Today, Explained

The Cold War started earlier than we think — and maybe never ended at all. Historian Calder Walton says understanding the US-Soviet conflict prepares us for this era of tensions with Russia and China.

This episode was produced by Amanda Lewellyn, edited by Matt Collette with help from Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Rob Byers, and hosted by Noel King.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained

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Tech companies are racing to make new, transformative AI tools, with little to no safeguards in place. This is the second episode of “The Black Box,” a two-part series from Unexplainable.

This episode was reported and produced by Noam Hassenfeld, edited by Brian Resnick and Katherine Wells with help Meradith Hoddinott, and fact-checked by Tien Nguyen. It was mixed and sound designed by Vince Fairchild with help from Cristian Ayala. Music by Noam Hassenfeld.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained

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The researchers who create and study tech like ChatGPT don’t understand exactly how it’s doing what it does. This is the first episode of “The Black Box,” a two-part series from Unexplainable.

This episode was reported and produced by Noam Hassenfeld, edited by Brian Resnick and Katherine Wells with help from Byrd Pinkerton and Meradith Hoddinott, and fact-checked by Serena Solin, Tien Nguyen, and Mandy Nguyen. It was mixed and sound designed by Cristian Ayala with music by Noam Hassenfeld.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained

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Saying “it’s over,” Spain’s World Cup-winning women are using an unwelcome kiss to try to end sexism in sports.

This episode was produced by Haleema Shah with help from Jon Ehrens, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact checked by Laura Bullard and Hady Mawajdeh, mixed by David Herman, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained

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Taking cues from striking actors and writers, reality TV stars are lobbying for better treatment from networks like Bravo and Netflix.

This episode was produced by Siona Peterous and Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by David Herman and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sam Sanders.

If you liked this episode, check out Sam’s pop culture podcast Into It from Vulture and the Vox Media Podcast Network: https://bit.ly/intoit-tex

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained

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Long-shot presidential candidate Ron DeSantis said he would send US forces into Mexico “on day one.” Longer-shot presidential candidate Will Hurd explains why that’s a bad idea.

This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh with help from Miles Bryan, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained

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China’s ambitious youth planned to cash in on their country’s meteoric rise on the world stage. Instead, many of these 20-somethings are disillusioned and “lying flat.” Economist Nancy Qian explains why.

This episode was produced by Haleema Shah, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Serena Solin, engineered by Cristian Ayala and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sam Sanders.

If you liked this episode, check out Sam’s pop culture podcast Into It from Vulture and the Vox Media Podcast Network: https://bit.ly/intoit-tex

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained

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With Lionel Messi, footy may have finally arrived in the United States. The Athletic’s Tom Bogert and Men in Blazers founder Roger Bennett explain how the Argentine superstar is transforming American soccer.

This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Serena Solin, engineered by Cristian Ayala, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained

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Wagner Group founder Yevgeny Prigozhin, the caterer-turned-warlord who recently attempted to overthrow Russia’s government, has apparently died in a plane crash. Puck's Julia Ioffe explains why it’s reasonable to suspect foul play.

This episode was produced by Amanda Lewellyn and Jon Ehrens, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Serena Solin, engineered by David Herman, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained

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Fox News desperately wants you to watch tonight’s Republican presidential debate. The Washington Post’s Erik Wemple explains why, and Vox’s Christian Paz has a primer.

This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Amanda Lewellyn and Serena Solin, engineered by David Herman, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained

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