Global Roaming with Geraldine Doogue and Hamish Macdonald

A Russian spy? Secret kompromat? The latest Epstein file drop, the most comprehensive since the notorious sex offender's death, has us questioning everything.
But one thing is clear. New files alleging shared information between the former UK ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson and Jeffrey Epstein could be a scandal big enough to sink Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Geraldine Doogue and Hamish Macdonald speak to The News Agents' Jon Sopel about spiralling headfirst into the Epstein conspiracy, the new allegations against Bill Gates, and what the Kremlin has to do with Epstein island.
Guest: Jon Sopel, former BBC News North America editor.
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It's the biggest humanitarian disaster in the world right now, yet few outside the conflict are aware of it. But Sudan's brutal civil war, which has displaced millions and turned cities like El Fasher into a mass grave, has found unlikely backers in the region. So why are Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates lining up to pick sides? 
Latika Bourke and Kylie Morris speak to journalist Mat Nashed about who stands to gain from drawing out the conflict, and his warning against middle power imperialism. 
Guest: Mat Nashed, freelance journalist covering Sudan
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As nuclear talks begin between the Islamic Republic of Iran and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, Trump's armada of ships off Iran's coast are proving an effective negotiating tool. But for the people of Iran calling for intervention and regime change, the results of these talks may offer little relief. And as the staggering death toll of January's protests is starting to come into focus, how many of its own citizens is the regime is willing to shoot in order to crush an uprising?
Geraldine Doogue and Latika Bourke speak to Iranian-American expert Holly Dagres about why the Iranian regime has reached a point of no return, even if the US chooses not to act. 
Guest: Holly Dagres, senior fellow at the Washington Institute's Programme on Iran and US Policy.
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With the Winter Olympics about to kick off in Milano-Cortina, the news that Team USA will be joined by officers from the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has caused a stir. 
It sends a mixed message to the world, especially given that in July, the notoriously anti-immigration Trump administration will host millions of international visitors for the biggest sporting event on the planet, the FIFA World Cup. 
Hamish Macdonald and Kylie Morris speak to journalist Nahal Toosi about the collision of MAGA and sports, and why an "America First" World Cup is riddled with contradictions.
Guest: Nahal Toosi, senior foreign affairs correspondent for POLITICO
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Hamish and Geraldine dig into the questions you actually want answered.
From how to break out of our political and cultural echo chambers, to making sense of Donald Trump’s behaviour, to the lessons history offers about what middle powers can achieve - inspired, no doubt, by Canada PM Mark Carney.
Plus, we look ahead to a very particular VIP visit from the Middle East to Australia.
Suggested reading/watching mentioned in this episode:
The Kaiser At Mar A Lago
Lowy Interpreter Middle Powers Can’t Run The World
UnHoly - Two Jews On The News 
Get in touch:
We'd love to hear from you! Email us at [email protected]
Find all the episodes of Global Roaming now via the ABC Listen App or wherever you get your podcasts.