The Explanation
The Explanation is a snackable audio guide giving you the backstory behind the headlines. In each episode, presenter Claire Graham meets a BBC News correspondent who has lived and breathed these stories. She’ll hear clear analysis along with powerful archive. The Explanation will go back in time to unpack complex chains of events and will make the stories in question easier to understand.
- Update frequency
- every 3 days
- Average duration
- 24 minutes
- Episodes
- 222
- Years Active
- 2021 - 2025
The President’s Path: Trump's Troubles
Trump enters a new political season as Congress returns from its summer recess. Sumi Somaskanda, Caitríona Perry, and Courtney Subramanian look at challenges to his agenda. Every Friday, The Presid…
The Media Show: France’s political crisis
France’s Prime Minister, François Bayrou, has called a parliamentary confidence vote after his proposals to abolish two public holidays triggered widespread opposition. The unrest has coincided with …
The President’s Path: Trump’s law and order
Trump’s decision to deploy the National Guard in Washington DC draws equal parts praise and concern. Caitríona Perry, Sumi Somaskanda, and Courtney Subramanian examine crime data, community reactions…
The Media Show: The mystery freelancer
A number of publications, including Wired and Business Insider, have withdrawn articles initially attributed to a freelance journalist named Margaux Blanchard. Press Gazette first reported the concer…
The President’s Path: Trump the peacemaker?
Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed credit for ending several international conflicts and continues to present himself as a global peacemaker. Sumi Somaskanda, Courtney Subramanian, and Bernd Debusma…
The Media Show: Trump, Zelensky and the cameras
Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky visited Washington for talks with Donald Trump and other European leaders. The timing coincided with Anushka Asthana’s first day as US editor for Channel 4 News…
The President’s Path: Trump’s Latino base
Donald Trump will not be on the ballot in next year’s midterm elections, but his policies will be put to the electoral test. On this episode, Sumi Somaskanda, Courtney Subramanian, and Bernd Debusman…
The Media Show: Interview of an AI avatar
Four Al Jazeera journalists and two freelance journalists were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza, prompting renewed scrutiny of press freedoms and the treatment of reporters in conflict zones. I…
The President’s Path: Democratic offensive
From Texas walkouts to TikTok-savvy governors, Democrats are embracing a bold new playbook to reshape America’s political map. On this episode, Sumi Somaskanda, Bernd Debusmann Jr, and CBS News’ Cait…
The Media Show: Taiwan’s war drama tests political boundaries on screen
A new Taiwanese television series depicts a fictional Chinese military invasion. Zero Day Attack has prompted debate over censorship, political influence and media independence. Chris Buckley, China …
The President’s Path: Trump’s grievances
President Trump continues to air a broad set of grievances, from the Biden administration and Barack Obama to the media, autopens, and even windmills or paper straws. On this episode, Caitríona Perry…
The Media Show: Is AI polluting the internet beyond repair?
A growing concern among digital commentators is whether artificial intelligence is irreversibly distorting the internet. Once a conspiracy, dead internet theory now reflects widespread anxiety about …
The President’s Path: Trump’s first six months back in office
From tariff threats and deals to controversial immigration policies and rising global tensions, Donald Trump’s first six months back in the White House have been anything but quiet. Caitríona Perry, …
The Media Show: YouTubers and the migrant hotel protest
In Epping, just outside London, protests have taken place near a hotel housing asylum seekers. While mainstream news outlets reported the story, a video filmed by YouTuber Wesley Winter attracted hun…
The President's Path: Why are Epstein files dividing MAGA and Trump?
Under mounting pressure from his own base, US President Donald Trump says he has ordered the Justice Department to release additional documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Pro-M…
The Media Show: A superinjunction that gagged the media
A legal order known as a superinjunction prevented UK media from reporting a government data breach that exposed nearly 19,000 Afghans who had applied to relocate after the Taliban takeover. Larisa B…
The Media Show: Oasis concert photo row
Oasis returned to the stage in Cardiff for the first time in over a decade, drawing both fan excitement and media access concerns. While audience members were able to livestream from inside the venue…
Unspun World: Donald Trump's foreign policy
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses US President Donald Trump’s approach to foreign policy in his second term, examines reaction in Isr…
The Media Show: Gaza documentary controversy
The BBC’s decision not to broadcast a Gaza war documentary, later picked up by Channel 4, has prompted scrutiny over its editorial standards. The film, made by Basement Films, features testimony from…
Unspun World: Has Iran weathered the storm?
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses whether the Iranian regime has successfully weathered the storm caused by the attacks by Israel and…