The Lede

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

Why Is Gen Z Protesting Across Africa?

Youth-led protests are sweeping much of Africa and the wider world. On this month’s edition of Global Insights on The Lede, Kwangu Liwewe is joined by journalist Aboubakr Jamaï and public policy expert Gedion Onyango to zoom in on Morocco and Kenya and look at why young protesters in both countries feel that the status quo no longer works for them.
Produced by Finbar Anderson

Is It Really Peace in the Middle East?

New Lines’ Middle East Editor Kareem Shaheen joins Faisal Al Yafai on the podcast to consider the Gaza peace deal authored by Donald Trump, what it really means for Palestinians and Israelis on the ground and whether the U.S. president deserves a Nobel Peace Prize.
Produced by Finbar Anderson

Uncovering the Human Stories Behind Global Politics

Recorded at a New Lines live event at London’s Frontline Club, The Wall Street Journal’s Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent Yaroslav Trofimov and The Sunday Times’ Chief Foreign Correspondent Christina Lamb join Faisal Al Yafai and Lydia Wilson for a discussion on storytelling and why it matters.
Produced by Finbar AndersonAssistant Producer Henry Wilkins

Rashid Khalidi on One of the Worst Periods in Palestinian History

The eminent Palestinian-American historian Rashid Khalidi joins Faisal Al Yafai on the podcast to discuss two years of war on Gaza and a century of war on Palestine.
Produced by Finbar Anderson

Britain’s Summer of the Right

For this week’s episode of Global Insights on The Lede, Byline Times Editor-in-Chief Hardeep Matharu and New Lines’ Jos Betts join host Kwangu Liwewe to discuss the British right’s evolving relationship with identity and race, and whether a focus on immigration in the national conversation could translate into political gain for the far-right Reform UK party.
Produced by Finbar Anderson
Further reading: The UK’s Fragmenting Politics by Jos Betts and Lydia Wilson