China and Russia vow to cooperate to create a new multipolar world order, accusing the West of undermining global stability —as both countries push back against the United States’ hegemony. Following its major diplomatic breakthrough between Iran and Saudi Arabia, could Beijing be cast in a new role as global mediator —and power broker?

As Russia’s war in Ukraine enters its second year with no end in sight and NATO countries continue to pledge more heavy weapons, what are the prospects for a negotiated settlement and peace? Can either side prevail militarily, as the war rages on? And how will the expected delays in deploying US and western battle tanks to Ukraine affect the course of the war? Ghida Fakhry asks a former NATO Supreme Allied Commander on this month’s Bigger than Five.

As leaders from Latin American and Caribbean countries met for a summit in Buenos Aires, Brazil and Argentina announced plans for a new common currency that would promote regional cooperation. With left-leaning governments coming to power in Brazil and across the region, could this be a new era for Latin America? We speak with the Coordinator of the regional summit that brought together leaders from the 33-member Community of Latin American and Caribbean States —CELAC —and that saw the return...

As the world faces a deepening energy crisis and Europe braces for a cold winter, how will the hardest-hit oil-importing countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America cope with soaring energy costs and widespread blackouts? Guests: Mauricio Cárdenas, Former Minister of Mines and Energy of Colombia and Director of the MPA in Global Leadership and Global Senior Research Fellow at the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University; Anne McLellan, Former Minister of Natural Resources and...

Even as floodwaters begin to recede in Pakistan, outbreaks of diseases such as malaria and typhoid threaten to compound the misery of the more than 7.5 million who are already displaced. Bigger Than Five speaks with Pakistan's Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari about this and other issues on the sidelines of UNGA 77.

With just four months until the next annual UN meeting on climate change, and with record breaking temperatures and heatwaves sweeping across Europe, the US and other parts of the world, the UN says it is further proof that the world is ‘on a fast track to disaster’ warning that it is ‘now or never’ to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Guests: Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, Former President of Mauritius; Kishan Kumarsingh, Lead Climate Negotiator for Trinidad and Tobago; Daniel Kammen,...

As the war in Ukraine continues and the risk of global food shortages grows, the UN Secretary General warns of an “unprecedented wave of hunger and destitution” if the crisis is not addressed. But can a looming food catastrophe be averted? Guests: Karuti Kanyinga, Director of the Institute for Development Studies at the University of Nairobi Ertharin Cousin, Former Executive Director of United Nations World Food Programme and CEO & Founder of Food Systems for the future

The old global order is being shaken up and Bigger Than Five is here to make sense of it all — with tough questions for those in power and sharp analysis about the people and politics that are changing our world. Bigger Than Five airs at 20:30 GMT on the last Saturday of each month, and also at 03:30 & 16:30 GMT on Sunday.

Full interview with former International Criminal Court prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo (2003-2012) from Bigger Than Five episode “Israel, Palestine and the ICC”

Amid mounting evidence that Israeli soldiers shot and killed a prominent Palestinian-American journalist earlier this month, and the Israeli government’s refusal to conduct a criminal investigation, will the International Criminal Court step in? Guests: Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur on Occupied Palestinian Territories Luis Moreno Ocampo, ICC Prosecutor 2003-2012

The conflict in Ukraine has exacerbated the global refugee crisis and exposed its deep inequalities. With the UN warning that over 8.5 million Ukrainians will become refugees this year, twice its initial estimate, can European countries cope? And how will it affect the tens of millions of refugees who have fled other wars and conflicts —and are still waiting to be resettled?

