Podcast · 286 episodes
The Global Story, page 7
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 7
Was the air strike on an Iranian school a war crime?The episode examines the Feb 28 strike on an Iranian elementary school in Minab (southeastern Iran) during the opening hours of the US-Israel-Iran war, and whether it could be a war crime.16 Mar 2026 · 28 min · 13 chapters
Jeremy Bowen: Trump has called for an Iran uprising. The lessons from Iraq in 1991 loom largeBBC bonus essay episode arguing that US/Israeli calls for an Iran uprising risk repeating the 1991 Gulf War pattern, where an uprising was encouraged but not backed, leading to mass killings and…14 Mar 2026 · 15 min · 7 chapters
How the Oscars went internationalA BBC World Service Global Story Oscars preview arguing that the Academy is increasingly nominating non-U.S., non-English international films, while Hollywood’s domestic industry is struggling and…13 Mar 2026 · 27 min · 11 chapters
Why is Donald Trump obsessed with the Chagos Islands?The Chagos Islands dispute—why Donald Trump keeps criticizing the UK’s plan to transfer sovereignty to Mauritius while preserving US access to the Diego Garcia military base, and how this ties to…12 Mar 2026 · 27 min · 13 chapters
Iran: Is diplomacy dead?The episode examines whether U.S.-Iran diplomacy is effectively dead amid escalating U.S.-Israel attacks on Iran, Iran’s appointment of a new hardline supreme leader, and the failure of past nuclear…11 Mar 2026 · 27 min · 13 chapters
Are oil prices determining the course of the Iran war?Whether oil prices are driving the next phase of the Iran war, and how higher crude and gas costs will hit consumers and politics.10 Mar 2026 · 26 min · 12 chapters
Spain stands up to TrumpSpain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez openly confronts President Donald Trump over the US-led war on Iran, including Spain’s refusal to let the US use two Spanish bases (Rota and Morón de la Frontera)…9 Mar 2026 · 28 min · 10 chapters
Do Trump and Netanyahu have conflicting end goals on Iran?Whether Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump have conflicting end goals on Iran, amid a US-Israel escalation and debate over who drove the decision.6 Mar 2026 · 27 min · 8 chapters
Could Iran be the next ‘forever war’?Whether a US-led conflict with Iran could become a “forever war,” and how comparisons to Iraq (2003), Afghanistan, Libya, and Syria illuminate likely outcomes.5 Mar 2026 · 28 min · 13 chapters
Iran under attack: The view from insideLife inside Iran during an ongoing air campaign after the reported death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, including public reactions, civilian impacts, and uncertainty about who is running the country.4 Mar 2026 · 27 min · 12 chapters
Iran war: Chaos engulfs the GulfThe Iran–US–Israel war is spilling into Gulf states, drawing in up to 11 countries, damaging energy infrastructure, disrupting markets, and raising risks of a Strait of Hormuz-like shipping slowdown.3 Mar 2026 · 26 min · 14 chapters
What next for Iran?After consecutive U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on Iran, the episode asks “What next for Iran?” following the reported death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the uncertainty over who governs…2 Mar 2026 · 27 min · 9 chapters
Mexico’s most wanted cartel boss is dead. Is it enough for Trump?The BBC Global Story episode examines the killing of Mexico’s cartel boss El Mencho (Jalisco New Generation Cartel) and whether it satisfies Donald Trump’s demands for Mexico to crack down on drug…27 Feb 2026 · 27 min · 12 chapters
Is a peace deal with Putin possible?Whether a negotiated peace between Russia and Ukraine is possible, given proposed US-Russia talks involving Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, and Fiona Hill’s assessment of both leaders’ incentives.26 Feb 2026 · 27 min · 11 chapters
Ukraine’s defiance, four years onFour years after Russia’s full-scale invasion, the episode follows BBC international editor Jeremy Bowen through Ukraine’s front-line conditions and discusses peace talks, territorial demands, and…25 Feb 2026 · 27 min · 14 chapters
Inside Iran after the crackdownU.S.-Iran negotiations amid fears of war, following Iran’s late-2024 anti-government crackdown and ongoing unrest, with a BBC correspondent’s on-the-ground look in Tehran.24 Feb 2026 · 27 min · 10 chapters
The new race to the MoonThe “new race to the Moon,” comparing SpaceX’s Musk-driven lunar ambitions with NASA’s Artemis program and China’s parallel push, and explaining why countries compete for lunar presence, resources,…23 Feb 2026 · 26 min · 17 chapters
What the former prince Andrew’s arrest means for the Royal FamilyFormer Prince Andrew’s arrest in England for alleged misconduct in public office, tied to claims he shared confidential UK government documents with Jeffrey Epstein; implications for King Charles and…20 Feb 2026 · 27 min · 8 chapters
What ‘looksmaxxing’ tells us about modern masculinityThe BBC Global Story episode examines “looksmaxxing” through the viral figure “Clavicular,” arguing it reflects modern masculinity, algorithm-driven fame, and crossover with misogyny and far-right…19 Feb 2026 · 27 min · 16 chapters
The tightrope of reporting in Putin’s RussiaSteve Rosenberg, BBC Russia editor in Moscow, discusses the “tightrope” of reporting under Putin’s crackdown on speech after the 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine, including safety, censorship, and…18 Feb 2026 · 27 min · 11 chapters
Gisèle Pelicot on confronting shame and finding hopeBBC Newsnight’s Victoria Derbyshire interviews Gisèle Pelicot about the 2024 Avignon trial where her husband Dominique Pelicot drugged her and arranged about 200 rapes by at least 50 men, then she…17 Feb 2026 · 26 min · 12 chapters
Is social media having its Big Tobacco moment?A BBC Global Story episode asking whether social media is facing a “Big Tobacco moment,” focusing on a California jury trial alleging Meta (Instagram) and YouTube designed platforms to be addictive…16 Feb 2026 · 26 min · 13 chapters
Epstein’s global network: What the files revealRecap of new developments from the DOJ-released Jeffrey Epstein files, focusing on Epstein’s global network, international fallout, and disputes over redactions and follow-up investigations.13 Feb 2026 · 27 min · 14 chapters
With Jimmy Lai in jail, have Trump and the West abandoned Hong Kong?Whether Jimmy Lai’s 20-year prison sentence under Hong Kong’s National Security Law signals the “death knell” for Hong Kong democracy and whether the West has abandoned him.12 Feb 2026 · 27 min · 10 chapters