Podcast
The World with Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim
Hosted by Sky News · EN
Sky News’ Yalda Hakim and NBC’s Richard Engel have covered world events for years. This is the podcast where they share experiences from the frontline.
They debrief from global flashpoints and discuss their encounters with the biggest decision makers. They’ll also be joined by some of those key players to help make sense of world events.
From conflict in the Middle East, to the Trump presidency, and the war in Ukraine there is no better place for analysis and expertise
New episodes from Richard and Yalda every Wednesday.
104episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Did America and Israel just ramp up the war in the Middle East?
Mar 1800:34:05Summary readyIs 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 theworld@sky.ukYou can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here
Summary10 days of war: How the Iran conflict is becoming a global crisis
Mar 1100:34:51Summary readyWho 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 theworld@sky.uk
SummaryHave America and Israel just started a forever war with Iran?
Mar 400:26:55Summary readyWhat 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 theworld@sky.uk To listen to Richard’s bonus Q&A episode, click here. You can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here.
SummaryAyatollah Khamenei killed: What next for The Middle East? Q&A with Richard Engel
Mar 100:20:22Summary readyCan 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 theworld@sky.ukYou can also watch the podcast on our YouTube channel here.
Summary'We are not out of the woods': Why democracy in the United States is being tested
Feb 2600:36:26Summary readyKen 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 theworld@sky.uk
Summary'Not a Palestinian in sight': Inside Gaza after the ceasefire
Feb 2500:38:04Summary readyWhat 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 theworld@sky.uk
SummaryIs Iran about to go to war?
Feb 1800:41:01Summary readyWhy 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 theworld@sky.uk
SummaryFormer spy chief on Mandelson, Ukraine, China and Trump
Feb 1000:38:52Summary readyWhat 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.
SummaryAfter the crackdown: what is happening on the streets of Iran?
Feb 400:21:04Summary readyWhat 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 theworld@sky.uk
SummaryIran's information war: the battle for control of the internet
Jan 3100:31:02Summary readyHow 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 theworld@sky.uk
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