11/02/2026: Who Runs Gaza? Japan Votes, US Puts Social Media on Trial
This week John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, explores who is actually governing Gaza at the moment, analyses the Prime Minister of Japan's landslide election victory, and looks at a landmark trial in the US that will determine whether social media giants are responsible for harming children who use their platforms.
More from Series 5
Episode 1
30/04/2025
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses the role Donald Trump played in the Liberal Party's election victory in Canada, looks at the extent of the Turkish military presence in northern Iraq and examines whether the legacy of Pope Francis will endure under his successor.
Episode 2
07/05/2025
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses Russia's current strategy in the war against Ukraine, looks at the preparations the Polish are making for a possible Russian invasion of their country and examines the escalating tensions between Israel and the Palestinians in the West Bank.
Episode 3
14/05/2025
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, asks what the government of Benjamin Netanyahu really wants to do with Gaza. He also examines China's efforts to lessen its reliance on the United States for trade and looks at attacks against critics of the Iranian regime on foreign soil.
Episode 4
21/05/2025
James Landale, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses the UK's new deal with the EU, looks at the possible impact of the lifting of US sanctions in Syria and examines scientists' attempts to discover the origin of life itself.
Episode 5
28/05/2025
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses whether criticism from within Israel will force Netanyahu’s government to change its approach to the war in Gaza, examines the impact Russia’s latest onslaught is having on Ukrainian citizens, and looks at the conflict in Cameroon between security forces and armed separatists over the independence of the country’s two English-speaking regions.
Episode 6
04/06/2025
This week John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses the impact of the election of a right wing President on Poland's government. Examines the long-term effects of the ongoing civil war in Sudan and looks at the continued attempts by the Chinese authorities to suppress any public remembrance of the Tiananmen Square massacre.
