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

Jul 10, 2025 · 22 min
The Media Show: Oasis concert photo row
Photographers hit out at Oasis for limiting use of pictures from comeback gig
Jul 4, 2025 · 26 min
Unspun World: Donald Trump's foreign policy
John Simpson analyses Donald Trump’s approach to foreign policy in his second term
Jul 3, 2025 · 22 min
The Media Show: Gaza documentary controversy
Channel 4 airs Gaza film dropped by the BBC over impartiality concerns
Jun 27, 2025 · 26 min
Unspun World: Has Iran weathered the storm?
John Simpson analyses where Iran stands now a ceasefire seems to be in place
Jun 26, 2025 · 22 min
The Media Show: Iranian harassment of BBC journalists
“Psychology warfare” waged against staff at BBC Persian
Jun 20, 2025 · 26 min
Unspun World: Where is the conflict between Israel and Iran heading?
John Simpson analyses whether Israel’s attacks on Iran could lead to regime change
Jun 19, 2025 · 22 min
The Media Show: Israel-Iran coverage
Challenge in reporting Iran-Israel conflict due to limited access and state restrictions
Jun 13, 2025 · 26 min
Unspun World: Trump's immigration crackdown
John Simpson analyses the US president’s decision to deploy troops to California
Jun 12, 2025 · 22 min
The Media Show: Will AI kill the advertising industry?
Meta’s plan for new tools that will let anyone make ads
Jun 6, 2025 · 26 min
What does a new president mean for Poland?
John Simpson analyses what Karol Nawrocki’s victory means for Poland’s government
Jun 5, 2025 · 22 min
The Media Show: Can NPR survive Trump’s cuts?
CEO of US public radio sets out survival strategy
May 30, 2025 · 26 min
Unspun World: Will Israeli criticism change Netanyahu's Gaza stance?
Will criticism from within Israel force Netanyahu to change his approach in Gaza?
May 29, 2025 · 22 min
The Media Show: NYT editor Joe Kahn, and travel presenter Simon Reeve
Journalism in a divided America and documentary storytelling in Scandinavia
May 23, 2025 · 26 min
Unspun World: The UK's new EU deal
James Landale analyses the UK’s new deal with the EU
May 22, 2025 · 22 min
The Media Show: Full-time for Lineker at the BBC
How a social media post led to football presenter’s departure
May 16, 2025 · 26 min
Unspun World: What's next for Gaza?
John Simpson examines the Israeli government’s plans for Gaza
May 15, 2025 · 22 min
The Media Show: Misinformation and the India-Pakistan Standoff
How false claims have flooded social media during border tensions
May 9, 2025 · 26 min
Unspun World: Vladimir Putin’s game plan
John Simpson analyses Russia’s current strategy in Ukraine
May 8, 2025 · 22 min
The Media Show: Tina Brown on her fight for quality journalism
Legendary magazine editor on press freedom, editorial integrity and the MAGA era
May 3, 2025 · 30 min
The Global Jigsaw: The Kurdish issue: Part three
What does the future hold for Kurdish people?