Global News Podcast – "First Large Protests in Iran Since Deadly Crackdown"

BBC World Service | Host: Chris Barrow | February 22, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of the Global News Podcast delivers in-depth coverage of the first large-scale protests in Iran since the deadly January crackdown on demonstrators. Alongside this, the episode explores a variety of other global headlines, including shifts in US trade policy under President Trump, accountability issues for tech companies after a Canadian school shooting, controversies at the Berlin Film Festival, insights from the Epstein files, four years of war in Ukraine and its effects on Russian society, a deadly virus outbreak among captive tigers in Thailand, and an experimental push to end draws in Japanese football.

Iran’s New Wave of University Protests

[01:04–06:48]

Key Discussion Points

• Renewed Student Protests:
  Iranian university students, especially in elite Tehran institutions (Sharif University, University of Tehran, Polytechnic University), reignited anti-government protests for the first time since the January massacre. Large commemorative gatherings for those killed have turned into public demonstrations chanting "Death to the dictator," referencing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

• Government's Calculated Response:
  Thus far, authorities have not responded with the violence witnessed 40 days earlier. Heightened international scrutiny appears to be affecting their tactics.

  "If the hope of the government of Iran was that with that massacre, they have shut down protests...that has clearly failed." – Bahman Kalbasi, BBC Persian [03:56]

• Change in Societal Attitude:
  Observers inside Iran recognize a fundamental change:

  "Society has changed. Iranian public is furious and infuriated in ways that has never been seen before...shock of how much the regime was ready to employ the kind of brutality that none of us even thought possible, has changed Iran and has changed the public." – Bahman Kalbasi [04:36]

• Potential for Further Crackdown:
  The government is "careful at this point," but Bahman Kalbasi warns that escalation into city-wide protests could quickly provoke another violent response. [05:11, 05:50]

• Public Fears and Foreign Intervention:
  The Iranian public is divided over US threats and increased military presence. Some see foreign intervention as necessary, while others fear further trauma akin to the June "12 Day War." [06:02]

US Tariffs and Global Economic Impact

[06:48–08:39]

Key Discussion Points

• Supreme Court Strikes Down Previous Trump Tariffs:
  The US Supreme Court found most of President Trump’s tariffs illegal due to misuse of emergency powers. Trump responded by immediately increasing a new round of global tariffs to 15%. [07:13]

• Domestic Political Reaction:
  Democrats label the tariffs as tax increases for ordinary Americans and demand refunds.

  "The tariffs were illegal from day one...Donald Trump should return that money immediately." – Gavin Newsom, Governor of California [07:57]

• Refund Uncertainty:
  While some governors are sending "invoices" for refunds, it’s unclear if or when money will be returned. Republicans argue tariffs have helped US trade agreements.

Tech Accountability after Canadian School Shooting

[08:39–12:01]

Key Discussion Points

• ChatGPT Connection:
  The perpetrator of Canada’s worst school shooting used ChatGPT to research violence months before the attack. Though flagged and banned, OpenAI did not alert authorities before the incident.

• Debate Over Tech Company Duties:
  Dex Hunter-Torricke highlights serious questions about OpenAI’s reluctance to act:

  "This is a company which has a duty of care...they actually debated it internally and then decided not to act." – Dex Hunter-Torricke, non-profit analyst [09:30]

• Transparency & Responsibility:
  OpenAI sets its own risk threshold for contacting law enforcement; critics say such consequential decisions shouldn't rest on internal policy alone.

  "They're grading their own homework...these are matters too consequential to be left just to the tech companies alone." – Dex Hunter-Torricke [11:34]

Berlin Film Festival – Cinema and Politics Collide

[12:01–15:34]

Key Discussion Points

• Strong Political Statements:
  The Golden Bear went to "Yellow Letters," a film about artists persecuted for dissent, echoing ongoing tensions about government overreach and artistic freedom.

• Jury and Industry Divided on Politics:
  Festival jury head Wim Wenders' call for "cinema to stay out of politics" triggered strong backlash; many artists used their speeches to address social injustices, Israel-Palestine, and right-wing threats.

