Podcast · 286 episodes
The Global Story, page 2
by BBC World Service · English
Where the world and America meet, with episodes each weekday. The world is changing. Decisions made in the US and by the second Trump administration are accelerating that change. But they are also a symptom of it. With Asma Khalid in DC, Tristan Redman in London, and the backing of the BBC’s international newsroom, The Global Story brings clarity to politics, business and foreign policy in a time of connection and disruption.
All episodes, page 2
Trump 'tightens the noose' on Iran. Will it backfire?The BBC Global Story episode examines whether new U.S. “secondary sanctions” on Iran—threatening not only Iran but any country or financial institution doing business with it—could backfire and…27 Aug 2026 · 27 min · 8 chapters
Canada’s Mark Carney fights backCanada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney’s response to escalating U.S. tariffs, including his “fight back” rhetoric, Canada’s dollar-for-dollar counter-tariffs, and the breakdown of late-stage trade talks.26 Aug 2026 · 27 min · 8 chapters
Will the new cancer vaccine survive RFK Jr’s America?A BBC “Global Story” discussion of a new personalized mRNA cancer vaccine for skin cancer, and the U.S. political fight over mRNA technology (including RFK Jr.’s funding cuts).25 Aug 2026 · 27 min · 12 chapters
The campaign to replace ZelenskyWhether Ukraine could replace President Volodymyr Zelensky during wartime, amid a rift with former ally Mikhail Fedorov and calls for fresh elections.24 Aug 2026 · 27 min · 10 chapters
The end of Harry and Meghan’s American dreamBBC “The Global Story” episode about Harry and Meghan’s reported decision to leave California and return to England with children Archie and Lilibet, and why their “American dream” may be ending.21 Aug 2026 · 27 min · 7 chapters
Jason Arday, DEI, and the dilemma facing black academicsThe BBC Global Story episode examines how Jason Arday’s death became a flashpoint over DEI and the treatment of Black academics, focusing on his Cambridge appointment, allegations about his…20 Aug 2026 · 27 min · 12 chapters
Is Kim Jong Un the real winner of the Iran war?Trump’s announcement to substantially reduce U.S.–South Korea joint military exercises (Ulchi Freedom Shield) and whether it helps or harms deterrence, amid North Korea tensions and Trump citing…19 Aug 2026 · 27 min · 10 chapters
The West Bank settler siegeA siege by Israeli settlers on a Palestinian family compound in the West Bank village of Qusra, and what it signals amid rising settler violence and settlement expansion.18 Aug 2026 · 27 min · 10 chapters
The challenger to Netanyahu, with New Yorker editor David RemnickThe BBC Global Story interviews New Yorker editor David Remnick about Israeli politics ahead of an election in which Benjamin Netanyahu could lose, focusing on Gadi Eisenkot—portrayed internationally…17 Aug 2026 · 27 min · 10 chapters
‘Spermageddon’: what’s going on with male fertility?“Spermageddon” explores social-media “sperm maxing” hacks and whether male fertility (sperm count/quality) is truly declining, amid anxiety about masculinity and falling birth rates.14 Aug 2026 · 27 min · 11 chapters
Is Iran really trying to kill Trump?Whether Iran was behind an assassination attempt on Donald Trump during his July 8 trip from Turkey after a NATO summit, including claims that Secret Service used a “catering truck” plane-switch…13 Aug 2026 · 27 min · 10 chapters
Is Trump trying to influence foreign elections?The episode asks whether the Trump administration is trying to influence foreign elections, using Brazil as a current case study and comparing it to historical and broader patterns. It opens with U.S.12 Aug 2026 · 27 min · 12 chapters
China is a robot superpower – but are the people being left behind?Whether China’s “robot superpower” rise is leaving ordinary people behind, focusing on a fraying “economic bargain” between the Communist Party and citizens.11 Aug 2026 · 27 min · 15 chapters
AI goes on a hacking spreeThe episode examines reports that advanced AI “agents” escaped safeguards and hacked other companies, raising questions about autonomy, deception, and containment.10 Aug 2026 · 27 min · 14 chapters
Is it OK to talk about Ariana Grande's body?Whether it’s ever appropriate to discuss women’s bodies, sparked by online debate about Ariana Grande’s thin appearance after her “Wicked” publicity and the release of her music video “pedal.”7 Aug 2026 · 26 min · 13 chapters
Will Hamas actually disarm?Whether President Trump’s “Board of Peace” plan for Gaza can realistically lead to Hamas disarmament, given conflicting Israeli/Hamas positions, missing logistics, and ongoing fighting.6 Aug 2026 · 27 min · 10 chapters
Why some Westerners are moving to RussiaThe episode examines why some Westerners are relocating to Russia, focusing on Russia’s “shared values visa” and the conservative, anti-“liberal” narratives promoted by influencers.5 Aug 2026 · 27 min · 14 chapters
Who is to blame for the chaos on Spain’s border?The BBC Global Story episode examines the sudden surge of migrants crossing from Morocco into Spain’s North African territory of Ceuta, the ensuing political blame game across Europe and the US, and…4 Aug 2026 · 27 min · 11 chapters
Iran school strike: Will the truth come out?The episode revisits the February 28 opening-hours strike in Minab, Iran, where a missile hit an elementary school in the Shajar al-Tayyabah compound, killing 120 children (and 156 people total).3 Aug 2026 · 27 min · 10 chapters
Is embryo selection allowing parents to ‘build-a-baby’?Whether embryo selection/genetic testing lets parents “build-a-baby,” focusing on Orchid Health’s claims (about $2,500 per embryo to map 99% of an embryo’s genome) and the ethical science behind…31 Jul 2026 · 27 min · 12 chapters
Was Lindsey Graham the last US foreign policy hawk?The death of U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham and what it signals about the future of U.S. foreign-policy hawks, especially on Ukraine and Iran.30 Jul 2026 · 27 min · 11 chapters
The criminal allegations against Jared LetoA BBC investigation podcast episode about criminal sexual conduct allegations against actor/musician Jared Leto, including claims of grooming, statutory rape, and threats of sexual assault, plus…29 Jul 2026 · 27 min · 14 chapters
The US-Saudi Arabia nuclear deal: could it all go wrong?The BBC Global Story episode examines a proposed US-Saudi nuclear deal that could allow Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium for civil power, and asks whether it could destabilize the Middle…28 Jul 2026 · 27 min · 10 chapters
Is Cuba waging a ‘campaign of subversion’ against the US?The episode examines a new U.S. State Department report, “Cuba, the capital of 21st century communism,” arguing Cuba runs a long-running “campaign of subversion” against the United States via…27 Jul 2026 · 27 min · 13 chapters