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

Feb 7, 2025 · 5 min
Explainer: How do weight-loss drugs work?
We talk Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro
Jan 30, 2025 · 7 min
Explainer: Who made the first electric car?
A short history of electric cars in the UK.
Jan 24, 2025 · 13 min
Explainer: What is a Tariff?
President Trump likes tariffs - what are they and what happened last time?
Jan 9, 2025 · 28 min
Why does Trump love tariffs?
How new tariffs could affect the world economy during a second Trump presidency.
Jan 2, 2025 · 28 min
Is the push for the electric cars in trouble?
The government wants to end the sale of petrol cars by 2030.
Dec 26, 2024 · 28 min
Why we need to care about the Arctic
What threats and opportunities does the Arctic face?
Dec 19, 2024 · 28 min
Is chainsaw economics working in Argentina?
President Milei is cutting inflation, government spending and regulations.
Dec 12, 2024 · 28 min
Will new weight loss drugs save or bankrupt the NHS?
The NHS is set to offer Mounjaro to 3.4m people to tackle obesity.
Dec 5, 2024 · 28 min
What’s going on in Syria?
The quick fall of the Assad regime.
Nov 28, 2024 · 29 min
Ukraine - what’s next?
Both sides struggle to get the upper hand in the conflict.
Nov 21, 2024 · 27 min
Why do we have such overcrowded prisons?
Britain has the highest number of prisoners per head of population in western Europe.
Nov 14, 2024 · 28 min
European defence in the new Trump era
What is the future of Nato and European security?
Nov 7, 2024 · 28 min
What does the Budget mean for the UK’s economy?
The chancellor attempts to fix the UK’s finances - will she succeed?
Sep 23, 2024 · 28 min
How do the Lebanon attacks alter the equation in the Middle East?
David Aaronovitch and guests discuss the recent attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Sep 12, 2024 · 28 min
Is Germany in trouble?
Should Germany worry about the far right's success in regional elections in east Germany?
Sep 5, 2024 · 28 min
How much trouble is the UK economy in?
Are the UK's finances really as bad as Labour says? And if they are, how do they fix them?
Aug 29, 2024 · 28 min
What we know (and don't know) about the new Mpox outbreak
David Aaronovitch and guests talk about how worried we should be about the new MPox strain
Aug 21, 2024 · 34 min
Global Tensions 3: Russia and the West
Could the Russia Ukraine war lead to further escalation in the region and further afield?
Aug 14, 2024 · 38 min
Global Tensions 2: China, Taiwan and the South China Sea
China sees Taiwan as part of its territory. Taiwan thinks otherwise. Is trouble looming?
Aug 8, 2024 · 28 min
Global Tensions 1: The Middle East
What happens if the situation in the Middle East spirals out of control?