The Briefing Room

The UK is experiencing more rain and more floods than previously, and because of climate change this is set to get worse. More than 6 million homes are at risk of flooding in the UK. What is the state of the country’s flood defences? Can people get insurance? What can we do to prepare for a wetter future?David Aaronovitch is joined by the following experts: Louise Slater, Professor of Hydroclimatology at the University of Oxford Edmund Penning-Rowsell, Research Associate at Oxford University Centre for the Environment Hannah Cloke, Professor of Hydrology at the University of Reading Steven Forrest, Lecturer in Flood Resilience and Sustainable Transformations, Hull UniversityProduction team: Nick Holland, Kirsteen Knight and Charlotte McDonald Production Co-ordinator: Sophie Hill and Katie Morrison Sound: Neil Churchill Editor: Richard Vadon

It’s been another difficult week for local government. Birmingham City Council announced it needs to make up to 600 redundancies to help balance its books and Middlesbrough Council decided to apply to the Government for £15m of emergency funding to avoid effective bankruptcy. Also this week new figures have been released showing just how much debt some local authorities hold. And it’s a lot. Since 2021 there have been six councils which have declared themselves effectively bankrupt. Given the responsibilities of local government that feels serious for many of us. So what are the financial pressures facing councils and why?David Aaronovitch is joined by the following experts: Aileen Murphie, specialist adviser to the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities select committee and former National Audit Office Director Tony Travers, visiting Professor at the LSE’s Department of Government Kate Ogden, Senior Research Economist at the Institute for Fiscal Studies.Production team: Nick Holland, Kirsteen Knight and Charlotte McDonald Production Co-ordinators: Sophie Hill Sound: Andy Fell Editor: Richard Vadon

As if the conflict in Gaza wasn’t bad enough, the fighting has ignited old and new tensions elsewhere across the region. Since the surprise attack by Hamas on 7th October, clashes on the Lebanon-Israel border have restarted, attacks on US troops stationed in Syria and Iraq have escalated and a group of Houthi armed rebels from Yemen has started firing rockets at cargo ships trying to access the Suez Canal from the Red Sea. So in this week’s programme David Aaronovitch asks how close the war in Gaza is to becoming a wider conflict across the Middle East. David is joined by the following experts: Frank Gardner, BBC’s Security Correspondent. Dr Elisabeth Kendall, Arabist & Middle East specialist and also The Mistress of Girton College at the University of Cambridge. Jane Kinninmont, Policy & Impact Director at the European Leadership Network. Scott Lucas, Professor of International Politics at University College Dublin’s Clinton Institute.Production team: Nick Holland, Kirsteen Knight and Charlotte McDonald Production Co-ordinators: Sophie Hill Sound: Neil Churchill Editor: Richard Vadon

It’s almost 4 years since the UK left the European Union. Recent polls show a majority of people want to re-join the EU. But is this a realistic option?So in this week’s programme David Aaronovitch asks could we re-join the EU if we wanted? If we did, would it be of any benefit to the UK? And under what terms would the EU have us back?David is joined by the following experts: Peter Foster, Public Policy Editor at Financial Times Mujtaba Rahman, Managing Director for Europe at Eurasia Group who advise investors on political risk Jill Rutter a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Government who directed the organisation's work on Brexit Anand Menon, Director of the UK in a Changing Europe Production team: Sophie Eastaugh, Kirsteen Knight and Alex Lewis Production Co-ordinators: Katie Morrison Sound: Rod Farquhar Editor: Richard VadonPhoto by ANDY RAIN/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock (13998647a)

Aliens are back on the radar after a US Congressional hearing in the summer that featured former intelligence officer, David Grusch. The US Air Force veteran was once part of a task force created to look into what used to be called UFOs. Mr Grusch gave evidence that caused a sensation in America, claiming that the US military had, for decades, been in possession of crashed UFOs and 'non-human biologics'. His shocking claims were evidence that, whatever their accuracy, both created and reflected a growing and serious debate - from astrophysicists and astrobiologists to policymakers about what if anything, is out there. Anything alive and anything civilised. So, as 2023 turns into 2024, what is the state of our understanding about whether or not we are alone in space? David Aaronovitch explores the history of UFOs stretching back to the 1940s and discusses whether intelligent life exists beyond Earth. David Aaronovitch talks to: Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock, British space scientist and science educator Garrett Graff, Journalist and historian. Author of ‘UFO: The Inside Story of the U.S. Government's Search for Alien Life Here ― and Out There’. Avi Loeb, Astrophysicist and Baird Professor of Science at Harvard University Monica Grady, Professor of Planetary and Space Science at the Open University.Presenter: David Aaronovitch Producer: Sally Abrahams Sound: James Beard and Neil Churchill Editor: Richard Vadon Archive Credits: Congressional Hearing on Unidentified Aerial Phenomena, 26 July 2023 courtesy of C-Span

