The Global Story

Michael Steinberger, journalist and author of The Philosopher in the Valley, breaks down Palantir and Alex Karp’s rise from philosophy student to tech CEO. He explains the company’s secretive CIA roots and its expansion into government, healthcare, AI and wartime support. The conversation covers controversies around surveillance, political ties, protests and Palantir’s rapid pivot into AI.

Marianna Spring, BBC senior correspondent who investigates social media and moderation, breaks down TikTok’s US shakeup and the political optics around its new owners. She traces user reports of glitches, the platform’s outage explanation, and how a Minnesota shooting intensified censorship fears. The conversation spotlights how tech, politics, and trust collide online.

Norberto Paredes, BBC Mundo correspondent reporting from Caracas and Maracaibo, gives on-the-ground views of life after Maduro’s capture. He discusses daily life and cost-of-living struggles, prison visits and hopes for releases, divided opposition politics, and mixed local reactions to possible US involvement in Venezuela’s oil sector.

Helena Merriman, journalist and host of a BBC history-investigation series, revisits the 1999 Russian apartment bombings. She recounts the timeline of the attacks, the Ryzan drill scandal, and how the blasts propelled Putin into power. The conversation explores early reporting, investigations stifled by secrecy, and what the events reveal about narrative control in Russia.

Will Grant, BBC Central America and Cuba correspondent with on-the-ground Havana reporting. He outlines decades of U.S. pressure on Cuba. He explains the oil-for-services bond with Venezuela and its security implications. He describes public reactions in Havana, the impact of recent U.S. moves, and how Cuba might cope if Venezuelan support ends.

Ani Lucia Lopez-Bellosa, an immigrant detained and later deported after crossing from Honduras as a child, shares her immigration ordeal. Sherry Blanchard, a bookkeeper tied to a four-generation Louisiana shrimping family, describes the industry’s collapse and the impact of tariffs. They discuss intensified immigration enforcement, personal consequences of deportation, the shrimping economy’s decline, and how tariffs reshaped prices and livelihoods.

Frank Gardner, BBC security correspondent renowned for his insights on global conflicts, delves into Donald Trump's newly launched Board of Peace. He discusses its ambitious aim to address worldwide crises, originally beginning with the Gaza peace plan. Gardner highlights early successes but warns of potential neglect of Gaza as the Board expands. He examines its corporate-style branding and questions the accountability of Trump's leadership. The conversation raises provocative comparisons to the UN and speculates on the Board's true impact on international security.

Lyse Doucet, BBC's chief international correspondent, dives into Mark Carney's bold Davos speech urging middle powers to unite against the backdrop of rising tensions with Trump. She unpacks Carney's vision for a new global order and discusses the impact of his trade negotiations with China. The conversation contrasts Carney's nuanced approach with Trump's more simplistic proposals, while exploring Canadian identity and the unsettling idea of becoming the '51st state' under Trump's leadership. Doucet also touches on Canada’s preparedness for potential US aggression.

The podcast dives into the recent devastating protests in Iran, revealing a deadly government crackdown and the role of economic grievances in sparking mass unrest. Journalists share challenges of reporting under internet blackouts, with creative methods to gather information. Discussions highlight the high death tolls and the regime's brutal response, including labeling protesters as terrorists. Experts assess why the movement failed to topple the government, attributing it to severe repression and lack of organization, while contemplating the future of resistance in Iran.

Joe Inwood, a BBC world news correspondent, dives into the uproar surrounding the U.S. interest in Greenland. He discusses strong pushback from European leaders and how Trump's comments reignited tensions. Inwood explains the rationale behind Trump's assertive stance on Greenland as a security asset and the threats of tariffs that followed. He also warns of the potential long-term risks for U.S.-European relations, suggesting that trust may be irreparably damaged, and highlights the implications for the transatlantic alliance.