Today

South Korean summitry from Japan to the US

South Korea’s new president, Lee Jae-myung, is travelling to neighbouring Japan before a summit with Donald Trump later today in Washington. Both summits pose risks and opportunities for a country in a rocky region.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1h 1m

Aug 22

View from Poland: Russian drone landing and the case of the missing summit invite

We get the view from Warsaw, which says that a Russian drone likely landed on its soil this week. Meanwhile: recriminations in the Polish capital over a missing invite to the Washington summit. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

58m 58s

Aug 21

US-brokered peace in the DRC crumbles. How will this affect the region’s future?

M23 rebels kill dozens of civilians in the DRC. Will this undermine the US’s push for peace in the region? Plus: Trump sends naval ships to the edge of Venezuela and Nordic news. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

57m 42s

Nov 2024

Australia’s social media ban, Lebanon's fragile ceasefire, Russia’s missile and Ireland’s election

Australia passes the world’s first law banning under 16s from social media. Israel and Hezbollah trade accusations of ceasefire violations. Voters head to the polls in Ireland’s election. And we look at how Russia’s new ‘Oreshnik’ missile works. Sign up for the Reuters Econ World ... Show More

12m 25s

Dec 2024

Syria: How Assad fell, the view from Damascus and US response

Rebels in Syria have seized the capital Damascus and ousted President Bashar al-Assad has fled to Russia. We hear from the ground as the lightning advance spearheaded by Hayat al-Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) marks one of the biggest turning points for the Middle East in generations - and ... Show More

12 m

Aug 2024

Japan’s PM, Ukraine-Russia, US inflation and Iran’s ceasefire demand

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida says he will step down next month, succumbing to public disaffection over political scandals and rising living costs. Ukraine has pounded Russian regions with missiles and drones as Kyiv says it is advancing deeper into Russian territory. Only ... Show More

12m 13s

Mar 2025

Syria forms new government and Israel-Lebanon tensions flare

Syria has formed a new government. The US has launched a new offensive on the Houthi rebels in Yemen, but experts have told The National that it is not an effective strategy. And tensions have flared between Israel and Lebanon after Beirut was bombed at the weekend. This epis ... Show More

6m 32s

Oct 2024

Hezbollah heir, US election interference and a man’s world in Japan

Israel confirms the killing of Hashem Safieddine – Hezbollah's heir apparent leader. U.S. officials worry that foreign interference could stoke post-election violence. And we look at the tough battle women face breaking onto Japan’s male-dominated political scene. Sign up for t ... Show More

12m 32s

Oct 2024

How the war in Ukraine has reshaped Asian foreign policy

The war in Ukraine and Russia has affected East Asian foreign policy in more ways than you might expect. We explore North and South Korea's involvement in the conflict with former UK ambassador John Everard, China’s watchful eye with Oriana Skylar Mastro and the pivotal forthcomi ... Show More

40m 46s

Feb 2025

Ukraine minerals deal, consumer confidence, tax cuts and South Korea birthrate

The U.S. and Ukraine have agreed the terms of a draft minerals deal as Donald Trump seeks to quickly end the war with Russia. U.S. stocks tumbled on Tuesday, after February figures showed a drop in consumer confidence. The Republican-controlled House off Representatives has advan ... Show More

12m 47s

Mar 2025

US strikes Yemen and Israel prepares to resume ceasefire talks

Iran warns of a decisive response to any attacks after threats made by US President Donald Trump, in the aftermath of military strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed a negotiating team to prepare for the continuation of Gaza c ... Show More

6m 34s

Sep 2024

Israeli strikes on Lebanon, US political violence and Sri Lanka’s election

Israel unleashes the most intense strikes on southern Lebanon in nearly a year of war amid calls for restraint. The second assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump highlights the risks of the incendiary political environment in the U.S. And voters head to the polls ... Show More

12m 34s

Taiwan’s election, the Yemen strikes and...