NPR · History

Throughline

Throughline is a time machine. Each episode, we travel beyond the headlines to answer the question, "How did we get here?" We use sound and stories to bring history to life and put you into the middle of it. From ancient civilizations to forgotten figures, we take you directly to the moments that shaped our world. Throughline is hosted by Peabody Award-winning journalist Rund Abdelfatah. Support public media by joining NPR+ at plus.npr.org . You’ll get perks for over 25 NPR podcasts, including sponsor-free listening for Throughline.

Episodes

What Happened to Vladimir Alexandrov?

25 Nov 2025

14m

Democracy Dies in a Day

20 Nov 2025

51m

AI processed

This episode of Throughline explores the collapse of democracy in Chile following the 1973 military coup led by Augusto Pinochet. It details the rise of Salvador Allende and his socialist policies, the U.S. government's intervention to destabilize Allende's government, and the subsequent authoritarian rule under Pinoch...

This episode of Throughline provides a historical overview of Hamas, starting with its origins in 1987 during the First Intifada. It explores the organization's formation, its ideological roots in the Muslim Brotherhood, and the key figures involved, such as Sheikh Ahmed Yassin. The podcast details Hamas's shift toward...