Roundtable
648 episodes - English - Latest episode: 10 months ago - ★★★★★ - 1 ratingA discussion programme with an edge. Broadcast out of London and presented by David Foster, it's about bringing people to the table, listening to every opinion, and analysing every point of view.
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Episodes
G20: What’s on the agenda?
October 28, 2021 14:49 - 26 minutes VideoAs world leaders get ready to meet in Rome, we’ll talk about what kind of post-pandemic recovery they're planning for Europe and beyond. Later in the programme we will look at how they hope to prevent a humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.
BREXIT: Supply chain crisis
October 21, 2021 21:13 - 26 minutes VideoThe way British news outlets are blaming Brexit for a shortage of workers, empty food shelves and the prospect of what some are calling a Cancelled Christmas, you might think it’s the UK that is the only country affected. But across the world others are facing similar problems. GUESTS: Nisa Bayindir Consumer Psychologist Behavioural Scientist Catherine McBride Fellow at the Centre for Brexit Policy Clare Bailey Independent Retail Expert Roundtable is a discussion program with an edge...
Which Western Balkans nations will join the EU?
October 21, 2021 17:26 - 26 minutes VideoSerbia, Montenegro, Albania, Kosovo, Bosnia and North Macedonia have been on the waiting list for almost 20 years. Now they’ve been told that one day they will be welcome, but not when that day will be. Why does the European Union appear to have gone, if not cold, then a little chilly about inviting six Balkan countries to the bloc? It appears the big fear is that since membership comes the free movement of people, there’ll be a lot of people in countries that already belong, worried about mi...
NORTHERN IRELAND PROTOCOL: Will Article 16 be triggered?
October 18, 2021 10:17 - 26 minutes VideoWith the Republic of Ireland in the EU and Northern Ireland not, what’s causing friction is the movement of goods between the two post-Brexit. The UK says it wants a deal that was negotiated on that change, and if it’s not then it could put the whole matter into dispute. And that, it’s feared, could put the Northern Ireland peace agreement at risk. GUESTS: Neale Richmond Member of Irish Parliament for Fine Gael Steve McCabe Senior fellow at Centre for Brexit Studies Robert Oulds Director...
MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS: How much is the pandemic to blame?
October 15, 2021 12:43 - 26 minutes VideoHow much easier is it to live in the 21st century than in times gone by? By most counts - mortality/ education/ disease it is a great deal easier. But what about mental health? Are times tougher now, or are we just more aware of the issues and prepared to discuss them? Guests: Ledia Lazeri WHO Europe Mental Health Team Emma Jayne Gooch Mother of Mental Health Sufferer Elena Antonova Senior Lecturer in Psychology Brunel University of London Dr Cyrus Abbasian Consultant Psychiatrist
Is Eric Zemmour the next far-right French president?
October 14, 2021 10:13 - 26 minutes VideoEric Zemmour has been called a French Donald Trump, appealing to extreme elements in society. He has convictions for inciting racial hatred . What is it then that makes people talk of a man with no party and no election experience as a future leader of the country?
EUROPE: How will it engage with the Taliban?
October 13, 2021 17:38 - 26 minutes VideoThe Taliban’s takeover in Afghanistan in August led to the chaotic withdrawal of US-European coalition forces. It has now left Western leaders questioning how they will engage with the new rulers. GUESTS: Simon Mayall Former Deputy UK Army Chief Michael Semple Former Deputy EU Representative to Afghanistan Jamie Shea Former Deputy Assistant Secretary General of NATO
EUROPE ENERGY: Facing a bleak winter?
October 12, 2021 19:30 - 26 minutes VideoDESCRIPTION: The world’s getting back to normal and that’s going to cost you. After eighteen months when gas wasn’t needed so much, prices are soaring with increased demand and not enough reserves. How will Europe manage without the lights going out? GUESTS: Richard Ballantyne CEO of the British Ports Association Tim Skeet Adviser to Trade Association John Baldwin Managing Director at CNG Roundtable is a discussion program with an edge. Broadcast out of...
How controversial is Janez Jansa EU presidency so far?
