which will be hazy at sunshine which will be hazy at times. 22 degrees but lowerfurther north and west with the cloud and the breeze, generally the high teens summer comfortable. we are in a wedge of warm air across england and wales on wednesday but this weather front will work its way in bringing a band of heavy and thundery rain and behind at the turns cooler but ahead of that it will be quite warm and humid and some hazy sunshine at times and may one or two heavy showers sparking off in the heat as the weather front starts to work its way in. 25 degrees, high humidity, feeling quite uncomfortable, but turning cooler behind it as a front works its way eastwards. it could get stuck across the south—east on thursday so maybe some useful rain here before friday at the weekend it is unsettled in the north and west on the best drier weather towards the south. have a lovely night.

which isjust getting underway on bbc two. the news continues here on bbc one as now it's time to join our colleagues across the nations and regions you thought the rivalry between president putin and the head of the wagner mercenary group was over after the deal at the weekend? think again. is the instability a threat or opportunity for the rest of the world? how long has president putin

got left and how might regime change come about? tonight, we'll unpick what's going on in the kremlin and ask what sort of turning point we are at? our diplomatic editor, mark urban, is here. deal or no deal? the russian mercenary leader prigozhin may think he's saved himself but tonight vladimir putin vowed to bring the group's leaders tojustice. plus, we'll talk live to the former head of the cia and former commander of the us forces in afghanistan, retired general david petraeus, as well as russia watchers anne applebaum and natia seskuria, and exiled russian businessman and opposition activist mikhail khordokovsky. i think we can say absolutely definitely that putin's dictatorship cannot be replaced except by violence. also tonight... a warning from the boss of one of the biggest car manufacturers, ford — the uk has to stay in line with eu regulations despite brexit.

there are three big regulatory environments automotive, north american, european and japanese, and it's really important that we maintain really good alignment to the european one because that's where we build and sell most of our vehicles. plus captagon, a highly addictive illegal drug which is sweeping the middle east. bbc news arabic has uncovered links between this multi—billion—pound drugs trade and leading members of president assad's family in syria. the sale of the revenues dwarfs the syrian state budget. if captagon is revenues were stopped or seriously disrupted i don't think the assad regime could survive. good evening. is the instability in russia a threat or opportunity for the world?

president putin ha been on state tv in russia tonight praising the wagnerfighters, thanking them for standing down on saturday to "avoid bloodshed". and, although he didn't mention the leader of the weekend's aborted mutiny, yevgeny prigozhin, by name, he did say its leaders would be brought tojustice. nothing is normal in moscow and most observers inside russia and beyond now believe president putin is more vulnerable in his two—decade rule than he ever has been. no one knows what the events over the last 48 hours might lead to. so, three days into this extraordanary crisis for the kremlin, tonight we ask what the pressure on president putin means for the world and for all of us. prigozhin�*s social media videos on friday were a declaration of mutiny, but the fact he also attacked present putting led some people to think it was a clue. —— a coup. but,

from the moment he arrived at the army centre in rostov on don, he was treated as simply with a grievance rather than trying to seize ultimate power of the top generals engaged with prigozhin and nobody initially attacked his forces.— attacked his forces. prigozhin's tanks that _ attacked his forces. prigozhin's tanks that were _ attacked his forces. prigozhin's tanks that were famously - attacked his forces. prigozhin'sl tanks that were famously rolling attacked his forces. prigozhin's - tanks that were famously rolling to moscow were not going in to capture the kremlin and take power but to settle scores with the minister of defence and the other important players that prigozhin has consistently been critical of, like various oligarchs and people he accuses of profiteering from the war, while soldiers in his wagner group have been denied the kind of preferential treatment that he was hoping to achieve. fix, preferential treatment that he was hoping to achieve.— preferential treatment that he was hoping to achieve. a column of about 500 boxin: hoping to achieve. a column of about 500 boxing troops _ hoping to achieve. a column of about 500 boxing troops with _ hoping to achieve. a column of about 500 boxing troops with heavy - hoping to achieve. a column of about | 500 boxing troops with heavy weapons including anti—aircraft missiles set

