The Interview

The West's strategic vision appears as clear as mud. After protracted wars in Iraq and Afghanistan the appetite for military intervention has all but disappeared. But given the threat of jihadist extremism and the spread of turmoil across the Middle East, non-intervention is seen as an unacceptable risk. The net result is uncertainty. Hardtalk speaks to Rory Stewart, a British Conservative MP who has worked in both Iraq and Afghanistan.(Photo: Rory Stewart)

7 Jan 201523min

Are we any closer to learning about the origins of our universe after the historic landing in November of a European robot probe on a comet? The mission began 21 years ago, and the probe Rosetta travelled nearly six and a half billion kilometres to reach the comet. The scenes of cheering and hugs amongst the expert team at the European Space Agency in Germany reflected the deep joy and sense of accomplishment. Hardtalk speaks to professor Monica Grady, a member of the Probe's scientific team. Now the euphoria has subsided - what did we learn from this historic landing?

5 Jan 201523min

The International Red Cross doesn't take sides; it prioritises field operations over political grandstanding. It's the humanitarian organisation that reaches the conflict zones others fail to reach. Or is it? Hardtalk speaks to Yves Daccord, Director General of the ICRC. From Syria to South Sudan, is the Red Cross model of scrupulously neutral intervention broken beyond repair?Picture: Yves Daccord, Director General of the International Committee of the Red Cross

19 Dec 201423min

The sporting world has been tainted by the constant drip of doping allegations, bribery and corruption - does it need a 'Mr. Clean' to fix it? Hardtalk speaks to Sebastian Coe – former British Olympic champion. He set 12 world records during his athletics career on the track and went on to hold many roles in various sporting organisations. Now he wants to become the president of the International Association of Athletics Federations, the IAAF. What more can be done to help clean up sport?(Photo: Lord Sebastian Coe addresses the media as he unveils his IAAF presidential campaign manifesto. Credit: Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

17 Dec 201423min

In a programme from 2014, Stephen Sackur interviews Antony Sher, widely regarded as one of the finest contemporary classical actors. How did a self-styled outsider became a doyen of the British theatrical establishment?(Photo: Actor Sir Antony Sher. Credit: Ben A. Pruchnie/Getty Images)

15 Dec 201423min

As South Africa's anti-corruption watchdog, Mrs Madonsela claims President Zuma ‘benefited unduly’ from a $25 million facelift for his private home and wants him to return some of the taxpayers’ money. The ruling ANC says she’s mistaken and the Parliament - dominated by the party - has voted to throw out her findings. Mrs Madonsela is sticking to her guns and has been under attack at home while being celebrated abroad. So who’s right and who’s wrong?Picture: Thuli Madonsela

12 Dec 201423min

Hardtalk speaks to the joint winners of the 2014 Nobel Peace prize, Kailash Satyarthi and Malala Yousafzai. The judges awarded them the prize in recognition of “their struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education.”(Photo: Malala Yousafzai (left) and Kailash Satyarthi during the noble peace prize press conference, 2014. Credit:Nigel Waldron/Getty Images)

10 Dec 201423min

Whatever happened to the Egyptian revolution? Those heady days of people power in Tahrir square now seem like a collective delusion. A military strong man is back in power, President Mubarak has been handed a get out of jail for free card and dissent is being repressed with an iron fist. Hardtalk speaks to Alaa al-Aswany, the bestselling Egyptian novelist, political commentator and sometime dentist. Is Egypt's story a harsh lesson in the dangers of wishful thinking?(Photo: Egyptian novelist Alaa al-Aswany poses in Paris, 2014 . Credit: Joel Saget/AFP/Getty Images)

8 Dec 201423min