Inside Story

We ask if the Rafik Hariri assassination trial will bring closure to a troubled chapter or fuel further violence.

As opposition groups boycott the vote, we ask how credible it can be and what it means for the future of the country.

As Thailand's political crisis lingers, we discuss growing fears that yet another military coup is imminent. Kamahl Santamaria discusses with Panitan Wattanayagorn, a professor of political science at Chulalongkorn University; Kasit Piromya, the former foreign minister of Thailand. Kasit is now an opposition member with the Democrat party.

We discuss the complex legacy of Israel's controversial former statesman and army commander. Stephen Cole talks to Yoaz Hendel, the head of the Institute for Zionist Strategies, and former director of communications for prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu; Ghassan Khatib, a professor at Bir Zeit University, and a former Palestinian minister; and Ian Black, Middle East editor for the Guardian newspaper.

As interim President Djotodia resigns, we ask how the resulting power vacuum will impact the conflict-ridden nation. Hazem Sika discusses with guests: Thierry Vircoulon, the Central African project director from the International Crisis Group; Lydie Boka, the director of Strategico, a risk analysis group; and Vincent Darracq, an Africa analyst at International SOS and Control Risks.

Are policies towards asylum seekers a legitimate stand against undocumented immigrants or a violation of human rights?

As a British delegation visits Tehran, we ask if it is to renew ties or to explore business opportunities. Inside Story with presenter Hazem Sika, discusses with guests: Sadegh Zibakalam, professor of political science at the University of Tehran; Babak Emamian, a member of the British-Iranian Business Association; and Richard Dalton, a former British ambassador to Iran.

Do celebrations marking the fall of the Khmer Rouge mask a growing discontent against decades of authoritarian rule?Inside Story with presenter Laura Kyle is Cambodia's secretary of state Siphan Phay; Cheang Vannarith, a lecturer at Leeds University and senior fellow at the Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace; and Theary Seng, a human rights activist, lawyer and writer.

With elections boycotted by the opposition and marred by violence, we discuss the prospects for the country's democracy. Inside Story presenter Laura Kyle discusses with guests: Tania Amir, a constitutional expert and barrister; Mahidur Rahman, an international affairs secretary at Bangladesh Nationalist Party's central committee; and Kailash Budhwar, a South Asia analyst.

As fighters linked to al-Qaeda take over parts of Anbar province, we ask how big a threat they pose to Iraq and Syria. To discuss this, Inside Story presenter Dareen Abughaida is joined by Mark Kimmitt, a retired brigadier general in the US army, and former military spokesman for coalition forces during Operation Iraqi Freedom; Mowaffak Alrubaie, a former Iraqi national security adviser and aide to Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki; and Salah Hashimi, a legal adviser to the Iraqi League, a UK-based rights group.

As the opposition leader urges voters to boycott the upcoming polls, we ask how further unrest will impact the country. Is the power struggle driven by politics or personal hatred between two political leaders? Inside Story presenter David Foster is joined by guests: Dilara Choudhury, a professor at North South University and author of the book Constitutional Development in Bangladesh: Stresses and Strains; Kailash Budhwar, a South Asia analyst; and Imtiaz Ahmed, a professor of International relations at the University of Dhaka.

As violence spreads across the country and rebels take control of key states we ask what can be done to ease the crisis. To discuss this, Inside Story presenter Fauzia Ibrahim is joined by guests: Barnaba Marial Benjamin, the minister of Foreign Affairs of South Sudan; Choul Laam, the chief of staff to the secretary general of the SPLM, that's short for Sudan People's Liberation Movement; and Aly Verjee, a senior researcher at the Rift Valley Institute in Doha.

From images of murder to global hoaxes, how did social media shape the news agenda in 2013? Inside Story, with presenter Shiulie Ghosh, is joined by guests: Richard Gizbert, presenter for Al Jazeera's programme Listening Post; and Rachel Clarke, head of engagement intelligence, Momentum WorldWide, a global marketing agency.

As the government arrests Al Jazeera journalists, we ask if it signals a greater crackdown against dissenting voices. Inside Story presenter Shiulie Gosh is joined by guests: Ernest Sagaga, the head of the Human Rights and Safety Department for the International Federation of Journalists; Tom Fenton, a former senior correspondent for CBS news and author of Bad News: The Decline of Reporting, the Business of News, and the Danger to Us All; Hisham Kassem, a journalist and publisher; and Bernard Smith, who has covered events in Egypt for Al Jazeera English.

What are the ramifications for Lebanon as it accepts a record military aid package from the kingdom? Laura Kyle discusses with Hisham Jaber, a retired Lebanese army general and head of the Middle East Centre for Studies and Research; Sadegh Zibakalam, a professor of political science at Tehran University; Mustafa Alani, a military analyst and senior adviser at the Gulf Research Centre.