Podcasts by The Briefing Room

Ukraine: what's the counter-offensive latest? from 2023-12-07T17:42

The start of Ukraine’s counter-offensive against occupying Russian forces was hailed as the breakthrough moment of the war so far. Now six months on, we ask what happened?

The Secretary Ge...

Net migration: What’s happening in the UK? from 2023-11-30T20:30

UK net migration hit a record 745,000 in 2022 according to recently revised figures from the Office for National Statistics.

That means the numbers coming to live in the UK were almost thr...

Israel-Gaza war: What's going on in the West Bank? from 2023-11-23T19:00

In recent weeks, and for obvious reasons, all eyes have been on Gaza. But more Palestinians live in the West Bank, the other Palestinian territory, and the area is critical forany chances of dur...

Introducing... When It Hits The Fan from 2023-11-16T15:25

Who's in the news for all the wrong reasons? David Yelland and Simon Lewis invite you to join them in the world of crisis managers and spin doctors as they watch the week's biggest PR disasters ...

Israel/Gaza: What happens next? from 2023-10-19T15:27

Israel and Hamas are at war and there are no signs of a quick resolution. But what would a resolution actually look like and who's actually going to try and negotiate one?

David Aaronovitc...

What was Hamas thinking? from 2023-10-12T15:37

David Aaronovitch and guests talk through the thinking behind Hamas's deadly attack on Israel, discuss what might happen next and ask what all this means politically.

Guests:

Jennif...

If Trump gets re-elected what does the world do? from 2023-10-05T16:10

David Aaronovitch and guests talk about what a second Trump presidency might mean for America's relationship with the world and discuss what countries are doing to prepare.

Guests:

...

What a murder in Canada tells us about India's place in the world from 2023-09-28T19:30

When a Canadian Sikh was murdereed in British Colombia in June few predicted the diplomatic bust up that ensued. What does this say about India's relationship with the West?

David Aaronovi...

The UK’s financial headache from 2023-09-21T19:30

David Aaronovitch and guests discuss how Conservative and Labour preparations for the next election will be dictated by the state of the UK's public finances.

Guests:

Paul Johnson,...

Who do we think we are now? from 2023-09-14T19:30

Two years ago we looked at Britain’s political geography and the role of identity and party loyalty. In this special programme in front of a live audience, David Aaronovitch and guests discuss w...

No concrete plans? from 2023-09-07T19:30

Some school buildings in England have been forced to close or do urgent repairs because they’re built with a potentially crumbling material, reinforced autoclave aerated concrete, known as RAAC....

What's the problem with Airbnb? from 2023-08-31T19:30

The number of holiday lets in England rose by 40% between 2018 and 2021. There's been a similar boom across the UK and governments are at varying stages of legislation to regulate the industry a...

How much trouble is Donald Trump in? from 2023-08-24T12:50

Former US President Donald Trump now faces multiple criminal and civil cases. Which are the most serious, what do they mean for his presidential campaign and could the US constitution prevent hi...

The UK and the European Convention on Human Rights from 2023-08-17T19:30

What is the European Convention on Human Rights, how does it impact what the UK government can do and what would the ramifications be if the UK left it?

Joining David Aaronovitch in The Br...

What’s behind the Niger coup? from 2023-08-10T19:31

Military unrest in Niger isn't an uncommon phenomenon. There have been five coups in the last 50 years. But what's behind the latest one and is a peaceful resolution possible?

David Aarono...

Is it Saudi's century? from 2023-08-03T19:30

With vast financial resources and a new found desire to engage in regional and global diplomacy, Saudi Arabia has got the world's attention. But just how powerful can it become?

David Aaro...

Can we meet the net zero challenge? from 2023-07-27T19:30

As wildfires tear across southern Europe the need for urgent action on climate change becomes ever clearer. Reducing carbon emissions is a global challenge but can we meet it?

David Aarono...

The China Threat from 2023-07-20T19:30

The government needs to radically change its approach to Chinese ambitions in the UK according to a report by Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee. The report says Chinese investmen...

What can schools do about record absences? from 2023-07-13T19:28

The pandemic disrupted schooling everywhere. But since then record numbers of children have not returned to regular schooling. Data from the Department for Education show that persistent absenc...

What happened to the Israel/Palestine peace process? from 2023-07-06T19:30

It's 30 years since the signing of the Oslo Accords. That agreement spurred optimism that peace could be forged between Israel and Palestine. It didn't happen. Will it ever?

David Aaronovi...

Why is Britain getting inflation so wrong? from 2023-06-29T19:30

Despite the Prime Minister's pledge to halve inflation by the end of the year it's the Bank of England's job to deliver on that. Why is it struggling and what happens if it fails?

Britain'...

Ukraine: the long game from 2023-06-22T19:30

Ukraine's spring offensive has begun. But what can it realistically achieve? What can be done to prevent this becoming a 'forever war'? And in the meantime, how has this regional conflict impact...

The Online Safety Bill from 2023-05-11T19:30

The Online Safety Bill is a new set of internet laws to protect children and adults. It will place more responsibility on the technology giants to monitor content. Will it succeed?

David ...

Ukraine: Is it all about to change? from 2023-05-04T16:44

Recent movements by Ukraine and Russia's military forces suggest that the long awaited spring offensive could start any day. David Aaronovitch and guests discuss the implications.

Guests:...

Sudan conflict: what led to this? from 2023-04-27T15:24

David Aaronovitch and guests discuss the latest events in Sudan. Fighting has been commonplace ever since Sudan gained independence but what's behind the latest violence?

Guests:

Jam...

Does Rishi Sunak's maths calculation add up? from 2023-04-20T19:30

Rishi Sunak says the UK has an 'anti maths mindset' and that low levels of numeracy are damaging the economy. Will studying maths until the age of 18 solve the problem?

David Aaronovitch t...

Russia's invasion: what more can the west do to help Ukraine? from 2022-03-24T20:30

It's a month now since Russian forces invaded Ukraine. The west have sanctioned Russia and provided aid packages to Ukraine but what more can it do to help Ukraine win the war? Joining David Aaron...

Russia's invasion: what could a peace deal look like? from 2022-03-17T20:30

Negotiations between Ukraine and Russia have been underway this week. At the same time Mariupol and other Ukrainian cities have come under savage bombardment. If some sort of peace is to be brokere...

Russia's invasion: what level of support does Putin have at home? from 2022-03-10T20:30

What's the impact in Russia of painful sanctions and a war that's not going to plan? How is President Putin controlling information and what's required for that to change?David Aaronovitch is joi...

Russia's invasion: what's the military strategy? from 2022-03-03T20:46

The war in Ukraine is a week old. What have we learned about the military strength - and tactics - on both sides? And what might that tell us about how the conflict might play out?David Aaronov...

