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 evolution of the Islamic State Group
After a lull in activities, in 2024 the Islamic State Group claimed to be behind several major attacks, showing the world they haven’t gone away. Among them was the storming by gunmen of a Moscow con…
Unspun World: Israel's war cabinet fragments
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, examines whether the Israeli government will survive the resignations of two leading cabinet members, explor…
The Media Show: How to interview a Prime Minister
The art of interviewing political leaders with a journalist who recently interviewed Rishi Sunak. Also in the programme, as the alleged subject of the Netflix drama Baby Reindeer sues the streamer fo…
Unspun World: The new threats to global peace and security
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, examines the new threats to peace and security on the 80th anniversary of the D-Day campaign to liberate Wes…
The Media Show: The Business of News
In the age of social media, how easy is it to get people to pay for news? Editors from some of the world’s biggest news brands explain their strategy for turning a profit. Also in the show, after …
Unspun World: Will the UK's election change its place in the world?
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, considers how a snap general election might change the UK’s position in the world, analyses whether Iran’s g…
The Media Show: Is this the TikTok election?
This week we look at Big Tech and its role in a crucial election year around the world. Baroness Martha Lane Fox, who sat on the board of X (formerly Twitter), assesses the platform’s changing attitu…
Unspun World: How has the Russia-China relationship changed?
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, examines how the relationship between Russia and China has changed, analyses the state of European politics …
The Media Show: Reporting ringside at Usyk v Fury
On Saturday, Oleksandr Usyk beat Tyson Fury to become boxing's undisputed heavyweight champion. The high-profile match was held in the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which has been accused of…
Unspun World: Why are US-Israel relations at an historic low?
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's range of experts across the world, analyses why Israel’s government is deliberately flouting the wishes of its closest ally, the United States. Plus, the ex…
The Media Show: Netflix and the Baby Reindeer Fallout
Baby Reindeer is the Netflix drama that purports to be a true story – but a woman has come forward to say it’s based on her, and that she’s been totally misrepresented. Meanwhile, Piers Morgan has do…
The Global Jigsaw: How China sees itself in Africa
“China is not buying Africa, it is building Africa” is the view from Beijing. How is this landing with local audiences? There have been hints of a cooling down of Sino-African friendship. For this ep…
Unspun World: What is Israel's plan for Gaza?
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, examines what Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan for Gaza is now, looks at the mood on the Ukrainian frontline ahead …
The Media Show: Reporting the US campus protests
US university campuses have been the scene of pro-Palestinian demonstrations over the last month. We assess the challenges of reporting the protests and hear why student journalists have been crucial…
What is the dark web?
The secret club which keeps illegal content hidden, using encryption and anonymisation tools. But can it also be a force for good? The dark web is a hidden part of the internet, giving a cloak to cri…
The Global Jigsaw: Turkey's foothold in Africa
A dive into the narratives surrounding Turkey’s ambitions in Africa, where Ankara is touting itself as a “non-colonising” alternative to Western powers. Turkey has been expanding its influence operat…
The Media Show: Behind the information iron curtain
Across large parts of the globe, access to impartial news reporting and information has never been more difficult, creating an information iron curtain. To mark World Press Freedom Day, Ros Atkins an…
Goodbye to the International Space Station
It was a triumph of international collaboration - a laboratory for hundreds of astronauts - but was the 120 billion dollar investment worth it? Considered as one of humanity’s greatest achievements, …
The Global Jigsaw: Deconstructing Iran’s ‘Axis of Resistance’: Part two
Iran's loose coalition of allies and proxies, sworn against Israeli and US influence, that has been shaping events in the Middle East for decades. Its ability to disrupt has been highlighted in the c…
The Media Show: Secrets of the Celebrity Interview
Decca Aitkenhead is the Chief Interviewer of The Sunday Times and has interviewed countless big names, from Hillary Clinton to Madonna. As she wins yet another award for her writing, she reveals how …