Saving Syria

Bassma Kodmani, an executive member of the Syrian National Council, joins the show to discuss the Syria peace plan being presented to the United Nations Security Council this week. What does she expect from the UN and what are her concerns?

Jim O’Neill, the chairman of Goldman Sachs Asset Management, shares his views on the state of the eurozone, looking in particular at Greece and Portugal, and makes his predictions for the future of the global economy in 2012. He also tells Sir David whether he believes China will have a soft landing or come crashing down in the year of the dragon. 

Classical pianist and entertainer Chilly Gonzales talks about his current tour, which is starting in London, and what he hopes to achieve next with his musical career.

‘Why It All Went Wrong In Afghanistan’

Sir David speaks to Oscar and Golden Globe nominee Viggo Mortensen, who is best known for his role as Aragon in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, about why has put down his sword and turned his attention to psychoanalysis as he prepares for the role of Sigmund Freud in A Dangerous Mind. Directed by David Cronenberg, the film takes a look at the formative days of psychoanalysis and the relationship between Freud and his protege Carl Jung.

Brand guru and marketing maestro Martin Lindstrom reveals the psychological tricks and traps that companies deploy to make us buy their products, as unveiled in his new book Brandwashed.

And, finally, Sandy Gall, a former foreign correspondent and author, puts his half-century of working in journalism to good use as he discusses his new book that seeks to explain Why it All Went Wrong In Afghanistan.