Russia's invasion: will sanctions work? from 2022-02-24T21:00

Russia is facing sanctions from around the world. Can they hit the country hard enough to make it change course and leave Ukraine in peace?In a live episode David Aaronovitch considers how sanction...

What do drones mean for the future of warfare? from 2022-02-17T20:30

A few weeks ago a rebel group without an air-force managed to attack a foreign airport 1,000 miles away....from the air using drones. And theoretically what the Yemeni insurgents did in Abu Dhabi i...

Will the levelling up plans work? from 2022-02-10T20:30

One of Boris Johnson’s key campaign promises in the run up to the last election was to level up the country. Now the government has published a white paper telling us how it intends to do that. So ...

Is the Prime Minister’s Office fit for purpose? from 2022-02-03T20:30

How well 10 Downing Street functions is under scrutiny. Following Sue Gray's report into parties during lockdown, David Aaronovitch explores who does what at the heart of government and asks if the...

How do we learn to live with Covid? from 2022-01-27T20:30

Plan B Covid restrictions in England have ended and the government says we must learn to live with Covid. But what does that actually mean and how sustainable is that position? In this programme ...

BBC Funding from 2022-01-20T20:30

With the longer term funding of the BBC under pressure, David Aaronovitch and guests explore the alternatives to the licence fee. How do other nations pay for their public service broadcasters? C...

Inflation from 2022-01-13T20:30

Inflation is at a 30 year high. David Aaronovitch looks back to the 1970s when prices - and wages - soared. Are we returning to those times and how worried should we be? Joining him in The Briefin...

Brexit: What Have We Learned? from 2022-01-06T20:30

It's nearly been a year since Brexit, so what have the costs and gains been so far, what's yet to be sorted out, and how has our relationship with our European neighbours changed? Joining David Aa...

Who Do We Think We Are? from 2021-12-30T20:30

Four recent by-elections in the UK - Airdrie and Schotts, Hartlepool, Amersham and Chesham, and Batley and Spen - tell us four different stories about who we are and what determines who we vote for...

Space Wars and Laws from 2021-12-23T20:30

Could space be the next frontier for conflict? And what would it look like? Recently the astronauts in the International Space Station had to shelter in their escape pods, after Russia destroyed on...

Ukraine: Could There Be War? from 2021-12-16T20:30

Russian troops are amassed close to the Ukrainian border - could this mean war, or is something else going on? Tensions between Ukraine and Russia aren't new, particularly since the annexation of ...

Afghanistan: What Now? What Next? from 2021-12-09T20:28

From insurgency to government - the challenges for the Taliban and the West. Four months ago the Taliban stunned the world - maybe even themselves - when they entered Kabul and took power in Afgha...

Living in a Variant World from 2021-12-02T20:28

What are variants? Where do they come from? Why do they develop and how do they take over? Currently Delta is the dominant variant in the UK and across much of the world; but now Omicron, first ide...

Europe's Covid Surge from 2021-11-25T20:30

As parts of Europe struggle to contain Covid cases we ask what that means for them and us. The World Health Organisation has warned that another 500,000 people in Europe could die of Covid by March...

China Crisis? from 2021-10-21T19:30

For years China has been perhaps the most important economic engine driving growth around the world. Earlier this year it bounced back from the Covid shutdowns with double-digit growth. Global dema...

Social Care - What's Changing? from 2021-10-14T19:30

For decades the difficult problem of social care - how to fund it, how to provide it - has been kicked into the long grass by government after government. But last month the Prime Minister announce...

Britain's Dirty Rivers from 2021-10-07T19:30

According to campaigners, Britain has some of the dirtiest rivers in Europe. Sewage, slurry from farms and chemicals are all a problem, too often ending up in our rivers. The parliamentary Environm...

Non-Fungible Tokens from 2021-09-30T19:30

When a collage of digital images was sold in New York earlier this year for £50 million, the art world was convulsed. The reason? The picture couldn't be hung on a wall and was only visible onlin...

The UK's Energy Crisis from 2021-09-23T19:30

The Business Secretary, Kwasi Kwarteng, has said there is 'no question of the lights going out' this winter as a result of a huge rise in gas prices. But many smaller energy companies are struggli...

Vaccine Passports and Booster Jabs from 2021-09-16T19:30

Government ministers have been blowing hot and cold about vaccine passports. Now the Westminster government says it is not planning to introduce them to England, though they're being kept as an opt...

Universal Credit: The Challenge Ahead from 2021-09-09T19:30

At the start of the first pandemic lockdown the government announced a £20 uplift for those receiving Universal Credit, the benefit designed to help those of working age with their living costs. It...

The Afghan Refugee Crisis from 2021-09-02T19:30

The Taliban takeover over of Afghanistan has left millions of people internally displaced and hundreds of thousands more hoping to leave the country soon. Where will these Afghan refugees try to ...

HS2: On Track? from 2021-08-26T19:30

HS2, a high-speed railway linking up London, the Midlands and the North of England has been in development for more than a decade. It was described by Boris Johnson as the ‘spine’ of a new network ...

What next for President Biden’s foreign policy? from 2021-08-19T19:30

‘The likelihood there’s going to be the Taliban overrunning everything and owning the whole country is highly unlikely,’ said President Joe Biden six weeks ago. This prediction has not aged well. ...

Who's supporting the Taliban? from 2021-08-12T19:30

The Taliban’s relentless march across Afghanistan continues – taking control of provincial capitals, rural districts and the financially lucrative border crossings. As the world watches on with inc...

Taiwan and the Threat to Peace from 2021-08-05T19:30

Only a handful of small states officially recognise Taiwan as an independent country, though in many ways this democratic territory has the trappings of an independent nation. But Taiwan's giant ...

Where Are All the Workers? from 2021-07-29T19:30

A supermarket chain is offering £1000 welcoming handshakes to new truck drivers - just one indication of the shortages in the haulage industry. The Road Haulage Association says that there is now...

COP26: Floods, Fire, and the Future from 2021-07-22T19:30

Right across the world unpredictable and extreme weather has led to devastating consequences: homes washed away by floods in Europe and China with hundreds dead; extreme heat and giant wildfires in...

COP26: Floods, Fire, and the Future from 2021-07-22T19:30

Right across the world unpredictable and extreme weather has led to devastating consequences: homes washed away by floods in Europe and China with hundreds dead; extreme heat and giant wildfires in...

Stepping into the Unknown from 2021-07-15T19:30

Some are calling it Freedom Day. Others are much more circumspect. The lifting of Covid restrictions on 19th July in England is, to a certain extent, an experiment. The UK has one of the best vacci...