out towards moscow via a southern city. what was the aim? prigozhin said today it was to prevent wagner being wound up by the defence ministry and hold his leaders accountable. but, on saturday, aircraft shadowing the column was shot down by wagner troops and the atmosphere changed. translation: once president putin had gone on television to label it a step in the back and a mutiny, it became more serious. he step in the back and a mutiny, it became more serious.— step in the back and a mutiny, it became more serious. he said it was a rouue became more serious. he said it was a rogue element _ became more serious. he said it was a rogue element who _ became more serious. he said it was a rogue element who are _ became more serious. he said it was a rogue element who are idiot - became more serious. he said it was a rogue element who are idiot and l a rogue element who are idiot and had to be removed. so there were aircraft shot down, which killed a dozen people, perhaps, which i think probably shocked those in the regime inside moscow, hence you hear calls

from people that prigozhin should be dealt with by being shot in the head. ., dealt with by being shot in the head. . .,, dealt with by being shot in the head. . ., .,, ., , head. having lost aeroplanes, there were air attacks _ head. having lost aeroplanes, there were air attacks on _ head. having lost aeroplanes, there were air attacks on the _ head. having lost aeroplanes, there were air attacks on the wagner- were air attacks on the wagner ground column but meanwhile the negotiations continued. the deal eventually made on saturday reportedly allowed prigozhin to keep wagner in existence, shifting its centre of operations to belarus. it was speculated he'd also put an agreement that the defence minister had to stand down. —— should stand down. as the most really death left rostov on don, many spectators cheered, perhaps relieved that the city had been spread destruction, but has the whole episode demonstrated the fragility of russia's internal security? we spoke to a rostov resident who had witnessed events. is

to a rostov resident who had witnessed events. , ,., ,., , , witnessed events. is somebody gets an: or witnessed events. is somebody gets angry or mad. _ witnessed events. is somebody gets angry or mad. he — witnessed events. is somebody gets angry or mad, he can _ witnessed events. is somebody gets angry or mad, he can walk— witnessed events. is somebody gets angry or mad, he can walk his - witnessed events. is somebody getsi angry or mad, he can walk his army, who are loyal to you, and just go to the capital and nobody will stop him because the arm is on his side, people on his site and it was a really easy way.— people on his site and it was a really easy way. there had been speculation _ really easy way. there had been speculation that _ really easy way. there had been speculation that defence - really easy way. there had been l speculation that defence minister would be replaced by the governor of somewhere and the chief of staff by somebody else who appealed to soldiers not to join the mutiny but, as of today, both remain remain, as does the suspicion that putin double—crossed prigozhin. i does the suspicion that putin double-crossed prigozhin. i don't see putin moving _ double-crossed prigozhin. i don't see putin moving quickly - double-crossed prigozhin. i don't see putin moving quickly to - double-crossed prigozhin. i don'tj see putin moving quickly to make personal changes. he has done this

before. putin will not want to be seen to play, as if an underling, a soldier, as influence his decision making. soldier, as influence his decision makinr. ., ., making. tonight vladimir putin romised making. tonight vladimir putin promised to — making. tonight vladimir putin promised to bring _ making. tonight vladimir putin promised to bring the - making. tonight vladimir putin promised to bring the wagner. making. tonight vladimir putin - promised to bring the wagner leaders tojustice promised to bring the wagner leaders to justice but promised to bring the wagner leaders tojustice but said promised to bring the wagner leaders to justice but said the majority of soldiers were patriots. the possibility of further violence can't be excluded as the man who was once the present possible produce for henchmen is now firmly emery. —— the president's useful henchmen. is regime change a real possibility? let's speak to a former head of the cia, retired general david petraeus. i want to ask you first of all, as the west missed an opportunity here? well, i don't think so. i think the west has been very careful to try and show that it has been on the

sidelines. this is not a cia plot. we didn't bring this about. we don't need any more friction than already exists. it isjust need any more friction than already exists. it is just fine for us, frankly per trip the old adage, if your enemy is making mistakes, don't interrupt him, and that's the case here. today, we saw putin, having got prigozhin stand down yesterday using lukashenko to broker a deal, now he is trying to reassert himself and show he is still in charge, trying to be the strongman still. we see the re—emergence of the minister of defence. i agree very much with your report that it would be unlikely now to see the minister and the chief of the general staff replaced any time soon. putin can't seem at all to be caving in, although, in effect, he did. reportedly, he left moscow yesterday, so he didn't do what zelensky said, which was to not take

