For more than five decades, nuclear arms control treaties were enforced between Russia and the U.S. until this week. The last agreement has been allowed to lapse without a new one to replace it. So, why has this happened, and what are the dangers?

In this episode:

• Thomas Countryman, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for International Security and Non-Proliferation under the Obama administration
• Rebecca E Johnson, Co-founder and first President of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons
• Nikolai Sokov, Senior Fellow at the Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation

Host: Tom McRae

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Talks brokered by the U.S. seek to end the war between Russia and Ukraine. Many civilians in Ukraine are suffering in freezing temperatures after Russian attacks on heating and energy supplies. Negotiations are to continue, despite big divisions. But what are those sticking points? And could an end come soon?

In this episode:

• Alexander Bratersky, Independent Analyst and journalist in Moscow
• Oleksiy Goncharenko, Ukrainian opposition member of Parliament and a member of the Ukrainian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
• Steven Erlanger, Chief Diplomatic Correspondent in Europe for The New York Times

Host: Tom McRae

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India and the U.S. announce a trade deal, with relief from some of President Donald Trump's harshest tariffs. He says India will stop buying Russian oil and open up to American business. So, why is the deal getting a mixed reaction in India?

In this episode:

• Ajay Chhibber, visiting scholar at George Washington University
• Biswajit Dhar, trade economist and former professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University
• Harry Broadman, former Chief of Staff at the President's Council of Economic Advisers

Host: Rishaad Salamat

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U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is yet again in Israel to discuss growing tensions with Iran. The two sides have been trading threats. At odds for nearly half a century, can they find a common ground? Or is a new round of conflict inevitable?

In this episode:

• Thomas Warrick, a non-resident fellow at the Atlantic Council
• Marzie Khalilian, political analyst and researcher at Carleton University
• Alon Pinkas, Former Israeli Ambassador and Consul General in New York

Host: Rishaad Salamat

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Gaza's Rafah border crossing reopened but under strict Israeli conditions. The crossing is once again operational as part of the US-brokered ceasefire. But with Israel's restrictions, will this reopening ease the suffering of Palestinians after two years of war?

In this episode:

• Hussein Haridy, former Egyptian Assistant Foreign Minister
• Mosab Nasser, CEO of FAJR Global
• Akiva Eldar, political analyst and contributor to Haaretz

Host: Maleen Saeed

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How will Pakistan deal with growing security challenges in the southwestern province of Balochistan?

Another coordinated attack by separatists has killed dozens of people. Many ethnic Baloch have long complained of neglect and oppression by Islamabad. So, what will it take to end the cycle of violence there?

In this episode:

• Raashid Wali Janjua, Former Brigadier, Pakistan's Army and Director, Islamabad Policy Research Institute
• Sanaullah Baloch, Leader, Balochistan National Party
• Ayesha Siddiqa, Senior Research Fellow, Department of Defence Studies, King's College London

Host: Maleen Saeed

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Caracas says it's opening up the sector to private players. That follows Washington's dramatic intervention in the country in early January. But who will stand to gain from the changes: Venezuela or the United States? Or both?

In this episode:

• Elias Ferrer Founder and director of Orinoco Research. He analysis politics and the Venezuelan economy.

• Andrew Lipow President of Lipow Oil Associates

• Phil Gunson Senior Analyst at the International Crisis Group

Host: Adrian Finighan

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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in China this week with a large delegation of business people and cultural figures. He received a warm welcome from host Xi Jinping. But the visit got a frosty reception from the White House. U.S. President Donald Trump called the trip 'dangerous'. Why and how important is this visit?

In this episode:

• Will Hutton, political economist and author
• Andy Mok, Senior Research Fellow at the Center for China and Globalization
• Steve Tsang, Director of the China Institute at SOAS University of London

Host: Adrian Finighan

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