Podcast
The Explanation
Hosted by BBC World Service · EN
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.
47episodes
Episodes
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The President's Path: Has Trump taken over America’s big birthday?
3d ago00:25:22Tap to summarizeSumi 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 questions around just who is throwing the party – and what this milestone looks like, in the context of big current political divisions. Every weekend, The President’s Path explores the state of US politics - in Washington and beyond. We dig into the key issues shaping America and uncover what’s on the minds of those closest to power. You can contact us at: path@bbc.co.uk Senior producer: Ellyn Duncan Editor: James Kraft Executive producer: Anna Holford
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Unspun World: Has Britain become ungovernable?
3d ago00:26:29Tap to summarizeJohn 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, explores the state of US politics and society on the eve of the country’s 250th birthday, and analyses the results of the Colombian presidential election.Producer: Kate Cornell Executive producer: Benedick Watt Commissioning editors: Silvia Costeloe and Paul Royall
Transcribe →The Media Show: How Shop workers became content
4d ago00:22:58Tap to summarizeThe shop workers union USDAW says the filming of retail staff by customers for social media has become increasingly common, with concerns about videos being uploaded without workers' consent. The issue is highlighted by the experience of a shop worker who appeared in content created by former television presenter Michael Barrymore, now a social media creator with millions of followers across TikTok and YouTube. Jayne Allport, National Officer at USDAW, outlines the union's concerns. The resignation of Sir Keir Starmer has intensified scrutiny of Labour's relationship with the media, with attention turning to Andy Burnham as a potential future leader. Burnham's years as Mayor of Greater Manchester have provided a public record of his dealings with journalists. Joshi Herrmann, founder and editor of The Mill, reflects on Burnham's approach to media engagement. Online romance fraud continues to affect victims around the world, with organised groups in Nigeria responsible for many high-profile scams. A new book traces the origins and evolution of the so-called Yahoo Boys, named after an early generation of fraudsters who relied on Yahoo email accounts. Carlos Barragán, a New York Times reporter, recounts his reporting from Lagos. BBC Radio 4 Long Wave closes this month, bringing to an end a century of long-wave broadcasting in the UK. The network's transmitters at Droitwich, Westerglen and Burghead are due to cease operation as listening habits continue to shift towards digital platforms. Jeffrey Borinsky, broadcasting historian, reflects on the history and legacy of Long Wave radio.Production team Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Producer: Lisa Jenkinson Content Producer: Lucy Wai Apprentice researcher: Cameron Taylor Technical Coordinator: Luke Sweeney Sound: Mark Pickett
Transcribe →The President's Path: What did America actually win in the Iran deal?
1w ago00:25:15Tap to summarizeCaitríona Perry is joined by White House reporter Bernd Buzman and CBS News political director Fin Gomez to unpack the memorandum of understanding with Iran, signed with a flourish by President Trump before G7 leaders at Versailles. With a 60-day clock now running toward bigger talks, they ask what America has actually gained — given the Strait of Hormuz was open and petrol cheaper before Operation Epic Fury began.The team digs into the unresolved nuclear question, the daunting task of diluting Iran's enriched uranium on a timeline that took the Obama administration 20 months, and the politics driving it all: JD Vance positioning himself as the face of the deal, midterm pressures and an uneasy MAGA base.They also weigh a renewed push on Ukraine, rumours swirling around Cuba, and a strikingly public rift between Trump and Netanyahu. Could the flashpoint in Lebanon yet unravel the whole Iran deal?
Transcribe →Unspun World: Winners and losers of the US-Iran agreement
1w ago00:26:29Tap to summarizeJohn Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, examines the new deal aimed at ending the war between the US and Iran, analyses Ukraine’s bid to join the European Union, and looks at the worsening situation for women in Afghanistan under Taliban rule.
Transcribe →The Media Show: Citizen journalists at protests - reporting or activism?
