Shows / The Interview
The Interview
Conversations with people shaping our world, from all around the globe. Listen to The Interview for the best conversations from the BBC, the world's most trusted international news provider. We hear from titans of business, politics, finance, sport and culture. Global leaders, decision-makers and cultural icons. Politicians, activists and CEOs. Each interview is around 20-minutes, packed full of insight and analysis, covering some of the biggest issues of our time. How does it work? Well, at…
Episodes
- The Interview
Premier of the Cayman Islands - Alden McLaughlin
How's this for a vision of earthly paradise? Sun, sand, sea and a tax rate of zero. It's that last bit that turned the tiny Cayman Islands into one of the most…
- The Interview
Jerry Springer: Does he care about his show's reputation?
Jerry Springer, who hosted one of the most controversial talk shows in TV history, has died aged 79. In 2014, Stephen Sackur interviewed him about his show's…
- The Interview
President, US National Rifle Association, 2011 - 13 - David Keene
For many American firearms are a symbol of freedom. The right to bear arms is treated with the same reverence as life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness…
- The Interview
Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Tanzania - Lazaro Nyalandu
Within the lifetimes of our children, the African elephant may be extinct, hunted to death - such is the continued lure of ivory, despite international efforts…
- The Interview
Daughter of Yulia Tymoshenko - Eugenia Tymoshenko
After the revolutionary tumult in Ukraine, what comes next? The country is financially crippled, internally divided and a cockpit of tension between Moscow and…
- The Interview
Minister for Economy, Israel - Naftali Bennett
Just how stable and sustainable is Israel's coalition government? Prime Minister Netanyahu currently relies on the support of Jewish Home - a right wing…
- The Interview
Kenyan Author - Binyavanga Wainaina
In a host of African countries, homosexuality is a crime. From Nigeria to Uganda, politicians seem to believe persecuting gays is a vote-winning strategy. As…
- The Interview
Palestinian Authority Chief Negotiator - Saeb Erekat
What must it be like to have been at the centre of the seemingly endless and fruitless quest for an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal for more than two decades?…
- The Interview
Chairman Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars - Dieter Zetsche
Hardtalk is in Stuttgart, Germany - a city with a long history of engineering and manufacturing. The auto industry is a major player here, which is good news…
- The Interview
Former Commissioner of Corrections, Georgia, USA - Allen Ault
A host of countries around the world still impose the ultimate punishment on the most serious criminals - death. What is it like to be in command of the…
- The Interview
Wimbledon Champion 2013 - Marion Bartoli
Hardtalk is in Paris at Roland Garros, the headquarters of tennis in France, to speak to the French tennis player and Wimbledon Champion, Marion Bartoli. Last…
- The Interview
President, Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace - Cardinal Peter Turkson
It is nearly a year since the new Pope was installed, but still the same problems dog the Catholic Church. A UN Committee on the Rights of the Child has just…
- The Interview
British Foreign Secretary - William Hague
From Syria and Afghanistan to relations with the US and Europe, how influential is British foreign policy today? Picture: William Hague, Credit: Dan…
- The Interview
Secretary, All India Progressive Women’s Association - Kavita Krishnan
Stephen Sackur talks to the prominent women’s rights campaigner, Kavita Krishnan. Delhi is a proud capital of the nation - a noisy and vibrant place - but a…
- The Interview
Deputy Prime Minister of Iraq for Energy - Hussain Al-Shahristani
Hardtalk speaks to Hussain Al-Shahristani, Iraq's Deputy Prime Minister responsible for energy. He's in London to attend a conference, but also to convince the…
- The Interview
Archbishop of Canterbury - Justin Welby
Hardtalk speaks to the Archbishop of Canterbury and leader of the Anglican Church, Justin Welby. He has just embarked on a tour of four African countries, all…
- The Interview
Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir - Omar Abdullah
In a special edition of Hardtalk recorded in front of an audience in India's capital Delhi, Stephen Sackur talks to one of the country's most intriguing…
- The Interview
Finance Minister of India - Palaniappan Chidambaram
