UpFront

In the premiere episode of Al Jazeera's new current affairs programme, Mehdi Hasan speaks with Edward Snowden and Daniel Ellsberg. He also debunks Europe's response to the so-called 'migrant' crisis, and debates the likelihood of partition in Iraq with the country's ambassador to the US. The Headliner: Edward Snowden and Daniel Ellsberg - When Edward Snowden leaked US government secrets in 2013, he transformed the debate over privacy, liberty and security worldwide. In UpFront's Headliner segment Snowden responds to his critics, including presidential hopefuls Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. He describes his life in exile and comments on what it would take for him to return to the US. Mehdi Hasan also asks whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg if the ends justifies the means. Reality Check: The truth about Europe and the refugee crisis - A heartbreaking image of a lifeless child on a beach in Turkey has gripped the world's attention, igniting calls for European countries to aid the thousands of refugees fleeing conflict. In UpFront's Reality Check, Hasan exposes the false narratives surrounding the so-called 'migrant' crisis. The Arena: Is it time for Iraq to consider a formal partition? - ISIL remains in control of a third of Iraq's territory and massive protests have rocked Baghdad, prompting some to ask if it is time for the country to consider a formal partition? Hasan poses this to the Iraqi ambassador to the US, Lukman Faily, in the Arena segment.

On the 14th anniversary of the 9/11 attack and the beginning of the so-called war on terror, Afghanistan has seen a surge in attacks, further increasing political instability. In this episode of UpFront, Mehdi Hasan speaks to former Afghan President Hamid Karzai. Hasan also uncovers the failures of the "war on terror", and asks what drives young men and women from the West to fight for ISIL. The Headliner: Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai The US responded to the 9/11 attacks by invading Afghanistan and toppling the Taliban. More than 14 years later, Afghanistan remains plagued by violence, witnessing increased attacks inside the country. In this week's Headliner, Hasan speaks to former Afghan President Hamid Karzai. Reality Check: The failure of the so-called “war on terror” After 14 years, $4.4tn, and hundreds of thousands of deaths, has the so-called 'war on terror' made the world a safer place? In Reality Check, Hasan exposes the failures of the global military campaign to fight "terrorism". The Arena: What makes young men and women from the West fight for ISIL? Britain confirmed this week that two of its nationals, who were accused of fighting for the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL), were killed in a precision drone strike in Syria. The British government justified the killing of Ryaad Khan, 21, and Ruhul Amin, 26, claiming the two young men were plotting attacks against the UK. The pair are part of a growing list of young men and women from the West who leave their homes to fight for ISIL. But what drives these individuals? Is it solely religion or are other factors at play? In this week's Arena, anthropologist Scott Atran, one of the few experts who has talked directly with al-Qaeda and ISIL fighters, debates counterinsurgency expert Sebastian Gorka on why young people from the West leave their homes to fight for ISIL.

In this episode of UpFront, Mehdi Hasan challenges Yemeni Nobel Laureate Tawakkol Karman. In the Arena, Hasan asks former CIA director James Woolsey about the future of US-Iran relations. He then talks to Ahmed Mohamed, the 14-year-old student who was arrested in Texas for bringing a homemade clock to school. The Headliner: Yemeni Nobel Laureate Tawakkol Karman In 2011, Yemeni Nobel Laureate Tawakkol Karman emerged as a leading voice in Yemen. Earlier this year, she was forced to flee the country after Houthi rebel fighters attacked her home. As war ravages the impoverished country, Karman continues to be a vocal opponent of the Houthis, but is she willing to be so equally critical of the Saudi-led bombing campaign in her country? Arena: What is the future of US-Iran relations? After decades of being demonised by the US, Iran is emerging from international isolation with the nuclear deal. Is the thaw a sign of a new rapprochement between two foes? In this week's Arena, former CIA director James Woolsey, who has compared Iran to Nazi Germany, debates with Trita Parsi, founder and president of the National Iranian American Council (NIAC). Special: Was Ahmed Mohamed arrested because he is Muslim? A clock - that is all it was. But for 14-year-old Ahmed Mohamed from Texas, the simple homemade invention got him arrested when he took it to school. In this UpFront special interview, Mohamed tells Hasan that “this wouldn’t happen to any of my classmates”. He also calls on police officers and school officials to issue an apology, and thanks US President Obama for his invitation to the White House.

