Podcast
This Is Why
Hosted by Sky News · EN
The world’s a pretty confusing place right now – so how do you make sense of it all? This Is Why takes one story every day, explains how we got here and why it matters to you.
Sky News’ Niall Paterson speaks to experts and correspondents from around the world, getting simple answers to some complex questions.
Available every weekday afternoon.
This Is Why is a Sky News podcast – if you have a question, contact us: why@sky.uk
139episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Why Russia is ‘relentlessly targeting’ the UK
May 2700:18:46Tap to summarizeThe head of the GCHQ intelligence agency has warned that Russia is going after critical infrastructure and democracy in the UK.Anne Keast-Butler also used the inaugural GCHQ annual lecture at Bletchley Park to say the threat of this "daily hybrid activity" leading to a wider conflict is as "high as I’ve ever seen it".Her warning comes days after an RAF jet carrying the UK's defence secretary John Healey had its signal jammed near the Russia border.Why is Moscow allegedly carrying out these hybrid attacks and what is being done to tackle them?Gareth Barlow discusses how severe the Russia threat is with Sky's military analyst Professor Michael Clarke.
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Why did teenage rapists avoid jail?
May 2600:14:33Tap to summarizeThree teenagers who avoided jail over the rape of two girls in Hampshire will now have their sentences reviewed after a judge initially said he wanted to "avoid criminalising these children unnecessarily". One of the victims described the ruling as being like a "rock straight in my face".The attorney general, Lord Hermer, has announced that the Court of Appeal will review the sentences. His office had received "multiple" requests for the sentences to be reviewed under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.Gareth Barlow speaks to Susan Edwards, Professor of Law at Northumbria University and author of 'Sex and Gender in the Legal Process', about how the decision was reached and what will happen next. Also, Sky’s political correspondent Rob Powell discusses the government's plan to reform the youth justice system.Warning: This podcast contains references to rapeHave you got a question for This Is Why? Email the show – why@sky.uk
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Why Westminster needs to think differently about devolution
May 2500:18:52Tap to summarizeIn all corners of the United Kingdom, parties that back independence are now in charge.The SNP retained control in Scotland and Plaid Cymru took power in Wales for the first time following the May elections. And, with Sinn Fein becoming the biggest party in Northern Ireland back in 2022, it now means all three devolved legislatures in the UK are led by nationalist parties.So, what's behind their rise and are there similarities between them?Niall is joined by Professor Michael Keating, Emeritus Professor of Politics at the University of Aberdeen and Fellow of the Centre on Constitutional Change at the University of Edinburgh.Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show: why@sky.uk
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Why did Thomas Tuchel leave out some big England names?
May 2200:18:33Tap to summarizeThomas Tuchel is England’s first German-born manager. He has led some of Europe’s biggest clubs, from Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich to Chelsea, where he won the Champions League.But he has rarely stayed long in one place; Tuchel has had fraught relationships with club owners and executives.Now, as he announces his squad for the 2026 World Cup in North America, some of his selection decisions have already sparked controversy. So what do they, and his career so far, reveal about the man carrying England’s hopes on his shoulders?Our sports correspondent Rob Harris, fresh from interviewing the England manager, speaks to Niall Paterson about Tuchel’s leadership style, his track record under pressure, and whether he can succeed where others have failed.Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show – why@sky.uk
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Why is the UK easing Russian oil sanctions?
May 2100:15:12Tap to summarizeSince Russia invaded Ukraine, Britain has sanctioned Moscow’s economy in an attempt to weaken Putin's war machine. But this week, the UK introduced a new exemption allowing diesel and jet fuel made from Russian oil to enter Britain via third countries.So, has Britain quietly relaxed its sanctions on Russia? And more broadly, have Western sanctions actually worked?Niall is joined by Tom Keatinge, founding director of the Centre for Finance and Security at defence and security thinktank the Royal United Services Institute, to explain what sanctions are designed to do, whether they change government behaviour, and why Russia is still making billions from oil exports despite years of restrictions.Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show: why@sky.uk
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Why Putin and Trump are queuing up to visit China
May 2000:20:24Tap to summarizePresident Xi Jinping's hopes of putting China at the centre of a new world order have been given a boost by back-to-back visits of two of his fellow world leaders. Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump both had the red carpet rolled out but the US president left without securing any major deals, while Putin has signed at least 20 deals and significantly a joint declaration on establishing a multipolar world and a new type of international relations. Russia has arguably been weakened by its Ukraine war, and with the US viewed by some as less stable under Trump, is China taking advantage to become the leading global power? To discuss this, Niall is joined from Beijing by Sky News’ Asia Correspondent, Helen-Ann Smith. Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show: why@sky.uk
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Why Elon Musk took Sam Altman to court (and lost)
May 1900:15:00Tap to summarizeTech titan and X owner Elon Musk has seen his high-profile lawsuit against the boss of OpenAI Sam Altman thrown out of court.Musk accused his rival of making OpenAI, which created the increasingly popular ChatGPT, a profit-making company after he had donated $38 million to it.The jury may have ruled against Musk, but the feud between the two tech tycoons is likely to continue – and could define the future of AI for years to come.Niall is joined by tech journalist Will Guyatt to discuss the case and its repercussions.Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show: why@sky.uk
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Why the world should care about Africa’s latest Ebola outbreak
May 1800:17:06Tap to summarizeA new strain of Ebola virus has been declared an international public health emergency by the World Health Organisation.More than 300 suspected cases have been identified – with at least 80 deaths reported. The outbreak is mostly confined to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, but two cases have already spread to Uganda.Plus, a number of American citizens have also been exposed to the virus.Niall speaks to Africa correspondent Yousra Elbagir and health correspondent Ashish Joshi about exactly what Ebola is and why the wider world should care about the outbreak.Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk
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Why winning Makerfield might not be so easy for Andy Burnham
May 1500:20:50Tap to summarizeThe constituency of Makerfield has been a Labour safe seat for generations, but in the May elections, Reform UK won nearly every seat that was up for grabs at the local council. So how much of a gamble is it for Andy Burnham to try to stage a Commons return here? In his favour is his personal popularity in Greater Manchester and the fact he grew up in the area. Against him is the momentum of Reform and the fact that Makerfield hasn't benefitted from some of Burnham's key policies as mayor of the city. To discuss his chances, Niall speaks to Rob Ford, professor of political science at the University of Manchester. Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show - why@sky.uk
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Why Wes Streeting is accused of putting ambition above national interest
May 1400:22:04Tap to summarizeOn Thursday lunchtime, Wes Streeting resigned from Sir Keir Starmer’s government. The now-former health secretary said he had “lost confidence” in the PM’s premiership – the first cabinet minister to jump ship.But what he didn’t say (yet) is that he will challenge Starmer for the Labour leadership – and with it, the keys to Number 10.So, why hasn’t Streeting fired the starting gun on a contest his critics say he’s been desperate to fight? What sort of leader might he eventually be, and what’s his track record in government?Niall is joined by Sky News’ political correspondent Rob Powell.Watch Wes Streeting’s appearance on Electoral Dysfunction with Beth Rigby here.Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk
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