Podcast
The Inquiry
Hosted by BBC World Service · EN
The Inquiry gets beyond the headlines to explore the trends, forces and ideas shaping the world.
24episodes
Episodes
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What’s the future for monetary unions?
Today00:23:15Tap to summarizeAt the beginning of this year Bulgaria, considered as one of the poorest countries in the European Union, became the latest to officially join the eurozone. Bulgaria’s legal tender since 1881 had been the lev, but since the mid-1990s it had been pegged to other European currencies, first to the German deutschmark and now to the euro. But it remains to be seen if the country’s economic policy can take advantage of the opportunities that joining the single currency can afford, in terms of trade and economic development. Monetary unions are not a new concept, some like the Scandinavian monetary union date back to the 19th Century, involving Denmark, Sweden and Norway. It established a fixed exchange rate system based on the gold standard, whilst member countries still had their own currencies before it was gradually dissolved from the outbreak of World War One onwards. Today, the biggest monetary union is the eurozone, used by around 358 million people across 21 European Union countries. It has one monetary authority for all the members and a standardised currency and coinage. And now the Economic Community of West African States, known as ECOWAS is actively planning a monetary union with a common currency called the eco and pegged to the euro. The ambition is for greater economic sovereignty and regional economic integration. But with the US dollar as the world’s dominant global reserve currency, even though it’s not part of a global monetary union, is there an argument for one currency across all borders and if so, what should it be? So, on The Inquiry this week we’re asking, ‘What’s the future for monetary unions?’Contributors: Assoc Prof Ralitsa Simeonova-Ganeva, Sofia University St Kliment Ohridski, Bulgaria Prof Barry Eichengreen, University of California, Berkeley, USA Prof Mohamed Ben Omar Ndiaye, Cheikh Anta Diop University, Senegal Dr Judy Shelton, Senior Fellow, The Independent Institute, California, USAPresenter: Charmaine Cozier Producers: Daniel Rosney and Jill Collins Researcher: Evie Yabsley Editor: Tom Bigwood Technical producer: Toby James Production management: Phoebe Lomas and Liam Morrey(Photo: Euro and US dollar banknotes. Credit: BBC/Corbis Royalty Free)
Transcribe →Are the Himalayan glaciers at a tipping point?
1w ago00:24:30Tap to summarizeThe Himalayan glaciers are melting more rapidly as global temperatures rise, raising concerns about the future of ecosystems and communities across the Himalayan mountain range. Glaciers store more than two thirds of the world’s freshwater and help regulate global temperatures by reflecting the sun’s rays.Across South Asia, melting ice is contributing to the formation of unstable glacial lakes and increasing the risks of floods, droughts and avalanches. The Himalayas are a vital source of water for millions of people, supporting agriculture, energy production and livelihoods from tourism.Experts warn that continued glacier loss could have significant consequences for people living in the region and the mountainous ecosystem, but what can be done to respond to these changes?Contributors: Pasang Yangjee Sherpa, assistant professor at the University of British Columbia, Canada Pam Pearson, director and founder of the International Cryosphere Climate Initiative, US Matthias Huss, glaciologist and senior scientist at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Switzerland Alton Byers, faculty research scientist at the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research at the University of Colorado, USPresenter: Tanya Beckett Producer: Matt Toulson Researchers: Evie Yabsley and Amelia Cox Editor: Tom Bigwood Technical Producer: Mitch Goodall(Photo: Trekkers walk to Everest Base Camp in Nepal. Credit: Kriangkrai Thitimakorn/Getty Images)
Transcribe →What is the future of the European Union?
2w ago00:23:43Tap to summarizeThe recent election result in Hungary has been seen as a welcome relief within the European Union.The bloc of 27 nations has, at times, felt frustrated with the country for blocking what the other 26 members have agreed to do, especially regarding financial support for Ukraine.Now the EU has been able to push through a loan to Ukraine of more than US$100bn, and some observers believe the union’s turbulent years are behind it. As it marks 10 years since the United Kingdom voted to leave, and with Montenegro expected to soon join, this week, what is the future of the European Union?’Contributors: Dr Monika Sus, professor at the Polish Academy of Sciences and at the Robert Schuman Centre of the European University Institute in Florence, Italy Michael Geary, professor of European history at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway Catherine E. de Vries, author How Europe Survives: The Adaptability and Resilience of a Continent in Peril, vice dean of the school for politics, economics and global affairs at IE University of Madrid, Spain Dr Andi Hoxhaj, lecturer in law and director of the European law and LLM programme at King's College, London, UKPresenter: Daniel Rosney Producer: Jill Collins Editor: Tom Bigwood Technical Producer: James Bradshaw(Photo: European Union flags. Credit: Reuters)
Transcribe →Are countries really running out of jet fuel?