September 28, 2021 16:49 - 26 minutes VideoThe man described as a mini Trump who runs a country of just two million people in Eastern Europe now has the chance to shape the European Union for years to come. Guests: Ziga Turk Former Slovenian Minister for Growth Wojciech Przybylski Editor-in-chief at Visegrad Insight Alen Toplisek Lecturer in International Political Economy Roundtable is a discussion program with an edge. Broadcast out of London and presented by David Foster, it's about bringing people to the table, listening...
LAFARGE: Complicit in crimes against humanity?
September 28, 2021 10:57 - 26 minutes VideoFrench cement giant Lafarge has been accused of links with Daesh, prompting debate about its role and complicity in crimes against humanity in Syria’s civil war. Guests: Fabrice Balanche Associate Professor at the University of Lyon 2 Cannelle Lavite European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights Tallha Abdulrazaq University of Exeter's Strategy and Security Institute Roundtable is a discussion program with an edge. Broadcast out of London and presented by David Foster, it's abo...
GERMAN ELECTIONS: Reshaping its future?
September 23, 2021 07:25 - 26 minutes Video62 million Germans will be casting their ballots on the 26th of September. The outcome is expected to be a two or three way coalition but with several combinations possible, which parties will take the lead? GUESTS: Michael Gahler Christian Democratic Union Ursula Munch Director of the Academy for Political Education Arne Lietz Social Democratic Party Roundtable is a discussion program with an edge. Broadcast out of London and presented by David Foster, it's about bringing people to t...
GERMAN ELECTIONS: Future relationship with Europe?
September 22, 2021 22:50 - 25 minutes VideoAngela Merkel is set to leave her position after more than a decade and a half. And while some applaud her political style in Europe, others see a lack of bold leadership. What do Europeans expect from a post-Merkel Germany? GUESTS: Stefan Collignon Professor of European Political Economy Matthew Qvortrup Author of ‘Angela Merkel, Europe’s most influential leader’ Ursula Munch Academy for Political Education in Tutzing Roundtable is a discussion program with an edge. Broadcast out of ...
COVID-19: Another surge in schools?
September 17, 2021 11:18 - 26 minutes VideoMore than a billion students were affected by school closures last year. Now children are returning to the classroom. But with many unvaccinated and not wearing masks, will we see another surge? And do the benefits of in-person teaching outweigh the risks of virus transmission? GUESTS: Dr David Strain University of Exeter Medical School Helen Ross Special needs teacher Ghassan Khalil UNICEF Representative in Georgia Roundtable is a discussion program with an edge. Broadcast out of Lo...
9/11: What impact has it had on communities?
September 14, 2021 22:18 - 25 minutes VideoThe 9/11 attacks were a defining event for global terrorism, it sent shock waves across the international community. 20 years later, the United States and its European allies have continued to wage wars on a global scale to combat terrorism. But has the failure of the Afghanistan war shown the failure of the ‘War on Terror’? GUESTS: Moazzam Begg Former Guantanamo prisoner Sahar Aziz Author of ‘The Racial Muslim’ Khalil Dewan Head of Investigations at Stoke White law firm
AFGHANISTAN: Will terrorism increase in Europe?
September 11, 2021 10:09 - 26 minutes VideoDid Europe gain anything from 20 years of the so-called War on Terror? America coined the phrase, led the charge and now has decided enough is enough. Will what happened in Afghanistan mean Europe is once more exposed?Now that the USA says it won’t fight forever wars, other people’s battles, what can Europe do to protect itself? And what lessons have been learned in the last two decades? GUESTS: Tallha Abdulrazaq University of Exeter Strategy and Security Institute Temur Umarov Russia...
Do border walls prevent migration?
September 10, 2021 10:23 - 26 minutes VideoMore and more walls are being built on the borders of Europe. Does it make sense to keep out those who are not wanted or do these barriers lead to a rise in persecution? Guests: Matthias Lucke Senior researcher, Kiel Institute Eleanor Paynter Migration Fellow, Cornell University Giovanni Fontana President of Second Tree
How prepared is Europe for extreme weather?
