Paddy O’Connell

First Wednesday: Where has war left the people of Afghanistan?

How do the Afghan people view the last ten years since the US-led invasion and how have their lives have been changed?

Is it just another chapter in nearly half a century of conflict and instability? Is civil war avoidable? Is there any hope for the future and what might that future look like?

Another opportunity to join in a lively public meeting, hosted by Paddy O’Connell of BBC Radio 4’s Broadcasting House, bringing together experts and commentators and mixing their views with contributions from our audience.

Afghan lives ten years after the launch of Operation Enduring Freedom

Video streaming by Ustream How have the lives of the Afghan people been affected during the 10 years since the US-led invasion of  the country in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States? That was the focus of  October’s First Wednesday discussion at Frontline Club, which was hosted by Paddy O’Connell, presenter of […]

FULLY BOOKED First Wednesday: Where now for the people of Syria?

Since mid – March when the Arab Spring reached Syria there have been continuous crack downs on protestors by Syrian forces. There are claims more than 1,700 civilians have been killed. The authorities in Syria claim 500 soldiers and police have been killed by armed gangs, which they also blame for most of the civilian deaths.

Join us with Paddy O’Connell of BBC Radio 4’s Broadcasting House to discuss the situation in Syria and what the future holds for the Syrian people.

The week ahead at the Frontline Club: From Syria to China’s energy pioneers

Tickets for tonight’s First Wednesday have sold out but you can watch the discussion live here. Chaired by the broadcaster Paddy O’Connell, the debate will focus on Syria as the crackdown continues, the death toll rises and the UN Security Council comes under increasing pressure to reach a resolution condemning the violence. Monday’s screening Children of the Revolution tells the […]

First Wednesday: Iran’s Green Revolution and the Arab Spring

Two years after Iranians took to the streets to protest against the apparent rigging of the presidential elections we will be examining the impact of the Arab Spring. What has been the response of the government of Iran to the uprisings? Could they inspire further protests among the people? We will also be looking at the power struggle between President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the conservative clerics and asking what it could mean for Iran’s future.

The Frontline Club: What’s coming up in the week ahead

Tonight Paddy O’Connell of BBC Radio 4’s Broadcasting House will be back in the chair for June’s First Wednesday. There are a few tickets left so book now if you want to discuss the effect of the Arab Spring in Iran and the power struggle at the heart of Iran’s government. Tomorrow evening there is […]

Can the West be trusted to support democracy in the Middle East and North Africa?

What can Western powers  do to aid genuine democracy in the Middle East and North Africa and can they be trusted, given the way that authoritarian regimes have been propped up in pursuit of ‘stability’ in the past? These were two themes that emerged from April’s First Wednesday discussion last night, which focused on the way […]

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?

The week ahead at the Frontline Club

For tonight’s First Wednesday we have brought together a panel of experts to discuss the changing nature of foreign policy and diplomacy in the Middle East and North Africa in light of the shifting alignments in the region. The panel for Saturday’s fully booked debate in partnership with the New Statesman has been announced. Next […]

FULLY BOOKED FIRST WEDNESDAY SPECIAL: What now for Egypt and its neighbours in the Middle East?

  View in iTunes Following the tumultuous events in Egypt we are holding a special First Wednesday debate to both take stock and to look at the impact that the ousting of president Hosni Mubarak could have on Egypt and its neighbours in the Middle East. We will be joined by experts on 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.

Looking back at 2010: Wikileaks at the Frontline Club

By Will Spens WikiLeaks, the whistle-blowing website that is in the process of releasing tens of thousands of classified documents relating to US military and diplomatic affairs, has been the subject of intense media scrutiny in recent months. Now under arrest following allegations of sexual assault, Julian Assange and his legal team is now fighting his possible […]

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: Pre-election night special – is this a “change” election?

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.