Former foreign correspondent and international news editor Barry Malone talks to the journalists covering the non-Western news we rarely hear about. Expect under-reported stories told by the people closest to them.
Proximities hosts intelligent discussions on the most important stories from Africa, the Middle East, Asia and more.
We cover the news that is getting the least attention in the mainstream international media, and add missing context to the stories that are.
Sign up to our newsletter here: proximities.news
The Proximities newsletter: https://www.proximities.news/ (https://www.proximities.news/)
Barry is on X here: https://x.com/malonebarry (https://x.com/malonebarry)
And on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/malonebarry/ (https://www.instagram.com/malonebarry/)
8 Aug 2026
Proximities | 141 people died trying to reach Ceuta. But why?
In this week's episode, we are joined by Eric Reidy, Migration & Special Coverage Editor for The New Humanitarian, to dig into what really happened in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in North Africa last week. Away from the simplistic narratives of those who sought to weaponise the incident, we learn about the complex and thorny politics at play, not only in Morocco, but in the region as a whole.
Follow Eric on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/ericreidy.bsky.social (https://bsky.app/profile/ericreidy.bsky.social)
And on Instragram: https://www.instagram.com/eric_reidy/ (https://www.instagram.com/eric_reidy/)
The New Humanitarian: https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/ (https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/)
The Proximities newsletter: https://www.proximities.news/ (https://www.proximities.news/)
Barry is on X here: https://x.com/malonebarry (https://x.com/malonebarry)
And on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/malonebarry/ (https://www.instagram.com/malonebarry/)
3 Aug 2026
Proximities | DR Congo's Ebola outbreak is not stopping
In this week's episode, we are joined from the epicenter of the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo by Dr. Abdou Sebushishe of the International Medical Corps, who is working on the frontlines of what has become the fastest-growing Ebola epidemic on record. Dr. Abdou gave us an update on the progression of the virus, told us personal stories of people who have contracted the virus, and reflected on his experiences as a Congolese doctor facing down the outbreak in his own community.
You can often find updates from Dr. Abdou on the International Medical Corps' Instagram account here (https://www.instagram.com/internationalmedicalcorpsuk/). Or on its X account here (https://x.com/IMC_Worldwide).
The Proximities newsletter: https://www.proximities.news/ (https://www.proximities.news/)
Barry is on X here: https://x.com/malonebarry (https://x.com/malonebarry)
And on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/malonebarry/ (https://www.instagram.com/malonebarry/)
23 Jul 2026
Proximities | Zahra Joya and Amie Ferris Rotman - Even in exile, Zahra Joya won't bow to the Taliban
In this week's episode, we're joined by Zahra Joya and Amie Ferris Rotman, who have co-authored a new book, "The Vanishing Girl of Kabul."
The book tells the remarkable story of Zahra's determined and fearless journey into journalism in a patriarchal society, which resulted in her establishing Rukshana Media, one of Afghanistan's first female-led newsrooms.
Zahra was forced to flee her country after the Taliban returned to power in 2021 and threatened her life and the lives of other female journalists. But she continues to run Rukshana Media from exile in London, relying on a brave group of women reporting underground in Afghanistan.
"The Vanishing Girl of Kabul" is a tale of resilience and profound courage as Afghan women continue to resist the Taliban's system of gender apartheid.
Buy "The Vanishing Girl of Kabul" here.
https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/zahra-joya/the-vanishing-girl-of-kabul/9781408783641/ (https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/zahra-joya/the-vanishing-girl-of-kabul/9781408783641/)
Rukshana Media: https://rukhshana.com/en/ (https://rukhshana.com/en/)
Amie's website: https://www.amieferrisrotman.com/ (https://www.amieferrisrotman.com/)
The Proximities newsletter: https://www.proximities.news/ (https://www.proximities.news/)
Barry is on X here: https://x.com/malonebarry (https://x.com/malonebarry)
And on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/malonebarry/ (https://www.instagram.com/malonebarry/)
19 Jul 2026
Proximities | Another massacre is imminent in Sudan
This week, we are sharing a recent appearance by our host Barry on the UK's Novara Live show in which he discussed a potentially impending massacre in Sudan.
