The Briefing Room

Join Guy Chazan, the Financial Times' Berlin bureau chief, Dr. Constanze Stelzenmuller from the Brookings Institution, and Marcel Fratzscher, president of DIW Berlin, alongside economist Thiemo Fetzer, as they dive into the turbulent landscape of contemporary German politics. They tackle the alarming rise of the far-right AfD party, dissect the challenges of coalition governance, and explore Germany's economic stagnation amid rising energy costs. Insightful discussions on voter motivations and the implications for future elections add depth to this critical analysis.

Paul Johnson, Director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, joins a compelling discussion on the UK's dire economic state. He tackles the £22 billion deficit and its implications for government accountability and spending. The intricacies of the tax system are scrutinized, from capital gains to tax relief, amidst calls for fairness in contributions. Despite the grim budget forecast, there's a glimmer of cautious optimism as economists weigh potential growth against the backdrop of global challenges. It's a captivating dive into fiscal complexities!

Dr. Jonas Albarnaz, a pox virus expert from The Pirbright Institute, joins Dr. Lilith Whittles, a lecturer focused on infectious disease analysis, Dr. Josie Golding, head of epidemiology at The Wellcome Trust, and Trudie Lang, a global health professor. They dive into the emerging Mpox outbreak, discussing its origins, symptoms, and the challenges of viral mutation. The group highlights the urgent need for research on vaccine distribution and the implications of evolving transmission dynamics as they navigate global health preparedness.

David Aaronovitch and guests discuss the risk of escalation on Russian borders and further afield and explore what form that might take if it were to happen.Guests:Natia Seskuria, founder and executive director of the Regional Institute for Security Studies (RISS), a Tbilisi-based think tank Dr Jack Watling, Senior Research Fellow for Land Warfare at the Royal United Services Institute, Michael Clarke, Professor of Defence studies and Specialist Advisor to the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy Mark Galeotti, writer on Russian security affairs and director of the consultancy Mayak Intelligence Presenter: David Aaronovitch Producers: Ben Carter, Kirsteen Knight and Drew Hyndman Sound engineers: James Beard and Nigel Appleton Editor: Richard Vadon

Rupert Wingfield-Hayes, a BBC Asia correspondent in Taipei, joins experts Amanda Hsiao, a Senior Analyst for China, Dr. Lauren Dickey, a Taiwan analyst, and Shashank Joshi, the defence editor at The Economist. Together, they navigate the complexities of China’s push for 'peaceful reunification' with Taiwan. They discuss Taiwan’s crucial role in semiconductor production, the historical claims fueling tensions, and the intricate military dynamics involved. The conversation also addresses strategies for countering Chinese blockades and the geopolitical implications in the South China Sea.

Shashank Joshi, the defence editor at The Economist, Professor Lina Khatib, Director of the Middle East Institute at SOAS, and Dr. Burcu Ozcelik, a Senior Research Fellow at RUSI, explore the fraught landscape of the Middle East. They discuss the risks of wider conflict stemming from recent uprisings and the complex dynamics between Israel and Iran. With a focus on Hezbollah's capabilities, U.S. foreign policy's potential shifts, and the global ramifications of the Gaza conflict, the conversation is both timely and insightful.

Angela Rayner, the Housing Secretary, reveals her vision for a new National Planning Policy Framework aimed at boosting economic growth. Sir John Armitt, chair of the UK’s National Infrastructure Commission, shares insights on planning complexities and infrastructure challenges. Catriona Riddell discusses the shift of planning responsibilities to local authorities and its ensuing complications. Anthony Breach critiques recent reform proposals, highlighting misconceptions about planning as a barrier to development, while emphasizing the need for streamlined approaches to housing and infrastructure.

Machine learning has come on in leaps and bounds in recent years. Bigger, more powerful computers can crunch ever more amounts of data, analysing complex information just as accurately, it’s claimed, as the best specialists and at speeds humans can never achieve. With the potential to make a significant difference to healthcare - helping to diagnose disease, summarise patients’ medical notes, even predict health conditions years before any symptoms appear. But how long before the potential benefits become a reality? And what are the possible pitfalls? Join David Aaronovitch and a panel of guests to find out. Guests: Madhumita Murgia, Artificial Intelligence Editor, Financial Times and author of Code Dependent: Living in the Shadow of AI Mihaela van der Schaar, Professor of Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence and Medicine at Cambridge University Pearse Keane, Consultant ophthalmologist at Moorfields Eye Hospital and a Professor of Artificial Medical Intelligence at UCL Dr Jessica Morley, Post-doctoral researcher at the Digital Ethics Centre, Yale UniversityPresenter: David Aaronovitch Producers: Sally Abrahams and Rosamund Jones Sound engineers: Dafydd Evans and Neil Churchill Editor: Richard Vadon

Surveys suggest that at least one in four of us will suffer from anxiety and depression during our lifetimes. The prevalence of these conditions is one of the reasons given for poor school attendance. And it's estimated that these mental health disorders account for 12.5% of all sickness leave in the UK. So what’s caused such an explosion in mental distress and what, if anything, can be done to bring down the numbers? Join David Aaronovitch and a panel of guests to find out.Guests: Professor Jennifer Wild, a consultant clinical psychologist and professor of experimental psychology at the University of Oxford Dr Jennifer Dykxhoorn, a psychiatric epidemiologist at University College, London Dr Sharon Neufeld from Cambridge University Medical School and Thalia Eley, professor of developmental behavioural genetics at Kings College, LondonPresenter: David Aaronovitch Producers: Rosamund Jones and Sally Abrahams Sound engineers: Rod Farquhar and Neil Churchill Editor: Richard Vadon

Half the UK population will get cancer during their lifetime - and rates are rising. Each year, around 385,000 people in the UK are diagnosed and around 167,00 lives are lost to the disease. But scientists are developing new therapies, including personalised vaccines and targeted drugs, that attack cancer cells directly and more effectively. It's hoped this pioneering work could lead to better survival rates. David Aaronovitch and guests discuss promising developments in cancer care - to find out how significant they might be. Guests: Professor Charles Swanton, chief clinician at Cancer Research UK and deputy clinical director at the Francis Crick Institute; Dr Olivia Rossanese, Director of the Centre for Cancer Drug Discovery at the Institute of Cancer Research; Christian Ottensmeier, Professor of Immuno-Oncology at the University of Liverpool; Professor Alan Melcher, Consultant Clinical Oncologist at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation TrustPresenter: David Aaronovitch Producers: Rosamund Jones and Sally Abrahams Sound engineers: Rod Farquhar and Neil Churchill Editor: Richard Vadon