How Unsettled is EU Status? from 2021-07-01T19:29

European Union and European Economic Area citizens living in the UK should have applied for so-called settled status in Britain before July 1st. Over five million people have applied - a significan...

The Ransomware Threat from 2021-05-27T19:29

You might receive an innocuous looking email – it might even look like it’s from your boss – asking you to click on a link. Watch out! It could be the start of a ransomware attack. Over the last ye...

Hamas from 2021-05-27T13:48

Gaza is one of the most crowded places on earth. Most of its two million residents live in refugee camps and around half are unemployed. Gaza is governed by Hamas, an organisation that many governm...

Hong Kong: Beijing Tightens Its Grip from 2021-05-06T19:30

Hong Kong has long been at the centre of a tussle between mainland China and the outside world - certainly since the British took it as a colony in 1842. That heralded more than a century of "sha...

India's Covid Catastrophe from 2021-04-29T19:29

In February India's governing party, the BJP, congratulated itself and its “visionary” leader, the prime minister, Narendra Modi,, for “defeating Covid.” Two months on India is in the midst of what...

Could Germany Go Green? from 2021-04-22T19:29

The German Chancellor Angela Merkel bows out of politics later this year after 16 years at the head of the German government. She seems likely to be replaced by one of two people; the man Merkel’s ...

Northern Ireland: how fragile is the peace process? from 2021-04-15T19:30

There’s been violence on the streets of Northern Ireland in recent days, most of it in Protestant areas. On occasion it spilled over the sectarian divide. The proximate cause appears to be twofol...

Global supply chains: is the UK vulnerable? from 2021-04-08T19:30

When the 400 metre long Ultra Large Container Vessel, Ever Given, got wedged diagonally across the Suez Canal at the end of March, it brought one of the world’s most important trade routes to a sta...

Covid-19 and the World from 2021-04-01T19:59

No crisis has had the global reach and impact of Covid-19. There have been more than 120 million recorded cases of the Coronavirus and 2.7 million people have died and curbs on people’s freedoms ha...

Brexit Business from 2021-02-25T20:29

Britain's transition period with the EU ended on December 31st. For the first time since the inception of the single market in 1992, British companies were on the outside. A trade agreement was r...

Out of Lockdown from 2021-02-18T20:28

The prime minister is due to announce on Monday his plan for lifting the current lockdown in England. He says he wants progress to be cautious but irreversible. And he, like many, is saying that de...

“Turmoil” in the SNP from 2021-02-11T20:29

The prospect of independence for Scotland may never have been brighter for the SNP. Elections to Holyrood are due in May and the party has promised to seek a new referendum on independence if it g...

GameStop Shock from 2021-02-04T20:02

There was pandemonium on the US stock market when shares in a chain of video game shops went through the roof. At one point GameStop’s stock, which averaged just seven dollars last year, was valued...

The Irish Question from 2021-01-28T20:29

This year marks 100 years since the creation of Northern Ireland, in May 1921. But in the light of Brexit, which has left Northern Ireland inside the EU’s single market and customs union, creating,...

Putin vs Navalny from 2021-01-21T20:29

Millions of people have been watching a film in the past two days that was released by Alexei Navalny, Russia's leading opposition figure, even as he languished in a Moscow jail. The film, presente...

Covid and the NHS from 2021-01-14T20:30

More than 80 thousand people in the UK have now died with Covid-19; there are currently more than three million confirmed cases across the country and in the worst affected areas one person in 20 i...

America: what just happened? from 2021-01-07T20:29

The past day has been an extraordinary one in the history of modern America. Firstly, the Democrats secured a majority in both houses of Congress.Secondly, Congress certified Joe Biden’s election...

Facebook's Monopoly Problem from 2020-12-31T20:30

US federal regulators and dozens of state prosecutors are suing Facebook accusing it of illegal actions in buying up rivals and stifling competition. It's one of the biggest antitrusts in US histor...

The Climate Crisis: Are We Moving Fast Enough? from 2020-12-17T20:30

While the world’s attention has been distracted by Covid, the climate crisis has continued to pose an existential threat. But there have been significant developments this year, not least the annou...

Living with the Taliban from 2020-12-10T20:30

The war in Afghanistan has just entered its twentieth year. It has come at an enormous cost, most notably to Afghan civilians, but also to Britain. Nearly 500 British military personnel have lost t...

Brexit: Is It Oven Ready? from 2020-12-03T21:00

With just weeks to go till the Brexit transition period ends, David Aaronovitch and The Briefing Room team explore Britain’s readiness for 2021. What will it mean for you? What have supermarkets, a...

How Broke is Britain? from 2020-11-26T20:30

Thanks to the pandemic, Britain’s borrowing is forecast to hit nearly £400bn this year, and the economy is expected to contract by more than 11 per cent. How can we afford this, and what can the ...

The President's In Tray from 2020-11-05T20:30

Whoever wins the US presidential election, what policy priorities await the next man in the White House? David Aaronovitch, asks what are the domestic priorities for an-coming President Biden or a...

Education: A Testing Issue from 2020-10-22T19:30

Scotland has cancelled its National 5 school exams next summer - should the rest of the UK follow? On The Briefing Room David Aaronovitch asks if exams should go ahead next year, and can governme...

Covid-19: Regional Differences from 2020-10-15T19:30

As the U.K. introduces more restrictions to stem the spread of Covid-19, why are there such marked regional differences in the infection rate? Contributors:Greg Fell, Director of Public Health, Sh...

Britain's Immigration Dilemma from 2020-10-08T19:00

As the Home Secretary Priti Patel promises to fix a 'broken' asylum system, what measures could the government take to reduce the number of migrants crossing the English Channel? Contributors:Pr...

Covid-19: are we still following the rules? from 2020-10-01T19:30

As more restrictions are put in place regarding who we can meet and where we can go, to what extent are we following the rules? Is there any evidence of fatigue among the British public when it c...

Sweden and the Pandemic from 2020-09-24T19:30

Sweden decided not to lockdown like other countries - was it the right decision? David Aaronovitch explores the Swedish experience of the pandemic and reveals that, for a country which didn't offi...

Covid-19: Six Months On from 2020-09-17T19:30

It's been six months since the coronavirus-induced lockdown was introduced across the UK - what have we learned about Covid-19 in that time? David Aaronovitch explores what we now know about the ...

Will the US election be free and fair? from 2020-09-10T19:30

Allegations of potential postal voting fraud and voter suppression have raised questions about the fairness of November's US presidential election, but what evidence is there to suggest these fears...

Football and the Pandemic from 2020-09-03T19:30

Like many other areas of life the pandemic has hit football where it hurts: revenues are down and there’s a danger that some clubs will go out of business. But if that were to happen, does it re...

