The Global Jigsaw

Russia looking for new friends in Africa spells new trouble for a turbulent region. The Central African Republic has in recent years become one of Moscow’s main hubs of influence operations on the continent. What drew the Kremlin-linked mercenary group Wagner to this resource rich country that was never part of the Soviet sphere of influence?

The Communist Party weighs in on sexual politics, making noises about what it means to be a man. It says it needs to push back against foreign influences including K-pop and what it calls “sissy culture”. Where does that leave Chinese women - and feminism? And is there a connection with so-called Wolf Warrior diplomacy?

Producers: Lucy Bailey, Kriszta Satori

The heated vox pop debates going viral in Turkey. As the cost of living crisis bites, heated arguments play out in cities and online. The street-corner videos, watched by millions, debate everything from the price of cucumbers to sky-high rents. And they have become a powerful alternative to state-controlled media.

The Syrian militant leader wanted by the West, but who wants to be its friend. With a bounty on his head, Abu Mohammed al Jawlani spins his propaganda machine in the rebel stronghold of Idlib, wearing western suits and taking selfies with the locals. What’s behind his transformation?

What’s the story you are being told and why? We live in times of information wars, weaponised narratives, captured media, information spaces turned into halls of mirrors. How can we understand the world better and the agendas driving those narratives? We track and analyse media in up to 100 languages to show you the world through the eyes of its media - where powerful interests battle to influence your views. Think of us as your media detectives, lifting the language barrier so you get the bigger picture.