the right but ask for ammunition, he took the ride. you also didn't see the security force leaders step forward yesterday. there was an absence of really active visible leadership in moscow as these negotiations reportedly were going on. now what he is trying to do is split wagner off to a degree from prigozhin, to allow them to go home, to sign on with the ministry of defence, which is what sheen was trying to prevent, or to go to belarus, which is another interesting option, and it seems to indicate that, although he said he will bring prigozhin and the leaders tojustice, he still will bring prigozhin and the leaders to justice, he still needs this wagner group in places like syria, the central african republic. [30 wagner group in places like syria, the central african republic. do you think regime — the central african republic. do you think regime change _ the central african republic. do you think regime change is _ the central african republic. do you think regime change is a _ the central african republic. do you think regime change is a real - think regime change is a real possibility? i think regime change is a real possibility?— possibility? i think it's a possibility _ possibility? i think it's a possibility now - possibility? i think it's a possibility now in - possibility? i think it's a possibility now in a - possibility? i think it's a possibility now in a way| possibility? i think it's a . possibility now in a way it possibility? i think it's a - possibility now in a way it wasn't previously. the question was always who would step forward and seem to

oppose? prigozhin never managed put in by name but he certainly went after the minister of defence and chief of the general staff and did so for many months in a profane, direct, very critical manner and also the oligarchs, and then he took that big step where he criticised the entire decision to conduct this war in the way in which it has been conducted, which did seem to challenge putin directly, but he has been apparently sidelined, shuffled off, if you will, so the question is, does this increase the possibility that there might be others out there who see this moment of weakness and say, the country really is on this very, very dangerous, damaging course, should we try and step in and replace putin? of course, this is one of those cases where you weigh say it's impossible this could happen until after the fact, when it was

inevitable. in after the fact, when it was inevitable.— after the fact, when it was inevitable. , . ., , inevitable. in percentage terms, what chance _ inevitable. in percentage terms, what chance of _ inevitable. in percentage terms, what chance of present - inevitable. in percentage terms, what chance of present putin - inevitable. in percentage terms, | what chance of present putin still being in power in 12 months�* time? i being in power in 12 months' time? i think it still certainly much better than 50%. he is now going to try and re—consolidate his power, reassert himself. he is going to ensure that the ties with this loose group, if you will, and keep in mind, these are not necessarily institutions, these are relationships that have evolved over the course of a number of decades, and individuals occasionally fall out of favour, out of power or shuffled aside, as is the case now with prigozhin, who was very useful to putin for a very long time. let�*s not forget that the force who ultimately took bakhmut, this single victory of the winter offensive that otherwise was unsuccessful, that force was the wagner group under prigozhin and prigozhin was on the front lines. let�*s not also dismiss the way

machine. actions are resonated with some of those on the front lines, some of those on the front lines, some of those in uniform, and certainly some of those in russia. his manner is thuggish, if you will, profane and direct commentary, critical commentary, actually has resonated with a fair amount of that population, and putin now has to figure out how it is that he can reassert himself and ensure that the support for him continues.— reassert himself and ensure that the support for him continues. thank you ve much support for him continues. thank you very much for— support for him continues. thank you very much for speaking _ support for him continues. thank you very much for speaking to us. - very much for speaking to us. retired general david petraeus. what about the view from russian opposition activists? mikhail khodorkovsky is an exiled businessman now living in the uk. did he support yevegny prigozhin�*s rebellion? translation: i'm by no means so naive a person as to support| prigozhin. prigozhin, if he came to power,

would do nothing better, nothing newer than what putin is doing. but what he did do was to destabilise the regime, and he might even be able to destabilise it further. so you support the destabilisation, i�*m taking from that. and i wonder, does what mr prigozhin did show that armed mutiny, or some kind of armed rebellion, or some kind of armed uprising is the only realistic scenario for a change of power at the kremlin? translation: |think| we can say absolutely, definitely that putin�*s dictatorship cannot be replaced, except by violence or threat of violence. ok, so in practical terms, what does that look like in your view? translation: i think that, if the opposition in russia . had been more prepared, then they might have been able to act somewhere along the line

and there would have been protests in moscow and possibly an armed uprising. and the fact that putin abandoned the kremlin at that point may have meant that he wouldn�*t have returned. i mean, what you seem to be suggesting is some kind of... potentially, some kind of civil war, which would lead, potentially, to massive bloodshed, lead to even more instability in the country and around russia�*s borders. and even more fears about russia�*s nuclear weapons. translation: today, russia is waging war l with a neighbouring state, with ukraine, but also with russia itself. it is already a kind of civil war. the issue at stake is, should we let this war spread orjust do away with the regime? this is a risk. but having putin as president for the next five or ten years is a greater risk and will mean the collapse of the regime, the threat