Brexit: deal or no deal? from 2020-08-27T19:30

The EU has warned a trade deal with the UK now seems unlikely – is that just posturing to speed up negotiations or is ‘no deal’ now the most likely outcome? And how will Brexit affect you when the ...

Belarus: the end of a dictatorship? from 2020-08-20T19:30

Belarus is gripped by nationwide protests, triggered by what is seen as an unfair election, rigged in favour of the country’s authoritarian president, Alexander Lukashenko. Violent clashes have le...

Covid-19: the return to school from 2020-08-13T19:03

This week children start to return to school in Scotland, with the rest of the UK due to reopen schools in September. For most students this is the first time they'll be setting foot inside a sch...

Scottish Independence: Hope and Fear from 2020-08-06T19:03

Recent polls suggest a growing majority of people in Scotland now favour independence, so what’s behind the change since the 2014 referendum when 55% of voters chose to remain in the Union? How lik...

How to beat obesity from 2020-07-30T19:30

The government says “tackling obesity is one of the greatest long-term health challenges this country faces” and has published a plan to help people in England lose weight. What’s in it, what’s not...

The UK's place in the world from 2020-07-23T19:30

How can the UK shape its foreign policy in response to threats posed by the likes of Russia and China? And how does that fit with the government’s vision of ‘Global Britain'? David Aaronovitch ask...

What is happening to the Uighurs in China? from 2020-07-16T19:30

The Chinese Communist Party is accused of locking up hundreds of thousands of Uighurs in internment camps. In the Uighurs' homeland in Xinjiang, the state operates a system of mass-surveillance and...

Can the NHS recover from coronavirus? from 2020-07-09T19:35

The pandemic will impact the way healthcare is delivered for years to come. At the same time as preparing for a possible second wave, the NHS also has to work its way through a backlog of delayed a...

The Leicester lockdown from 2020-07-02T19:15

In Germany fences have gone up to keep people in their homes and stop the spread of Coronavirus, while some people in Melbourne are being threatened with fines or imprisonment for travelling to oth...

Can Britain avoid mass-unemployment? from 2020-06-25T19:30

The Bank of England says unemployment could approach 10 per cent this year and as the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is wound down, many economists are warning it could go even higher. With mor...

China and the Pandemic from 2020-05-15T08:06

How have China's relations with other countries changed since the arrival of the virus? The US and China have been facing each other off for years, but increasingly other nations are questioning th...

Coronavirus and the economy from 2020-05-07T19:31

What damage are the pandemic and lockdown doing to the economy and what could happen next? David Aaronovitch explores the economic impact of physical distancing on business, whether our fast exp...

Covid-19 and the Care Sector from 2020-04-30T19:10

Have the mounting deaths exposed cracks in the way we deliver care to some of our most vulnerable people? David Aaronovitch looks at how the system is structured and funded. and why it sometimes ...

Easing the lockdown from 2020-04-23T19:15

Some countries have opened schools, hairdressers and small non-food shops. David Aaronovitch asks what has guided those tentative first steps and whether the lockdown can be eased safely. What h...

The psychological impact of the coronavirus pandemic from 2020-04-17T09:09

What do we know about how we are coping with the pandemic crisis? David Aaronovitch looks at the impact the three month lockdown has had on people in China and asks how different groups in the U...

The Inequalities of Lockdown from 2020-04-09T19:30

What effect is the lockdown having across the country and population? David Aaronovitch examines which jobs have been lost, whose health is more at risk and whose education is most likely to suffer...

Covid-19: What Next? from 2020-04-02T19:10

Why have some countries run mass-testing operations when others, including the UK, have not? David Aaronovitch examines how South Korea and Germany have approached the coronavirus pandemic and wh...

UK fishing and Brexit from 2020-02-20T20:30

The UK fishing industry will be central to EU trade negotiations, starting soon. David Aaronovitch explores why a sector, which contributes very little to the overall economy, has gained such polit...

Sinn Féin's rise from 2020-02-13T20:30

Sinn Féin's historic result in the Irish election has the potential to change the face of Irish politics - dominated for the past hundred years by the two main parties, Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil. ...

Treating Terror from 2020-02-10T12:00

In recent months convicted terrorists just released from prison have launched knife attacks which have maimed and killed - the latest one on Streatham High Street in South London. Both attackers we...

How to do a trade deal from 2020-01-30T20:30

For the first time in decades the UK will now negotiate its own trade deals. David Aaronovitch explores our options and likely outcomes. Free trade deals can take years and require hundreds of hig...

How dangerous is the coronavirus? from 2020-01-23T20:30

What lessons do previous pandemics provide about how we should treat the new coronavirus? David Aaronovitch tracks the disease's origins in China, explores its spread. He considers how dangerous t...

Powering Up The North from 2020-01-16T20:30

The government wants an infrastructure revolution in the north of England. David Aaronovitch looks at whether improving transport networks could reduce economic differences between the north and s...

Iran's Revenge from 2020-01-09T20:34

The killing of General Soleimani by the United States has led to uproar in Iran. Massive crowds have accompanied his coffin through the streets and he is now hailed as a martyr. Retaliation has st...

News Review of the Year 2019 from 2019-12-29T22:00

A look back at some of the big stories that hit the headlines in 2019. Jonny Dymond is joined by: Jennifer Williams of the Manchester Evening News Rory Sutherland of the Spectator and Ogilvy Group ...

How Do We Get Brexit Done? from 2019-12-19T20:30

'Get Brexit Done' was the slogan that helped lead the Tories to an election victory - but how will that be achieved? It's the pressing task now facing government, but what might Brexit actually ...

Middle East Youthquake from 2019-12-12T20:30

A wave of protests are sweeping through Iran, Iraq and Lebanon. Retribution in Iraq and Iran has been swift and savage, and hundreds of young people have been killed - but what lies behind the unr...

Malta: Shady People in a Sunny Place from 2019-12-05T20:30

The island of Malta is the European Union's smallest state. Yet it is giving Brussels one of its biggest headaches. After the very public blowing up in her car of an investigative journalist in ...

General Election Promises: Tax and Spend? from 2019-11-28T20:30

Politicians are busy making big electoral promises. Some of them are to be funded by taxing wealthier people. But will the next chancellor be able to get the money they need from high earners, or w...

Brexit: a pivotal week? from 2019-10-24T19:30

MPs voted in favour of the government's Brexit deal but then rejected the PM's plan to fast-track a bill through Parliament to implement it. Opposition to the deal is still strong in some quarte...

Turkey, Syria and the Kurds from 2019-10-17T19:30

Donald Trump’s recent announcement that he was withdrawing the remaining US troops in northern Syria sent shockwaves across the security establishment, and caught allies in the region off guard. T...

