The Global Story

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America and... the Middle East Oct 29, 2024

Show notes

How could Kamala Harris or Donald Trump affect Israel, Gaza and the wider region? The spiral of violence in the Middle East – from the Hamas attacks on October 7, to the catastrophic loss of Palestinian life, to Israel’s growing fights with Hezbollah and Iran – has dominated US foreign policy and become a major issue in this year’s presidential election campaign. Harris and Trump both say they want to bring peace and security to the region. So how do they plan to do it?

On this episode, Sumi Somaskanda speaks to the BBC’s International Editor Jeremy Bowen in Jerusalem and the BBC’s North America Correspondent Nada Tawfik.

You can listen to our other special episodes looking at the impact the US election might have around the world here:

America and... the World: https://link.chtbl.com/gqWrGSMT

America and... the war in Ukraine: https://link.chtbl.com/9pQYuDqP

America and... China: https://link.chtbl.com/CNFrjcPA

America and... Climate change: https://link.chtbl.com/zgemOWRX

America and…Migration https://link.chtbl.com/TGSmigration

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: Peter Goffin, Beth Timmins and Richard Moran

Sound engineer: Mike Regaard and Ben Andrews

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: Sara Wadeson

The dangers of China’s cyber-nationalism Oct 28, 2024

Show notes

A Japanese schoolboy was fatally stabbed by a stranger outside a school in China last month. The killing caused outrage and increased diplomatic tensions between Tokyo and Beijing. Japan blamed the attack on rising xenophobia and online nationalism in China. It was the third high-profile attack on a foreigner in recent months, all of which China has described as “isolated incidents”.

On this episode, Katya Adler is joined by BBC digital journalist Fan Wang, and Kerry Allen, who is a China media analyst at BBC News. They discuss whether growing Chinese cyber-nationalism is fuelling violence against foreigners and what impact it is having on China’s reputation abroad.

Producers: Alice Aylett Roberts and Mariana Hernández Carrillo

Sound engineers: Stephen Bailey and Hannah Montgomery

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: Sara Wadeson

Israel strikes back: What will Iran do next? Oct 26, 2024

Show notes

Iran has downplayed the impact of a series of Israeli airstrikes on military facilities that have raised fears of further escalation. Early on Saturday, Israel carried out what it described as “precise and targeted” airstrikes in response of "months of continuous attacks" from Iran.

On this episode, Azadeh Moshiri speaks with the BBC’s Chief International Correspondent Lyse Doucet and Parham Ghobadi from BBC Persian. They examine the immediate and broader implications of these attacks and discuss the big question: What does Tehran do next?

The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists worldwide. You can contact us at theglobalstory@bbc.com

Producer: Alice Aylett Roberts

Sound engineer: Mike Regaard

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: Sara Wadeson

Path to the Presidency: A very tight race Oct 26, 2024

Show notes

Just a few days ahead of election day, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are neck and neck in the polls. The BBC’s Caitríona Perry, Sumi Somaskanda, and Katty Kay explore the intricacies of this tight race and discuss whether one candidate in the US presidential election holds the lead.

Every weekend The Global Story brings you "Path to the Presidency," where we delve into the state of the race and examine what’s on the minds of those closest to it.

The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists around the world. 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.

Producer: Aiden Johnson

Sound engineer: Hannah Montgomery

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: Sara Wadeson

Ukraine’s women at war: The Witches of Bucha Oct 25, 2024

Show notes

The women of Ukraine are on the frontline in many respects. They make up the majority of those fleeing abroad to escape the war and protect their children. They are also increasingly keeping Ukrainian society functioning, as more and more men are conscripted into the army to fight. The Witches of Bucha, as they call themselves, are a volunteer air defence unit made up almost entirely of women, now helping to protect Ukraine’s skies.

On this episode, Katya Adler is joined by the BBC’s Eastern Europe correspondent Sarah Rainsford, who has just returned from a reporting trip to Bucha, and BBC Journalist Olga Malchevska, who is from Ukraine. They look at how Ukrainian women have been stepping up and filling the gaps left behind by the country’s men at war. They also discuss how the conflict may change traditional gender roles in Ukraine.

