Podcast · 286 episodes
The Global Story, page 3
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 3
Who is really running Venezuela?After Venezuela’s June 24 double earthquake, the episode asks “who is really running Venezuela?” It links disaster response and political control, arguing U.S.24 Jul 2026 · 27 min · 9 chapters
Trump v Carney round twoU.S.–Canada relations sour after the World Cup final: Trump blames Canadian wildfire management for U.S. air pollution, then imposes new 50% tariffs on Canadian goods.23 Jul 2026 · 27 min · 17 chapters
Is the Iran war back on?Escalation of the Iran conflict and whether a ceasefire/MOU is collapsing, with spillover risks to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea (Houthis), plus US political and military…22 Jul 2026 · 27 min · 12 chapters
Is the International Criminal Court coming for Americans?The episode asks whether the International Criminal Court (ICC) could realistically target Americans, explaining why the US opposes the ICC and what a “dismantling” plan would mean.20 Jul 2026 · 27 min · 14 chapters
America's World Cup awakeningHow the 2026 World Cup (hosted across the US) sparked “soft power,” community welcome, and growing American soccer fandom—while also raising concerns about FIFA integrity and costs.17 Jul 2026 · 27 min · 10 chapters
Rubio, Antifa and the global threat from the far-leftThe episode examines whether the Trump administration is right to worry about far-left groups—especially Antifa—framing it around Marco Rubio’s planned Washington summit on “transnational far-left…16 Jul 2026 · 27 min · 15 chapters
Jeffrey Epstein, Howard Lutnick, and the disgraced former princeBBC investigation into whether US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick failed to disclose ties to Jeffrey Epstein, and whether Epstein also advised disgraced former prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on…15 Jul 2026 · 26 min · 7 chapters
Are the tech billionaires taking over?The episode asks whether tech billionaires—especially crypto figures—are gaining enough money and influence to reshape politics and governance, replacing democracy with blockchain-based systems.14 Jul 2026 · 27 min · 13 chapters
The air conditioning culture warsThe “air conditioning culture wars” in Europe vs. the US, sparked by extreme heat and political debate in France, and weighing AC’s health benefits against environmental and cost concerns.13 Jul 2026 · 27 min · 13 chapters
Bonus: Soccer in the USA - from More than the ScoreThe episode examines soccer’s rise in the US during Donald Trump’s presidency, using the current World Cup as a lens.11 Jul 2026 · 48 min · 26 chapters
Is a long-term peace with Iran possible?Whether a long-term peace between Iran and the US is possible amid ongoing “on-again, off-again” tit-for-tat strikes, and how Khamenei’s death and funeral processions affect power and negotiations.10 Jul 2026 · 27 min · 14 chapters
Citizen Vigilante and Elon Musk’s war on ‘woke’ filmsThe episode of BBC’s The Global Story examines how Elon Musk and the far right are using film controversy to push a “political rebalance” of Hollywood.9 Jul 2026 · 27 min · 11 chapters
Is Turkey’s Erdogan Nato’s greatest asset?Whether Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is NATO’s “greatest asset,” focusing on his leverage over Western allies amid democratic backsliding, US–Turkey tensions, and Turkey’s strategic role.8 Jul 2026 · 27 min · 10 chapters
Trump, Fifa and the disappearing red cardThe World Cup controversy over a “disappearing” red card—U.S. striker Folarin Balogun was sent off via VAR in the Bosnia match, then FIFA suspended the ban so he could play vs Belgium—sparking…7 Jul 2026 · 27 min · 10 chapters
Is Putin on the backfoot in Ukraine and in Russia?Whether Vladimir Putin is “on the back foot” in Russia and Ukraine, amid intensifying Ukrainian drone/missile strikes on Russian energy and Russian cities, and Putin’s rare public admission of…6 Jul 2026 · 27 min · 7 chapters
Is the American century over? Your questions answeredListener Q&A on whether the “American century” is over, how US global perception has shifted since 1945–65, why the US is more isolationist, and what the “American dream” means now.3 Jul 2026 · 27 min · 13 chapters
Was ‘Made in China’ made in America?How “Made in China” became central to American consumer life, and whether U.S. policy helped China rise into the U.S.’s main economic rival.2 Jul 2026 · 27 min · 13 chapters
Covert power: The CIA’s hidden historyThe CIA’s “hidden history” and how it evolved from an intelligence-gathering agency into a covert and later counterterrorism force, shaping US influence abroad.1 Jul 2026 · 27 min · 10 chapters
Abdi’s American DreamAbdi Noor-Eftin’s life story and whether the “American dream” still holds, framed by the U.S. 250th anniversary and the pause of the diversity visa lottery under Donald Trump.30 Jun 2026 · 32 min · 14 chapters
The soft power superpower, with Roman MarsThe episode argues that U.S. “soft power” functioned like a hidden empire by exporting standards and cultural stories, especially through World War II-era manufacturing and global standardization.29 Jun 2026 · 27 min · 11 chapters
The US and the World at 250A BBC preview episode for a week-long series marking the US’s 250th anniversary, asking whether the world is better with the United States in it and exploring American influence on global events and…26 Jun 2026 · 3 min · 2 chapters
Why is the US ending AIDS funding for South Africa?The BBC Global Story episode explains why the US is ending PEPFAR (President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) funding for South Africa, arguing it’s driven by US–South Africa political tensions and…26 Jun 2026 · 27 min · 12 chapters
Is the US falling out of love with Israel?Whether U.S. support for Israel is weakening, why, and how it’s affecting Israeli politics and upcoming elections.25 Jun 2026 · 27 min · 11 chapters
The kid-fluencers selling younger looking skinChildren and preteens using sophisticated skincare and makeup on social media to achieve “younger-looking” skin, with regulators and health experts warning about skin damage and mental-health harms;…24 Jun 2026 · 27 min · 15 chapters