The Explanation
by BBC World Service
Latest episode
Unspun World: What changes in a Democrat-run Congress?
Unspun World: What changes in a Democrat-run Congress?
About this podcast
Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin. Exploring the important questions about long-running stories and the latest global news. An honest, unvarnished, explanation of the world.
Featuring new episodes of The President's Path, Unspun World with John Simpson, and The Media Show.
Episodes
The newest 50 of 384 episodes
- Unspun World: What changes in a Democrat-run Congress? · 26 minJohn Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, explores how the results of the US midterm elections are reshaping American politics…
- The Media Show: A reckoning for the media industry? · 23 minIt has been a week of great consequence for the media. On Monday, Russell Brand was sentenced to over 10 years in prison for rape and sexual assault. On Tuesday, in a separate…
- Democrats win big in US midterms · 26 minOn this episode: Sumi Somaskanda, Caitriona Perry and Bernd Debusmann unpack all the big moments from the 2026 US midterms. Voters made their voices heard in a clear message to…
- How will Trump react to Republicans’ midterms defeat? · 26 minThis week John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, explores what the last two years of Donald Trump’s presidency might look…
- The Media Show: The role of social media in Gen-Z protests across Europe · 23 minProtests across Europe led by youth movements have drawn attention to the role of social media in spreading information and misinformation. Largely led by Gen-Z, these protests…
- The President's Path: Midterm races to watch · 16 minCould Texas really go blue? Are Democrats at risk in Michigan? A week out from the 2026 US midterms, Sumi Somaskanda and Caitriona Perry look at the key states – and seats – at…
- Unspun World: Ukrainians prepare for winter at war · 26 minJohn Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, explores the challenges facing Ukraine in the war with Russia as winter approaches…
- The Media Show: Is TV news fit for purpose in the internet age? · 23 minLewis Goodall presenter of “The News Agents” podcast and Krishnan Guru-Murthy presenter of Channel 4 News discuss whether traditional TV news remains fit for purpose in the…
- The President's Path: Trump's immigration stance and the midterms · 15 minSumi Somaskanda, Caitriona Perry and Bernd Debusmann take a closer look at how President Trump’s tough stance on immigration is impacting lives and politics. Sumi joins us from…
- Unspun World: Saudi Arabia’s safe-haven reputation · 26 minJohn Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses the toll on Saudi Arabia of ongoing Houthi attacks, explores whether the…
- The Media Show: More cuts at the BBC · 23 minThis week the BBC announced more cuts as part of its drive to save £500 million, following on from a series of other budget saving measures over the last few months. Katie and…
- The President's Path: Will affordability decide the US midterms? · 17 minSumi Somaskanda, Caitriona Perry and Bernd Debusmann discuss how the issue of affordability is playing out in different parts of the US - and shaping voters' views. Will voters…
- Unspun World: Russia escalates attacks on Ukraine · 26 minJohn Simpson explores the effect on civilians of Russia’s intense bombardment of Ukrainian cities, looks at how Turkey has become a more authoritarian state, and analyses China’s…
- The Media Show: TV screenwriter Russell T Davies · 23 minWriter and producer Russell T Davies reflects on his career, from the groundbreaking series Queer as Folk to the revival of Doctor Who, Years and Years and his latest Channel 4…
- The President's Path: Could Trump deliver Democrats a midterm victory? · 17 minSumi Somaskanda, Caitriona Perry and Bernd Debusmann look at the Democrats' race to the midterms. The party is eyeing some key victories in races across the country, to secure…
- Unspun World: Israel marks three years since 7 October attacks · 26 minJohn Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, explores how Israeli attitudes have changed three years on from the 7 October attacks…
- The Media Show: Hungary and the battle for press freedom · 23 minSix months after Péter Magyar’s election ended Viktor Orbán’s 16-year rule, Hungary’s new government faces scrutiny over its promised press reforms. BBC East and Central Europe…
- The President's Path: Do Trump's endorsements help? · 16 minCaitríona Perry, Sumi Somaskanda and Bernd Debusmann examine the role President Trump is playing in the race to November’s midterm elections. They discuss whether his endorsement…
- What effect are Russian drone strikes having on Ukraine? · 27 minJohn Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, looks at the impact of intensifying Russian attacks on Ukraine, analyses the state of…
- The Media Show: Reporting the Man City scandal · 23 minThe Premier League alleges that Manchester City arranged sham contracts with commercial partners to conceal more than £830 million in funding. BBC Sport’s Laura Scott, Der…
- The President's Path: Trump on the world stage · 16 minCaitríona Perry, Sumi Somaskanda and Bernd Debusmann discuss President Trump's big week on the international stage, from the United Nations General Assembly to hosting China's…
- Unspun World: The state of Germany's government · 26 minJohn Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses the state of Germany’s government after resounding regional election defeats…
- The Media Show: Earl Spencer, the Palace and the Press · 23 minThe publication of Earl Spencer’s book about Princess Diana, serialised by the Daily Mail, has reignited debate over who shapes her legacy. BBC Royal Correspondent Sean Coughlan…
- The President's Path: Is Canada's EU relationship a threat to Trump? · 16 minCaitríona Perry, Sumi Somaskanda and Bernd Debusmann discuss the European Union's ambition for Canada to become its first-ever "associate member", a status that does not…
