What’s really behind France’s protests?

A coordinated series of hoax bomb threats have caused disruption and panic across Europe, grounding planes and forcing schools and TV broadcasters to be evacuated.In the latest wave of warnings, hundreds of schools in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Italy were targeted. They are being treated as hoaxes. It follows similar threats to airlines which caused flights to be grounded or diverted and disruption to thousands of passengers.Russia has been accused by denies any involvement. No bombs have been found following the threats.Police and cybercrime units across Europe are investigating, but who could be behind the hoaxes, and can we expect more to be issued?Joining Enda Brady for this discussion:Simon CalderTravel JournalistAnita MendirattaSpecial Advisor to the Secretary General of UN TourismAsh BhardwajJournalist and Defence AnalystFollow the podcast to keep up to date and access the back catalogue of Roundtable discussions at https://www.youtube.com/@RoundtableTRTWorld Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

World leaders are coming together in Antalya, Türkiye for COP31, the United Nations Climate Conference against a backdrop of record-breaking temperatures, deadly disasters and in the midst of a super El Nino.One major power not sending an official delegation is the United States, one of the world’s top polluters, after President Trump withdraw from the Paris Agreement.The UN is warning that carbon emissions must drop by around a fifth in the next four years to prevent permanent damage to the world.But can those present turn talk into action, and what really needs to happen at this year's COP?Joining Enda Brady for this discussion:Matt WebbAssociate Director at Global Clean Power DiplomacyOlga KhakovaSenior Adviser at the Center for European Policy AnalysisJohn SweeneyProfessor Emeritus of Geography at Maynooth UniversityJonathan StoneClimate and Resilience Manager at IFRCFollow the podcast to keep up to date and access the back catalogue of Roundtable discussions at https://www.youtube.com/@RoundtableTRTWorld Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

