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 Global Jigsaw: The Kurdish issue: Part one
Will the call for the PKK to disarm end in a new era of peace for the Kurds, or is this just another turn in a tortured history? In February, Abdullah Ocalan, the imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan W…
The Media Show: Britain's steel crisis and SNL’s leap across the Atlantic
A critical moment emerged in northern England as the UK government intervened to prevent the closure of a major steelworks, one of the last of its kind in the country. The intervention followed the d…
Trump's tariffs explained
Ben Brown in London and Sumi Somaskanda in Washington, examine the key questions about the Trump tariff rollercoaster of the last few days. Why has the US doubled down on China with even steeper tari…
The Media Show: Trade wars, tariffs, and Trump’s media strategy
Donald Trump’s announcement of new tariffs has disrupted global markets and challenged journalists tasked with explaining complex financial implications. Dharshini David, Deputy Economics Editor at B…
The Media Show: What teenage boys are watching online
A Netflix drama about a boy accused of murder has sparked global attention over the content consumed by teenage boys online. Claire Holubowskyj of Enders Analysis highlights how boys spend significan…
Unspun World: How might Gaza be governed in the future?
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, examines how Gaza could be governed in the future, analyses what a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia mig…
The Media Show: Are pirated books powering AI?
A new lawsuit has intensified scrutiny over whether artificial intelligence models are being trained using pirated books. Authors and publishers are reacting to claims that Meta used books from Libra…
Unspun World: Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin negotiate over a ceasefire in Ukraine
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses the negotiations between the United States and Russia over a ceasefire in Ukraine, examines Canada’…
The Media Show: Investigating Michael Jackson
Documentary maker Dan Reed returns with Leaving Neverland 2: Surviving Michael Jackson, following Wade Robson and James Safechuck as they continue their legal fight against Jackson’s estate. Reed dis…
Can Germany's ailing economy get back on track?
Dr Joachim Nagel isn't just Germany's chief central banker, he's one of the most powerful economic policy-makers in Europe.
In this exclusive interview, originally recorded for the BBC World Service's…
The Media Show: Revealing Facebook
Sarah Wynn-Williams describes her seven years at Facebook as a “front-row seat” to one of the most powerful and influential companies in the world. She traveled on private jets and met with heads of …
Unspun World: How will Donald Trump’s tariffs affect global markets?
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses whether jitters in the world markets suggest an economic downturn is imminent, examines how the Ame…
Unspun World: Can Ukraine continue to rely on US support?
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, examines what Ukraine can do to win back American military support in its war with Russia, explores whether …
The Media Show: Jeff Bezos' Washington Post shift
Jeff Bezos’ growing influence on the Washington Post has reached a turning point, with changes to its opinion section prompting resignations from senior figures. Cameron Barr, a former managing edito…
Unspun World: Is Russia’s war in Ukraine nearing an endgame?
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses whether Russia’s war in Ukraine is nearing an endgame, examines the implications of the surge in su…
The Media Show: Mehdi Hasan on journalism, opinion, and independence
Mehdi Hasan’s career has taken him from the UK to becoming a high-profile journalist in the US. In this extended conversation, he discusses social media’s impact on journalism, his approach to interv…
The Media Show: Diplomacy and the media and 100 years of The New Yorker
The future for Ukraine is fought not just on the battlefield but in the media. Governments carefully craft messages to influence global opinion, and media access is a crucial tool in shaping narrativ…
Unspun World: Is Western support for Ukraine holding firm?
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, examines whether Western support for Ukraine is holding firm, analyses Donald Trump’s plan for a Middle East…
The Media Show: Understanding the attention economy
Elon Musk’s presence at a White House press conference surprised journalists when President Trump gave him the stage to address questions about his growing governmental influence. Jeff Mason, White H…
Unspun World: Donald Trump’s whirlwind start to his second term
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, examines Donald Trump’s first few weeks in office, analyses whether the United States is going to start a tr…