This Is Why

The world’s a pretty confusing place right now – so how do you make sense of it all? This Is Why  takes one story every day, explains how we got here and why it matters to you. Sky News’ Niall Paterson speaks to experts and correspondents from around the world, getting simple answers to some complex questions. Available every weekday afternoon. This Is Why is a Sky News podcast – if you have a question, contact us: why@sky.uk

Last refreshed: June 7th, 2026 at 5:13 PM ⓘ

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Episodes

Ukraine war: What could a nuclear attack look like?

President Putin has said there will be a "harsh" response to further attacks against Russia, following an explosion on the Kerch Bridge which links his country to the annexed Crimean peninsula. As retaliation, missiles hit several Ukrainian cities, including the capital, Kyiv. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said a deliberate attack on the critical infrastructure of Ukraine would be met with a "united and determined response". On the Sky News Daily with Niall Paterson, security and defen...

Oct 11, 2022•25 min

Inside Taiwan: The threat of war with China

Tensions between China and its neighbour Taiwan have risen in recent months, and now, a Sky News team has visited the island - speaking to people about daily life, the ongoing threat, and preparations for a possible invasion. On the Sky News Daily with Niall Paterson, we hear from those on the island as our Asia correspondent Cordelia Lynch reflects on the deployment, and former US national Security Adviser John Bolton discusses just how big a threat Beijing poses. Annie Joyce – senior podcast p...

Oct 10, 2022•26 min

Mortgages: what's the best way to plan?

The interest rate on a typical two-year fixed-rate mortgage has broken 6% for the first time in 14 years. The sudden rise has left first-time buyers with few affordable mortgage options, and those looking to re-mortgage facing huge increases in their monthly repayments. On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson speaks to two people whose plans have had to change as a result of the uncertainty with mortgages, plus gets some advice from mortgage broker Sarah Tucker. Editors - Philly Beaumont Podcast p...

Oct 09, 2022•23 min

Ukraine War Diaries: EP27 - More Martyrs, muting Elon Musk, & marriage in the trenches (Oct 3-7)

Recording on assignment military volunteer Seva weighs the cost of fallen colleagues against Ukraine’s greater ambition to liberate the entire country. In Kyiv, Oksana expresses her horror at billionaire Elon Musk’s controversial peace plan - which involved getting Twitter followers to vote on possible outcomes — and at a world failing to grasp the threat of an apocalyptic conflict. Meanwhile, encouraged in part by the continued nuclear threat, Ilyas wonders about a spike in marriage nationally....

Oct 07, 2022•11 min

Energy crisis: Will the UK be left in the dark this winter?

National Grid is warning that households could face planned three-hour blackouts over the winter as the energy crisis worsens. On the Sky News Daily podcast, Niall Paterson speaks to Jess Ralston from the Climate and Energy Intelligence Unit about the significance of blackout threats. Plus climate and energy correspondent Hannah Thomas-Peter unpacks the government's long-term energy strategy, including unleashing a new era of fossil fuel exploration. Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse Interview produc...

Oct 06, 2022•19 min

Liz Truss: Fighting for her political life

In her speech to the Conservative Party conference, Prime Minister Liz Truss vowed to "get Britain through the tempest" and insisted "everyone will benefit" from the result of her economic policies. On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson is in Birmingham for the Conservative Party conference hearing from Secretary of State for Wales Robert Buckland, Mayor of West Midlands Andy Street, and Business Secretary Jacob Reece Mogg. Plus, Niall gets Sky's deputy political editor Sam Coates's analysis of ...

Oct 05, 2022•27 min

Ukraine War: The town the Russians have left

As Russia illegally annexes four occupied areas in the east and south of Ukraine, it continues to face significant defeats at the hands of the smaller Ukrainian army. On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson speaks to Sky News’ special correspondent Alex Crawford, from Ukraine's frontlines, plus the head of the Ukraine Forum at Chatham House, Orysia Lutsevych, explains why it is Ukraine's citizens who are the nation's secret weapon in the war. Editors - Philly Beaumont & Paul Stanworth Podcast ...

Oct 04, 2022•19 min

Tory U-turn: Has the government lost credibility?

Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng and PM Liz Truss have made a U-turn on the decision to give the wealthiest 1% of earners a tax cut after facing a backlash. On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson explores the political consequences of the U-turn with political correspondent Liz Bates and discusses how the markets are responding with economics editor Ed Conway. Plus, Catherine MacLeod, a No.11 special adviser during the 2008 recession, explains how a government should react during a time of financial cri...

Oct 03, 2022•25 min

Cost of living: The price of hunger

Long before the recent economic woes hitting the pound, mortgages and the price of essentials, a survey in April from The Food Foundation charity revealed nearly two and a half million people had said they’d not eaten for a whole day because they couldn’t afford or get access to food. Those numbers will now be much, much higher. On the Sky News Daily podcast with Niall Paterson, we examine a snapshot of what is happening in the supply chain - from farm to table - and its impact on all those in i...

Oct 02, 2022•19 min

Ukraine War Diaries: EP26 - Nuclear alarm, naked enemies & crazy neighbours (Sept 26-30)

In Kyiv, spooked by the threat of nuclear attack, Oksana’s close friend moves her family to western Ukraine. Meanwhile, Ilyas finds hope in what he sees as desperate Russian measures. And Seva is left astonished by conversations with fellow military personnel on the frontlines. TIMECODES - 0.00 - Oksana 4.45 - Ilyas 8.07 - Seva BACKGROUND - Oksana, 35, works in overseas education. She lives with her husband, Seva, in an apartment complex in central Kyiv and has remained in the Ukrainian capital ...

Sep 30, 2022•12 min

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