Episodes

  • Cameroon’s forgotten crisis: Is reconciliation in the Anglo-Franco schism possible?
    Jul 26 2025

    Cameroon’s 92 year-old president Paul Biya seeks re-election to extend his 43-year tenure. We investigate the long and often violent conflict in his country. Is Anglo-Franco reconciliation possible? And is anyone paying attention?

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    39 mins
  • Explainer 477: What is behind the violence in Syria?
    Jul 23 2025

    Andrew Mueller examines the fatal clashes between Druze and Bedouin Syrians.

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    6 mins
  • Explainer 476: Lesotho’s one-man fight for South African land
    Jul 22 2025

    A Lesotho MP is facing charges after accusing the country’s monarch of signing over land to its neighbour, South Africa. Andrew Mueller explains the history and prospects of this decidedly niche territorial dispute.

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    8 mins
  • The future of warfare
    Jul 19 2025

    From drones to radios, the war in Ukraine has rapidly accelerated technical development. In this fast-evolving landscape, what does the future of warfare hold and will humans have a role on the battlefield?

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    34 mins
  • Dynastic democracies
    Jul 12 2025

    Recent Filipino elections were, arguably, a political episode of family feud. We examine the creation and durability of political dynasties. Plus: a banned would-be Thai leader explains how to run against a prime minister.

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    34 mins
  • Explainer 475: Why has Russia recognised the Taliban?
    Jul 9 2025

    Russia has become the first country to recognise the Taliban as Afghanistan’s government. Andrew Mueller explains why.

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    7 mins
  • How to topple a tyrant
    Jul 5 2025

    As last year’s rapid descent of Syria’s president Bashar al-Assad attests, when a dictator falls, they fall fast. But what are the conditions under which that fall occurs? And how can they be sparked?

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    36 mins
  • Explainer 474: Tuvalu’s climate-change escape to Australia
    Jul 2 2025

    Andrew Mueller explains the relocation ballot being offered to Tuvaluans by Australia and what’s in it for the host nation.

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    7 mins