3w ago00:24:08Tap to summarizeGlobal oil markets have been affected by the US Israel war with Iran, leading to higher jet fuel prices and increased attention on supply risks.But how serious is the situation? While some experts point to tightening supply chains and regional bottlenecks, others say there is no clear evidence so far of immediate shortages.Even so, the refining and distribution of jet fuel remains a potential vulnerability, as disruption can have notable impacts even when crude oil itself is available. With air travel crucial to trade and tourism, the resilience of fuel supply is a growing concern for economies and travellers. Can alternative suppliers and fuel sources help limit the impact of future disruption?Contributors: Zach Aman, professor of chemical engineering, the University of Western Australia Ahmed Mehdi, senior fellow at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies and managing director at Renaissance Energy Advisors, UK Dumebi Oluwole, lead economist at Stears, Nigeria Li Qiao, professor of aeronautics and astronautics, Purdue University, USPresenter: Rajan Datar Producer: Matt Toulson Researcher: Evie Yabsley Editor: Tom Bigwood Technical producer: Mitch Goodall(Photo: Airline worker attaching fuel pipe to plane to refuel. Credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Transcribe →Should we mine the Moon?
4w ago00:23:57Tap to summarizeThe recent Nasa Artemis II crewed mission to the far side of the Moon is a further step towards a long-term return to the lunar surface and future missions to Mars. The plan is that before the end of the decade there will be a crewed landing and the start of a Moon base. China is among those developing similar plans. Previous missions both crewed and uncrewed have provided evidence of resources that potentially could be of use here on Earth, and support human life on the Moon. So, it’s not just the race to the Moon that’s capturing the world’s attention, but also the possible economic benefits that that might bring with it. The Moon’s surface or lunar regolith contains volatiles like hydrogen, carbon dioxide and methane. There is evidence of minerals such as silicate and oxides and metals like aluminium and titanium, which could be extracted for building materials. And something that is rare on Earth, Helium-3, a potential resource for clean fusion energy. Governments in conjunction with private corporations are already working on the technology to extract these resources. Concerns have been raised about the potential damage to the Moon, not only in terms of the depletion of its resources, but in terms of its scientific value and its cultural heritage. Protection ranges from established treaties that prohibit ownership of the moon, to national laws that permit resource extraction. But to date, there is no universally accepted international law in place, which explicitly permits or prohibits lunar mining. So, this week on the Inquiry, we’re asking ‘Should we mine the Moon?’Contributors: Dr Dylan Mikesell, principal geophysicist, NGI-The Norwegian Geotechnical Institute, Oslo, Norway Dr Justin Holcomb, assistant research professor, Kansas Geological Survey, University of Kansas, USA Prof Dr Thomas Zurbuchen, director of ETH Space, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zürich, Switzerland Dr Tanja Masson-Zwaan, assistant professor and deputy director, International Institute of Air and Space Law, Leiden University, The NetherlandsPresenter: William Crawley Producer: Jill Collins Editor: Tom Bigwood Sound engineer: Nicky Edwards(Photo: The Moon. Credit: Reuters)
Transcribe →Cycling: Is it time to swap four wheels for two?
Apr 2100:24:38Tap to summarizeConflict in the Middle East has led to volatility in global oil prices, pushing up fuel costs worldwide. Previous oil shocks prompted some countries to reconsider their reliance on cars, investing in alternatives such as cycling. In some places, this has become part of everyday life, while elsewhere it has proved more contested, reflecting wider political and cultural divides.Cycling offers benefits for health and the environment, but it is not practical for everyone. For many people, including those in rural areas or with limited mobility, cars remain everyday essentials. As oil price volatility continues to affect motorists, questions remain about how far behaviour can change.With contributions from Meredith Glaser, CEO of Urban Cycling Institution, professor of cycling at Ghent University, Belgium, and a senior lecturer at the University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Levke Sönksen, research associate at the German Institute of Urban Affairs, Germany; Dr Eunhye Enki Yoo, professor of Geography at the University of Buffalo, US and Martin Tillman, independent transport consultant, UAE.Presenter: Gary O’Donoghue Producer: Matt Toulson Sound engineer: Richard Hannaford Editor: Tom Bigwood(Photo: Cyclists ride bicycles in Amsterdam. Credit: George Clerk/Getty Images)
Transcribe →How will countries boycotting Eurovision affect the contest?
