The Explanation Episodes Episode guide
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How the Good Friday Agreement helped bring peace to Northern Ireland
Denis Murray reflects on the legacy of the 1998 agreement
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Ethiopia, Eritrea and border wars
Kalkidan Yibeltal explains the complex history between the two countries
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Sudan’s journey from independence to revolution
Mohanad Hashim explains some of the complex history of the country he grew up in
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How Yemen has been engulfed by civil war
Nawal Al-Maghafi explains how war has caused one of the world's worst humanitarian crises
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Who are the Uyghurs and why are they being persecuted?
John Sudworth tells the story behind China's treatment of its Uyghur minority
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Cuba–United States relations
How a long, complex history between neighbours led to such an uneasy relationship
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Roe v Wade and abortion in America
Katty Kay explains how abortion became central to American politics
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How Syria's peaceful uprising became a civil war
Lina Sinjab tells Claire Graham about the conflict in her native country
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Understanding the long history between Russia and Ukraine
What has bound Russia and Ukraine together, and what has pulled them apart?
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Understanding South Africa’s continuing quest for equality
Why has the post-apartheid dream of a ‘Rainbow Nation’ not been easy to realise?
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Understanding the power that Saudi Arabia wields
How has the Saudi royal family maintained strong worldwide influence in spite of critics?
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Understanding relations between Taiwan and China
Why is Taiwanese reunification so important to China?
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Understanding the rise of Boko Haram
How the militant Islamic group took hold in northern Nigeria
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Understanding North Korea and the Kim dynasty
How the Kim family shaped one of the world’s most secretive countries
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Understanding the Islamic State group
Quentin Sommerville on the rise, fall and potential re-emergence of IS
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Understanding how Russia has changed under Putin
Sarah Rainsford on how everyday life in Russia has changed under Putin
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Afghanistan: Women, girls and their rights
How a turbulent history dictates the ever-shifting attitudes towards women and girls
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Understanding Iran: Reconciling religion and democracy
Rana Rahimpour explains how religion, democracy and ideals combine in Iran
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Israeli-Palestinian relations
In 2021, Jeremy Bowen discussed the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
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Understanding democracy in Hong Kong
Why are there democracy protests in Hong Kong?
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What does a new president mean for Poland?
John Simpson analyses what Karol Nawrocki’s victory means for Poland’s government
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Weight loss jabs: A medical game changer?
Do weight loss injections have far-reaching benefits beyond weight management?
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Unspun World: Xi Jinping: President or emperor?
What do the growing ambitions of China's leader mean for the rest of the world?
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Unspun World: World leaders formally recognise Palestinian statehood
John Simpson analyses what effect the recognition of Palestine as a state might have
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Unspun World: Will the UK's election change its place in the world?
Plus, can Iran's governing elite win back popular support?
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Unspun World: Will Israeli criticism change Netanyahu's Gaza stance?
Will criticism from within Israel force Netanyahu to change his approach in Gaza?
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Unspun World: Will Israel invade Gaza?
Will Israel launch a ground assault in Gaza and, if they do, what's at stake?
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Unspun World: Will Hamas really give up control of Gaza?
John Simpson analyses whether Hamas will lay down its weapons in Gaza
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Unspun World: Why are US-Israel relations at an historic low?
Plus, Georgia's mass protests and China's influence on Western countries
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Unspun World: Who will run Gaza?
John Simpson analyses who will actually be running Gaza in the wake of the ceasefire