Housing charity Shelter’s latest figures show that homelessness has risen rapidly in the last year. In England, 279,400 people are living in temporary accommodation - an increase of 14% - most of whom are families. And the government’s own figures reveal that almost half (47%) of families who are homeless in temporary accommodation have been there for more than two years. Councils have a legal duty to house families and people who are vulnerable if they lose their homes, but the acute shortage of affordable homes means they are having to rely on temporary accommodation for long periods. So what can be done to fix the growing numbers who find themselves homeless?David Aaronovitch is joined by the following expert guests: Christine Whitehead, Housing Economist, London School of Economics Rachelle Earwaker, Senior Economist, Joseph Rowntree Foundation Matthew Wilkins, Head of Value for Money, Centre for Homelessness ImpactProduction team: Kirsteen Knight, Alex Lewis and Sophie Eastaugh Production Co-ordinators: Jacqui Johnson and Sophie Hill Sound: Rod Farquhar Editor: Richard Vadon

Euthanasia is currently illegal in the UK. Attempts to change the law have so far failed. However other countries have legalised assisted dying and/or euthanasia. In this programme David Aaronovitch finds out what their experience has been and what, if anything, the UK could learn from that.Joining David on the programme are:- Imogen Goold: Professor of Medical Law at University of Oxford - Agnes van der Heide: Erasmus University Medical Center in Rotterdam - Thaddeus Pope: Professor, Health Law Institute, Mitchell Hamline School of Law (Minnesota, USA) - Richard Huxtable: Professor of Medical Ethics and Law at the University of BristolProduction: Kirsteen Knight, Alex Lewis and Claire Bowes Production Co-ordinators: Jacqui Johnson and Gemma Ashman Sound: James Beard Editor: Richard VadonThis programme was first broadcast on 14 December 2023 and has been amended to reflect changes since then.

The start of Ukraine’s counter-offensive against occupying Russian forces was hailed as the breakthrough moment of the war so far. Now six months on, we ask what happened?The Secretary General of NATO has said we should be ‘prepared for bad news’ and the White House has warned that the US is running out of time and money to fund the war. In this week's Briefing Room with David Aaronovitch we find out why things haven’t progressed as hoped and how much Ukraine’s key backers still support the war.Joining David to discuss are: Shashank Joshi - Defence Editor at The Economist Michael Clarke - Professor of Defence studies and Specialist Advisor to the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy Karin Von Hippel - Director General, Royal United Services Institute Prof. Dr. Daniela Schwarzer - Executive Board member of the Bertelsmann Stiftung, a German foreign policy think tank based in BerlinProduction: Kirsteen Knight and Alex Lewis Production Co-ordinators: Jacqui Johnson and Sophie Hill Sound: Neil Churchill Editor: Richard Vadon

UK net migration hit a record 745,000 in 2022 according to recently revised figures from the Office for National Statistics.That means the numbers coming to live in the UK were almost three quarters of a million more than those leaving.Reducing the numbers of people entering the country has long been a government priority with famous promises to reduce it to “tens of thousands”. In a post-Brexit era it had been assumed that the figures would naturally decline, but that hasn’t been the case. David Aaronovitch invites you into his briefing room to discover what these numbers mean for the UK.He’s joined by: Jay Lindop, Director, Office for National Statistics, Centre for International Migration Heather Rolfe, Director of Research and Relationships at the think tank British Future. Madeline Sumption, Director of Migration Observatory, University of OxfordProduction: Sally Abrahams, Kirsteen Knight, Alex Lewis Production Co-ordinator: Jacqui Johnson + Sophie Hill Sound: Neil Churchill Editor: Richard Vadon

In recent weeks, and for obvious reasons, all eyes have been on Gaza. But more Palestinians live in the West Bank, the other Palestinian territory, and the area is critical forany chances of durable peace. Or to an expansion of the violence. So what is happening there right now? What is likely to happen? And does it entail more disaster or hold out the prospect of a settlement? David Aaronovitch talks to Dr Anne Irfan, historian of the modern Middle East at University College London, Dalia Hatuqa, independent journalist specialising in Palestinian-Israeli affairs, Anshel Pfeffer, senior correspondent for Haaretz and Israel correspondent for The Economist, and Dr Louise Kettle, assistant professor of international relations at the University of Nottingham and associate fellow at RUSI.Production: Alex Lewis, Kirsteen Knight, Sally Abrahams Production Co-ordinator: Jacqui Johnson Sound: Rod Farquhar Editor: Richard Vadon

Israel and Hamas are at war and there are no signs of a quick resolution. But what would a resolution actually look like and who's actually going to try and negotiate one?David Aaronovitch talks to: Shashank Joshi, Defence editor at The Economist Steven Erlanger, Chief Diplomatic correspondent in Europe for The New York Times Professor Lina Khatib, Director of the Middle East Institute at SOAS University of LondonProduction: Ben Carter, Sally Abrahams and Kirsteen Knight Production co-ordinator: Sophie Hill and Jacqui Johnson Sound: Neil Churchill Editor: Richard Vadon

