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The Briefing Room

David Aaronovitch and a panel of experts and insiders present in-depth explainers on big issues in the news.

Radio 4,373 episodes

Episodes

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Venezuela – what now?
The Briefing Room asks what’s next for Venezuela?
05 Feb 2026,28 mins
Should we worry about America’s security strategy?
What does the new US National Security Strategy mean for Europe and the rest of the world?
18 Dec 2025,28 mins
Why are early career doctors angry?
Why is there a shortage of training posts for resident doctors?
11 Dec 2025,29 mins
Are the old robbing the young?
Are we seeing inter-generational economic injustice?
04 Dec 2025,28 mins
What's happening with the Ukraine peace plan?
Is there a viable peace plan for Ukraine on the table?
27 Nov 2025,28 mins
What can the UK learn from the rest of Europe about asylum reform?
Is Denmark the right model for the UK's asylum policy?
20 Nov 2025,28 mins
Why does the UK have a problem with productivity?
What are the consequences of the UK's low productivity growth?
13 Nov 2025,28 mins
What's happening in Venezuela?
Why is there a military build-up off the coast of Venezuela?
06 Nov 2025,28 mins
How should we handle historic public inquiries?
Are public inquiries working?
30 Oct 2025,28 mins
Is there a crash coming?
Could an AI bubble or so-called ‘shadow banking’ threaten the global economy?
23 Oct 2025,44 mins
Is the UK in a data crisis?
What’s gone wrong at the Office for National Statistics?
16 Oct 2025,28 mins
Will the Gaza peace plan work?
What is the plan? And why is it happening now?
09 Oct 2025,28 mins
UK Resilience
How prepared are we for climate change?
The UK is becoming hotter and wetter but is it prepared to deal with that reality?
14 Aug 2025,28 mins
UK Resilience
How prepared are we for cyber threats?
Deepfakes, ransomware, data leaks: cyber crime is evolving fast. But can we keep up?
21 Aug 2025,28 mins
UK Resilience
How prepared are we for the next pandemic?
Covid is in the rear view mirror but are we equipped to deal with the next pandemic?
28 Aug 2025,41 mins
Should the government worry about debt?
Should the UK and other countries worry about rising levels of government debt?
07 Aug 2025,28 mins
Why don't we have ID cards in the UK?
David Aaronovitch and guests discuss identity cards.
31 Jul 2025,28 mins
How close is the UK getting to the European Union?
Is Labour's promise of 'an improved and ambitious relationship' with Europe coming true?
24 Jul 2025,28 mins
Is the tide turning in the Ukraine war?
What does a change in the Trump-Putin relationship mean for the war in Ukraine?
17 Jul 2025,28 mins
The Trump hokey cokey is back - what happens to world trade now?
As President Trump raises tariffs again, what does this mean for world trade?
10 Jul 2025,28 mins
Why is there a row about disability benefits?
David Aaronovitch and guests discuss why the benefits bill for disability has ballooned.
03 Jul 2025,28 mins
Iran: What happens next?
David Aaronovitch and guests consider the implications of the Israel Iran conflict.
26 Jun 2025,28 mins
Explainer: Tensions over Kashmir
A history of Kashmir and tension between India and Pakistan
19 Jun 2025,7 mins
Explainer: Putin’s motivation for war with Ukraine
We trace the evolution of Putin’s attitude towards Ukraine.
12 Jun 2025,7 mins
Explainer: A history of US tariffs
From McKinley to Trump, the rise, fall and rise again of US tariffs.
05 Jun 2025,7 mins
Explainer: Rare earths
We look at rare earths - What are they and why does everyone seem to want them?
29 May 2025,7 mins
What is ransomware and what can be done to stop it?
How should organisations deal with the threat of ransomware attacks?
22 May 2025,28 mins
What is Israel's plan for Gaza?
What is the long-term future for Gaza?
15 May 2025,28 mins
What are rare earths and why does everyone want them?
Who dominates the market for rare earths and critical minerals?
08 May 2025,28 mins
Are India and Pakistan on the brink of war over Kashmir?
Tension between India and Pakistan rises following the killing of tourists in Kashmir.
01 May 2025,29 mins