Mickey Bergman, who has spent much of the last two decades working behind the scenes to help negotiate the release of Americans kidnapped or detained abroad – either by criminals, political actors or governments. What difference do such “fringe diplomats” make? Are they a help or a hindrance?
4 Jun 202422min
R. Derek Black: Renouncing white nationalism
Mishal Husain speaks to R. Derek Black, who was brought up in a family steeped in America’s white nationalist ideology, with a father who was a Ku Klux Klan leader. Then came exposure to a different world, and Derek’s journey to anti-racism. How did it come about, and what can we all learn from it?
3 Jun 202423min
Mohammad Shtayyeh: Will the Palestinian Authority work with Hamas?
Mishal Husain speaks to the former Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority Mohammed Shtayyeh. How does he see the Palestinian people’s future? Can he, and should he, work with Hamas?
30 Mai 202422min
Stephen J Shaw: Are falling birth rates a crisis for humanity?
Stephen Sackur speaks to the data scientist Stephen J Shaw, who argues that humanity faces a looming demographic crisis, with falling birth rates having dire economic and social consequences. But in an age of economic turbulence and ecological concern, do we really want to be promoting the idea that humans need to have more babies?
27 Mai 202422min
Espen Barth Eide: Why will Norway recognise a Palestinian state?
Sarah Montague speaks to Norway’s Foreign Minister, Espen Barth Eide. His country, along with Ireland and Spain, says it will recognise a Palestinian state. Israel says that decision sends a message to the world that “terrorism pays”. Will the move help or hinder the path to peace in the Middle East?
24 Mai 202422min
Jim Skea: Are humans bungling our chance to avert disaster?
Stephen Sackur speaks to Professor Jim Skea, chair of the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. He is a key player collating the latest climate science and right now the situation looks grim; global emissions are still rising, so are temperatures and targets seem likely to be missed. Are humans bungling our chance to avert disaster?
21 Mai 202422min
Gillian Slovo: Has her writing exorcised demons?
Stephen Sackur speaks to Gillian Slovo, whose acclaimed fiction, plays and memoirs reflect an extraordinary backstory. The daughter of South African parents whose struggle against apartheid brought prison, exile and, in her mother’s case, assassination. Has her writing exorcised demons?(Photo: Gillian Slovo in the Hardtalk studio)
20 Mai 202423min
Alexander Stubb: Has Nato membership left Finland stronger?
Stephen Sackur is in Helsinki to speak to the President of Finland Alexander Stubb. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine prompted Finland to take the strategically significant step of joining Nato. But is it wise for Finland to pick sides in the deepening conflict between Russia and the west?
17 Mai 202422min
