The Inside Story Podcast

Tension is running high between China and Taiwan. Beijing is carrying out its biggest-ever military drills off the island, saying they're a warning to what it calls separatist forces. So what's behind this show of power? And would China use force against Taiwan? In this episode: Shaun Rein, Founder & Managing Director of China Market Research Group. Chen Shen Yen, Research Fellow Institute of International Relations. Ja Ian Chong, Associate Professor of political science at the National University of Singapore. Host: Adrian Finighan Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Renewed sectarian anger grips parts of Syria. Alawite protesters confront government supporters and masked men attack security forces. Alawites say they're being marginalised. How serious is this latest threat to President al-Sharaa's effort to unify the country? In this episode: Fadel Abdulghany, Founder & Executive Director, Syrian Network for Human Rights. Gamal Mansour, Specialist, Comparative Politics and International Relations. Labib Nahhas, Director, Syrian Association for Citizens' Dignity. Host: Adrian Finighan Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Israel has become the first country to recognise Somaliland, the breakaway region of Somalia. That's angered Mogadishu, as well as African and Arab states. Why are they upset? And how will it affect politics in the region? In this episode: Adam Matan, Independent Horn of Africa Consultant. Alon Pinkas, Former Ambassador and Consul General of Israel in New York. Xavier Abu Eid, Political Scientist. Host: Adrian Finighan Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

The US President says they are against ISIL, claiming it targets Christians in the country.But are his allegations of religious persecution in Nigeria justified?And could his administration have other motives? In this episode: Malik Samuel, Senior Researcher at Good Governance Africa. Ebenezer Obadare, Senior Fellow for Africa Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. David Otto, Deputy Director of Counterterrorism Training at the International Academy for the Fight Against Terrorism. Host: Adrian Finighan Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

UN experts say the group remains a major threat to stability in Somalia and neighbouring countries. And it is still able to carry out attacks repeatedly. So what does it mean for security in this part of Africa? In this episode: Ismael Tahir, Research Fellow at Hilin, an organisation committed to development, governance and politics in the Somali Peninsula. Afyare Elmi, Research Professor at City University of Mogadishu. Abdullahi Halakhe, Horn of Africa Security Analyst. Host: Dareen Abughaida Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook