China versus America: who will win the AI race?

The US-Iran Agreement: Breakthrough or Bluff?

Jun 17, 202631 minSummary

In this episode of The World with Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim, host Yalda Hakim is joined by nuclear scientist and Iran project director Ali Vaez to examine the recent memorandum of understanding between the Trump administration and the Iranian regime. The conversation dives into the details of the fourteen-point agreement, which proposes a sixty-day ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to alleviate global economic pressures. Vaez characterizes the memorandum as a necessary but fragile starting point. While the deal addresses urgent regional stability and economic threats, he explains that it defers substantial issues, such as comprehensive sanctions relief and long-term nuclear negotiations, to a later date. The discussion highlights the strategic failures of the preceding conflict, noting that despite immense pressure and military actions from both the United States and Israel, the Iranian regime has demonstrated unexpected coherence. Furthermore, they analyze how the war has inadvertently shifted the motivations of Iranian leadership and the public, potentially increasing the desire for nuclear deterrence. The episode concludes by questioning the sustainability of this new diplomatic track and the evolving dynamics between Washington, Tehran, and Tel Aviv.

Introducing... Stuff Matters with Ed Conway

Jun 15, 202615 minSummary

In this introductory episode of Stuff Matters, host Ed Conway explores the fascinating, often hidden stories behind the everyday objects that shape our modern existence. Conway invites listeners to look beneath the surface of common items, promising a series that dives into unexpected rabbit holes and transformative historical breakthroughs. The episode features a compelling deep dive into the invention of the blue light-emitting diode (LED). Through an exclusive interview with Nobel Prize-winning scientist Shuji Nakamura, the narrative recounts his arduous, underdog journey at a small, obscure chemical company in Japan. Defying conventional wisdom and facing constant setbacks—including frequent lab explosions and limited resources—Nakamura pursued a scientific challenge that major tech giants had deemed impossible. The discussion illustrates how his persistence ultimately revolutionized human technology, bridging the gap between early fire-based light and the efficient, wide-spectrum lighting used today. By examining the history of illumination and the high-stakes technological race of the 1990s, Conway highlights how singular moments of discovery can fundamentally alter the world and provide profound insights into contemporary issues, such as the current artificial intelligence boom.

Inside Putin’s Russia: Is the Kremlin getting nervous?

Jun 10, 202645 minSummary

In this episode of The World, host Yalda Hakim sits down with Sky News Moscow correspondent Iva Bennett to examine the current state of life within Russia. Having lived in Moscow for two years, Bennett provides a candid look at the daily realities of reporting from a country where censorship laws are intentionally vague, creating a constant, heavy atmosphere of pressure and surveillance. The conversation shifts to the Kremlin’s internal anxieties, specifically regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine. Bennett explains how the government uses technical justifications to control public perception—such as restricting access to Western media and canceling symbolic military events like the Victory Day parade—to mask a growing sense of vulnerability. They discuss the mounting pressure on the Russian public, highlighting the tangible impacts of the war, including rising food prices and mysterious, disruptive internet outages that have left citizens increasingly frustrated. Furthermore, Hakim and Bennett address the ironic disconnect between the Kremlin’s anti-Western rhetoric, which positions Britain as a primary enemy, and the Russian public’s continued cultural affinity for British life. The episode also touches on Ukraine’s strategy to bring the war’s reality home to urban centers like Moscow, as seen in the recent escalation of drone attacks.

Ex-CIA analyst predicted Iran crisis years ago - so why was Trump surprised?

Jun 3, 202638 minSummary

In this episode, Richard Engel hosts former senior CIA analyst Ken Pollack to dissect the escalating tensions in the Middle East, specifically focusing on the ongoing conflicts involving Iran and Lebanon. The discussion centers on the disconnect between intelligence analysis and the Trump administration’s foreign policy decisions. Pollack argues that the current crisis was not a failure of intelligence, but rather a failure of leadership. He explains that the administration’s belief that regime change in Iran would be quick, cheap, and easy was a significant miscalculation, despite years of clear predictions from the intelligence community regarding Iran’s strategic response—such as interfering with the Strait of Hormuz. The conversation highlights how this misjudgment has led to a more hardline, entrenched Iranian leadership that is arguably more dangerous than before. Throughout the episode, the two explore why the U.S. proceeded with such policies, touching upon the influence of regional actors like Benjamin Netanyahu and the broader, often murky, geopolitical motivations. Finally, they discuss the missed opportunities in Lebanon and the deep frustration felt by intelligence professionals who see their expertise ignored by an administration committed to its own preconceived narratives.

Robots on the frontline: Is Ukraine now winning the war?

May 20, 202639 minSummary

In this episode of The World with Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim, the hosts provide a comprehensive look at two of the most volatile conflicts in the world today: the ongoing war in Ukraine and the escalating tensions in Iran. The episode begins with a harrowing report from correspondent Dominic Waghorn, who traveled to Minab, Iran, to investigate the aftermath of a strike on a primary school that killed over 150 children. The hosts discuss the lack of accountability from the U.S. government, contrasted with the immense grief of families still seeking answers months after the tragedy. Turning to Ukraine, Richard Engel sits down with Professor Phillips O'Brien to examine how the conflict has shifted in recent months. O'Brien explains that Ukraine has successfully seized the initiative from Russia, particularly through the use of advanced drone technology. They discuss a recent, significant drone attack on Moscow and explore the dystopian, futuristic reality of the frontlines, where autonomous and remotely piloted machines are increasingly handling logistics, medical evacuations, and combat operations, effectively reducing the exposure of human soldiers to the dangers of the battlefield.