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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602 episodes
Updated Tuesday

Episodes602

Newest first

Jun 3, 2025 · 22 min
Are diamonds forever in Botswana?
Is Botswana’s mined diamond industry in trouble ?
May 27, 2025 · 23 min
Can we stop killer fungi?
Why fungal diseases are becoming more dangerous to human health
May 20, 2025 · 22 min
What does Japan’s rice crisis say about its economy?
Japan is releasing emergency supplies of rice to tackle high prices and empty shelves
May 13, 2025 · 23 min
Why are global cases of measles rising?
What is causing the rise of measles cases around the world?
May 6, 2025 · 23 min
Will Serbia’s mass protests unseat the president?
The Serbian government is facing mass protests, but will they lead to change?
Apr 30, 2025 · 23 min
Is extinction a thing of the past?
Scientists have used new technology to extract ancient DNA
Apr 22, 2025 · 23 min
What is President Trump’s economic plan?
Why Donald Trump has chosen to upend global trading
Apr 15, 2025 · 23 min
What does President Putin want now?
How Trump’s return to office reshapes Putin’s strategic ambitions
Apr 1, 2025 · 22 min
Is SpaceX ok?
SpaceX’s Starship has exploded twice in a row—should we be worried?
Mar 26, 2025 · 22 min
What will happen now with Romania’s elections?
Romania’s elections in November were annulled. What will happen now ahead of May’s rerun?
Mar 18, 2025 · 23 min
Do we need a new Nato?
Europe’s leaders are considering whether they could go it alone without US military aid
Mar 13, 2025 · 22 min
Can South Africa solve land inequality?
Can a new Expropriation Act benefit South African land reform?
Mar 5, 2025 · 22 min
Can the world rely on its undersea cable network?
How secure are the 1.5 million kilometres of fibre-optic cables keeping us connected?
Feb 25, 2025 · 23 min
Do we need the International Criminal Court?
Is the ICC delivering justice, or too slow and politically vulnerable to be effective?
Feb 18, 2025 · 23 min
Are we ready for the new male contraceptives?
Is the world ready for new male contraceptives?
Feb 11, 2025 · 22 min
How can Panama satisfy President Trump?
Can Panama navigate US pressure over the canal while balancing its ties with China?
Feb 4, 2025 · 23 min
Where are we in the battle against inflation?
Prices have continued to rise since Covid and the war in Ukraine
Jan 28, 2025 · 23 min
Why is China building the world’s biggest dam?
Why is China building the world’s biggest hydropower dam?
Jan 21, 2025 · 22 min
What next for Syria?
Can Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the rebel group leading Syria govern it long term?
Jan 14, 2025 · 22 min
Is fake alcohol a global threat?
How toxic and widespread is fake alcohol?