In an interview with DW's Conflict Zone, Russian former Duma MP Ilya Ponomarev said Vladimir Putin's war aims go way beyond Ukraine. He argues that it is NATO in the Russian president's sights.

The world has changed and previous ideas about mutual deterrence no longer apply, Andrei Fedorov, former Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, told DW’s Conflict Zone.

Dozens of former Trump officials have been subpoenaed by a Congressional committee over the attack on the U.S. Capitol in January. Will former Trump advisor Jason Miller cooperate? Tim Sebastian asks him on DW’s Conflict Zone.

In a sign of growing impatience, Joe Biden's administration has stepped up its objections to a new abortion law in Texas and asked the Supreme Court to block it. Our guest this week is Bryan Hughes, a Texas State Senator who spearheaded the legislation. What makes him think he's doing the right thing?

There is "no alternative" to EU membership for North Macedonia, the prime minister says. But, after 16 years of waiting, can the country overcome serious hurdles to join the bloc? Zoran Zaev is on Conflict Zone.

In a sign of growing impatience, Joe Biden's administration has stepped up its objections to a new abortion law in Texas and asked the Supreme Court to block it. Our guest this week is Bryan Hughes, a Texas state senator who spearheaded the legislation. What makes him think he's doing the right thing?

Governing Afghanistan today will not be easy. The 1990s was a completely different time. ''Resistance will continue" claims Jawed Ludin, a former advisor to President Hamid Karzai in an interview with Tim Sebastian on Conflict Zone this week. He also admits: ''One thing that has changed is that today's Taliban have a very deep-seated vengeance."

How will the chaotic end to the US war in Afghanistan affect Washington’s relations with European allies, partners in the region, and those left behind? Former US Deputy National Security Advisor Douglas Lute says it’s not a proud moment for America, but argues that the status quo was unsustainable.

The Christian Democrats and the Greens are set to play a key role in Germany's upcoming election. But are they capable of leading Germany into a new era? DW's Conflict Zone host Tim Sebastian talks to representatives of both parties: David McAllister for the CDU and Franziska Brantner for the Greens.

For years, the government of Bangladesh has been criticized for its human rights record. Its reputation received another jolt this month with allegations of high-level bribery and corruption. DW’s Conflict Zone host Tim Sebastian confronts Gowher Rizvi, international affairs adviser to the country’s prime minister.

Has President Buhari lost control in Nigeria? Government crackdowns on protesters and a Twitter ban suggest weakness at the top, while citizens face rising terrorism. Conflict Zone meets Abuja’s ambassador to Germany.

Why does the EU so often punch below its weight? The Vice Chair of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee tells DW that EU may need to drop the unanimous decision-making on foreign policy to go forward.

The Ukrainian foreign minister joins Conflict Zone remotely from Kyiv and tells DW's Tim Sebastian that after the recent build-up of Russian troops at the border, "[w]hat is happening cannot be called a withdrawal."

The Council of Europe's verdict on human rights in Europe makes unpleasant reading, saying the continent's democratic environment and institutions are in "mutually reinforcing decline." What has gone so wrong?

A cease-fire between Israel and the militant Palestinian group Hamas has been holding after the recent surge in fighting, but it remains fragile. Is Hamas willing to take responsibility for its share of the blame, and is there any chance for peace talks to resume? Basem Naim, Hamas spokesman in Gaza, speaks to Conflict Zone. 

Israeli Foreign Ministry Advisor Michael Freeman tells DW that every innocent civilian killed is a tragedy but says Hamas are the ones who are stealing the future of Palestinian children.

Libya has a new government of national unity, which promises free elections by the end of this year. But the roadblocks it faces are immense. DW’s Conflict Zone confronts the country’s ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Tamim Baiou.

Donald Trump lost the election but won't go quietly. Is his party unwilling or just too afraid to call time on their defeated leader? Jack Kingston, a former Republican lawmaker and Trump adviser, talks to Conflict Zone

Talking to DW Conflict Zone host Tim Sebastian, a prominent member of Germany’s ruling CDU party strongly criticized the two conservative politicians at the heart of a damaging mask procurement scandal. Andreas Nick said these cases are “totally unacceptable” and called for a "very clear process" to ensure compliance with ethical standards.

Amid a slow vaccination rollout and growing fears of new mutations, the World Health Organization's top official for Europe is confident his organization is functioning well in the fight against coronavirus. In a heated interview with DW's Conflict Zone, Hans Kluge defended the organization's dealings with China and called for restoring the public's faith in science.

Is Imran Khan calling the shots in Pakistan? On Conflict Zone, his science minister hits back at opposition claims that the military really are in charge. Fawad Chaudhry joins DW’s Sarah Kelly down the line from Islamabad.

Are mass arrests in Hong Kong a further erosion of its freedoms? A pro-Beijing lawmaker says there has been a “tightening” on freedom of expression, but the world is “overreacting” and investigations have to run their course.

A leading member of Britain’s Conservative Party has acknowledged that there will be initial difficulties as a result of the recent free trade deal between the UK and the EU, but defended the agreement as one that is beneficial for both parties.

Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has declared victory in the conflict in Tigray, but a humanitarian crisis is growing. Zadig Abraha, the minister for democratization, is on DW's Conflict Zone.