The Inquiry

BBC

4,6 (49)
ACTUALITÉ : ANALYSES
CHAQUE SEMAINE

The Inquiry gets beyond the headlines to explore the trends, forces and ideas shaping the world.

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Cycling: Is it time to swap four wheels for two?

Conflict in the Middle East has led to volatility in global oil prices, pushing up fuel costs worldwide. Previous oil shocks prompted some countries to reconsider their reliance on cars, investing in alternatives such as cycling. In some places, this has become part of everyday life, while elsewhere it has proved more contested, reflecting wider political and cultural divides. Cycling offers benefits for health and the environment, but it is not practical for everyone. For many people, including those in rural areas or with limited mobility, cars remain everyday essentials. As oil price volatility continues to affect motorists, questions remain about how far behaviour can change. This week on The Inquiry, we’re asking: is it time to swap four wheels for two? Contributors: Meredith Glaser, CEO of Urban Cycling Institution, professor of cycling at Ghent University, Belgium, and a senior lecturer at the University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands Levke Sönksen, research associate at the German Institute of Urban Affairs, Germany Dr Eunhye Enki Yoo, professor of Geography at the University of Buffalo, US Martin Tillman, independent transport consultant, UAE Presenter: Gary O’Donoghue Producer: Matt Toulson Researcher: Evie Yabsley Editor: Tom Bigwood Technical Producer: Richard Hannaford Production Management: Phoebe Lomas and Liam Morrey (Photo: Cyclists ride bicycles in Amsterdam. Credit: George Clerk/Getty Images)

25 min
14 AVR.

How will countries boycotting Eurovision affect the contest?

Broadcasters from The Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland, Spain and Slovenia are all boycotting May’s Eurovision Song Contest because Israel is participating. Sources within Israel’s broadcaster say calls for it to be banned are unjustified, and organisers of the contest insist it must remain politically neutral, describing the event as "a platform for displaying the importance of peace and unity in a divided world". The boycott has sparked one of the biggest crises in Eurovision’s 70-year history. In several cases, the position to withdraw also reflects wider pressure from politicians and public opinion. How will countries boycotting Eurovision affect the contest?’ Contributors: Natalija Gorščak, president of the management board of RTV, Slovenia Dr Bárbara Barreiro León, lecturer in film and visual Culture, University of Aberdeen, UK Dr Heather Dichter, associate professor of sport history and sport management, De Montfort University, UK Dr Dean Vuletic, author Postwar Europe and the Eurovision Song Contest, Luxembourg Presenter/Producer: Daniel Rosney Editor: Tom Bigwood Sound Engineer: James Bradshaw Production Management: Phoebe Lomas and Liam Morrey (Photo: Eurovision flags. Credit: Georg Hochmuth/Getty Images)

24 min
7 AVR.

Is it time to scrap the Commonwealth Games?

For the second time in 12 years Glasgow is preparing to host the Commonwealth Games after Australia’s Victoria state pulled out because of increased costs. Victoria’s withdrawal raised questions about whether the 2026 games would go ahead before Glasgow agreed to step in. Staging a sporting mega-event is expensive and governments face increasing scrutiny over public spending. Victoria’s decision raised wider questions about affordability for potential hosts. At the same time, critics question the Games’ political relevance, given its origins in Britain’s colonial past. The Commonwealth Games Federation says the event can be delivered in a more sustainable way and argues that it brings cultural and economic benefits to host cities, but recent editions have run into significant costs and budget pressures. This week on The Inquiry, Tanya Beckett asks ‘Is it time to scrap the Commonwealth Games?’ Contributors: Dr Stuart Whigham, senior lecturer in sport, coaching and physical education at Oxford Brookes University, UK Dr Matthew McDowell, lecturer in sport policy, management, and international development at the University of Edinburgh, UK Dr Verity Postlethwaite, lecturer in strategic event management at Loughborough University, UK Professor Gayle McPherson, associate dean for research at the University of the West of Scotland, and director of legacy and community engagement for Commonwealth Games Scotland, UK Presenter: Tanya Beckett Producer: Matt Toulson Researcher: Evie Yabsley Editor: Tom Bigwood Technical Producer: Craig Boardman Production Management: Phoebe Lomas and Liam Morrey (Photo: 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medals. Credit: Adrian Dennis/Getty Images)

24 min
31 MARS

Why is basic income being debated?

