Unspun World with John Simpson

BBC world affairs editor John Simpson ditches the spin and provides an honest, unvarnished review of the week's global news stories.

World Service,122 episodes

Episodes

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What effect are Russian drone strikes having on Ukraine?
John Simpson looks at the impact of intensifying Russian attacks on Ukraine
01 Oct 2026,26 mins
Why are German voters turning away from mainstream parties?
John Simpson analyses the state of Germany’s government after regional election defeats
24 Sep 2026,26 mins
How is Yemen’s escalating war impacting the Middle East?
John Simpson analyses the impact of the latest outbreak of hostilities in Yemen
17 Sep 2026,26 mins
Has Britain become ungovernable?
John Simpson examines the factors behind the resignation of Britain’s prime minister
25 Jun 2026,26 mins
Who’re the winners and losers of the US-Iran deal?
John Simpson examines the new deal aimed at ending the war between the US and Iran
18 Jun 2026,26 mins
Fighting resumes between Israel and Hezbollah
John Simpson explores the impact of Israel’s recent attacks on Lebanon
11 Jun 2026,26 mins
What’s it like to be living in Iran now?
John Simpson explores the feelings of ordinary Iranians about the conflict with the US
04 Jun 2026,26 mins
Is the US preparing to invade Cuba?
John Simpson analyses the possibility of the US forcing regime change in Cuba
28 May 2026,26 mins
Are US-China relations at a turning point?
John Simpson analyses whether there has been a shift in the US-China relationship
21 May 2026,26 mins
Why can’t the US and Iran reach a peace deal?
John Simpson analyses what’s preventing the US and Iran from ending their conflict
14 May 2026,26 mins
What’s at stake for Iran in its war with the US?
John Simpson analyses the Iranian position in its confrontation with the US in the Gulf
07 May 2026,26 mins
What’s Donald Trump’s exit strategy from Iran?
John Simpson looks at the pressure on President Trump to find an end to the Iran war
30 Apr 2026,26 mins
US-Iran standoff over Strait of Hormuz escalates
John Simpson analyses the confrontation between Iran and the United States in the Gulf
23 Apr 2026,26 mins
US pauses strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure
John Simpson analyses Donald Trump’s decision to halt attacks against Iran’s power plants
27 Mar 2026,26 mins
How is the Iran war impacting the global economy?
John Simpson analyses the economic effects of the war in the Middle East
20 Mar 2026,26 mins
What do people in Iran think about the war?
Caroline Hawley explores what life in Iran is like as the war intensifies
13 Mar 2026,26 mins
Can Iran hold out against US-Israeli strikes?
John Simpson analyses whether the Iranian regime will survive
06 Mar 2026,26 mins
Russia-Ukraine war enters its fifth year
John Simpson explores the mood in Ukraine after four years of war
27 Feb 2026,26 mins
What’s the future of US-Europe relations?
John Simpson analyses the state of the transatlantic alliance
20 Feb 2026,26 mins
Who is in control of Gaza now?
John Simpson explores who is actually governing Gaza at the moment
13 Feb 2026,26 mins
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
Is Europe toughening its stance on Trump?
John Simpson analyses EU-US relations after the row over Greenland
30 Jan 2026,26 mins
Are Russian forces on the brink of seizing Pokrovsk?
John Simpson analyses why Russia is so keen to capture the Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk
14 Nov 2025,26 mins
How is the Ukraine war impacting ordinary Russians?
John Simpson explores war-weariness in Russia and the problem it poses for the Kremlin
07 Nov 2025,26 mins
Donald Trump’s China strategy
John Simpson analyses President Trump’s approach to dealing with China
31 Oct 2025,26 mins
Will Hamas really give up control of Gaza?
John Simpson analyses whether Hamas will lay down its weapons in Gaza
23 Oct 2025,26 mins
Gaza’s internal power struggle
John Simpson analyses who will actually be running Gaza in the wake of the ceasefire there
16 Oct 2025,26 mins
Two years on, is the Gaza war at a turning point?
John Simpson analyses whether peace in the Middle East is now possible
09 Oct 2025,26 mins
Will Trump’s Gaza plan achieve ‘eternal peace’?
John Simpson analyses whether Donald Trump’s plan for peace in the Middle East will work
02 Oct 2025,26 mins
World leaders formally recognise Palestinian statehood
John Simpson analyses what effect the recognition of Palestine as a state might have
25 Sep 2025,26 mins