The World with Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim

Is Trump winding down the war or just playing for time? Did Netanyahu just reveal his grand plan for the Middle East? And how is the conflict is playing out in Lebanon?Yalda is in Beirut where Israeli bombs continue to devastate the capital. She has spent time in residential areas that have been largely destroyed and spoken to people living there. Is this the Israeli next front line?Meanwhile Richard is in Tel Aviv where he managed to speak to Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a press conference. But why is what he said so extraordinary?You can email your questions to Richard and Yalda at [email protected] can also watch our podcasts on our YouTube channel here.

Sky News International Affairs Editor Dominic Waghorn and his team are currently some of the only international journalists inside Iran. The internet is sporadic but they managed to connect with Yalda to bring her news from straight from Iranian capital Tehran. The team were there to witness the Israeli air strike that killed Iran's security chief Ali Larijani. They were able to see the thousands of supporters take to the streets for his funeral and have spoken to ordinary Iranians about the conflict. Yalda also talked to Dominic and his producer Zein Ja'Far about the difficulties they have faced in reporting from Iran. If you have any questions for Yalda and the team, please email them at [email protected] You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here

Is Israel about to occupy Lebanon? Why is Donald Trump sending more troops to the Middle East? And what is it actually like reporting from an active war zone?Yalda and Richard discuss the latest developments in Iran and what the killing of the country's security chief Ali Larijani could mean for any peace process.They assess the reaction of the Gulf states to the war and look at how possibly putting troops on the ground could affect the conflict.Meanwhile, Israel says its forces have begun “limited and targeted” ground operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. What’s the justification? The pair examine the possible reason and talk about when they were both there in 2024.The two of them will answer listeners' questions, so write to them at [email protected] can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here

Who is the new Iranian leader and will he make a difference to the conflict? Trump says the war is "won" but do his team agree? And who is set to gain from the war in Iran? Yalda is in Qatar and Richard is in Tel Aviv for this week's episode. Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al Thani has told Yalda he wants a diplomatic solution to the conflict and has told Iran to stop the attacks in the region. The pair discuss what the conflict means for the Gulf States and Richard gives some context to Iran's new leader Mojtaba Khamenei and what his appointment might mean for hopes of peace. They also answer listeners' questions on which countries will benefit from the war, that reveal some surprising answers. To watch the episode on YouTube, click here. Send your questions to [email protected]

What happens next in Iran? Will there be regime change? And what are the actual objectives of Israel and America? Yalda and Richard are both in Israel as the conflict in the region ramps up. Both have been reporting on the ground and working their contacts to find out what the American and Israeli strategy is. As the death toll in Iran climbs, and the Americans say the biggest hits are yet to come, just what happens next? The two of them will answer listeners' questions, so write to them at [email protected] To listen to Richard’s bonus Q&A episode, click here. You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here.

Can you carry out regime change without boots on the ground? Will President Trump walk away now the Supreme Leader is dead? Does this feel like 2003 all over again?Richard has been in Israel watching events unfold. He was in Tel Aviv when Israel and America launched strikes against Iran which ultimately led to the killing of Ayatollah Khamenei and many members of the top command.In this special episode, Richard answers some questions about the situation and what might happen next.He will be back with Yalda for a regular episode later in the week.The two of them will answer listeners' questions, so write to them at [email protected] can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here.

Ken Burns is one of America's most successful documentary filmmakers.Ahead of the 250th anniversary of American independence later this year, he sits down with Yalda in this extra episode to reflect on where the US has come from, as well as the current state of the nation.Burns has been making films for more than 40 years, winning Emmys and Grammys, and has even had a film effect named after him - 'the Ken Burns'.His most recent project is a six-part series on the American Revolution that took Burns and his team at PBS 10 years to make.He also talks to Yalda about why he chose this project, the process of making it and why he fears for the current state of America under President Trump.You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here.Do you have a question for Richard and Yalda? Write to them at [email protected]

What is Gaza like four months on from the ceasefire? Are Hamas still operating? Why won’t Israeli troops withdraw completely? And what about the Palestinians who have been forced to leave their homes?Richard has been taken into Gaza by the IDF, which is still the only way that international journalists are allowed into the Strip. He is shown a Hamas tunnel which the IDF says was used until recently.He also paints Yalda a picture of the complete destruction that he saw.The two also reflect on the war in Ukraine, four years on from Russia’s full-scale invasion.Yalda’s interview with the iconic American filmmaker, Ken Burns, will be available on Thursday 26th February.You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here.Do you have a question for Richard and Yalda? Write to them at [email protected]