Ireland has a new permanent government scheme providing regular cash transfers to 2,000 artists. The people who can access it range from circus performers to opera singers. It follows a pilot of more than three years, which is believed to have brought a return on investment to the economy. Big tech backs basic income schemes like this to offset the consequences AI is having on the workforce. Leading economists believe it could create a dystopian world. Nevertheless, more governments are piloting or planning to introduce schemes like this. Contributors: Dr Jenny Dagg, assistant lecturer, Maynooth University, Ireland Dr Catarina Neves, postdoctoral fellow, Utrecht University, The Netherlands Daron Acemoglu, 2024 Nobel Prize winner in economics, institute professor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, US Dr Jurgen De Wispelaere, acting chair of the Basic Income Earth Network. Presenter: Charmaine Cozier Producer: Daniel Rosney Researcher: Evie Yabsley Editor: Tom Bigwood Technical Producer: Craig Boardman Production Management: Phoebe Lomas and Liam Morrey (Photo: A customer withdraws euro bills from an ATM in Sofia. Credit: Bloomberg/Getty Images)

24 min
21 MARS

Is the revolution in Cuba over?

Cuba is facing one of its most severe humanitarian crises in decades. For years, Cuba relied heavily on oil from Venezuela. Those supplies have largely stopped, contributing to widespread fuel shortages. Electricity blackouts have become increasingly common, disrupting daily life across the country. The United States has blocked fuel shipments to Cuba as part of wider pressure linked to its economic and political policies. Meanwhile, the Cuban government has warned it will resist any external interference in its domestic affairs. With economic strain growing and living conditions worsening, this week on The Inquiry, we’re asking: ‘Is the revolution in Cuba over?’ Contributors: Lillian Guerra, professor of Cuban and Caribbean history at the University of Florida, US Ricardo Torres, research fellow at American University, US Christopher Sabatini, senior research fellow for Latin America at Chatham House, UK Renata Segura, programme director for Latin America and the Caribbean at the International Crisis Group, US Presenter: Tanya Beckett Producer: Matt Toulson Researcher: Evie Yabsley Editor: Tom Bigwood Technical Producer: Cameron Ward Production Management: Phoebe Lomas and Liam Morrey (Photo: Havana, the capital of Cuba, during a blackout in March 2026. Credit: Yamil Lage/Getty Images)

24 min
17 MARS

How can rewilding help combat climate change?

Rewilding, or letting nature take care of itself, can restore stability to damaged ecosystem components which support life on earth, like fungi, bacteria, vegetation, insects and animals. But there's now a wider discussion to discover what it’s capable of on a wider scale. International agreements for reducing the impact of climate change tend to set global targets. However, individual governments decide how to work towards meeting those goals at a national level. Some rewilding initiatives improve biodiversity, but it can have negative impacts too. This week on The Inquiry, we’re asking ‘How can rewilding help combat climate change?’ Contributors: Carolina Soto-Navarro, head of Wilder Nature at Rewilding Europe Brendan Fisher, professor in the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, at University of Vermont, US David Nogues Bravo, professor in biodiversity, University of Copenhagen, Denmark Steve Carver, professor of rewilding and wilderness science, University of Leeds, UK Presenter: Charmaine Cozier Producers: Jill Collins and Daniel Rosney Researcher: Evie Yabsley Editor: Tom Bigwood Technical Producer: Cameron Ward Production Management: Phoebe Lomas and Liam Morrey (Photo: Galapagos giant tortoise. Credit: Anadolu/Getty Images)

24 min
10 MARS

Why is Poland’s economy booming?

