A major winter storm is currently sweeping across the United States, bringing life-threatening conditions and leaving hundreds of thousands of homes without power. Meanwhile, in the UK, scores of flood warnings and alerts are in place following strong winds and heavy rain.

In today's episode of HistoryExtra’s series History Behind the Headlines: Briefing, Hannah Skoda from the University of Oxford explores the ways in which such extreme weather affected societies in past centuries – and how catastrophe was often met with surprising resilience.

-----

GO BEYOND THE PODCAST 

And if you’ve enjoyed this episode, why not become a member of HistoryExtra for access to thousands of ad-free podcasts, hundreds of hours of video and a huge archive of articles from leading historians: https://www.historyextra.com/subscribe/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

US president Donald Trump claimed in an interview last Thursday that Nato troops "stayed a little back, a little off the front lines" during fighting in Afghanistan in the years after 2001. The comments sparked anger, particularly in the UK, and at the weekend Trump praised the role of UK soldiers in the conflict. 

But what's the history behind the reaction? In this episode of HistoryExtra’s series History Behind the Headlines: Briefing, Sam Edwards from Loughborough University explores the relationship between the US and Nato since 9/11.

For further historical analysis of the latest breaking news, don't miss HistoryExtra's History Behind the Headlines podcast: https://play.megaphone.fm/vv4s-xn6tfmntfojkacmna

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Japan’s prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, has unexpectedly called a general election despite riding high in the polls – and only being in office since October. In this episode of HistoryExtra’s series History Behind the Headlines: Briefing, Chris Harding from the University of Edinburgh explores why the roots of the present troubles date back to the postwar world order.

-----

GO BEYOND THE PODCAST

And if you’ve enjoyed this episode, why not become a member of HistoryExtra for access to thousands of ad-free podcasts, hundreds of hours of video and a huge archive of articles from leading historians: ⁠https://www.historyextra.com/subscribe/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The relationship between the United States and United Kingdom has been under the spotlight in recent days, after US president Donald Trump called the UK’s 2025 deal to give the Chagos Islands to Mauritius and lease back a key military base as an “act of great stupidity”. But is this really a new low for the alliance? In this episode of HistoryExtra’s History Behind the Headlines: Briefing, Sam Edwards from Loughborough University looks back at its ups and downs.

-----

GO BEYOND THE PODCAST

And if you’ve enjoyed this episode, why not become a member of HistoryExtra for access to thousands of ad-free podcasts, hundreds of hours of video and a huge archive of articles from leading historians: ⁠https://www.historyextra.com/subscribe/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

US president Donald Trump has restated his desire for the United States to have "complete and total control" of the autonomous territory of Greenland – but what's the longer context behind the story? In the first episode of HistoryExtra's new series History Behind the Headlines: Briefing, Sam Edwards from Loughborough University brings you the history you need to make sense of the latest breaking news.

-----

GO BEYOND THE PODCAST

And if you’ve enjoyed this episode, why not become a member of HistoryExtra for access to thousands of ad-free podcasts, hundreds of hours of video and a huge archive of articles from leading historians: https://www.historyextra.com/subscribe/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It can sometimes feel like the world is changing faster than ever before. But help is at hand: HistoryExtra's podcast History Behind the Headlines: Briefing tasks expert historians with bringing you the history you need to make sense of the headlines – in five minutes or less. 

For more expert historical insights into the backstories behind today news, don't miss HistoryExtra's podcast series History Behind the Headlines: https://play.megaphone.fm/vv4s-xn6tfmntfojkacmna

And for access to thousands of ad-free podcasts, hundreds of hours of video and a huge archive of articles from leading historians, visit the HistoryExtra website and become a member today: https://www.historyextra.com/subscribe/⁠

History Behind the Headlines: Briefing is a HistoryExtra production.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices