Explore every episode of the podcast The World with Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim

The World and This Is Why join forces for a special episode on Israel's election - a contest that could have significant consequences for the Middle East and the wider world.

Niall Paterson is joined live from Israel by Yalda Hakim and Richard Engel, asking why pollsters seem to have got it so wrong, why this might be the world's first AI election, and why Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, after 19 years, looks like he might continue to be the most powerful man in the country.

Have you got a question for Niall? Email why@sky.uk

You can email questions to Richard and Yalda at theworld@sky.uk

You can watch our podcasts on the Sky News app and on our YouTube channel here.

In 2023, US journalist Evan Gershkovich was meeting a source when he was arrested by the FSB, Russia’s notorious spy agency. It made him the first Western reporter to be held on espionage charges in Russia since the Cold War.

It would take 16 months before he was released in a historic prisoner swap brokered by President Biden - and he is now telling his story.

He speaks to Yalda about how the atmosphere in Russia changed for journalists, as the state tightened media controls over the war in Ukraine.

And he takes us back to the moment of his arrest, which he describes as being lured into a trap in a classic sting operation.

Also, he explains what life was like among political prisoners inside Moscow’s notorious Lefortovo jail - and why asking Vladimir Putin for an interview on his release was an act of defiance.

You can email your questions to Richard and Yalda at theworld@sky.uk. You can also watch our podcasts on the Sky News app and on our YouTube channel here.

We’re introducing Sky News' new podcast – Russell Brand: On Trial

Listen to Russell Brand: On Trial on your podcast app

What happened on Russell Brand’s first day in court as the trial process got underway? Sky News’ Martin Brunt and Katie Spencer take us through the day- inside and outside the court. It starts with queues of journalists arriving early to get a seat on the press benches of court 3 at Southwark Crown Court.

Outside photographers gather to get images of Russell Brand as he walks in with his wife. No broadcast cameras or recording are allowed inside so Katie Spencer - arts and entertainment correspondent for Sky and crime commentator Martin Brunt - are your eyes and ears in court.

The first development: selecting the jury, the people who will decide if Russell Brand is guilty, or not guilty.

He faces three counts of rape, three of sexual assault and one of indecent assault. He denies all charges and the trial continues.

Follow the feed to get every episode.

Email us with your thoughts

skynewspodcasts@sky.uk

Since 2025, NATO has had to scramble fighter jets about 400 times in response to Russian drones or missiles entering its territory. So, is Europe ready to defend itself against Russia?

Richard, recently back from observing NATO exercises in Latvia, speaks to Sky News’ defence and security editor Deborah Haynes about why some European governments are sending out instruction manuals telling people what to do in the event of an attack from Russia.

They also discuss Russia's growing "hybrid attacks", which include tactics such as cyberattacks, sabotage, disinformation, and deniable incursions - that can complicate or divide an Article 5 response, the rule where all NATO members are expected to come to the aid of an ally under attack.

Haynes cites concerns from intelligence officials about possible Russian provocations and also describes her podcast-turned-TV show The Wargame, which models a Russian attack on the UK, exposing limited air defences and the narrow gap between conventional weakness and nuclear escalation.

You can email your questions to Richard and Yalda at theworld@sky.uk

You can watch Richard’s NBC News package on the NATO exercises here.

You can listen to The Wargame podcast here.

For information about Sky's TV adaptation of The Wargame, click here.

To subscribe to Sky News’ Defence Insider click here. Paid subscription required for full access. UK only. 18+. T&Cs apply.

Why is Pakistan so worried about Imran Khan?

Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan has been locked up since 2023 but now a huge planned march demanding his release has sparked a strong reaction from the government.

Three of Imran Khan's sisters have also been detained, roads into Islamabad have been blocked with shipping containers and thousands of police officers have been deployed.

On today's podcast, Yalda speaks to Zulfi Bukhari, the former special advisor to Imran Khan, to find out why the former international cricket star provokes such emotion.

She also speaks to Taha Siddiqui, a Pakistani journalist currently living in exile, about what it's like being on the country's "kill list"

You can email your questions to Richard and Yalda at theworld@sky.uk

Space entrepreneur and former NASA scientist, Will Marshall, believes we're on the cusp of "the most profound choice humanity has ever made".