David Aaronovitch and guests talk through the thinking behind Hamas's deadly attack on Israel, discuss what might happen next and ask what all this means politically.Guests: Jennifer Jefferis, Director of Curriculum at the Security Studies Program, in the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown Shashank Joshi, Defence editor at The Economist David Makovsky, Ziegler Distinguished Fellow at The Washington Institute and director of the Koret Project on Arab-Israel RelationsProduction: Ben Carter, Sally Abrahams and Kirsteen Knight Production co-ordinator: Sophie Hill and Jacqui Johnson Sound: James Beard Editor: Richard Vadon

David Aaronovitch and guests talk about what a second Trump presidency might mean for America's relationship with the world and discuss what countries are doing to prepare. Guests:Anthony Zurcher, BBC North America correspondent Inu Manak, fellow for trade policy at the Council on Foreign Relations Sir Lawrence Freedman, Emeritus Professor of War Studies at King's College London Elizabeth Saunders, Professor and Director of the Mortara Center for International StudiesProduction: Ben Carter, Claire Bowes and Sally Abrahams Production co-ordinator: Sophie Hill and Jacqui Johnson Sound: James Beard Editor: Richard Vadon

When a Canadian Sikh was murdereed in British Colombia in June few predicted the diplomatic bust up that ensued. What does this say about India's relationship with the West?David Aaronovitch speaks to:Professor Gurharpal Singh, Emeritus Professor of Sikh and Punjab Studies at SOAS Nadine Yousif, BBC Canada Correspondent, based in Toronto Shruti Kapila, Professor of History & Politics at the University of Cambridge James Crabtree, Executive Director of The International Institute for Strategic Studies in Singapore and author of The Billionaire Raj: A Journey Through India's New Gilded AgeProduction: Ben Carter, Claire Bowes and Ellie House Production co-ordinator: Sophie Hill and Jacqui Johnson Sound: James Beard Editor: Richard Vadon(Image: Sikhs protest for the independence of Khalistan in front of the Indian Consulate in Toronto, Canada, on July 8, 2023. (Photo by Geoff Robins / AFP) (Photo by GEOFF ROBINS/AFP via Getty Images)

David Aaronovitch and guests discuss how Conservative and Labour preparations for the next election will be dictated by the state of the UK's public finances. Guests: Paul Johnson, Director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies Mehreen Khan, economics editor of The Times Torsten Bell, chief executive of the Resolution FoundationProduction: Ben Carter, Claire Bowes and Kirsteen Knight Production co-ordinator: Sophie Hill and Jacqui Johnson Sound: Rod Farquhar Editor: Richard Vadon

Two years ago we looked at Britain’s political geography and the role of identity and party loyalty. In this special programme in front of a live audience, David Aaronovitch and guests discuss what’s changed since then.David talks to:Paula Surridge, political sociologist from the University of Bristol Rosie Campbell, Professor of Politics at King's College, London Rob Ford, Professor of Political Science at the University of ManchesterProducers: Claire Bowes, Kirsteen Knight and Ben Carter Editor: Richard Vadon Sound Mix: Graham Puddifoot

Some school buildings in England have been forced to close or do urgent repairs because they’re built with a potentially crumbling material, reinforced autoclave aerated concrete, known as RAAC. Lightweight and cheap, RAAC was widely used during the post-war building boom of the 1950s, 60s and 70s. But it has a limited shelf-life, which experts have been aware of for the last 30 years. And poor maintenance of buildings has added to the risks of sudden and catastrophic collapse.But are schools just the tip of the iceberg? David Aaronovitch asks how widespread is the risk – and what structural solutions are available for schools, hospitals and other buildings that contain RAAC? David Aaronovitch talks to: Prof Phil Purnell, Professor of Materials and Structures, University of Leeds; Laura McInerney, education journalist, public speaker and co-founder of Teacher Tapp; Adrian Tagg, Associate Professor in Building Surveying at Reading University and a current practising chartered buildings surveyor; Sergio Cavalaro, Professor of Infrastructure Systems at the School of Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering, Loughborough University.Production: Ben Carter, Kirsteen Knight, Sally Abrahams Production Co-ordinator: Sophie Hill and Debbie Richford Sound: Graham Puddifoot Editor: Richard Vadon(Correction: In this programme we said that 100 schools in the UK had closed due to issues with RAAC. This is incorrect. Although RAAC has been identified in more than 100 schools, most of them have remained open)

The number of holiday lets in England rose by 40% between 2018 and 2021. There's been a similar boom across the UK and governments are at varying stages of legislation to regulate the industry and curb the problems associated with these kinds of rentals. Launching England's consultation earlier this year the Secretary of State for Leveling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove, said too many people were being "pushed out of cherished towns, cities and villages". Meanwhile a second consultation's being led by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, to create a register of these types of property.So can local tourism and local communities both benefit? And how is this different from second home ownership anywhere?David Aaronovitch hears from:Ffion Jon, Documentary maker James Kinnersly, Sales Director and UK market expert at AirDNA Vicky Spratt, Housing Correspondent at the i paper Dr Nancy Holman, Associate Professor of Urban Planning at London School of EconomicsProduction: Alix Pickles and Kirsteen Knight Production co-ordinator: Debbie Richford Sound: Rod Farquhar Editor: Richard Vadon