Apr 1400:24:21Tap to summarizeBroadcasters from The Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland, Spain and Slovenia are all boycotting May’s Eurovision Song Contest because Israel is participating. Sources within Israel’s broadcaster say calls for it to be banned are unjustified, and organisers of the contest insist it must remain politically neutral, describing the event as "a platform for displaying the importance of peace and unity in a divided world".The boycott has sparked one of the biggest crises in Eurovision’s 70-year history. In several cases, the position to withdraw also reflects wider pressure from politicians and public opinion. How will countries boycotting Eurovision affect the contest?’Contributors: Natalija Gorščak, president of the management board of RTV, Slovenia Dr Bárbara Barreiro León, lecturer in film and visual Culture, University of Aberdeen, UK Dr Heather Dichter, associate professor of sport history and sport management, De Montfort University, UK Dr Dean Vuletic, author Postwar Europe and the Eurovision Song Contest, LuxembourgPresenter/Producer: Daniel Rosney Editor: Tom Bigwood Sound Engineer: James Bradshaw Production Management: Phoebe Lomas and Liam Morrey(Photo: Eurovision flags. Credit: Georg Hochmuth/Getty Images)
Transcribe →Is it time to scrap the Commonwealth Games?
Apr 700:23:58Tap to summarizeFor the second time in 12 years Glasgow is preparing to host the Commonwealth Games after Australia’s Victoria state pulled out because of increased costs. Victoria’s withdrawal raised questions about whether the 2026 games would go ahead before Glasgow agreed to step in. Staging a sporting mega-event is expensive and governments face increasing scrutiny over public spending. Victoria’s decision raised wider questions about affordability for potential hosts. At the same time, critics question the Games’ political relevance, given its origins in Britain’s colonial past.The Commonwealth Games Federation says the event can be delivered in a more sustainable way and argues that it brings cultural and economic benefits to host cities, but recent editions have run into significant costs and budget pressures.Our contributors this week are Dr Stuart Whigham, senior lecturer in sport, coaching and physical education at Oxford Brookes University, UK; Dr Matthew McDowell, lecturer in sport policy, management, and international development at the University of Edinburgh, UK; Dr Verity Postlethwaite, lecturer in strategic event management at Loughborough University, UK and Professor Gayle McPherson, associate dean for research at the University of the West of Scotland, and director of legacy and community engagement for Commonwealth Games Scotland, UK.Presenter: Tanya Beckett Producer: Matt Toulson Technical Producer: Craig Boardman Editor: Tom Bigwood(Photo: 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medals. Credit: Adrian Dennis/Getty Images)
Transcribe →Why is basic income being debated?
Mar 3100:24:02Tap to summarizeIreland has a new permanent government scheme providing regular cash transfers to 2,000 artists. The people who can access it range from circus performers to opera singers.It follows a pilot of more than three years, which is believed to have brought a return on investment to the economy.Big tech backs basic income schemes like this to offset the consequences AI is having on the workforce. Leading economists believe it could create a dystopian world. Nevertheless, more governments are piloting or planning to introduce schemes like this.Contributors: Dr Jenny Dagg, assistant lecturer, Maynooth University, Ireland Dr Catarina Neves, postdoctoral fellow, Utrecht University, The Netherlands Daron Acemoglu, 2024 Nobel Prize winner in economics, institute professor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, US Dr Jurgen De Wispelaere, acting chair of the Basic Income Earth Network.Presenter: Charmaine Cozier Producer: Daniel Rosney Sound engineer: Craig Boardman Editor: Tom Bigwood(Photo: A customer withdraws euro bills from an ATM in Sofia. Credit: Bloomberg/Getty Images)
Transcribe →Is the revolution in Cuba over?
Mar 2100:24:10Tap to summarizeCuba is facing one of its most severe humanitarian crises in decades.For years, Cuba relied heavily on oil from Venezuela. Those supplies have largely stopped, contributing to widespread fuel shortages. Electricity blackouts have become increasingly common, disrupting daily life across the country.The United States has blocked fuel shipments to Cuba as part of wider pressure linked to its economic and political policies. Meanwhile, the Cuban government has warned it will resist any external interference in its domestic affairs.This weeks panel includes Lillian Guerra, professor of Cuban and Caribbean history at the University of Florida, US; Ricardo Torres, research fellow at American University, US; Christopher Sabatini, senior research fellow for Latin America at Chatham House, UK and Renata Segura, programme director for Latin America and the Caribbean at the International Crisis Group, US.Presenter: Tanya Beckett Producer: Matt Toulson Sound engineer: Cameron Ward Editor: Tom Bigwood(Photo: Havana, the capital of Cuba, during a blackout in March 2026. Credit: Yamil Lage/Getty Images)
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