Sumi Somaskanda, Bernd Debusmann and Courtney Subramanian discuss the ongoing war in Iran and look at what it means for President Trump's legacy - balancing the 'win' of the assassination of the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei with the economic fallout of the war. They also look at the president's attack on the Pope, and consider the impact that will have on his Catholic supporters. . Every weekend, The President’s Path explores the state of US politics - in Washington and beyond. We dig into the key iss...
Apr 17, 2026•25 min
The Artemis II mission has been presented as a major milestone in human spaceflight, with global audiences following live coverage and access provided by NASA. Questions have been raised about how official feeds, astronaut storytelling and media partnerships shaped reporting. Rebecca Morelle, BBC News science editor, describes the reporting environment she experienced. The BBC has announced plans to cut around 2,000 jobs and save £500 million, citing financial pressures including declining licen...
Apr 16, 2026•23 min
Sumi Somaskanda, Caitriona Perry and Bernd Debusmann discuss how The president's attitude towards the people of Iran has changed - from saying he would help them to threatening to destroy Iranian civilisation. They also look at how his actions are being viewed at home and the political consequences of this war for President Trump. Every weekend, The President’s Path explores the state of US politics in Washington and beyond. We dig into the key issues shaping America and uncover what’s on the mi...
Apr 10, 2026•25 min
Ronan Farrow, perhaps the world’s most prominent investigative journalist, has turned his attention to Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI. The investigation, published by The New Yorker, draws on more than a year of reporting. Farrow outlines how it was conducted and the questions it raises about power and influence in AI. Madhumita Murgia, AI Editor at the Financial Times, gives her analysis of the issues at the heart of the report, including how the media covers leading figures in Silicon Valley. Also ...
Apr 09, 2026•23 min
Sumi Somaskanda, Caitriona Perry and Bernd Debusmann discuss the impact the US-Israel war with Iran is having on the US and President Trump’s relationship with his allies. With no end date in sight - and an escalation of oil prices - where does this leave President Trump at home in the US and in the world? Every weekend, The President’s Path explores the state of US politics — in Washington and beyond. We dig into the key issues shaping America and uncover what’s on the minds of those closest to...
Apr 03, 2026•23 min
Artificial intelligence is starting to change how some journalists work, as newsrooms test whether it can help produce more content. One reporter says AI is now helping him write more than 600 articles a year. Nick Lichtenberg, Business Editor at Fortune, Jane Martinson, Professor of Financial Journalism, City, University of London, and Max Goldbart, International TV Co-Editor, Deadline, discuss the pros and cons of letting AI into the newsroom. Two major court cases in the United States have pu...
Apr 02, 2026•23 min
Sumi Somaskanda, Caitriona Perry and Bernd Debusmann discuss how US-Israel strikes on Iran have developed into an economic conflict, too – a battle over energy, with a small body of water right at the centre. Every weekend, The President’s Path explores the state of US politics — in Washington and beyond. We dig into the key issues shaping America and uncover what’s on the minds of those closest to power. You can contact us at: path@bbc.co.uk
Mar 27, 2026•25 min
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses Donald Trump’s decision to call a halt to US attacks against Iran’s power plants, examines what the future might hold for the Iranian people, and explores the significance of the first manned journey to the Moon in half a century. Producer: Kate Cornell Executive producer: Benedick Watt Commissioning editor: Vara Szajkowski
Mar 27, 2026•26 min
Donald Trump’s phone number is apparently not impossible to come by – but there’s also a strategy as to what time of day to call. Edward Luce of the Financial Times and Max Tani, media editor at Semafor, discuss tactics. Matt Brittin has been appointed as the BBC’s new Director General, following a long career at Google where he led operations across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Alex Farber, Media Correspondent at The Times, gives his assessment. A new BBC podcast, Everything is Fake (and...