In this episode of UpFront, Mehdi Hasan speaks to US Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes. He also refutes the stereotype of the "greedy Greeks" and challenges the Hungarian prime minister's spokesman on the country's policies toward refugees. The Headliner: US Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes Six years ago at the age of 32, Ben Rhodes went from US President Barack Obama's speechwriter to one of his most trusted advisers. Rhodes is seen as Obama’s right-hand man on foreign affairs and has helped formulate US policy on the Middle East, Pakistan and Cuba. In this week's Headliner, Mehdi Hasan presses Rhodes on the US government's use of drones, its policy on Syria and the bombing of ISIL. Reality Check: Are the Greeks all that lazy? "No! No more billions for greedy Greeks," was the headline printed inside Europe’s best-selling daily newspaper, BILD, earlier this year. The caricature of the greedy, lazy and profligate Greeks is often spewed out by German politicians and pundits, but the numbers don’t add up. In this Reality Check, Hasan debunks the myth that Greeks are to blame for their economic woes, and instead points to the real issue: austerity. The Arena: Hungary fences out refugees Mehdi Hasan challenges the prime minister’s spokesman on the country’s immigration policy. Refugees trekking hundreds of kilometres in search of safety and a better life were greeted with tear gas by Hungarian police at the Serbian border, resulting in widespread condemnation. The country's leader, Prime Minister Viktor Orban continues to take a controversial stand against refugees. He has voiced opposition to a recent EU plan to resettle 120,000 asylum seekers across Europe and the government built a fence along the Serbian border. In this week's Arena, Hasan challenges the prime minister’s spokesman, Zoltan Kovacs, on the country's strict immigration policy.

In this episode of UpFront, Mehdi Hasan speaks to former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert about the Iran deal, a two-state solution, and calls for him to be charged with war crimes. Hasan also exposes some of the greatest misconceptions about the continent of Africa, and asks a former KGB general about the real motives behind Russian air strikes in Syria. The Headliner: Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert Accused of wars crimes in Gaza and Lebanon and convicted for fraud, the former Israeli Prime Minister Olmert has been plagued by controversy throughout his political career. Despite this, many supporters laud him for coming close to a peace deal with the Palestinians in 2008. In an exclusive interview with Mehdi Hasan, Olmert says Iran deal is "a done deal", and his opinion on allegations that Israel committed war crimes in Gaza and Lebanon. Reality Check: Africa is not a country Do you speak African? Well, neither do the 1 billion people on the continent. Africa is home to 54 different nations, more than 2,000 languages and four of the world's 10 fastest growing economies, but is often painted with a sweeping stroke of doom and gloom. In this Reality Check, Hasan exposes the popular misconceptions about the continent. The Arena: What are Putin's motives in Syria? "We bomb in one hour. Stay out of our way." That was the message from a Russian general to US diplomats on Wednesday as Russian forces began bombing what they say are ISIL positions in Syria. The Russian government claims the goal of the air strikes is to defeat "ISIL and other terrorist organisations", but Syrian opposition groups claim they are being targeted, leaving many to question if this is an attempt to prop up Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. In this week's Arena, former KGB Major-General Oleg Kalugin debates Alexander Nekrassov, a former Kremlin adviser, on Putin's motives in Syria.

In this episode of UpFront, Mehdi Hasan speaks to leading Indian politician Shashi Tharoor about the rising religious tensions in the country. Hasan also highlights the truth behind growing wealth inequality, and asks if Turkey's Erdogan is bullying the media. The Headliner: Indian MP Shashi Tharoor The recent lynching of a Muslim man by far-right Hindus for allegedly eating beef, has sparked debate within the country. Some place blame on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) government for rising tensions, so how worried should the world be about the rise of Hindu nationalism in India? In this week's Headliner, Mehdi Hasan speaks to Shashi Tharoor, one of India's most talked about politicians, who has accused Modi of failing to address increasing communal violence since assuming power in 2014. The politician also speaks candidly about being hounded by the media since the tragic death of his wife. Reality Check: It's the inequality, stupid The 85 richest people on earth own more wealth than the poorest 3.5 billion, that is according to Oxfam. This means a group of individuals who could fit on a London double-decker bus owns as much as half the world's population. Despite the naysayers, growing inequality is real, and according to the experts, it is not just morally wrong, but also bad economics. In this week's Reality Check, Mehdi Hasan highlights the truth behind growing wealth inequality and its impact. The Arena: Is Turkey's Erdogan bullying the media? As Turks head to the polls next month, some journalists and opposition parties are accusing President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of silencing the media. Multiple journalists have been detained, others sacked and papers critical of Erdogan's AK party have been raided. AKP (Justice and Development Party) supporters say the president is being unfairly maligned, but critics point to a new "cult of personality". In this week's Arena, Daily Sabah journalist and AK party member Z