of violence or violence itself. can you give us a sense, from your contacts still in moscow, of the mindset of president putin�*s inner circle and whether or not they are going to turn their back on him? translation: putin's propaganda today is trying to convince russian | society that the defeat of prigozhin actually strengthens his regime. the reaction of russians is just to laugh at that. those who either took part in the events orjust observed them know that this signifies the weakness of the regime. even the army did nothing to support putin. no army unit stood on the way of prigozhin, and putin hasn�*t got any support in russian society either. you saw the pictures of the people in rostov seeing them off with flowers. so there is no realforce within russian society to support or defend the regime. the regime is weak. this gives us ground for thinking

that the regime can be swept aside without a lot of bloodshed or civil war. mr khodorkovsky, thank you very much for talking to newsnight. thank you. thank you, thank you. bye— bye. what now for the brutal mercenaries, the wagner group, which is a money—making outfit still operating in syria and parts of africa? and what now for its leader, former hotdog seller yevgeny prigozhin? today, he said in an ii—minute audio message on telegram that he hadn�*t wanted to overthrow president putin. here�*s our international editor, nawal al—maghafi. in the ten years since its founding, the wagner group has evolved from a small—guns—for—hire operation into a sprawling network that has been proven to be active in at least four continents. once one of the most secretive organisations in russia, it�*s emerged from the shadows and into the spotlight as an incredibly powerful force in ukraine. so powerful, some would say,

that the group, led by this man, yevgeny prigozhin — also known as putin�*s chef — is now seen as a threat to vladimir putin himself. but how did wagner get so powerful over the years? the group first appeared in eastern ukraine in 2014. springing up alongside private military companies and volunteer brigades and backing pro—russian separatists. but it was in syria in 2015, with its operations against the so—called islamic state group, that it became more prominent. the group was used to protect energy sites for bashar al—assad�*s regime. a pivotal role that would end up being lucrative. not only for the regime it was supporting and the kremlin, but for the mercenary group itself. {lister the mercenary group itself. over time, it seemed _ the mercenary group itself. over time, it seemed like _ the mercenary group itself. over time, it seemed like they - the mercenary group itself. or time, it seemed like they also ended up time, it seemed like they also ended up seizing those facilities under

some opaque arrangements that allowed them to profit sometimes up to 25% from the materials they were taking out of syria�*s ground. to 25% from the materials they were taking out of syria's ground.- taking out of syria's ground. wagner and therefore _ taking out of syria's ground. wagner and therefore russia _ taking out of syria's ground. wagner and therefore russia found - taking out of syria's ground. wagner and therefore russia found a - taking out of syria's ground. wagner and therefore russia found a very i and therefore russia found a very successful model in syria and they wanted to replicate it. and so they did. expanding across africa. a bigger success was in the central african republic. the bigger success was in the central african republic.— african republic. the long-time strongman _ african republic. the long-time strongman of— african republic. the long-time strongman of the _ african republic. the long-time strongman of the central- african republic. the long-time| strongman of the central african republic has leaned very heavily on the wagner group to protect his regime and push back against pro—islamist rebel forces that have interestingly of course a purchase over some of his very valuable territory with a great deal of gold money. in territory with a great deal of gold mone . . ., ., , ., ~ money. in exchange for its work, the u-rou money. in exchange for its work, the a-rou has money. in exchange for its work, the group has gained _ money. in exchange for its work, the group has gained direct _ money. in exchange for its work, the group has gained direct access - money. in exchange for its work, the group has gained direct access to - group has gained direct access to the central african republic�*s natural resources. training —— trading and then gives wagner and rush are a way to evade sanctions. —— trading in them. but it wasn�*t

long before wagner was interrupted by the russian state once again. war had broken out in ukraine for a second time and they were needed. the group was heavily involved in russia�*s capture of the city of bakhmut in eastern ukraine. but lately, tensions between wagner and the russian state have been rising. prigozhin is trying to advance his own interest in ukraine and wagner is making military decisions based largely, largely on what they will generate for prigozhin, in terms of positive publicity. this weekend, wagner is poised to launch a coup on the russian military, but it was called off after the president of belarus intervened. humiliating and making president putin look weak. but was it enough to cut ties with the force that has been crucial in predicting russia�*s power and supporting its allies around the world? ——

