Bonus: Insight on Islamic State Group + Miami stops the party

Bonus: Insight on Islamic State Group + Miami stops the party

Author: BBC World Service March 25, 2024 Duration: 27:04

A bonus episode from The Global Story podcast.

On this episode, we’re covering two very different stories.

After the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack on a concert hall in Moscow, we’re revisiting a previous episode asking how much of a threat the group still pose.

Mina al-Lami from BBC Monitoring tells us that the groups fortunes fell in 2023, with them claiming far fewer attacks. And Josh Baker from The Shamima Begum Story podcast joins us to explain why they still pose a credible threat.

Previous episode: Islamic State group – spent force or present threat? https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0h42vkq

Also, as spring approaches in the United States, millions of young people are heading off on spring break. But some cities have had enough of student revellers unwinding and the chaos that can arrive with them.

Terry Ward, a travel writer and BBC contributor tells us what it’s like to go on spring break. And Beatriz Diaz from BBC Mundo explains why Miami is discouraging spring breakers.

The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists worldwide. We’re keen to hear from you, wherever you are in the world. We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell The Global Story. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com You can also message us or leave a voice note via WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480. #TheGlobalStory

The Global Story is part of the BBC News Podcasts family. The team that makes The Global Story also makes several other podcasts, such as Americast and Ukrainecast, which cover US news and the war in Ukraine. If you enjoy The Global Story, then we think that you will enjoy some of our other podcasts too. To find them, simply search on your favourite podcast app.

This episode was made by Alice Aylett Roberts and Emilia Jansson. The technical producers were Mike Regaard and Hannah Montgomery. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.


Each week, The Real Story from the BBC World Service moves beyond the headlines to examine a single, pressing issue shaping our world. Instead of rapid-fire updates, this podcast dedicates its time to deep, thoughtful conversation. You’ll hear directly from the people involved-policymakers, analysts, journalists, and those directly affected-as they unpack the complexities of a major event or trend. The discussions are rigorous and nuanced, focusing on the underlying forces, historical context, and potential consequences that simpler reports often miss. It’s a space for genuine debate where differing perspectives collide, providing a clearer picture of why a story matters. For anyone seeking to understand the deeper narratives behind the news, this podcast offers essential context and insight, transforming a familiar topic into a richer, more complete understanding. Tune in for a thorough analysis that challenges assumptions and connects the dots on global affairs.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Real Story
Podcast Episodes
Do any paths to peace still exist in the Middle East? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:02
As the war in Gaza continues, it may seem the worst possible time to revisit the idea of a permanent political resolution to the wider Israeli-Palestinian conflict. US President Joe Biden however, says a two-state soluti…
How should we tackle the global obesity epidemic? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:53
Over 1 billion people worldwide are obese, according to the World Health Organization. If current trends continue, half the world could be obese or overweight by 2035. The WHO refers to it as an epidemic. Recent data sho…
The future of work [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:01
The prospect of a world without work - that was the vision offered up by Elon Musk this month. The US tech billionaire has predicted that artificial intelligence will eventually mean that no one will have to work. Mr Mus…
Why world leaders fear an escalation of Israel-Gaza war [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:51
The Israel-Gaza war has caused reverberations around the world and diplomatic efforts are intensifying to stop the conflict from escalating. Iran has warned Israel that the Middle East could spiral out of control if it d…
Argentina at a crossroads [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:56
Argentina’s economy minister has won more than 36% of the vote in Sunday’s presidential elections, defying expectations. The election has been shaken by the emergence of anti-establishment populist and self-styled "liber…
Is Indian democracy being undermined? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:53
Earlier this month police in Delhi raided the homes of several prominent journalists in connection with an investigation into the funding of news website NewsClick. Officials are reportedly investigating allegations that…
China’s BRI: Development or Debt? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:59
It has been a decade since Chinese President Xi Jinping's launched the Belt and Road Initiative, an ambitious plan to connect Asia with Africa and Europe through a series of land and sea networks via investments in local…
How do we stop rapid insect decline? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:57
As human activities rapidly transform the planet, the global insect population is declining at an unprecedented rate. In the UK, a recent survey suggested the number of flying insects have fallen by almost 60% in less th…
How a flood exposed Libya’s broken state [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:59
Earlier this month two dams collapsed after torrential rain in eastern Libya. Whole neighbourhoods in the city of Derna were swept into the sea. More than 15,000 Libyans are dead or missing and the full death toll may ne…
Is Biden too old to run in 2024? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:05
The top brass of the Democrat party in the US have all rallied behind Joe Biden with their eyes on the 2024 presidential election. But they have a problem. Repeated polls suggest support for the incumbent president is st…