Former US President Donald Trump now faces multiple criminal and civil cases. Which are the most serious, what do they mean for his presidential campaign and could the US constitution prevent him from taking office if he wins the 2024 election?David Aaronovitch speaks to:Sarah Smith, BBC North America Editor Renato Mariotti, Legal Affairs Columnist for POLITICO Magazine, former federal prosecutor and co-host of the “It’s Complicated” podcast Kermit Roosevelt III, professor of constitutional law at the University of Pennsylvania Carey School of Law, author of The Nation that Never Was: Reconstructing America’s Story.Production: Ben Carter, Kirsteen Knight and Diane Richardson Production co-ordinator: Sophie Hill and Debbie Richford Sound: James Beard Editor: Richard Vadon

What is the European Convention on Human Rights, how does it impact what the UK government can do and what would the ramifications be if the UK left it?Joining David Aaronovitch in The Briefing Room:Dr. Ed Bates, Associate Professor, University of Leicester School of Law. Author of The Evolution of the European Convention on Human Rights. Robert Spano, Partner at Gibson Dunn, Former President of the European Court of Human Rights. Dr Joelle Grogan, Head of Research, UK in a Changing Europe. Tom Hickman, Professor of Public Law, University College London.Production: Ben Carter, Kirsteen Knight and Diane Richardson Production co-ordinator: Sabine Schereck Sound: Graham Puddifoot Editor: Richard Vadon

Military unrest in Niger isn't an uncommon phenomenon. There have been five coups in the last 50 years. But what's behind the latest one and is a peaceful resolution possible?David Aaronovitch talks to:Paul Melly, Consulting Fellow at Chatham House Africa Programme Gare Amadou, journalist and manager of the newspaper Le Canard Dechaine in Niger Nabila Ramdani, French Algerian journalist Olayinka Ajala, senior lecturer in Politics and International Relations at Leeds Beckett UniversityProduced by: Ben Carter, Kirsteen Knight and Alix Pickles Edited by: Penny Murphy Sound Engineer: Rod Farquhar Production co-ordinator: Debbie Richford and Sophie Hill

With vast financial resources and a new found desire to engage in regional and global diplomacy, Saudi Arabia has got the world's attention. But just how powerful can it become?David Aaronovitch talks to:Frank Gardner, BBC Security Correspondent Quinn Slobodian, Professor of History at Wellesley College and author of Crack-Up Capitalism Simon Chadwick, Professor of sport and geopolitical economy at Skema Business School in Paris Cinzia Bianco, visiting fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations Safa al-Ahmad, Saudi journalist and documentary makerProduced by: Ben Carter, Diane Richardson and Kirsteen Knight Edited by: Richard Vadon Sound Engineer: Rod Farquhar Production co-ordinator: Brenda Brown and Sophie Hill

As wildfires tear across southern Europe the need for urgent action on climate change becomes ever clearer. Reducing carbon emissions is a global challenge but can we meet it?David Aaronovitch talks to:Attracta Mooney, climate correspondent at the Financial Times Jemma Conner, Research Manager at YouGov Dr Shaun Fitzgerald, Director of Research for Cambridge Zero and Director of the Centre for Cambridge Climate Repair Frederic Hans, climate policy analyst at the NewClimate InstituteProduced by: Ben Carter, Kirsteen Knight and Claire Bowes Edited by: China Collins Sound Engineer: James Beard Production co-ordinator: Debbie Richford and Sophie Hill

The government needs to radically change its approach to Chinese ambitions in the UK according to a report by Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee. The report says Chinese investment in the UK has gone unchecked. It warns that allowing China to develop significant stakes in industry and infrastructure was short-sighted and, unless swift action is taken, “China will have a pliable vehicle through which it can export its values”. So just how much interest and influence does China have in the UK?David Aaronovitch talks to:Isabel Hilton, founder China Dialogue Trust Charles Parton, Former UK diplomat and senior research fellow at RUSI Professor Steve Tsang, Director of the SOAS China Institute Patrick Wintour, Diplomatic Editor, The GuardianProduced by: Kirsteen Knight, Claire Bowes and Ben Carter Edited by: Richard Vadon Sound Engineer: Graham Puddifoot Production co-ordinator: Debbie Richford and Sophie Hill

The pandemic disrupted schooling everywhere. But since then record numbers of children have not returned to regular schooling. Data from the Department for Education show that persistent absence - missing roughly seven days a term - is now at a record high. So is this a blip affecting a Covid cohort or a worrying trend toward a breakdown in the social contract between society and school?David Aaronovitch talks to:Branwen Jeffreys, BBC’s Education Editor Katie Beynon, Statistician at FFT Education Datalab Sam Freedman, Senior fellow at the Institute for Government Emily Hunt, Associate Director Social Mobility and Vulnerable Learners at the Education Institute PolicyProduced by: Kirsteen Knight, Sam Haque and Claire Bowes Edited by: Richard Vadon Sound engineer: Rod Farquhar Production co-ordinator: Debbie Richford and Sophie Hill.