protecting russia�*s power. now we�*re going to hear from two russia experts — anne applebaum, who is a pulitzer prize winning historian, and natia seskuria, founder and executive director of the regional institute for security studies. welcome to both of you. natia, is this the end for yevgeny prigozhin, but not the end for the wagner group? but not the end for the wagner grou - ? ., ~ but not the end for the wagner grou? . ~' ,, but not the end for the wagner grou? . ~' , but not the end for the wagner grou? ., , . ., group? thank you very much for havin: group? thank you very much for having me- _ group? thank you very much for having me- it — group? thank you very much for having me. it is— group? thank you very much for having me. it is very _ group? thank you very much for having me. it is very hard - group? thank you very much for having me. it is very hard to - group? thank you very much for having me. it is very hard to say| having me. it is very hard to say because it is hard to imagine wagner group without yevgeny prigozhin because he has been so involved, especially for the past year and a half when he became very much open about his engagement with the wagner group and he is the head of the mercenary group. and he has been playing a very important role in light of the war in ukraine. so it is very difficult to say what will be next for the wagner group without yevgeny prigozhin. but today, actually, it was quite interesting that putin gave some options can created the facade that he was giving some options to those involved in the mercenary group by

providing a few options to join the russian defence ministry —— and he created the facade. or they could go to belarus. i think this is quite interesting a proposal.- interesting a proposal. anne applebaum. _ interesting a proposal. anne applebaum, what _ interesting a proposal. anne applebaum, what could - interesting a proposal. anne applebaum, what could this| interesting a proposal. anne applebaum, what could this period of volatility mean? you applebaum, what could this period of volatility mean?— volatility mean? you have heard several guests _ volatility mean? you have heard several guests say _ volatility mean? you have heard several guests say this - volatility mean? you have heard several guests say this is - volatility mean? you have heard several guests say this is a - volatility mean? you have heard. several guests say this is a period of volatility that many people try and take — of volatility that many people try and take advantage of. i think one thing _ and take advantage of. i think one thing that— and take advantage of. i think one thing that is important to remember about_ thing that is important to remember about russia is that it is not only about russia is that it is not only a question— about russia is that it is not only a question of who would succeed putin _ a question of who would succeed putin the — a question of who would succeed putin. the question is also, who chooses — putin. the question is also, who chooses that person? putin has so completely destroyed the idea of any succession process. he has eliminated all possible rivals. he has destroyed the liberal opposition. he has made it impossible for anyone even to think of an— impossible for anyone even to think of an alternative. we know that people — of an alternative. we know that people in — of an alternative. we know that people in moscow who might replace him, people in moscow who might replace him. but _ people in moscow who might replace him, but you are not hearing their

names, _ him, but you are not hearing their names, you — him, but you are not hearing their names, you are not seeing it made public _ names, you are not seeing it made public. prigozhin is the first of that_ public. prigozhin is the first of that number to make himself known and now— that number to make himself known and now it _ that number to make himself known and now it looks like putin is going to try— and now it looks like putin is going to try and — and now it looks like putin is going to try and destroy him. putin has created _ to try and destroy him. putin has created an — to try and destroy him. putin has created an atmosphere around him that makes— created an atmosphere around him that makes change seem impossible and that— that makes change seem impossible and that is_ that makes change seem impossible and that is of course why whenever change _ and that is of course why whenever change does come, however it comes, there _ change does come, however it comes, there will_ change does come, however it comes, there will be _ change does come, however it comes, there will be a huge crisis. do change does come, however it comes, there will be a huge crisis.— there will be a huge crisis. do you auree there will be a huge crisis. do you agree with — there will be a huge crisis. do you agree with that, _ there will be a huge crisis. do you agree with that, natia? _ there will be a huge crisis. do you agree with that, natia? a - there will be a huge crisis. do you agree with that, natia? a crisis. l agree with that, natia? a crisis. yes, absolutely. _ agree with that, natia? a crisis. yes, absolutely. i— agree with that, natia? a crisis. yes, absolutely. ithink- agree with that, natia? a crisis. yes, absolutely. i think putin i agree with that, natia? a crisis. | yes, absolutely. i think putin has grown incredibly insecure. especially of course this incident that happened that we have seen for the past 48 hours adds up to this insecurity, for sure. putin created this system and the environment in which there is no opposition leader, opposition leaders were forced into exile or as you know, alexei navalny is in jail. exile or as you know, alexei navalny is injail. in that exile or as you know, alexei navalny is in jail. in that sense, exile or as you know, alexei navalny is injail. in that sense, it is hard to imagine any sort of succession process.- hard to imagine any sort of succession process. what does this instability mean _ succession process. what does this instability mean for— succession process. what does this instability mean for the _ succession process. what does this instability mean for the wider- instability mean for the wider