September 09, 2021 12:11 - 23 minutes VideoBit by bit, we appear to be waking up to the fact that our own home - our planet - is probably being destroyed by our own actions. But even with the realisation that this nightmare is not a thing of bad dreams, how ready is humankind to take the tough decisions today that could save our world tomorrow? Guests: Paul Drummond Institute for Sustainable Resources LOCATOR: LONDON Jennifer Tollmann Senior Policy Advisor for E3G LOCATOR: BERLIN Damien Short Professor of Environmental Just...
Is it time for an EU army?
September 08, 2021 20:58 - 26 minutes VideoThe possibility of an EU army has been raised again following the collapse of Afghanistan to The Taliban. But if America can’t handle foreign wars, what chance for a force pulled together from 27 different countries? GUESTS: Russell Foster EU Affairs Analyst at King's College Elisabeth Braw American Enterprise Institute Samir Puri Senior Fellow at IISS-Asia Roundtable is a discussion program with an edge. Broadcast out of London and presented by David Foster, it's about bringing people ...
A new COVID-19 wave in Europe?
September 08, 2021 10:52 - 26 minutes VideoYou might be tempted to think the worst is over when it comes to Covid, but perhaps it’s time to think again with warnings of another wave in Europe and a worrying new mutation. Which might make you wonder if this will ever end, or if living with the coronavirus threat is something we will all have to get used to. GUESTS Oksana Pyzik Global Health Adviser Jean Pierre Thierry Senior Medical Advisor at France Assos Santé Catherine Smalwood WHO COVID-19 Incident Manager for Europe Roundt...
Will Russia fill the power vacuum in Afghanistan?
September 04, 2021 20:30 - 26 minutes VideoWho is going to be courting the Taliban now that they have control of Afghanistan and the West has cut and run? Two major players Russia and China, both know how important the country can be for influence in Central Asia. Guests: Kirill Krivosheev Correspondent at Kommersant newspaper Ian Bond Centre for European Reform M Ashraf Haidari Afghan Ambassador to Sri Lanka
Was the Afghanistan war worth fighting?
August 27, 2021 14:41 - 25 minutes VideoThe initial aim was to stop Afghanistan being a safe haven for terrorist groups as it had been under the previous Taliban government. If that’s still important, how can Europe come out of this with at least the smallest scrap of credibility? The complete failure of Western military and diplomatic efforts to bring any kind of stability to Afghanistan 20 years after 9/11 begs the question - can anything be done now? GUESTS Frank Ledwidge Former Military Officer Shafiq Hamdam Former Deputy ...
Will Russia ever end its occupation of Crimea?
August 26, 2021 11:33 - 26 minutes VideoDESCRIPTION: "Russia’s build-up of its military strength in Crimea since it annexed the peninsula seven years ago gives some credence to its boast that it’s now the dominant power in the Black Sea.". So why would it give-up this possible pre-eminence? A Ukrainian summit aims to put the issue back on the international agenda. But is Moscow listening at all? And is any amount of outside pressure going to change the situation? GUESTS: Vyacheslav Matuzov Former Russian Diplomat Pavel Havlicek...
How prepared is Europe for an Afghan refugee influx?
August 26, 2021 06:59 - 26 minutes VideoCountries face a balancing act - a moral, humanitarian duty to help, and a need, some would say, not to alienate voters when migration has become such a divisive issue. Just how many Afghan migrants will there be now that the Taliban has control of the country once more? And who in Europe will take them? Ahmad Shah Mohibi Founder of Rise to Peace Steve Crawshaw Director of Policy and Advocacy at Freedom from Torture Gulwali Passarlay Former Afghan Refugee Roundtable is a discussion pr...
Is the Western Balkans ready for borderless travel?
August 25, 2021 21:11 - 25 minutes VideoSerbia, Albania and North Macedonia aim to launch their own border-free travel and business zone - dubbed the ‘mini-schengen’ zone. In a bid to speed up their accession to the European union. Could this zone help boost economic recovery and foreign investment in the region? And if, so why are Kosovo, Bosnia and Montenegro against the idea? Guests: Strahinja Subotic Researcher at the European Policy Centre Simonida Kacarska Director of the European Policy Institute Bekim Collaku Forme...
Is this a revival of Cold War espionage?
August 24, 2021 21:38 - 26 minutes VideoIt’s been suggested that Russia has tried to infiltrate Germany in particular because of its role at the centre of Europe and because of its ties to Moscow. A former agents is here to tell us if we’re witnessing a return to the Cold War ways of spying.