In February, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk posted a social media video celebrating new figures from the International Monetary Fund suggesting that the average person in Poland now has slightly more spending power than the average person in Spain, the European Union’s fourth largest economy. It’s a symbolic milestone for a country that emerged from communism just over three decades ago and once struggled with hyperinflation and economic upheaval. In 2025, Poland’s economy also passed the trillion-dollar mark, putting it in an elite group of just 20 countries globally. Investment from across the EU has helped drive growth. But can Poland keep its edge as labour shortages grow and the war in neighbouring Ukraine continues to shape the region? This week on The Inquiry, Tanya Beckett asks: Why is Poland’s economy booming? Contributors: Dr Pawel Bukowski, lecturer in economics at University College London and Polish Academy of Sciences, UK Iga Magda, associate professor at the Warsaw School of Economics, Poland Katarzyna Rzentarzewska, chief CEE macro economist at Erste Group Bank AG, Austria Rafal Benecki, chief economist at ING, Poland Presenter: Tanya Beckett Producer: Matt Toulson Researcher: Evie Yabsley Editor: Tom Bigwood Technical Producer: Cameron Ward Production Management: Phoebe Lomas and Liam Morrey (Photo: A high street in Warsaw. Credit: NurPhoto/Getty Images)

24 min
3 MARS

How will Spain’s migrant amnesty work?

Half a million people are in Spain without official permission. They come mainly from Colombia, Peru, Honduras, Paraguay, and Argentina. It’s thought that most outstay their work, student, or tourist visas. An amnesty to grant them legal status to remain and work is due to start within weeks. It's a very different approach from most other countries in Europe that have been tightening controls on migration. The prime minister has admitted “Some say we've gone too far, that we're going against the current”. Opposition parties argue that this policy puts pressure on public services. This week on The Inquiry, we’re asking: “How will Spain’s migrant amnesty work?” Contributors: Ismael Gálvez Iniesta, assistant professor, department of applied economics, Universitat de les Illes Balears, Spain Donna Cabrera, independent researcher, international migration lecturer, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Colombia Alana Moceri, international relations professor, IE University, Spain Joan Monràs, economics professor, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Spain Presenter: Charmaine Cozier Producer: Daniel Rosney Researcher: Evie Yabsley Editor: Tom Bigwood Technical Producer: James Bradshaw Production Management: Phoebe Lomas and Liam Morrey (Photo: Pedro Sánchez the Prime Minister of Spain. Credit: NurPhoto/Getty Images)

24 min

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ACTUS DU JOUR
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4,9 (33)

DOCUMENTAIRE
Jamie Bartlett asks why, in so many parts of modern life, fakery is no longer punished - it's rewarded. And why so many of us seem strangely unbothered by it.

5,0 (1)

TECHNOLOGIES
Where the world and America meet, with episodes each weekday. The world is changing. Decisions made in the US and by the second Trump administration are accelerating that change. But they are also a symptom of it. With Asma Khalid in DC, Tristan Redman in London, and the backing of the BBC’s international newsroom, The Global Story brings clarity to politics, business and foreign policy in a time of connection and disruption. Come and join us our live event. You can register for Castfest tickets here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/castfest-2026

4,7 (6)