- Unspun World: Yemen hostilities escalate · 27 minJohn Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses the impact of the latest outbreak of hostilities in Yemen, examines whether…
- The Media Show: Is the right of reply under threat? · 23 minThe right of reply has long been a cornerstone of journalism, giving those involved in a story the chance to respond before publication. But with politicians and public figures…
- The President's Path: How 9/11 changed America and the world · 16 minCaitríona Perry, Sumi Somaskanda and Bernd Debusmann reflect on the legacy of the 9/11 attacks 25 years on, examining their lasting impact on US society and foreign policy, and…
- The Media Show: A television experiment that lasted 60 years · 23 minIn 1964, a group of seven-year-olds appeared in a TV documentary about class in Britain. The cameras returned every seven years to see how their lives had changed. Now, more than…
- The President's Path: Trump's second term: How America and the world sees him · 1 h 2 minCaitríona Perry, Sumi Somaskanda and Bernd Debusmann answer your questions on Trump’s presidency and examine the key issues that could shape the midterms, from his approach to…
- The Media Show: Meet the 'meat proxies' · 23 min“Meat proxy” is a new term coined to describe someone who acts as a human conduit for material generated by AI. Software engineer Niklas Gruhn, who came up with the phrase, joins…
- Heated rivalry: US v Canada · 17 minMark Carney’s tough response to Donald Trump signals an escalation to the trade war between Canada and the United States. What does the dispute could mean for people and…
- The Media Show: Is YouTube the new TV? · 23 minA special show from the Edinburgh TV Festival, where some of the industry’s biggest players have gathered from around the world to debate the future of television. YouTube now…
- The President's Path: Trump redefines America’s friends and foes · 16 minSumi Somaskanda, Bernd Debusmann and Courtney Subramanian explore how President Trump is reshaping America's relationships with allies and adversaries. They discuss Trump's…
- The Media Show: The death of Jason Arday · 23 minThe death of Cambridge academic Jason Arday has prompted intense debate about media conduct, following weeks of reporting on allegations of plagiarism and questions about aspects…
- The President's Path: Trump and the AI data centre debate · 16 minSumi Somaskanda, Bernd Debusmann and Courtney Subramanian discuss how AI data centres are becoming an important issue for voters ahead of the midterms. They look at concerns…
- The Media Show: James May's YouTube move · 23 minFor years, YouTube was largely seen as the home of creators who built their audiences online. But increasingly it's becoming a destination for established TV presenters too…
- The President's Path: Is Trump the AI president? · 16 minSumi Somaskanda and Bernd Debusmann discuss President Trump's efforts to balance AI innovation and regulation, the divisions within his cabinet over AI policy, and the challenges…
- The Media Show: Alternative Hollywood · 23 minMore film studios are making films for audiences they believe are not well served by mainstream Hollywood. Many are aimed at Christian viewers or people with more traditional…
- The President's Path: Does Zelensky have the upper hand in the Ukraine war? · 16 minCaitríona Perry and Bernd Debusmann discuss President Zelensky's visit to Washington, where he pushed for greater US support to bolster Ukraine's air defences. They examine…
- The Media Show: Interviewing Elon Musk · 23 minThe Economist's interview with Elon Musk attracted global attention before Musk then described interviewer Zanny Minton Beddoes as a "traitor to the West". The interview followed…
- The President's Path: The US-Saudi nuclear deal · 17 minSumi Somaskanda, Caitríona Perry and Bernd Debusmann discuss what we know about the US-Saudi Arabia nuclear deal, the implications for the fragile balance of power in the Middle…
- The Media Show: Can an AI actor win over Hollywood? · 23 minAn AI-generated actor called Tilly Norwood has been cast in the lead role of a forthcoming film, adding to the debate about artificial intelligence in filmmaking. The…
- The President's Path: Trump accuses China of US election 'meddling' · 16 minSumi Somaskanda, Caitríona Perry and Bernd Debusmann give their immediate reaction straight after Trump's primetime address, discussing the president's claims of Chinese…
- The Media Show: Trump's New York Times subpoenas · 23 minThe Trump administration has issued subpoenas to several New York Times journalists following reporting about alleged security concerns involving President Trump's new Air Force…
- The President's Path: US-Iran conflict reignites · 16 minSumi Somaskanda, Caitriona Perry and Bernd Debusmann examine the renewed fighting between the US and Iran, and the potential political implications for Americans and President…
- The Media Show: Farage's fight with the Media · 23 minNigel Farage has accused parts of the British media of mounting a politically motivated campaign against him after reports about his financial interests prompted an investigation…
- The President's Path: America at 250 · 25 minSumi Somaskanda, Caitriona Perry and Bernd Debusmann reflect on where America is at, 250 years in. The team discusses a visit to the Great American State Fair in Washington DC…
- The Media Show: The Murray brothers' media game · 23 minWimbledon is under way and some of the sport's biggest names are increasingly becoming media businesses in their own right. Jamie Murray has joined the BBC's Wimbledon coverage…
- The President's Path: Has Trump taken over America’s big birthday? · 25 minSumi Somaskanda, Caitriona Perry and Bernd Debusmann look at the preparations and events to mark America’s 250th anniversary. As the country looks to the big day, there are…
- Unspun World: Has Britain become ungovernable? · 26 minJohn Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, examines the factors behind the latest resignation of a British prime minister…
