The Strait of Hormuz — the narrow waterway that carries 20% of the world’s oil — is now an active war zone. What in the World tracks the disruption and explains who’s feeling the impact. To hear more, search What in the World wherever you get your BBC podcasts

John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses whether the Iranian regime will survive, looks at what Israel and the United States are aiming to achieve in their war with Iran, and examines whether Iran’s attacks on countries in the Gulf will change the balance of power in the region.

Producer: Kate Cornell

Events in Iran have led news bulletins, alongside ongoing wars in Ukraine and Sudan. As crises compete for attention, questions are being raised about whether reporting captures a wider shift in global power or centres on immediate developments. Christina Lamb, Chief International Correspondent at The Sunday Times, Aaron Bastani, co-founder of Novara Media, and Sir John Tusa, former Managing Director of the BBC World Service, discuss the media’s role in uncertain times.

Production credits

Sumi Somaskanda, Courtney Subramanian and Fin Gomez look at one of the most talked-about Senate races - the Texas primaries. For Republicans, it is about who can win the President’s endorsement. For Democrats, success here could shape party strategy for months and years to come.

John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, explores the mood in Ukraine after four years of war, examines how the war has changed Russia, and looks at whether Russia’s long sporting isolation is coming to an end.

Producer: Kate Cornell

An image of Andrew Mountbatten Windsor leaving police custody made front pages around the world. It quickly became the defining picture of the latest stage in the crisis linked to Jeffrey Epstein. Suzanne Plunkett, Chief Photographer at Reuters, outlines how her colleague Phil Noble secured the shot, and Arthur Edwards, Royal Photographer at The Sun, reflects on how single images can frame the narrative around the Royal Family.

Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins

On this episode: Sumi Somaskanda, Bernd Debusmann and Fin Gomez look ahead to next week’s State of the Union address. It’s a chance for President Trump to talk up his achievements one year back in office - and lay out his vision for the year ahead. What do we expect to see – and what surprises could pop up?

John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses the state of the transatlantic alliance, explores whether the Iranian regime can survive, and looks at the consequences of the repeal of key environmental regulations in the United States.

Producer: Kate Cornell

Ros Atkins sits down with MTV co‑founder Tom Freston to explore how the channel became a global cultural force, the turning points of his career, and the themes of his new book. Freston reflects on MTV’s early days, creative risk‑taking, and what he has learned from decades shaping the media industry.

Can President Trump keep Republican lawmakers on side? Caitríona Perry, Sumi Somaskanda and Bernd Debusmann look back at a week where we saw Congress push back against President Trump on key issues like the Epstein files, ICE presence in Minneapolis - and his tariffs. It wasn’t just from Democrats - some Republicans are speaking out against the President.