Podcast cover
BBC World Service · News

The Inquiry

The Inquiry gets beyond the headlines to explore the trends, forces and ideas shaping the world.

Episodes

Episode cover

How are drones changing the landscape of modern warfare?

12 Aug 2025
22m
AI processed

In this episode of The Inquiry, Gary O'Donoghue and four expert witnesses explore how drones are changing modern warfare. The discussion covers the history of drone technology, from early unmanned aircraft to the advanced systems used in contemporary conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war. The experts discuss the increa...

Episode cover

What does Syria’s recent conflict tell us about al-Sharaa’s presidency?

05 Aug 2025
22m
AI processed

The Inquiry podcast explores the recent conflict in Syria and its implications for President Al-Sharaa's leadership. Following a highway robbery that triggered widespread violence between Druze and Bedouin fighters, the podcast examines Syria's diverse religious landscape, the historical tensions between communities, a...

Episode cover

How has one leaked phone call shaken Thai politics?

25 Jul 2025
22m
AI processed

The Inquiry podcast explores how a leaked phone call between Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and a Cambodian official has destabilized Thai politics. The discussion covers the historical context of the Shinawatra family's influence, the fragile state of Thai democracy due to military influence and judi...

Episode cover

What will Chile’s latest telescope tell us about the universe?

22 Jul 2025
22m
AI processed

The podcast "The Inquiry" explores what Chile's Vera Rubin Observatory telescope will reveal about the universe. It features insights from astrophysics professor Catherine Heymans, Professor of Astronomy Jerko Ivezic, planetary astronomer Dr. Meg Schwamb, and observational astronomer Dr. Borchin Mutlu-Bakdil. The discu...

Episode cover

Is AI eroding our critical thinking?

15 Jul 2025
23m
AI processed

In this episode of The Inquiry, Tanya Beckett and expert witnesses explore the question of whether artificial intelligence is eroding critical thinking. The discussion covers the definition and importance of critical thinking, how AI functions as a large language model, and the potential risks of over-reliance on AI, s...

Episode cover

Can Brazil’s supercows feed the world?

08 Jul 2025
23m
AI processed

The BBC podcast "The Inquiry" explores whether Brazil's Zebu "supercows" can feed the world, examining the rise of Zebu cattle in Brazil, their genetic advantages, and Brazil's dominance in beef exports. The podcast investigates the historical context of Zebu introduction, driven by globalization and the need for cattl...

Episode cover

Does Trump care about Taiwan?

01 Jul 2025
22m
AI processed

The Inquiry podcast, hosted by Tanya Beckett, explores the question of whether Donald Trump cares about Taiwan, given its strategic importance and the rising tensions with China. The podcast features insights from four experts: Dr. Chun-yi Lee discusses Taiwan's growing national identity and its relationship with China...

Episode cover

How crucial is the Strait of Hormuz to global oil supplies?

25 Jun 2025
22m
AI processed

The Inquiry podcast episode explores the crucial role of the Strait of Hormuz in global oil supplies, examining the potential consequences of its closure amid geopolitical tensions between Iran and other countries. The discussion covers the strait's importance as a major oil trade route, the historical context of confl...

Episode cover

Are we closer to a European army?

17 Jun 2025
23m
AI processed

The BBC's "The Inquiry" podcast episode explores the feasibility of creating a European army. Charmaine Cozier presents the discussion, featuring insights from four experts: Dick Zandee, Ulrike Franke, Oana Lungescu, and Sven Biscop. The podcast examines the historical context, motivations, and obstacles to forming a u...

Episode cover

Have we seen a breakthrough in preventing genetic diseases?

10 Jun 2025
22m
AI processed

The Inquiry podcast explores the breakthrough in treating genetic diseases, focusing on the case of baby KJ, who received a gene editing drug tailored to his specific genetic mutation. The podcast explains the science behind CRISPR technology, which allows scientists to target and correct faulty genes, and its applicat...

Episode cover

Are diamonds forever in Botswana?

03 Jun 2025
22m
AI processed

The Inquiry podcast episode, hosted by Charmaine Cozier, explores the future of the diamond industry in Botswana, a country heavily reliant on diamond mining for its economy. The episode features four expert witnesses: Dr. Gloria Somolekae, Jessica Warch, Edahn Golan, and Dr. Keith Jefferis. They discuss the historical...

Episode cover

Can we stop killer fungi?

27 May 2025
23m
AI processed

The Inquiry, a BBC World Service podcast, explores the rising threat of fungal diseases due to climate change and other factors. The podcast features four experts who discuss how global warming, medical advancements, and the widespread use of antifungals in agriculture contribute to the spread and increased resistance ...

Episode cover

What does Japan’s rice crisis say about its economy?

20 May 2025
22m
AI processed

The Inquiry podcast explores Japan's recent rice crisis and its implications for the nation's economy. The crisis stems from a combination of factors, including reduced rice quality due to extreme heat, decades-long government policies aimed at controlling rice production, increased demand from tourism, and consumer an...

Episode cover

Why are global cases of measles rising?

13 May 2025
23m
AI processed

This episode explores the global resurgence of measles, examining the reasons behind rising cases despite the availability of an effective vaccine. Against the backdrop of increasing measles outbreaks worldwide, particularly in Europe and the United States, the discussion highlights the virus's high contagiousness and ...

Episode cover

Will Serbia’s mass protests unseat the president?

06 May 2025
23m
AI processed

This episode explores the mass protests in Serbia and whether they will unseat President Aleksandar Vucic. Against the backdrop of Serbia's complex history and struggles with democratic rule, the podcast investigates allegations that Vucic has consolidated power, controls the media, and influences elections. The discus...

Episode cover

Is extinction a thing of the past?

30 Apr 2025
23m
AI processed

This episode explores the controversial topic of de-extinction, focusing on the recent creation of dire wolf puppies by Colossal Biosciences. Against the backdrop of the company's success, evolutionary biologist Dr. Beth Shapiro details the process, highlighting the use of ancient DNA and gene editing technology to in...

Episode cover

What is President Trump’s economic plan?

22 Apr 2025
23m
AI processed

This episode explores President Trump's economic plan and its impact on the global economy. Against the backdrop of President Trump's announcement of radical new taxes on foreign imports, the podcast interviews four expert witnesses to analyze the potential consequences. More significantly, the discussion examines th...

Episode cover

What does President Putin want now?

15 Apr 2025
23m
AI processed

This episode explores the multifaceted ambitions of Vladimir Putin in the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine and the return of Donald Trump to the White House. Against the backdrop of Trump's election, analysts discuss how his worldview aligns with Putin's, potentially offering Russia a path to victory beyond battl...

Episode cover

What is filling the USAID funding gap?

10 Apr 2025
46m
AI processed

This episode explores the impact of President Trump's executive order pausing US foreign aid programs, specifically focusing on the funding gap left by the suspension of USAID operations. Against the backdrop of decreasing overseas aid budgets from other countries like France and Germany, the immediate consequences of ...

Episode cover

Is SpaceX ok?

01 Apr 2025
22m
AI processed

This episode explores the current state of SpaceX, examining its recent setbacks and future prospects against the backdrop of a burgeoning commercial space industry. Following two consecutive Starship test flight explosions, the podcast investigates whether these failures signal deeper problems for the company. More s...

Page 4

Follow this podcast in Podwise

Sign in to get AI summaries, transcripts and mind maps for any episode, including new ones.

Open in Podwise