He tells Richard about the extraordinary potential of AI – and the risks it could pose to humanity.

Will, who is co-founder and chief executive of space company Planet, believes there could be a 50% or greater risk of humans losing control of AI if we continue on our current trajectory.

He suggests we could be approaching recursive self-improvement – when machines independently improve their own code and capabilities.

And he discusses what could happen if AI begins to develop at an accelerating pace, and the potential "one-way door" of handing over power.

You can email your questions to Richard and Yalda at theworld@sky.uk. You can also watch our podcasts on our YouTube channel here.

Could AI really destroy humanity?

Nate Soares is a former AI scientist and author of If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies. He has been warning for years about the dangers of building AI superintelligence.

Yalda speaks to Nate about what could happen if AI development continues unchecked. Are we past pressing "off" if we had to?

The two also discuss the AI race between China and America as well as Nate's bleak warning for the future.

Check out last week's episode with ex-CEO of Google, Eric Schmidt, on this feed.

You can email your questions to Richard and Yalda at theworld@sky.uk

It’s been said this year that Ukraine has had some successes on the battlefield thanks to its use of drone warfare.

But- is that progress starting to slow down as Russia catches up?

This week, Richard is joined by Eric Schmidt, the former CEO and Chairman of Google, and ex-chairman of the US National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence.

He is now using his experience to advise Ukraine on its use of AI in drone warfare and provides them with advanced AI technology in his role as Chair and CEO of Relativity Space, an American manufacturing company.

Eric talks to Richard about why the use of AI has changed the nature of warfare forever, and why the West should still be worried about Russia’s use of it.

In this episode, Richard cites a NYT report on the alleged use of a Nvidia chip and AI in a Russian drone. For context, the report cites Ukrainian officials.

You can email your questions to Richard and Yalda at theworld@sky.uk

You can also watch our podcasts on our YouTube channel here.

See you in September!

You can email your questions to Richard and Yalda at theworld@sky.uk

You can also watch our podcasts on our YouTube channel here.

Tear gas, baton charges and hunger strikes.

Thousands of young people have descended on New Delhi to demand the resignation of the education minister and a complete overhaul of the education system.

Many of them march under the banner of the ‘Cockroach’ - a movement that started as a satirical joke, but which has now become the symbol of youth resistance. What began online has now moved to the streets.

Yalda talks to Neville Lazarus, our correspondent in India, who has been at the protests, talking to those caught up in the police crackdown.

The two of them discuss the origins of the protests as well as the wider problems facing India's Gen Z.

Warning: today’s episode contains references to suicide and violence against women and girls.

If you have been affected by any of the issues Yalda and Neville discussed you can call The Samaritans, free of charge in the UK, on 116 123.

You can email your questions to Richard and Yalda at theworld@sky.uk

You can also watch our podcasts on our YouTube channel here.

Richard has just returned from Iran, where he witnessed the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

He shares what he saw inside the country, answers your questions about reporting from Tehran as tensions flared once again, and explains what the funeral revealed about the mood inside Iran after months of conflict.

Richard is also joined by Professor Robert Pape, one of the world's leading experts on war and military strategy.

They look at why the Iranian regime still appears so resilient when the country has suffered such significant military blows. And is the US and Israel's strategy achieving its goals - or risking something much bigger?

Together they unpack Pape's theory of the "escalation trap", explore where Iran still holds leverage, and ask whether this conflict is any closer to ending, or about to accelerate.

Email your questions about to Richard and Yalda at theworld@sky.uk. You can also watch our podcasts on our YouTube channel here.

Communism, cigars and Cadillac cars.

A beautiful island that has been the thorn in the side of the U.S government for 67 years.

But what is it about this small island of approximately 10 million people and 90 miles off the coast of Florida that makes president after president so frustrated?

Yalda has just been in Havana, interviewing the president who rarely gives interviews to foreign press. He told her he was ready to give his blood to defend Cuba, if Trump decides on military action.

But will he? And what about the people of Cuba? What is life actually like under a blockade, with blackouts and a growing humanitarian crisis.

This week, Yalda is joined by Dr Christopher Sabatini, director of the Latin America programme at Chatham House. He has spent a lot of time in Cuba and talks to Yalda about the state of the nation at this pivotal time.

