Empire (2009)

In his new series analysing global powers and their agendas Al Jazeera's chief political analyst Marwan Bishara focuses on the challenges facing the new US president. With such antipathy towards George Bush's foreign policy, what can the world expect from Obama and his new team?

"In this episode of Empire, Marwan Bishara, Al Jazeera's senior political analyst, and his guests zero in on the special relationship between the US and Israel. They explore who benefits from the special relationship and whether the status quo will prevail."

Marwan Bishara and his guests examine the past, present and future of Arab Unity in view of the historical processes, and geopolitical realities of the Arab World in the shadow of Empires.

Empire examines the path from Iraq to Afghanistan and into Pakistan. With the Iraq operation apparently drawing to a close and a mini-surge underway in Afghanistan, people in the region are wondering what this will all mean on the ground and what will the repercussions be for the region. As locals worry that they will be caught in the crossfire or killed by drones, experts question whether the strategy is the correct one or if it is too little, too late. Empire investigates what went wrong and the plan to fix it.

Marwan Bishara and guests discuss whether president Nicolas Sarkozy's plans to make France a key player on the world stage are all bubble and no fizz.

"Whatever the outcome of the recent troubles, Iran sees itself as a natural leader in the region. It is determined to follow an independent foreign policy, and regards the nuclear question as a matter of national pride, and nobody elses business. With war raging all around it, we ask: is Iran a regional influence, or an international threat? Empire examines a country torn between traditional values and modernity, between its imperial past and its relations with the region, between its universal pretentions and its moderate means, between its highly educated and globalised urban youth and its more conservative hinterland."

"A new Latin America is emerging on the global political stage. Marwan Bishara and guests analyse how the Obama administration may deal with Latin America and what the relations will mean on a global level. Featuring an exclusive interview with Noam Chomsky."

With global media now in the hands of supra-national players peddling their own agendas and internet giants in search of profit and influence, Empire asks what's the future for journalism in the age of media empires.

The United Nations Security Council is under attack. In a world threatened by wars, terrorism, nuclear proliferation and catastrophic climate change, the five veto-wielding permanent members are being challenged by emerging powers demanding a seat at the top table. Empire analyses past, present and future of this most powerful of clubs.

"Eight years after the launch of the 'war on terror,' how does the US view the al-Qaeda threat? Empire finds out."

As Europe adopts a new treaty to strengthen its union, and choses new authorities to speak with one voice for the continent, it confronts the fact that, with twenty seven countries, 500 million people, a combined economy bigger than the US, and almost 2 million soldiers under arms, the European Union is to all intents and purposes, a superpower. Will 27 nations be able to pull as one and become a dominant power in the 21st century?

The Middle East 'peace process' is seriously deadlocked. Israel is determined to press ahead with the expansion of settlements. Palestinians refuse to accept anything less than their total freeze, but they are divided on the best way forward - diplomacy or resistance. The diplomatic vacuum leads to more unilateral policies and radicalisation. So how can the international community help? Is a two-state solution still possible, or one state or no state?

In this episode, Empire looks at how al-Qaeda is perceived in the Muslim world. Does the US' so-called 'war on terror' serve only to alienate Muslims, driving them into the arms of extremist groups? Can the US reverse the tide of military intervention in the region and instead try to reach political solutions that involve all political parties, including repressed Islamic parties? We will also discuss whether the Arab world has an answer to the al-Qaeda challenge.

From New York to Dubai and Bangladesh, Empire looks at the impact of US-style capitalism and asks: What does the future hold for crony capitalism? And what are the alternatives to neo-liberal globalisation?

In this episode, Empire asks if US-Iranian relations have taken a turn for the worse. The time for hands extended in friendship has been replaced by menacing fists, as both sides ratchet-up the rhetoric. Will this mini cold war continue, giving both the US and Iran time and face to get back to the negotiating table, or will the bellicose words lead to a confrontation that neither side wants? Empire finds out.

Brazil, Russia, India and China are booming whilst many other countries are struggling economically, or even crashing. When their leaders recently convened in Brasilia for their second BRIC summit, they all underlined their commitment to a more democratic global governance. Will the emerging powers change the way the world works, or merely grab a bigger share of it? And what future for Brazil on the world's summit?

It once ruled a quarter of the world, but what is so great about Great Britain? And what gives this faded island off the coast of Europe the right to act like a global power player?

What happens when the world runs out of oil? Who and what will be the dominant power in the 21st century?

"Should we be worried that the superclass seems to have an ever-expanding reach that bypasses governments and remains unchecked? A new breed has emerged. They set the global agenda, ride on Gulfstreams and manage the credit crunch in their spare time. They are anything but elected; they are entrepreneurs and entertainers, media moguls and former politicians - the self-made super rich who are using their money to lay down a new set of global rules. So where did this new global aristocracy come from and who is keeping them in check? Interviewees: Paul Theroux: Writer and novelist Paul Farhi: Journalist, The Washington Post Matthew Bishop: Author of ""Philanthrocapitalism"" Christopher Hitchens: Author of ""The Trial of Henry Kissinger"" Ken Silverstein: Author of ""How lobbyists plunder the nation"" Guests: David Rothkopf: Author of ""Superclass"" Jeff Faux: Author of ""The Global Class War"" Moisés Naím: Author of ""Illicit"" Janine Wedel: Author of ""Shadow Elite"""

The US stands at a historic crossroads, redeploying its combat troops out of Iraq and surging them in Afghanistan. But are they really leaving Iraq - or just rebranding the occupation? Why is Iraqi Lieutenant General Zibari requesting a decade-long US military presence?

Empire looks at the Israeli-Palestinian talks and asks what it will take to reach the promised land.

