Podcast · 332 episodes
This Is Why
by Sky News · English
The world’s a pretty confusing place right now – so how do you make sense of it all? This Is Why takes one story every day, explains how we got here and why it matters to you. Sky News’ Niall Paterson speaks to experts and correspondents from around the world, getting simple answers to some complex questions. Available every weekday afternoon. This Is Why is a Sky News podcast – if you have a question, contact us: why@sky.uk
Latest episodes
Why is Trump pulling troops out of Iraq (while at war with Iran)?Why the US says it has completed withdrawing troops from Iraq, despite the US fighting Iran, and what that means for Iraq’s security against ISIS and Iran-backed militias.30 Sep 2026 · 18 min
Why reforming the pension triple lock is ‘electoral suicide’Debate over the UK state pension “triple lock” (uprating by highest of inflation, wage growth, or 2.5%) and whether Labour/PM plans to change it after the next election to fund social care.29 Sep 2026 · 15 min
Why the RAF Fairford 'plot' doesn’t add upThe episode discusses the RAF Fairford plot and what investigators know (and don’t) about a suspected coordinated attack near the Gloucestershire base used by American bombers in the Iran conflict.28 Sep 2026 · 16 min
All episodes
Why is Trump pulling troops out of Iraq (while at war with Iran)?Why the US says it has completed withdrawing troops from Iraq, despite the US fighting Iran, and what that means for Iraq’s security against ISIS and Iran-backed militias.30 Sep 2026 · 18 min · 8 chapters
Why reforming the pension triple lock is ‘electoral suicide’Debate over the UK state pension “triple lock” (uprating by highest of inflation, wage growth, or 2.5%) and whether Labour/PM plans to change it after the next election to fund social care.29 Sep 2026 · 15 min · 8 chapters
Why the RAF Fairford 'plot' doesn’t add upThe episode discusses the RAF Fairford plot and what investigators know (and don’t) about a suspected coordinated attack near the Gloucestershire base used by American bombers in the Iran conflict.28 Sep 2026 · 16 min · 10 chapters
Why is Ed Sheeran fighting for his reputation?The episode discusses why Ed Sheeran faced a public backlash and issued an on-stage apology during his US stadium tour.25 Sep 2026 · 17 min · 7 chapters
Why is Diana book still on sale despite Piers Morgan mistake?The episode discusses Charles Spencer’s Diana memoir and why it remains on sale after a major factual error.24 Sep 2026 · 19 min · 8 chapters
Three reasons AI could ‘save us all’: This is whyNeil asks whether AI could “save us all,” contrasting earlier doom about AI killing humanity with three potential benefits: health, climate, and everyday governance/industry use.23 Sep 2026 · 22 min · 14 chapters
Why is Andy Burnham giving military support to Saudi Arabia?The UK’s decision under Prime Minister Andy Burnham to provide additional military support to Saudi Arabia, framed as defensive, amid Houthi attacks and regional energy-security concerns.22 Sep 2026 · 17 min · 6 chapters
Why TV’s The Wargame exposes some uncomfortable truthsThe guests discuss Sky’s TV series The War Game, a visualised “war game” simulation of Britain under rapid Russian attack, focusing on what it reveals about UK defence gaps and the need for wider…21 Sep 2026 · 19 min · 8 chapters
Why Diana’s brother is making bombshell claims about the KingThe episode discusses Earl Spencer’s new book, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, and the resulting backlash from Buckingham Palace.18 Sep 2026 · 18 min · 9 chapters
Why Canada courting the EU isn’t great news for Great BritainThe episode discusses Canada’s EU “associate membership” proposal and why it’s unlikely to benefit the UK similarly after Brexit.17 Sep 2026 · 16 min · 7 chapters
Chief of Defence Staff: Why this is the UK’s ‘most dangerous moment’Interview with Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, UK Chief of Defence Staff, on why the world is at the UK’s “most dangerous moment,” focusing on Russia/Ukraine, NATO deterrence, and UK defence…16 Sep 2026 · 31 min · 15 chapters
Why the Thirlwall Inquiry isn’t the last word on Lucy LetbySky News discusses the Thirlwall Inquiry’s findings on Lucy Letby at Countess of Chester Hospital, arguing it wasn’t the “last word” because system-wide changes and ongoing legal processes remain.15 Sep 2026 · 17 min · 9 chapters
Why has Donald Trump called for Irish reunification?The episode discusses why Donald Trump publicly backed Irish reunification during a weekend visit to Ireland for the Irish Open.14 Sep 2026 · 19 min · 11 chapters
Why 9/11 has turned toxic for Rudy Giuliani and Zohran MamdaniThe episode argues that the 25th anniversary of 9/11 has become “toxic” in New York politics, centered on whether Mayor Zoran Mamdani should attend the city’s main 9/11 memorials.11 Sep 2026 · 20 min · 9 chapters
Experts warn AI could ‘kill us all’: This is whySky News discusses warnings from AI researchers that advanced AI could pose “civilizational risk,” including a possible 10% chance of humanity being wiped out within a decade.10 Sep 2026 · 20 min · 12 chapters
Why does air traffic control keep failing?Repeated UK air traffic control failures causing mass flight cancellations and passenger disruption, focusing on a recent outage tied to NATS flight data processing and concerns about inadequate…9 Sep 2026 · 16 min · 7 chapters
Why are NHS staff targeting terror attack victims?A Sky News/Health Service Journal investigation into NHS staff accessing patients’ private medical records without authorization, including victims of the Nottingham and Southport terror attacks and…8 Sep 2026 · 22 min · 13 chapters
Why Farage is courting rising star of the French far rightThe episode profiles Jordan Bardella, the 30-year-old leader of France’s far-right National Rally, and explains why he’s being positioned as Marine Le Pen’s likely successor and why he’s speaking at…4 Sep 2026 · 19 min · 8 chapters
Why driverless taxis still need a human (for now)The episode discusses London’s first autonomous taxi trial: Uber passengers can hail Wave’s autonomous vehicles, but a human safety driver must sit ready to intervene.3 Sep 2026 · 15 min · 6 chapters
Why borrowing costs are Burnham’s biggest problemAndy Burnham’s first major challenge is keeping fiscal promises while UK and global borrowing costs rise, shrinking government “headroom” under fiscal rules.2 Sep 2026 · 18 min · 7 chapters
Why Germany's far right is on the verge of its biggest win since WW2Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is polling around 42–43% in Saxony-Anhalt and could win the Sept 6 state election, potentially breaking the postwar “firewall” against far-right…1 Sep 2026 · 18 min · 10 chapters
Why Bumble's boss hopes AI is the future of datingThe episode profiles Whitney Wolfe-Herd, co-founder of Tinder and Bumble, and discusses why she hopes AI will be the future of dating.28 Aug 2026 · 19 min · 12 chapters
Why Sudan's horrifying war is being ignoredSudan’s civil war—why it’s largely ignored internationally—its origins (April 2023), scale, ongoing violence, displacement, and the role of foreign backers prolonging the conflict.27 Aug 2026 · 17 min · 10 chapters
Bob Harris: Why Dolly Parton was loved by all agesWhy Dolly Parton appealed to every generation, combining an instantly recognizable image, cross-generational country roots, and lifelong philanthropy; also discusses her death and legacy.26 Aug 2026 · 22 min · 11 chapters