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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Explainer: Tensions over Kashmir
Thursday
A history of Kashmir and tension between India and Pakistan
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Explainer: Putin鈥檚 motivation for war with Ukraine
Thu 12 Jun 2025
We trace the evolution of Putin鈥檚 attitude towards Ukraine.
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Explainer: A history of US tariffs
Thu 5 Jun 2025
From McKinley to Trump, the rise, fall and rise again of US tariffs.
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Explainer: Rare earths
Thu 29 May 2025
We look at rare earths - What are they and why does everyone seem to want them?
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What is ransomware and what can be done to stop it?
Thu 22 May 2025
How should organisations deal with the threat of ransomware attacks?
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What are rare earths and why does everyone want them?
Thu 8 May 2025
Who dominates the market for rare earths and critical minerals?
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Are India and Pakistan on the brink of war over Kashmir?
Thu 1 May 2025
Tension between India and Pakistan rises following the killing of tourists in Kashmir.
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Can the UK become an AI superpower?
Thu 24 Apr 2025
Can the UK become an AI superpower as the government hopes?
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What cards does China hold?
Thu 17 Apr 2025
What cards does China hold in the trade war with the US?
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What's Trump's tariff hokey cokey all about?
Thu 10 Apr 2025
David Aaronovitch and guests discuss the strategy behind Trump's tariff policy.
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What is Putin's bottom line?
Thu 27 Mar 2025
David Aaronovitch asks what it would take for Putin to agree a peace deal in Ukraine.
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What's the government trying to do to the NHS?
Thu 20 Mar 2025
What are the government's plans for reforming the NHS?
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Why is there a crisis in special educational needs?
Thu 13 Mar 2025
Why is there a huge increase in spending on SEND, and why are parents still struggling?
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Explainer: A short history of conflict in Ukraine
Thu 13 Feb 2025
A quick run down on how it developed
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Explainer: Who made the first electric car?
Thu 30 Jan 2025
A short history of electric cars in the UK.
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Explainer: What is a Tariff?
Fri 24 Jan 2025
President Trump likes tariffs - what are they and what happened last time?
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Why does Trump love tariffs?
Thu 9 Jan 2025
How new tariffs could affect the world economy during a second Trump presidency.
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Is the push for the electric cars in trouble?
Thu 2 Jan 2025
The government wants to end the sale of petrol cars by 2030.
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Why we need to care about the Arctic
Boxing Day 2024
What threats and opportunities does the Arctic face?
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Is chainsaw economics working in Argentina?
Thu 19 Dec 2024
President Milei is cutting inflation, government spending and regulations.
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Will new weight loss drugs save or bankrupt the NHS?
Thu 12 Dec 2024
The NHS is set to offer Mounjaro to 3.4m people to tackle obesity.
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Why do we have such overcrowded prisons?
Thu 21 Nov 2024
Britain has the highest number of prisoners per head of population in western Europe.
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European defence in the new Trump era
Thu 14 Nov 2024
What is the future of Nato and European security?