Please note a trigger warning for discussion of sexual violence.
Watch and subscribe to Novara Live: https://www.youtube.com/@NovaraMedia (https://www.youtube.com/@NovaraMedia)
The Proximities newsletter: https://www.proximities.news/ (https://www.proximities.news/)
Barry is on X here: https://x.com/malonebarry (https://x.com/malonebarry)
And on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/malonebarry/ (https://www.instagram.com/malonebarry/)
10 Jul 2026
Proximities | Mohamed Gabobe - The U.S. killed eight children - and said nothing
In this week's episode, we are joined from Mogadishu by Somali journalist Mohamed Gabobe to talk about his recent investigation into a U.S. drone strike on Somalia that killed 12 civilians, including eight children - something the U.S military has never admitted. Mohamed also discussed the background to Washington's decades-long war in the Horn of Africa, why it has stepped it up over the last year, and the reasons why Americans know so little about it.
The Proximities newsletter: https://www.proximities.news/ (https://www.proximities.news/)
Follow Mohamed on X: https://x.com/Mohamed_Gabobe (https://x.com/Mohamed_Gabobe)
And on Substack: https://mohamedgabobe.substack.com/ (https://mohamedgabobe.substack.com/)
Barry is on X here: https://x.com/malonebarry (https://x.com/malonebarry)
And on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/malonebarry/ (https://www.instagram.com/malonebarry/)
2 Jul 2026
Proximities | Kieran Andrieu - How Israel weaponises archaeology in the West Bank
In this week's episode, we talk to British-Palestinian commentator and political economist Kieran Andrieu about the occupied West Bank – and archaeology. With the Israeli government moving ahead with a bill to bring archaeological sites in the West Bank under its control, we discuss how archaeology has been weaponised as a tool of occupation, how it is used to erase the Palestinian people and their history, and how even Israeli archaeologists are trying to resist.
The Proximities newsletter: https://www.proximities.news/ (https://www.proximities.news/)
Follow Kieran on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kieran.andrieu/ (https://www.instagram.com/kieran.andrieu/)
Follow him on X: https://x.com/kieran_andrieu (https://x.com/kieran_andrieu)
And watch out for his upcoming book "Ten Myths About Palestine" which will be published by Verso (https://www.versobooks.com/en-gb).
Barry is on X here: https://x.com/malonebarry (https://x.com/malonebarry)
And on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/malonebarry/ (https://www.instagram.com/malonebarry/)
25 Jun 2026
Proximities | Sally Hayden - How a war reporter uncovered stories of love
In this week's episode, we talk to acclaimed foreign correspondent and author Sally Hayden about her latest book "This is Also a Love Story". Struck by the good she saw in people as they went through the worst moments of their lives, Sally set out to document the love she saw all around her in her work as an international journalist. In dispatches from Uganda to Syria, from Ukraine to Lebanon, we hear stories of romantic love, familial love, a mother's love and - even - love for humanity.
The Proximities newsletter: https://www.proximities.news/ (https://www.proximities.news/)
Follow Sally on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sallyhayd/ (https://www.instagram.com/sallyhayd/)
Follow here on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/sallyhayd.bsky.social (https://bsky.app/profile/sallyhayd.bsky.social)
And buy her book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/This-Also-Love-Story-Searching/dp/0008623260 (https://www.amazon.co.uk/This-Also-Love-Story-Searching/dp/0008623260)
Barry is on X here: https://x.com/malonebarry (https://x.com/malonebarry)
And on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/malonebarry/ (https://www.instagram.com/malonebarry/)
19 Jun 2026
Proximities | Michelle Kuo - Taiwan beyond the headlines: History, Identity, China, and Trump
In this week's episode, we talk to writer and professor Michelle Kuo about Taiwan. We discuss the country's complex history, consider the question of Taiwanese identity and analyse the impact of the erratic foreign policies of U.S. President Donald Trump and a China quickly growing in power.