2w ago00:22:58Tap to summarizeFollowing the sentencing of 13 people for violent disorder during protests in Southampton, attention has turned to the role of content creators who film demonstrations and public disorder. The judge cited the usefulness of footage filmed by so-called “citizen journalists”. Siddharth Venkataramakrishnan of the Institute for Strategic Dialogue and content creator Wesley Winter give their perspective on the issue. The BBC has begun setting out changes as part of plans to deliver significant savings across the organisation. The measures include the closure of several programmes across radio and current affairs output, alongside wider reductions in staffing. Jonathan Munro, Global Director of BBC News, outlines the changes. Norma Percy has spent years getting to the heart of some of the biggest moments in recent history. Her documentaries have been celebrated for talking directly to the people who made the decisions. As the BBC airs her latest film - about Brexit - she reflects on her storied career and the future of documentary making.Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Producers: Lisa Jenkinson and Lucy Wai Researcher: Ruth Waites Technical Coordinator: Jack Sharp Sound: Rebecca Millar
Transcribe →The President's Path: Why is Trump hosting the UFC at the White House?
2w ago00:24:36Tap to summarizeSumi, Caitríona and Bernd dig into a big week for President Trump, who is celebrating his 80th birthday - just weeks ahead of America's 250th - with UFC Freedom 250, an invite-only MMA fight on the South Lawn of the White House. Bernd reports back from the venue, where a 92-foot structure now towers over the executive mansion, while Caitríona runs through the practical headaches: searing heat, the threat of thunderstorms, swarming bugs and a fight card slimmed down from its original ambitions. The team also unpicks the controversy - a lawsuit from local residents calling it an "aesthetic injury", Trump's long relationship with UFC boss Dana White, and reports that UFC's parent company expects to make a hefty loss on the night.Why do it? The presenters explore the politics of Trump's sporting embrace - from NASCAR to the Knicks, where footage appeared to show him being booed (he says he received a great reception) - and whether the White House is using events like this to shore up support among young men. Then it's on to the World Cup: fans reporting visa delays and rejections, astronomical ticket prices, fears of immigration raids at watch parties, and Iran's team reportedly basing itself in Mexico. The White House insists America will be welcoming and secure - but can a global celebration of football rise above the politics, or will the controversies steal the show?
Transcribe →Unspun World: Fighting resumes between Israel and Hezbollah
2w ago00:26:28Tap to summarizeJohn Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, explores the impact of Israel’s recent attacks on Lebanon, analyses the flotation of SpaceX and what it will mean for Elon Musk, and looks at the outcome of the election in Armenia. Producer: Kate Cornell Executive producer: Benedick Watt Commissioning editors: Silvia Costeloe and Paul Royall
Transcribe →The Media Show: Reporting the World Cup
3w ago00:22:58Tap to summarizeThe men’s football World Cup begins this week in the US, Mexico and Canada. With matches being played in three different time zones, it presents an unprecedented challenge for the media. Alex Kay-Jelski, Director of BBC Sport, Craig Hope, Chief Football Reporter at the Daily Mail, and Daniel Storey, Chief Football Writer at The i, set out their plans.Violent disorder on the streets in Belfast has followed a knife attack earlier this week, with a Sudanese man who was granted refugee status in the UK in 2023 charged with attempted murder. Dan Johnson, BBC News correspondent, explains the challenge for journalists reporting from the ground.Russia’s economic forum in St Petersburg earlier this month played host to several Western social media stars. Influencers are now part of the messaging strategy for governments around the world. Samantha Berkhead, Editor of The Moscow Times, and Evie Aspinall, Director of the British Foreign Policy Group, discuss the reasons. Production team Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Producers: Lisa Jenkinson and Lucy Wai Researcher: Ruth Waites Technical Coordinator: James Cherry Sound: Robin Schroder and Rebecca Millar
Transcribe →The President's Path: Why did Trump and Netanyahu clash over the Iran war?
3w ago00:24:58Tap to summarizeCaitriona Perry, Sumi Somaskanda and Bernd Debusmann unpack the extraordinary falling-out between President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - a reportedly "blazing row" that both men have since confirmed. Trump was left "perturbed" that Israeli operations in Lebanon risked derailing his Iran negotiations. But it isn't the first time he has vented at Netanyahu in public. Both insist they still speak almost daily and remain close. But American and Israeli interests in the Iran war are increasingly diverging, US opinion has turned - Pew now finds around 60% of Americans hold an unfavourable view of Israel, up from the low 40s before the 2023 war in Gaza - and influential MAGA voices like Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens are openly questioning the alliance. With Netanyahu accused at home of turning Israel into a "vassal state", his resistance to a two-state solution stalling Trump's cherished Abraham Accords, and the war itself looking like a strategic failure, is the "ironclad" US-Israel relationship finally starting to crack?
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