In this episode of UpFront, Mehdi Hasan speaks to Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari about Boko Haram, alleged abuses by the Nigerian military and his leadership of the country. Hasan also exposes three things you probably do not know about the history of the US gun debate and asks a retired Saudi general if closer ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel betray the Palestinians. The Headliner: Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari "We are going to tackle [Boko Haram] head on ... Nigerians will not regret that they have entrusted responsibility to us," Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari pledged when he took office in May. Since then, however, the armed group has continued to attack villages in Nigeria, Cameroon and Chad, prompting the US to announce this week it will deploy troops to Cameroon to aid in the fight. With a December deadline set by Buhari to stamp out the armed group, can the new leader deliver? In this week's Headliner, Hasan speaks to the Nigerian president about his pledge to defeat Boko Haram and his efforts to bring back the kidnapped Chibok girls. Reality Check: The NRA wasn't always anti-gun control The US is in a league of its own when it comes to the stats on guns, and many point to the US constitution to explain why keeping and bearing arms is a right in the country. But the history behind the US constitution's second amendment and the politics surrounding the gun control debate may surprise you. In this Reality Check, Hasan explores three little-known facts when it comes to the politics of this debate. The Arena: Why were Saudi Arabia and Israel in secret talks? Is an alliance forming between Israel and Saudi Arabia? An emerging relationship was on display in June when Anwar Eshki, a retired Saudi major general, appeared on a panel with Dore Gold, now the Director-General of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The pair addressed their common opposition to Iran, and Eshki, a close adviser to the Saudi royal family, outline

In this episode of UpFront, Mehdi Hasan speaks to PLO Secretary-General Saeb Erekat about the escalating violence in Israel and Palestine, what the Palestinian Authority (PA) is doing to protect its people, and the failed peace process. Hasan also challenges Israel's argument that it is not occupying Gaza, and Glenn Greenwald and Christine Fair debate the US drone programme. The Headliner: Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat More than 50 Palestinians and eight Israelis have been killed in renewed violence in Israel and Palestine. The latest unrest was triggered by Israel’s increased restrictions on Palestinian access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and visits to the site by Jewish groups last month. Since then, stabbings, shootings and clashes between Palestinians and Israeli forces have erupted throughout the occupied territories, including the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza. Palestinians are continuing to protest restrictions on movement, attacks by settlers and failed peace negotiations. As violence continues to escalate, is the Palestinian Authority failing its people? And will a ‘third intifada’ help the Palestinian cause? In this week's Headliner, Mehdi Hasan asks PLO Secretary-General Saeb Erekat what the PA is doing to protect Palestinians. Reality Check: Gaza is still occupied Israel says it no longer occupies Gaza after disengaging from the strip of land in 2005. But Palestinians, international organisations, human rights groups and governments, including the United States, argue Gaza is still occupied. In the Reality Check, Mehdi Hasan challenges Israel's narrative, arguing the country still controls Gaza's borders, airspace and territorial waters. He also points to the fact Israel controls the population register, meaning the government defines who is and who is not a resident of Gaza. The Arena: Do drone strikes create more terrorists than they kill? Nearly 90 percent of people killed by US drone str

In this episode of UpFront, Mehdi Hasan speaks to Qatari Foreign Minister Khalid al-Attiyah about the country's role in Syria, its relations with Iran and the 2022 World Cup. We also call out those who deny climate change, and speak to one of the leading voices of the Black Lives Matter movement, Deray McKesson. The Headliner: Qatari Foreign Minister Khalid al-Attiyah As the conflict in Syria rages on, some critics say gulf countries, including Qatar, are making things worse by backing certain violent and intolerant groups, accusations the government rejects. We discuss this, in addition to Syrian refugees, relations with Iran and the controversy surrounding the 2022 World Cup. In this week's Headliner Mehdi Hasan speaks to Qatari Foreign Minister Khalid al-Attiyah. Reality Check: A Climate Change Conspiracy? The list of scientists, academics, politicians, activists and others who are calling for action on climate change continues to grow. Yet, there is still one small, but vocal, group who deny the man-made phenomenon exists. Despite overwhelming scientific evidence that shows climate change, caused by humans, is real, this group continues to call it a hoax, a conspiracy theory. In this week's Reality Check, Mehdi Hasan calls out the climate change deniers and points to the damage caused by pretending the issue doesn’t exist. The Arena: Racism and activism in the US A viral video showing a young black student in the US thrown to the ground in class by a school officer has prompted outrage across the country and world. The deputy in the video has since been fired, but the incident has again reignited calls for the country to combat police violence toward black Americans. At the forefront of the calls is the Black Lives Matter movement, which started in 2013 to demand action and draw attention to what it calls police bias and institutionalised racism. So, do black lives matter in the US? And also, is institutional racism a problem across th