Why did the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei just threaten to sink US warships? Is the progress made in the talks between America and Iran meaningful? What could happen next?US President Donald Trump has sent more military equipment towards Iran and has said regime change is the “best thing that could happen”. At the same time, Iranian officials have said that some progress has been made in indirect talks with America. So, what’s really going on?Richard and Yalda have both been talking to their contacts in the region and bring each other up to speed with what they are hearing.Yalda also spent the weekend at the Munich Security Conference and gives her view on the last Shah of Iran’s son, Reza Pahlavi, who was also there.Richard also talks about the Savannah Guthrie case. Savannah is a good friend and colleague of Richard, and the two have worked closely together for years.You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here.Do you have a question for Richard and Yalda? Write to them at [email protected]

What is next for Iran? Did MI6 know about Peter Mandelson’s past with Epstein? How does Europe bring Putin to the negotiating table? When he left his job in 2025, the former head of MI6 said that he didn't think he’d left the world in a better place than when he was first appointed in 2020. But a lot has happened since he took the position, Sir Richard Moore has served two monarchs, four prime ministers, five deputy prime ministers and six foreign secretaries. He was also in charge of the security service when Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, when Trump returned to the White House, and during the upheaval in the Middle East with the war in Gaza. In this episode of The World podcast, Yalda Hakim asks him about the vetting of Peter Mandelson, how the war in Ukraine might end, and the new world order including China and the US. To watch the episode on The World YouTube channel click here.

What is the mood in Iran’s capital? Are people still protesting in the streets? What is the regime saying about what happened?Richard Engel is in Tehran for NBC News and tells Yalda what he is seeing and what officials are telling him.Because of the internet issues in Iran, Richard’s connection dropped off halfway through. Yalda then speaks about her exclusive interview with FIFA boss Gianni Infantino. When asked whether FIFA should lift its ban on Russia, he said it had "not achieved anything". He also explains why he stands by his decision to give President Trump the FIFA Peace Prize.You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here.To watch Yalda’s full interview with FIFA boss Gianni Infantino, click here.Do you have a question for Richard and Yalda? Write to them at [email protected]

How does the Iranian regime use technology to control its people? How has AI and misinformation been used in the current wave of protests?The Iranian regime just implemented the longest internet shutdown in its history. For over two weeks, very little information was getting in or out of the country as security forces cracked down hard on protestors.Shutting off the internet is something the regime has done many times before. But why and how does it do it?Mahsa Alimardani is associate director of technology threats and opportunities at WITNESS and specialises in how disinformation and AI are used in protests across the globe.An Iranian herself, Mahsa tells Yalda the full scale of the misinformation tactics used by the regime as well as her ambitions to democratise satellite internet access.You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here.Do you have a question for Richard and Yalda? Write to them at [email protected]

It's been a month since a wave of protests spread across Iran, followed by a brutal government crackdown. With the country under an internet blackout, it's still unclear how many have been killed - Richard and Yalda discuss what the death toll could be and we hear from one woman who shares what life is like inside Iran. With Trump’s Board of Peace now established, Richard and Yalda explain what it is, who is on it and whether it could ultimately rival the United Nations. Finally, as the United States deals with the aftermath of the killing of Alex Pretti – the man who was shot dead by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis - Richard and Yalda explain whether this could be a turning point for the country. You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here. Do you have a question for Richard and Yalda? Write to them at [email protected]

Why does Donald Trump want Greenland so much? How is Europe reacting? Yalda is at Davos where the president insisted that America must have Greenland. He has announced a framework has been agreed with NATO, but that the details still need to be worked out. Yalda has been speaking to officials in Davos, who told her how betrayed they felt by the president. Yalda also speaks to foreign policy expert Richard Fontaine about how Washington is reacting to the president’s latest moves. Richard and Yalda then bring an update on the ongoing protests and internet blackout in Iran. With reports of soldiers firing on those in the streets, what will happen next? To listen to Yalda’s bonus episode on the situation in Iran, go to the page on Spotify or Apple. If you want to know more about the framework agreed on Greenland between Trump and NATO listen to our sister podcast Trump100. You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here. Do you have a question for Richard and Yalda? Write to them at [email protected]

What does the Iranian diaspora want America to do? Do they want intervention? And what do they think is next for Iran?As protests continue across Iran and President Trump warns of consequences if the killing continues Yalda Hakim sits down with two Iranian American women to hear the views of the Iranian diaspora.In this extra episode of the World, she speaks to Azadeh Afsahi, a human rights activist and Moj Mahdara who set up the Iranian Diaspora Collective about their motherland, their relationship to it, and what they want to happen next.You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here.Do you have a question for Richard and Yalda? Write to them at [email protected]