The Explanation

Sumi Somaskanda, Caitriona Perry and Bernd Debusmann look at what comes next, after mammoth midterms. The President, Republicans and Democrats each look to forge their paths – but will voters get the change they demanded in the process?

John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, explores how the results of the US midterm elections are reshaping American politics, analyses what the latest UN climate summit can achieve, and looks at how young criminals are being hired to carry out arson and murder in Europe.
Producer: Kate Cornell
Executive producer: Benedick Watt
Commissioning editors: Silvia Costeloe and Paul Royall

It has been a week of great consequence for the media. On Monday, Russell Brand was sentenced to over 10 years in prison for rape and sexual assault. On Tuesday, in a separate story, ITV News and The Guardian named David Walliams as the celebrity who tried to use an injunction to block the publication of sexual misconduct allegations. We are joined by a panel to discuss the issues raised: Rosamund Urwin, chief news correspondent at The Sunday Times; Alex Wilson, partner at RPC, and Sarah Ditum, author of Toxic: Women, Fame and The Noughties.
Presenter: Ros Atkins and Katie Razzall
Assistant producer: Emily Channon
Technical co-ordinator: Christopher Brown
Sound: Michael Campbell
Producer: Lucy Wai

On this episode: Sumi Somaskanda, Caitriona Perry and Bernd Debusmann unpack all the big moments from the 2026 US midterms. Voters made their voices heard in a clear message to Trump: they want change. But how will Democrats deliver? And what now for Republicans?
Every weekend, The President’s Path explores the state of US politics in Washington and beyond. We dig into the key issues shaping America and uncover what’s on the minds of those closest to power. You can contact us at: path@bbc.co.uk

Senior producer: Ellyn Duncan
Executive producer: Anna Holford
Editor: James Kraft

This week John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, explores what the last two years of Donald Trump’s presidency might look like, analyses how the political deadlock in Israel could be broken, and looks at the difficulties and opportunities that artificial intelligence presents to science. Producer: Kate Cornell Executive Producer: Benedick Watt Commissioning Editors: Silvia Costeloe and Paul Royall