You can email your questions to Richard and Yalda at theworld@sky.uk

You can also watch our podcasts on our YouTube channel here.

America has lost the war with Iran and suffered their biggest strategic defeat in history.

That is according to Robert Kagan, a prominent foreign policy analyst and historian. He joins Richard on the podcast in this extra episode to talk about America’s position in the world following the start of the war in the Gulf.

Why did Trump get involved? What next for Israel? Can the Gulf States still count on America to defend them? The two get into all of these questions and debate whether this actually was America’s biggest global loss.

You can email your questions to Richard and Yalda at theworld@sky.uk

You can also watch our podcasts on our YouTube channel here.

Do all roads in the Middle East lead to Lebanon?

Journalist and historian Kim Ghattas thinks so. She argues that it is often the fate of small nations to be playgrounds rather than players.

Iran, America and Israel all have interest in the country. It is also now central to the Memorandum of Understanding that exists between Iran and America.

After months of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah and a bombing campaign by the Netanyahu government that has left over 4,000 people dead, a shaky ceasefire is now in place. So what does the future hold for this country?

Richard and Kim discuss all of this on this week’s episode of The World podcast.

You can email your questions to Richard and Yalda at theworld@sky.uk

You can also watch our podcasts on our YouTube channel here.

The US and Iran have agreed a framework for peace talks, but Israel is deeply unhappy with the direction of travel.

With mixed messages from Donald Trump, growing scepticism in Israel and no guarantees the deal will hold, how fragile is this peace process?

Yalda Hakim and Richard Engel unpack the deal, why Vice President JD Vance has become its public face and whether he is being set up to take the blame if it fails.

Plus, Yalda reflects on her interview with US conservative commentator Tucker Carlson and what his growing influence says about the changing debate around Israel in America.

Send your questions to Richard and Yalda at theworld@sky.uk.

Also, you can watch The World on our YouTube channel here.

Four months of fighting between America and Iran has led to this: a one-and-a-half-page agreement. But what does it actually mean?

The details are sparse, but the Strait of Hormuz will be reopened, the US blockade will end and in the next 60 days there will be negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme.

Trump says Iran can never have a nuclear weapon - will Iran agree?

This week, Yalda is joined by Ali Vaez, the Iran project director at the International Crisis Group. He was involved in the negotiations that led to the 2015 nuclear deal and is a nuclear scientist.

He talks to Yalda about what the next 60 days could bring and why he thinks this war may have actually encouraged Iran to develop its nuclear programme quicker.

You can email your questions to Richard and Yalda at theworld@sky.uk

You can also watch our podcasts on our YouTube channel here.

LEDs were supposed to be one of the great environmental success stories: a revolutionary technology that uses a fraction of the energy of traditional light bulbs. But have they really saved the world?

In our new podcast Stuff Matters, economics and data editor Ed Conway takes an object, cracks it open and reveals the world shaping forces hidden inside.

Each episode follows a trail of ideas that stretches beyond the object itself, uncovering far reaching economic powers that shape how we live.

Along the way, Ed meets fascinating characters, from brilliant inventors to Latin American revolutionaries. He dives into their personal stories and reveals how they’ve changed the course of industries and economies.

Because when you look closely enough, even the simplest things turn out to matter more than you think.

Follow Stuff Matters to never miss an episode.

Why did President Zelenskyy write an open letter to Vladimir Putin? Why did Putin say he was rude? And why are ordinary Russians complaining about the price of cucumbers?

In this episode of The World podcast, Yalda is joined by Sky’s Moscow correspondent Ivor Bennett to find out what it's like reporting from Russia. They talk about Zelenskyy’s open letter, Putin’s reaction, and what Russians are saying about price rises and internet shutdowns. The pair also examine whether the Kremlin is getting nervous, and how the war with Ukraine might end.

You can email your questions to Richard and Yalda at theworld@sky.uk

You can also watch our podcasts on our YouTube channel here.

In 2012, a former CIA analyst ran a war game between the US and Iran.

One of the first things he found was that Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz after America attacked. From there, his war game spiralled to a grisly end.

So why did the Trump administration expect a quick victory?