As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepares to visit the White House on Monday, why does Israel have so much support in Washington, especially in Congress? On this week's UpFront, Professor Alan Dershowitz debates former Congressman Brian Baird on the influence of the Israel lobby. Mehdi Hasan also speaks to former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard about the country's controversial refugee policies and her current work with the Global Partnership for Education. The Headliner: Former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard As the Syrian humanitarian crisis continues to spiral out of control, what obligations do the world's richest countries have to aid those fleeing conflict and other crises? Australia, in particular, has been criticised for its "hardline" policies toward asylum seekers. Among the primary criticisms is the country's policy to send refugees to offshore detention centres, including those on Nauru and Manus Island. Amnesty International, among other human rights groups, have called the conditions at these facilities "toxic" and "inhumane". Previous and current governments have disputed the allegations and have maintained that such policies are necessary to deter asylum seekers from attempting to come to Australia by boat. It was under Julia Gillard's leadership that these centres were reopened in 2012. While highly criticised, the former prime minister continues to defend her policies, telling Mehdi Hasan, "We took a set of decisions in a very difficult time… I stand by the decisions I made." In this week's Headliner, Hasan challenges Gillard on Australia's controversial refugee policies. Gillard also discusses her current work with the Global Partnership for Education. Editor's note: The interview with Julia Gillard was recorded during her recent visit to Washington DC. The Arena: Debating the pro-Israel lobby in the US The pro-Israel lobby has been described by some as the most effective interest group "across

US President Barack Obama signed an executive order in 2009, announcing the shutdown of Guantanamo Bay. With just over a year left of his presidency, will he fulfil his promise to close the detention centre? On this episode of UpFront, Mehdi Hasan speaks to Gregory Craig, former White House counsel. We also highlight the inconsistent way the label "terrorist" is used, and, as more and more countries start to change their drug laws, we ask if it is time to end the war on drugs. Headliner: Former White House counsel, Gregory Craig In 2009, US President Barack Obama signed an executive order, announcing the closure of the Guantanamo Bay detention centre. The man who drafted that order was then-White House counsel, Gregory Craig. More than six years later, Guantanamo remains open. And with Congress passing legislation this week that blocks the transfer of detainees to the US, can the president fulfil his promise to shut down the facility? In this week's Headliner, Mehdi Hasan asks Craig about the likelihood of Obama closing Guantanamo before the end of his presidency. Reality Check: Spot the "terrorist" Since 9/11, almost twice as many Americans have been killed in the US by far-right "extremists" than by Muslims, according to a recent study. Yet, a double standard has emerged in the way the "terrorist" label is applied. In this week's Reality Check, Mehdi Hasan highlights the inconsistencies in whom officials and media view as a "terrorist". Arena: Is it time to end the war on drugs? In 1971, US President Richard Nixon declared a war on drugs. More than four decades later, some countries have started to change their approach. In Ireland, the drugs minister announced plans to move towards the decriminalisation of heroin, cocaine and cannabis. In Mexico, a recent Supreme Court ruling opened the door to the legalisation of cannabis. And earlier this month, the US released more than 6,000 nonviolent drug offenders from prison. So, is it time to end the

After ISIL's deadly attacks on Paris, Beirut and a Russian airliner over Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, has the group changed its strategy? On this episode of UpFront, Mehdi Hasan asks the former head of counterterrorism for British intelligence and one of the founders of the UN's Counter Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF) about ISIL's tactics and game plan. We also examine the myth of the Sunni-Shia war, and speak to the leading Muslim scholar Sheikh Hamza Yusuf about the roots of radicalisation. Headliner: Former head of counterterrorism at MI6 Richard Barrett Over the past month, ISIL has claimed responsibility for bringing down a Russian airliner over Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, suicide blasts in Beirut and attacks in Paris. Both Russia and France have responded by intensifying air strikes against ISIL targets in Syria. Across the West, heightened concerns have prompted officials to bolster security measures, with ISIL vowing to strike again. So, what's behind the group's recent string of attacks? Is ISIL changing its strategy to bring about a confrontation with the West or is it trying to deter further military attacks on its so-called caliphate? In this week's Headliner, Mehdi Hasan asks Richard Barrett, the former head of counterterrorism at MI6, about ISIL's motivation. Reality Check: The myth of a Sunni-Shia war What is driving the current violence and chaos in the Middle East? Many say it's the "age-old" sectarian conflict between Sunnis and Shia, but a look at the facts shows something different. In this week's Reality Check, Mehdi Hasan highlights the myth of the so-called Sunni-Shia war. Special: Sheikh Hamza Yusuf Leading US Muslim scholar Sheikh Hamza Yusuf has been at the forefront of efforts to counter the narrative of ISIL. As the cofounder of the only Muslim liberal arts college in the US, Yusuf has worked to stop young Muslims in the West from going to fight for ISIL. In an interview recorded before the recent attacks in P

As tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran continue to escalate, who is to blame for the feud and is there an end in sight? In this episode of UpFront, a close ally to the Iranian president debates a former adviser to the Saudi royal family. Mehdi Hasan also looks at Latin America beyond the stereotypes, and speaks to a top Human Rights Watch official about the use of starvation as a weapon of war in Syria. Saudi Arabia vs Iran: Is the Middle East cold war heating up? Tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran continue to escalate. The current row erupted earlier this month after Saudi Arabia executed Shia religious leader Nimr al-Nimr and the Saudi embassy in Tehran was burned. So, is the Middle East cold war between Saudi Arabia and Iran about to turn hot? And who is to blame for the current tension? In this week's special Arena, Seyed Hossein Mousavian, the former head of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Iranian National Security Council and a close ally of President Hassan Rouhani, debates with Jamal Khashoggi, a former adviser to Saudi Prince Turki al-Faisal. Latin America: Beyond the stereotypes Drugs, corruption and violence often mar any news coming from Latin America. While no one can deny there is a huge problem with inequality and violence, the region is also home to a diverse mix of sophisticated cultures, progressive social change, hundreds of languages, and more than a dozen Nobel Laureates. In this week's Reality Check, Mehdi Hasan highlights Latin America beyond the stereotypes. Syria: Starvation as a weapon of war Images of malnourished children and old people from the Syrian town of Madaya gripped the world last week. A UN aid convoy finally reached the besieged town on Monday, with officials describing “horrifying conditions” for the more than 40,000 people trapped there. Madaya is one example of the depth of the humanitarian crisis facing the region. According to the UN there are at least 400,000 people living under si

In this episode of UpFront, Mehdi Hasan speaks to the renowned American academic Noam Chomsky about his public spat with the Turkish president, the war against ISIL and Russia's annexation of Crimea. We also look at the ramifications of the Saudi Arabia-Iran feud, and debate the state of Egypt five years after the Arab Spring. Headliner: Noam Chomsky on ISIL, Turkey and Ukraine Noam Chomsky has been described as "arguably the most important intellectual alive". And as one of the world's most celebrated academics, he has published more than 100 books and is a leading critic on United States foreign policy. In the first of a special two-part interview, Chomsky sits down with Mehdi Hasan to discuss the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant group, Ukraine and Turkey. Chomsky and other "so-called intellectuals" were recently criticised by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for supporting Kurdish separatists. The author and activist, who has accused the Turkish government of waging a "terrorist war" against the Kurds, tells UpFront that President Erdogan is "undoubtedly carrying out vicious repressive actions attacking the Kurdish population", adding that he would call him a "murderer". Chomsky also talks about imperialism, and comments on the row between Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Part two of the interview to be aired Friday, January 29 at 1930 GMT includes who Chomsky would vote for in the US presidential election, why he doesn't support a full boycott of Israel, and the impact of the rise of Islamophobia. Reality Check: Beyond the Saudi Arabia-Iran feud The spat between Saudi Arabia and Iran heated up earlier this month after the execution of Shia religious leader Nimr al-Nimr and the burning of the Saudi embassy in Tehran. Some have called the feud a war within the Muslim world, pointing to what many see as an inevitable clash between the two countries. A look at history however, proves otherwise. In this week's Reality

In this episode of UpFront we speak with Hans Blix, the former UN chief weapons inspector, about North Korea's alleged nuclear test, the rise of ISIL and the Iran nuclear deal. We also speak to Noam Chomsky about the global impact of the US presidential election and the rise of Islamophobia. And we debunk some of the most viral stories about North Korea and its leader. Hans Blix on nuclear threats, ISIL and climate change North Korea raised alarm bells in January with claims that it had successfully tested a hydrogen bomb. On Tuesday, scientists behind the world's "Doomsday Clock" announced it would remain at three minutes to midnight, saying the decision "is not good news". The clock is a metaphor for how close the world is to catastrophe owing to climate change and nuclear weapons. So, how worried should the world be about the prospect of nuclear war? In the Headliner, Mehdi Hasan speaks to Hans Blix, the former head of the International Atomic Energy Authority. Blix also discusses the Iran deal and the impact the US-led invasion of Iraq had on the creation of ISIL. Reality Check: What do we really know about North Korea? From stories about Kim Jong-un's uncle being fed to dogs to the more recent Sony hack, it is safe to say the media are quick to sensationalise news about North Korea and its totalitarian leader. But what if any of these stories are actually true? And does the focus on the often bizarre stories take away from the true horrific crimes being committed by the government? In this week's Reality Check, Mehdi Hasan debunks some of the most viral stories about North Korea and its leader. Noam Chomsky on Clinton vs Sanders Renowned political theorist Noam Chomsky is often cited for his criticism of the US political system. In the second of a special two-part interview, Chomsky sits down with Mehdi Hasan to discuss the US presidential election and the rise of Islamophobia. The US academic says Democratic presidential candidat

