Inside Story

Two French charity workers have been sentenced to two years in prison for illegally trying to fly 103 African children from Chad to France in 2007. So, how dangerous is this so-called do-it-yourself humanitarianism? Was the Zoe's Ark campaign to evacuate children from Darfur a case of humanitarian goodwill gone wrong, or a more sinister cover for child trafficking?

North Korea has carried out its third nuclear test in defiance of international criticism. The test could bring North Korea one step closer to developing a warhead small enough to arm any of the many missile types it has stockpiled, which in turn would lead to other powers increasing their levels of nuclear deterence in a new and deeply dangerous arms race. Many had hoped that Kim Jong Un would distance himself from the "military first" policies of his father.

We examine how the unrest in the Horn of Africa is being exacerbated and who stands to gain from it. can ending the 20-year-old arms embargo on Somalia be a solution or yet another problem in an emerging arms race in the region? And who stands to benefit from the turmoil? Inside Story, with presenter Mike Hanna, discusses with guests: Peter Kagwanja, the director of the Africa Policy Institute; Roland Marchal, a senior research fellow at the National Centre for Scientific Research, at the Paris Institute of Political Science; and David Shinn, a former US ambassador to Ethiopia, and a professor of international affairs at George Washington University.

A British company is the latest major multinational that stands accused of massive tax avoidance and depriving one of the world's poorest countries of billions of dollars. The Zambian subsidiary of Associated British Foods has confirmed it paid virtually no tax in the past five years. Such forms of tax avoidance may be legal, but as aid groups are questioning: Is it morally right? And is this a trade worth having? To discuss this, Inside Story with presenter Mike Hanna is joined by guests: Chris Jordan, the co-author of the ActionAid report on Zambia Sugar called 'Sweet Nothings'; Keith Boyfield, a fellow of the Institute of Economic Affairs; and Stephen Barber, a political economist from South Bank University.

Has African football improved since South Africa brought the World Cup to the continent in 2010? Inside Story, with presenter Hazem Sika, discusses with guests Carlos Amato, a freelance football writer for the Mail and Guardian and the Times; Ebrahim Fakir, a political analyst at the Electoral Institute For Sustainable Democracy in Africa; and Keir Radnedge, a columnist for World Soccer Magazine and author of "The complete Encyclopedia of Soccer".

Tunisia has been thrown back into turmoil following the assassination of a leading opposition politician. The murder has brought violence back to the birthplace of the Arab Spring. There is also growing anger over the slow pace of reform. It is dividing political leaders, and fuelling calls for yet more change. Tunisia's revolt was hailed as a blueprint for the Arab uprisings; the removing of a long time dictator and the transition to democratic parliamentary elections. But Tunisia's journey along the road to reform is unravelling. What does the assassination mean for the birthplace of the Arab Spring? And is the country's transition towards democracy in danger of being derailed?

China and Indonesia have agreed to increase minimum wages to help narrow the gap between rich and poor. The countries' economies are among the fastest growing in the world but they are also witnessing growing social unrest. Millions remain in poverty and workers are increasingly taking to the streets, holding strikes and protests - pressing their demands for more money. We examine if raising wages in Indonesia and China could burden production cost and hurt the lowest paid.

Turberculosis (TB) is the world's deadliest infectious disease after HIV/AID but the fight against the disease is being dealt a double blow. A new study says developing countries are awash with fake and substandard drugs. That is making the disease more resistant - and in some cases, virtually impossible to treat.

Ethnic Kachin rebels have reached agreement with Myanmar's government to ease tensions that have reignited one of the country's bloodiest conflicts. Kachin rebels have been seeking greater autonomy from Myanmar's government for more than half a century. Simmering tensions have reignited with devastating consequences; an unprecedented escalation in fighting shattered a 17-year truce. Myanmar's military unleashed fighter jets and helicopter gunships on Kachin rebel positions. The heavy fighting is raising doubts about President Thein Sein's ability to control the military, at a time when the country is striding out along the road to democratic reform. The two sides have now agreed to more peace talks after a seven hour meeting in southern China.

David Cameron, the British prime minister, is hosting a key summit with Afghan and Pakistani leaders to discuss bringing peace to Afghanistan. This is the third such meeting since last summer. But for the first time, army and intelligence chiefs from both sides will join the talks - and they have plenty on their plates. NATO troops are scheduled to leave Afghanistan by the end of next year. But a senior Afghan commander warns that withdrawing British troops could spark what he calls a global jihad. Inside Story with presenter Jane Dutton is joined by guests: Heather Barr, an Afghanistan researcher in the Asia division of Human Rights Watch; Mosharraf Zaidi, a former adviser to Pakistan's foreign minister; and Mark Kimmitt, a former US Assistant Secretary of State for Political and Military Affairs.

The US is opening up a new front against armed groups linked to al-Qaeda in Africa. And Niger is reported to have given permission for US drones to be based in its territory. Hillary Clinton, the outgoing US secretary of state, has said the US faces a serious threat from armed groups in the region.

As Netherlands' Queen Beatrix plans to step down, we examine the pros and cons of maintaining the modern monarchy. Shulie Ghosh is joined by guests: Andrew Child - director of the UK anti-monarchy campaign group, Republic; Marc van der Linden, chief editor of the Dutch Publication, Royalty Magazine and David Haigh, a financial marketing expert, and CEO and founder of Brand Finance.

Deadly skirmishes in the disputed region of Kashmir this month set India and Pakistan back at each other's throats. Five soldiers were killed in the worst crisis in relations since the 2008 Mumbai attacks. But already, tensions are easing as the nuclear neighbours consider the bigger peace process. The territorial dispute between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir region has claimed thousands of lives; and that death toll grew further this month. India even accused Pakistan of beheading one of its soldiers, and there was international concern that the dispute could escalate. So, is Kashmir key to securing peace between India and Pakistan?

We examine the global trend towards same-sex marriage and its implications on traditional family structures. Discussing this on Inside Story with presenter Shiulie Ghosh are Guests: Peter Tatchell, a Gay rights activist & director of the human rights organisation, the Peter Tatchell Foundation and James Bogle, a lawyer & chairman of the Catholic Union of Great Britain.

One-third of global cyber attacks are from China, and this figure is rising fast. A new State of the Internet report has governments scrambling to beef up their online security. How real is the threat? Guests: Keith Vaz, Jason Moon, Adrian Mars.