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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Why do we have such overcrowded prisons?
Last Thursday
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?
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What does the Budget mean for the UK鈥檚 economy?
Thu 7 Nov 2024
The chancellor attempts to fix the UK鈥檚 finances - will she succeed?
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How do the Lebanon attacks alter the equation in the Middle East?
Mon 23 Sep 2024
David Aaronovitch and guests discuss the recent attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon.
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Is Germany in trouble?
Thu 12 Sep 2024
Should Germany worry about the far right's success in regional elections in east Germany?
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How much trouble is the UK economy in?
Thu 5 Sep 2024
Are the UK's finances really as bad as Labour says? And if they are, how do they fix them?
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What we know (and don't know) about the new Mpox outbreak
Thu 29 Aug 2024
David Aaronovitch and guests talk about how worried we should be about the new MPox strain
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Global Tensions 3: Russia and the West
Thu 22 Aug 2024
Could the Russia Ukraine war lead to further escalation in the region and further afield?
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Global Tensions 2: China, Taiwan and the South China Sea
Thu 15 Aug 2024
China sees Taiwan as part of its territory. Taiwan thinks otherwise. Is trouble looming?
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Global Tensions 1: The Middle East
Thu 8 Aug 2024
What happens if the situation in the Middle East spirals out of control?
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Can planning reform really boost economic growth?
Thu 1 Aug 2024
Will Labour's pledge to overhaul planning rules deliver the economic growth they want?
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Health special 3: How far could artificial intelligence transform medicine?
Thu 25 Jul 2024
AI technology promises to improve health outcomes. How soon might it be a reality?
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Health special 2. Why is anxiety and depression increasing in the UK?
Thu 18 Jul 2024
Figures show a significant rise in mental health disorders among 16 to 24-year-olds. Why?
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Health special 1: Advances in cancer research and treatment
Thu 11 Jul 2024
Cancer: Are we are experiencing a step change in how we understand and treat the disease?
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South African and Indian elections: the aftermath
Thu 4 Jul 2024
What's happening in South Africa and India after shock election results?
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What's happening in Sudan?
Thu 27 Jun 2024
Tens of thousands have been killed and millions have been displaced as fighting rages.
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What's the Biden ceasefire plan and will it work?
Thu 20 Jun 2024
There's a plan to end the war in Gaza, but do Israel and Hamas want to sign up to it?
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What does Macron's gamble mean for France?
Thu 13 Jun 2024
France is at a political crossroads but will Macron or Le Pen come out on top?
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Are Trump's legal cases really a problem for him?
Thu 6 Jun 2024
Donald Trump is 0 for 3 in court and the more serious cases are yet to be heard.
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Ukraine: Who's winning the war?
Thu 30 May 2024
Russia has stepped up its attacks in Ukraine and is putting pressure on Kharkiv.
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How much trouble are UK universities in?
Thu 23 May 2024
Domestic fees haven't risen with inflation and foreign student visas are set to curbed.
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Avian flu is evolving but what risk does it pose to us?
Thu 16 May 2024
Avian flu has killed millions of birds and seals and it's now infecting cows in America
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Why is the water industry in so much trouble?
Thu 9 May 2024
Britain's biggest water suppliers are struggling with sewage, leaks and huge debts.
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How does America fix its border crisis?
Thu 2 May 2024
Who's crossing the US border, why and how does the government tackle it effectively?
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Are Britain's missing workers really a problem?
Thu 25 Apr 2024
1 in 5 people in the UK are not in paid work, but they're also not looking for a job.
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What's happened to Hamas?
Thu 11 Apr 2024
What do we know about Hamas after 6 months of war with Israel?
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What's the future of the state pension?
Thu 4 Apr 2024
David Aaronovitch and guests ask whether the state pension is sustainable in the long term
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Election special 3. Uncertain times for the ANC in South Africa
Wed 20 Mar 2024
The ANC has been in power for 30 years, but as its popularity wanes, what happens next?
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Election special 2. Elections without democracy
Wed 13 Mar 2024
In some countries election outcomes are predetermined, so why bother holding them at all?