Fourteen years after the war game, Richard Engel sits down with Ken Pollack - the man behind the war game and now vice president for policy at the Middle East Institute to ask him exactly this.

Would Trump and his team have been given this information? Why did he press ahead?

The two also discuss the situation inside Iran as well as Israel's renewed strike on Lebanon, and ask the big question: where is this all going next?

You can email your questions to Richard and Yalda at theworld@sky.uk

You can also watch our podcasts on our YouTube channel here.

Will China ever produce an Elon Musk?

Kyle Chan, research fellow at the Brookings Institution and an expert on the AI race between the two superpowers thinks not.

He talks to Yalda about the new Cold War - the race for the best AI between China and America.

The two talk about Taiwan, Tehran and the different ways that each country approaches AI research and development. Could the Chinese government actually be holding progress back?

You can email your questions to Richard and Yalda at theworld@sky.uk

You can also watch our podcasts on our YouTube channel here.

Fully automated frontlines? Robots on the battlefield? Drones fighting drones?

The Ukraine war has been transformed from an old-fashioned trench war to a modern one in a matter of years. On this episode of the podcast, Richard talks to Professor Phillips O’Brien, a defence expert and head of international relations at St Andrews University - an expert on the Ukraine war.

He tells Richard how Ukraine's frontlines have developed with the use of tech and how Ukraine is now able to strike deep into the heart of Russia.

Four years into the war, has the tide now turned in Ukraine's favour? Professor O’Brien gives Richard his assessment.

Yalda also discusses Sky News' exclusive reporting in Minab, Iran. International affairs editor Dominic Waghorn is at the site of an alleged US strike on a primary school which left more than 150 people dead, most of them children, on the first day of the US-Israeli war on Iran.

You can watch Dom’s full report here

You can email your questions to Richard and Yalda at theworld@sky.uk

You can also watch our podcasts on our YouTube channel here.

A US President has not been to China since Donald Trump’s last trip nine years ago, so what will happen when Xi Jinping rolls out the red carpet for him again? Could there be progress made in Iran, Taiwan, or rare earth minerals?

Yalda tells Richard what her contacts in the region are making of the meeting and where the war in Iran might be heading.

Richard also details some of his reporting in the West Bank, in light of the New York Times investigation which alleges Israeli forces committed crimes against Palestinians. Some details of this story may be upsetting.

You can watch Richard’s full report from 2023 here.

And read Kristoff’s NYT piece here.

You can email your questions to Richard and Yalda at theworld@sky.uk

You can also watch our podcasts on our YouTube channel here.

More than eight weeks into the war in Iran, an unlikely country has emerged as the go-between for the two sides: Pakistan. How did General Asim Munir emerge as both the Trump and Iran whisperer?

Yalda explains to Richard how this came about and why India may feel sidelined.

Richard also tells Yalda about the fear of Israeli extremists felt by some members of Jerusalem's Christian community. He has spoken to religious leaders following the attack by a 36-year-old man on a nun.

A man has been arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated assault but not charged. The Israeli Foreign Ministry says: "This shameful act stands in direct contradiction to the values of respect, coexistence, and religious freedom upon which Israel is founded and to which it remains deeply committed".

You can email your questions to Richard and Yalda at theworld@sky.uk

You can also watch our podcasts on our YouTube channel here.

On Saturday 25 April armed terrorists rode into the capital of Mali in West Africa.

Al Qaeda affiliated jihadists now say they are going to launch a total siege of the capital – home to some four million people.

Who are these jihadists? What do they want? And could Mali be about to fall?

Yalda speaks to Yousra Elbagir, Sky’s Africa correspondent, about the growing threat of jihadism in West Africa and why the world needs to pay attention - because what happens in Africa does not stay there.

Meanwhile, Richard is back in Israel and talks about the potential opposition to Benjamin Netanyahu and why he’s keen to stay on a war footing.

You can email your questions to Richard and Yalda at theworld@sky.uk

You can also watch our podcasts on our YouTube channel here.

With Trump saying the ceasefire with Iran is 'extended', how could this conflict end? And what are the long-term implications for the region, and who will dominate – Israel or Iran?