Climate change and meat: what's the beef? from 2019-10-10T19:02

Would cutting back on meat consumption help tackle climate change? What impact would this have on individuals, governments and businesses? Livestock farming accounts for at least 14.5% of all hu...

Trump, Ukraine and impeachment from 2019-10-03T19:30

What's the Trump impeachment inquiry about? The White House is in damage limitation mode following a whistleblower complaint that revealed details about a phone call between President Trump and Ukr...

Britain’s constitutional dilemma: who now runs the country? from 2019-09-26T20:00

The Supreme Court has ruled that Boris Johnson's decision to prorogue Parliament was unlawful, turning a page on the country’s constitution. The Supreme Court president Lady Hale said "the effect o...

What are the Risks of Vaping? from 2019-09-19T19:30

Seven recent deaths in America have been linked to the use of electronic cigarettes. The federal government and some states have made moves to ban the use of the products - other countries, such as...

The Battle for Britain from 2019-09-12T19:30

It’s been another extraordinary week of politics. Parliament is closed, but a general election is on the horizon. What strategy should the party leaders follow to come out victorious? David Aaron...

The United Kingdom, Brexit and its History from 2019-09-05T20:30

In a momentous week for British politics, David Aaronovitch presents a special hour-long edition of The Briefing Room in which he asks whether the United Kingdom's history might help us to understa...

Has Narendra Modi changed India? from 2019-05-23T19:30

It's the world's biggest organised event: 900 million eligible voters across India have been to the polls in the last six weeks after five years of Narendra Modi's BJP government. Narendra Modi's ...

Could the United States and Iran go to war? from 2019-05-16T19:30

The British Foreign Secretary has warned of the danger of Iran and the United States stumbling into a war by accident. And the signs are ominous: the US accelerated the deployment of an aircraft c...

Should vaccinations be compulsory? from 2019-05-09T19:30

With measles infections on the rise in the UK, should vaccinations be made compulsory? Measles is an ‘entirely preventable’ disease, says the UN – and for a while the UK and other developed countr...

Does the UK have an opioid problem? from 2019-05-02T19:30

Prescriptions for opioid painkillers have increased by 60 per cent in the UK during the last decade, and the number of codeine-related deaths in England and Wales has more than doubled. The gover...

What drives religious intolerance? from 2019-04-25T19:30

Is religious intolerance on the rise, and if so, what is behind it? In Sri Lanka this week, people claiming to be acting out of religious belief killed more than 350 people, mostly of a different ...

What's in the Mueller report? from 2019-04-18T19:44

The investigation has taken nearly two years, cost tens of millions of dollars, and led to dozens of criminal charges. Now, a redacted version of Robert Mueller’s report into whether Russia interfe...

What Next For Europe? from 2019-04-11T19:30

David Aaronovich examines the likely lasting impact of the UK's decision to quit the European Union - not on Britain but on mainland Europe. The European Union is struggling to reconcile competing ...

How divided are we? from 2019-04-04T19:30

As the Brexit negotiations rumble on Britain appears more divided than ever. This week David Aaronovitch and his guests ask how deep is that division and what it would take to unify the country? C...

Britain's Future from 2019-03-28T21:00

With the route of the UK’s departure from the European Union still unclear, this week David Aaronovitch looks at Britain’s place in the world and assesses what lies ahead in the next stage of negot...

Should we worry about Huawei? from 2019-02-21T20:30

The boss of Chinese telecoms giant, Huawei, says his company would never spy on behalf of the Chinese state. But some experts think it would be a mistake for Britain to involve the company in the ...

Should we scrap GCSEs? from 2019-02-14T20:30

The Conservative chairman of the Education Select Committee called GCSEs 'pointless' and said they should be abolished. David Aaronovitch asks if it is time for the exam system in England, Wales an...

Britain's car-making future under threat from 2019-02-07T20:30

The Japanese car maker Nissan has announced its next generation of SUVs will be made, not in Sunderland as planned, but in Japan. Jaguar Land Rover has announced big losses and Honda has announced ...

Why are so many people sleeping rough in Britain? from 2019-01-31T20:30

New figures show a slight decline in people sleeping rough in England. But since 2010 the trend has been upwards. Why? And what can be done about it? David Aaronovitch talks to guests about the ...

Brexit and Ireland: What's at stake? from 2019-01-24T20:30

What is at stake for Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic in terms of security, the economy and the politics, as Britain prepares to leave the EU. David Aaronovitch and guests discuss.GUESTS ...

Is Britain’s political system broken? from 2019-01-17T20:47

There is little or no consensus in Westminster about what kind of Brexit, if any, MPs want. The government's plan was defeated by a whopping 232 votes. And Labour's vote of confidence in the gove...

Universal Credit: What's gone wrong and can it be fixed? from 2019-01-10T20:30

Work and Pensions Secretary, Amber Rudd, this week announced that the next stage of the Universal Credit roll-out is to be scaled back amid concerns about the controversial new benefits system. S...

Climate Change: is time running out? from 2018-12-21T12:09

In October, the IPCC, the UN body that reports on climate change, issued a stark warning. It said that if the world wanted to avoid catastrophic environmental damage, we needed to reduce carbon emi...

Brexit: Where Next? from 2018-12-13T20:43

Theresa May has been back in Brussels to attend a meeting of EU leaders, a day after surviving a leadership challenge at home. Her mission: to try to extract some form of concession from the other ...

Les Gilets Jaunes from 2018-12-06T20:30

In France a wave of protests has brought the country to a standstill in recent weeks. The original cause of the anger - the government's plan to raise the rate of tax on diesel - has now disappeare...

Deal or no deal? from 2018-11-29T20:30

Theresa May is urging her MPs to accept the deal she has struck with Brussels on the UK's withdrawal from the EU. The trouble is that few in Westminster believe this is a vote she can win and Brus...

A new political direction for Brazil? from 2018-10-11T19:30

Is Brazil embracing a more conservative political future? In the wake of economic crisis, corruption scandals and rising levels of violent crime, Brazilians are shunning the left wing politicians ...

How bad is the air we breathe? from 2018-10-04T19:30

Air pollution is creating big problems. Scientists say it is a leading cause of climate change, which will be the subject of a major report to be released next week by the IPCC, a UN body that is s...

Nationalisation - how would it work? from 2018-09-27T19:30

At its annual conference in Liverpool this week, the Labour party set out plans to nationalise a large range of industries that previous governments had sold off. The industries it wants to bring b...

Another Brexit Referendum? from 2018-09-20T19:30

How could a new referendum on Britain's relationship with Europe work? As pressure mounts on Theresa May to seal an agreement on Brexit, there are growing calls for a further referendum on the issu...

Can a new political party win? from 2018-09-13T19:30

The Tories are split, Labour is split and some people think it just can’t go on. Once more there is serious talk about the formation of a new political party.This has been tried before and recen...