Are European countries donating enough vaccines?
August 19, 2021 09:03 - 26 minutes VideoRich nations vaccinate one person against Covid-19 every second while the majority of the poorest nations are yet to give a single dose. Are rich European nations donating enough vaccines? Former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown urges British, Italian and US leaders to hold an emergency summit before the UN to end vaccine inequality. Will these leaders listen? Guests: Greg Perry International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Mohga Kamal Yanni Health Adviser at The People Vaccine...
Is Russia's vaccine diplomacy failing?
August 18, 2021 11:51 - 25 minutes VideoMore and more countries are lining up to complain that Russia is failing to fulfil its promise to give them millions of doses of its Sputnik V vaccine.What was seen as a clever soft power tool from Moscow to win support in poorer nations is now turning into something of an embarrassment. So, what has gone wrong? Guests: Andrey Kortunov Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council Vasily Vlassov Professor of Health at Higher School of Economics Samuel Ramani International ...
The forgotten superpower of mRNA vaccines?
August 15, 2021 20:36 - 26 minutes VideoGUESTS: Raywat Deonandan Epidemiologist Prakash Srinivasan Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Jake Baum Professor of Cell Biology and Infectious Diseases Roundtable is a discussion program with an edge. Broadcast out of London and presented by David Foster, it's about bringing people to the table, listening to every opinion, and analysing every point of view. From fierce debate to reflective thinking, Roundtable discussions offer a different perspective on the issues that...
Climate change: Time to ditch coal?
August 11, 2021 12:22 - 26 minutes VideoThink diesel, think deforestation, think agriculture - all major contributors to pollution and hence climate change. But how many these days mention coal? As the latest UN conference on global warming approaches, why are so many countries unwilling to address what’s arguably the biggest culprit there is? Guests: Joanna Pandera CEO at Forum Energii Leo Roberts Research Manager, E3G Alison Doig Climate Change Consultant Roundtable is a discussion programme with an edge. Broadcast out ...
Can the UK be trusted in trade deals?
August 06, 2021 22:34 - 26 minutes VideoWith the UK threatening to ignore trade rules with the EU in Northern Ireland, the question is what kind of reliable partner would the United Kingdom be in other worldwide deals? GUESTS: Catherine McBride Fellow at the Centre for Brexit Policy Thomas Hennessey Professor of Modern British and Irish History Kurt Huebner Professor of Political Science
Would sanctions on Lebanese leaders help to resolve its crisis?
August 05, 2021 11:45 - 26 minutes VideoThe port explosion in Beirut only multiplied Lebanon’s existing problems. Almost half the population now lives below the poverty line. Yet the EU is talking of sanctions and not aid. Is this the right way to get squabbling politicians in line and the country back from the brink? Karim Bitar Director of the Institute of Political Science Carmen Geha European Council of Foreign Relations Luna Safwan Journalist
Has COVID-19 changed our behaviour for good?
August 02, 2021 19:57 - 26 minutes VideoOnline shopping, masks, zoom calls, social distancing, travel - there’s no doubt Covid has changed the way we live. But now that more people are being asked to police themselves, how much of our behaviour will return to how it once was? Guests: Linda Bauld Behavioural Scientist David Trott Retail and hospitality marketing expert Dr Sarita Robinson Psychologist
Are France’s Muslims being treated unfairly?
July 29, 2021 09:22 - 26 minutes VideoHow much does France’s anti-separatism bill really discriminate against law-abiding Muslims. Emmanuel Macron says it does exactly the opposite - that it will protect them and other French people from Islamic extremists. But as it inches closer to becoming law, critics say it will stigmatise ALL 8 million Muslims in France - removing religious freedoms and making followers of Islam second-class citizens. Guests: Yasser Louati Human Rights Advocate Anne-Elisabeth Moutet Political Commenta...
Thousands of migrants have crossed into EU from Belarus
July 28, 2021 15:02 - 25 minutes VideoOn the eastern fringes of Europe, on the border with Belarus, Lithuania is building a 550 km-long razor-wire wall to stop a sudden flow of migrants into its country. And it’s the very speed with which this influx has happened that has led to accusations that Belarus’ President is using the migrants to keep himself in power and put pressure on the EU to lift sanctions.So, is Alexander Lukashenko - with Russian help - actually flying in the men, women and children - and using them as political ...
