The Inquiry gets beyond the headlines to explore the trends, forces and ideas shaping the world.
Latest episodes
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Have national museums had their day?
The concept of the national museum which developed during the 18th and 19th Centuries coincided with the age of exploration, emerging science and empire building. The grand stone s…
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What can a new UN Secretary-General achieve?
In January 2027, a new Secretary-General will take the helm of the United Nations, an organisation founded on the principle of international cooperation. The role will involve navi…
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Is a deal on the Kuril Islands ever possible?
For decades Russia and Japan have been locked in a dispute over the Kuril Islands, which sit between Hokkaido in Northern Japan and Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula. At the end of Worl…
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Can middle powers reshape the world?
The balance of power in the world is changing. The United States and China continue to be the dominant forces in international affairs, but other countries are looking for new ways…
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How can Nepal’s economy rebuild after floods?
Nepal is still reeling from the devastation caused by recent flash floods. More than a thousand people are reported to have lost their lives and thousands more are still missing. T…
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How did Italian politics become stable?
Italy has long been associated with political instability, with governments on average lasting just over a year.Current Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has broken that pattern. Her g…
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Can China’s polar silk road change global trade?
Conflict in the Middle East continues to disrupt global shipping routes including the Strait of Hormuz and the Strait of Malacca. China is now turning to Russia for support in deve…
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Can Africa take control of its digital future?
Just under 20 years ago Kenya pioneered the use of mobile money. Since then, other countries in Africa have carved out a share of the digital market for themselves, from gaming in…
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23 min ↗
Should rivers have personhood?
River systems around the world are under stress from various factors ranging from pollution, to agriculture, to extractive industries. In some parts of the world there are regulati…
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How has the Cockroach Janta Party changed India’s politics?
In July 2026, tens of thousands of students took to the streets in India’s capital, demanding reforms to education. The protests followed the leak of medical entrance exam papers b…
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Can elections restore Moroccans’ faith in their country?
In September, Morocco’s citizens will go to the polls for the country’s general election. Morocco is a constitutional monarchy, with a multi-party-political system. A new head of g…
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Is daylight saving time working?
The House of Representatives has voted to make daylight saving time permanent in the United States. If the measure is approved by the Senate and becomes law, most Americans would n…
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Is Indigenous education at risk?
New Zealand’s government is making big changes to its education system. The aim is to reverse declining student achievement and give more opportunities to disadvantaged children. T…
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Can we live with extreme heat?
Extreme heatwaves are becoming more frequent across the globe, not only in countries used to cooler climates, but also in those already familiar with significantly hotter temperatu…
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Can the illicit gold trade be stopped?
Gold has been prized throughout history for its value and its beauty, which has also made it attractive to those prepared to exploit this precious metal for their own ends. The Eur…
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Are we closer to gene therapy for sickle cell disease being accessible?
Gene therapy has changed what is possible for people living with sickle cell disease. New treatments have shown that the condition can be successfully treated. But the therapy is c…
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Is Kenya serious about ending femicide?
Last year Kenya’s President William Ruto established a task force to investigate the escalating cases of gender-based violence including femicide. The task force travelled around t…
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Can the New World Screwworm be stopped?
Flesh-eating parasitic flies have been found in the US state of Texas for the first time in decades. Known as the New World Screwworm, officials have now put plans in place to try…
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Is technology ruining sport?
This year, technology has more influence in officiating sports than ever before.At the men's World Cup, the role of video assistant referee technology (VAR) has been extended to in…
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Can Brussels crack the gender pay gap?
A new directive strives to narrow the 11% hourly wage gap between men and women in the EU.Around the world, the gender pay gap has been shrinking as women gain access to higher edu…