Unspun World with John Simpson

Aired 2022-02-23

Unspun World provides an unvarnished version of the week's major global news stories - reliable, honest and essential viewing. The BBC's world affairs editor John Simpson brings his experience and expertise to bear on the most important international stories. In discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, he uses their unique local knowledge to go beyond the headlines to get to the unspun truth about the world.

Aired 2022-03-02

John Simpson is in Finland this week - a country very impacted by the events in neighbouring Russia and Ukraine. In discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, he examines why the intelligence on Putin's Ukraine intentions was so accurate, how the war is being reported in the Russian media and what China's attitude is to the conflict.

Aired 2022-03-09

John Simpson examines how Russian military strategy in Ukraine has fared, how the war has transformed American foreign policy and what is Africa’s attitude towards Russia and the conflict.

Aired 2022-03-16

Unspun World provides an unvarnished version of the week's major global news stories - reliable, honest and essential viewing. The BBC's world affairs editor, John Simpson, brings his experience and expertise to bear on the most important international stories. In discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, he uses their unique local knowledge to go beyond the headlines to get to the unspun truth about the world.

Aired 2022-03-23

John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, examines what repercussions the war in Ukraine might have on the Iran nuclear deal. He also considers the disinformation war being fought on social media over the conflict, and how the war in Ukraine has led Britain and other countries to face up to queries over billionaires trying to sportswash questionable money.

Aired 2022-03-30

Unspun World provides an unvarnished version of the week's major global news stories - reliable, honest and essential viewing. The BBC's world affairs editor John Simpson brings his experience and expertise to bear on the most important international stories. In discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world he uses their unique local knowledge to go beyond the headlines to get to the unspun truth about the world.

Aired 2022-04-06

John Simpson is in Ukraine, speaking to BBC correspondents on the ground about what it’s been like to cover the conflict there. He examines the impact of the conflict on collaboration between Russia and the west over space exploration, and finds out how the Taliban’s latest declarations are impacting on life in Afghanistan.

Aired 2022-04-13

John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, gets the latest on reporting on the front line of the war in Ukraine from the BBC’s Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen, explores the effect of a potential Le Pen French presidency on Europe, and looks at the worsening economic situation in Sri Lanka.

Aired 2022-05-04

John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, looks at the long-term strategic picture of the war in Ukraine, how the war is reshaping the global economy, and what impact the conflict could have on climate change.

Aired 2022-05-11

This week John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses Vladimir Putin’s options in Russia’s war with Ukraine. They also examine the role of Russian mercenaries in fighting Jihadists in Mali and, on the eve of elections in Lebanon, look at the challenges the country is facing.

Aired 2022-05-18

This week John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, looks at the views of Ukrainians on the progress of the war against Russia, analyses why North Korea has - for the first time - confirmed cases of Coronavirus in the country and, examines the first conclusive proof that a gargantuan black hole lives at the centre of our galaxy.

Aired 2022-05-25

John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses how the war in Ukraine has changed Europe and Germany’s place in it. They look at the continuing outcry over the death of Shireen Abu Aqla, the Al Jazeera correspondent killed in the West Bank, and discover why record numbers of Cubans are migrating to the United States.

Aired 2022-06-01

John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, looks at whether a change is imminent at the top of Chinese politics, analyses the progress and the cost of Russia’s war against Ukraine and examines the extraordinary DNA evidence that scientists have retrieved from the ruins of Pompeii.

Aired 2022-06-08

John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, explores the impact of Western arms supplies to Ukraine, analyses the state of South Africa amid allegations of endemic government corruption and examines cases of stolen antiquities in Egypt.

Aired 2022-06-15

Unspun World provides an unvarnished version of the week's major global news stories - reliable, honest and essential viewing. The BBC's world affairs editor, John Simpson, brings his experience and expertise to bear on the most important international stories. In discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, he uses their unique local knowledge to go beyond the headlines to get to the unspun truth about the world.

