Show Notes
Saddam Hussein was toppled as Iraq’s head of state in 2003 after US-led forces invaded the country. World Questions is in Iraq with a public audience and a panel of politicians and thinkers to mark the 20th anniversary. They address today’s issues and there is passion and excitement as Iraqis debate openly whether life is better now than it was under Saddam. Foreign influence, corruption, the rights of women and Iraq’s potential as a tourist destination are all discussed by a panel facing questions from the public. The panel: Mohamed Al Daraji: Senior Advisor on Technical Matters to the Prime Minister of Iraq Suadad Al Salhy: Senior Reporter for Middle East Eye Tara Berhan Shwani: Senior Associate International Republican Institute Dhiaa Al Asadi: Former leader of the Sadrist Bloc in Parliament Presenter: Jonny Dymond Producer: Charlie Taylor BBC World Questions is a series of international events created in partnership with the British Council, which connects the UK and the world through arts, culture, education and the English language. (Photo: Iraqi men beat a bust of Saddam Hussein in Baghdad, December 2003. Credit: Ahmad al-Rubaye/AFP/Getty Images)
More from World Questions
Distrust over online content is at an all time high in Nigeria. As elections approach, how can Nigerians separate the truth from the lies? And as economic statistics say one thing but the cost of living seems to tell a different story, Jonny Dymond and a panel and audience at the University of Lagos debate trust in Nigeria. The panel includes: Aisha Yesufu, human rights activist and co-founder, Bring Back Our Girls movement; Tonye Cole, co-founder of Sahara Group and former candidate for governor of Rivers State; Tolu Ogunlesi, writer, former special assistant to the president on Digital and New Media; Nabilah Usman, presenter of Now Breakfast and general manager, Radio Now 95.3 FM and Cheta Nwanze, political risk analyst and lead partner of SBM Intelligence Producer: Helen Towner and Charlie Taylor (Image: People at newspaper stands in Nigerian market. Credit: Tolu Owoeye/Getty Images)
The country’s housing crisis, the influence of Russian disinformation, the future of Czech radio and TV, and how to improve life for people outside the big cities, are just some of the issues up for debate. Jonny Dymond is joined by leading politicians and commentators and questioners from across the country, including Jaroslav Bžoch, Member of the European Parliament for the governing ANO party; Michaela Šebelová, Member of the Chamber of Deputies for the opposition STAN party; Olga Richterová, Member of the Chamber of Deputies for the opposition Pirates party and Michal Semin, a journalist and conservative activist. (Photo: Protest in support of Czech public broadcasters in Prague. One protester at the front waves a red, white and blue Czech flag. Credit: EPA/Shutterstock) Presenter: Jonny Dymond Sound engineer: Rosie Nieder, Ian Mitchell, Gabriel O'Regan Producer: Helen Towner
A special edition of World Questions, putting young Moroccan women at the centre of a national debate about rights, faith, and family law reform. Jonny Dymond chairs a diverse panel of women’s advocates in Marrakesh as they debate issues such as child marriage, inheritance, tradition and respect for women. As a new generation pushes for change, reform is being debated openly in Morocco and this programme hears from a panel and audience of young women at a pivotal moment in civil society. The panel : • Frizzy – Rapper and singer of the anthem for women’s equality campaign, ‘The Time Has Come’ • Dr Meryem Redouane – Head of the Women’s Section of the International Islamic Federation of Student Organisations (IIFSO) • Kaoutar Rias – Student at the National School of Architecture, Tetouan and member of the National Council of Student Renewal (OREMA) • Yousra Salhi - Feminist digital content creator and women’s rights activist Producer: Charlie Taylor (Photo: Young Moroccan women against a backdrop of the Moroccan flag. Credit: Getty)
MPs from Sweden’s four main political parties take part in a debate with questions from a lively and diverse audience in Stockholm. Issues raised include the tightening of immigration and citizenship rules, the privatisation of education, the threat from Russia and a return to military conscription, and Sweden’s international reputation. The panel: Karin Enström, The Moderate Party Secretary-General Morgan Johansson, The Social Democratic Party Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Mattias Karlsson, Sweden Democrats International Secretary Håkan Svenneling, Left Party, Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Presenter: Jonny Dymond Producer: Helen Towner Sound engineers: Darren Wardrobe, Kate Barker, Lewis Allsopp, Nathan Ashong (Photo: The Swedish Parliament (Riksdag) and the Riksbank Bridge with the national flag of Sweden. Credit: Getty Images)
Gen Z protestors were shot dead in the street, Nepal’s state buildings were razed to the ground, and the government collapsed last autumn. Now, after an historic election, the country is taking a step into the unknown with a new government. It is led by a rapper-turned-politician and it’s pledged to the aims of its youth. Jonny Dymond and a panel in Kathmandu debate audience questions covering the death and destruction of September 2025, future prospects for the country’s young adults, and the danger of a continuing Middle Eastern war to life in Nepal. The Panel: Rakshya Bam: Youth activist and Coordinator of the Gen Z Front Shishir Khanal MP: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Prakash Mahat: Former Finance Minister and Spokesperson for Nepali Congress Party Dr Mandira Sharma: Director, Asia and Pacific Region, International Commission of Jurists