After two years of war, Israel and Hamas have agreed to a fragile ceasefire. Hostages are set to be released, Israeli forces will withdraw from Gaza, and aid is moving again — but for how long? Guy Burton explains what the Gaza deal actually means, why it happened now, and why it may not last. From political pressure in Israel and Hamas’s weakened position to U.S. election-year diplomacy, this ten-minute episode breaks down the stakes, the numbers, and the risks behind the headlines.

Nearly a year after Assad’s fall, Syria is voting again — but what do these indirect elections really mean? Join me, Guy Burton, as we unpack the fragile politics, economic challenges, and foreign influences shaping the “New Syria,” and ask whether the country can turn this tentative peace into lasting stability.

Russia’s latest drone attack on Kyiv highlights how military drones are transforming modern warfare. In this episode of Ten Minutes On…, Guy Burton explores Ukraine’s cutting-edge drone tactics, lessons from U.S. drone strikes in the Global War on Terror and the ethical and legal challenges of AI-powered and autonomous drones. Discover how drones are shaping battlefield strategy, civilian risk and the future of war — from precision strikes to asymmetric defence and the emerging global drone a...

What happens when governments hand power to algorithms? In this episode, we take a sharp look at Diella, Albania’s world-first AI “minister,” and ask whether she’s fighting corruption or just window dressing for Prime Minister Rama’s EU ambitions. From Tirana to London, Paris, and Singapore, we explore how AI is reshaping policymaking, the promises and pitfalls revealed in new OECD and Institute for Government reports, and why transparency and human judgment still matter. AI in government is ...

Government debt is back in the headlines. From Britain’s stretched finances to France’s budget battles and America’s ballooning deficits, the numbers look grim. In this episode, we dig into why debt has piled up in advanced economies, how today’s challenges differ from those in emerging markets, and why the old post-war model of borrowing has broken down. We’ll look at the limited — and often unpalatable — policy options left on the table, and what it means when markets, not governments, incr...

Kim Jong Un just took his daughter to Beijing — signalling the future of North Korea’s dictatorship. In this episode, we unpack what her debut means for succession, nuclear power and Pyongyang’s dangerous new ties with Russia and China.

This week on 10 Minutes On, we look at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in China. Are Russia, China, and India really forming an alliance — or is the picture more about image, influence, and a shifting world order?

Last Thursday, the United States and China reached a new trade agreement, lifting export restrictions on rare earth materials. In this episode of Ten Minutes On..., host Guy Burton takes a step back from the immediate headlines to explore the broader landscape of the rare earths market. Rather than a narrow news recap, this episode offers a wider perspective on the geopolitical, economic, and environmental forces shaping global access to these critical materials. From China’s long-standing do...

In this episode of Ten Minutes On, we unpack Pakistan’s surprising decision to nominate Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize — on the very same day he ordered airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Join us as we explore the contradictions and geopolitical calculations behind this bizarre moment in international diplomacy. What motivated Pakistan’s move? How does it reflect its position between India, China, Iran, and the US? And could Trump — bombastic as ever — genuinely win the world’s...

After Israel launched airstrikes on Iran and Iran hit back, we've now observed nearly a week of war between the two. But why did this happen and what are the consequences for both Israel and Iran, as well as other major actors like the US, other Western actors and supposed Iranian partners like China and Russia? To answer these questions, Guy takes a deep dive into the developments that have happened over the past week and provides some broader insights and explanations to help you understand...

In this episode of Ten Minutes On…, we explore the shifting landscape of the global economy in 2025. From renewed US-China trade talks and China’s rare earth export controls to signs of deflation in Beijing and cautious optimism from central banks in Europe, India, and the US — what do these developments tell us about where the world economy might be heading? We unpack the data, the diplomacy, and the politics behind the headlines, and ask whether this moment signals a recovery or just anothe...

In this week’s episode of Ten Minutes On..., we explore the eerie déjà vu of U.S. policy towards Iran’s nuclear programme. From the Obama-era JCPOA to Trump’s dramatic withdrawal and back again to something suspiciously similar—what exactly is America trying to achieve? And does it even know? Dr Guy Burton dissects the latest round of U.S.–Iran nuclear negotiations, the inconsistencies between public posturing and private proposals, and the curious pattern of recycled diplomacy dressed up as ...

In this week’s episode of Ten Minutes On, we take a closer look at the growing political unrest and economic crisis in Argentina, where President Javier Milei’s austerity measures have triggered widespread protests. With the country grappling with inflation, pension cuts, and social discontent, we ask: what’s really driving the turmoil, and how are different groups—from football ultras to pensioners—responding? We explore Milei’s rise, his libertarian economic policies, and why Argentin...

Last week US President Donald Trump's visit to the Gulf region - Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE. What does this mean for those countries as well as other regional states like Turkey, Israel and Iran, as well as for other, outside powers like China and Europe?

On Monday the militant Kurdish group the PKK announced that it would dissolve itself, supposedly bringing an end to its 40-year armed struggle against Turkey. What has been the reaction to that announcement and what are the prospects for a better political future for Turkey's Kurds as a result?

Last week the prospects of war between India and Pakistan rose, following the murder of 26 Indian tourists by Islamist militants in Kashmir two weeks ago. In this episode, Guy looks at what military action might look like, what outside actors like the US and China could do to restrain the two sides and the wider economic and development context in which these two states and their societies are operating - and which if those challenges might be addressed, could arguably redirect attention and ...

Following Pope Francis's death and funeral, attention is now turning to who will succeed him at the conclave scheduled for 7 May. But as Guy points out, that's not how those in the Vatican are approaching this. He points out the importance of the general congregation that is taking right now, where interventions are being made on Francis's actions and legacy are being discussed, alongside the current and future state of the Church and the world. It is from those observations will determine th...

This week Guy looks at the differences that exist between the US and Europe - not just between the leaderships on Ukraine, but beyond them to other issues like NATO and tariffs as well as in terms of public sentiment. Guy looks at some of the recent polling that has come out in both the US and Europe. He notes that there is a growing gulf grows between American and European publics and asks what this means for future transatlantic relations.

This week, Guy explores the pros and cons of tariffs, exploring the conflicting motivations behind US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose them last week. He also examines the options available to smaller, more vulnerable developing countries, which range from pursuing independent strategies to taking collective action—potentially including negotiating a deal with the United States. But what kind of deal is really on the table? Is it one that benefits both sides, or does it aim to win ...

Last week Myanmar experienced a 7.7 magniture earthquake which has so far killed 2000 people. This is a natural disaster which is taking place in a country wracked by war. In this week's episode Guy looks at the state of the conflict in Myanmar and the relative positions of the military junta and various opposition groups, as well as the role and actions of outside actors like China and ASEAN. Guy also examines Myanmar's current economic and development situation and what prospects there are ...