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

Mar 2, 2023 · 29 min
The Windsor Framework
Does the proposed deal on Northern Ireland's trading arrangements work for all parties?
Feb 23, 2023 · 29 min
Who's Afraid of The Wagner Group?
Are the 'Wagner' mercenaries fighting for Russia in Ukraine becoming a problem for Putin?
Feb 16, 2023 · 29 min
Why was the Turkey-Syria earthquake so bad?
More than 40,000 people died in last week's earthquake, but why was it so deadly?
Feb 9, 2023 · 29 min
How worried should we be about avian flu?
A new strain of avian flu is killing birds and mammals, but what's the risk to humans?
Feb 2, 2023 · 29 min
How do we get over-50s back into work?
The government wants over-50s to re-enter the workforce, but will they come?
Jan 26, 2023 · 28 min
How to Fix Britain's Railways
Can our trains be made reliable again?
Jan 19, 2023 · 29 min
Britain's Energy Crisis: An Update
Why are fuel and energy prices dropping?
Jan 12, 2023 · 29 min
NHS: Are there any quick fixes?
What's the quickest way to tackle the NHS crisis?
Jan 5, 2023 · 29 min
Ukraine: How will the war evolve in 2023?
David Aaronovitch and guests discuss how the Ukraine Russia war might evolve in 2023.
Dec 29, 2022 · 29 min
Our Ageing World
The global population is rapidly getting older. How do we deal with the impacts?
Dec 22, 2022 · 29 min
Can we colonise the Moon?
Nasa plans to set up a lunar base in the next decade. Is that achievable?
Dec 15, 2022 · 30 min
Strikes: How can we avoid a return to the 1970s?
As strikes continue across the UK, what's the government's strategy for dealing with them?
Dec 8, 2022 · 29 min
House of Lords reform
How would Sir Keir Starmer's plan to scrap the House of Lords work and is it a good idea?
Dec 1, 2022 · 29 min
China's winter of discontent
What's behind the protests and dissent against the Chinese leader Xi Jinping?
Nov 24, 2022 · 29 min
UK Trade Deals
How is the UK government getting on with negotiating free trade deals around the world?
Oct 20, 2022 · 29 min
Could Vladimir Putin use nuclear weapons?
What are the chances of the Russian leader turning the war in Ukraine nuclear?
Oct 13, 2022 · 29 min
Public Spending
What does the current economic turmoil mean for government expenditure?
Oct 6, 2022 · 28 min
Protests in Iran
What’s behind the current unrest in Iran and should the regime be worried?
Sep 29, 2022 · 29 min
Turmoil on the markets
What's just happened to the British economy, and what might come next?
Sep 22, 2022 · 29 min
Britain's productivity puzzle
How can we turn the UK into a high-growth economy?