What's at stake in the US midterm elections? from 2018-09-06T19:30

November's midterm elections in the US are the first chance for voters across the country to pass judgement on President Trump's administration since the 2016 election. All 435 seats in the Hou...

Britain's Housing Crisis from 2018-08-31T08:33

The prime minister, Theresa May bemoaned the state of the housing sector in a speech earlier this year. She said the national housing crisis was one of the biggest barriers to social mobility in Br...

Is Greece out of the woods? from 2018-08-23T19:30

Greece exited its bailout programme last week. It's the culmination of nine years of reliance on huge loans from international finance bodies and stringent budget cuts. Greek prime minister Alexis ...

Is Turkey imploding? from 2018-08-16T19:30

This week Turkey's currency plummeted to its lowest level ever against the US dollar. The lira's steady descent this year was accelerated by the imposition of increased tariffs on steel and alumini...

Is the Student Finance System Working? from 2018-08-09T19:30

This month exam results are published, and millions of young people will be hoping that they will do well enough to get into their chosen university. But students don't only need good grades to suc...

Chaos on the railways from 2018-08-02T19:30

In May, what was billed as the biggest ever overhaul of train timetables led to widespread rail disruption - why has this new timetable caused such rail chaos this summer? Since then, passenger...

Imran Khan and Pakistan: what's going to change? from 2018-07-26T19:30

Imran Khan has claimed victory in Pakistan's election - but what will he be able to change? Khan is better known internationally for his exploits on the cricket field than in the political aren...

What does the UK want from the EU? from 2018-07-19T19:00

Dominic Raab, the recently appointed Brexit Secretary has been in Brussels this week - his first visit since replacing David Davis, who resigned after the cabinet had apparently agreed on a docume...

Trump vs NATO from 2018-07-12T19:31

Should NATO plan for a future without the United States? President Trump has long complained that some European members of the organisation have been getting a free ride from the USA after fail...

Brexit decision time from 2018-07-05T19:30

What will Britain's relationship with the EU look like after Brexit? On Friday the cabinet meets in Chequers and the Prime Minister needs to unite her ministers to coalesce around a single approach...

Why are the British Armed Forces short of personnel? from 2018-05-31T20:48

How well equipped is Britain today to defend itself both at home and overseas? Britain's armed forces are struggling to maintain numbers. According to the National Audit Office there is a shortf...

Could Italy bring down the European Union? from 2018-05-24T19:30

Does the new Italian government really pose a danger for the Eurozone and the European Union? There has been much to-ing and fro-ing in Rome this week as the two parties which finished up ahead...

Macron: One Year On from 2018-05-17T19:30

One year into his presidency, can Emmanuel Macron succeed in reforming France where his predecessors have failed? The Briefing Room visits Paris to find out what President Macron stands for and...

Is the Home Office a problem department? from 2018-05-03T19:30

Why do we get through so many Home Secretaries? It may be one of the great offices of state, but many British politicians regard the job of Home Secretary with dread.As one former holder of the ...

What is the problem with plastic? from 2018-04-26T19:02

Some 8 million tons of plastic end up in the oceans every year, where it can be lethal to marine life. Governments and businesses have vowed to take action to curb it. But Just how serious is the p...

A new Cold War? from 2018-04-19T19:30

After the missile strikes by the US, France and Britain on Syria, Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, condemned the attacks and warned that any more would bring chaos to world affairs. With rel...

Violent Crime from 2018-04-12T19:30

London's murder rate overtook that of New York in February and March this year, and the violent crime rate seems to be rising in other parts of the UK too. There's much debate about the causes,...

Can you win a trade war? from 2018-04-05T19:30

According to US President Donald Trump "trade wars aren't so bad". Recently his government surprised the world by announcing unexpected big increases in import taxes - or tariffs - on steel and alu...

The EU after Brexit – A special programme together with The Bottom Line from 2018-03-29T20:00

Radio 4’s Bottom Line and Briefing Room will combine in a special hour-long programme examining the economic and political future of the EU once Britain has left. Evan Davis meets Jean-Claude Trich...

The Mueller Indictment from 2018-02-22T20:30

Robert Mueller, the Special Counsel appointed to investigate possible Russian links to the Trump campaign in 2016, last week issued formal charges against three companies and thirteen named individ...

Is ISIS still a threat? from 2018-02-15T20:30

The capture of two Londoners accused of brutal crimes in Syria has again raised questions about the viability of so-called Islamic State. The two men - El Shafee Elsheikh and Alexanda Kotey - face ...

Is Your Local Council Going Bust? from 2018-02-08T20:30

Child services in Northampton are under pressure - and it's partly due to where long-distance lorry drivers choose to take a pee. In fact, Northampton County Council as a whole is under huge fi...

Britain, China and the new Silk Road from 2018-02-01T20:30

Theresa May has been in Beijing this week at the head of a large British trade delegation. China is an important partner for Britain, especially given the UK's imminent departure from the EU. In pa...

Syria: who wants what from the conflict? from 2018-01-25T20:29

As Turkey launches a new offensive over the border into north-east Syria, David Aaronovitch and guests examine what Turkey, Russia, Iran and the US want from the war in Syria. Which country stands ...

John Worboys: Understanding the Parole Board from 2018-01-18T20:30

How does the Parole Board decide whether to release offenders on licence? Should it be more open, especially since the decision to release serial sex offender John Worboys? Nick Hardwick, the Ch...

Would you pay more for the NHS? from 2018-01-11T20:30

In its 70th year the NHS is in a winter crisis again. Many people working in the NHS argue successive governments have failed to address what is arguably the biggest problem: funding.David Aaronovi...

Who are the protesters in Iran and what do they want? from 2018-01-04T20:30

Twenty people have been killed and hundreds arrested after a series of protests in Iran this week - but what's behind these demonstrations? Iran is a strategically important country and so when...

Correspondents Look Ahead from 2017-12-29T20:30

A group of senior BBC journalists forecast what is likely to happen in 2018 in a discussion chaired by Owen Bennett Jones. Last time they got together they were firmly predicting that Marco Rubio ...

What Next for the Democrats? from 2017-12-28T20:30

A year on from their shock defeat in the US presidential elections, David Aaronovitch asks how the US Democratic party is responding to Donald Trump's Presidency and assesses some of the challenges...

President Trump's End of Year Report from 2017-12-21T20:30

Has President Trump delivered on the promises he made on the campaign trail? This programme cuts through the White House soap opera which has dominated headlines and asks what has the President ac...

What's Russia up to? from 2017-12-14T20:00

What do we really know about Russian 'meddling' in Western democracy? David Aaronovitch asks experts on Russia what the Kremlin is trying to achieve by hacking emails and spreading fake news.Guest...