Mar 26, 2026•23 min
Sumi Somaskanda, Caitriona Perry and Bernd Debusmann discuss the impact the US-Israel war with Iran is having on ties with some of Washington’s closest global allies. Nato countries say it’s not their war – and some Gulf states are dealing with the realities of being dragged into a conflict they did not start. With no sign of fighting easing, where does this leave President Trump in the world? Every weekend, The President’s Path explores the state of US politics — in Washington and beyond. We di...
Mar 20, 2026•25 min
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses the economic effects of the war in the Middle East, explores how the conflict is actually helping Russia, and looks at how the escalating tensions between Hungary and Ukraine might affect the upcoming elections in Hungary. Producer: Kate Cornell Executive producer: Benedick Watt Commissioning editor: Vara Szajkowski
Mar 20, 2026•26 min
A small number of international journalists have been allowed into Iran following the start of conflict involving the US and Israel. CNN’s Frederik Pleitgen describes his experience. The 98th Academy Awards took place as viewing figures continue to fall and the film industry faces wider change. Tom Brook, Correspondent, BBC News, and Katey Rich, Awards Editor, The Ankler, outline changes in awards coverage and the relationship between Hollywood and the media. Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros At...
Mar 19, 2026•23 min
Sumi Somaskanda, Caitriona Perry and Bernd Debusmann discuss the latest on the US-Israel war with Iran. They take stock of the Trump administration’s changing messaging on timelines, and unpack the broader consequences we’re seeing - with the Gulf region brought into the conflict, and the knock-on effects on energy with the disruption to a key shipping route: the Strait of Hormuz. Every weekend, The President’s Path explores the state of US politics in Washington and beyond. We dig into the key ...
Mar 13, 2026•25 min
Caroline Hawley, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, explores what life in Iran is like as the war intensifies, analyses what the US objectives are for the war and whether they are obtainable, and examines the possibility of a new war in Ethiopia and its implications for the region. Producer: Kate Cornell Executive producer: Benedick Watt Commissioning editor: Vara Szajkowski
Mar 13, 2026•26 min
Ros Atkins is in Washington DC speaking to some of the most influential voices in American journalism. Together, they reveal how very different media organisations are covering President Trump’s war with Iran and how they see the US media landscape at this moment. Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, discusses the magazine’s growth strategy and reflects on ‘Signalgate’ one year on. Mehdi Hasan, editor-in-chief and CEO of Zeteo, explains how setting up his own media company has give...
Mar 12, 2026•23 min
The Strait of Hormuz — the narrow waterway that carries 20% of the world’s oil — is now an active war zone. What in the World tracks the disruption and explains who’s feeling the impact. To hear more, search What in the World wherever you get your BBC podcasts
Mar 06, 2026•9 min
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses whether the Iranian regime will survive, looks at what Israel and the United States are aiming to achieve in their war with Iran, and examines whether Iran’s attacks on countries in the Gulf will change the balance of power in the region. Producer: Kate Cornell Executive producer: Benedick Watt Commissioning editor: Vara Szajkowski
Mar 06, 2026•26 min
Events in Iran have led news bulletins, alongside ongoing wars in Ukraine and Sudan. As crises compete for attention, questions are being raised about whether reporting captures a wider shift in global power or centres on immediate developments. Christina Lamb, Chief International Correspondent at The Sunday Times, Aaron Bastani, co-founder of Novara Media, and Sir John Tusa, former Managing Director of the BBC World Service, discuss the media’s role in uncertain times. The Green Party’s victory...
Mar 05, 2026•23 min
Sumi Somaskanda, Courtney Subramanian and Fin Gomez look at one of the most talked-about Senate races - the Texas primaries. For Republicans, it is about who can win the President’s endorsement. For Democrats, success here could shape party strategy for months and years to come. Every weekend, The President’s Path explores the state of US politics in Washington and beyond. We dig into the key issues shaping America and uncover what’s on the minds of those closest to power. You can contact us at:...
