The Explanation

Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin.

World Service,351 episodes

Episodes

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Unspun World: Can Iran hold out against US-Israeli strikes?
John Simpson analyses whether the Iranian regime will survive
06 Mar 2026,26 mins
The Media Show: Iran and the bigger story
Have journalists overlooked global power changes behind events in Iran?
05 Mar 2026,22 mins
Trump’s Texas showdown
Which Republican will Trump endorse and can the Democrats flip the the Texas primaries?
27 Feb 2026,25 mins
Unspun World: Russia-Ukraine war enters its fifth year
John Simpson explores the mood in Ukraine after four years of war
27 Feb 2026,26 mins
The Media Show: The Andrew photo
The backstory of an image that has defined the Royal crisis.
26 Feb 2026,22 mins
The President's Path: Inside Trump’s State of the Union
What’s taking centre stage in Trump’s State of the Union speech?
24 Feb 2026,25 mins
Unspun World: What’s the future of US-Europe relations?
John Simpson analyses the state of the transatlantic alliance
20 Feb 2026,26 mins
The Media Show: MTV’s co‑founder on reshaping pop culture
Ros Atkins interviews MTV co‑founder Tom Freston about his career and new book
19 Feb 2026,22 mins
The President’s Path: Is Trump facing a Republican rebellion in Congress?
Is President Trump facing a GOP rebellion in Congress?
13 Feb 2026,25 mins
Unspun World: Who is in control of Gaza now?
John Simpson explores who is actually governing Gaza at the moment
13 Feb 2026,26 mins
The Media Show: Bonfire of the Murdochs
Gabriel Sherman on the Murdoch family succession battle and the company’s direction
12 Feb 2026,22 mins
The President’s Path: Epstein files
Political pressure on President Trump after the release of more Epstein files
06 Feb 2026,24 mins
Unspun World: Is time running out for Iran's supreme leader?
John Simpson looks at the dangers facing the Iranian clerical regime
06 Feb 2026,26 mins
The Media Show: The Epstein files
How journalists are reporting the latest Epstein data dump
05 Feb 2026,22 mins
The President’s Path: Minneapolis unrest
Minneapolis unrest grows after federal agents fatally shoot Alex Pretti
30 Jan 2026,25 mins
Unspun World: Is Europe toughening its stance on Trump?
John Simpson analyses EU-US relations after the row over Greenland
30 Jan 2026,26 mins
The Media Show: Netflix’s skyscraper live stunt
Is a live broadcast of a climber on a skyscraper without a rope the future of television?
29 Jan 2026,22 mins
The Evidence: Anaesthesia
What happens to our brains and our consciousness when we’re put to sleep?
24 Jan 2026,49 mins
The President’s Path: US-Europe breakup
Is Trump driving a breakup between the US and Europe?
23 Jan 2026,25 mins
Unspun World: Trump's return, one year on
Caroline Hawley looks back at the first year of Donald Trump’s second term
23 Jan 2026,26 mins
The Media Show: The battle for brand Beckham
The Beckham’s family fallout reignites questions on how celebrities shape press coverage
22 Jan 2026,22 mins
The President’s Path: Trump’s world domination
Trump warns Iran and pushes US control of Greenland
16 Jan 2026,25 mins
The Media Show: Iran protests and international coverage
Questions over how global media report unrest in Iran and the constraints on verification
15 Jan 2026,22 mins
The President’s Path: After Venezuela, what next for Trump?
US seizes Maduro, while Trump eyes up next targets
09 Jan 2026,24 mins
The Media Show: Reporting the Venezuela operation
How US newspapers delayed reporting military strike amid national security concerns
08 Jan 2026,22 mins
The Media Show: How to Make a Hit TV Show
Top producers reveal what works and what doesn't
01 Jan 2026,22 mins
The President’s Path: Year in review
A look back at the first year of President Trump’s second term in office.
26 Dec 2025,49 mins
The Media Show: Meet The Tech Bros
The origin stories of a group of men who now wield an extraordinary level of influence
25 Dec 2025,22 mins
The President’s Path: Maga coalition cracks
A look at what the divisions in the Maga coalition mean for Trump.
22 Dec 2025,25 mins
The Media Show: Reporting the Bondi beach attack
How journalists deal with online claims while confirming facts after the Sydney shootings
18 Dec 2025,22 mins