Richard is joined by Hamidreza Azizi, an Iranian analyst and Visiting Fellow at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs in Berlin. He has spent much of his career in Iran, studying the regime, and talks at length about the current war, its origins and what could happen next in the Middle East.

The two also discuss Iran's 'Axis of Resistance' in the region - made up of Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis. Azizi's new book The Axis of Resistance: Iran, Israel and the Struggle for the Middle East is out later in the spring.

You can also watch our podcasts on our YouTube channel here.

You can email your questions to Richard and Yalda at theworld@sky.uk

On Wednesday 8 April, more than 300 people were killed after Israel launched ‘100 strikes in 10 minutes’ in Lebanon during what is being dubbed ‘Black Wednesday’. What exactly unfolded that day?

Yalda has spent time with those who witnessed the attacks and shares with Richard what they have been telling her.

While a shaky ceasefire remains in place between Iran and the US, no such ceasefire exists between Lebanon and Israel although talks are underway between the two countries in Washington.

Richard gives his view from Tel Aviv, where life is much more normal.

So what could happen next in this war? Listen to the full episode to find out.

You can email your questions to Richard and Yalda at theworld@sky.uk

You can also watch our podcasts on our YouTube channel here.

Is Trump winding down the war or just playing for time? Did Netanyahu just reveal his grand plan for the Middle East? And how is the conflict is playing out in Lebanon?

Yalda is in Beirut where Israeli bombs continue to devastate the capital. She has spent time in residential areas that have been largely destroyed and spoken to people living there. Is this the Israeli next front line?

Meanwhile Richard is in Tel Aviv where he managed to speak to Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a press conference. But why is what he said so extraordinary?

You can email your questions to Richard and Yalda at theworld@sky.uk

You can also watch our podcasts on our YouTube channel here.

Sky News International Affairs Editor Dominic Waghorn and his team are currently some of the only international journalists inside Iran. The internet is sporadic but they managed to connect with Yalda to bring her news from straight from Iranian capital Tehran.

The team were there to witness the Israeli air strike that killed Iran's security chief Ali Larijani. They were able to see the thousands of supporters take to the streets for his funeral and have spoken to ordinary Iranians about the conflict.

Yalda also talked to Dominic and his producer Zein Ja'Far about the difficulties they have faced in reporting from Iran.

If you have any questions for Yalda and the team, please email them at theworld@sky.uk

You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here

Is Israel about to occupy Lebanon? Why is Donald Trump sending more troops to the Middle East? And what is it actually like reporting from an active war zone?

Yalda and Richard discuss the latest developments in Iran and what the killing of the country's security chief Ali Larijani could mean for any peace process.

They assess the reaction of the Gulf states to the war and look at how possibly putting troops on the ground could affect the conflict.

Meanwhile, Israel says its forces have begun “limited and targeted” ground operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. What’s the justification? The pair examine the possible reason and talk about when they were both there in 2024.

The two of them will answer listeners' questions, so write to them at theworld@sky.uk

You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here

Who is the new Iranian leader and will he make a difference to the conflict? Trump says the war is "won" but do his team agree? And who is set to gain from the war in Iran?

Yalda is in Qatar and Richard is in Tel Aviv for this week's episode. Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al Thani has told Yalda he wants a diplomatic solution to the conflict and has told Iran to stop the attacks in the region.

The pair discuss what the conflict means for the Gulf States and Richard gives some context to Iran's new leader Mojtaba Khamenei and what his appointment might mean for hopes of peace.

They also answer listeners' questions on which countries will benefit from the war, that reveal some surprising answers.

To watch the episode on YouTube, click here.

Send your questions to theworld@sky.uk

What happens next in Iran? Will there be regime change? And what are the actual objectives of Israel and America?

Yalda and Richard are both in Israel as the conflict in the region ramps up. Both have been reporting on the ground and working their contacts to find out what the American and Israeli strategy is.

As the death toll in Iran climbs, and the Americans say the biggest hits are yet to come, just what happens next?

The two of them will answer listeners' questions, so write to them at theworld@sky.uk

To listen to Richard’s bonus Q&A episode, click here.

You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here.

Can you carry out regime change without boots on the ground? Will President Trump walk away now the Supreme Leader is dead? Does this feel like 2003 all over again?

