The Inquiry

BBC World Service

The Inquiry gets beyond the headlines to explore the trends, forces and ideas shaping the world.

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603 episodes
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Episodes603

Newest first

Apr 21, 2022 · 23 min
Why did Sri Lanka’s organic farming dream fail?
How a bold plan to abandon chemical fertilizers proved disastrous for Sri Lanka's farmers
Apr 14, 2022 · 23 min
Can we create a universal Covid vaccine?
Can scientists develop a vaccine which can combat the coronavirus and all its variants?
Apr 7, 2022 · 23 min
Are drones the future of warfare?
Does an increasing reliance on drones in conflict mean an end for conventional warfare
Mar 31, 2022 · 24 min
Can Putin be prosecuted for war crimes?
What counts as a war crime and can Vladimir Putin be held responsible?
Mar 24, 2022 · 24 min
Why is Russia’s invasion plan failing?
Russia Invaded Ukraine expecting a swift victory, so why have they been unsuccessful?
Mar 17, 2022 · 23 min
Who are the Wagner Group, and why are they in Ukraine?
Russian mercenaries are reportedly hunting the Ukrainian president. But who are they?
Mar 10, 2022 · 23 min
Does Putin’s view of history explain why he invaded Ukraine?
Putin justifies invading Ukraine by claiming its lands have long been part of Russia
Mar 3, 2022 · 23 min
Will sanctions stop Russia in Ukraine?
Can economic sanctions alone force a country to change course?
Feb 24, 2022 · 23 min
What’s happened to the left in France?
Why have left wing political parties in France lost so much popular support?
Feb 17, 2022 · 22 min
What will end the war in Yemen?
Eight years of civil war has ravaged Yemen, can the country find a peaceful solution?
Feb 10, 2022 · 23 min
Why have military coups returned to West Africa?
Elected governments have been overthrown by the military in Burkina Faso, Mali and Guinea
Feb 3, 2022 · 23 min
Do we have enough lithium to power the future?
Can we meet the soaring world demand for lithium, a vital metal for green energy?
Jan 27, 2022 · 23 min
Is Turkey heading for an economic meltdown?
Turkey is suffering from an economic crisis with rampant inflation and a weakening lira.
Jan 20, 2022 · 23 min
What’s going on in Kazakhstan?
What has caused the worst unrest and political infighting in Kazakhstan’s recent history?
Jan 13, 2022 · 23 min
Are we heading for space wars?
Would conflict on the ground between majors powers now inevitably spill over into space?
Jan 6, 2022 · 23 min
Can we get drugs out of prisons?
Tanya Beckett asks if we can get drugs out of prisons and help prisoners beat addiction.
Dec 30, 2021 · 23 min
Can we solve our space junk problem?
Millions of pieces of dangerous man-made debris are orbiting Earth. Can we clean up space?
Dec 23, 2021 · 23 min
How will Afghanistan survive the winter?
How will the 23 million Afghans who need food assistance get through the winter?
Dec 16, 2021 · 24 min
Should we be worried about the return of inflation?
As prices rise, Tanya Beckett asks if we should be worried about the return of inflation.
Dec 9, 2021 · 24 min
How will we cope with the Omicron variant?
What are the possible implications as the Omicron variant spreads around the world?