The Global Story

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How Trump 2.0 could reshape the Middle East Jan 22, 2025

Show notes

It's a moment of change in the Middle East. A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, and Hezbollah in retreat in Lebanon. Iran and its proxies are weakened and Syria has slipped from its grasp. Now, with President Trump officially installed in the White House, what impact might his presidency have on the region? Will he forge new ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia? And what about his rocky relationship with Iran? To discuss, Jonny Dymond is joined by the BBC’s security correspondent Frank Gardner.

The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists worldwide. We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell #TheGlobalStory. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com You can also message us or leave a voice note via WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.

Producers: Alice Aylett Roberts, Laurie Kalus and Eleanor Sly

Sound engineers: Hannah Montgomery and Jonny Baker

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: China Collins

President Trump is back Jan 20, 2025

Show notes

Donald Trump has been sworn in as the 47th US president. In his inaugural speech he promised to put America first and said "the golden age of America begins right now". The ceremony, held inside the Capitol building because of freezing temperatures in Washington, saw Mr Trump flanked by his family, political allies, and the billionaires running Silicon Valley’s biggest tech firms.

Mr Trump said he would immediately begin a review of trade policies - and that new tariffs would bring in massive amounts of money to enrich Americans at other countries' expense. He repeated threats to take over the Panama Canal - claiming that China had taken control of the waterway.

The Global Story has teamed up with other BBC podcasts to dissect Trump's speech. Jonny Dymond is joined by James Cook and Chris Mason from Newscast, Anthony Zurcher and Marianna Spring from Americast, and Victoria Derbyshire from Ukrainecast.

Producers: Richard Moran, Jack Maclaren, Teodora Agarici and Shiler Mahmoudi

Sound engineer: Ricardo McCarthy

Assistant editors: Sergi Forcada Freixas and Chris Gray

Senior news editors: China Collins and Sam Bonham

(Photo: Donald Trump during his inauguration as 47th US president. Credit: Chip Somodevilla/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

Inside the White House on inauguration day Jan 20, 2025

Show notes

As oaths and speeches ring out across Capitol Hill on inauguration day, we take you inside the White House where unseen junior staffers are scrambling to prepare for four years in office. And we ask whether Donald Trump’s second term, armed with a Republican-controlled Congress, is set to be more effective than his first.

Jonny Dymond speaks with Katie Johnson, President Barack Obama’s former personal assistant, about what it was like to enter the White House on inauguration day in 2009. Jonny also speaks with Courtney Subramanian about how Donald Trump's second presidential term might differ to his first.

The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists worldwide. We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell #TheGlobalStory.

Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com You can also message us or leave a voice note via WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.

Producers: Laurie Kalus, Tom Kavanagh and Kate Eagleton-Etheridge

Sound engineer: Dafydd Evans

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: China Collins

(Picture: White House. Credit: BBC)

Path to the Presidency: Inauguration (weather) forecast Jan 18, 2025

Show notes

With just hours to go before Donald Trump's second term as president official begins, extreme weather conditions in Washington DC have led to last minute changes to his inauguration.

On this episode, Caitríona Perry is joined by Sumi Somaskanda and Courtney Subramanian to talk about how Donald Trump's second term might be different and what President Biden might do next.

The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists worldwide. And every Saturday until the inauguration of Donald Trump on the 20th of January, we bring you an update on his Path to the Presidency. Follow or subscribe to The Global Story wherever you get your BBC podcasts, so you don't miss an episode. You can email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com

Producer: Richard Moran, Peter Goffin, Eleanor Sly and Charlie Jones

Sound engineers: Mike Regaard and Jack Graysmark

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: China Collins

Biden's diplomatic legacy: Afghanistan, Ukraine and Gaza Jan 17, 2025

Show notes

As Joe Biden’s term as President of the United States draws to a close, he’s trying to define his international legacy. From the Ukraine war, to the Gaza ceasefire, to the US pulling out of Afghanistan; Biden’s tenure has seen US involvement in multiple world events and conflicts. So how will his impact beyond American shores be remembered? And has he left the US stronger or weaker than it was before he took office?

The BBC’s diplomatic correspondent, James Landale, speaks with The Global Story’s Jonny Dymond to discuss the effect that Joe Biden’s presidency has had on different parts of the world. We also hear the stories of some of those who have been directly affected by US foreign policy in Ukraine and Afghanistan.