On the 9th anniversary of 9/11, the fault lines between the US and the Muslim world seem to have expanded. As America's internal cultural wars begin to affect its foreign policy, what are the options for President Obama? Which is the real US: The one that fights for Muslims in Iraq and Afghanistan, or the one that considers US Muslims as the enemy within? And have Osama bin Laden's hopes of driving a wedge between the US and the Muslim world become a reality?

Empire asks if the United Nations is outdated and whether it can stand up to the challenges of the 21st century.

The world has entered a new arms race, but what justifies this global military addiction?

The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation is the largest military force ever assembled, with a potential armed force of more than seven million. But as its original enemies, communism and the Soviet Union, were defeated two decades ago, what is the alliance's new identity or new role?

A year after the Jasmine Revolution, can the country's new government ... herald a return to narrow, sectarian rule or consensual leadership?

With so much still undecided, did Egypt experience a popular uprising, Islamic revolution or military coup?

As global and regional powers fight their own battles, will Syria's revolution succeed before the country falls apart?

As Vladimir Putin won a third term as president, we ask if Russia can become a superpower once again.

As Europe's crisis worsens without any solution in sight is a shift in political power a sign of hope on the horizon?

After the first truly democratic elections in a generation, will Egypt become a secular, religious, or military state?

Just how much does money distort the political process? Marwan Bishara investigates the power of money and the true cost to democracy of campaign funding in the US elections.

The Middle East has served as a setting for the grand narratives of American imperial power for generations. Empire examines the complications that shape Washington's Middle East doctrine following the Arab Spring.

The voters have chosen, but what will the next four years bring?

The dawn of a Palestinian state has been a long time coming. After 65 years of dispossession, 45 years of occupation, and 20 years of failed peace attempts, on Thursday Palestine took one step closer to joining the community of nations. With a final vote of 138 to 9, an overwhelming majority of nations at the UN General Assembly voted to recognise Palestine as a non-member state. This upgrade puts Palestine on par with the Vatican, and also could allow Palestinian claims to be filed in the International Criminal Court. This recognition came just days after another in the long line of catastrophes Palestinians have faced. Under a brutal Israeli bombardment of Gaza, nearly 200 Palestinians were killed and hundreds more were wounded. Empire asks: Must the Palestinian dream of a state be Israel's nightmare? And what does the path to a just solution look like?

Empire explores the politics and power of the world's most popular sport, and the global implications of the game.

As President Barack Obama begins his second term, will the US continue to give mixed messages about Syria?

As Africa becomes the new frontline in the so-called war on terror, have the Europeans learnt from America's mistakes?

What are the real issues facing the region left unresolved by President Obama's visit?

As the global competition for energy heats up, we examine how new players are rewriting the rules of the great oil game.

With the Catholic Church at a crossroads, we examine the changes a new Pope from the global South could bring.

As a presidential candidate, Barack Obama promised transparency and open government yet his administration is one of the most closed governments in US history, described as being worse than even the Nixon administration.The technology and information revolution allows the government to cast its net wider than ever before; collecting data, watching, spying and analysing. As revelations of systemic snooping continue to hit the headlines, Empire asks: who is watching the watchers? Joining us as we unpack some of the known unknowns are Oscar-winning film director Oliver Stone, and war reporters Jeremy Scahill and Richard Rowley. We unravel the psychology of secrets with psychiatrist Justin Frank, the author of Obama on the Couch and Bush on the Couch. We look at the impact of state secrets brought to light with Dana Priest, a leading Washington Post investigative reporter on national security and author of two books, including her most recent Top Secret America: The Rise of the New American Security State. We are also joined by Michael Ratner, president emeritus of the Center for Constitutional Rights and an attorney representing Julian Assange and Wikileaks; as well as Evgeny Morozov, an expert on internet and privacy issues, and author of two books: The Net Delusion: The Dark Side of Internet Freedom and his most recent: To Save Everything, Click Here: The Folly of Technological Solutionism.

As geopolitical shifts grip Latin America, Empire examines what challenges may yet lie ahead.

"Twenty years after the historic signing of the Oslo Accords, there is still no resolution in the Arab-Israeli conflict. Since Oslo, we have seen dozens more summits, countless initiatives and several more agreements. Empire asks, why are the talks long on process, and short on peace? Why have negotiations failed under the sponsorship of the US? And how likely will peace be achieved as long as the United States remains the broker?

Empire examines the role of the US in the Middle East as it contemplates its future and fate in the region.

In the shadow of the German elections, we travel across the continent to investigate the future of the European project.

Empire delves deep into the future of the US, and asks in which state's image will the country be cast.

Empire examines the complexities and big questions that lie ahead for US-Iranian relations.

We examine the resurgence of al-Qaeda in one of the world's most troubled regions and unpick the US' response.

What is Moscow and Washington's endgame in Ukraine, and how could their strategies affect global security?

After decades of tension and hostility between the two nations, has change finally come to US-Cuba relations?

Empire examines the rise and role of the new oligarchs and the decline of democracy in the United States and beyond.

Empire examines old and new forces dominating the political scene after the Arab revolutions.

Caught between competing powers to the West and East, how can Africa emerge from the race for its riches?

We examine the dominance of the US entertainment industry and its power to shape perceptions about culture and society.

Twenty-five years since the fall of the Berlin Wall, why is European democracy in flux?

Empire asks if the global fight against terrorism is eroding the democratic principles it set out to defend.

Empire goes to Washington DC to demystify the relationship between political power and the media in the US.

Empire examines the allure of Brand America as American soft power continues to be unrivalled anywhere in the world.

Marwan Bishara examines President Obama's legacy following Donald Trump’s victory and what this means for America.