The Briefing Room Podcast
David Aaronovitch and a panel of experts and insiders present in-depth explainers on big issues in the news
Episodes to download
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What's the Biden ceasefire plan and will it work?
Thu 20 Jun 2024
There's a plan to end the war in Gaza, but do Israel and Hamas want to sign up to it?
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What does Macron's gamble mean for France?
Thu 13 Jun 2024
France is at a political crossroads but will Macron or Le Pen come out on top?
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Are Trump's legal cases really a problem for him?
Thu 6 Jun 2024
Donald Trump is 0 for 3 in court and the more serious cases are yet to be heard.
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Ukraine: Who's winning the war?
Thu 30 May 2024
Russia has stepped up its attacks in Ukraine and is putting pressure on Kharkiv.
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How much trouble are UK universities in?
Thu 23 May 2024
Domestic fees haven't risen with inflation and foreign student visas are set to curbed.
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Avian flu is evolving but what risk does it pose to us?
Thu 16 May 2024
Avian flu has killed millions of birds and seals and it's now infecting cows in America
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Why is the water industry in so much trouble?
Thu 9 May 2024
Britain's biggest water suppliers are struggling with sewage, leaks and huge debts.
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How does America fix its border crisis?
Thu 2 May 2024
Who's crossing the US border, why and how does the government tackle it effectively?
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Are Britain's missing workers really a problem?
Thu 25 Apr 2024
1 in 5 people in the UK are not in paid work, but they're also not looking for a job.
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What's happened to Hamas?
Thu 11 Apr 2024
What do we know about Hamas after 6 months of war with Israel?
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What's the future of the state pension?
Thu 4 Apr 2024
David Aaronovitch and guests ask whether the state pension is sustainable in the long term
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Election special 3. Uncertain times for the ANC in South Africa
Wed 20 Mar 2024
The ANC has been in power for 30 years, but as its popularity wanes, what happens next?
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Election special 2. Elections without democracy
Wed 13 Mar 2024
In some countries election outcomes are predetermined, so why bother holding them at all?
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India: Is democracy under threat?
Wed 6 Mar 2024
Prime Minister Modi is expected to win a third term, but what does that mean for India?
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How is technology changing warfare?
Thu 29 Feb 2024
What have we learnt from recent conflicts and how might things change in the wars to come?
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The synthetic opioids claiming lives in the UK
Thu 15 Feb 2024
Deaths from synthetic opioids in the UK are low but it's feared the problem could escalate
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The crisis in dentistry: why is it happening and what should we do about it?
Thu 8 Feb 2024
Dental decay - the struggle to find an NHS dentist.
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Is the UK prepared for more floods?
Thu 25 Jan 2024
More than six million homes are at risk - are we doing enough?
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Why is local government in such trouble?
Thu 18 Jan 2024
Bankruptcy, debt, cuts to services - why some councils are struggling
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Israel-Gaza: Is it turning into a regional conflict?
Thu 11 Jan 2024
From Houthi rebels in the Red Sea to attacks on the Lebanon-Israel border.
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Brexit: Could we rejoin the EU even if we wanted to?
Thu 4 Jan 2024
Recent polling shows an appetite to rejoin the EU, but is this really a realistic option?
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Aliens: Are we closer to finding intelligent life beyond Earth?
Thu 28 Dec 2023
A US whistleblower’s shocking claims about UFOs have sparked a new debate on aliens
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What’s behind the record homelessness figures?
Thu 21 Dec 2023
Recent homelessness figures show an increasing number of people in temporary accommodation
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What can the UK learn from other countries about assisted dying?
Thu 14 Dec 2023
What is and isn’t allowed in the UK and what could we learn from other countries?
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Ukraine: what's the counter-offensive latest?
Thu 7 Dec 2023
As Ukraine heads into winter, how has their summer counter-offensive fared?
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Net migration: What’s happening in the UK?
Thu 30 Nov 2023
As UK net migration hits a record high, what's going on behind the numbers?
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Israel-Gaza war: What's going on in the West Bank?
Thu 23 Nov 2023
The world’s focus is on Gaza, but what’s happening in the other Palestinian territory?
