Inside Story

US signs a record $38bn deal to provide Israel with military assistance over a 10 year period. Presenter: Adrian Finighan Guests: Yossi Mekelberg - professor of International Relations at Regents University Mouin Rabbani - co-editor of Jadaliyyaonline magazine Thomas Pickering - former US Ambassador to Israel - Subscribe to our channel: http://aje.io/AJSubscribe - Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish - Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera - Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/

South Sudan gained its independence five years ago with much fanfare. It was hailed as the world's newest nation with an incredible amount of optimism. But a bitter rivalry between the president Salva Kiir, and his former deputy Riek Machar resulted in civil war. Tens of thousands of people have been killed and millions more have been displaced from their homes. Many fear the country is fast becoming a failed state. A new investigation from the Sentry group - co-founded by Hollywood actor George Clooney - has found that while most of the population lives in near famine conditions, top officials are getting richer. So, what's happening inside South Sudan? And what can be done to help the people? Presenter: Hazem Sika Guests: Ateny Wek Ateny - Spokesman for the President of South Sudan Brian Adeba - Associate Director of Policy at the Enough Project Peter Biar Ajak - Founder and Director of the Centre for Strategic Analysis and Research - Subscribe to our channel: http://aje.io/AJSubscribe - Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish - Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera - Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/

North Korea says threat of more sanctions is "laughable" after it holds its fifth and biggest nuclear test. Presenter: Adrian Finighan Guests: Victor Gao - director of the China National Association of International Studies Daniel Pinkston - lecturer of international relations at Troy University Jim Walsh - research associate at MIT's Security Studies Programme - Subscribe to our channel: http://aje.io/AJSubscribe - Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish - Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera - Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/

How can Zimbabwe resolve the growing dissent and protests over its deteriorating economy? The opposition accuses President Robert Mugabe of mismanagement and corruption. Once the beacon of the African continent, Zimbabwe is facing its worst financial crisis in seven years. The economy is shrinking, unemployment is rising and the country is running out of cash. It's struggling to pay public sector workers. The worsening economy has led to political tensions and anti-government protests. Demonstrators accuse the government of mismanagement and corruption. Some are calling for president Robert Mugabe to step down. But the 92-year-old, who has led the country since its independence from Britain in 1980, remains defiant. He says the protests are distracting the government from improving the economy, warning that those trying to destabilise the country will face harsh consequences. So what will it take to end this latest crisis? Presenter: Kamahl Santamaria Guests: Piers Pigou, Senior Consultant for Southern Africa at the International Crisis Group Nelson Chamisa, member of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change party, and a Member of Zimbabwe's House of Assembly Itai M. P. Choto,Spokesman for ZANU PF in the UK and Europe - Subscribe to our channel: http://aje.io/AJSubscribe - Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish - Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera - Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/

Five years of fighting, hundreds of thousands of people killed, and millions displaced. Despite several rounds of talks to end the conflict in Syria, the war continues. But now the US and Russia, which back different sides, have agreed on a plan. It includes a seven-day ceasefire, and, if that goes well, a new military partnership. The optimist might say this is a chance to move towards ending the war, and renewing efforts for a political transition. The pessimist though would say we have been here before too many times. Could this latest deal end the fighting in Syria? Presenter: Kamahl Santamaria Guests: Rim Turkmani - senior research fellow at the London School of Economics Bassma Kodmani - negotiator for the Syrian Opposition High Negotiations Committee Afzal Ashraf - visiting fellow at the University of Nottingham Centre for Conflict, Security and Terrorism - Subscribe to our channel: http://aje.io/AJSubscribe - Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish - Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera - Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/

Mao Zedong has been credited with laying the foundation for communist China. Fourty years after his death, he remains a powerful symbol, with a controversial legacy. Some hail him as a hero, others denounce him as a tyrant. His policies are blamed for causing chaos, famine and mass murder. Some of his supporters say life back then was better. They argue China has veered off the communist path laid by Mao and blame capitalism for social inequalities, poverty and corruption. How much better off are the Chinese now? Presenter: Richelle Carey Guests: Einar Tangen - Political analyst and economic affairs advisor to the Chinese government. Frank Dikotter - Professor of History at the University of Hong Kong Michele Geraci - Head of China Economic Policy Research Programme, Nottingham University - Subscribe to our channel: http://aje.io/AJSubscribe - Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish - Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera - Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/

A call to improve UN peacekeeping missions. The United Nations has more than 100,000 peacekeepers, serving in sixteen missions on four continents. Their goal is to protect civilians, maintain peace and security. But their operations have caused controversy, including allegations of sexual abuse. Demand for peacekeepers in conflict zones continues to rise and the UN is struggling to keep up. 12 months after world leaders pledged to strengthen and modernize peacekeeping operations, the UK is hosting a follow up to see where things stand. Defence ministers from more than 70 countries flew to London to discuss how to improve operations. Presenter: Richelle Carey Guests: Rosa Freedman, Professor of Law & Global Development, University of Reading Mehari Maru, International Consultant on African Union affairs Jack Christofides, Director of Policy, Evaluation & Training at the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations - Subscribe to our channel: http://aje.io/AJSubscribe - Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish - Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera - Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/