Producers: Tom Kavanagh and Eleanor Sly

Sound engineers: Mike Regaard and Hannah Montgomery

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: Sara Wadeson

Canada, India, and their diplomatic death spiral Oct 24, 2024

Show notes

Canada and India are locked in a fierce diplomatic row, after Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau doubled down on allegations that senior Indian officials were involved in the murder of a Sikh activist on Canadian soil. Delhi has called the claims "preposterous", and last week the two nations expelled their top diplomats, as relations sank to a historic low. Such a rapid public escalation between democracies is considered largely unprecedented in modern diplomacy, so how are Canada's western allies reacting?

On this episode Caitríona Perry is joined by the BBC's South Asia correspondent Samira Hussain, and diplomatic correspondent James Landale. They examine the fallout, explain why the issue of Sikh separatism is so controversial in India, and consider the strategic dilemma the US and others are facing as they debate their own response.

The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists worldwide. We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us 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, Mhairi MacKenzie, and Alix Pickles

Sound engineers: Phil Bull and Hannah Montgomery

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: Sara Wadeson

Does Australia want the British monarchy? Oct 23, 2024

Show notes

King Charles’s first visit to Australia since becoming the head of state has reignited the debate over cutting ties with the royals. His tour has been met with fanfare and protest; cheers and heckles — including by Senator Lidia Thorpe in Parliament. So what do Australians think of the monarchy’s role in their country? What would it take to become a republic? Is there still a place for the monarchy in Britain’s former colonies?

On this episode Lucy Hockings speaks to the BBC’s Australia correspondent Katy Watson and Royal correspondent Sean Coughlan.

Producers: Peter Goffin and Alix Pickles

Sound engineer: Jack Graysmark and Philip Bull

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: Sara Wadeson

America and… Migration Oct 22, 2024

Show notes

How might Donald Trump or Kamala Harris try to tackle immigration to the US? People crossing the southern border has become a hot button topic in the next month’s election. Former president Donald Trump’s forceful policies have helped him motivate a base of loyal supporters. Whereas Vice-President Harris has had just weeks to convince Americans that she has a plan. What do we know about their policies, how they differ and what impact they would have?

Sumi Somaskanda speaks to our Mexico, Central America and Cuba correspondent, Will Grant. He explains why so many people are leaving the region and how the next president might impact its southern neighbours. And our politics reporter in Washington DC, Bernd Debusmann, helps us separate the facts from the headlines on one of the election's most contentious political issues.

You can listen to our other special episodes looking at the impact the US election might have around the world here:

America and... the World: https://link.chtbl.com/gqWrGSMT

America And... the war in Ukraine: https://link.chtbl.com/9pQYuDqP

America and... China: https://link.chtbl.com/CNFrjcPA

America and... Climate change: https://link.chtbl.com/zgemOWRX

Producers: Richard Moran, Eleanor Sly and Mariana Hernández Carrillo

Sound engineer: Mike Regaard and Ben Andrews

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: Sara Wadeson

Why are there millions of empty homes in Japan? Oct 21, 2024

Show notes

Abandoned houses – or “akiyas” – have become a symbol of the crisis facing Japan’s population. But a wave of young foreign bargain hunters has started snapping up some of these abandoned homes, inspired by viral DIY videos and social media influencers.

Lucy Hockings speaks to the BBC’s Tokyo correspondent Shaimaa Khalil, who has been to meet some of the people bringing akiyas back to life.

Producers: Peter Goffin, Alix Pickles and Alice Aylett Roberts

Sound engineer: Mike Regaard

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: Sara Wadeson

US election: The big issues ahead of the vote Oct 20, 2024

Show notes

Sumi Somaskanda and Anthony Zurcher respond to questions about the upcoming US election. In this collaboration between The Global News Podcast, The Global Story, and Americast, Oliver Conway presents listener questions on the key topics shaping the vote.

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