First Wednesday
First Wednesday: Foreign policy, diplomacy and the new world order
With people movements rising up across the Middle East and North Africa the US, the UK and other European powers have had to think fast, abandoning old friends and allies and attempting to form new alliances with emerging leaders. Join us with Paddy O’Connell of BBC Radio 4’s Broadcasting House to discuss the new political landscape and the challenges it represents – have the rules of engagement changed or is the West trying to play the same game with different players?
First Wednesday: People, Protest and Democracy in the Middle East and North Africa
As protests continue across the Middle East and North Africa, March’s First Wednesday event will be an opportunity to discuss the Libya crisis and take stock of events elsewhere in the region.
FULLY BOOKED First Wednesday: The Tunisian domino effect and the Middle East
At February’s First Wednesday we will be bringing together a panel of experts to discuss the recent unrest in the Middle East since demonstrators in Tunisia ousted President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali.
Following unrest in a number of North African and Middle East countries, the world’s attention is now on Egypt, where the next 48 hours are considered crucial in determining the future of this pivotal country.
We hope you will join us to discuss the remarkable events of recent weeks and on the nature of the changes that are taking place in Egypt and what they mean for the future of the region.
First Wednesday: Inside Al-Qaeda
Another opportunity to join in a lively public meeting, hosted by Paddy O’Connell of BBC Radio 4’s Broadcasting House. We will be beginning the year by bringing together a panel of experts and commentators to discuss the inner workings of Al-Qaeda with our audience.
First Wednesday: WikiLeaks – The US embassy cables
Following the release this weekend of 251,287 confidential United States embassy cables, this month’s First Wednesday debate will focus on the revelations of this latest leak from whistle-blower website WikiLeaks. We will be joined by WikiLeaks spokesperson Kristinn Hrafnsson and an expert panel.
First Wednesday: US midterms – the reckoning and Yemen, what happens next?
Another opportunity to join in a lively public meeting, hosted by Paddy O’Connell of BBC Radio 4’s Broadcasting House, which brings together experts and commentators and mixes their views with contributions from our audience.
First Wednesday: The looming power shift in North Korea and the nuclear threat beyond
View in iTunes Little is known about Kim Jong-il’s youngest son Kim Jong Un but his promotion to North Korea’s powerful defence commission is being interpreted as a clear sign that he is being groomed to be his father’s heir. If Kim Jong-il is paving the way for a handover of power to a third […]
First Wednesday: Natural disaster and political turmoil in Pakistan
Paddy O’Connell of BBC Radio 4’s Broadcasting House will be in the chair as the Frontline Club’s First Wednesday discussions return after a summer break. These lively public meetings bring together experts and commentators and mix their views with contributions from our audience.
First Wednesday: Iran, democracy and an international war of words
Join us for another of our First Wednesday discussions: lively public meetings that bring together experts and commentators and mix their views with contributions from our audience. We’ll be discussing the domestic and international challenges facing modern Iran.
First Wednesday: The “war on terror” are Russia and the West now on the same side?
Paddy O’Connell of BBC Radio 4’s Broadcasting House returns to his seat for another First Wednesday at the Frontline Club.
Like a public meeting, the emphasis of First Wednesday events is on discussion, bringing together experts and commentators on a wide range of issues with lots of opportunity to ask questions and contribute from the floor.
First Wednesday – Focus on Afghanistan and Operation Moshtarak
Paddy O’Connell of BBC Radio 4’s Broadcasting House will be in the chair for another of our First Wednesday discussions. First Wednesdays are an opportunity to debate with experts and commentators on a wide range of issues from domestic politics to international affairs, climate change and economics.
First Wednesday: Haiti
Paddy O’Connell of BBC Radio 4’s Broadcasting House will be in the chair for another of our First Wednesday discussions. First Wednesdays are an opportunity to debate with experts and commentators on a wide range of issues from domestic politics to international affairs, climate change and economics.
First Wednesday
Paddy O’Connell of BBC Radio 4’s Broadcasting House will be in the chair for another of our First Wednesday discussions. First Wednesdays are an opportunity to debate with experts and commentators on a wide range of issues from domestic politics to international affairs, climate change and economics.
First Wednesday: Democracy in Afghanistan and Iraq – what went wrong?
What do the troubled elections in Afghanistan and the continuing violence in Iraq teach us about the West’s attempt to import democracy around the world?
In his book Democracy Kills: What’s So Good About Having The Vote BBC foreign correspondent Humphrey Hawksley criticises Western governments for their failure to draw up detailed plans for after the overthrow of the Taliban in Afghanistan and of Saddam Hussein in Iraq. With a panel of experts Humphrey Hawksley will examine the record of the West’s democratic mission and ask if there can be a transition from dictatorship to democracy without bloodshed.
First Wednesday: Iran’s nuclear programme
Ahead of the next round of talks later this month, a distinguished panel of experts will be discussing the Islamic republic’s controversial nuclear programme at the Frontline Club.
Join us to discuss the state of play following diplomatic talks in Geneva between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council. What can be expected of the 25 October talks? Will re-elected president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad respond positively to Barack Obama’s appeal to Tehran that it “unclench its fist” or could we be facing a nuclear arms race that will threaten the future of the Middle East and beyond?
Paddy O’Connell will be moderating the second of these fast-paced dynamic debates.
FIRST WEDNESDAY Afghanistan Then and Now
What does the election tell us about the state of play in Afghanistan? Join us for the first of the First Wednesdays with: Havana Marking, director of the acclaimed documentary Afghan Star; Emal Pasarly, multi media editor, BBC World Service Persian-Pashto section; Pia Heikkila who recently returned from filming in Afghanistan; Sam Kiley, award-winning journalist whose book on Afghanistan Desperate Glory is published on 7 September.
This event will be moderated by Patrick O’Connell, presenter of BBC Radio 4’s Broadcasting House