Richard has been in Israel watching events unfold. He was in Tel Aviv when Israel and America launched strikes against Iran which ultimately led to the killing of Ayatollah Khamenei and many members of the top command.

In this special episode, Richard answers some questions about the situation and what might happen next.

He will be back with Yalda for a regular episode later in the week.

The two of them will answer listeners' questions, so write to them at theworld@sky.uk

You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here.

Ken Burns is one of America's most successful documentary filmmakers.

Ahead of the 250th anniversary of American independence later this year, he sits down with Yalda in this extra episode to reflect on where the US has come from, as well as the current state of the nation.

Burns has been making films for more than 40 years, winning Emmys and Grammys, and has even had a film effect named after him - 'the Ken Burns'.

His most recent project is a six-part series on the American Revolution that took Burns and his team at PBS 10 years to make.

He also talks to Yalda about why he chose this project, the process of making it and why he fears for the current state of America under President Trump.

You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here.

Do you have a question for Richard and Yalda? Write to them at theworld@sky.uk

What is Gaza like four months on from the ceasefire? Are Hamas still operating? Why won’t Israeli troops withdraw completely? And what about the Palestinians who have been forced to leave their homes?

Richard has been taken into Gaza by the IDF, which is still the only way that international journalists are allowed into the Strip. He is shown a Hamas tunnel which the IDF says was used until recently.

He also paints Yalda a picture of the complete destruction that he saw.

The two also reflect on the war in Ukraine, four years on from Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Yalda’s interview with the iconic American filmmaker, Ken Burns, will be available on Thursday 26th February.

You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here.

Do you have a question for Richard and Yalda? Write to them at theworld@sky.uk

Why did the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei just threaten to sink US warships? Is the progress made in the talks between America and Iran meaningful? What could happen next?

US President Donald Trump has sent more military equipment towards Iran and has said regime change is the “best thing that could happen”. At the same time, Iranian officials have said that some progress has been made in indirect talks with America. So, what’s really going on?

Richard and Yalda have both been talking to their contacts in the region and bring each other up to speed with what they are hearing.

Yalda also spent the weekend at the Munich Security Conference and gives her view on the last Shah of Iran’s son, Reza Pahlavi, who was also there.

Richard also talks about the Savannah Guthrie case. Savannah is a good friend and colleague of Richard, and the two have worked closely together for years.

You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here.

Do you have a question for Richard and Yalda? Write to them at theworld@sky.uk

What is next for Iran? Did MI6 know about Peter Mandelson’s past with Epstein? How does Europe bring Putin to the negotiating table?

When he left his job in 2025, the former head of MI6 said that he didn't think he’d left the world in a better place than when he was first appointed in 2020. But a lot has happened since he took the position, Sir Richard Moore has served two monarchs, four prime ministers, five deputy prime ministers and six foreign secretaries. He was also in charge of the security service when Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, when Trump returned to the White House, and during the upheaval in the Middle East with the war in Gaza.

In this episode of The World podcast, Yalda Hakim asks him about the vetting of Peter Mandelson, how the war in Ukraine might end, and the new world order including China and the US.

To watch the episode on The World YouTube channel click here.

What is the mood in Iran’s capital? Are people still protesting in the streets? What is the regime saying about what happened?

Richard Engel is in Tehran for NBC News and tells Yalda what he is seeing and what officials are telling him.

Because of the internet issues in Iran, Richard’s connection dropped off halfway through. Yalda then speaks about her exclusive interview with FIFA boss Gianni Infantino. When asked whether FIFA should lift its ban on Russia, he said it had "not achieved anything". He also explains why he stands by his decision to give President Trump the FIFA Peace Prize.

You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here.

To watch Yalda’s full interview with FIFA boss Gianni Infantino, click here.

Do you have a question for Richard and Yalda? Write to them at theworld@sky.uk

How does the Iranian regime use technology to control its people? How has AI and misinformation been used in the current wave of protests?

The Iranian regime just implemented the longest internet shutdown in its history. For over two weeks, very little information was getting in or out of the country as security forces cracked down hard on protestors.

Shutting off the internet is something the regime has done many times before. But why and how does it do it?

