On Air: Is it possible to have a moral army?

A group of Israeli soldiers say widespread abuses were carried out on civilians during their action in Gaza.

The soldiers are part of an organisation called “Breaking the Silence”.

Amnesty International has accused both Israel and Hamas of committing war crimes during the 22-day conflict.

Return to Gaza

Cast your mind back six months….to late December. That’s when Israeli fighter jets and attack helicopters began their fierce air assault on the Gaza Strip. Israel’s stated aim was to stop Hamas rocket attacks into southern Israel, and to – as it said – ‘change realities on the ground.’ The war lasted three weeks, and led to the deaths of more than a thousand Palestinians and 13 Israelis.

But what’s happened in the months since the conflict ended? How has it affected the people of Gaza? How much reconstruction has taken place? And has Israel achieved its war aims?

On-Air :U.S and Iran talk today

Update: Ros in Portland and Lyse Doucet in Tehran co-presenting the programme

Is something changing in Iran ?

Since a series of TV debates, the election campaign has burst into life.

Our BBC correspondents in Tehran say the outcome will be close, but it’s just possible that hardline President Ahmedinijad could be defeated by a “reformer” Mir Hossein Mousavi (pictured with his wife Zara Rahnavard).

On- air: Does there come a point when Israel loses its right to defend itself ?

Israel says it carried out 30 air strikes overnight – and 4 thousand infantry are on the ground.

Palestinian medical sources say more than 500 people have been killed since the military action began, and civilians are running out of bread because of gas and electricity shortages.

We can’t verify any of this as Israel has barred foreign reporters from entering Gaza- and restricting their activities on the border. A policy, according to Robert Fisk in the Independent, simply won’t work..

On air: Is it time for Christians to defend themselves?

We’ve talked in the past on World Have Your Say about religions like Islam feeling they are under attack or being persecuted, but now Christians across the world feel increasingly threatened after a wave of attacks in recent months.

Here are some of the recent stories…..  Attacks on Christians in India– in Mosul, Iraq- and in Egypt.

In certain areas of the world, as above, people’s lives are being threatened just because of their faith. So should they be standing up and fighting back, or is it the responsibility of government and church to protect them?

Talking Points 18th September

Hi it’s Karnie with you again today. Thank you to Maria in the US for keeping the debate flowing over night. Today’s stories have got you all talking already, so let’s continue the conversation…

Talking Points 17th September

Goodmorning it’s Karnie with you today.  Thanks to Will in Canada for looking after the blog for us.

There has been a sharp increase in the number of civilian casualties in Afghanistan this year.  According to the UN, every month things get worse and the number of civilian deaths increase. 

What should the role of a grandparent be?

I’m pretty sure this topic will be familiar to most of you . It’s about our parents and the role they play when their grandchildren arrive. I have many friends back home in South Africa who are in these “fortunate” positions.

Talking Points 9th September

Goodmorning it’s Karnie with you today…thank you Robert in the UK for looking after the blog for us. Asif Ali Zardari, the widower of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, has been sworn in as Pakistan’s president.

On air: Should countries do whatever it takes to bring hostages home?

Today Israel buries two of its soldiers whose remains were returned from Lebanon by the militant Hezbollah movement, as part of a prisoner exchange. Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser are believed to have died when they were ambushed in 2006. The incident sparked a month-long war between Israel and Hezbollah. In exchange for the return of their bodies, Israel has released five Lebanese prisoners and the remains of 200 Lebanese and Palestinian fighters. This has been the reaction in Israel.