Aired 2022-06-29

This week John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, looks at what Russians make of the dangers of a wider war with the west, examines what life is like in Syria now and analyses whether international sport is at risk of being overwhelmed by Middle Eastern oil money.

Aired 2022-06-22

This week, John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, examines what lessons can be learnt from the Covid pandemic; analyses whether Brexit has done long-term damage to the UK; and looks at the International Criminal Court’s investigations into war crimes in the Ukraine.

Aired 2022-07-06

John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, looks at the depth of the political divides in the United States, examines the Russian targeting of civilians in the Ukraine war and talks to former BBC cameraman Peter Jouvenal, who has just been released from jail in Afghanistan, about his experience of captivity there.

Aired 2022-07-13

John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, looks at the shocking details of war crimes committed by Russian soldiers in the war in Ukraine, analyses President Biden’s visit to the Middle East, and questions whether there is a future for medical care free at the point of use in the UK and other western countries.

Aired 2022-09-07

Unspun World provides an unvarnished version of the week's major global news stories - reliable, honest and essential viewing. The BBC's world affairs editor, John Simpson, brings his experience and expertise to bear on the most important international stories. In discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, he uses their unique local knowledge to go beyond the headlines to get to the unspun truth about the world.

Aired 2022-09-21

John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts, looks at the way in which the world paid their respects to the Queen, analyses how Russia's war in Ukraine is turning in the latter's favour, and examines the way Iran's women are responding to the increasingly brutal crackdown on the way they dress.

Aired 2022-09-28

John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyse whether the referendums on joining Russia in the four Russian-occupied provinces of Ukraine increases the risks of a nuclear war in Ukraine. They examine what Russia’s chaotic performance in that war could mean for Vladimir Putin’s future and take a look at Kenya’s new President, William Ruto.

Aired 2022-10-05

John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, reports from the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv. He looks at how concerned people there are about the war and analyses Russia’s recent approach to the conflict. He also examines how the recent mini-budget in Britain could affect the UK economy.

Aired 2022-10-12

John Simpson reports from the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv. In discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, he looks at how Ukrainians are reacting to a potential escalation in the war with Russia. He examines the response in China to the Russian performance in the conflict and analyses whether the demonstrators in Iran can succeed in forcing social and political reforms in the country.

Aired 2022-10-19

John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, looks at the political and economic turmoil in the UK, examines the changes in Russian tactics in the war in Ukraine and analyses the crucial role that social media has played in the demonstrations in Iran.

Aired 2022-10-26

John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses the challenges facing the UK’s new prime minister, Rishi Sunak, looks at what daily life in Ukraine is like with Russia targeting power supplies there and examines the effects of climate change in northern Norway.

Aired 2022-11-02

John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, looks at what life is like for Ukrainians under Russian occupation. Ahead of the next big international climate summit John analyses whether it is already too late to save our planet, and he examines the potential impact of the US mid-term elections on the Biden Presidency.

Aired 2022-11-09

John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, examines whether there is anything world leaders can do at the climate change summit in Egypt to stop the world heating up, analyses to what extent the possible return of Benjamin Netanyahu as Israeli prime minister would shift Israel to the right, and looks at the issues that might taint the Qatar World Cup.

Aired 2022-11-23

John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, examines whether there is growing fatigue in Europe with the war in Ukraine, analyses the significance of North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un appearing with his daughter for the first time, and looks at what it means for the global population to reach 8 billion people.

Aired 2022-11-30

John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses the demonstrations in China, examines whether Nato countries would support an attempt by Ukraine to recapture Crimea from the Russians and looks at what difference the Iranian football team can make to the political battleground in Iran.

Aired 2022-12-07

John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses if there is a way out of the war in Ukraine for Vladimir Putin, examines whether the deep political divisions in the United States have started to heal, and looks back at a political rollercoaster of a year in the United Kingdom.

Aired 2022-12-14

John Simpson looks back at 2022's highlights from his discussions with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, from analysing the war in Ukraine to looking at protests in Iran and China to examining what the world is doing to tackle climate change.