The Global Story

The Islamic State group dominated headlines in the years after seizing large swathes of territory in Syria and Iraq in 2014. The footage they shared of their brutal attacks and executions horrified the world, but attracted thousands of international recruits. Mina al-Lami from BBC Monitoring tells us that the groups fortunes fell in 2023, with them claiming far fewer attacks. And Josh Baker from The Shamima Begum Story podcast joins us to explain why they still pose a credible threat. The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC experts around the world. We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell The Global Story. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com. You can also message us or leave a voice note on WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480. #TheGlobalStory This episode was made by Richard Moran. The technical producer was Jack Graysmark. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

Jon Ronson on the origins of some of today’s most divisive issues. The acclaimed writer gives a peek into season two of his new BBC podcast series, Things Fell Apart. It details how seemingly random events, including an argument between a teenager and her mother and a misdiagnosis in a series of murders in Miami, came together in a few short weeks in May, 2020 to shake The United States and beyond.He tells Katya Adler about how these personal stories spiral beyond private lives to impact wider society, and what bearing they might have on the upcoming US presidential election.The Global Story delivers trusted insights from BBC experts around the world. We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell The Global Story. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com. You can also message us or leave a voice note on WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480. #TheGlobalStorySeason two of Things Fell Apart is available as a box set on BBC Sounds or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was made by Neal Razzell and Beth Ashmead Latham. The technical producer was Jack Graysmark. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

TB Joshua, an evangelical pastor with millions of followers, is exposed for alleged systematic rape, physical abuse, and forced abortions in his church. The podcast investigates the atrocities, shares survivor stories, and discusses the need for accountability in religious organizations.

Taiwan is going to the polls on January 13th to pick its new President and the island's future relationship with China is a key election issue.The opposition KMT wants closer ties with mainland China – the country that sees Taiwan as a breakaway province. But the ruling party, the DPP, wants to strengthen Taiwan's partnership with other countries. Both are concerned about military threats coming from Beijing.Our correspondent in Taipei, Rupert Wingfield-Hayes and our Asia Pacific editor, Celia Hatton, join host James Reynolds to look at how elections in Taiwan could decide its future with China.The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC experts around the world. We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell The Global Story. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com. You can also message us or leave a voice note on WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480. #TheGlobalStory This episode was made by Alice Aylett Roberts and Beth Ashmead Latham. The technical producers were Mike Regaard and Ricardo McCarthy. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

Kamala Harris, the first woman, first Asian-American, and first black vice-president of the United States, is examined in this podcast. Topics include her struggle to secure the Democratic nomination, her performance as vice-president, challenges and criticisms faced, and analysis of her ratings and potential for the job.

Drone and rocket attacks on cargo ships in the Red Sea have led many of the world's biggest shipping companies to announce they will avoid the area. The attacks are by the Houthis - an Iran-backed rebel group which controls a large part of Yemen and began after the start of the Israel-Hamas war. In this episode, BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner joins host James Reynolds to look at why the Houthis attacked the ships, who backs them and what it means for protection in the region.The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC experts around the world. We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell The Global Story. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com. You can also message us or leave a voice note on WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480. #TheGlobalStoryThis episode was made by Alice Aylett Roberts and Beth Timmins. The technical producers were Matt Hewitt and Ricardo McCarthy. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

Experts discuss the potential impact of AI on elections, including the spread of misinformation, targeting voters individually, and the dangers of AI manipulation. They also highlight the role of social media algorithms, negative partisanship, and the importance of reliable news sources and face-to-face conversations in combating AI interference in elections.

US health officials have declared that the country is facing an epidemic of loneliness that's as dangerous to health as smoking. The World Health Organisation has launched a commission to look into the health implications of loneliness with surveys consistently suggesting that one in four people around the world feel lonely.We look at what’s behind these huge numbers and explore solutions with the BBC’s global health correspondent, Tulip Mazumdar, and Professor Manuela Barreto, who was part of the largest study into loneliness to date.The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC experts around the world, with Katya Adler. We’re keen to hear from you, wherever you are in the world. #TheGlobalStory We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell The Global Story. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com You can also message us or leave a voice note on WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.Today’s episode of The Global Story was made by Beth Timmins and Wendy Parker. The technical producer were Matt Hewitt and Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

We look at how journalists get their hands on declassified documents, and how the release of these files can inform us about the true workings of government. BBC correspondent Sanchia Berg and Phil Tinline, a producer of historical documentaries for the BBC, tell us about some of the memorable documents they’ve come across, and how perusing the archives can offer valuable insight into the events of the past.The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC experts around the world, with Katya Adler. We’re keen to hear from you, wherever you are in the world. #TheGlobalStory We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell The Global Story. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com You can also message us or leave a voice note on WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.Today’s episode of The Global Story was made by Charlotte McDonald and Tom Kavanagh. The technical producer was Mike Regard. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

In this episode of The Global Story, host Katya Adler delves into the phenomenon of the Netflix series The Crown and its impact on historical accuracy. Joined by guests Elinor Evans, digital editor of the BBC History Magazine’s website History Extra, and the BBC’s royal correspondent Sean Coughlan, the episode explores the show's popularity, its attempts at historical accuracy, and the controversies surrounding its portrayal of significant events.As the acclaimed Netflix series concludes, this episode explores the blurred lines between reality and drama, reflecting on how The Crown interprets iconic figures like Princess Diana or Queen Elizabeth II.The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC experts around the world, with Katya Adler. We're keen to hear from you, wherever you are in the world. #TheGlobalStory We want your ideas, stories, and experiences to help us understand and tell The Global Story. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com. You can also message us or leave a voice note on WhatsApp at +44 330 123 9480. Today's episode of The Global Story was made by Charlotte McDonald, Bethan Ashmead Latham and Richard Moran. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas, and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.