Ban Ki-moon and the Israeli government are at odds after the United Nations secretary-general criticised the Israeli occupation in an address to the Security Council last week. Ban said it was "human nature" for Palestinians to react to the occupation, specifically pointing to settlement building as a "provocative" action. The remarks elicited strong criticism from the Israeli government, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accusing the UN chief of "encouraging terror". In this week's UpFront, Mehdi Hasan speaks to Tzipi Hotovely, Israel's deputy foreign minister, the country's top diplomat, about Ban's remarks. The Reality Check points to US President Barack Obama's national security record as proof that despite many criticisms, he is more of a hawk than a dove. In Arena, we ask a senior political adviser to the Syrian opposition about the collapse of UN-sponsored talks and what it will take to bring peace to the country. Headliner - Israeli minister: Palestinians under 'ISIL influence' As the Israeli leadership and United Nations trade barbs, does the Israeli government really believe UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is "encouraging terror"? In this week's Headliner, Mehdi Hasan speaks to the country's top diplomat Tzipi Hotovely about the secretary-general's remarks. Deputy Foreign Minister Hotovely says Israel's domestic and military intelligence agencies are "absolutely wrong" to suggest that Palestinian violence is created from hopelessness. "It means that terrorism is the main problem, is the main issue, not frustration," the de-facto foreign minister adds. Hotovely also suggests that Palestinians may have been influenced by the rise of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. "There are many other people who are saying that the Palestinian society today is choosing … the extremist side, under the influence of ISIS, as the atmosphere of the way the youngsters are being raised," she says, "and unfortunately also when they're raise

As the mosquito-borne Zika virus spreads across Latin America, are countries such as Brazil losing the battle against the disease? In this week's UpFront, Mehdi Hasan speaks to Celso Amorim, Brazil's former foreign minister, about what more the country can do to fight the disease. In the Reality Check, Mehdi Hasan looks beyond the organisation's flaws and points to the importance of the UN on a global stage. And, five years after the Bahraini protest movement, we speak with a Bahraini activist and a former member of the Shura Council. Headliner: Fighting Zika in Brazil The outbreak of the mosquito-borne Zika virus across Central and South America has many looking for a solution. The Zika virus is strongly suspected to be linked to birth defects, including microcephaly, a disease in which a baby is born with an underdeveloped brain and unusually small head. The illness is also believed to be linked to severe eye abnormalities in babies, which may lead to blindness. Some also fear that there may be a connection between the Zika virus and a rare nerve disorder. In this week's Headliner, we speak to Celso Amorim, Brazil's former foreign minister and a member of the UN Secretary General's High-level Panel on the Global Response to the Health Crises. Amorim says that he does not believe the country is losing the battle against the Zika virus, but calls it a "big" and "unexpected" problem. "Brazil ... acted quickly [and] with great transparency," he adds. The spread of the virus in Brazil has also reignited the debate over abortion, which is illegal in Brazil with certain exceptions. Amorim says in light of the disease, "regulation should be relaxed", but with strong opposition from the public and the Roman Catholic Church, this would "require an evolution from society". Reality Check: In defence of the UN From corruption scandals to allegations of sexual abuse within peacekeeping ranks, the United Nations has been the subject of criticism in recent years. And w

It has been described as "one of the most dangerous terrorist groups" in history. The rise of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), which has seized large areas in Syria and Iraq and was reportedly responsible for more than 50 attacks, killing almost 1,000 civilians in 2015, has mobilised world powers to vow to destroy it. But as ISIL attacks continue to strike fear throughout the world, what motivates the group; what is its end game; and how can it be defeated? In this special edition of UpFront, we speak to four of the world's leading authorities on ISIL who have interviewed the group's members and extensively studied its actions. Mehdi Hasan also challenges the common view that ISIL and al-Qaeda attackers are devout Muslims. Guests: Lydia Wilson, research fellow at Oxford University's Centre for the Resolution of Intractable Conflict, and recently granted permission to interview ISIL fighters imprisoned in northern Iraq. Will McCants, senior fellow in the Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution, a former State Department senior adviser on countering violent extremism, and author of The ISIS Apocalypse. Hassan Hassan, a fellow at the Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy and Chatham House and co-author of ISIS: Inside the Army of Terror. Jurgen Todenhofer, described as "the first Western journalist" to be granted access to ISIL-controlled territory, and author of the book Inside IS: 10 Days In The 'Islamic State'.

