In the ongoing fighting between Thailand and Cambodia - does diplomacy stand a chance? The two sides have held their first face-to-face meeting in a regional push for peace. But without any let-up in the long-running conflict, what will it take to bring it to an end?

In this episode: 

• Chheang Vannarith, Chairman, Angkor Social Innovation Park. 
• Ilango Karuppannan, Adjunct Senior Fellow, Nanyang Technological University. 
• Phil Robertson, Director, Asia Human Rights Labour Advocates.

Host: Dareen Abughaida

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Political tension and unrest in Bangladesh after the assassination of a student leader of last year's uprising that ousted Sheikh Hasina. Elections for a new government are due in February. So how volatile is the political situation now? 

In this episode: 

• Taqbir Huda, Human Rights Lawyer. 
• Asif Shahan, Professor, Development Studies, University of Dhaka.
• Fahmida Khatun, Executive Director, Centre for Policy Dialogue in Bangladesh.

Host: Dareen Abughaida

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European farmers protest against the EU-Mercosur agreement. That's as signing has been postponed until January, due to disagreements in Europe. The European-South American deal planned for more than 25 years, would create the world's largest free-trade zone. So why is there division? 

In this episode: 

• Pieter Cleppe - Editor-in-Chief at BrusselsReport-dot-eu
• Ciaran Mullooly - Member of the European Parliament for Independent Ireland 
• Gustavo Ribeiro - founder and Editor-In-Chief of the Brazilian Report online newspaper

Host: Folly Bah Thibault

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Daily Israeli breaches of the Gaza ceasefire agreement threaten the entire peace process, says the Qatari prime minister, who helped broker the deal forged by Donald Trump. So, what's gone wrong -- and what might the US president do to get it back on track? 

In this episode: 

• Tamer Qarmout - Associate Professor of Public Policy at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies
• Daniel Levy - President of the U.S. / Middle East Project and a former Israeli negotiator
• Rami Khouri - Distinguished Fellow at the American University of Beirut

Host: Folly Bah Thibault

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Russia and China voice support for Venezuela after Donald Trump intensifies pressure on Nicolas Maduro. The US blockades sanctioned oil tankers in the midst of a major military build-up in the region. What are the dangers - and what might happen next? 

In this episode: 

• Paul Dobson - Independent journalist and political analyst in Venezuela 
• Elias Ferrer - Founder of Orinoco Research, a consulting company based in Caracas Temir
• Temir Porras - Former foreign policy adviser to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and former Venezuelan deputy foreign minister 

Host: Folly Bah Thibault

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Millions of people in Afghanistan face acute food insecurity, the UN warns. The crisis is exacerbated by sharp cuts in global aid funding and the forced deportation of Afghans from neighbouring countries. So, who could step in to avert a catastrophic hunger crisis?

In this episode: 

• Kiana Alavi, Norwegian Refugee Council's advocacy manager in Afghanistan
• Zeeshan Salahuddin, Director Advisory of the Centre for Regional and Global Connectivity at Tabadlab
• Obaidullah Baheer, Adjunct Lecturer at the American University of Afghanistan

Host: Tom McRae

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Chileans have elected their most conservative leader in decades. Jose Antonio Kast's victory is another sign South America is veering to the right. But what's behind this shift? And what are the political implications, both across the region and beyond?

In this episode: 

• Claudio Barrientos, Professor, School of History, Diego Portales University.
• Jose Ragas, Historian and Assistant Professor, Catholic University of Chile.
• Christopher Sabatini, Senior Fellow, Latin America, Chatham House.

Host: Dareen Abughaida

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How will the US respond to the killing of three of its soldiers in Syria? Washington blames the Islamic State for the attack and vows retaliation. So, does that mean direct military involvement? And if so, what role would the new Syrian government play?

In this episode: 

• Colin Clarke, Executive Director, The Soufan Center.
• Dareen Khalifa, Senior Adviser, International Crisis Group.
• Orwa Ajjoub, Syria Expert and PHD Candidate, Global Politics.

Host: Dareen Abughaida

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US president Donald Trump eases sanctions on Belarus after it frees more than 100 political prisoners. Stiff European sanctions remain in place against the close Russian ally. So, why's the deal been struck now, and what's the reaction in Russia, Ukraine and the EU? 

In this episode: 

• Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Belarus Opposition Leader.
• Franak Viacorka, Non-resident fellow, Atlantic Council
• Mark Episkopos, Research Fellow, Quincy Institute’s Eurasia Program.
• Andrey Kortunov, Russian Foreign Affairs Analyst.

Host: Adrian Finighan

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The US and UN warn violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo could escalate into a regional conflict. Hundreds of people killed as Rwandan-backed M23 rebels seize another city, just over a week after the US brokered a peace deal. How dangerous is the situation? 

In this episode: 

• Kambale Musavuli - Analyst at the Center for Research on the Congo- Kinshasa
• Richard Moncrieff - Project Director for the Great Lakes region at the International Crisis Group

Host: Adrian Finighan

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Twenty-seven European nations which are signatories to the European Convention on Human Rights want the treaty changed to restrict migration. Opponents say altering it will weaken fundamental human rights protections in place for more than 70 years. So what are the arguments? 

In this episode: 

• Michael O'Flaherty - Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights and former director of the European Union Fundamental Rights Agency. 
• Jennifer Nader - co-founder of the Compassion in Politics think-tank in London. 
• Michael McDowell - Senator in Ireland's parliament and former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Justice.

Host: Adrian Finighan

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