ACTUS DU JOUR
The BBC’s space podcast. The story of Artemis II: Nasa’s mission to loop around the Moon. Nasa returned to the Moon for the first time in more than half a century. The Artemis II mission sent astronauts – on a spacecraft called Orion - around the Moon and to go further from Earth than any human in history. We followed Artemis II, with an episode every day during the mission. The story of Artemis II is told by space scientist, Maggie Aderin, and British astronaut, Tim Peake. They are joined by expert contributors, US space journalist Kristin Fisher and the BBC News Science Editor, Rebecca Morelle. Special guests include: John Blevins, chief engineer for Nasa’s Space Launch System (SLS) Jeremy Hansen, Artemis II astronaut Jacki Mahaffey, Artemis II chief training officer Professor Sara Russell, planetary scientist Dr Kelsey Young, lead science officer and lunar science lead for Artemis II Dr Anna Fisher, former space shuttle astronaut 13 Minutes is the BBC’s space podcast, telling epic space stories. It’s produced by the BBC Audio Science Unit for the BBC World Service. Theme music by Hans Zimmer and Christian Lundberg and produced by Russell Emanuel, for Bleeding Fingers Music. Previous seasons: Season 1: 13 Minutes to the Moon. The first Moon landing. In the final dramatic 13-minute descent to the Moon, the Apollo 11 mission came close to going badly wrong. Communication was breaking down, technology was failing and fuel was running out. This is the story of how the first Moon landing was saved. Presented by Kevin Fong. Season 2: Apollo 13. Apollo 13 should have been the third Moon landing, but after an explosion, it almost ended in tragedy. Told by the people who flew it and saved it. Presented and co-written by Kevin Fong. Season 3: The Space Shuttle. A sci-fi dream that changed spaceflight forever. From the boldest test flight in history to one of Nasa’s darkest days – the Challenger disaster. Space scientist Maggie Aderin tells the awe-inspiring story of the programme that brought triumph and tragedy. Some scenes in this series use recreated sound effects.

4,8 (152)

HISTOIRE
Spanning history, religion, culture, science and philosophy, In Our Time from BBC Radio 4 is essential listening for the intellectually curious. In each episode, host Misha Glenny and expert guests explore the characters, events and discoveries that have shaped our world. History fans can learn about pivotal wars and societal upheavals, such as the rise and fall of Napoleon, the Sack of Rome in 1527, and the political intrigue of the Russian Revolution. Those fascinated by the lives of kings and queens can journey to Versailles to meet Marie Antoinette and Louis XIV the Sun King, or to Ancient Egypt to meet Cleopatra and Nefertiti. Or perhaps you're looking to explore the history of religion, from Buddhism's early teachings to the Protestant Reformation. If you're interested in the stories behind iconic works of art, music and literature, dive in to discussions on the artistic genius of Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel and Van Gogh's famous Sunflowers. From Gothic architecture to the works of Shakespeare, each episode of In Our Time offers new insight into humanity's cultural achievements. Those looking to enrich their scientific knowledge can hear episodes on black holes, the Periodic Table, and classical theories of gravity, motion, evolution and relativity. Learn how the discovery of penicillin revolutionised medicine, and how the death of stars can lead to the formation of new planets. Lovers of philosophy will find episodes on the big issues that define existence, from free will and ethics, to liberty and justice. In what ways did celebrated philosophers such as Mary Wollstonecraft and Karl Marx push forward radical new ideas? How has the concept of karma evolved from the ancient Sanskrit texts of Hinduism to today? What was Plato's concept of an ideal republic, and how did he explore this through the legend of the lost city of Atlantis? In Our Time celebrates the pursuit of knowledge and the enduring power of ideas.

4,5 (104)

HISTOIRE

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4,6

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49 notes

Food for the brain

22/01/2020

pApAyA101

This podcast is so interesting because it breaks down big issues into one question, reviews it with experts and concludes an answer. I really enjoy listening because it is well structured and easy to understand. Nevertheless, it is not oversimplifying things and always good for thought-provoking.
EnnaLerrub

15/01/2020

EnnaLerrub

Since my husband died 3 years ago, podcasts have become my friends and constant companions - out walking, cycling commuting, at night, driving... They are compelling listening and there’s a different one for different moods. I love the cheekiness of Crowd Science, the gravitas and articulation of The Documentary, The Inquiry and The Real Story (though I miss its predecessor Newshour Extra and Owen Bennet Jones’ voice), with their ability to bring in outside people as witnesses and experts. BBC podcasts are the best of them all - more insightful, varied and believable. I know because I listen to French and Spanish ones too. Not a patch.
A rare review, and its 5/5

17/05/2018

david richinger

I listen to A LOT of podcasts- have since nearly “the beginning” - and rarely have I felt obliged to write such a positive review. Excellent journalism; well produced/packaged. So grateful to the BBC.
Balanced

10/03/2018

Clint Hyper Hyper Watchtick

I am not sure how the quality is consistently maintained, an amazing feat. Great team job. Thank you