Main content

The shadow of Islamic State in Syria

The al Hol camp in northeast Syria is home to the wives and children of former Islamic State fighters. Among the thousands of residents, support for the group remains strong.

Kate Adie introduces stories from Syria, the Philippines, Tanzania and Brazil.

During his visit to Washington this week, Syria鈥檚 interim president Ahmed Al Sharaa announced that Syria will join the coalition of 90 countries trying to eliminate the remnants of the Islamic State group. The threat of IS is increasing on Syrian soil, where 8,000 suspected IS fighters remain in jails, and 34,000 of their family members are held in camps. Orla Guerin reports on the new generation growing up in the camps.

Last week the Philippines was hit by Typhoon Fung-wong - the twenty first big tropical storm to hit the country this year. Jonathan Head reflects on how the country copes with its vulnerability to natural disasters - and the growing anger over misappropriation of millions of dollars designated for improving flood defences.

Tanzania recently experienced its worst post-election violence in decades. The newly elected president, Samia Suluhu Hassan, was inaugurated after the country鈥檚 electoral commission declared she had won 98 per cent of the vote. In her speech she insisted the election was free and fair - though critics accuse the government of eliminating any credible political competition. Victor Kenani has been following the story on Tanzania鈥檚 border with Kenya.

Global leaders met this week in the Brazilian city of Belem for the latest COP climate summit, though it was off to a rocky start when it was not entirely clear what new - and renewed - pledges would be up for discussion. Watching on was our Climate Editor Justin Rowlatt.

Producer: Serena Tarling
Production coordinators: Katie Morrison and Sophie Hill
Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith

Available now

28 minutes

Broadcasts

  • Sat 15 Nov 2025 11:30
  • Sun 16 Nov 2025 21:30