India has experienced unprecedented growth. Why does poverty persist? Picture: Palaniappan Chidambaram, Credit: Sajjad Hussain/AFP/Getty Images
- The Interview
Finance Minister of Cyprus - Harris Georgiades
When Harris Georgiades became Finance Minister of Cyprus a year ago some said he had been handed poisoned chalice. He has had to preside over tough austerity…
- The Interview
Former Minister, Freedom and Justice Party, Egypt - Yehia Hamed
It is three years since the uprisings collectively known as the 'Arab Spring' claimed their biggest prize – the ousting of Hosni Mubarak who had ruled Egypt…
- The Interview
British Energy and Climate Change Secretary - Ed Davey
The British government is 'going all out for shale'. Those are the words of the Prime Minister about his plan to allow companies to try to extract shale gas…
- The Interview
US Defence Secretary, 2006 - 2011 - Robert Gates
In a special edition of Hardtalk recorded in New York City, Stephen Sackur speaks to the former US Defence Secretary Robert Gates. In his newly published…
- The Interview
President of the European Court of Human Rights - Dean Spielmann
Eight hundred million Europeans’ fundamental rights and liberties are supposed to be safeguarded by the European Court of Human Rights. It is an institution…
- The Interview
UN Rapporteur, Counter-terrorism and Human Rights - Ben Emmerson QC
When a US drone kills a jihadi militant in Pakistan has a law been broken? What if the missile kills women and children too? Who can be held to account?…
- The Interview
Director of Public Prosecutions, 2008–2013 - Keir Starmer QC
Is English justice all it is cracked up to be? Hardtalk speaks to Keir Starmer, the top barrister who has just stepped down after five years as the Director of…
- The Interview
Giles Duley – Photographer
Twelve years ago photographer Giles Duley abandoned the world of celebrity and fashion photography to focus on stories of human suffering - he was in…
- The Interview
CEO, Syngenta - Mike Mack
One of the great global challenges of the next half a century will be feeding a human population set to rise beyond nine billion. Farmers worldwide face an…
- The Interview
World Champion Cyclist - Mark Cavendish
Mark Cavendish has enjoyed the reputation of being the fastest man on two wheels over the past five years . He is a cycling phenomenon - an explosive sprinter…
- The Interview
Artist Jeremy Deller
Artist Jeremy Deller defies all the labels and categories of the art world. He is a visual artist who can’t paint, can’t draw and professes no great technical…
- The Interview
Chairman and CEO of Total- Christophe de Margerie
Hardtalk is in Monte Carlo at the World Policy Conference, an international gathering of politicians and business leaders from across the world. Stephen Sackur…
- The Interview
Douglas Alexander – Labour Chief Foreign Policy Spokesman
Under Tony Blair's leadership the world grew used to a British Labour government that was the United States’ staunchest ally in a series of military…
- The Interview
Director General, Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons - Ahmet Üzümcü
When the Nobel Committee awarded this year’s Peace Prize to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), its staff was on the ground in…
- The Interview
South African Rugby Team Captain, 1993 - 1996: Francois Pienaar
Francois Pienaar was captain of the South African rugby team when it won the World Cup in 1995. Before the game Nelson Mandela walked into the stadium in…
- The Interview
Republican Senator, Florida - Marco Rubio
Viewed from across the Atlantic, American politics is a mess. A stand-off between Congressional Republicans and President Obama temporarily shut down the…
- The Interview
Martin Schulz
For the last few years the EU has been under enormous strain. Amid the bail outs, austerity and rising unemployment some Europeans have come to see the EU as…
- The Interview
EU Employment and Social Affairs Commissioner - Laszlo Andor
Is the stability and unity of the European Union threatened by internal migration? Over the past decade millions of people from the accession countries of…
- The Interview
Journalist - Glenn Greenwald
When Edward Snowden leaked American intelligence secrets the whole world became aware of the extent of US-UK surveillance of global phone and internet traffic…
- The Interview
Ukrainian Businessman and Politician - Petro Poroshenko
Ukraine had a historic opportunity this week to move toward full integration with the European Union. EU leaders wanted to seal an association agreement which…
- The Interview
Medical Ethicist - Julian Savulescu