Are Russia and the West entering a new cold war with Ukraine as the battleground? In this week's UpFront, Mehdi Hasan speaks to Vitali Klitschko, former heavyweight champion-turned-mayor of Kiev, about Ukraine's political crisis and conflict with Russia. We also ask if China's economic growth is fact or fiction in the Reality Check. And in the Arena, we debate whether Venezuela is witnessing the end of Chavez's socialist project with Max Arvelaiz, adviser to Presidents Chavez and Maduro, and Jon Lee Anderson, a staff writer for The New Yorker Headliner: Klitschko on Ukraine, Russia and new Cold War threat This week marks two years since protesters toppled Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich. Today, the country faces rampant corruption, an ongoing political crisis and a conflict in the east of the country that has resulted in more than 9,000 deaths and nearly 1.4 million internally displaced people. At the forefront of the 2014 protests was Vitali Klitschko, the former heavyweight champion who is now the mayor of Kiev. In this week's Headliner, Mehdi Hasan speaks to Klitschko, one of the rising political figures in Ukraine, who says Russia is to blame for a new Cold War. Reality Check: China's economic boom: Miracle or myth? China has hit its growth targets for 14 of the 15 past years, but are the official numbers a miracle or myth? In the Reality Check, Mehdi Hasan asks whether China's economic boom is as big as the government claims it is. Arena: Was Venezuela's socialist revolution buried with Chavez? Three years ago Hugo Chavez lost his battle with cancer, but did his lifelong fight to establish an inclusive socialist state die with him? Chavez's 17 years in power brought unprecedented social change to Venezuela, including gains in healthcare, education and a dramatic drop in extreme poverty. But in December of last year, with the oil-rich country in the midst of economic and political crises, his United Socialist Party of Venezuela suffered the big

In this week's UpFront, we speak to former Mexican President Vicente Fox who has compared Trump to Hitler. In the Reality Check, Mehdi Hasan looks at the likelihood of the Republican frontrunner becoming US president. And in the Arena we speak to Iranian writer Azar Nafisi and Iranian-American journalist Negar Mortazavi about the impact of this week's elections in Iran. This week, Donald Trump moved closer to obtaining the US Republican presidential nomination after winning seven of the 11 states up for grabs during the Super Tuesday elections. Trump has promised to build a wall to keep Mexican immigrants out of the US, drawing sharp criticism on both sides of the border, including from former Mexican President Vicente Fox. Fox compared Trump to Hitler and strongly denounced the billionaire businessman's plan to build a wall. In this week's Headliner, Fox says Trump is "absolutely" racist and his "discriminatory speech is creating violence within the same United States". Reality Check: The truth about the Trump phenomenon After Donald Trump's Super Tuesday gains, the billionaire businessman is likely to become the US Republican presidential nominee. But does Trump really have the public support that will get him all the way to the White House? In this week's Reality Check, Mehdi Hasan highlights why the Republican frontrunner may not become the next president. Iran elections: Change or no change? Iranian President Hassan Rouhani celebrated this week after an unprecedented victory for reformist candidates in Iran's elections - the first since the nuclear deal was made. Rouhani said the election results "open a new chapter" for the Islamic Republic, but critics argue they distract attention from the country's ongoing economic problems and human rights abuses. In this week's Arena, we discuss the impact of the results on Iran's political landscape with Iranian writer and dissident Azar Nafisi and Iranian-American journalist Negar Mortazavi. Nafisi asserts

With Syrian peace talks due to resume next week and a partial ceasefire in place, is there an end to the conflict in sight? In this week's UpFront, we ask Lakhdar Brahimi, the former United Nations and Arab League Envoy to Syria. In the Reality Check, we question the Israeli prime minister's assertion that unlike Palestinians, Israel does not praise "terrorists". And in the Arena, we debate whether the International Criminal Court singles out African leaders with the court's first chief prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo and professor Mahmood Mamdani. This month marks five years since protests against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad began, evolving into a conflict that has led to more than 250,000 deaths. Last month, the United States and Russia brokered a ceasefire, and, despite numerous violations, the partial truce has led to a 90 percent drop in the average number of civilian deaths each day. With peace talks due to resume next week, will the ceasefire hold? In this week's Headliner, we ask Lakhdar Brahimi, the former UN and Arab League Envoy to Syria about the current state of Syria and whether the world has ignored the plight of the Syrian people. Brahimi tells Mehdi Hasan, "there were no good guys in the Syrian tragedy", placing blame on all parties involved. He says the conflict could have been resolved in 2012 had there been a better understanding of the situation, adding that none of the countries involved in the conflict or negotiations "had the interest of the Syrian people as their first priority." Reality Check: Israeli double standards? Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has often said, "[Palestinians] consider murderers to be heroes, they name public squares after them, we don't". A look at Israel's history, however, proves that sometimes they do. Arena: Is the ICC biased against African countries? The International Criminal Court was set up to prosecute war criminals and human rights violators, who proponents argue would other

