US officials are sending the “Merchant of Death” — a notorious arms dealer named Viktor Bout — back to Russia in exchange for the WNBA star’s release. We revisit our conversation with author Douglas Farah, author of “Merchant of Death: Money, Guns, Planes, and the Man Who Makes War Possible.”
This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Paul Mounsey, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.
Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained  
Support Today, Explained by making a financial contribution to Vox! bit.ly/givepodcasts
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The prisoner swap for Brittney Griner

Today, Explained is Vox's daily news explainer podcast. Hosts Sean Rameswaram and Noel King will guide you through the most important stories of the day.

Part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.

News

Politics

Daily News

Yes, but it’s hard. Inside Higher Ed’s Josh Moody and UC Merced’s Charlie Eaton explain.
This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Rob Byers, and hosted by Noel King.
Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast
Support Today, Explained by making a financial contribution to Vox! vox.com/givepodcasts 
Please take a second to help us learn more about you! vox.com/podcastsurvey
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is divesting from Israel possible?

Venice is drowning in tourists. A new fee for day-trippers is the latest tool aimed at keeping overtourism at bay.
This episode was produced by Amanda Lewellyn, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Rob Byers, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.
Transcript at https://www.vox.com/today-explained-podcast
Support Today, Explained by making a financial contribution to Vox! vox.com/givepodcasts
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The tourist tax

Media behemoth Paramount Global is struggling. Stock prices are down. The CEO was just ousted. And the head of this family business is ready to cash out. Puck’s Matthew Belloni explains what comes next.
This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Matt Collette, engineered by Rob Byers, and hosted by Noel King.
Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained
Support Today, Explained by making a financial contribution to Vox! vox.com/givepodcasts
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Paramount’s looking for a deal they can’t refuse

Avian flu, which recently leapt from chickens to cows, has now been detected in milk. Vox’s Keren Landman and Kenny Torrella explain how worried humans should be about the outbreak.
This episode was produced by Haleema Shah, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Amina Al-Sadi, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.
Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained
Support Today, Explained by making a financial contribution to Vox! vox.com/givepodcasts
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One Flu Over The Cowcow’s Nest

Officials say “Day Zero” is imminent in Mexico City. A walk through the city reveals the historical roots of the water crisis, its present-day challenges, and the potential solutions.
This episode was produced by Jesse Alejandro Cottrell, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard with help from Anouck Dussaud, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.
Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained
Support Today, Explained by making a financial contribution to Vox! vox.com/givepodcasts
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The prisoner swap for Brittney Griner

Download our free app to listen on your phone