Today

The end of the world is AI? An existential threat

Is artificial intelligence becoming uncontrollably powerful? Our correspondent analyses whether a pause to breakneck development is possible or feasible. We have entered the new age of the orator. And why cheese is getting more popular in India. Guests and host:Alex Hern, AI writ ... Show More

24m 16s

Yesterday

Islamism in Britain: what is the threat?

Though a growing share of the British population is anxious about Islam, they have no reason to be. Islamism, a fringe ideology that believes government and society should be guided by Islamic principles, is the real concern. America cracks down on multinationals’ efforts to shif ... Show More

23m 41s

Sep 14

Strait and narrowing: the Houthis’ striking advance

After years of stalemate, Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis are taking territory, including on a Red Sea strait. We ask what has changed, and how the shift fits into the wider regional conflict. As America’s midterm elections approach, we examine the fragmentation of the coalition that ... Show More

22m 46s

Oct 2024

The arc of war: a bloody week in Lebanon

In a matter of weeks the conflict between Israel and Hizbullah has transformed life in Lebanon. Our correspondent reports from the streets of Beirut. After a pandemic-sized hiccup in the gym industry only the cheap ones and the really pricey ones are building muscle (11:10). And ... Show More

22m 28s

Sep 2024

The Slide Toward War in Lebanon

In the past few days, Israel has waged intense air raids in Lebanon, killing more than 600 people, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.Ben Hubbard, the Istanbul bureau chief for The Times, explains the origins of the spiraling conflict between Israel and its regio ... Show More

28m 14s

Oct 2024

A brief history of Israel and Lebanon at war

Tensions are escalating between Israel and Hezbollah, Iran’s proxy militia in Lebanon. Attacks on both sides have led to thousands dead and over a million people internally displaced. The latest confrontations come after decades of conflict, so where did it all begin? This podcas ... Show More

30m 41s

Sep 2024

War in Lebanon?

It looks a lot like all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah. Semafor’s Sarah Dadouch has the latest from Beirut and CNN’s Nick Paton Walsh explains Israel's strategy. This episode was produced by Haleema Shah and Hady Mawajdeh with help from Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Mirand ... Show More

25m 21s

Aug 2020

Episode 87 - Lebanon on the brink

Ben and Nizar dive into two of the big news stories in Lebanon this past week: a new lockdown in response to record cases of coronavirus and the border incident between Hezbollah and Israel. Also discussed: lack of transparency on electricity, political squabbles over the Bisri D ... Show More

41m 20s

Oct 2019

Episode 59 - Lebanon on fire

It's a bumper episode this week, and slight departure from our usual format given the realities in Lebanon right now. Nizar and Ben are joined by Timour Azhari, senior reporter at The Daily Star, to discuss everything that has unfolded over the last seven days, starting with wild ... Show More

1h 24m

Sep 2024

Braced for war: Life inside Lebanon

Israel and Hezbollah’s intensifying conflict is affecting a country already on edge. Over 90,000 people have been displaced in Lebanon as cross-border violence, ongoing for nearly a year, has reached new heights. More than 600 people have been reported killed across Lebanon since ... Show More

26m 32s

Jul 2024

An Escalating War in the Middle East

Warning: This episode contains audio of war.Over the past few days, the simmering feud between Israel and the Lebanese militia Hezbollah, has reached a critical moment.Ben Hubbard, the Istanbul bureau chief for The New York Times, explains why the latest t ... Show More

22 m