The World with Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim

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]