Are Europe’s floods a wake-up call on climate change?
July 27, 2021 16:18 - 26 minutes VideoThe world may be waking up to preventing long-term damage caused by climate change, but how well are countries prepared for the kind of devastation that could come their way any moment from now? GUESTS: Part 1 Jeff Da Costa Environmental Scientist Part 2 Dr Ilan Kelman Professor of Disasters and Health Dr Linda Speight Hydrometeorologist Tom Burke Chairman and Co-founder at E3G Roundtable is a discussion program with an edge. Broadcast out of London and presented by David Foster...
Delta variant causes economic worries
July 23, 2021 10:59 - 26 minutes VideoIs there a winner among major European economies when it comes to surviving the pandemic? Today we look at four nations and ask, who’s likely to come out on top? Joel Ruet Economist Prem Sikka Member of the House of Lords Alex Armand Assistant Professor at Nova School of Business Roundtable is a discussion programme with an edge. Broadcast out of London and presented by David Foster, it’s about bringing people to the table, listening to every opinion, and analysing every point of view. ...
UK relaxes rules as COVID-19 rates soar
July 21, 2021 11:39 - 26 minutes VideoThere are so many uncertainties - cases are still rising. But PM Boris Johnson says it’s now or never. And other countries are watching to see if the experiment works, or if it leads to rising deaths and further lockdowns. Guests: Dr Jeremy Rossman Senior Lecturer in Virology Oksana Pyzik Global Health Adviser Dr Bharat Pankhania Senior Clinical Lecturer
Winners and losers in the switch to electric cars?
July 20, 2021 11:36 - 25 minutes VideoVolkswagen has just said it won’t be making petrol or diesel vehicles by the end of 2035. Not as ambitious as Euro 7, but a bold statement nonetheless. In this programme we’ll see what’s possible - and what ideas might just get stuck in a dead end Is the race to electrically-powered vehicles a car crash waiting to happen? Tough new emissions rules could mean the end of the road for petrol and diesel in Europe by 2025. But what about the idea that this kind of acceleration could do more harm...
VIKTOR ORBAN: The EU's Disrupter-in-Chief?
July 15, 2021 10:56 - 26 minutes VideoThe most recent worry for some EU countries is a Hungarian law on sex education in schools. For his part Victor Orban wants to limit the powers of the European Parliament. He wants national assemblies to be able to veto EU laws. If you're in a club and insult that club, should you be expelled? There are calls for Hungary to be kicked out of the EU, as the country’s leader denounced what he called “The Sovietization” of the bloc.
Is the UK playing politics with internet freedoms?
July 14, 2021 17:30 - 26 minutes VideoThe UK is planning new laws to police the world wide web. Concerns are being voiced that the new powers could lead to censorship - that the government will be able to overrule the country’s communications watchdog and give politicians too much control. GUESTS: Inma Martinez AI Pioneer Antony Walker Deputy Chief Executive of Tech UK Julia Hornle Professor of Internet Law Roundtable is a discussion program with an edge. Broadcast out of London and presented by David Foster, it's about...
FRANCE ELECTION 2022: Is Bertrand the man to beat?
July 13, 2021 14:47 - 26 minutes VideoHis name is Xavier Bertrand and both Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen have reasons to be worried as he pulled off a surprise victory in a regional election that could see him as a serious candidate next April. GUESTS: Joseph Downing Analyst on French Nationalism and Security Anne-Elisabeth Moutet Political Commentator Philippe Marliere Professor of French and European Politics
Could the delta variant outpace Europe’s vaccine programmes?
July 12, 2021 16:42 - 26 minutes VideoAs the Delta variant spreads across Europe. We are off to Portugal, Russia, France and back here to the UK - to see who has got it right or wrong in fighting the coronavirus. Muhammad Munir Virologist at Lancaster University Vasily Vlassov Professor of Health at Higher School of Economics Antoine Flahault Director of the Institute of Global Health Ricardo Leite Member of the Portuguese Parliament Roundtable is a discussion programme with an edge. Broadcast out of London and presented by...