It's 30 years since the signing of the Oslo Accords. That agreement spurred optimism that peace could be forged between Israel and Palestine. It didn't happen. Will it ever?David Aaronovitch talks to:Yolande Knell, BBC’s Middle East Correspondent Anshel Pfeffer, Israel correspondent for The Economist Khalil Shikaki, Director of the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research David Makovsky, Ziegler Distinguished Fellow at The Washington Institute and director of the Koret Project on Arab-Israel Relations Produced by: Kirsteen Knight, Claire Bowes and Ben Carter Edited by: Richard Vadon Sound engineer: Neil Churchill Production co-ordinator: Debbie Richford and Sophie Hill.

Despite the Prime Minister's pledge to halve inflation by the end of the year it's the Bank of England's job to deliver on that. Why is it struggling and what happens if it fails?Britain's facing an inflation crisis. Core inflation - which measures underlying inflation and disregards food and energy costs - is at its highest since 1992. Earlier this year most economists thought this situation could be avoided - so what's gone wrong? David Aaronovitch and guests discuss what the rest of the world is doing about inflation and why Britain seems to be coming off worse.Guests:Duncan Weldon, economist and author of "Two Hundred Years of Muddling Through" Mehreen Khan, economics editor of The Times Merryn Somerset Webb, senior columnist for Bloomberg OpinionProduced by: Kirsteen Knight, Claire Bowes and Ben Carter Edited by: Richard Vadon Sound engineer: James Beard Production co-ordinator: Debbie Richford and Sophie Hill.

Ukraine's spring offensive has begun. But what can it realistically achieve? What can be done to prevent this becoming a 'forever war'? And in the meantime, how has this regional conflict impacted on global politics. Are we seeing a changed international order, with the rise of China and a new role for Africa and the Global South? David Aaronovitch and guests discuss the long game for Ukraine and its western allies.Guests:Michael Clarke, Professor of Defence studies and Specialist Advisor to the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy Karin von Hipple, Director General, Royal United Services Institute Shashank Joshi, Defence Editor at The Economist Mark Galeotti, Writer on Russian security affairs and director of the consultancy Mayak Intelligence. Produced by: Bethan Ashmead, Claire Bowes and Kirsteen Knight Edited by: Richard Vadon Sound engineer: Graham Puddifoot Production co-ordinator: Debbie RichfordShow less

The Online Safety Bill is a new set of internet laws to protect children and adults. It will place more responsibility on the technology giants to monitor content. Will it succeed? David Aaronovitch talks to:Joshua Rozenberg, legal commentator and presenter of Radio 4’s Law In Action programmeLorna Woods, Professor of Internet Law at the University of EssexVictoria Nash is the Director, an Associate Professor, and Senior Policy Fellow at the Oxford Internet InstituteGina Neff is the Executive Director of the Minderoo Centre for Technology & Democracy at the University of CambridgeProduced by: Kirsteen Knight, Claire Bowes and Ben Carter Edited by: Richard Vadon Sound engineer: Neil Churchill Production co-ordinators: Debbie Richford and Sophie Hill

Recent movements by Ukraine and Russia's military forces suggest that the long awaited spring offensive could start any day. David Aaronovitch and guests discuss the implications. Guests: Michael Clarke, Professor of Defence studies and Specialist Advisor to the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy Vitaly Shevchenko, Russia editor at BBC Monitoring Tomila Lankina, Professor of politics and international relations at LSE Dr Leslie Vinjamuri, Director of the US and the Americas programme at Chatham HouseProduced by: Kirsteen Knight, Claire Bowes and Ben Carter Edited by: Penny Murphy Sound engineer: James Beard Production co-ordinator: Siobhan Reed, Debbie Richford and Sophie Hill

David Aaronovitch and guests discuss the latest events in Sudan. Fighting has been commonplace ever since Sudan gained independence but what's behind the latest violence?Guests:James Copnall - currently presenting Newsday on the BBC World Service and formerly the BBC's Sudan correspondentMohanad Hashim - Sudanese journalist working on Newshour on the BBC World ServiceDame Rosalind Marsden, associate fellow at the Chatham House International Affairs and former UK ambassador to SudanProfessor Alex De Waal, Executive Director of the World Peace Foundation and Research Programme Director with the Conflict Research Programme at LSEProduced by: Kirsteen Knight, Claire Bowes and Ben Carter Edited by: Penny Murphy Sound engineer: Rod Farquhar Production co-ordinator: Siobhan Reed and Sophie Hill

Rishi Sunak says the UK has an 'anti maths mindset' and that low levels of numeracy are damaging the economy. Will studying maths until the age of 18 solve the problem?David Aaronovitch talks to:Branwen Jeffreys, the BBC's Education Editor Andreas Schleicher, OECD Director for Education and Skills Paul Johnson, Director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies Emma Lark, Associate Dean Ambition Institute leading the Master's in Expert Teaching Rob Eastaway, author and director of Maths InspirationProduced by: Kirsteen Knight, Claire Bowes and Ben Carter Edited by: Richard Vadon Sound engineer: Graham Puddifoot Production co-ordinator: Siobhan Reed and Sophie Hill