As the United States and other Western countries impose severe new sanctions on Russia, following its military escalation in Ukraine, sanctions in Afghanistan continue to have a devastating humanitarian impact. So why have sanctions become such a standard feature of US foreign policy? Guests: Martin Griffiths United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Adam Smith Former OFAC Director

Two years since the first Covid-19 outbreaks, the virus to spread and kill worldwide. As 2021 draws to a close, we take a look at its latest variant, Omicron, and the state of the pandemic. Will governments have to consider a new co-ordinated response? Guests: Sibongiseni Dhlomo Deputy Minister of Health of South Africa Syra Madad Senior Director of Special Pathogens Program at New York City Health + Hospitals

FW de Klerk, the former president of South Africa, who died this week at the age of 85 will be remembered by many for his political courage in dismantling apartheid. But he will also be remembered for his earlier support of and belief in racial segregation system. So, how did the last president of apartheid South Africa see his role in changing the destiny of his country?

He was Brazil’s most popular political leader, a two-time President whose run in the 2022 election against Jair Bolsonaro is widely expected. 20 years after his first election, can Lula da Silva make a political comeback and become President of Brazil, for the third time?

As the UN holds its 76th annual session of the General Assembly, world leaders pledge their renewed commitment to taking collective action to address the world’s pressing challenges. Facing a global pandemic, an ongoing refugee crisis, continuing conflicts and growing mistrust —can the UN still live up to its founding principles —and deliver for people around the world? Guest: Achim Steiner Administrator for the United Nations Development Programme

With the United States set to complete its withdrawal from Afghanistan by the end of August and the Taliban rapidly making territorial gains, Bigger Than Five travels to Kabul to meet two young Afghans who share their views and concerns about the future. The old global order is being shaken up and Bigger Than Five is here to make sense of it all - with tough questions for those in power and sharp analysis about the people and politics that are changing our world....

As the US completes its troop pullout from Afghanistan, the Taliban continue to make gains across the country amid growing questions about the stability of the Afghan government. What are the prospects for real peace among Afghans? Guests: Zalmay Khalilzad- US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Lakhdar Brahimi- Former UN Special Representative for Afghanistan The old global order is being shaken up and Bigger Than Five is here to make sense of it all - with tough...

Two of the world’s largest refugee camps are now facing the prospect of closing down. The Kakuma and Dadaab camps in Kenya are home to 430,000 refugees, primarily from Somalia and South Sudan. Many of the refugees have lived there since the camps were established three decades ago. Over half of the refugee population are children, many of whom have never known life outside the camps. In March, the Kenyan government issued an ultimatum to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees...

Displaced by war, persecution and natural disaster, tens of millions of refugees have been forced to flee their homes in search of safety. Are we doing enough to protect the most vulnerable among them: children? Guests: Philippe Lazzarini Commissioner-General of UNRWA Anne Richard Former US Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees and Migration Nadia Nadim Afghan-Danish Football Player Barbara Hendricls Opera Singer and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Maya...

In the US and Europe, governments have warned about a rise in incidents targeting Jews following the attacks on Gaza. In the US, the Anti-Defamation League reported 193 anti-Jewish hate incidents after the crisis began. And while lawmakers have spoken out against these acts, accusations of anti-semitism are becoming more widely used to target those who condemn human rights violations by the Israeli government. Here in the US, democrats have long said their criticisms of the Netanyahu...

Amid a fragile ceasefire in Gaza and ongoing Israeli military raids in occupied East Jerusalem, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken returned to Washington this week after meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. Blinken announced the US will reopen its consulate in Jerusalem which was closed by Trump — a move of little significance unless Washington withdraws is recognition of Israeli sovereignty over East Jerusalem, in line...

Jana Al-Kiswani was shot in the back just outside her home in Sheikh Jarrah. The police officer has been suspended after video of the shooting emerged. While the Israeli Ministry of Justice says it is investigating the incident, Jana tells us how this has impact her life living in Sheikh Jarrah.

Crucial action taken by the world’s wealthiest and biggest polluters could affect the long-term survival of developing countries, especially low-lying island nations like Vanuatu. Made up of 83 islands in the South Pacific, the country is the most-at-risk for natural disasters, according to a 2018 World Risk Report. Bigger Than Five visited Erakor village where development, rising sea levels, dying fish populations, and powerful cyclones are challenging the community’s way of life. Watch...