• Notable Moments:

  "The real threat is not among us. It is out there. It's the autocrats, it's the right wing parties, it's the nihilists of our time who try to come to power and destroy our way of living. Let's not fight each other, let's fight them."
  – Ilke Catarrk, Yellow Letters Director [13:30]

  "You cannot stay out of politics. It's impossible...politics is determining every sphere." – Emin Alper, Silver Bear winner [14:44]

Revealing the Epstein Files

[17:58–21:02]

Key Insights

• Hierarchy of Abuse Exposed:
  Amelia Gentleman of The Guardian offers a gendered reading of leaked communications:

  "The emails showcase the private behavior of a male ruling class...Women exist at the periphery...they organize the diaries...provide sex." [18:16]

  "Reading the files convinced me that [patriarchy] is the best word to describe the environment in which Epstein exists." [18:55]

  The documents show how women were excluded systematically and objectified, with their presence tolerated only in supporting or sexual roles.

Russia After Four Years of War in Ukraine

[21:02–25:15]

Key Discussion Points

• War's Human Cost and Social Impact:
  Nearly 2 million military casualties and mass internal displacement. Sanctions, political repression, and new laws have reshaped daily life.

• Fragmentation of Society:
  Families and friendships have split under pressure.

  "My dad, he was so pro-Kremlin. We argued a lot. Last year he unfortunately passed away and we've never covered our relationship." – Vlad, former Russian resident [22:32]

• Voices of the Emigrated and Imprisoned:
  The episode features ex-official “Mikhail,” now living in exile as a US truck driver after avoiding forced conscription [23:22], and opposition figure Ilya Yashin, who spent 25 months in prison:

  "Navalny death made a huge hole and it's very difficult to change Navalny to any other person." – Ilya Yashin [24:13]

• Economic Impacts:

  "When I used to work, I had a lot of money left for travel, for some fun, but now almost all my income goes to food." – Jeremy, Moscow region [24:54]

Thailand’s Captive Tigers Suffer Viral Outbreak

[25:15–28:02]

Key Points

• Unprecedented Tiger Deaths:
  At least 72 tigers in Chiang Mai have died from feline parvovirus. Precautionary measures include quarantine, disinfection, and vaccination. Animal rights groups decry the suffering of tigers in captivity.

• Historic Comparisons:
  The last similar outbreak dates back over 20 years (bird flu, 2004).

Ending Draws in Japanese Football

[28:02–30:37]

Key Discussion Points

• J League’s New Format:
  No draws allowed in the current transitional season; matches go straight to penalties. Intended to give Japanese players more experience in high-pressure situations for international competitions.

• Youth Engagement:

  "Football is in an existential crisis with viewing...you look at the 18 to 24s, only a third will watch live football. You look at the over 55s, it's three quarters. So football, if it doesn't adapt, it will die, I think." – Bobby Seagull, West Ham FC Education Ambassador [29:34]

• Tradition vs. Modernization:
  While traditionalists lament the loss of classic results, advocates urge innovation to keep the sport alive amongst younger fans.

Memorable Quotes

• "Society has changed. Iranian public is furious and infuriated...that anger and that mourning...has changed Iran and has changed the public."
  — Bahman Kalbasi, BBC Persian [04:36]

• "OpenAI has a set of policies...but this is the challenge. You have companies that are setting standards...and they're then grading their own homework."
  — Dex Hunter-Torricke [11:34]

• "Navalny death made a huge hole and it's very difficult to change Navalny to any other person."
  — Ilya Yashin [24:13]

• "When I used to work, I had a lot of money left for travel...but now almost all my income goes to food."
  — Jeremy, Moscow region [24:54]

• "You cannot stay out of politics. It's impossible...politics is determining every sphere."
  — Emin Alper, Silver Bear Winner [14:44]

• "Football is in an existential crisis with viewing...if it doesn't adapt, it will die, I think."
  — Bobby Seagull [29:34]

Timestamps Summary

• Iran protests: 01:04–06:48
• US tariffs: 06:48–08:39
• Canada shooting/AI accountability: 08:39–12:01
• Berlin Film Festival: 12:01–15:34
• Epstein files/patriarchy: 17:58–21:02
• Russia’s transformation: 21:02–25:15
• Thailand tigers: 25:15–28:02
• Japan football draws: 28:02–30:37

Overall Tone

The episode maintains the BBC World Service’s authoritative and analytical style, blending sober reporting with human perspectives and expert commentary across a broad spectrum of urgent international issues.