May's Brexit Dilemma from 2017-12-07T20:55

The different factions piling Brexit pressure on Theresa May. Following the failure to reach a deal on the first stage of Brexit earlier this week, David Aaronovitch asks experts why Theresa Ma...

Saudi Arabia's Radical Crown Prince from 2017-11-30T20:30

Can Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince radically change the kingdom? Mohammed bin Salman is an ambitious new leader who wants to reshape his country's politics, economy and society. But he faces stron...

A world without antibiotics? from 2017-10-26T19:30

Drug resistant infections cause 700,000 deaths a year and it's estimated that could rise to 10 million by 2050 unless major action is taken. David Aaronovitch asks how can an antibiotic crisis c...

President Xi and the Chinese Dream from 2017-10-19T19:30

President Xi Jinping is said to be China's most powerful leader since Chairman Mao Zedong - so what does he want to do with this power? The Chinese Communist Party started its congress this week...

Capitalism in Crisis from 2017-10-12T19:30

Is capitalism broken, and if so, what should replace it? David Aaronovitch examines whether the free market is failing, and asks how it could be reformed. He speaks to a range of experts and le...

Could Spain split? from 2017-10-06T08:38

Could the crisis over Catalonia lead to the break up of Spain? With political rhetoric from both Barcelona and Madrid intensifying, David Aaronovitch asks a range of experts whether an independent ...

Is Big Tech Out of Control? from 2017-09-28T19:30

Are big technology companies out of control, as their rapid growth and influence has made them too big to fail? David Aaronovitch asks if companies such as Facebook, Google and Amazon can be re...

Why are Myanmar's Rohingya persecuted? from 2017-09-21T19:30

Myanmar's de facto leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, says she wants to know why 400,000 Muslim Rohingyas have fled into Bangladesh. The UN says what's going on seems "a textbook case of ethnic cleansing". ...

What are the consequences of lifting the public sector pay cap? from 2017-09-14T19:30

The public sector pay cap is being scrapped after five years - what will it mean for public finances? Prison and police officers will be the first to benefit, but unions have condemned the pay r...

What does the EU want from Brexit? from 2017-09-07T19:30

As negotiations between the UK and the EU hit choppy waters, the Briefing Room asks what does the EU want from Brexit and what would be its bottom line? David Aaronovitch is joined by expert gu...

The North Korean Missile Threat from 2017-08-31T19:30

Do the United States and its allies really have the technology to stop incoming missiles from North Korea? In the week North Korea tested another ballistic missile - this time it flew over north...

The AI Revolution from 2017-08-24T19:30

How will Artificial Intelligence shape our lives, and what should we do now to prepare for it? AI is all around us in our everyday lives. It's used to make decisions about employment, loans, cre...

The Far Right in America from 2017-08-17T19:20

What do the events in Charlottesville, Virginia, tell us about the strength of the far-right in America? What should the government do to combat domestic extremism? In this week's programme David...

Is Venezuela on the brink of collapse? from 2017-08-10T19:30

How did the oil rich state of Venezuela see such a rapid economic decline? Poverty is rife, inflation is running at more than 700 per cent and protests are widespread. President Nicolás Maduro is t...

A Great Day at the White House? from 2017-08-04T08:03

It's been a tumultuous week in Washington - but to what extent does the chaos in Trump's West Wing matter? Anthony 'The Mooch' Scaramucci was gone in 900,000 seconds - but whoever replaces him w...

Why is there still a migrant crisis in Europe? from 2017-07-28T10:18

This year almost 100,000 people have arrived in Italy by boat - and more than 2,000 have died trying. The Italians say they can’t cope, but it's a problem which has now been going on for years ...

The Crisis in Conservatism from 2017-07-20T19:30

Are Tory divisions temporary or symptomatic of deeper problems? Parliament has broken up for the summer, and the last week has seen Conservative cabinet ministers engaging in open warfare. But ...

Where does Labour stand on Brexit? from 2017-07-13T19:30

Labour will play a crucial role in shaping Britain's exit from the EU now the Conservative government has lost its overall majority. The vast majority of Labour MPs backed Remain ahead of the r...

The Cost of Abandoning Austerity from 2017-07-06T19:30

The chancellor is facing widespread calls for more spending. Should he listen, or stick to his deficit reduction plan? Senior Conservatives are calling for more public spending on things like pu...

Labour's Election Result: A Successful Failure? from 2017-06-15T19:36

The election was supposed to be a disaster for Jeremy Corbyn - but wasn't. How did Labour turn around its fortunes? Despite coming second and falling 64 seats short of an overall majority, the L...

Trump, Russia and the FBI from 2017-05-18T19:30

There's a compelling story unfolding in Washington. Last week, President Trump fired the director of the FBI, James Comey. It was a contentious move: Comey was investigating ties between Donald Tru...

How Do We Pay for the UK? from 2017-05-11T19:30

David Aaronovitch presents the need-to-know facts on where taxes come from and how they're spent. This edition is a politician-free zone, with non-partisan analysis on how we pay for the UK and ...

How Does France Work? from 2017-05-04T19:30

For the first time in over half a century, two insurgents, Marine Le Pen and Emmanuel Macron, have broken through France's traditional two party system. This week, voters will decide between two ut...

The Problem of North Korea from 2017-04-27T20:00

The US and North Korea have been flexing their military muscles in recent weeks, testing and deploying new missiles. President Trump has said North Korea is "a big big problem" that he will dea...

Snap General Election from 2017-04-20T19:30

What are the political tribes which divide British voters today and how will June's general election shape Britain? Britain voted last year on the question of the EU - and following Theresa May's ...

Should we worry about Turkey? from 2017-04-13T19:30

What does Turkey's referendum mean for the UK's foreign policy? The UK has long seen Turkey as a bastion of stability in the Middle East: a Muslim-majority democracy, a NATO member and ally agains...

Can the NHS Survive? from 2017-04-06T19:30

What are the changes needed now to ensure the NHS is sustainable in the future? The NHS is facing one of the biggest crises in its history. With an ageing population, the increasing cost of drugs ...

Britain's Broken Housing Market from 2017-03-02T20:31

The government says the housing market is broken and that it's holding the country back. As prices have risen, fewer people are able to get on the housing ladder, and more are now renting privately...

Does IS Need a State? from 2017-02-23T20:15

What will happen if the Islamic State loses its state? The so-called Islamic State is rapidly losing territory, money and fighters in both Iraq and Syria. Iraqi government troops, supported by U...

Is It Time to Renationalise the Railways? from 2017-02-16T20:30

Bringing Britain's railways back into public ownership is a popular idea with passengers - but would it really make any improvements to service? Renationalisation of the railways is official Labou...

