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The Inquiry

by BBC World Service

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Latest episodes

  • Have national museums had their day?

    October 27, 2026 · 24 min

    The concept of the national museum which developed during the 18th and 19th Centuries coincided with the age of exploration, emerging science and empire building. The grand stone structures of these museums reflected a sense of national…

  • What can a new UN Secretary-General achieve?

    October 20, 2026 · 24 min

    In January 2027, a new Secretary-General will take the helm of the United Nations, an organisation founded on the principle of international cooperation. The role will involve navigating tensions between its most powerful members, while…

  • Is a deal on the Kuril Islands ever possible?

    October 13, 2026 · 24 min

    For decades Russia and Japan have been locked in a dispute over the Kuril Islands, which sit between Hokkaido in Northern Japan and Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula. At the end of World War Two, the island chain was annexed by the Soviet…

  • Can middle powers reshape the world?

    October 6, 2026 · 24 min

    The balance of power in the world is changing. The United States and China continue to be the dominant forces in international affairs, but other countries are looking for new ways to protect their interests and shape events on the global…

  • How can Nepal’s economy rebuild after floods?

    September 29, 2026 · 24 min

    Nepal is still reeling from the devastation caused by recent flash floods. More than a thousand people are reported to have lost their lives and thousands more are still missing. The physical impact is extensive with many hydropower…

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  • How did Italian politics become stable?

    September 22, 2026 · 24 min

    Italy has long been associated with political instability, with governments on average lasting just over a year. Current Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has broken that pattern. Her government has become the longest continuously serving…

  • Can China’s polar silk road change global trade?

    September 15, 2026 · 24 min

    Conflict in the Middle East continues to disrupt global shipping routes including the Strait of Hormuz and the Strait of Malacca. China is now turning to Russia for support in developing an alternative trade path: the Northern Sea Route…

  • Can Africa take control of its digital future?

    September 8, 2026 · 24 min

    Just under 20 years ago Kenya pioneered the use of mobile money. Since then, other countries in Africa have carved out a share of the digital market for themselves, from gaming in Morocco to artificial intelligence in Tunisia. But the…

  • Should rivers have personhood?

    September 1, 2026 · 23 min

    River systems around the world are under stress from various factors ranging from pollution, to agriculture, to extractive industries. In some parts of the world there are regulations to help protect rivers, but in a lot of cases these are…

  • How has the Cockroach Janta Party changed India’s politics?

    August 25, 2026 · 24 min

    In July 2026, tens of thousands of students took to the streets in India’s capital, demanding reforms to education. The protests followed the leak of medical entrance exam papers but quickly grew to reflect wider concerns about job…

  • Can elections restore Moroccans’ faith in their country?

    August 18, 2026 · 24 min

    In September, Morocco’s citizens will go to the polls for the country’s general election. Morocco is a constitutional monarchy, with a multi-party-political system. A new head of government will be appointed by King Mohammed VI, from the…

  • Is daylight saving time working?

    August 11, 2026 · 25 min

    The House of Representatives has voted to make daylight saving time permanent in the United States. If the measure is approved by the Senate and becomes law, most Americans would no longer spring forward in March or fall back in…

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About the show

The Inquiry gets beyond the headlines to explore the trends, forces and ideas shaping the world.