The Newsmakers

Over the past decade, the world witnessed peaceful, local protests against police brutality morph into one of the century's most brutal civil wars. Since 2011, bullets and bombs have terrorised the Syrian people. But the man many blame for that descent into chaos, is still in control. Bashar al Assad has ruled Syria for over twenty years and he's made it clear he has no plans to step down. While it's hoped the worst of the war is now behind us, Syria desperately needs to rebuild and forge a path forward. But with Assad still in power, is that even possible? Guests: Yaser Tabbara Senior Fellow at the Omran Center for Strategic Studies Joshua Landis Director of the Center for Middle East Studies Onur Erim Political Analyst and Author

Paul Rusesabagina inspired the Oscar-nominated film Hotel Rwanda, but now the man many see as a hero is facing a series of charges including financing terrorism and murder. Are the charges against him justified, or is he being targeted for his criticism of President Paul Kagame? Guests: Carine Kanimba Daughter of Paul Rusesabagina Philip Clark International Politics Professor at SOAS University Gatete Nyiringabo Ruhumuliza Lawyer and Political Analyst

Farmers in India have been protesting for months over controversial farming reforms. The ruling BJP is adamant the new laws are essential to grow India's economy, but the farmers feel they’re being cheated. Neither side is willing to back down, but eventually one will have to. Will it be the government, or the farmers? Guests: Gopal Krishna Agarwal BJP National Spokesperson Ashok Swain Professor of Peace and Conflict Research at Uppsala University Amandeep Sandhu Journalist and Writer

Aung San Suu Kyi's once-held reputation as a leader for peace was severely tarnished after she defended Myanmar's military against genocide charges at The Hague. No longer considered 'Asia's Nelson Mandela' she lost the support of the international community, but all the while gaining popularity at home. That seemed to anger military leaders who, disputing her party's landslide election victory in November, orchestrated a military coup on Monday that stripped Suu Kyi and the National League for democracy of their powers. Although the once ubiquitous red and yellow NLD flags have disappeared from sight, a quiet civil disobedience movement is growing among her supporters. But can it end the military’s takeover? Guests: Bo Kyaw Nyein Former Student Activist and Political Prisoner Win Naing Chairman of Myanmar’s National League for Democracy in the UK Phil Robertson Deputy Director of Human Rights Watch’s Asia Division

Tunisia was hailed as one of the few successes of the Arab Spring, but a decade on thousands are once again on the streets demanding change. Protesters are furious about the country’s ailing economy, corruption and police repression. The prime minister has promised reform, but can he turn his nation’s fortunes around and restore the people’s faith in government? Guests: Radwan Masmoudi Member of Tunisia's Ennahda Party Nawres Douzi Protester and Human Rights Activist Ghaya Ben Mbarek Tunisian Journalist

Joe Biden wasted no time in reversing several of his predecessor's policies, but many challenges remain. The coronavirus is still rampant, the economy is struggling and the country is more divided than it’s been for decades. Can the newly inaugurated president bring the country back together? Guests Nate Lerner Democratic Strategist and Founder of Build the Wave Adi Sathi Chief of Staff at the Young Republicans National Federation Robert Gutsche Jr US Politics Expert and Media Lecturer at Lancaster University