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

Oct 31, 2025 · 25 min
The President’s Path: Electoral battlegrounds 2025
What will the first big elections of Trump’s second term reveal?
Oct 31, 2025 · 26 min
Unspun World: Donald Trump’s China strategy
John Simpson analyses President Trump’s approach to dealing with China
Oct 30, 2025 · 22 min
The Media Show: Advertising race row
How race and representation in adverts became a political issue.
Oct 24, 2025 · 24 min
The President’s Path: Shutdown and teardown
Trump tears down the White House's East Wing as the federal shutdown continues
Oct 24, 2025 · 26 min
Unspun World: Will Hamas really give up control of Gaza?
John Simpson analyses whether Hamas will lay down its weapons in Gaza
Oct 23, 2025 · 22 min
The Media Show: When the Royals lose control of the story
What renewed scrutiny of Prince Andrew reveals about royal-media dynamics
Oct 18, 2025 · 49 min
Weight loss jabs: A medical game changer?
Do weight loss injections have far-reaching benefits beyond weight management?
Oct 17, 2025 · 25 min
The President’s Path: How many wars has Donald Trump ended?
How many wars has President Trump ended?
Oct 17, 2025 · 26 min
Unspun World: Who will run Gaza?
John Simpson analyses who will actually be running Gaza in the wake of the ceasefire
Oct 16, 2025 · 22 min
The Media Show: The Gaza Ceasefire
How newsrooms are covering Gaza as access remains blocked
Oct 10, 2025 · 24 min
The President’s Path: Supreme Court shapes Trump's powers
How Supreme Court could define the scope of Donald Trump's presidential authority
Oct 10, 2025 · 26 min
Unspun World: Is peace in Gaza now possible?
John Simpson analyses whether peace in Gaza is now possible
Oct 9, 2025 · 22 min
The Media Show: Reporting from Inside Putin’s Russia
Steve Rosenberg on reporting truth and staying safe as a BBC journalist in Moscow
Oct 3, 2025 · 24 min
The President’s Path: Trump’s power
Trump is testing the limits of his power over executives and the military.
Oct 2, 2025 · 22 min
The Media Show: Is Larry Ellison the new Rupert Murdoch?
Tech billionaire’s media deals fuel debate over political influence
Sep 26, 2025 · 24 min
The President's Path: Silencing voices
Jimmy Kimmel’s return and the fight over free speech
Sep 26, 2025 · 26 min
Unspun World: World leaders formally recognise Palestinian statehood
John Simpson analyses what effect the recognition of Palestine as a state might have
Sep 25, 2025 · 22 min
The Media Show: Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension
Treatment of the US talk show host raises questions about US media and political pressure
Sep 19, 2025 · 25 min
The President’s Path: Trump's diplomacy
President Trump’s visit tests Sir Keir Starmer’s handling of the “special relationship”
Sep 19, 2025 · 26 min
Unspun World: President Trump’s second state visit to the UK
John Simpson examines the relationship between Sir Keir Starmer and Donald Trump