Feb 27, 2026•25 min
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, explores the mood in Ukraine after four years of war, examines how the war has changed Russia, and looks at whether Russia’s long sporting isolation is coming to an end. Producer: Kate Cornell Executive producer: Benedick Watt Commissioning editor: Vara Szajkowski
Feb 27, 2026•26 min
An image of Andrew Mountbatten Windsor leaving police custody made front pages around the world. It quickly became the defining picture of the latest stage in the crisis linked to Jeffrey Epstein. Suzanne Plunkett, Chief Photographer at Reuters, outlines how her colleague Phil Noble secured the shot, and Arthur Edwards, Royal Photographer at The Sun, reflects on how single images can frame the narrative around the Royal Family. Four years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine,...
Feb 26, 2026•23 min
On this episode: Sumi Somaskanda, Bernd Debusmann and Fin Gomez look ahead to next week’s State of the Union address. It’s a chance for President Trump to talk up his achievements one year back in office - and lay out his vision for the year ahead. What do we expect to see – and what surprises could pop up? Every weekend, The President’s Path explores the state of US politics — in Washington and beyond. We dig into the key issues shaping America and uncover what’s on the minds of those closest t...
Feb 24, 2026•25 min
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses the state of the transatlantic alliance, explores whether the Iranian regime can survive, and looks at the consequences of the repeal of key environmental regulations in the United States. Producer: Kate Cornell Executive producer: Benedick Watt Commissioning editor: Vara Szajkowski
Feb 20, 2026•26 min
Ros Atkins sits down with MTV co‑founder Tom Freston to explore how the channel became a global cultural force, the turning points of his career, and the themes of his new book. Freston reflects on MTV’s early days, creative risk‑taking, and what he has learned from decades shaping the media industry. Presenter Ros Atkins Producer: Lisa Jenkinson
Feb 19, 2026•23 min
Can President Trump keep Republican lawmakers on side? Caitríona Perry, Sumi Somaskanda and Bernd Debusmann look back at a week where we saw Congress push back against President Trump on key issues like the Epstein files, ICE presence in Minneapolis - and his tariffs. It wasn’t just from Democrats - some Republicans are speaking out against the President. Every weekend, The President’s Path explores the state of US politics — in Washington and beyond. We dig into the key issues shaping America a...
Feb 13, 2026•25 min
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, explores who is actually governing Gaza at the moment, analyses the landslide election victory for Japan’s prime minister Sanae Takaichi, and looks at a landmark trial in the US that will determine whether social media giants are responsible for harming children. Producer: Kate Cornell Executive producer: Benedick Watt Commissioning editor: Vara Szajkowski
Feb 13, 2026•26 min
A new book focuses on the future of Rupert Murdoch’s media empire after a legal dispute within his family. The case has renewed attention on Murdoch’s long-standing influence in British newspapers and the role of Fox News in American politics. Gabriel Sherman, author of Bonfire of the Murdochs, sets out the background to the succession battle and the company’s direction under Lachlan Murdoch. A week of intense reporting on Sir Keir Starmer has led to debate about the role of political journalism...
Feb 12, 2026•23 min
The latest batch of documents linked to the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein has been released by the US Department of Justice. There are millions of files for journalists to go through, and coverage has focused on what they reveal and how responsibly they can be reported, particularly when powerful figures are named. Journalists Tina Brown and Jim Pickard talk about how the material is being handled and the pressures on newsrooms. NASA has postponed its planned Artemis II mission to the Moo...
Feb 06, 2026•23 min
The release by the Department of Justice of a new tranche of Epstein files has put more political pressure on President Trump. On this episode, Caitríona Perry, Bernd Debusmann and Courtney Subramanian look at the ongoing pressure on Donald Trump’s administration over the handling of the release of more Epstein files. They also discuss the announcement of a new trade deal with India – and President Trump’s calls to Republicans to nationalise the vote. Every weekend, The President’s Path explores...
Feb 06, 2026•25 min
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, looks at the dangers facing the Iranian clerical regime, explores whether peace talks on the war in Ukraine can succeed, and analyses who is actually governing Venezuela. Producer: Kate Cornell Executive producer: Benedick Watt Commissioning editor: Vara Szajkowski
Feb 06, 2026•26 min
