Iraq, once known as Mesopotamia, the “Land of the Two Rivers”, is facing its worst water crisis in living memory. The Tigris and Euphrates — lifelines of agriculture and civilisation for millennia — are running dry. Climate change, upstream dams and decades of mismanagement have turned fertile land into dust, forcing families from their homes and threatening national stability. Talk to Al Jazeera travels to southern Iraq to hear from farmers, environmentalists and officials about a crisis that could decide the country’s future.
Sandra Myrna Diaz, one of the world’s most influential ecologists, argues that humanity is missing the bigger picture. While climate change dominates headlines, she warns the deeper crisis is biodiversity collapse, the unravelling of the living web of plants, animals, soil and water that sustains life. In this Talk to Al Jazeera interview, Diaz criticises governments for failing to meet biodiversity targets and calls for a rethinking of consumerism-driven lifestyles. Her message: The survival of civilisation depends not just on curbing greenhouse gas emissions but also on protecting the fabric of life itself.
As climate change pushes sea levels higher, Dutch architect Koen Olthuis says the answer isn’t higher dikes - it’s floating cities. From luxury homes in the Netherlands to sustainable floating schools in slums and entire island communities in the Maldives, his vision blends architecture and adaptation. But can floating design truly offer an inclusive solution - or will only the wealthy stay dry? In this episode of Talk to Al Jazeera, Olthuis explains why living on water may be the only way forward.
How do we remember war, and who gets remembered? In this episode of Talk to Al Jazeera, Step Vaessen speaks to Sabina Tanovic, a Sarajevo-born expert in memorial architecture. From the genocide in Srebrenica to the destruction in Gaza, Tanovic explores how monuments shape justice, history, and collective healing.
As Sudan’s war effects spill into Chad, the country faces the world’s most underfunded refugee crisis. Nearly a million Sudanese, mostly women and children, have fled, but aid is vanishing, disease is looming, and the system is on the verge of collapse. In this episode of Talk to Al Jazeera, Ahmed Idris speaks to a United Nations lead official in Chad and to a Sudanese refugee activist who fled the same forces now threatening his people. As the world looks away, they warn that the cost of inaction may soon be counted in lives.
As Israel bombs Iranian nuclear sites under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspection, questions mount over nuclear double standards and the credibility of the global system. Iran accuses the IAEA of bias and complicity, while Israel - an undeclared nuclear power - remains outside treaty obligations. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi responds to allegations, addresses fears of a nuclear arms race and warns of the consequences if diplomacy fails. Is the non-proliferation regime collapsing? Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, talks to Al Jazeera.
Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis emphasises his country's robust defence ties with Israel amid its war on Gaza. He asserts now is not the time to revisit their largest defence deal, including a $1.6bn contract for Greek air force training.Gerapetritis highlights Greece’s peace efforts in the Middle East and stresses the importance of high defence spending due to geopolitical dynamics and Greece’s extensive Mediterranean coastline.The Greek foreign minister, Giorgos Gerapetritis, talks to Al Jazeera.
More than 200 days into Israel’s war on Gaza, the death toll has surpassed 34,000 while more than 77,000 Palestinians have been wounded.Amid the destruction and ongoing violence, the United Nations appointed Sigrid Kaag as its senior humanitarian and reconstruction coordinator for Gaza. With her experience navigating the European Union’s varied positions on the conflict, Kaag leads crucial relief efforts.As the world waits for a ceasefire and an end to the violence, the question arises: "What will ‘the day after’ look like for Gaza, once the war is over?"Sigrid Kaag, UN senior humanitarian and reconstruction coordinator for Gaza, talks to Al Jazeera.
The documentary Israelism examines the rift among Jews regarding Palestine, highlighting young people's increasing criticism of Israel and Zionism.This divide is driven by firsthand accounts of Israel's actions in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.As the film faces opposition from groups trying to cancel its screenings, its main protagonist, Simone Zimmerman, and its co-director and producer, Erin Axelman, talk to Al Jazeera.
Amid rising gang violence in Haiti, Santo Domingo fears spillover effects. With criminal gangs dominating most of Haiti's capital, the Dominican Republic faces human and security ramifications.What steps will the Dominican government take to confront these challenges?We explore these critical issues as the Dominican Republic's Foreign Minister Roberto Alvarez Gil talks to Al Jazeera.
