A six year long inquiry has found that the reasons for London's Grenfell Tower block fire were developing over a 25 year period. Analyst Anatol Lieven argues that recent attacks by both Russia and Ukraine have achieved little. And it's 100 years since the birth of New Zealand writer Janet Frame ..read more

Political correspondent Laura Tingle on Australia's slow economic growth. Journalist Paola Totaro asks why those convicted of financial crimes in the Vatican are not yet behind bars. And Benjamin Law on the power and politics of portrait painting.   ..read more

Alfred Dreyfus was an officer in the French Army when he was arrested 130 years ago for treason, convicted and sent to Devils Island for 5 years in solitary confinement.  His battle for justice divided the population of France and fascinated people across the globe.  How much of his persecution can be put down to antisemitism and why is this case still so relevant? Guest: Maurice Samuels, author of Alfred Dreyfus: The man at the centre of the affair (Yale University Press ..read more

Mass protests in Israel indicate a clear dissatisfaction with prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu over his handling of the hostage situation, but polls show support for the war on Gaza remains high. Plus the Aussie women who fell in love with America and the freedom it offered them, a century ago.  ..read more

Analysis of current events to the hottest debates in politics, science, philosophy and culture ..read more

Journalist Joerg Schmitt solves the mystery of who blew up the Nord Stream gas pipeline in the Baltic Sea. Dr Elizabeth Cham on how Australia's trustee companies became large, market-listed entities - and what that means for philanthropy. Plus neuroscientist Gregory Berns on the secret life of cows.   ..read more

What role is the Arab American vote playing in the US Presidential election so far, particularly in the swing state of Michigan? Plus the Yorkshire lad who became the UK's poet laureate - Simon Armitage.  ..read more

Laura Tingle on the government's deal to pass CFMEU administration laws, plus changes to the NDIS and aged care. Why Malaysia wants to join the BRICS alliance of middle-power nations. And, the long history of the divisive anchovy.  ..read more

How did we come to live in a world ruled by - mostly - idiots? And can we fix our struggling democracies by enfranchising children as young as six? Political philosopher David Runciman attempts to pump some adrenaline into our limp and languishing systems. Plus, the staggering beauty and fragility of island ecosystems.  ..read more

Since the war in Gaza broke out there has been a crisis of censorship in the arts sector around the world, in what the not-for-profit group Freemuse is calling a most alarming moment for freedom of expression. Here in Australia pianist Jayson Gillham had his concerts cancelled after speaking about the killing of journalists in Gaza, and arts organisations have lost millions in funding from donors. So what rights do artists have to express political views? And what should the consequences be?  ..read more