Artificial intelligence is going to change all our lives. There are seemingly limitless opportunities. But as computers get ever more powerful how much cautious do we need to be?David Aaronovitch talks to:Professor Michael Wooldridge, Director of Foundational AI at The Alan Turing Institute Nina Schick, author, entrepreneur and advisor specialising in Generative AI Dr Anders Sandberg, a Senior Research Fellow at The Future of Humanity InstituteProduced by: Kirsteen Knight, Isobel Gough and Ben Carter Edited by: Richard Vadon Sound engineers: James Beard and Rod Farquhar Production co-ordinator: Janet Staples

David Aaronovitch and guests discuss Donald Trump's appearance in a New York court this week, his other looming legal cases and what all this means for him politically.Guests::Anthony Zurcher, BBC North America correspondent Renato Mariotti, legal affairs columnist for POLITICO magazine, a former federal prosecutor and host of the It’s Complicated podcast Dr Leslie Vinjamuri, Director of the US and the Americas programme at Chatham House Dr Mitchell Robertson, associate lecturer in US History at University College LondonProduced by: Kirsteen Knight, Isobel Gough and Ben Carter Edited by: Richard Vadon Sound engineer: James Beard Production co-ordinator: Janet Staples

David Aaronovitch and guests take a deep dive into the Windsor Framework. The original protocol was deemed unworkable but does this new deal solve Northern Ireland's trading arrangements?Guests: Peter Foster, FT’s public policy editor & editor of the newsletter “Britain After Brexit” Anand Menon, director at UK in a Changing Europe Sam McBride, Northern Ireland Editor of the Belfast Telegraph & Sunday Independent Jill Rutter, Senior Fellow at the Institute For Government Produced by: Kirsteen Knight, Daniel Gordon and Ben Carter Edited by: Richard Vadon Sound engineer: Rod Farquhar Production co-ordinators: Sophie Hill and Siobhan Reed

The Briefing Room's David Aaronovitch is joined by a team of experts to find out more about the Wagner group, the mysterious private organisation, that's acknowledged by the Russian government to have been supplying soldiers to fight its war in Ukraine. Wagner's leader, Yevgheny Prigozhin, was once known as Vladimir Putin's 'chef'. Soldiers fighting for him won the battle for Soledar - one of few military successes for Russia in Ukraine in recent months. Has his prowess on the battlefield re-invigorated Russia's army - or turned Prigozhin into a potential rival to Putin?Joining David Aaronovitch in The Briefing Room are: Samantha De Bendern, Associate Fellow at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House Joana De Deus Pereira,Senior Research Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute Europe Marina Miron, Post-doctoral researcher at the Department of War Studies at King’s College London Andras Racz, Senior Research Fellow of the German Council on Foreign Relations in BerlinProduced by: Daniel Gordon, Ben Carter, Kirsteen Knight Edited by: Richard Vadon Sound engineer: James BeardPHOTO: Graffiti praising soldiers from the Wagner Group (Getty)

The WHO have described last week's Turkey-Syria earthquake as one of Europe's worst natural disasters in the last 100 years. David Aaronovitch finds out why it was so deadly.Joining David Aaronovitch in The Briefing Room are:Stephen Hicks, Seismologist at University College London Professor Dina D’Ayala, Co-Director of the Earthquake and People Interaction Centre at UCL, and UNESCO Chair on Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience Engineering. Firdevs Robinson, London-based journalist, broadcaster and commentator specializing on Turkey, the Middle East, Caucasus and Freedom of the Media. Dr Lina Khatib, Director of the Middle East and North Africa programme at Chatham HouseProducers: Kirsteen Knight, Dan Gordon and Ben Carter Production Coordinators: Janet Staples and Siobhan Reed Sound mix: Rod Farquhar Editors: Richard Vadon and Charlotte McDonald

Avian flu has devastated poultry farms and wild bird populations around the world and now it's spread to mammals such as mink and seals. Cases in humans have been rare but worryingly fatal in more than half of the recorded incidences. How worried should we be about the risk of a new global pandemic?Joining David Aaronovitch in The Briefing Room are: Wendy Barclay, Head of the Department of Infectious Disease and Chair in Influenza Virology at Imperial College London Dr Wendy Puryear, Molecular virologist, Tufts University Prof Ian Brown, Head of Virology at the Animal and Plant Health Agency Marion Koopmans, Head of the Department of Virology at the Erasmus Medical Centre in RotterdamProducers: Kirsteen Knight, Cecilia Armstrong and Ben Carter Production Coordinators: Siobhan Reed and Maria Ogundele Sound mix: Rod Farquhar Editor: Richard Vadon

