The Inquiry

BBC

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NEWS COMMENTARY
EVERY TWO WEEKS

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

14 HR AGO

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". More than 160 million watch each year, and it is a competition between public service broadcasters - including the BBC - and not one between governments. 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. This week on The Inquiry we’re asking: ‘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 and Producer: Daniel Rosney Editor: Tom Bigwood Technical Producer: James Bradshaw Production Management: Phoebe Lomas and Liam Morrey (Photo: Eurovision flags. Credit: Georg Hochmuth/Getty Images)

24 min
7 APR

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 MAR

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 MAR

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 MAR

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 MAR

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 MAR

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
24 FEB

Can the world catch China in the rare earths race?

Control of critical minerals is becoming a source of geopolitical tension. They are essential to modern technology and industries around the world, and China currently dominates the mining and processing industry. As demand grows, governments in the United States and elsewhere are looking at ways to reduce their reliance on Chinese supply chains. That means investing in new mines and processing facilities even though they are expensive and environmentally toxic. Ultimately, the US and EU have a goal of diversifying the control of these lucrative elements. This week on The Inquiry, Tanya Beckett explores whether the rest of the world can catch up with China in the race for rare earths. Contributors: Julie Michelle Klinger, Associate Professor of Environmental Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, US Sophia Kalanzakos, global distinguished professor of environmental studies and public policy in the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayan scholars programme at NYU Abu Dhabi, UAE Kalim Siddiqui, international economist, UK Dr Patrick Schröder, senior research fellow in the Environment and Society Centre at Chatham House, UK Presenter: Tanya Beckett Producer: Matt Toulson Researcher: Evie Yabsley Editor: Tom Bigwood Technical Producer: Richard Hannaford Production Management: Phoebe Lomas and Liam Morrey (Photo: Trucks transporting minded materials. Credit: Las Vegas Review-Journal/Getty Images)

24 min

See All (590)

Gripping True Crime stories from neighbourhoods across the UK. Series 11. The Anglesey Vampire Killer How a brutal, occult-tinged murder shook a Welsh village to its core. Previously on Crime Next Door: Series 1. An Assassin Comes to Town Gunshots kickstart an extraordinary tale of state terrorism. Series 2. Servants and Saints Exploring the story and allegations of a global religious group. Series 3. Death on the Farm After fifty years the community of Llangolman seek justice. Series 4. The Salisbury Poisonings Follow the public inquiry into the death of Dawn Sturgess. Series 5. The Golden Toilet Heist Exploring a story of art, mystery and a solid gold toilet stolen from a British palace. Series 6: Who Killed The Shakoors? A father's fight for justice after surviving a house fire that killed his family. Series 7. The Ballad of Big Mags A vigilante matriarch with dark secrets comes to regret stepping into the media spotlight. Series 8. When a Catfish Kills ‘Chloe’ isn’t a real girl. She’s a catfish and her demands have fatal consequences. Series 9. The Cop, The Kidnap and The Killer A girl is kidnapped from her home by a man known as 'The Black Panther'. A ransom note is found and police must race to bring the teenager home. Series 10. The Vanishing Cyclist The baffling story of a cyclist who vanished in the Scottish Highlands.

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TRUE CRIME
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.

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HISTORY
A weekly programme that illuminates the mysteries and challenges the controversies behind the science that's changing our world.

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SCIENCE
Topical comedy from the sharpest satirical minds in the business. Listen first on BBC Sounds, every Friday. Is the news driving you up the wall? You’re not alone. Let the comedians take the strain and work out what’s been funny this week. Features BBC Radio 4’s The News Quiz, Dead Ringers, The Naked Week and Too Long; Didn’t Read. Listen on BBC Sounds, seven days earlier than anywhere else, and subscribe to make sure that you don’t miss an episode.

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COMEDY
Tim Harford explains - and sometimes debunks - the numbers and statistics used in political debate, the news and everyday life

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MATHEMATICS
They steal billions: Cyber Hack investigates the alleged cyber gangs and the heists and hacks they’re accused of carrying out. No one is said to be safe. From Hollywood studios, to international banks, from crypto exchanges to small businesses and health care companies, law enforcement agencies say they cause chaos around the globe. Who will be next? And where is the money going? Latest season: Evil Corp. The Russian Evil Corp is accused of being a family crime gang, responsible for stealing hundreds of millions of dollars. Law enforcement agencies say they are “the most pervasive cybercrime group to ever have operated”. No one is off limits – not even a group of nuns in Chicago. Previously on Cyber Hack: The Lazarus Heist. This hacking group is said to be behind the biggest crypto heist in history, stealing billions of dollars in the process. Investigators blame North Korea’s state-backed hackers The Lazarus Group, and say the stolen money is being used to finance its nuclear weapons and missile development programs. Pyongyang denies involvement. Among the Lazarus Group’s many targets are Hollywood’s Sony Entertainment and the Bank of Bangladesh. ATMs are cleaned out of money, while its operatives live double lives in a hacker hotel. But where does the money trail lead?

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TRUE CRIME