region? instability mean for the wider reuion? ., ., ., ., region? for the wider region and for ukraine, region? for the wider region and for ukraine. this _ region? for the wider region and for ukraine, this might _ region? for the wider region and for ukraine, this might be _ region? for the wider region and for ukraine, this might be an _ ukraine, this might be an opportunity. especially in light of the counter—offensive, the ukrainian counter—offensive everybody hopes, i certainly hope that will be successful. but at the same time, there is a lot of uncertainty. we have a lot of questions, unanswered questions. what was the deal, what will be the future? i don�*t really think that this was the end to the crisis that we have seen for the past couple of days.— crisis that we have seen for the past couple of days. anne applebaum, i don't know — past couple of days. anne applebaum, i don't know if— past couple of days. anne applebaum, i don't know if you _ past couple of days. anne applebaum, i don't know if you are _ past couple of days. anne applebaum, i don't know if you are able _ past couple of days. anne applebaum, i don't know if you are able to - past couple of days. anne applebaum, i don't know if you are able to hear - i don�*t know if you are able to hear the interview of mikhail khodorkovsky, but he said in his view, change will only come with violence, this will not be peaceful, what do you think of that? i violence, this will not be peaceful, what do you think of that?- what do you think of that? i think is riaht what do you think of that? i think is right for— what do you think of that? i think is right for the _ what do you think of that? i think is right for the reasons _ what do you think of that? i think is right for the reasons that - what do you think of that? i think is right for the reasons that i - what do you think of that? i think is right for the reasons that i just | is right for the reasons that ijust said _ is right for the reasons that ijust said. because putin has eliminated the possibility of a legitimate succession process, because he has destroyed _ succession process, because he has destroyed the idea that there could be such— destroyed the idea that there could be such a _ destroyed the idea that there could be such a thing, that means that again. _ be such a thing, that means that again. even— be such a thing, that means that again, even if he dies in his sleep

or he_ again, even if he dies in his sleep or he is hit— again, even if he dies in his sleep or he is hit by a bus, there will be a crisis _ or he is hit by a bus, there will be a crisis that— or he is hit by a bus, there will be a crisis that follows as people battle — a crisis that follows as people battle to _ a crisis that follows as people battle to replace him.- a crisis that follows as people battle to replace him. what can we take from russian _ battle to replace him. what can we take from russian history - battle to replace him. what can we take from russian history that - battle to replace him. what can we i take from russian history that might give us a clue as to how this might play out here?— play out here? there have been arlour play out here? there have been parlour games _ play out here? there have been parlour games over _ play out here? there have been parlour games over the - play out here? there have been parlour games over the past - play out here? there have been| parlour games over the past few play out here? there have been - parlour games over the past few days as to which _ parlour games over the past few days as to which piece of russian history is this, _ as to which piece of russian history is this, 1905— as to which piece of russian history is this, 1905 or 1917 or some other time? _ is this, 1905 or 1917 or some other time? if_ is this, 1905 or 1917 or some other time? if you — is this, 1905 or 1917 or some other time? if you look at how stalin was replaced, _ time? if you look at how stalin was replaced, he died and almost immediately afterwards, there was an enormous _ immediately afterwards, there was an enormous battle between different clans inside the politburo. and eventually, somebody emerged and that was— eventually, somebody emerged and that was khrushchev. the difference here is _ that was khrushchev. the difference here is there is no politburo. there will is _ here is there is no politburo. there will is not — here is there is no politburo. there will is not even an institution from which _ will is not even an institution from which in _ will is not even an institution from which in theory the leaders could be chosen— which in theory the leaders could be chosen -- _ which in theory the leaders could be chosen —— that is not. i think that's— chosen —— that is not. i think that's why— chosen —— that is not. i think that's why people are afraid of instability. i will say one other thing — instability. i will say one other