The Proximities newsletter: https://www.proximities.news/ (https://www.proximities.news/)
Subscribe to Michelle's excellent Substack newsletter: https://ampleroad.substack.com/ (https://ampleroad.substack.com/)
Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kuokuomich/ (https://www.instagram.com/kuokuomich/)
And buy her book: https://www.amazon.com/Reading-Patrick-Teacher-Life-Changing-Friendship/dp/081299731X (https://www.amazon.com/Reading-Patrick-Teacher-Life-Changing-Friendship/dp/081299731X)
Barry is on X here: https://x.com/malonebarry (https://x.com/malonebarry)
And on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/malonebarry/ (https://www.instagram.com/malonebarry/)
12 Jun 2026
Proximities | Zecharias Zelalem - After so much hope, what happened to Ethiopia's Abiy Ahmed?
In this week's episode, we talk to Zecharias Zelalem, one of Ethiopia's best young journalists, about the fractious nature of the country's politics. We discuss this month's election that is expected to return Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to power, geopolitics and the influence of the UAE, and Abiy's journey from a Nobel Peace Prize winning hero to a leader accused of authoritarianism.
The Proximities newsletter: https://www.proximities.news/ (https://www.proximities.news/)
Follow Zac on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/zekuzelalem.bsky.social (https://bsky.app/profile/zekuzelalem.bsky.social)
And on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zecharias-zelalem-148717378/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/zecharias-zelalem-148717378/)
Barry is on X here: https://x.com/malonebarry (https://x.com/malonebarry)
And on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/malonebarry/ (https://www.instagram.com/malonebarry/)
5 Jun 2026
Proximities | Negar Mortazavi - What are we not hearing about Iran?
In this week's episode, we talk to Negar Mortazavi in an effort to go deeper than the usual international headlines about Iran. What is life in the country like? Where do people really stand on internal politics and the U.S.-Israeli war on the country? What does western media sometimes get wrong? And how can you get more accurate information on Iran? Negar explains all of that and more.
Negar Mortazavi is a veteran Iranian-American journalist and analyst, host of "The Iran Podcast", and Senior Fellow at the Center for International Policy. She has spent the last 15 years following and dissecting Iranian politics and Iran-U.S. relations.
The Proximities newsletter: https://www.proximities.news/ (https://www.proximities.news/)
Follow Negar on X: https://x.com/NegarMortazavi (https://x.com/NegarMortazavi)
And on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/negarmortazavi/ (https://www.instagram.com/negarmortazavi/)
Barry is on X here: https://x.com/malonebarry (https://x.com/malonebarry)
And on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/malonebarry/ (https://www.instagram.com/malonebarry/)
28 May 2026
Proximities | Hiba Morgan — Is Peace in Sudan Still Possible?
In this week's episode, we talk to Hiba Morgan. Hiba is the Al Jazeera English correspondent in Sudan and has spent the last three years covering a civil war in her own country, even as much of the world remained indifferent. Hiba began by explaining the background to the conflict and where it might be headed. Later, she spoke movingly about her experiences covering the war as a Sudanese journalist, and why some international news stories get more attention than others.
Hiba bio:
Hiba Morgan is the Al Jazeera English correspondent in Sudan. Hiba, who is Sudanese, has been with Al Jazeera for more than a decade and has reported from her home country since 2009.
Links:
Proximities: https://www.proximities.news/ (https://www.proximities.news/)
Barry Twitter: https://x.com/malonebarry (https://x.com/malonebarry)
Barry Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/malonebarry/ (https://www.instagram.com/malonebarry/)
Hiba Twitter: https://x.com/hiba_morgan (https://x.com/hiba_morgan)
Hiba Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hiba_morgan_/ (https://www.instagram.com/hiba_morgan_/)
9 Feb 2026
Proximities - Trailer
Barry Malone, a former foreign correspondent and editor who has worked with organisations including Al Jazeera and Reuters, introduces the Proximities podcast. The show focuses on underreported global stories, particularly from outside the West, and features conversations with journalists reporting from the ground. Each episode covers conflicts, humanitarian crises, protest movements and political developments that often do not make the headlines.
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17 ratings
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