The Briefing Room

In this discussion, Shashank Joshi, Defence Editor at The Economist, and Dr. Patricia Lewis, an expert in arms control and nuclear physics, dive into the complexities surrounding Iran's nuclear ambitions. They analyze how U.S. military actions have impacted Iran's nuclear capabilities and the country's potential for regime change. The conversation also covers the internal turmoil within Iran and the implications of an upcoming leadership succession, alongside Iran's ongoing quest for nuclear materials amid growing international scrutiny.

Following a deadly terrorist attack in Indian administered Kashmir in April a short military conflict broke out between India and Pakistan. For a brief history of the tensions over Kashmir Caroline Bayley spoke to former BBC India correspondent, Andrew Whitehead, who’s an expert on Kashmir and its history and author of “A mission in Kashmir”. This is part of a new mini-series called The Briefing Room Explainers. They’re short versions of previous episodes of the Briefing Room. Presenter: David Aaronovitch Producer: Caroline Bayley Editor: Richard Vadon

As the Ukraine war grinds on with little sign of Russian president, Vladimir Putin agreeing to a ceasefire we trace the evolution of his attitude towards Ukraine. David Aaronovitch spoke to Vitaly Shevchenko who is Russia editor for BBC Monitoring and co-presenter of the BBC’s Ukrainecast.This 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

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