thing mikhail khodorkovsky said which _ thing mikhail khodorkovsky said which is — thing mikhail khodorkovsky said which is important. putin is in some ways— which is important. putin is in some ways one _ which is important. putin is in some ways one of— which is important. putin is in some ways one of the worst conceivable leaders _ ways one of the worst conceivable leaders that we could have in russia — leaders that we could have in russia. he is running a genocidal war, _ russia. he is running a genocidal war. he _ russia. he is running a genocidal war. he is— russia. he is running a genocidal war, he is seeking to undermine european — war, he is seeking to undermine european countries. he plays in the elections _ european countries. he plays in the elections of — european countries. he plays in the elections of the united states, of france _ elections of the united states, of france and many other places. he is destabilising his region. he supports dictatorships around the world, _ supports dictatorships around the world, in— supports dictatorships around the world, in venezuela, iran, all across— world, in venezuela, iran, all across africa. the idea that he might— across africa. the idea that he might leave whatever instability that creates is not something we should _ that creates is not something we should fear. we should be thinking about— should fear. we should be thinking about it _ should fear. we should be thinking about it. we should hope that there will be _ about it. we should hope that there will be opportunities there. there are many— will be opportunities there. there are many other kinds of leaders of russia _ are many other kinds of leaders of russia who — are many other kinds of leaders of russia who could be better. i am not saying _ russia who could be better. i am not saying that _ russia who could be better. i am not saying that will definitely happen or it is _ saying that will definitely happen or it is a — saying that will definitely happen or it is a guarantee, but we have an attitude _ or it is a guarantee, but we have an attitude towards russia which is a kind of— attitude towards russia which is a kind of desire for everything to remain— kind of desire for everything to remain the same just because it is

the devil— remain the same just because it is the devil we know. and i think in this case, — the devil we know. and i think in this case, the devil we know is growing — this case, the devil we know is growing worse all the time. how should president _ growing worse all the time. firm" should president zelensky exploit this rivalry between putin and prigozhin?— this rivalry between putin and priaozhin? . ~ , ., prigozhin? well, i think first of all, it is prigozhin? well, i think first of all. it is very — prigozhin? well, i think first of all, it is very crucial _ prigozhin? well, i think first of all, it is very crucial that - prigozhin? well, i think first of i all, it is very crucial that ukraine succeeds in its counter—offensive. and that will give zelensky an opportunity to scale, to request from the west to scale up the support. the support has been consistent. however, ukraine will need much more resources and military power to win this war. and in this case, i think there should not be any other options rather than a full ukrainian victory. because this is notjust about ukraine, this is about the russian future as well and this is about the future of the democratic states around russia. thank you both very much for talking to our audience tonight on newsnight, thank you. we appreciate your expertise.

the boss of ford, one of the biggest car manufacturers in the world, is warning that its future lies mainly in europe. despite brexit, the chairman of ford has told this programme his industry needs to continue following eu regulations, and one eu rule which actually applies to car manufacturers on both sides of the channel is causing them particular concern. nick watt has this exclusive report. the future here today. electric cars rolling off uk production lines, as we bid along farewell to the internal combustion engine. but a threat is looming which could cost the industry billions. from next january, uk cars sold to the eu and cars travelling in the opposite direction could face a 10% tariff. that will happen if electric cars built in the uk or the eu bust one

or more of two targets. having more than 45% of any vehicle by value or 60% of their battery made from parts outside those two areas. is there a brexit effect? yes and no. rules were drawn up in brussels to encourage european technology. so both city and uk manufacturers could be hit. —— both eu. the rules don�*t apply to sales in the eu. had the uk remained in the eu, car sales in the channel would have remained unaffected. in channelwould have remained unaffected-— channelwould have remained unaffected. , ., unaffected. in here, there is no enaine. unaffected. in here, there is no engine- the _ unaffected. in here, there is no engine. the head _ unaffected. in here, there is no engine. the head of _ unaffected. in here, there is no engine. the head of a - unaffected. in here, there is no engine. the head of a mighty i unaffected. in here, there is no. engine. the head of a mighty car riant engine. the head of a mighty car giant showing — engine. the head of a mighty car giant showing off— engine. the head of a mighty car giant showing off the _ engine. the head of a mighty car giant showing off the latest - giant showing off the latest technology. the head of a mighty car giant showing off the latest technology and a clear warning of the impact of this rule change. this is probably the biggest issue at the moment that�*s facing our business, certainly in the near term. so we�*ll have this very unusual situation where the technology

that we�*re trying to promote and government is trying to promote to help decarbonise our economy will be taxed and the traditional technology won�*t be taxed. and that�*s clearly not what was intended when this rules of origin regulation was put in place. so in a sense, look, what you�*re saying is, look, we�*re just not ready yet. of course, we would like to have this capability in the uk, in the eu. but europe�*s not ready. we are still reliant on china, still reliant on south korea. it�*s just a timing thing. you know, the intention is certainly there. the industry will want to support this. you know, we don�*t want to be reliant on lengthy supply chains. you know, we�*ve all learned from the sort of post—covid supply chain difficulties that we want to bring supply chains closer to our production facilities and closer to our market. so i�*m certain that industry will want to do this. we�*re just saying we can�*t be ready by the end of this year. and the timing that we�*re sort of suggesting is,