From genetic engineering to bioscience, human beings are close to acquiring the ability not just to combat disease, but to enhance and perfect our species. But…
- The Interview
Performer and Mental Health Campaigner - Ruby Wax
Mental illness is the invisible scourge of modern life, and it comes with a stigma. To admit to depression, or another illness of the mind, has been to risk…
- The Interview
Philosopher - Roberto Unger
What exactly is progressive politics? In the rich world it is identified with the centre left, with a faith in the state's ability to ameliorate the perceived…
- The Interview
Medical Director, Akanksha Infertility Clinic, India - Dr Nayna Patel
In India, producing surrogate babies is a booming business. Reproductive technology allows childless, wealthy couples to hire impoverished Indian women as…
- The Interview
CEO, Eni - Paolo Scaroni
Is energy Europe's economic Achilles heel? While the US benefits from a massive investment in shale gas production, Europeans focus on decarbonising their…
- The Interview
Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria - Lamido Sanusi
The high price of oil is powering Nigeria's economy to new heights. This year, it's predicted to have grown by over six per cent. So why do some experts say…
- The Interview
Minister of Intelligence, Israel - Yuval Steinitz
There is an unmistakable sense of diplomatic apprehension in Israel right now – at the heart if it a recognition that on a number of key issues, from Iran to…
- The Interview
Olympic and America’s Cup Winning Sailor - Sir Ben Ainslie
Hardtalk speaks to the most successful Olympic sailor of all time - British four-time gold medallist Sir Ben Ainslie. In September he was part of team USA…
- The Interview
Italian Politician - Emma Bonino
Emma Bonino has been an outspoken and bold activist for political and social freedoms for decades. She was instrumental in getting Italy to legalise abortion…
- The Interview
Founder of Affective Computing, MIT - Rosalind Picard
Imagine a world where robots can think and feel like humans - Hardtalk speaks to pioneering American scientist Professor Rosalind Picard, from the…
- The Interview
Conflict-zone Surgeon - David Nott
The International diplomatic effort to push Syria's warring parties to the negotiating table continues - as does the mission to eliminate the Assad regime's…
- The Interview
Pavel Khodorkovsky
Vladimir Putin rules Russia with ruthless efficiency. Opponents and potential rivals know they are engaged in a dangerous game, and for proof they need look no…
- The Interview
Film Director - Paul Greengrass
What do we want from the movies we see? Judging from the global box office returns the answer is escapism, superheroes and awesome special effects. But that’s…
- The Interview
Chairman of the Intelligence and Security Committee, UK - Sir Malcolm Rifkind MP
Thanks to Edward Snowden, America's cyber-spy turned leaker, we now know US intelligence agencies backed by the British secretly monitor electronic…
- The Interview
Reza Pahlavi Monday 14th October
Are winds of change blowing across Iran? The Islamic Republic's new president, Hassan Rouhani, has engineered a diplomatic opening with the United States…
- The Interview
Chief Executive of NHS England - Sir David Nicholson
In Britain healthcare is state-funded, free at the point of delivery to all citizens. The National Health Service is routinely described by politicians of all…
- The Interview
Egyptian Author and Activist - Ahdaf Soueif
Is it time to mourn the death of Egypt’s revolutionary dream? Civilians lead the government but real power lies with the armed forces. Emergency law, military…
- The Interview
Chairman, Indian Cricket Premier League, 2008 – 2010 - Lalit Modi
Thanks to money, media rights and commercialisation, cricket, a game of proud tradition, has been transformed into a multi-billion dollar sporting commodity…
- The Interview
Adviser to Former British PM Gordon Brown, 2005 – 2009 - Damian McBride
Opinion polls in Britain suggest public faith in politics and politicians has plummeted in the last decade. Why? A lot of powerful reasons lie within the pages…
- The Interview
US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Iran, 2009-2010 - John Limbert
For the second time in his presidency Barack Obama is eyeing the 'reset button' in his diplomatic toolkit. With Russia it misfired, so when it comes to Iran…
- The Interview
Author and Counter-insurgency Expert - David Kilcullen
Many dozens have died in the Nairobi shopping mall siege raising questions both inside Kenya and elsewhere as to the nature of future terror attacks - who will…