The government wants hundreds of thousands of over 50s to return the workforce as Britain mounts an economic recovery. More than half million people in that age bracket have left work since 2019. Will the promise of a 'midlife MOT' encourage people to come back to work? And do employers want them?Joining David Aaronovitch in The Briefing Room are:Torsten Bell, Chief Executive of the Resolution Foundation Mike Crowhurst, Director at Public First Tony Wilson, Director Institute for Employment Studies Bee Boileau, a research economist in the retirement, saving and ageing sector at the Institute for Fiscal Studies, James Kirkup, Director of the Social Market Foundation Producers: Kirsteen Knight, Daniel Gordon and Ben Carter Production Coordinators: Siobhan Reed and Sophie Hill Sound mix: Neil Churchill Editor: Richard Vadon

The next round of rail strikes look set to compound long-running problems with Britain's railways. But the problems on the network go far beyond this spate of industrial action. David Aaronvitch asks the experts in The Briefing Room this week the reasons why our rail network has acquired such a reputation for unreliability, and what can be done to put it right. Contributors: Christian Wolmar Mark Smith Jennifer Williams Gareth DennisProducers: Kirsteen Knight Ben Carter Daniel GordonProduction Coordinators: Siobhan Reed Sophie HillSound mix: Rod FarquharEditor: Richard VadonImage: Train timetable board Credit: Martin Pope via Getty

At the end of 2022, with winter approaching, there were warnings right across Europe of an impending energy crisis. There was talk of potential electricity blackouts. But today, in the depths of that same winter, why are energy storage facilities well topped up and prices of oil and gas falling instead? David Aaronovitch finds out from the experts with him in The Briefing Room this week.Contributors: Nathalie Thomas Javier Blas Kate Mulvany Sir Dieter HelmProducers: Kirsteen Knight Ben Carter Daniel GordonProduction Coordinator: Siobhan ReedSound mix: Rod FarquharEditor: Richard VadonPhoto: Vertigo3d/Getty Images

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has promised 'urgent action' to tackle the NHS crisis. The experts in The Briefing Room with David Aaronovitch this week consider what can be done to tackle problems such as: chronic staff shortages; the thousands of 'bed blockers' and the backlog of people waiting for surgical procedures. Contributors: Annabelle Collins, Senior Correspondent, Health Service Journal Nigel Edwards, Chief Executive, Nuffield Trust Jill Manthorpe, Professor of Social Work at King's College London Mark Pearson, Health Expert, OECD Sally Warren, Director of Policy, King's FundProducers: Daniel Gordon Rosamund Jones Kirsteen Knight Editor: Richard Vadon Studio Manager: Rod Farquhar Production co-ordinators: Helena Warwick-Cross, Sophie Hill and Siobhan Reed

David Aaronovitch and a panel of experts evaluate the current situation in Ukraine and explore how the war might evolve in the remaining winter months and into the Spring. Joining David Aaronovitch in The Briefing Room are:Michael Clarke, Professor of Defence studies and Specialist Advisor to the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy Sir Lawrence Freedman, Emeritus Professor of War Studies at King's College London Samantha de Bendern, Associate Fellow at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House Shashank Joshi, Defence Editor of The EconomistProducers: Ben Carter, Dan Gordon and Kirsteen Knight Editor: Richard Vadon Studio manager: James Beard Production co-ordinators: Helena Warwick-Cross, Sophie Hill and Siobhan Reed

For years, the major problem of world demography was thought to be the risk of over-population. Now, it's the fact that the global population is ageing fast.According to the United Nations, the number of people over 65 is set to double between now and 2050, to 1.6 billion people. And, at the same time, the birth rate in most of the world is falling, often sharply. This demographic shift comes with huge social and economic implications. What are they, and what can we do to cope with them? Joining David Aaronovitch in The Briefing Room are:Stephanie Hegarty, BBC Global Population Correspondent Marco Valerio Lo Prete, Economics Editor at Italian State Broadcaster RAI and author of “Italians: The Unhappy Few” Robert Kelly., Professor of Political Science at Pusan National University, South Korea Camilla Cavendish, Senior Fellow at Harvard University Ian Goldin, Professor of Globalisation and Development at the Oxford Martin SchoolProducers: Simon Watts, Kirsteen Knight and Octavia Woodward Editor: Richard Vadon Studio manager: Rod Farquhar Production co-ordinators: Sophie Hill and Siobhan Reed

The first mission in NASA’s Artemis space programme returned to Earth earlier this month, after a journey of over 1.3 million miles around the Moon and back. Over next few years NASA will launch Artemis missions two and three, with the help of the European and Japanese space agencies, as well as Elon Musk's Space X. The aim is eventually to build a permanent base for scientific - and possibly economic development - on the Moon. Meanwhile, China is pursuing a lunar exploration programme of its own. So why is the Moon back in fashion? And is the world in the grip of a new space race?Joining David Aaronovitch in the Briefing Room are: Rebecca Morelle, BBC Science Correspondent John Zarnecki, Emeritus Professor of Space Sciences at the Open University Jack Burns, Professor of Astrophysics and Professor of Physics, University of Colorado Boulder Joanne Wheeler, Space Lawyer Bleddyn Bowen, Associate Professor of International Relations, Space Policy/Warfare Expert, University of LeicesterProducers: Daniel Gordon, Kirsteen Knight and Ben Carter. Editor: Simon Watts. Studio Manager: Neil Churchill. Production co-ordinator Sophie Hill.PHOTO CREDIT: The launch of NASA's Artemis 1 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida (Getty Images)