Will Bulgarians vote for a corruption-free future?
July 09, 2021 16:21 - 26 minutes VideoHow strong are the forces of corruption in the European Union’s poorest nation Bulgaria? People there will vote this weekend and have the chance to put the country on a cleaner, more prosperous path. Guests: Genoveva Petrova Executive Director of Alpha Research Spasimir Domaradzki Visegrad Insight Fellow Veronica Anghel Political Scientist at the European University Institute Roundtable is a discussion programme with an edge. Broadcast out of London and presented by David Foster, it’s...
How dangerous is the Black Sea right now?
July 08, 2021 18:29 - 26 minutes VideoRussia has threatened military retaliation claiming that a British warship got too close to the coast of Crimea in the Black Sea. There’s a massive Nato exercise there too right now. So why is The West seemingly willing to consistently poke the Russian Bear in an area where it has troops and where there’s been international condemnation of its annexation of the Crimea peninsula? Guests: Alina Frolova Former Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine Peter Roberts Director of Military Sciences...
Is the EU’s COVID-19 recovery fund green enough?
July 07, 2021 11:54 - 26 minutes VideoTo receive Covid Recovery money from the European Union, a country has to show it will spend more than one third of that money on Green Investment. There’ve been promises, but there are now concerns that the EU may be turning a blind eye to those nations that aren’t keeping their word. Guests: Felix Heilmann Researcher at E3G Olivier Vardakoulias Lead Economist at WWF Greece Juraj Melichar Campaigner at Bankwatch
THE EU'S CHINA QUESTION
July 05, 2021 12:23 - 26 minutes VideoJoe Biden’s desire to distance China is not apparently echoed in Europe’s capitals - The EU is now Beijing’s biggest trading partner and it will be a difficult job to keep both sides happy. Allegations of human rights abuses in China were notable at the recent G7 meeting for their absence - apparently to the US’s annoyance and because of pressure from Europe. So, while the EU has imposed sanctions on China, what kind of long game is it planning? GUESTS: Winnie King Policy Analyst Timothy...
Catalonia’s independence fight: Split or solution?
July 01, 2021 10:12 - 25 minutes VideoSpain’s decision to pardon nine pro-independence Catalan leaders may be a sign that Madrid wants to take the heat out of talk of separatism for that area of the country’s north east. But it’s been described as “show-boating that fools no one” by the man who is leading the push for independence from exile. And with protests on Spanish streets against the pardons, is the move likely to increase tensions rather than the opposite? GUESTS: Andrew Dowling Reader in Hispanic Studies Mar Aguile...
CIRCULAR ECONOMY: Time to change the system?
June 30, 2021 16:09 - 25 minutes VideoThink of Spain and you may imagine sand, sea and sangria. But it’s a country becoming drier by the day with predictions that 20,000 people a year could die because of rising temperatures. And so Spain says it’s aiming to be a circular economy within 30 years to fight climate change - everything that’s used - is used again. No waste. Is it possible Karl Williams Director of Centre for Waste Management at UCLAN Matthew Agarwala Economist at University of Cambridge Robin Osterley...
France’s Mali Mission: What should come next?
June 30, 2021 13:39 - 26 minutes VideoFrance's President Emmanuel Macron says Operation Barkhane in Mali will end; but that some of the 5,000 troops will stay and that other countries will do more. Is he pandering to French voters, or is the fight lost? GUESTS: Mohamed Salaha Journalist Emmanuel Dupuy President of the Institute for European Perspective and Security Roundtable is a discussion program with an edge. Broadcast out of London and presented by David Foster, it's about bringing people to the table, listening to eve...
Can the world ‘build back fairer’ to end gender inequality?
June 30, 2021 11:54 - 26 minutes VideoCOVID-19 is said to have wiped out years of progress on gender inequality. That’s why campaigners want women to be given priority when it comes to the pandemic recovery. Women are twice as likely to be out of work than men because of COVID-19. As trillions of dollars are pumped into rebuilding economies, can gender inequality be ended? Guests: Anita Bhatia Deputy Executive Director at UN Women Sharan Burrow General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation Rosemary Morgan...