Mahsa Alimardani is associate director of technology threats and opportunities at WITNESS and specialises in how disinformation and AI are used in protests across the globe.

An Iranian herself, Mahsa tells Yalda the full scale of the misinformation tactics used by the regime as well as her ambitions to democratise satellite internet access.

You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here.

Do you have a question for Richard and Yalda? Write to them at theworld@sky.uk

It's been a month since a wave of protests spread across Iran, followed by a brutal government crackdown.

With the country under an internet blackout, it's still unclear how many have been killed - Richard and Yalda discuss what the death toll could be and we hear from one woman who shares what life is like inside Iran.

With Trump’s Board of Peace now established, Richard and Yalda explain what it is, who is on it and whether it could ultimately rival the United Nations.

Finally, as the United States deals with the aftermath of the killing of Alex Pretti – the man who was shot dead by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis - Richard and Yalda explain whether this could be a turning point for the country.

You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here.

Do you have a question for Richard and Yalda? Write to them at theworld@sky.uk

Why does Donald Trump want Greenland so much? How is Europe reacting?

Yalda is at Davos where the president insisted that America must have Greenland.

He has announced a framework has been agreed with NATO, but that the details still need to be worked out.

Yalda has been speaking to officials in Davos, who told her how betrayed they felt by the president.

Yalda also speaks to foreign policy expert Richard Fontaine about how Washington is reacting to the president’s latest moves.

Richard and Yalda then bring an update on the ongoing protests and internet blackout in Iran. With reports of soldiers firing on those in the streets, what will happen next?

To listen to Yalda’s bonus episode on the situation in Iran, go to the page on Spotify or Apple.

If you want to know more about the framework agreed on Greenland between Trump and NATO listen to our sister podcast Trump100.

You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here.

Do you have a question for Richard and Yalda? Write to them at theworld@sky.uk

What does the Iranian diaspora want America to do? Do they want intervention? And what do they think is next for Iran?

As protests continue across Iran and President Trump warns of consequences if the killing continues Yalda Hakim sits down with two Iranian American women to hear the views of the Iranian diaspora.

In this extra episode of the World, she speaks to Azadeh Afsahi, a human rights activist and Moj Mahdara who set up the Iranian Diaspora Collective about their motherland, their relationship to it, and what they want to happen next.

You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here.

Do you have a question for Richard and Yalda? Write to them at theworld@sky.uk

US President Donald Trump says "help is on its way" to the protesters in Iran – but what does he mean? Will the president strike Iran? And what could actually happen if the regime falls?

Protests in Iran have been spreading across the country for nearly two weeks. Why are tens of thousands of people out on the street? Richard and Yalda take stock of the fast-moving situation in Iran and try to make sense of what might happen next.

The two of them have been speaking to their contacts from across the globe, and Yalda has had a conversation with Shervin Pishevar, an American-Iranian businessman who has been instrumental in getting Elon Musk’s Starlink up and running in the country.

Richard also explains why even if Mr Trump acts, it will not be as easy a task as what he did in Venezuela.

You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here.

Do you have a question for Richard and Yalda? Write to them at theworld@sky.uk

What is the real reason that Trump wanted to remove Nicolas Maduro? Could he be about to do the same thing in other countries? And why is he saying he “needs” Greenland?

After the audacious events in Venezuela which saw President Nicolas Maduro removed by American special forces and taken to New York to face trial, Richard and Yalda discuss what could happen next in the region.

Richard is in Colombia and tells Yalda what the mood is like in the neighbouring country.

Yalda also talks about what is happening in Iran and why she thinks Israel could strike the country this year.

You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here.

Do you have a question for Richard and Yalda? Write to them at theworld@sky.uk

In this special Christmas episode, Richard and Yalda answer your questions. After a huge year in international news, the two reflect on the year that has been and what might be coming up in 2026.

Questions include: What was the defining story of 2025? If you weren’t a journalist, what would you be? And how do you adjust to life after covering conflict?

They also answer some more light hearted questions and reveal their favourite cocktails, cities and best cures for jet lag.

You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here.

If you have a question for Richard and Yalda, write to them at theworld@sky.uk

What's next for Australia after the deadly Bondi Beach terrorist attack? 