Producers: Alice Aylett Roberts, Eleanor Sly and Peter Goffin

Sound engineer: Dafydd Evans and Mike Regaard

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: China Collins

Israel and Hamas agree to a ceasefire in Gaza Jan 16, 2025

Show notes

Following intense negotiations, Israel and Hamas have arrived at a ceasefire deal to end more than 15 months of war in Gaza. All Israeli hostages being held by Hamas will be released, while Israel’s soldiers will withdraw fully from Gaza, and allow 600 aid trucks per day to enter the devastated territory. Despite outgoing US president Joe Biden’s insistence that the terms of the deal are similar to what his administration had put before both parties back in May, the man waiting to take his place in the White House, Donald Trump, is already taking credit for getting Hamas and the Israeli government to the agreement.

The BBC’s Chief International Correspondent Lyse Doucet joins The Global Story’s Jonny Dymond to break down the terms of this landmark agreement, and tells us how the warring parties ultimately arrived at an accord.

Producers: Richard Moran, Tom Kavanagh and Beth Timmins

Sound engineer: Mike Regaard

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: China Collins

Hope and loss after 15 months of Israel-Gaza conflict Jan 15, 2025

Show notes

After 15 months of conflict, a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is in sight. But the war has left so many dead, so much destroyed, and a region shaken and redrawn.

As so many are hoping for a deal that will quiet the guns, we're using this moment to take stock. Jonny Dymond speaks to BBC Middle East correspondent Hugo Bachega about what has been lost, and whether anything has been gained, after 466 days of war.

Producers: Richard Moran, Beth Timmins and Mhairi MacKenzie

Sound engineer: Gareth Jones

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: China Collins

LA fires: “It was like watching the end of the world” Jan 14, 2025

Show notes

It’s been a week since wildfires started sweeping through Los Angeles, California, destroying swathes of the city and reducing communities, homes and schools to little more than rubble and ash. The inferno has now ravaged an area larger than Manhattan. Some fires have been extinguished but many are still burning, and with warnings in place for high winds, LA’s exhausted firefighters and residents have more difficult days ahead. Jonny Dymond speaks with BBC freelance reporter Lucy Sheriff about her experience of evacuating and losing her house and community, all while six months pregnant. They also discuss what rebuilding Los Angeles might look like. The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists worldwide. We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell #TheGlobalStory. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com You can also message us or leave a voice note via WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480. Producers: Alice Aylett Roberts, Peter Goffin, Eleanor Sly and Richard Moran Sound engineers: Ben Andrews and Jonny Baker Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas Senior news editor: China Collins

Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni: The saga explained Jan 13, 2025

Show notes

Ever since the release last summer of her box office hit It Ends With Us, Blake Lively has been dominating gossip columns, as a reported rift with co-star Justin Baldoni became increasingly public. Rumours and allegations followed, from sexual harassment and smear campaigns to bullying and creative sabotage. But rival lawsuits filed by the pair in recent weeks have fanned the flames, shedding new light on the covert warfare of celebrity PR in the process.

On this episode, Lucy Hockings speaks to BBC entertainment reporter, Yasmin Rufo who has been following the story and interviewed Blake Lively on the red carpet at the UK premiere for the movie.

Producers: Laurie Kalus, Beth Timmins and Peter Goffin

Sound engineer: Mike Regaard

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: China Collins

(Picture: Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively. Credit: Reuters/Caitlin Ochs)

Path to the Presidency: Unconditional discharge Jan 11, 2025

Show notes

US President-elect Donald Trump has been sentenced to unconditional discharge over his hush money conviction. Trump has been spared any penalty, including jail time or a fine, but he will still take office as the first US president with a felony conviction.

On this episode, Caitríona Perry is joined by Sumi Somaskanda and Courtney Subramanian to discuss the impact Donald Trump's sentencing could have on his presidency. Plus, the political dispute which has ensued following the most destructive wildfires ever to hit Los Angeles, and how some of the incoming president’s picks could fare as they prepare to face crucial confirmation hearings.

Producer: Tom Kavanagh

Sound engineer: Gareth Jones

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: China Collins

(Picture: Donald Trump during a news conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. Credit: Reuters)

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