Scientists say the world is in the midst of a "climate emergency". According to NASA, February smashed global temperature records. And, with this year on track to become the hottest year on record, has the world failed on climate change? In this special episode of UpFront, we speak to renowned author and activist Naomi Klein about why she sees a link between capitalism and climate change. In the Reality Check, we look at who fuels the climate change denial machine. And in the Arena, we ask UN Climate Chief Christiana Figueres if the Paris agreement is too little, too late when it comes to addressing the man-made global phenomenon. Naomi Klein is known as one of the world's best critics of big corporations and uncontrolled capitalism. In her most recent book, This Changes Everything, the activist and author says one cannot take on climate change without also addressing capitalism. In this week's Headliner, Mehdi Hasan speaks to Klein about why she sees a link between capitalism and climate change. "The idea that we can deal with climate change within the confines of our current system is exactly what we've been trying for two decades, and it's failed miserably," Klein says. "If we want to avoid climate change, we need system change," the author adds. Klein also calls last year's Paris deal, in which nearly 200 countries agreed to address climate change, a "potluck approach". "There are things that are really important in the Paris deal," she says, but the "UN didn't want to tell governments what they were going to do, they just said, 'OK, everybody go home and make your best effort, and fingers crossed when we add it all up it'll match up with our stated goal.'" Reality Check: Why you shouldn't trust climate change deniers As the list of scientists who agree man-made climate change is real continues to grow, there's still a small, but vocal group who deny the phenomenon. Among the loudest of the deniers are those within the US Republican Party, man

A year on from the start of the Saudi-led coalition's air strikes in Yemen and five years since the beginning of the Syrian civil war, what is Saudi Arabia's endgame? In this week's UpFront, Mehdi Hasan sits down with Abdallah al-Mouallimi, Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the United Nations, to discuss the country's role in the region. And in the Arena we debate the use of drones against al-Shabab in Somalia with Abukar Arman, the country's former special envoy to the United States, and Ahmed Abdisalam Adan, Somalia's former deputy prime minister. Headliner: What is Saudi Arabia's endgame in Yemen and Syria? Nearly a year into the Saudi-led coalition's air strikes in Yemen, what does the kingdom hope to gain? In this week's wide-ranging Headliner interview, Mehdi Hasan speaks to Abdallah al-Mouallimi, Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the UN, about the country's involvement in Yemen and Syria, ISIL and the kingdom's human rights record. Mouallimi says beheadings in the country are "not barbaric" because "there are no beheadings without a full process of law behind them". The ambassador also argues that just because the kingdom supports an elected government in Syria, "doesn't mean there have to be elections somewhere else", including in Saudi Arabia. "Elections are not a panacea for everything", Mouallimi adds. "I would like to claim that if you went to Saudi Arabia, and if you conducted a survey in Saudi Arabia, in any way, official, formal, otherwise, you will find a high degree of support for the system of government in Saudi Arabia". Editor's note: This interview was conducted before the latest announcement of the ceasefire agreement in Yemen. Arena: Can drone strikes defeat al-Shabab? The United States announced earlier this month that it had used both drones and manned aircraft strikes to kill at least 150 al-Shabab fighters in Somalia, a move the Pentagon says was necessary to stop an imminent attack on US and African Union forces in the country. Critics

Where does the US draw the line on what some consider torture? In this episode of UpFront, we speak to former CIA and NSA Director Michael Hayden. In the Reality Check, Mehdi Hasan examines how money and racism undermine US democracy. And in a special interview, we ask Bangladesh's state minister for foreign affairs if the country has an ISIL problem. Headliner: Ex-CIA director on torture and drones When the executive summary of a 6,700-page US Senate Intelligence report on CIA interrogation techniques was released last year, many in the US and around the world expressed outrage. The 500-page summary highlighted how CIA interrogation practices under the George W Bush administration were "brutal and far worse than the CIA represented to policymakers and others". As federal judges decide whether to declassify the full report, did the CIA break the law in terms of torture? In this week's Headliner, Mehdi Hasan speaks to General Michael Hayden, former CIA director and author of Playing to the Edge: American Intelligence in the Age of Terror. Hayden discusses the CIA's use of "aggressive" interrogation methods and defends the US drone programme. Watch more from Mehdi Hasan's interview with Michael Hayden in which they discuss Edward Snowden and the NSA's mass surveillance programme. United States: Democracy or oligarchy? The United States is often described as the "greatest democracy" in the world, but when one looks at where the US stands on press freedom, campaign finance and recent restrictions on voting rights, some suggest the country might be more of an oligarchy. In this week's Reality Check, Mehdi Hasan examines how money and racism undermine US democracy. Does Bangladesh have an ISIL problem? In recent months, Bangladesh has seen a surge in attacks claimed by ISIL. As authorities try to tackle the growing domestic threat, does the country have an ISIL problem? And, after several bloggers inside the country were hacked to death for expressing s