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History Behind the Headlines

History Extra
Climate Change
Bayer Tapestry
United States
Diplomacy
Hitler
Political Violence
Israel-Palestine Conflict
Donald Trump
Kalman Syndrome
Oil
Bayeux Tapestry
Labour Party
Charlie Kirk
US Politics
DNA Analysis
Russia
British Museum
China
1948 Arab-Israeli War
Oslo Accords

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 monthlyEpisodes24Founded9 months ago
Number of ListenersCategory
History

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Artwork for History Behind the Headlines

Latest Episodes

There have been plenty of headlines over the past month about the possible financial impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. But what does history tell us about the ways in which the impact of war has been felt far from the battlefield? Re... more

The past fortnight has seen headlines here in the UK dominated by news of potential leadership challenges to Labour prime minister Sir Keir Starmer, following the party's heavy losses in recent local council elections in Wales, Scotland and England. ... more

King Charles's recent visit to the United States prompted much commentary on both sides of the Atlantic, with particular praise given to his speech to Congress. But at what other moments in recent history has the royal family been used as a way to re... more

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

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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

Hosts

Matt Elton
Host of History Behind the Headlines
Hannah Skoda
Panelist, medieval historian
Rana Mitter
Panelist, historian of US-Asia relations

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#98
South Africa/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Is the Bayeux Tapestry coming to Britain or not?
Q: What does being the envoy for the Bayeux Tapestry entail?
The envoy serves as the docking point between British and French administrations, coordinating between government structures and ensuring the tapestry can travel and be displayed safely, with a focus on preservation and diplomacy.
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.

Audience Metrics

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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?

A historically focused, conversation-driven show that uses expert context to illuminate current events. Regular panelists and a rotating slate of guests dissect diplomacy, politics, culture, and social change through a long-view lens, often linking contemporary headlines to medieval and early modern precedents. Episodes commonly feature in-depth interviews with diplomats, historians, and legal/constitutional scholars, plus thoughtful panel exchanges that connect symbolic power, public perception, and policy. The mix of high-profile interviews and archival-informed analysis makes it a strong fit for listeners who crave nuance, credibility, and cross-disciplinary insights beyond standard news coverage. Noteworthy traits include a consistent e... more

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Which podcasts are similar to History Behind the Headlines?

These podcasts share a similar audience with History Behind the Headlines:

1. HistoryExtra podcast
2. History's Greatest Cities
3. HistoryExtra Long Reads
4. Dan Snow's History Hit
5. Gone Medieval

How many episodes of History Behind the Headlines are there?

History Behind the Headlines launched 9 months ago and published 24 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

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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