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez ends his latest Middle East tour in Qatar.The Gulf state has hosted several talks on ending Israel's war on Gaza, and Sanchez's calls for a ceasefire have resonated worldwide as the death toll now stands at about 33,000.Spain's foreign policy extends beyond the Middle East. It balances relations with major powers like the United States and Russia while navigating the broader implications of the war in Ukraine.How will Spain manage this era of global challenges and a rapidly changing international landscape?The Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, talks to Al Jazeera.
Journalists, especially in war zones, face immense challenges in reporting conflict realities.In the context of Israel’s war on Gaza, their role has been pivotal in exposing the devastation and suffering.Among these journalists, Wael Dahdouh, Al Jazeera Arabic Gaza bureau chief, stands out for his dedication to covering his homeland’s conflicts over 25 years.Despite personal losses, including family deaths in air strikes and his own injuries, Dahdouh’s commitment remains unwavering.His story, highlighted during an interview in Doha, where he receives medical treatment, exemplifies journalistic courage and resilience.Wael Dahdouh talks to Al Jazeera.
Since Israel's inception in 1948, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict has centred on the occupied Palestinian territory, human rights violations and Palestinian self-determination, leading to cycles of violence and failed peace efforts.The Oslo Accords in 1993 led to the appointment of a United Nations special coordinator to oversee regional peace initiatives.Amid Israel's continuing war on Gaza, with severe humanitarian crises and escalating violence, the coordinator faces the challenging task of navigating this complex and volatile landscape.Find out more as the UN special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, Tor Wennesland, talks to Al Jazeera.
From Augusto Pinochet's dictatorship to democracy, Chile has navigated a complex history marked by human rights abuses.Efforts to reconcile with its past continue amid social movements and constitutional debates.We explore the nation's journey that reflects the enduring impact of authoritarian rule and the continuing quest for justice as Carolina Toha, Chile's interior minister, talks to Al Jazeera.
In this episode, we explore the essential role of non-governmental organisations in confronting global emergencies.The International Rescue Committee, initiated by Albert Einstein, is known for its impactful work.The organisation delivers aid and hope to at-risk populations in conflict zones, notably Gaza, marked as the most hazardous area for civilians and aid workers.Amid turmoil in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Ukraine, David Miliband, president of the International Rescue Committee, talks to Al Jazeera.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi discusses her country's stance at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Israel's occupation of Palestine amid the Gaza conflict.Highlighting Indonesia's advocacy for Palestinian rights and the adherence to international law, Marsudi also confronts concerns over declining democracy under President Joko Widodo.As Indonesia faces a presidential transition to Prabowo Subianto, she reflects on whether she would like to continue in office, emphasising the nation's role on the global stage.Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi talks to Al Jazeera.
Sebastiao Salgado's photography, initially rooted in news, evolved into a profound documentary-style work that captures human and environmental narratives.His work spans from the raw realities of Brazil's Mina Pelada goldmines, African famines, and the Rwandan genocide to the beauty and urgency of conservation and the lives of indigenous communities.Salgado's lens reveals the depth of human resilience, fragility, and the natural world, transforming his images into more than documentation but a testament to the human soul and Earth's imperative beauty.We explore his journey as photographer Sebastiao Salgado talks to Al Jazeera.
In an era where freedom of expression faces unprecedented challenges globally, Irene Khan stands as a beacon of hope.With a rich background in human rights advocacy, Khan has battled against censorship, intimidation and the suppression of free speech.Her efforts underscore the importance of this fundamental human right in holding the powerful to account, even as wars and repressive regimes threaten its very existence.We explore her mission to ensure that voices worldwide can speak out without fear as Irene Khan, the UN Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Opinion and Expression, talks to Al Jazeera.
Tracing Norway’s diplomatic journey from Trygve Lie’s pivotal role as the first United Nations secretary-general to its instrumental part in the Oslo Accords, a landmark agreement in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Norway has long been a beacon of international peace and neutrality.Its commitment to these principles faces new tests with the current war on Gaza, raising questions about its arms export policies and the indirect implications for regions in turmoil.Amid these complexities, Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide talks to Al Jazeera.
Amidst challenges like poverty, protests and the impact of climate change, Rio de Janeiro’s Mayor Eduardo Paes focuses on transforming the city.In his third term, he’s developing Rio as a smart city, blending technology with environmental sustainability and social integration.In response to climate change, Paes aims for as many as 40 percent "green" jobs by 2030.Reflecting on Rio’s experience in hosting the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics, his advice is to avoid simultaneous events.Find out more as the mayor of Rio de Janeiro, Eduardo Paes, talks to Al Jazeera.