International Bar Association: Global Insight podcast

The UN’s International Impartial and Independent Mechanism Investigating Serious Crimes in Syria (or ‘triple I M’) was set up by the UN in 2016 to help investigate and assist with prosecutions of violations of international law taking place in Syria since 2011. 
In the post-Assad era, prosecutions have also begun within Syria. A historic verdict delivered recently by a Damascus court handed down death sentences against eight senior officials, seven of them in absentia, and various shortcomings in fair trial standards have been highlighted by human rights groups. Under UN rules, the verdict has effectively frozen the IIIM’s ability to share criminal evidence files with domestic Syrian prosecutors. 
Despite this development, IIIM’s core objectives remain unchanged. 
Earlier in 2026, the IBA’s Director of Content James Lewis spoke to the IIIM’s Director, Robert Petit, about its mission, achievements and challenges. 
Pic: Angiolo / AdobeStock

During his second administration, US President Donald Trump has effectively ended America's role in international climate action. He has withdrawn from the Paris Agreement and set in motion the departure of the US from the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, while heavily promoting fossil fuel initiatives in the name of 'unleashing American energy.'
In this Global Insight podcast, our speakers consider the implications of America's retreat, as well as efforts by other countries to collaborate on climate issues, which stand in contrast to the US approach.
With:

Sue Biniaz, former lawyer and climate negotiator with the US State Department

Alden Meyer, climate strategy think-tank E3G

Alex Rafalowicz, Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative

China’s latest five-year plan reaffirmed support for the country’s clean energy transition, following its pledge to reduce economy-wide net greenhouse-gas emissions in absolute terms, by seven to ten per cent from peak levels by 2035. 
While China remains the world’s largest annual greenhouse-gas emitter, its stated policy direction contrasts sharply with that of the US – the world’s second-largest annual emitter – where President Donald Trump has sought to expand oil and gas production and rolled back green initiatives as part of an effort to ‘unleash’ American energy.

In this podcast, our speakers consider the challenges and opportunities facing China, as well as the implications for other parts of the world, particularly India and Africa.
With:

Yuhua Yang, partner at Thornhill Legal, London – a China-centric international practice

Christoph Nedopil Wang of the Griffith Asia Institute, Brisbane ­– a research institute focusing on new opportunities and major challenges in Asia and the Pacific 

Avirup Nag, partner in the M&A and Energy & Infrastructure Team, Saraf & Partners, New Delhi

Image: Molten salt tower solar thermal power station in Jiuquan, Gansu Province, China 泰豪 顾/Adobe Stock

This podcast contains a clip from a Southern Finance Omnimedia Corporation interview with Selwin Hart, Special Adviser and Assistant Secretary-General for Climate Action at United Nations, available at www.youtube.com/watch?v=idTZYWXJmHA

Ten years ago, the UK voted to leave the EU, leading to a sustained period of upheaval and uncertainty. A decade on, Brexit continues to affect everything from defence and security to the economy, tech, AI and the rule of law.
This Global Insight podcast assesses the UK's relationship with the EU, which the UK government has recently sought to ‘reset’.
With:

Benjamin Martill, Associate Fellow in the ‘UK in the World’ Programme at think-tank Chatham House;

Sarah Andrew, Legal and Campaign Director, Avaaz; 

Catherine Barnard, Professor of EU Law at the University of Cambridge, and

Kerstin Mathias, Director, International Affairs at trade association UK Finance.

The independence of the US Department of Justice (DOJ) from political interference is central to the rule of law in America.
Critics argue that, during President Trump’s second term, this principle has come under pressure on several fronts, including allegations that the President has pressed the department to pursue cases against his opponents for personal or political reasons. 
Concerns have also been raised about conflicts of interest and the leadership of the DOJ: former Attorney General Pam Bondi was a close ally of President Trump who served on his first impeachment defence team, while current Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche previously represented Trump in several criminal cases. Bondi was removed from the role in April, reportedly amid controversy over her handling of the Epstein files and frustration within the administration over the pace of politically sensitive prosecutions. 
While there are concerns, court rulings and institutional pushback suggest that the wider US justice system continues to provide some counterbalance.
This IBA Global Insight podcast features:

Gene Rossi, former federal prosecutor; shareholder, Carlton Fields, Washington DC

Richard Painter, Associate Counsel to the President and Chief White House Ethics Lawyer under President George W Bush; Professor of Corporate Law, University of Minnesota

Glenn Kirschner, former DOJ prosecutor with 30 years of trial experience, Washington DC

Image: US Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche depart following a closed-door briefing for members of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, on the Justice Department's handling of the Epstein investigation and compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, US, 18 March 2026. REUTERS/Nathan Howard