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Episode 10

Episode 10 of 20

Samira Ahmed and guests debate whether military intervention in other countries is ever 'just'; is culling animals the right thing to do; and does persecution make faith stronger?

Samira Ahmed and her guests; journalist Dame Ann Leslie, Rabbi Pete Tobias, Davis Lewin from the Henry Jackson Society and Samantha Chandler from the Anglican Society for the Welfare of Animals discuss the week's ethical issues.
This week:

Is military intervention in other countries ever 'just'?
The UK will not take part in any military action against Syria. US President Barack Obama has formally asked Congress to authorise military action against Syria over alleged chemical weapons attacks. The president's decision to turn to Congress was seen as a direct reaction to the UK government's defeat in Parliament on supporting any military action in Syria if it were backed by evidence from UN inspectors.
This comes after Washington claimed it had evidence that 1,429 people were killed in chemical attacks by the Syrian army on 21 August.
But is it 'just' to intervene in conflicts in other countries?

Is culling animals the right thing to do?
England's controversial badger cull has begun. But it's not just badgers being labelled as wildlife problems. There are now more deer in the UK than at any time since the last Ice Age - and there have been calls for more than 50% to be culled to stop damage to woodlands and birdlife. Urban foxes have also been described as "a pest and a menace" by London Mayor Boris Johnson, who says the issue has to be tackled. The Prime Minister, David Cameron, has said culling badgers is "quite simply ... the right thing to do". Do you agree? Or are there more humane solutions?

Does persecution make your faith stronger?
Jewish people have suffered persecution for centuries, most shockingly in the Holocaust. As the UK's new Chief Rabbi is installed in London, we explore the resilience of religion through attacks and adversity. The programme also reflects on Muslims being targeted in Burma, and Coptic Christians being attacked in Egypt. Do such attacks strengthen faith? Or do they make you question religion?

1 hour

Is military intervention in other countries ever `just`?

The UK will not take part in any military action against Syria. But as commentators analyse the political fallout after Thursday’s Β House of Commons debate, Sunday Morning Live asks:Β Is military intervention in other countries ever `just`?
and by text during the live programme on Sunday.

Is culling animals the right thing to do?

England’s controversial badger cull has begun. But it’s not just badgers being labelled as wildlife problems. There are now more deer in the UK than at any time since the last Ice Age – and there’s been calls for more than 50% Β to be culled to stop damage to woodlands and birdlife.Β Β 

Urban foxes have also been described as β€œa pest and a menace” by London Mayor Boris Johnson, who says the issue has to be tackled. The Prime Minister, David Cameron, has said culling badgers is "quite simply … the right thing to do". Β Β 

What do you think?Β Is culling animals the right thing to do?

Does persecution make your faith stronger?

Jewish people Β have suffered persecution for centuries, most shockingly in the Holocaust. As the UK’s new Chief Rabbi is installed in London, we ask: Does persecution make your faith stronger?Β The programme also reflects on Muslims being targeted in Burma, and Coptic Christians being attacked in Egypt.Β 

This week's panellists

Samira Ahmed’s guests are: award winning journalist Dame Ann Leslie; Davis Lewin, from think tank the Β Henry Jackson Society; Rabbi Pete Tobias from the Liberal Synagogue in Elstree, Middlesex; and Samantha ChandlerΒ of the Anglican Society for the Welfare of Animals.

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Samira Ahmed
Series Editor Dave Stanford
Producer Kuljinder Khaila

Broadcast

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