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The Explanation

by BBC World Service
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Latest episodes

  • The Media Show: More cuts at the BBC

    October 22, 2026 · 23 min

    This 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 Ros take stock of everything announced so far along with a…

  • The President's Path: Will affordability decide the US midterms?

    October 16, 2026 · 17 min

    Sumi 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 punish the president and his team at the ballot box? Every…

  • Unspun World: Russia escalates attacks on Ukraine

    October 16, 2026 · 26 min

    John 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 decision to regulate AI chatbots. Producer: Kate…

  • The Media Show: TV screenwriter Russell T Davies

    October 15, 2026 · 23 min

    Writer 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 drama Tip Toe. The BBC has issued an apology for making false…

  • The President's Path: Could Trump deliver Democrats a midterm victory?

    October 9, 2026 · 17 min

    Sumi 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 control of either the House or Senate – or both – come…

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  • Unspun World: Israel marks three years since 7 October attacks

    October 9, 2026 · 26 min

    John 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, analyses the possible impacts of the midterm elections on the…

  • The Media Show: Hungary and the battle for press freedom

    October 8, 2026 · 23 min

    Six 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 Correspondent Nick Thorpe reports from Budapest on how the…

  • The President's Path: Do Trump's endorsements help?

    October 2, 2026 · 16 min

    Caitríona 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 is helping Republican candidates, look at the key…

  • What effect are Russian drone strikes having on Ukraine?

    October 2, 2026 · 27 min

    John 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 relationship between China and the United States, and…

  • The Media Show: Reporting the Man City scandal

    October 1, 2026 · 23 min

    The 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 Spiegel journalist Christoph Winterbach, Nick Harris from Sporting…

  • The President's Path: Trump on the world stage

    September 28, 2026 · 16 min

    Caitríona 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 president at the White House. They examine how the US president…

  • Unspun World: The state of Germany's government

    September 25, 2026 · 26 min

    John 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, looks at the effect of American cutbacks on the of future of…

Full episode archive on Apple Podcasts →

About the show

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.