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

Dec 25, 2021 · 18 min
Understanding the Islamic State group
Quentin Sommerville on the rise, fall and potential re-emergence of IS
Dec 18, 2021 · 18 min
Understanding how Russia has changed under Putin
Sarah Rainsford on how everyday life in Russia has changed under Putin
Dec 11, 2021 · 18 min
Afghanistan: Women, girls and their rights
How a turbulent history dictates the ever-shifting attitudes towards women and girls
Dec 4, 2021 · 18 min
Understanding Iran: Reconciling religion and democracy
Rana Rahimpour explains how religion, democracy and ideals combine in Iran
Nov 27, 2021 · 18 min
Israeli-Palestinian relations
In 2021, Jeremy Bowen discussed the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Nov 20, 2021 · 18 min
Understanding democracy in Hong Kong
Why are there democracy protests in Hong Kong?

The Explanation

Understanding the Islamic State group

Understanding how Russia has changed under Putin

Afghanistan: Women, girls and their rights

Understanding Iran: Reconciling religion and democracy

Israeli-Palestinian relations

Understanding democracy in Hong Kong