Conflict Zone

Conflict Zone is DW’s top political interview program. Join us each week as our hosts put tough questions to top guests from around the world. Get beyond the soundbite – enter the Conflict Zone.

'Failure of elites' led to Sudan's tragedy, ex-PM tells DW

Sudan is the scene of one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, and millions have fled the civil war. The former PM tells DW that the displacement and famine are "much, much greater than Gaza and Ukraine combined."

11-06
26:41

Yahya Sinwar: What does the Hamas leader's death change?

Israeli former justice minister Yossi Beilin discusses prospects for a future solution in the wake of Israel's killing of the Hamas leader in Gaza.

10-23
26:24

Iran has 'not just weakened Hezbollah, but weakened itself'

Jordanian former FM Marwan Muasher tells DW that Tehran has less ability to influence events in Lebanon following Israeli strikes.

10-16
26:43

Nigerian FM on Russian motives in Africa: Trust but verify

What are the Kremlin's goals? Russia has expanded its reach in Africa following a series of coups. Yusuf Tuggar tells DW Nigeria pursues "strategic autonomy."

10-07
23:57

Does Putin want war with the West?

Estonia's intel chief shares his assessment of Russia's war in Ukraine and Zelenskyy's "victory plan."

09-25
26:36

Kursk incursion shows Putin is bluffing, says Ukrainian opposition leader

Will the West betray Ukraine? Ukrainian MP & leader of Voice party says much will depend on the outcome of the US election. Kira Rudik told DW that Russia and China are preparing for a "bigger war."

09-19
26:46

Russia's hybrid warfare: forced migration to Europe?

Finland's Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen says there is no easy way back to relations with Russia. On Conflict Zone she speaks to Sarah Kelly about migration as a weapon in Russia's hybrid warfare and about Europe's continued support for Ukraine in defending itself against Russia's invasion.

09-11
25:51

Israeli minister: 'It's our moral obligation to eliminate Hamas, whatever it takes'

Hardline diaspora affairs minister Amichai Chikli says he doesn't care about criticism of Israeli military goals, including an IDF spokesman's recent statements that "Hamas is an idea" and can't be militarily defeated. He also defended the use of bombing despite the high number of civilian casualties and advocated not accepting Palestinian statehood in the wake of the post-October 7 realities.

07-09
27:03

How has Ukraine survived Russia’s war?

Ukrainian journalist and author Illia Ponomarenko refuses to give up hope and insists war shows how ordinary people can do incredible things. He tells DW that "life will prevail."

07-03
25:47

How divided is Poland?

Poland’s new center-left government has launched a series of reforms since the far-right Law and Justice Party was ousted in 2023. Justice Minister Adam Bodnar tells DW Warsaw will need more time to complete the process.

06-19
25:52

Macron’s gamble: Does France want far right in government?

The French president’s call for snap elections as he faces historic disapproval could put Le Pen’s far right party in power.

06-12
27:09

Conflict Zone - Brussels leaders: Far right surge 'will weaken' EU

EU Commission Vice-President for Values and Transparency, Vera Jourova, and EPP President Manfred Weber talk to DW's Tim Sebastian about their concerns ahead of the European elections 2024.

06-05
26:38

Conflict Zone Podcast: ICC indictments would likely lead Israelis to continue Gaza war

Washington's former Mideast negotiator told DW he fears possible ICC arrest warrants seem to many Israelis as "creating moral equivalency" between Israeli officials and the Hamas leaders who ordered the October 7 attack.

05-22
26:12

Gaza: 'Most people want to leave,' says veteran diplomat

Norwegian Refugee Council head Jan Egeland tells Tim Sebastian that the devastation in Gaza is already unprecedented and an Israeli military operation against Rafah would be a "bloodbath."

04-11
26:15

NATO is moving to a war footing, says Latvian FM

Ukraine can still win the war against Russia if the West steps up its game, the Baltic country's Foreign Minister Krisjanis Karins tells DW.

03-21
27:25

Putin: Russia's eternal president?

How Russia’s 'obedient majority' will elect Vladimir Putin to a fifth term and why it matters, from Moscow analyst Andrei Kolesnikov.

03-13
27:08

Egyptian ex-FM to Israel: If you want security, end occupation

Egypt's previous Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy tells DW that neither Israel nor Hamas will likely accept a long-term peace deal. Fahmy says that if Israel wants lasting security, it must end occupation in the Palestinian territories.

03-05
25:56

Conflict Zone Podcast with Nancy Pelosi: 'The behavior of Netanyahu is inexcusable'

Senior Democrat and former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi talks about the wars in Gaza, Ukraine and tensions over Taiwan. Speaking to DW's Tim Sebastian, during this year's MSC, she also discussed the upcoming US election.

02-21
34:43

Conflict Zone Podcast Special: The future of Israeli-Palestinian affairs

DW's Sarah Kelly hosted a high-level panel at this year's Munich Security Conference. The war in Gaza and prospects for a long-term peace between Israelis and Palestinians were discussed by the Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority Mohammed Shtayyeh, Israel's former Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and others.

02-21
43:00

Mossad ex-head: Gaza war is taking longer than expected

Israel's war against Hamas has claimed nearly 30,000 lives, most of them civilians in Gaza. Israel so far failed to achieve its aim of eliminating the militant Islamist group. Former Mossad chief Efraim Halevy tells DW no end is in sight.

02-07
26:13

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