The Global Story: Are we heading for World War Three?

The Global Story: Are we heading for World War Three?

Author: BBC World Service March 29, 2026 Duration: 28:13

It’s been almost a month since Israel and the US launched their war against Iran, and already there have been strikes in more than a dozen countries, with reports of over 2,000 people killed across the region. As the war drags on and more countries get involved, there are concerns this conflict could escalate into something truly global.

We speak to Emeritus Professor of International History at the University of Oxford, Margaret MacMillan, and explore how world wars start, how they end and what can be done to avoid them.

The Global Story brings clarity to politics, business and foreign policy in a time of connection and disruption. For more episodes, just search 'The Global Story' wherever you get your BBC Podcasts.

Producers: Chris Benderev and Lucy Pawle

Executive producer: James Shield

Sound engineer: Travis Evans

Senior news editor: China Collins

Photo: U.S. Military aircraft perform 4th of July flyover past New York City and New Jersey, 4 July 2020. Photo: credit: Reuters/Mike Segar


Staying informed means navigating a constant stream of events, and the Global News Podcast from the BBC World Service provides a grounded, thorough digest of that flow. This isn't just a headline service; it's a twice-daily briefing that situates you within the day's most pressing stories, particularly focusing on complex, unfolding situations. Right now, that means dedicated coverage from across the Middle East, including Iran, Israel, Lebanon, and the Gulf states, offering clarity on regional dynamics and their global implications. Alongside that essential regional focus, the podcast consistently pulls back for a wider lens, bringing reports and context from every corner of the world. What you'll hear is the BBC's signature blend of on-the-ground reporting and measured expert analysis, all designed to build understanding rather than just summarize events. For a reliable, in-depth audio briefing that updates each weekday morning and evening, this podcast delivers a comprehensive picture of our world as it happens.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Global News Podcast
Podcast Episodes
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Sudan marks the third anniversary of its civil war. The fighting has led to a de facto partition of the country and created the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. The conflict was triggered by a power struggle between…
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Duration: 32:27
China has described the US blockade of Iranian ports as "irresponsible and dangerous". The measure came into force on Monday, after peace talks failed over the weekend. Beijing's foreign ministry said Washington's action…
US Vice President suggests talks with Iran could resume [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Duration: 26:57
Péter Magyar, leader of the Tisza party, has promised closer ties with the European Union - and an anti-corruption drive - after winning the Hungarian election. The 45-year-old defeated Viktor Orbán, of the Fidesz party,…
'Historic' US Iran talks end without deal [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:55
Marathon talks between senior US and Iranian officials on ending the Middle East conflict have ended in failure. Speaking after the negotiations in Pakistan, US Vice President, JD Vance, said they could not reach an agre…
The Happy Pod: From a small town, to the moon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:23
The mayor of Ingersoll beams with pride at the Canadian town being represented on Artemis II. Ingersoll is home to 15,000 people, including the astronaut Jeremy Hansen - who is the mission specialist. Also, we speak to t…