History Behind the Headlines

The news of Sir Keir Starmer's resignation as prime minister and leader of the Labour Party means that the UK is set to have its seventh PM in ten years. But what are the historical factors that have led to this instability? And what comparisons can we meaningfully draw to the political unrest of previous decades, including the 1920s and 1970s? In this episode, regular panellists Rana Mitter and H...

US business leader Elon Musk has been in the headlines again in recent weeks, as a result of becoming the world's first trillionaire. But how were enormously rich people seen in past centuries? In this episode, regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter explore how Musk's forerunners were regarded, and how they accrued their wealth in the first place. Meanwhile, a high-profile row about defen...

There have been plenty of headlines over the past month about the possible financial impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. But what does history tell us about the ways in which the impact of war has been felt far from the battlefield? Regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter chronicle some of the most dramatic examples, from medieval England to the Second World War. Plus, with...

The past fortnight has seen headlines here in the UK dominated by news of potential leadership challenges to Labour prime minister Sir Keir Starmer, following the party's heavy losses in recent local council elections in Wales, Scotland and England. But how were such bids to topple leaders mounted in the past? And what happened to those who tried, and failed? Regular panellists Rana Mitter and Han...

King Charles's recent visit to the United States prompted much commentary on both sides of the Atlantic, with particular praise given to his speech to Congress. But at what other moments in recent history has the royal family been used as a way to reach a political goal? And what did this 'soft diplomacy' look like in the medieval era? Regular panellists Rana Mitter and Hannah Skoda share their th...

A high-profile spat between Pope Leo and leading figures in the US administration has made headlines in recent weeks, after United States president Donald Trump and vice-president JD Vance disagreed with comments the pope made about US-Israeli actions in the war with Iran. But it's far from the first time that the papacy and other powerful figures have butted heads. In this episode, regular panell...

The loan of the Bayeux Tapestry from France to the UK has caused great excitement, but also some concerns. Lord Peter Ricketts is the UK government's Bayeux Tapestry Envoy, and here in conversation with David Musgrove, he gives the lowdown on how the loan is progressing. ----- GO BEYOND THE PODCASTThere is a wealth of Bayeux Tapestry content on the HistoryExtra site, including a comprehensive five...

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has dominated news coverage, and episodes of this podcast, in recent weeks – and because we chose to focus on those pressing events, some other stories have taken a back seat. So, in this special episode, regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter catch up with some of the headlines we’ve missed over the past few months, from new theories about the nint...

Recent US actions in the Middle East have challenged the established world order, and called into question existing diplomatic and political norms. But how different is today’s diplomacy from that of the Second World War or the Cold War? And what does history tell us about the best way to deal with convention-busting figures such as President Trump? In this bonus episode of History Behind the Head...

Almost a month in, the Iran conflict has begun to have an impact on the world’s supplies of oil and gas – particularly as a result of Iran’s effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s busiest shipping channels. But what’s the longer story of our reliance on particular resources? And what have the historical consequences been when they’re jeopardised? In this episode, regular pa...

The conflict in the Middle East continues into a second week, with fighting between the United States, Israel, Iran and US-allied states in the region continuing to escalate. Senior US officials have given a range of reasons for launching the war, and disquiet about its causes and consequences has led to a lack of popular support in the US and reports of a fraying of its ‘special relationship’ wit...

One story has dominated headlines in recent days: the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. The younger brother of King Charles has been released under investigation following his arrest on 19 February on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The news followed an announcement by Thames Valley Police that they were assessing a complaint over the alleged sharing of confidential material by the f...

This week has seen reverberations continue from the latest release of files relating to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Here in the UK, the government has been rocked by questions about the nature of his relationship with senior Labour figure Peter Mandelson, and suggestions that sensitive information may have changed hands. In this episode, regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter look back...

From Greenland and Venezuela to his speech at Davos, the past few weeks have seen US president Donald Trump make a series of big moves on the world stage. But how historically unprecedented have his actions been? And is it right to see his administration as weaponising history for political ends? To assess whether we are witnessing what Canadian prime minister Mark Carney has called a “rupture” in...

At the start of January, the United States government launched a military operation in Venezuela, capturing its president Nicolás Maduro and announcing that the US would run the nation until it deems that there can be "a proper and judicious transition”. Meanwhile, Donald Trump and figures around him have also made repeated suggestions that the US needs to claim Greenland for reasons of national s...

In this special bonus episode of History Behind the Headlines, historians Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter – plus host Matt Elton – pick the historical insights that stood out for them from across the past 12 months. From war in the Middle East to a new pope and surprising revelations about Adolf Hitler, we reveal the ways in which the past helps us make sense of today’s news. Clips taken from: Papal...

As we head into the Christmas season, regular panellists Rana Mitter and Hannah Skoda look back at the key historical parallels, books and anniversaries of the past 12 months – and the history that might shape the year to come. If you have any questions that you'd like Rana and Hannah to tackle, get in touch: podcast@historyextra.com For more fascinating stories from the past, head to HistoryExtra...

The prospect of a peace agreement in the Ukraine-Russia war has been in the news over the past week, as delegates met in Geneva in an attempt to work out a deal. The story is still evolving – but which historical treaties offer useful comparisons? Regular panellists Rana Mitter and Hannah Skoda consider the parallels. Plus: as the UK reacts to the chancellor’s Budget, we explore the history behind...

A recent documentary drawing conclusions from new analysis of Adolf Hitler’s DNA has sparked headlines around the world. But how did the programme’s researchers get hold of the key evidence? And what issues – and implications – are prompted by linking the Nazi leader with a range of physical and psychological conditions?   In this bonus episode of History Behind the Headlines, two of the experts b...

Regular panellists Rana Mitter and Hannah Skoda take a look at the history behind crises facing two British institutions in recent months: the royal family and the prison system. How did monarchs in past centuries deal with family members embroiled in scandal? And do recent headlines about escaped inmates tell us something about our shifting view of incarceration? Plus, what happens when a politic...

The history world was shaken earlier this month when thieves stole 19th-century jewellery thought to be worth 88 million euros from the Louvre Museum in Paris. In this episode, regular panellists Rana Mitter and Hannah Skoda discuss some of the greatest historical heists of past centuries – and explore whether museums can learn any lessons from the recent robbery. For more fascinating stories from...

Headlines in recent days have been dominated by news of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. This follows two years of heightened conflict that has had a devastating impact on the Middle East, and which has also spilled over to cause tensions in other parts of the world. In this episode, regular panellists Rana Mitter and Hannah Skoda are joined by Eugene Rogan, Professor of Modern Middle Eastern...

Historian, author and broadcaster David Olusoga is among the famous faces to feature on new TV series The Celebrity Traitors, which launches in the UK next Wednesday, 8 October on BBC One. But what are the opportunities, and dangers, when historians become celebrities? And to what extent should history be entertainment? Regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter share their thoughts. Plus: hi...

Following the killing of prominent conservative activist Charlie Kirk, tensions have been running high in the United States. But what parallels can history offer us to help make sense of recent events? Regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter are joined by fellow historian Adam IP Smith to discuss the key context. Plus, a historian's eye view of President Trump's recent state visit to the U...

Recent weeks have seen thousands of St George's and union flags being flown in villages, towns and cities around England. But what's the real history behind those symbols? In this episode of our fortnightly podcast charting the history behind breaking news stories, regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter discuss their origins. Plus what a set of 17th-century diaries tell us about life duri...