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

Bigger Than Five

A 'Moment of Truth' for the UN | Bigger Than Five

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. ?www.trtworld.com/video/bigger-than-five Follow us: ?@_BiggerThanFive ?@Ghida_Fakhry Subscribe: ? Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3pYJ2m7

Anxious Afghans Amid a Taliban Return | Bigger Than Five

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 questions for those in power and sharp analysis about the people and politics that are changing our world. ?www.trtworld.com/video/bigger-than-five Follow us: ?@_BiggerThanFive ?@Ghida_Fakhry Subscribe: ? Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3pYJ2m7

US Exit from Afghanistan | Bigger Than Five

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 to present a plan for closure of the two camps within two weeks or the Kenyan government would begin repatriating the refugees. UNHCR and the Kenyan government came to an agreement to close the camp by next June. Refugees who live in Kakuma are worried about the impending closure of the camp. Here’s the story of Jelly Naomi, a mother of four, filmed by refugees who also live in Kakuma.

Closing Kakuma Refugee Camp | Bigger Than Five

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 Sanbar Palestinian-Lebanese Director and Multimedia Artist

The Plight of Refugees | Bigger Than Five

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 government —which some progressives have described as an “apartheid state” —should not be labeled as anti-semitism. This week, four American democratic lawmakers signed a letter to President Biden saying they “re-ject comments from Members of Congress accusing Israel of being an ‘apartheid state’ and commit-ting ‘act[s]’ of terrorism. These statements are antisemitic at their core and contribute to a climate that is hostile to many Jews.” Many Israeli and Jewish scholars are speaking out against attempts to accuse those with legitimate criticisms of the Israeli government as being ‘anti-Semitic’. One of those scholars is Avi Shlaim, professor emeritus of international relations at St Antony's College, Oxford University. He is also the author of The Iron Wall: Israel and the Arab World.

The Anti-Semitism Argument with Avi Shlaim | Bigger Than Five

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 with international law. Blinken also said the US would provide $112 million for the reconstruction of Gaza, bringing the total aid to $360 million. This while the State Department has approved a 735 million dollar sale of weapons to Israel, bypassing congressional approval. So, after 11 days of intense bombing and a tenuous ceasefire —will the renewed diplomatic activity break the political gridlock in Israel and occupied Palestine?

The Question of Palestine | Bigger Than Five

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.

Shot by an Israeli Rubber Bullet | Bigger Than Five

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 the full show ?https://youtu.be/G2Y0fgjxyk4 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. ?http://trt.world/13qv​​​ Follow us: ?https://twitter.com/_biggerthanfive​ ?https://twitter.com/ghida_fakhry​ Subscribe: ? Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3pYJ2m7​​

On the Frontlines of the Climate Crisis | Bigger Than Five

The United States takes center stage in the fight against the climate crisis, as dozens of leaders attend its first virtual climate summit. But are their lofty commitments grounded in reality? And will they help keep the most vulnerable afloat?

Changing the Climate | Bigger Than Five

The US is seeing a surge of asylum-seekers attempting to cross the US-Mexico Border, even though the Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas has said the southern border is ‘closed’. Bigger Than Five travels to El Zonte, El Salvador to speak with Marvin Alvarado who tried to cross into the US after being deported. He recounts his experience and tells us why he is willing to make the dangerous trip, once again. 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. ?http://trt.world/13qv​​ Follow us: ?https://twitter.com/_biggerthanfive ?https://twitter.com/ghida_fakhry Subscribe: ? Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3pYJ2m7​

A Migrant's Journey | Bigger Than Five

President Joe Biden is facing a growing crisis at the US-Mexico border, with the influx of thousands of unaccompanied minors from Central America—a surge that is on pace to become the ‘largest in the last 20 years’ according to the Department of Homeland Security. Over 15,000 unaccompanied children are reportedly being kept at overcrowded facilities along the border, with the Administration facing criticism and pressure to address the situation. President Biden has appointed his Vice President, Kamala Harris, to lead the White House’s efforts to stem the flow of migrants from Mexico and the Northern Triangle countries: Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala. On his first day in office, President Biden rescinded a number of Trump’s immigration policies and initiated the reform of the immigration system by sending to Congress draft legislation to provide a pathway to US citizenship for an estimated 11 million undocumented aliens living in the United States. He also eased restrictions for asylum seekers and terminated a policy that required migrants to remain in Mexico while petitioning to enter the US. Last month, nearly 19,000 family members and 9,400 unaccompanied minors entered the country and were taken into custody by U.S. border officials. Over the last three weeks, US government data shows that on average, more than 500 unaccompanied minors have been crossing into the United States every day. The Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, himself a refugee from Cuba, said the southern border is now ‘closed’. But is the Administration sending the wrong signals to those seeking asylum by promising ‘a fair and humane’ policy? Guests: Meg Galas- International Rescue Committee’s Country Director for El Salvador David Leopold- former Advisor to President Biden’s transitional team and former President of the American Immigration Lawyers Association Ali Noorani- President and CEO of the National Immigration Forum 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. ?http://trt.world/13qv​​ Follow us: ?https://twitter.com/_biggerthanfive ?https://twitter.com/ghida_fakhry Subscribe: ? Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3pYJ2m7​

Crisis at the US-Mexico Border | Bigger Than Five

Min Zaw Oo, the Executive Director of the Myanmar Institute for Peace and Security, tells us that Myanmar has reached its 'lowest point of public relations between the military and general public.’

Myanmar’s Breakdown of Trust

Anti-coup protesters have taken to the streets of Myanmar calling for the reinstatement of the elected government. Some demonstrators are also calling to abolish the 2008 Constitution, which some viewed as a pathway to democracy, but others believed left too much political power in the hands of the military. Bigger Than Five went to Yangon, Myanmar’s biggest city, to hear from protesters there.

Uprising in Myanmar | Bigger Than Five

Protests in Myanmar continue as a military coup challenges the country’s path towards democracy. Will outside pressure bring an end to human rights violations or will impunity —once again— prevail? Guests: Tom Andrews- the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar Joanne Lin- Amnesty International’s National Director of Advocacy and Government Affairs 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. ?http://trt.world/13qv​ Follow us: ?@_BiggerThanFive ?@Ghida_Fakhry Subscribe: ? Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3pYJ2m7

Myanmar’s Military Takeover | Bigger Than Five

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.