Trump and Trade from 2017-02-09T20:30

Can President Trump deliver on his pre-election promise to bring back outsourced manufacturing jobs, and end the 'bad deals' that have outsourced labour to countries like Mexico? This message wa...

Trump and the Economy from 2017-02-02T20:30

Will President Trump's plan to put 'America first' make the USA richer? He's promised a raft of radical economic reforms including a huge cut in tax on businesses, an income tax cut, a massive r...

India's Bonfire of the Bank Notes from 2017-01-26T20:15

Why did India's prime minister ban the use of the country's most widely used bank notes? On 8 November, the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a stunning announcement. As of midnight that d...

Drugs in West Yorkshire from 2017-01-19T20:30

How did British-Pakistani gangs come to dominate the drugs trade in Yorkshire? Earlier this month, police shot dead 28-year-old Mohammed Yasser Yaqub on a motorway slip road near Huddersfield. T...

Aleppo: After the Evacuation from 2017-01-12T20:30

What happened after the buses left eastern Aleppo in December? After four and a half years of siege, the residents of eastern Aleppowere evacuated before Christmas. But the evacuees didn't disappe...

Liberalism's Horrible Year from 2016-12-22T20:31

Liberalism died in 2016. This bold statement has been made by both right and left wing media in recent months. But what is liberalism - and can such a broad idea really be that vulnerable? Edmun...

Yemen: A Global Conflict from 2016-12-15T20:30

Civil war in Yemen has become a full regional conflict, with global implications - but how did it start in the first place? This week the Disasters Emergency Committee launched a major appeal fo...

The Prison Problem from 2016-12-08T20:00

What are the policies and political decisions which led to the current crisis in prisons? Prison life isn't meant to be easy but it is supposed to be safe and secure. Drugs, violence, self-harm ...

The Investigatory Powers Act a.k.a The Snoopers' Charter from 2016-12-01T20:00

The Investigatory Powers Act - or Snoopers' Charter to its critics - is a highly controversial new law. On one hand, it clarifies a host of vague laws which were out of date with modern technology ...

VIP Sex Abuse Allegations from 2016-11-24T20:30

An independent review of police investigations into VIP sex abuse has found 43 police failings - but why did the police drop the ball with so many high-profile cases? The Henriques Review looked...

Infrastructure: The Roads to Recovery? from 2016-10-20T19:30

Theresa May has promised new trains, faster broadband and improved infrastructure. Critics accused her of adopting Labour Party politics. But is it left-wing to invest in infrastructure? During ...

Black Lives Matter UK from 2016-10-13T19:30

What does Black Lives Matter stand for in the UK? In the United States it is a protest movement formed in reaction to the killing of black people by police, and now there are BLM chapters in Bir...

Europe's Illiberal Democracies from 2016-10-06T19:15

Illiberal democracy is gaining traction across Europe - a political philosophy which in part draws support from the far right, championing anti-migrant and anti-EU sentiment. Among the most vis...

Quantitative Easing from 2016-09-29T19:15

As part of its response to the Brexit vote, the Bank of England will buy an extra £70 billion of bonds and will create new money to do so. The aim is to stimulate the economy and try to meet the go...

A Ceasefire in Syria? from 2016-09-22T19:30

Why has it been so difficult to find peace in Syria, and what are the complicating factors which are getting in the way of a deal? In early September the US Secretary of State John Kerry and Ru...

Trump and Putin from 2016-09-15T19:30

It's one of the strangest developments in a very strange election campaign. The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, says Donald Trump is "colourful and talented".For his part, the Republican nominee...

Trotsky, Trotskyism and Trotskyites from 2016-09-08T19:30

The Labour deputy leader Tom Watson has warned that his party could be taken over by old Trots - Trotskyist entryists, who have no interest in winning elections but instead see Labour as a vehicle ...

Jesse Morton: The Jihadi Who Changed His Mind from 2016-09-01T19:30

Jesse Morton was once a radical jihadi involved in the American offshoot of the banned British extremist group Al-Muhajiroun. Al-Muhajiroun's leader, Anjem Choudary, was convicted of inviting o...

Milo Yiannopoulos and the Alt-Right from 2016-08-25T19:30

David Aaronovitch speaks to Milo Yiannopoulos about Donald Trump's new political base - the 'alt-right'. It's a mostly young, disparate movement which organises and congregates online, which has...

Grammar Schools from 2016-08-18T19:30

Grammar schools are back on the agenda courtesy of Theresa May. Why has the Conservative party's love affair with an almost extinct system of educational selection endured? Step into The Briefing R...

Who are the Special Forces? from 2016-08-11T19:30

When the BBC obtained exclusive pictures of Special Air Service soldiers fighting Islamic State militants in Syria, the Ministry of Defence refused to comment. British Special Forces are now on...

Britain's Nuclear Dream from 2016-08-04T19:30

Britain faces big decisions when it comes to generating electricity - and ones we will all end up paying for. So what's the right choice? Theresa May surprised many by one of her first acts as pr...

What Do Remainers Feel Now? from 2016-07-28T19:30

There was jubilation among many who were on the winning side of last month's EU referendum. But the vote, more than any in recent memory, laid bare the UK's divisions - not only in demographics but...

Fethullah Gulen and Turkey's Failed Coup from 2016-07-21T19:30

Turkey's president put the blame on the Gulen movement for an attempted coup - but what is it? The Briefing Room explores the roots and influence of this transnational Islamic religious and social ...

The Truth About BHS from 2016-07-15T11:53

BHS was one of the biggest names on the high street, but it is now in administration and faces an uncertain future. What exactly happened, and who is responsible for its decline? Much of the foc...

Why Did People Vote Leave? from 2016-07-14T19:30

Why did so many people in the UK vote to Leave the EU? David Aaronovitch talks to residents in the pro-Leave city of Wakefield and finds out from experts why personal prosperity was a poor indicato...

The Chilcot Report: The Source Who Lied from 2016-07-07T19:30

The Chilcot Report revealed that a key source of flawed intelligence in the run-up to the Iraq war was a man known as Curveball. How did this obscure figure come to influence Britain's decision to ...

Immigration: Why Did it Rise? from 2016-06-30T19:30

Immigration to the United Kingdom remains at a near-record high - but what are the political decisions and global trends which led to its rise in the first place? Unprecedented levels of immigra...

The New IRA from 2016-05-26T19:30

Northern Ireland-related terrorism now represents a “substantial” threat to Great Britain, according to MI5 - the security service. It believes that a terrorist attack is a "strong possibility" in...

Anti-Semitism on the Left from 2016-05-19T19:30

Labour activists, councillors, an MP and a former Mayor of London have all been suspended for comments which many regard as anti-Jewish. But why might a left of centre, progressive, pro-minority pa...