The Briefing Room

Dive into the rich history of tariffs in the U.S., starting from the era of President McKinley. Discover how tariffs shaped American industries and government revenues in the late 19th century. Unpack the complex relationship between tariffs and economic growth, challenging the notion that they were the sole path to national prosperity. Explore the political evolution surrounding trade policies and the lasting impact of tariffs, including their relevance in today's economic landscape.

Rare earths and critical minerals are precious resources everyone seems to want but what are they and what are they used for? David Aaronovitch speaks to Ellie Saklatvala, head of Nonferrous Metal Pricing at Argus – a provider of market intelligence for the global commodity markets.Guest Ellie SaklatvalaThis is part of a new mini-series called the The Briefing Room Explainers. They’re short versions of previous episodes of the Briefing Room.Presenter: David Aaronovitch Producer: Caroline Bayley Editor: Richard Vadon

Geoff White, an investigative journalist and co-host of the BBC's podcast series, The Lazarus Heist, joins to delve into the world of ransomware. He explores how these digital kidnappers operate, the chaos they inflict on businesses like Marks & Spencer, and the tough choices organizations face about paying ransoms. Discussion highlights the evolving nature of these threats, the need for robust incident response plans, and international efforts to combat ransomware, including a coalition of 68 nations aimed at improving cybersecurity strategies.

Yolande Knell, BBC Middle East Correspondent; Anshel Pfeffer, Israel Correspondent at The Economist; and Shibley Telhami, Professor of Government at the University of Maryland, engage in a gripping discussion about the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza. They explore the alarming plans for Palestinian displacement and the prospects of a negotiated ceasefire. Recent developments like the release of hostages and the complexities of U.S. influence on Israeli politics are key topics, shedding light on the ongoing tensions and search for peace in the region.

Henry Sanderson, an expert on green technology, and Ellie Saklatvala, the head of nonferrous metal pricing at Argus, dive into the world of rare earth minerals and critical technologies. They discuss how the U.S. seeks to secure access to Ukraine's resources amid geopolitical tensions. The conversation highlights China's dominance in this market and the urgent need for sustainable alternatives. They explore investment trends, the significance of critical minerals in energy transition, and strategies for competing globally.

In this enlightening discussion, Andrew Whitehead, a former BBC India correspondent and Kashmir expert, alongside Anbarasan Ethirajan, BBC South Asia Regional Editor, dives into the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan following a recent militant attack that killed 26 civilians. They unpack the historical context of the Kashmir conflict and examine India's military response to the attack. The guests also highlight the intricate political dynamics and potential for further escalation, raising critical questions about the future of peace in the region.

The Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer wants the UK to become “one of the great AI superpowers”. Earlier this year the government published a plan to use artificial intelligence in the private and public sectors to boost growth and deliver services more efficiently. Once mainly the preserve of the tech community, AI really entered public awareness with the release of ChatGPT, a so-called “chatbot” founded by the US company OpenAI at the end of 2022. It can write essays, scripts, poems and even write computer code …and millions of people are using it. David Aaronovitch and guests discuss whether the UK could become a successful AI hub, as the government hopes and asks if we'll be able to compete globally with the US and China, the home of huge tech companies?Guests: Dame Wendy Hall, Regius Professor of Computer Science and Director of the Web Science Institute at the University of Southampton. Eden Zoller, Chief Analyst in Applied AI, Omdia. Professor Neil Lawrence, the DeepMind Professor of Machine Learning at University of Cambridge and author of The Atomic Human Jeremy Kahn, AI Editor at Fortune magazine and author of Mastering AI: A survival guide to our superpowered future. Presenter: David Aaronovitch Producers: Caroline Bayley, Kirsteen Knight, Nathan Gower Production coordinator: Gemma Ashman Sound Engineer: James Beard Editor: Richard Vadon

President Trump’s fury with China shows no sign of abating. High tariffs - first imposed by the US but now on both sides - are giving way to a very real trade war between the world’s two biggest economies. China’s President Xi Jinping is refusing to blink - so far - and in the past week he's been on the road in South East Asia, visiting Vietnam, Cambodia and Malaysia. Where this goes now depends in large part on China's calculations about the capacity and determination of both sides to endure a trade war. So what cards does China hold ? And what are the implications for China's own economy and for the rest of us?Guests: Damien Ma, Economist, Kellogg School of Management, Chicago Rana Mitter, ST Lee Chair in US-Asia Relations at the Harvard Kennedy School Isabel Hilton, visiting Professor at the Lau China Institute, King's College, London David Henig, Director of the UK Trade Policy ProjectPresenter: David Aaronovitch Producers: Caroline Bayley, Kirsteen Knight, Lucy Pawle Production co-ordinator: Gemma Ashman Sound Engineer: James Beard Editor: Max Deveson

In this discussion, Mehreen Khan, the Economics editor of The Times, and Meredith Crowley, a Professor of Economics at the University of Cambridge, tackle the complexities of Donald Trump's recent tariffs. They explore the historical context of tariffs, comparing Trump's approach to past strategies like McKinley's. The duo delves into the intricacies of the World Trade Organization's role and the evolving nature of U.S. trade policies, including the implications for domestic manufacturing and global markets.

Mark Lowen, a seasoned BBC correspondent, brings insider knowledge of Turkey's tumultuous protests. Joining him is Ziya Meral, an expert on Turkish politics, and Monica Marks, a scholar specializing in Middle Eastern dynamics. Together, they delve into the political upheaval surrounding Istanbul's mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu, and the implications of his arrest. The discussion reveals the erosion of civil liberties, the rise of a charismatic opposition, and the shifting power dynamics as Turkey approaches pivotal elections. Can democracy survive amidst escalating unrest?