President Trump has acknowledged that the ongoing war with Iran played a significant role in Republican defeats in the US midterms.The Democrats captured control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives in what analysts are calling a 'blue tsunami'.President Donald Trump will now face a Democratic-controlled Congress for the remainder of his term.But what do the midterm election results mean outside of America? How might they shape the future of US-EU relations, America's stance on Nato and Russia, and could Trump consider expanding his foreign policy elsewhere?Joining Enda Brady for this discussion:Greg SwensonChairperson of Republicans Overseas UKGordon RobisonJournalistRobin de WoutersChairperson of Democrats Abroad BelgiumFollow the podcast to keep up to date and access the back catalogue of Roundtable discussions at https://www.youtube.com/@RoundtableTRTWorld Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The UK has responded to a request from its long-standing ally Saudi Arabia to help in its defence against strikes launched by Houthis, an Iran-allied militant group.Recent attacks on Saudi airports, energy facilities and military bases have killed dozens and injured hundreds more.The mission is purely defensive, but how significant is Britain's move and what does it mean for the wider conflict?Joining Enda Brady for this discussion:Ash BhardwajDefence analyst and JournalistSean BellMilitary analyst and Former Fighter PilotGordon RobisonMiddle East and Global Affairs AnalystFollow the podcast to keep up to date and access the back catalogue of Roundtable discussions at https://www.youtube.com/@RoundtableTRTWorld Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cities across Europe have seen mass Gen Z demonstrations as disillusioned youths make their voices heard.France, Italy and Spain have been hotbeds of discontent while Greece, Portugal and Albania have also seen widespread protests.The worst rioting has been in France where building were set on fire, shops looted and over 1,000 people arrested.US President Donald Trump has seized upon the unrest, blaming immigration, while far-right factions, including French Presidential frontrunner Marine Le Pen, are using the opportunity to push their agendas.Will this wave of mass youth protests force politicians to listen?Joining Enda Brady for the discussion:Phineas RueckertJournalistMatthew AgarwalaEconomist and Professor in Sustainable Finance at University of Sussex Business SchoolJavier CarbonellPolicy Analyst at the European Politics and Institutions ProgrammeFollow the podcast to keep up to date and access the back catalogue of Roundtable discussions at https://www.youtube.com/@RoundtableTRTWorld Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ukraine’s relationship with the United States has become increasingly strained, with the latest spat sparked after disruptions to Ukraine’s Starlink satellites, which are used for military operations.Zelenskyy hit out at President Trump, saying he felt betrayed and laying the blame squarely at Washington.Trump says Zelenskyy needs to agree to a peace deal, and is also calling on Ukraine to hold elections.US envoy Steve Witkoff has been meeting with both Zelenskyy in Oslo and President Putin in St Petersburg, who he called a "humanitarian" after Russia released a US hostage.Restrictions to Ukraine's use of Starshield hampered the use of drones and intelligence sharing. The US has also waived some Russian sanctions and announced a new deal to import diesel from Russia.So, has the US-Ukraine alliance reached breaking point. Will relations improve after the US midterms or is Europe now Ukraine's only dependable ally?Joining Enda Brady for this discussion:Erol MorkoçSpokesperson for Republicans Overseas UKJamie Shea FormerDeputy Assistant Secretary General of NATOAndrij DobrianskyPolicy expert at the Center for US-Ukrainian RelationsFollow the podcast to keep up to date and access the back catalogue of Roundtable discussions at https://www.youtube.com/@RoundtableTRTWorld Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The small Russian territory, Kaliningrad, in the Baltics is adding to rising tensions between Russia and Nato, with President Putin threatening to use "all weapons available" to protect it.The exclave is sandwiched between Nato countries Poland and Lithuania and is a heavily militarised outpost.Moscow claims it has intelligence suggesting that Nato is preparing an air and naval blockade of Kaliningrad, in a letter sent to the alliance.It warns nuclear weapons could be used if the Nato allies try to cut off the exclave.Russia says it is also reacting to Western leaders stating that they are preparing for war in three to four years.So, how serious are the escalating tensions in the Baltics and is Russia prepared to risk a direct confrontation to defend this isolated outpost?Joining Enda Brady for this discussion:Frank RoseFormer Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Space and Defense PolicyLiliana SmiechDirector General for International Affairs at Ludovika University of Public ServiceMarko GasicInternational Consultant and Media CommentatorFollow the podcast to keep up to date and access the back catalogue of Roundtable discussions at https://www.youtube.com/@RoundtableTRTWorld Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Israeli public go to the polls next week, for the first time since the war on Gaza began three years ago.The election is widely being seen as a referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's leadership.US President Donald Trump is endorsing Netanyahu who is seeking a record seventh term in office,.Since Israel's war on Gaza and the increasing illegal settler violence in the occupied West Bank, Israel's relations with Europe have deteriorated significantly.But will Netanyahu be punished at the polls, and how likely is a shift in Israeli policy, if he is voted out?Joining Enda Brady for this discussion:Yossi MekelbergSenior Consulting Fellow at the MENA Programme at Chatham HouseSharon DolevHuman Rights ActivistRene WildangelFormer Foreign Policy Adviser for German ParliamentFollow the podcast to keep up to date and access the back catalogue of Roundtable discussions at https://www.youtube.com/@RoundtableTRTWorld Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Spain’s housing crisis has pushed Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to call a sudden snap election, after his government initially failed to get through emergency laws.Thousands have been protesting in solidarity with an 87-year-old pensioner who was evicted from her home in Madrid, where she lived for seventy years.Her rent had more than tripled after an investment firm bought her building. Sanchez tried to step in to freeze rents and protect tenants, but a hugely divided parliament blocked the move.Will Sanchez's gamble to call a snap election pay off?Joining Enda Brady for this discussion:Joan Roses, Professor of Economic HistoryAlberto Oliver, Former Deputy Spokesperson for Mas Madrid and Podemos PartiesSouwie Buis, JournalistFollow the podcast to keep up to date and access the back catalogue of Roundtable discussions at https://www.youtube.com/@RoundtableTRTWorld Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

President Macron is holding crisis talks after violent protests swept the country, after weeks of student demonstrations.In a televised address, he said France was feeling "anger and shame" to see cities "ransacked". Over half a million mainly peaceful protesters demonstrated on Saturday over lack of funding for schools and cost of living, but they turned violent after groups of masked activists appeared.An estimated 1,500 shops and businesses have been looted and destroyed.So, why is France protesting and will Macron's government do anything to fix the problem?Joining Enda Brady for this discussion:Philippe Marliere, Professor in French and European Politics at University College London, UCLRaphael Liogier, French sociologist and philosopherAntoine Victor Marie, Researcher at the Centre for Political Research at Sciences Po in ParisFollow the podcast to keep up to date and access the back catalogue of Roundtable discussions at https://www.youtube.com/@RoundtableTRTWorld Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.