UpFront

Al Jazeera

With the thrust and parry of rigorous debate, Mehdi Hasan cuts through the headlines to challenge conventional wisdom, highlight contradictions and uncover double standards.

  1. War on Iran: US evangelicals, Israeli Zionists cite holy war | UpFront

    3 HR AGO

    War on Iran: US evangelicals, Israeli Zionists cite holy war | UpFront

    The United States and Israel have often portrayed themselves as secular democracies fighting against a theocratic Islamic regime in Iran. But as the war against Iran continues to escalate, US leaders have spoken of a biblical duty to defend Israel, military commanders have referenced divine destiny, and Israeli leaders continue to cite biblical claims to territory. So why is this religious rhetoric resurfacing now? This week on UpFront, Redi Tlhabi speaks with author and Professor of American Studies and International Affairs at George Washington University Melani McAlister, and rabbi and Professor of Modern Jewish Studies at Harvard Divinity School Shaul Magid on what happens when faith, nationalism and politics collide on the global stage.

    13 min
  2. John Mearsheimer: “We’re not going to win this war with Iran” | UpFront

    3 HR AGO

    John Mearsheimer: “We’re not going to win this war with Iran” | UpFront

    The United States has once again found itself drawn into a major conflict in the Middle East, this time with Iran. But a key question is now being debated: who pushed Washington into this conflict? Israel has played a central role in encouraging a confrontation with Tehran, warning that Iran poses an existential threat, and has urged Washington to take stronger action to stop its nuclear ambitions. But how much influence does Israel really have over US foreign policy, and did it help shape the decision to confront Iran militarily? This week on UpFront, Redi Tlhabi speaks with political scientist John Mearsheimer.

    12 min
  3. War against Iran: How far will it go? | UpFront

    6 DAYS AGO

    War against Iran: How far will it go? | UpFront

    This past week, the United States and Israel launched a war on Iran under the banner of regime change. But as the war escalates and with Iran firing missiles at US bases across the region and at Israel - questions are mounting over how far this conflict could spiral. This week on UpFront Redi Tlhabi challenges former National Security Adviser and former US Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton on why he believes that a diplomatic end to the war would be a mistake, and we speak to Joe Cirincione, author of, Nuclear Nightmares: Securing the World Before it is Too Late, about the risk of nuclear proliferation.

    25 min
  4. Gaza author and analyst Jehad Abusalim on Trump’s 'Board of Peace'

    14 FEB

    Gaza author and analyst Jehad Abusalim on Trump’s 'Board of Peace'

    More than a hundred days into Gaza’s ceasefire, Israeli strikes continue, killing hundreds of Palestinians. At the same time, United States President Donald Trump’s "Board of Peace" is pushing ahead with Gaza reconstruction plans - without any Palestinians in its top leadership - raising questions about whether meaningful change is possible without the voices of those most affected. So what comes next? Will Gaza Palestinians have any real say in shaping their own future? This week on UpFront, Marc Lamont Hill speaks with Jehad Abusalim, policy analyst and author of Light in Gaza: Writings Born of Fire, on the ceasefire, the ongoing Israeli strikes, Trump’s plans for Gaza, and what lies ahead for the territory.

    25 min
  5. Chris Hedges on Trump, Epstein and the decline of American democracy | UpFront

    7 FEB

    Chris Hedges on Trump, Epstein and the decline of American democracy | UpFront

    One year into Donald Trump’s return to office, a wave of hardline actions - from volatile ICE raids to growing concern over political pressure on the media - has raised alarm about the expansion of the president’s power. Then with US midterms approaching, attention is turning to whether there is any meaningful challenge to Republican grip on Congress. So what happens next? This week on UpFront, Marc Lamont Hill speaks with journalist and author Chris Hedges about Trump’s second presidency and whether US democracy is on the decline.

    25 min
  6. ‘Untethered, uncontrolled, uncontained’ Peter Kornbluh on Trump’s Latin America policy | UpFront

    31 JAN

    ‘Untethered, uncontrolled, uncontained’ Peter Kornbluh on Trump’s Latin America policy | UpFront

    Following United States forces’ abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, a new set of questions is emerging as to how far Donald Trump is prepared to go in pushing US power abroad through direct intervention. But is this a real break with past policy - or the latest iteration of the US's longstanding interventionist power play in Latin America? And with Cuba back in the administration’s sights, will Trump push for further action in the region? This week on UpFront, Marc Lamont Hill speaks with Senior Analyst at the National Security Archive, Peter Kornbluh.

    25 min
  7. ‘Reality has overtaken satire’: Katrina vanden Heuvel on Trump’s second term | UpFront

    26 JAN

    ‘Reality has overtaken satire’: Katrina vanden Heuvel on Trump’s second term | UpFront

    One year into his second term, United States President Donald Trump is testing the outer limits of executive power. From the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to threats towards Iran and efforts to secure control of Greenland, the administration has plunged the US into turbulent territory. Domestically, the Trump administration is enforcing hardline immigration policies. Documented reports of expanded anti-immigration operations - along with allegations of racial profiling and detentions affecting even US citizens and legal residents - have many communities on edge. Adding to this, a shaky economy has many in the US questioning Trump’s policies as his approval ratings plummet before November's midterm elections. This week on UpFront, Marc Lamont Hill speaks with Katrina vanden Heuvel, editor and publisher of The Nation magazine, about Trump testing the limits of his executive power and what this could mean for the rest of his presidency.

    25 min
  8. MeToo Founder on Epstein and sexual violence: “survivors are easy to sacrifice” | UpFront

    20/12/2025

    MeToo Founder on Epstein and sexual violence: “survivors are easy to sacrifice” | UpFront

    In 2017, a reckoning over sexual violence called “#MeToo” swept the globe. Eight years later, has the movement done enough for survivors? And what will it take for some of the world’s most powerful men accused of sexual misconduct to face consequences? This week on UpFront Marc Lamont Hill speaks to founder of the Me Too movement, Tarana Burke. The Department of Justice has released files related to the late convicted sex offender and financier Jeffrey Epstein after mounting pressure led President Donald Trump to sign the Epstein Files Transparency Act last month. Trump, who himself has been accused dozens of times of sexual assault and misconduct, has already appeared in photos, emails and other documents in connection with Epstein, causing a rift in his base. Other business elites, academics, politicians and world leaders have also been named in connection to Epstein. While some have faced minor consequences, only Ghislaine Maxwell has been criminally convicted as part of Epstein’s sex trafficking of minors. Will newly released documents lead to new convictions and genuine accountability for survivors?

    25 min
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About

With the thrust and parry of rigorous debate, Mehdi Hasan cuts through the headlines to challenge conventional wisdom, highlight contradictions and uncover double standards.

Information

  • Creator
    Al Jazeera
  • Years Active
    2015 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Al Jazeera Media Network. All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    UpFront

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