Chancellor Angela Merkel has been dominating the German – and European – political landscape for over a decade. But after years of economic and refugee crises, unpopular decisions, and a growing divide between EU members, Merkel is facing opposition inside her country and across the Atlantic as well. With anti-establishment forces strong across Europe and a new leader in America, how will the German political landscape shape up this year? And with the new president in Germany standing against confrontation with Russia – should we be ready for a policy shift? We ask the former vice-president of the OSCE Assembly, and former state secretary to Germany’s defense minister – Willy Wimmer.
Hacking, destabilizing Western states, building up its military might, and weaponizing information – Russia is hitting the headlines and seems to be to blame for all of the world’s problems. One of the loudest anti-Russia voices is the United Kingdom, condemning Moscow’s actions and calling for economic sanctions against it. Most of the accusations are far from proven – so is there still room left for cooperation on vital issues between world powers? And now that the UK’s ally the US may be ready to change course and start making deals with Moscow, is there a chance for a change in tone? We ask Russia’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom – Alexander Yakovenko.
The European Union steps into 2017 burdened with huge issues – a never-ending flow of migrants, continuing euro zone woes, and tensions with Russia. Growing frustration with Brussels is threatening to challenge the status quo in the EU, and with elections coming up in key member states, alternative political forces could be one step away from power. Can the Union withstand the pressure? And when did the idea of a peaceful union of European nations become flawed? We ask the former president of the Czech Republic – Vaclav Klaus is on SophieCo.
Although Austria’s right-wing presidential candidate was defeated in a close election, his success has sent ripples of panic across the EU. As anti-establishment politicians gain momentum across the bloc, many predict a political storm gathering in Europe. With the victory of Donald Trump in America’s presidential election emboldening right-wing politicians, will we see a new mainstream take over the European Union? We ask the Freedom Party’s presidential candidate in Austria’s 2016 election and the third president of the National Council – Norbert Hofer.
The notion of migrants arriving in Germany and enriching the economy has proven to be a "fairytale," the leader of the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party told RT, adding that Chancellor Angela Merkel has given up the country's borders.
Turkey has launched a major military campaign in Syria, vowing to destroy Islamic State and contain Kurdish forces from expanding in the area. With a handful of international players already active in the conflict, it’s proving difficult to operate in a complex web of allegiances on the ground. On the home front, Ankara is reeling from a failed military coup, facing a Kurdish insurgency, terrorism and struggling to cope with millions of Syrian refugees on its borders. Can Turkey contain its acute troubles? And how far can it take the battle against ISIS? We're joined by a central figure in Turkey’s political establishment, former President Abdullah Gül, on SophieCo.
The terrorist attacks on France have shaken the whole Western world. More than a hundred innocents were killed, and the worst took place at the Bataclan concert hall, where people just gathered to listen to music...but instead faced death at the hands of jihadists. What was happening there, when the concert turned into a bloodbath? We speak to a man who faced death and survived, a man who was inside the Bataclan hall when it all happened. Pierre Janaszak, a survivor of the jihadist attack on Paris, is on Sophie&Co today.
Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) has been calling in recruits from all across the globe – and it’s not just men who answer. Young women come to IS to join the jihad, to be sex slaves for terrorists – or to commit terror attacks themselves. What lures girls into a life of fanaticism and violence? And how does desperation drive one into donning a belt with explosives? We pose these questions to a criminologist and terrorism expert, a reserve lieutenant colonel of the Israeli Army and a recently elected member of the Knesset. Dr Anat Berko is on SophieCo today.
America stands in first place among the world’s great powers. But the decisions taken in Washington are seen by many as questionable - even unwise - bringing even more conflict and violence. What governs decision-making in the White House? Who is listened to there? What goal does Washington pursue? Does it even have any particular goal? We ask these questions to a former Chief of Staff to Secretary of State Colin Powell, Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson, on Sophie&Co.
Elections to the European Parliament have brought groundbreaking changes in the structure of EU's most powerful body: right wing parties along with Eurosceptics, an outsiders just a few years ago, have now taken the political scene. Front Nacional party in France gets the majority - signifying that people want change; the same with other nations. But what now? Is the European change of course inevitable? What will happen to the Union itself? Today, we meet again with our special guest, the leader of the Front Nacional party. Marine Le Pen is on Sophie&Co today.
The Ukrainian crisis comes as nations within the European Union prepare to cast their votes in the May European Parliament elections. Eurosceptic parties are raising their voices, and their popularity is rapidly growing, as citizens continue to grow tired of austerity and bureaucracy ruling Europe. Will the May elections change the stakes? To find this out, Sophie talks to Dutch politician and leader of the Eurosceptic Party for Freedom, Geert Wilders.
The crisis in Ukraine and the steadily dropping temperature in relations between Moscow and Washington made many talk about a new Cold War; and many others are worried it may turn 'hot'. But there's another war going on right now: the information war. US Secretary of State Kerry has already attacked RT, calling it "Putin's propaganda machine." But Washington itself uses dubious evidence and fake facts. What is the information war? What methods is America using? Sophie talks to Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and veteran correspondent Chris Hedges.
A former US Congressman, presidential candidate, and a man with nationwide support for his views on what government should be. A legend of American politics, Ron Paul is on SophieCo show.
Crimea's secession has steered up a storm in the West, with flaming speeches being heard from politicians. However, there's little real action being taken - Why? What frightens the power players? We ask these questions to David Speedie from the Carnegie Council for Ethics and International Affairs.
The Middle East is at its boiling point. Syria is devastated by raging war. Israel threatens to deal with Iran once and for all -- with Washington towering over regional affairs. What is at the cornerstone of American foreign politics? With Iran and the US going through a diplomatic thaw, what game will Tel Aviv play? Today we look at these issues through the eyes of a member of the few, but one not proud: a former US marine who burned his passport and became an anti-war activist.
Iran is turning from a global pariah into a respectable negotiator. And it's not just about its nuclear program and Israel's threats of a strike. Iran is also believed to be a key figure in finding a peaceful solution to the Syrian crisis. What exactly is this role and how is it going to develop? We talk to Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian.
His business suffered in the wake of the NSA leaks scandal because the service he provided was used by the person now most wanted in the US - Edward Snowden. SophieCo is talking to Ladar Levison, founder and owner of encrypted email service Lavabit.com, who says all he cares for is the privacy and the trust of his clients.
As the international diplomatic crisis over NSA surveillance widens, the US is scrambling to justify its actions. While we're waiting to learn exactly what Obama wanted to hear in the conversations of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the question remains. Will mass surveillance be rolled back? Or will the world have to accept the presence of this one Big Brother? Our guest today is British Labour MEP, Claude Moraes, head of the European delegation that went to Washington to seek clarification for the NSA's actions