is in the 2026, 2027 timeframe. tim slatter believes the uk government fully understands his concerns. and one minister told newsnight this is high on their radar. but then language we don�*t often hear from a government keen to open up trading opportunities around the world. we also talk about regulatory alignment. it�*s very important that great britain maintains good regulatory alignment with the european union. there are sort of three big regulatory environments for automotive in the world. there�*s the north american one, the european one, and the japanese one. and it�*s really important that we maintain really good alignment to the european one, because that�*s where we build and sell most of our vehicles. labour agrees with that call for alignment, which is a little noticed aspect of the uk�*s trade and cooperation agreement with the eu. well, of course we want as close a relationship with our closest

trading partners, a market of hundreds of millions of people. it�*s really, really important to the uk automotive industry and that�*s why we want trade to be as frictionless as possible. and the government needs to recognise that and support our brilliant automotive industry and the hundreds of thousands of jobs that rely on it. at the moment that industry is at risk. the heart of the eu. seven years on from the referendum and the nature of our relationship with our european partners is still a live issue. now here�*s kirsty with details of an extra edition of newsnight at 7pm tomorrow. we�*re here at addenbrooke�*s hospital in the heart of cambridge, getting ready for a very special programme tomorrow night marking the nhs at 75, in the light of all the stresses and strains and challenges it�*s been facing. we�*re going to bejoined by nurses, student nurses, doctors, patients, innovators, health experts and politicians to try to see what can be done differently.

these are what captagon pills look like — like any other tablet, in fact — but these are illegal, highly addictive, amphetamine—type stimulants that are being mass—produced in syria. this drug is right now being found in europe, africa and asia. and now bbc news arabic working with journalism organisation occrp has uncovered links between this multi—billion—dollar drugs trade and leading members of syrian president bashar al—assad�*s family and elite members of the armed forces. emir nadir has this exclusive report. the arab world is fighting a war. it's the arab world is fighting a war. it�*s enemy is a drug called captagon. captagon is a type of amphetamine that�*s illegal and highly addictive.

now it�*s being found in europe, africa and asia. but where is all the captagon coming from? working with journalism organisation oc crp, bbc news arabic uncovered direct links between this multi—billion dollar drug trade and leading members of syrian president bashar al—assad�*s family and armed forces. with evidence gathered from deep inside syria, we can revealjust how much its economy is hooked on this profitable little pill. since 2011, syria has been torn apart by a bitter civil war. allegations of war crimes committed by the syrian armed forces and their russian backers have led to western sanctions against prominent syrians. as a result, the country�*s economy is close to collapse. desperate for

money, the regime has looked to the lucrative captagon trade. the fourth division is an elite army unit tasked with protecting the government from internal and external threats. since 2018, government from internal and externalthreats. since 2018, it�*s been let by this man, the younger brother of president bashar al—assad. during the syrian civil war, he was responsible for brutal crackdowns on demonstrators and the alleged use of chemical weapons.

gaining hard evidence from inside syria is difficult but one story reported in local media caught our eye. on the 11th of september 2022, a pick—up truck crashed on its way to the port city of tartus. the vehicle contained two tonnes of hashish and 3 million captagon pills. the two men in the truck were brothers. one was killed, the other arrested on drug trafficking charges. the vehicle itself didn�*t have numberplates, a sign it belongs to the military. the brothers came from the home of the al assad family. intrigued, we managed to find their social media profiles and tracked down to people who knew the brothers. i tracked down to people who knew the brothers. ~

this was our first evidence that soldiers in the syrian army close to the al assad family were moving quantities of captagon. a co nta ct a contact in syria gave us this video. we are told a local smuggler posted on social media and that it shows captagon being carried in backpacks across the border into neighbouring jordan. from the footage, it seems the lucrative trade is drawing in people from outside the army. the smugglers have weapons and aren�*t afraid to use them. neither of thejordanian army. of the jordanian army. at their command centre, soldiers monitor the long border with syria, at their command centre, soldiers monitor the long border with syria, using high—powered surveillance cameras. they are looking for smuggler activity. looking for cameras. they are looking for smuggler activity.

the al assad regime is waging a drug the al assad regime is waging a drug war against its regional neighbours, neighbours, war against its regional neighbours, most specificallyjordan and saudi most specificallyjordan and saudi arabia. arabia. and jordan is having to use what tools it can to try and fight back. in march 2023, britain, the usa and eu imposed sanctions on people they believe to be involved in the captagon trade. but we�*ve

discovered the involvement of senior syrian officials not have