The Briefing Room

BBC Radio 4

David Aaronovitch and a panel of experts and insiders present in-depth explainers on big issues in the news

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393 episodes
Updated July 27

Episodes393

Newest first

January 8 · 28 min
Venezuela – what now?
The Briefing Room asks what’s next for Venezuela?
Dec 18, 2025 · 28 min
Should we worry about America’s security strategy?
What does the new US National Security Strategy mean for Europe and the rest of the world?
Dec 11, 2025 · 29 min
Why are early career doctors angry?
Why is there a shortage of training posts for resident doctors?
Dec 4, 2025 · 28 min
Are the old robbing the young?
Are we seeing inter-generational economic injustice?
Nov 27, 2025 · 28 min
What's happening with the Ukraine peace plan?
Is there a viable peace plan for Ukraine on the table?
Nov 20, 2025 · 28 min
What can the UK learn from the rest of Europe about asylum reform?
Is Denmark the right model for the UK's asylum policy?
Nov 13, 2025 · 28 min
Why does the UK have a problem with productivity?
What are the consequences of the UK's low productivity growth?
Nov 6, 2025 · 28 min
What's happening in Venezuela?
Why is there a military build-up off the coast of Venezuela?
Oct 30, 2025 · 28 min
How should we handle historic public inquiries?
Are public inquiries working?
Oct 23, 2025 · 44 min
Is there a crash coming?
Could an AI bubble or so-called ‘shadow banking’ threaten the global economy?
Oct 20, 2025 · 28 min
Is the UK in a data crisis?
What’s gone wrong at the Office for National Statistics?
Oct 9, 2025 · 28 min
Will the Gaza peace plan work?
What is the plan? And why is it happening now?
Aug 26, 2025 · 41 min
How prepared are we for the next pandemic?
Covid is in the rear view mirror but are we equipped to deal with the next pandemic?
Aug 21, 2025 · 28 min
How prepared are we for cyber threats?
Deepfakes, ransomware, data leaks: cyber crime is evolving fast. But can we keep up?
Aug 14, 2025 · 28 min
How prepared are we for climate change?
The UK is becoming hotter and wetter but is it prepared to deal with that reality?
Aug 7, 2025 · 28 min
Should the government worry about debt?
Should the UK and other countries worry about rising levels of government debt?
Jul 31, 2025 · 28 min
Why don't we have ID cards in the UK?
David Aaronovitch and guests discuss identity cards.
Jul 24, 2025 · 28 min
How close is the UK getting to the European Union?
Is Labour's promise of 'an improved and ambitious relationship' with Europe coming true?
Jul 17, 2025 · 28 min
Is the tide turning in the Ukraine war?
What does a change in the Trump-Putin relationship mean for the war in Ukraine?
Jul 10, 2025 · 28 min
The Trump hokey cokey is back - what happens to world trade now?
As President Trump raises tariffs again, what does this mean for world trade?