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The Briefing Room

BBC Radio 4
Russia
Ukraine
Donald Trump
United States
Tariffs
China
Israel
European Union
NATO
Iran
Electric Vehicles
Gaza
UK Economy
Vladimir Putin
Climate Change
Artificial Intelligence
Hamas
United Kingdom
Global Trade
Brexit

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes388Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsNews Commentary

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Latest Episodes

The war between Russia and Ukraine has shifted closer to Moscow. In the past week Ukraine has sent drones, made by Ukraine, to Moscow. While many were intercepted, 3 people died when an apartment block was hit. For many Russians the war - or special ... more

It's ten years since the Briefing Room was first transmitted in May 2016. And what a decade it's been. To mark the tenth anniversary the programme looks at the biggest changes at home and abroad since that momentous day in British broadcasting. We’ve... more

A month ago the Artemis II crew landed safely in the Pacific Ocean, completing their historic space mission to the far side of the moon. It’s been several decades since the last human mission to the moon - although this time there was no landing. How... more

Ask Claude a question, Google a query, order from Amazon, chat with mates on WhatsApp, tune in to Youtube. And where ever you do it from, you’ll never be somehow not in America. Because Britain, like Europe is dependent on US tech and as the AI revol... more

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Recent Guests

Steve Rosenberg
BBC Russia Editor
BBC
Episode: Is Russia under pressure from Ukraine?
Christopher Miller
Ukraine Correspondent, Financial Times; author
Financial Times
Episode: Is Russia under pressure from Ukraine?
Angela Stent
Senior Fellow, American Enterprise Institute; former US National Intelligence Officer for Russia and Eurasia
American Enterprise Institute
Episode: Is Russia under pressure from Ukraine?
Anand Menon
Professor of European Politics and Foreign Affairs at King's College London
King's College London
Episode: Ten years of The Briefing Room
Bronwen Maddox
Director and CEO at the Think Tank Chatham House
Chatham House
Episode: Ten years of The Briefing Room
Meg Russell
Professor of British and Comparative Politics at University College London
UCL
Episode: Ten years of The Briefing Room
Julia Balm
Research Associate at the Freeman Air and Space Institute, King's College London
King's College London / Freeman Air and Space Institute
Episode: Are we still going to Mars?
Andrew Coates
Professor at Mullard Space Science Laboratory, University College London
University College London
Episode: Are we still going to Mars?
Libby Jackson
Head of Space at the Science Museum, London; former Flight Director for the ISS
Science Museum, London
Episode: Are we still going to Mars?

Host

David Aaronovitch
Host of The Briefing Room

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 1.1k ratings
  • Short, sharp, focused.

    My favorite podcast! The Newscast team could learn a lot from this one.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Anders Torp
    Sweden7 months ago
  • Exceptional broadcasting

    David interrogates a panel of subject experts to explain (only allowing accessible language) very complicated but current issues. The episode of 23 October ‘market crash’, is an exceptional example. Have a listen you’ll learn - I promise. Thank you BBC Thank you David

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Emma Eveleigh
    United Kingdom7 months ago
  • 👌

    Always very high quality and relevance. Excellent in depth discussions.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    mrakwekwe
    Swedena year ago
  • Very informative, great to hear the background explained clearly. But such a tragic situation.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Fiona JW
    2 years ago
  • BR usually 5 star but here no mention at all of left of centre French politics....

    Podcast Addict
    3
    chrisdye
    2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests are described as top experts who explain issues accessibly and thoughtfully.
Listeners praise the show's depth, clarity, and balance across complex topics.
Audience notes high production quality and consistently engaging, informative discussions.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Will Trump take Cuba?
Q: What sparked the latest Cuban crisis and why did oil become such a critical lever?
The crisis intensified after the Trump administration cut oil supplies to Cuba, which led to a severe energy shortfall; the regime depended on foreign oil, and private sector channels became essential, though limited, in keeping lights and basic services functioning.
Iran - how vulnerable is the regime?
Q: Arash Azizi, how do these recent protests compare with others we've seen in the past?
These protests are the largest since 2009 and have been more insurrectionary and rejectionist of the regime compared to previous movements.
Iran - how vulnerable is the regime?
Q: Can you tell us who was actually doing the repressing?
Repression was carried out by various state organs including the army, police, and Revolutionary Guard, with a crackdown resulting in thousands of deaths.
Iran - how vulnerable is the regime?
Q: Kasra Naji, can you remind us how this spate of protests began?
The protests started unexpectedly at the end of December with shopkeepers in Tehran's bazaar, who were protesting the economic collapse due to mismanagement and sanctions.
What can the UK learn from the rest of Europe about asylum reform?
Q: What impact have those policies had?
Denmark reported the lowest number of asylum applications in 40 years due to its tough policies.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Briefing Room

What is The Briefing Room about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show consistently delivers in-depth, data-driven explainers on current events, combining a trusted host with a rotating panel of experts from journalism, academia, and policy think tanks. Episodes cover geopolitics, economics, technology policy, and the space of global affairs—with rigorous framing, clear language, and a balance between historical context and present-day dynamics. A standout trait is the panel format: fast-paced, challenging questions, and a focus on actionable insights rather than partisan rhetoric, which makes it valuable for listeners who want to understand “why it matters” beyond the headlines. Noteworthy elements include long-form explorations of big issues, cross-continental perspectives from seasoned reporters a... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Briefing Room?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Briefing Room:

1. More or Less
2. The Week in Westminster
3. Political Thinking with Nick Robinson
4. The Inquiry
5. Political Fix

How many episodes of The Briefing Room are there?

The Briefing Room launched 10 years ago and published 388 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Briefing Room?

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What guests have appeared on The Briefing Room?

Recent guests on The Briefing Room include:

1. Steve Rosenberg
2. Christopher Miller
3. Angela Stent
4. Anand Menon
5. Bronwen Maddox
6. Meg Russell
7. Julia Balm
8. Andrew Coates

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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