N. Ram: Freedom of expression in India
Stephen Sackur speaks to one of India’s most influential media voices, N. Ram, director of the Hindu Publishing Group. With independent journalists complaining of intimidation and social media facing new curbs, is freedom of expression under threat in the world’s biggest democracy?
24 Feb 22min
Laila Soueif and Sanaa Seif: Hunger for freedom
Stephen Sackur speaks to Laila Soueif, mother of Alaa Abdel Fattah, a political prisoner in Egypt and Alaa’s sister Sanaa Seif. Laila is into the fifth month of a hunger strike in a desperate bid to win her son’s freedom. Alaa is a dual British-Egyptian citizen – should the UK be doing more to help?(Photo: Egyptian activist Laila Soueif gives a statement to the media outside Downing Street about her son, Alaa Abdel Fattah, in London, 10 February 2025. Credit: Tolga Akmen/EPA)
19 Feb 22min
Jake Sullivan: The legacy of the Biden White House
Stephen Sackur is in Washington D.C. for an exclusive interview with Jake Sullivan, who was National Security Adviser in the Biden White House. From Afghanistan to Ukraine to Gaza, he faced a series of rolling crises. Did the failings of the Biden administration prepare the ground for Trump 2.0?
14 Feb 22min
Tom Fletcher: What is the impact of US foreign aid cuts?
Sarah Montague speaks to the UN’s humanitarian chief, Tom Fletcher. As President Trump pulls almost all America’s foreign aid spending, what will the impact be on those around the world who most rely on it?
13 Feb 22min
Omar Abdullah: Can he bring peace to Jammu and Kashmir?
Stephen Sackur speaks to Omar Abdullah, chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir. This mountainous territory neighbouring Pakistan has long been a source of political tension and violence. Can the chief minister work with Delhi to find a pathway to peace and stability?
12 Feb 22min
Dhananjaya Chandrachud: Justice and the rule of law
Stephen Sackur is in New Delhi for an exclusive interview with the recently retired Chief Justice of India and Supreme Court judge, Dhananjaya Chandrachud. With Indian politics dominated by Narendra Modi and the Hindu nationalist BJP, have the courts successfully protected the country’s secular constitution?
10 Feb 22min
Hardeep Singh Puri: India's big ambitions
Stephen Sackur is in New Delhi to speak India’s Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri. India has big ambitions to be a global economic superpower. What does that mean for the country’s geopolitical alliances and commitment to decarbonisation?(Photo: Hardeep Singh Puri, India’s Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas)
7 Feb 22min
Basem Naim: Can Gaza find long-term peace?
Sarah Montague speaks to Basem Naim, a senior political figure in Hamas. Its violence and hostage-taking on 7 October led to an overwhelming Israeli onslaught in Gaza. A fragile ceasefire is now in place, but how can long-term peace be achieved?
29 Jan 22min