Yalda grew up in Sydney and tells Richard about why Bondi is such a special place for her and Australians, as well as sharing how the country might recover after the horrific events.  

Yalda has also been speaking exclusively to the sons of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, who give her an update on the conditions their father is in.  

To hear the full interview with the sons, click here. 

To hear what the Pakistan government says about the claims Kasim and Sulaiman make, click here. 

Richard also gives an update on the peace talks to end the war in Ukraine. US President Donald Trump says a deal is closer than ever. But how true is that? 

You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here. 

Do you have a question for Richard and Yalda? Write to them at theworld@sky.uk 

What is the truth behind that deepfake of Yalda? Why was it so inflammatory?  

A deepfake of Yalda and her guest went viral after it made the two women say something completely false. Yalda tells Richard exactly what happened and why these types of videos can be so dangerous.  

Yalda also gets to grips with the new powers granted to Pakistan’s military chief Asim Munir with the help of journalist and human rights activist, the British Pakistani woman Gul Bukhari.  

Richard and Yalda also break down America’s new national security strategy. Why was Russia happy with it? And why did European leaders reject it?  

Yalda also spoke to Donald Trump’s son, Don Junior, who revealed whether or not his father might walk away from the war in Ukraine.  

You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here.  

Do you have a question for Richard and Yalda? Write to them at theworld@sky.uk 

 Is Pakistan slipping into military rule? Why is the UN sounding the alarm about new changes to the country’s constitution?  Will Imran Khan ever be released?   

Yalda breaks down exactly what is going on in Pakistan and speaks to one of Imran Khan's close advisors Zulfi Bukhari to get the latest on the former Prime Minister.   

Richard is in Ukraine and has an update as negotiations on a possible peace plan continue between America, Ukraine and Russia. But will President Putin accept the amendments President Zelenskyy has made to the plan that appeared last week?  

You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here.    

Do you have a question for Richard and Yalda? Write to them at theworld@sky.uk 

What is actually in the detail of the Ukraine plan? Will Russia agree to the EU and Ukraine's amendments?  

The leaked 28-point plan for peace in Ukraine which emerged last week was seen by many as capitulation to Russian demands. In response, European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy submitted their counter demands.  

Richard has been at the peace talks happening in Geneva and breaks down the US plan with Yalda. They go through the main sticking points: territory, military and NATO membership.  

They also recap the corruption scandal engulfing the heart of Zelenskyy's government, which is putting extra pressure on the need for a ceasefire with Russia.  

You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here.  

Do you have a question for Richard and Yalda? Write to them at theworld@sky.uk 

Is this Mohammed bin Salman’s comeback tour?  

Mohammed bin Salman, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, also known as MBS, is returning to the White House for the first time since the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018 at the country's consulate in Istanbul. 

US intelligence concluded that the crown prince approved the capture or killing of Khashoggi, a prominent critic. MBS has denied this but acknowledged responsibility as de-facto ruler. 

Plus, Richard, now back from Colombia, reveals what he learnt from his interview with the country’s president, Gustavo Petro, who is currently in a war of words with Donald Trump about the flow of drugs into the US.  

And Yalda explains why the former Bangladesh leader Sheikh Hasina has been sentenced to death, and Yalda shares a story about when she caught the ‘fiery woman' off guard. 

You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here.  

Do you have a question for Richard and Yalda? Write to them at theworld@sky.uk 

Donald Trump has moved a large amount of US military force to the Caribbean, but why?

Trump recently referred to Colombia's left-wing president, Gustavo Petro, as "an illegal drug leader" and has ordered even more troops to the region.

The US military has been bombing alleged "drug-boats" suspected of taking illegal drugs such as cocaine and fentanyl to the US, but are drugs just one part of the story? And how might it escalate?

Richard is on the ground in Colombia where he explains how tensions have built and why China might play a role in Trump's motivations.

Yalda discusses the importance of Syrian leader, Ahmed al Sharaa, visiting the White House.

Previously labelled a terrorist by the US, al Sharaa had a $10m bounty on his head and led a faction of al Qaeda, yet now he is in the Oval Office being labelled "handsome" by Trump. How could this impact the dynamics of the Middle East?

You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here.

Do you have a question for Richard and Yalda? Write to them at theworld@sky.uk