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History Behind the Headlines

History Extra
Climate Change
Bayer Tapestry
Diplomacy
Political Violence
Hitler
Israel-Palestine Conflict
Donald Trump
Kalman Syndrome
United States
Oil
St George's Cross
Union Flag
National Identity
British History
Charlie Kirk
US Politics
David Olusoga
1948 Arab-Israeli War
Oslo Accords
China

How does the past shape today's world? In HistoryExtra's fortnightly podcast History Behind the Headlines, Matt Elton is joined by regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter and guest experts to explore the historical context you need to understand the latest news. For more fascinating stories from the past, head to HistoryExtra, the home of ‘History’s Greatest’ podcasts. Find out more at ⁠hi... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes21Founded8 months ago
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History

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Latest Episodes

A high-profile spat between Pope Leo and leading figures in the US administration has made headlines in recent weeks, after United States president Donald Trump and vice-president JD Vance disagreed with comments the pope made about US-Israeli action... more

The loan of the Bayeux Tapestry from France to the UK has caused great excitement, but also some concerns. Lord Peter Ricketts is the UK government's Bayeux Tapestry Envoy, and here in conversation with David Musgrove, he gives the lowdown on how the... more

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has dominated news coverage, and episodes of this podcast, in recent weeks – and because we chose to focus on those pressing events, some other stories have taken a back seat.

So, in this special episode, regul... more

Recent US actions in the Middle East have challenged the established world order, and called into question existing diplomatic and political norms. But how different is today’s diplomacy from that of the Second World War or the Cold War? And what doe... more

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Recent Guests

Christina Ilko
Historian based at Cambridge
University of Cambridge
Episode: Chess, space and medieval monks: this spring’s overlooked historical headlines
Peter Ricketts
Lord, former Foreign Office head and National Security Advisor, author of Peacemakers, Shaping the Modern World
Author, Diplomacy Historian
Episode: Peter Ricketts on diplomacy, Trump and Iran
Craig Prescott
Specialist in UK constitutional law; author on monarchy
Royal Holloway, University of London
Episode: How can the past help us understand the UK monarchy's current crisis?
Sam Edwards
An expert in modern political history
Loughborough University
Episode: Is President Trump really weaponising history?
Eugene Rogan
Professor of Modern Middle Eastern History
University of Oxford
Episode: Why is it so hard for Israelis and Palestinians to make peace?
Adam Smith
Edward Osborne Professor of US Politics and Political History and Director of the Rothermay American Institute at the University of Oxford
University of Oxford
Episode: American violence & presidential visits

Host

Matt Elton
Host of History Behind the Headlines

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#141
Italy/History
Apple Podcasts
#104
Japan/History
Apple Podcasts
#174
India/History
Apple Podcasts
#223
Austria/History
Apple Podcasts
#227
Sweden/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Peter Ricketts on diplomacy, Trump and Iran
Q: What should be the approach to post-conflict planning in Gaza, Ukraine, and Iran?
Post-conflict work requires patient, long-term diplomacy, including rebuilding institutions, security forces, and governance structures, rather than chasing quick headline deals that leave root problems unaddressed.
Peter Ricketts on diplomacy, Trump and Iran
Q: How do you maintain diplomacy when major powers do not fully buy into international law?
Diplomacy survives when the major powers are prepared to sign up to some basic rules and when smaller and middle powers band together to uphold a shared framework, even if not all great powers comply at all times.
How can the past help us understand the UK monarchy's current crisis?
Q: What useful comparisons can we draw between those historic moments of crisis and the current situation with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor?
The comparison highlights a pattern where the monarchy remains embedded in constitutional structures even as individual members or crises threaten prestige; the legal framework, parliamentary oversight, and the ceremonial-public role all serve to moderate royal power and keep the institution functional, which helps explain why the current arrest still sits within a longer arc of established norms rather than triggering an immediate constitutional upheaval.
How can the past help us understand the UK monarchy's current crisis?
Q: You mentioned Charles I, Craig, and I wondered if you could give listeners a little recap of what happened to him and how it relates to modern debates about royal power.
Charles I was captured during the Civil War, tried, and executed, an event that encapsulated a long dispute over whether a monarch is above the law or bound by it; the episode underscores how contested royal prerogative can be and how constitutional norms eventually constrained royal authority, a theme echoed in contemporary discussions about accountability and the boundary between public office and private influence.
How have political scandals shaped history?
Q: What did they do? Well, basically, they had found the house of a minister in the then Chinese government called Cao Ruolin.
The students demonstrated against Cao Ruolin, whom they believed had betrayed their country by colluding with the Japanese, ultimately leading to violence against him as a perceived traitor.

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Frequently Asked Questions About History Behind the Headlines

What is History Behind the Headlines about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The discussion largely focuses on how historical events and contexts shape modern societal and political landscapes, exploring themes such as political scandals, geo-politics, and historical memory. Episodes analyze significant events ranging from the 14th century to contemporary challenges, including political corruption, imperialism, and peace negotiations, often drawing parallels between past and present. The engaging format features expert guests who provide insights into both well-known and less familiar historical narratives, making connections to present-day issues while offering a rich understanding of how history informs current affairs. The unique approach combines serious scholarship with accessible storytelling, likely making it... more

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Which podcasts are similar to History Behind the Headlines?

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1. History's Greatest Cities
2. HistoryExtra podcast
3. HistoryExtra Long Reads
4. Dan Snow's History Hit
5. You're Dead to Me

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History Behind the Headlines launched 8 months ago and published 21 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on History Behind the Headlines?

Recent guests on History Behind the Headlines include:

1. Christina Ilko
2. Peter Ricketts
3. Craig Prescott
4. Sam Edwards
5. Eugene Rogan
6. Adam Smith

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