The Explanation

BBC World Service•www.bbc.co.uk

Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin. Exploring the important questions about long-running stories and the latest global news. An honest, unvarnished, explanation of the world.

Featuring new episodes of The President's Path, Unspun World with John Simpson, and The Media Show.

Last refreshed: May 8th, 2026 at 2:10 PM ⓘ

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Episodes

Cuba–United States relations

Cuba and the United States share a long, complex history. From the Spanish-American War of 1898 to Fidel Castro's Cuba, these neighbours have often had an uneasy relationship. Claire Graham speaks with BBC World Service journalist Ana Maria Roura to understand the history between the two nations.

Jan 28, 2023•19 min

Roe v Wade and abortion in America

Fifty years ago, Jane Roe found herself at the centre of a ruling that would fuel US politics for the following decades. The Roe V Wade case gave women the constitutional right to abortion, until 2022 when it was overturned by the US Supreme Court. Claire Graham speaks with Katty Kay about the 1973 legal case, the legacy of that ruling and how abortion became such a central issue in contemporary American politics. Presenter: Claire Graham Producer: Owen McFadden

Jan 21, 2023•19 min

How Syria's peaceful uprising became a civil war

Inspired by the Arab Spring, peaceful protests began in Syria in early 2011. However, a complex civil war followed which has lasted over a decade and involved many other countries. Lina Sinjab, a BBC Middle East correspondent, explains how the conflict in her native country began. From the arrest and torture of protesting teenagers in Daraa to the rise of the Islamic State (IS), the last 12 years have devastated the country and inflicted immense suffering on the Syrian people. Is there an end to...

Jan 14, 2023•19 min

Understanding the long history between Russia and Ukraine

Claire Graham talks to former BBC foreign correspondent Kevin Connolly about what has historically bound Russia and Ukraine together, and what has pulled them apart.

Apr 16, 2022•18 min

Understanding South Africa’s continuing quest for equality

Claire Graham talks to the former BBC News Africa Bureaux Chief, Milton Nkosi, to get a better understanding of why the post-apartheid dream of a ‘Rainbow Nation’ has still not materialised. The Explanation is a snackable audio guide giving you the backstory behind the headlines. Unpacking complex chains of events, The Explanation will make the stories in question much easier to understand.

Apr 09, 2022•19 min

Understanding the power that Saudi Arabia wields

Claire Graham and guests explain the important, long-running stories that are in the newsClaire Graham talks to the BBC’s Middle East correspondent, Anna Foster, to get a better understanding of how the Saudi Royal family has maintained a strong global influence in spite of events which have drawn worldwide criticism.

Apr 02, 2022•19 min

Understanding relations between Taiwan and China

Claire Graham talks to the BBC’s Taiwan correspondent, Cindy Sui, to get a better understanding of China’s reluctance to accept Taiwan’s strengthening independence, and why reunification is so important to China. Audio for this episode was updated on 30 March 2022.

Mar 26, 2022•19 min

Understanding the rise of Boko Haram

Claire Graham talks to the BBC’s West Africa correspondent, Mayeni Jones, to get a better understanding of how Boko Haram, the militant Islamic group, took hold in northern Nigeria.

Mar 19, 2022•18 min

Understanding North Korea and the Kim dynasty

Claire Graham talks to the BBC’s Correspondent in Seoul, Laura Bicker, to get a better understanding of North Korea, one of the world’s most secretive countries.

Mar 12, 2022•18 min

Understanding the Islamic State group

Anu Anand talks to Quentin Sommerville about the rise, fall and potential re-emergence of the Islamic State group.

Dec 25, 2021•19 min

Understanding how Russia has changed under Putin

Anu Anand talks to Sarah Rainsford about how everyday life in Russia has changed under Vladimir Putin.

Dec 18, 2021•19 min

Afghanistan: Women, girls and their rights

Anu Anand talks to Yogita Limaye about the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan. They reveal how a turbulent history dictates the ever-shifting attitudes towards women and girls in the country. Presented by Anu Anand

Dec 11, 2021•19 min

Understanding Iran: Reconciling religion and democracy

Anu Anand talks to Rana Rahimpour about how decades of turbulence have shaped Iran, and why religion, democracy and ideals all combine to explain Iran today.

Dec 04, 2021•19 min

Israeli-Palestinian relations

How did the relationship between Israelis and Palestinians reach its current point? Jeremy Bowen talked to Anu Anand in 2021 about the backstory behind the headlines.

Nov 27, 2021•18 min

Understanding democracy in Hong Kong

Why are there democracy protests in Hong Kong? Anu Anand talks to Stephen McDonell. The Explanation is a snackable audio guide giving you the backstory behind the headlines. In each episode, presenter Anu Anand meets a BBC News correspondent who has lived and breathed these stories. She’ll hear clear analysis along with powerful archive. The Explanation will go back in time to unpack complex chains of events and will make the stories in question much easier to understand.

Nov 20, 2021•18 min

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