The Explanation

BBC World Service

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.

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346 episodes
Updated Friday

Episodes346

Newest first

Jun 28, 2024 · 26 min
Unspun World: The UK election
Plus, what impact is extreme heat having on the world?
Jun 27, 2024 · 22 min
The Media Show: Julian Assange - journalist or activist?
The WikiLeaks founder and his impact on journalism
Jun 21, 2024 · 26 min
Unspun World: Is Ukraine preparing for a deal?
Plus, what is the future of Nato?
Jun 20, 2024 · 22 min
The Media Show: How podcasts took over the world
In the space of 20 years, podcasting has gone from hobby to big business
Jun 18, 2024 · 37 min
The Global Jigsaw: The evolution of the Islamic State Group
After a lull in activities, in 2024 IS claimed to be behind several major attacks
Jun 14, 2024 · 26 min
Unspun World: Israel's war cabinet fragments
Plus, why isn't economic growth having a greater impact on the US presidential election?
Jun 13, 2024 · 22 min
The Media Show: How to interview a Prime Minister
We speak to a journalist who sat down with Rishi Sunak
Jun 7, 2024 · 26 min
Unspun World: The new threats to global peace and security
Plus, why did the ANC fail to win a majority in South Africa?
Jun 6, 2024 · 22 min
The Media Show: The Business of News
Are people willing to pay for journalism?
May 31, 2024 · 26 min
Unspun World: Will the UK's election change its place in the world?
Plus, can Iran's governing elite win back popular support?
May 30, 2024 · 22 min
The Media Show: Is this the TikTok election?
Exploring the role of Big Tech in a crucial election year around the world
May 24, 2024 · 26 min
Unspun World: How has the Russia-China relationship changed?
Plus, what an assassination attempt tells us about Europe's politics
May 23, 2024 · 22 min
The Media Show: Reporting ringside at Usyk v Fury
Reporting on Usyk v Fury in Riyadh amidst allegations of ‘sportswashing’
May 17, 2024 · 26 min
Unspun World: Why are US-Israel relations at an historic low?
Plus, Georgia's mass protests and China's influence on Western countries
May 16, 2024 · 22 min
The Media Show: Netflix and the Baby Reindeer Fallout
How a “true story” is alleged to be something rather more complicated
May 11, 2024 · 41 min
The Global Jigsaw: How China sees itself in Africa
Beijing says it is building, not buying, Africa. Do people in Nairobi agree?
May 10, 2024 · 26 min
Unspun World: What is Israel's plan for Gaza?
Plus, the mood on the Ukrainian frontline and South Africa's general election
May 9, 2024 · 22 min
The Media Show: Reporting the US campus protests
Why student journalists have been crucial to the world’s understanding of the story
May 7, 2024 · 17 min
What is the dark web?
The origins of the dark web, cyber crime and internet censorship across the world
May 4, 2024 · 39 min
The Global Jigsaw: Turkey's foothold in Africa
Ankara is touting itself as a “non-colonising” alternative to Western powers