A major report on agriculture says 'Africa is no longer in the dark' The Alliance for a Green Revolution - AGRA - says agricultural productivity in the past 10 years has improved lives in Ghana, Rwanda, Ethiopia and Burkina Faso. AGRA says agriculture is more effective at cutting poverty than other sectors. The alliance of agriculture experts say countries which acted early to invest in farming are seeing significant growth. Malnutrition and poverty levels are falling in some of the highest risk countries where people don't have enough to eat. Farming is a main source of income for more than 60 percent of the work force in Africa. GDP has grown in countries that have been investing. But is the success sustainable? Presenter: Sami Zeidan Guests: David Ameyaw, Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa report author. Kees Blokland, Managing Director of Agriterra, advice provider to farmer organisations and cooperatives in developing economies. Lorenzo Bello, Senior Economist at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. - Subscribe to our channel: http://aje.io/AJSubscribe - Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish - Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera - Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/

Beijing reiterates that calls for Hong Kong independence will not be tolerated. Presenter: Adrian Finighan Guests: Joseph Cheng - coordinator of the Power for Democracy Group Xia Jiudong - senior research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies Steve Tsang - professor of contemporary Chinese studies at the University of Nottingham - Subscribe to our channel: http://aje.io/AJSubscribe - Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish - Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera - Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/

A right-wing anti-immigration party defeats Merkel's CDU in her home state of Mecklenburg-West Pomerania. The right-wing Alternative for Germany or AFD party is directly opposed to everything Chancellor Angela Merkel stands for. But it's won the vote in regional elections in her home state. Merkel's popularity is at a five-year low. She's faced strong criticism for what's seen as her open-door refugee policy. Now, a year before national elections, voters have expressed their disapproval at the ballot box. So, will Merkel change her policy? And what's the reaction in Europe? Presenter: Adrian Finighan Guests: Thorsten Benner - Director of the Global Public Policy Institute. Michael Stuermer - Chief Correspondent for the German newspaper Die Welt. Uli Brueckner - Lecturer at Stanford University and a Specialist on European integration. - Subscribe to our channel: http://aje.io/AJSubscribe - Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish - Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera - Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/

China is hosting G20 summit, hoping to transform it "from a crisis-response system, to a long-term-governance body". Presenter: Adrian Finighan Guests: Einar Tangen - economic affairs commentator and adviser to the Chinese government on economic issues Anastasia Nesvetailova - director of city political economy research centre, City University London - Subscribe to our channel: http://aje.io/AJSubscribe - Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish - Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera - Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/

Islam Karimov was Uzbekistan's first and only president. He led the Central Asian country for more than 25 years, brushing off accusations of authoritarianism and brutality. For many citizens, Karimov represented stability. He defined what it meant to be an Uzbek. Karimov died this week, at the age of 78, after suffering a stroke. His funeral was held on Saturday in his hometown Samarkand. What comes next remains unclear. Elections will be held in the next few months, but given Uzbekistan's history, they aren't expected to be free or fair. What will his death mean for Uzbekistan and the region? Presenter: Richelle Carey Guests: Peter Zalmayev, Director of the Eurasia Democracy Initiative. Marcus Papadopoulos - Editor of Politics First Magazine. Andrew Stroehlein - European Media Director at Human Rights Watch. - Subscribe to our channel: http://aje.io/AJSubscribe - Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish - Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera - Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/

Three-year-old Alan Kurdi's body was found on a Turkish beach on September 2, 2015. Guests: Misty Buswell - Regional Advocacy and Communications Director with Save The Children. Daphne Bouteillet-Paquet - Senior Legal Officer with the European Council for Refugees and Exiles. Jumana Abo Oxa - Co-ordinator for the humanitarian organisation Humanity Crew. - Subscribe to our channel: http://aje.io/AJSubscribe - Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish - Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera - Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/

Michel Temer promises a 'new era' after replacing impeached President Dilma Rousseff. Presenter: Richel Carey Guests: Rodrigo Nunes - political analyst, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro Shannon Sims - journalist for the Washington Post, Forbes and NPR Paulo Sotero - director of the Brazil Institute, Woodrow Wilson Centre - Subscribe to our channel: http://aje.io/AJSubscribe - Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish - Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera - Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/

The European Commission orders the U.S. tech giant to repay billions of dollars in tax. It's the biggest tax demand ever imposed by the European Union. The Irish government's been ordered to recover almost 15 billion dollars of unpaid taxes from Apple. The world's richest technology company has its headquarters in California and its European base in Ireland. The European Commision says the Irish government granted illegal state aid by helping Apple to artificially lower its tax bill for more than 20 years. Both parties deny tax evasion and are planning appeals. What does it all mean for doing business in the European Union? Presenter: Jane Dutton Guests: Conor McCabe, University College Dublin Tove Maria Ryding, European Network on Debt and Development. Liza Lovdahl-Gormsen, British Institute of International and Comparative Law. - Subscribe to our channel: http://aje.io/AJSubscribe - Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish - Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera - Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/