The Lede

Queens, Cities and States in the Making of Africa

In this first episode of 2026, award-winning broadcaster Zeinab Badawi joins Faisal Al Yafai on the podcast to discuss why traditional histories of Africa miss the mark, remarkable African figures from Cleopatra to Shaka Zulu, and Badawi’s book “An African History of Africa.”
Produced by Finbar Anderson

Listen Again: How America’s Margins Became the Mainstream

Listen again to this rerun episode of the podcast, in which journalist Gabriel Gatehouse, host of The Coming Storm and the documentary “Seeking Satoshi,” joins New Lines’ Faisal Al Yafai to discuss how exploring America’s fringe movements is the key to understanding the modern United States.
Produced by Finbar Anderson

From Emotional Video Games to Early Music Chanting: The Christmas Episode

For this year’s Christmas special episode, New Lines editors highlight some of their favorite stories from the magazine and reflect on the power of culture to bring people together.
A Palestinian Citizen of Israel Reflects on Life in the Shadow of Genocide in Gaza – by Rida Abu RassConfessions of a Syrian Barrel Bomber – by Kamal ShahinWhen a Dutch Drug Kingpin Needed a New Base, Sierra Leone Welcomed Him With Open Arms – by Oliver Dunn and Josef SkrdlikThe South Asian Vote May Be Split for Zohran Mamdani in New York City – by Yashica Dutt
Produced by Finbar Anderson

Making the Case for American Power

Author and political scientist Shadi Hamid joins Faisal Al Yafai on the podcast to argue his case for a U.S.-led world order, as set out in his new book, “The Case for American Power.”
Produced by Finbar Anderson

How Power Hides Itself

Following the National Guard shootings in Washington, D.C., and recent revelations surrounding Jeffrey Epstein and, separately, a Syrian charity, investigative journalists Murtaza Hussain and Lynzy Billing join Faisal Al Yafai to consider why and how powerful institutions and people cover their own tracks.
Produced by Finbar Anderson

Lifting the Lid on the Criminal Underworld

On this week’s episode, the historian and writer Mark Galeotti joins Faisal Al Yafai on the podcast to discuss his new book about the global criminal underworld, “Homo Criminalis,” and why he thinks Donald Trump’s controversial peace plan for the Russia-Ukraine conflict could be a useful starting point.
Produced by Finbar Anderson

Why the Internet Got Bad, and How To Fix It

On this week’s episode, bestselling author and tech blogger Cory Doctorow joins Faisal Al Yafai on the podcast to discuss why the internet has steadily, but noticeably, become unusable, as he sets out in his new book “Enshittification.”
Produced by Finbar Anderson

The Power Shifts Changing the Middle East, from Baghdad to Riyadh

The Financial Times’ Raya Jalabi and writer Robin Yassin-Kassab join Faisal Al Yafai on the podcast to discuss elections in Iraq, and White House visits by Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman.
Produced by Finbar Anderson

Hala Alyan Reflects on Motherhood, Exile and the Geography of Loss

Palestinian-American writer and poet Hala Alyan joins Faisal Al Yafai on the podcast to discuss her recent memoir, motherhood and the politics of writing during the Gaza war
Produced by Finbar Anderson

The Pillars of China’s Global Rise

Emmy-nominated journalist Melissa Chan joins Amie Ferris-Rotman on the podcast to discuss the foundations of China’s increasing global dominance, and the authoritarianism that led to her forcible expulsion from the country as a reporter.
Produced by Finbar Anderson