In the 1970s the UK was gripped by double-digit inflation driven by energy price shocks. Inflation was controlled by raising interest rates as a recession raged. And that prompted workers to demand higher wages. Sound familiar? This week and next will see rail workers, ambulance staff, nurses, bus drivers, baggage handlers, highway workers, Border Force, driving examiners and the Royal Mail all striking on various days. As things stand, the prospects of a resolution don’t look promising. So are we heading back to the 70s and another "Winter of Discontent’?Joining David Aaronovitch in The Briefing Room are:Keith Laybourn, Professor of History at the University of Huddersfield Alex Bryson, Professor of Quantitative Social Science at UCL's Social Research Institute Gemma Tetlow, Chief Economist at the Institute for Government Chris Giles, Economics Editor at the Financial Times Producers: Ben Carter and Kirsteen Knight Editor: Simon Watts Studio manager: Neil Churchill Production co-ordinators: Sophie Hill and Siobhan Reed

Earlier this week Sir Keir Starmer announced that Labour would abolish the House of Lords in its first term if he is elected prime minister. He’d replace it with a new, elected second chamber. Some Tories were quick to ridicule the idea and even some Labour peers have urged Starmer to focus on more urgent domestic reforms rather than get caught up in a ‘constitutional quagmire’. But how would Starmer's plan work in reality and is it a good idea?Joining David Aaronovitch in The Briefing Room are:Professor Andrew Blick, Professor of Politics and Contemporary History at Kings College London Meg Russell, Professor of British and Comparative Politics and Director of the Constitution Unit Patrick Diamond, Associate Professor of Public Policy at Queen Mary, University of London Jess Sargeant, Senior Researcher at The Institute for Government Producers: Ben Carter, Kirsteen Knight and Daniel Gordon Editor: Simon Watts Studio manager: James Beard Production co-ordinators: Siobhan Reed and Sophie Hill

Chants of ‘Xi Jinping step down’ were heard on the lips of some demonstrators in China last weekend. A rare example of dissent against the Chinese leader. The cause of the protestors fury is pretty clear – nearly three years of the government’s zero-Covid policy has proved too much to bear for many Chinese.The Chinese Communist Party acted quickly by sending police to protest sites and increasing online censorship. But on Tuesday some local health officials began suggesting that they needed to lift lockdowns ‘as quickly as possible’.Will that be enough to prevent further protests in China, and how will Xi Jinping and his government respond to recent events? Joining David Aaronovitch in The Briefing Room are:David Rennie, Beijing bureau chief at The Economist Kerry Allen, Chinese media analyst at BBC News Dr Yu Jie, senior research fellow on China in the Asia-Pacific programme at Chatham House Professor Steven Tsang, director at SOAS China Institute Producers: Ben Carter, Kirsteen Knight and Daniel Gordon Editor: Simon Watts Studio manager: Graham Puddifoot Production co-ordinators: Siobhan Reed & Helena Warwick-Cross

‘We will now open a new chapter in our national story, striking free trade deals around the world’ said Boris Johnson in December 2020 after the UK struck a deal with the European Union for relations after Brexit. The government say these new deals will help level up the UK, cut red tape, provide better investment opportunities and open new digital markets. But, nearly three years after leaving the EU, what deals have we negotiated, are they providing the benefits we were promised and what challenges lie ahead?Joining David Aaronovitch in The Briefing Room are: Dharshini David, BBC Global Trade correspondent Sam Lowe, partner at Flint Global, a business advisory service where he runs the trade and market access practice David Henig, Director of the UK Trade Policy Project Peter Foster, Public Policy Editor of the Financial TimesProducers: Ben Carter, Kirsteen Knight and Daniel Gordon Editor: Simon Watts Studio manager: Rod Farquhar Production co-ordinators: Siobhan Reed & Helena Warwick-Cross

The Russians are on the back foot in the war in Ukraine and have just evacuated the occupied Ukrainian city of Kherson. The setbacks for Moscow have led to increasing concern in western capitals about the prospect of President Vladimir Putin using a nuclear weapon. But what are the real chances of Russia moving from nuclear threats to nuclear action. And how might the NATO powers respond?Joining David Aaronovitch in The Briefing Room are: Sir Lawrence Freedman, Emeritus Professor of War Studies, King's College, London. Matthew Kroenig, Professor of Government at Georgetown University and Acting Director, Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security at the Atlantic Council Patricia Lewis, Director of the International Security Programme at Chatham House.Producers: Kirsteen Knight, Daniel Gordon and Simon Watts Editor: Penny Murphy Sound engineer: Neil Churchill Production co-ordinator: Siobhan Reed and Helena Warwick-CrossImage: Russian President Vladimir Putin. Credit: Mikhail Svetlov / Getty Images