History Behind the Headlines
History Behind the Headlines is a fortnightly podcast from HistoryExtra that explores the historical context behind current news stories. Host Matt Elton is joined by regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter, along with guest experts, to discuss how the past shapes today's world. The podcast is produced by Jack Bateman and Lewis Dobbs.
Episodes
What’s the point of public executions?
Two recent cases in the United States have brought the issue of state executions on to the front pages – the failed execution of murderer Christa Pike and, particularly, the plans to livestream the death of Nidal Hasan, who killed 13 unarmed US military personnel in 2009. But how have attitudes towards the public display of death changed throughout the centuries?
To explore this often upsetting
What happens when students go on strike?
Students have been protesting throughout France in recent weeks, with hundreds of thousands of people taking to the streets in cities including Paris and Marseille. It’s far from the first time that students have been involved in such mass demonstrations, and in this episode regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter explore some notable historical parallels.
Plus, as the UK’s politicians ga
What do US-Asia summits reveal about American imperialism?
US President Donald Trump has hosted Chinese leader Xi Jinping for a summit in Washington this week, with topics including AI and international trade up for discussion. But how have such meetings reflected the way in which the United States has thought about Asia? And in what ways do imperial ambitions play into this story? Regular panellists Rana Mitter and Hannah Skoda explore the longer history
Why is the blockbuster Bayeux exhibition so important?
The British Museum’s major Bayeux Tapestry exhibition finally opens its doors in London this week, following months of build-up and excitement. But why are blockbuster historical events such as this so important in bringing history to a wider audience? And why is the Tapestry such a big deal in the first place?
In this episode, regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter delve into the produc
What does history tell us about Trump's Canada tariffs?
US president Donald Trump issued his latest tranche of tariffs this week, as talks between the United States and Canada broke down. But what would economists of the past have made of his ongoing trade war? Regular panellists Rana Mitter and Hannah Skoda look back at the historical parallels.
Plus, with summer holiday season coming to an end, they explore the innovations that have made internation
Why has The Odyssey proved so enduring?
Christopher Nolan’s big-budget adaptation of The Odyssey has become the film-maker’s highest grossing film, surpassing $1.1 billion at the box office. Why has the story proven such a draw for audiences – not just now, in the 21st century, but across the centuries since it was first composed? In this episode of History Behind the Headlines, regular panellists Rana Mitter and Hannah Skoda discuss th
Why does the Bayeux Tapestry still command our attention?
The British Museum's upcoming blockbuster exhibition of the Bayeux Tapestry marks the likely homecoming of this venerable artefact, to immense excitement. But why has it taken so long for it to return? And how has it become such a political football in our own time?
In this special episode of History Behind the Headlines, HistoryExtra's Dr David Musgrove tells James Osborne about the long story
Who are Count Binface's novelty political predecessors?
A by-election in the UK constituency of Clacton, triggered by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage's decision to quit as an MP and fight to reclaim his seat, features an unusual rival: Count Binface. Yet the costumed candidate is far from the first novelty character to seek election and, in this episode, regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter look back at some of the other contenders.
Plus, a
Why has the UK had so many prime ministers this decade?
The news of Sir Keir Starmer's resignation as prime minister and leader of the Labour Party means that the UK is set to have its seventh PM in ten years. But what are the historical factors that have led to this instability? And what comparisons can we meaningfully draw to the political unrest of previous decades, including the 1920s and 1970s?
In this episode, regular panellists Rana Mitter and
How were society's super-rich seen in past centuries?
US business leader Elon Musk has been in the headlines again in recent weeks, as a result of becoming the world's first trillionaire. But how were enormously rich people seen in past centuries? In this episode, regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter explore how Musk's forerunners were regarded, and how they accrued their wealth in the first place.
Meanwhile, a high-profile row about de
How has war impacted economies of the past?
There have been plenty of headlines over the past month about the possible financial impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. But what does history tell us about the ways in which the impact of war has been felt far from the battlefield? Regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter chronicle some of the most dramatic examples, from medieval England to the Second World War.
Plus, with
How were leadership challenges launched in previous centuries?
The past fortnight has seen headlines here in the UK dominated by news of potential leadership challenges to Labour prime minister Sir Keir Starmer, following the party's heavy losses in recent local council elections in Wales, Scotland and England. But how were such bids to topple leaders mounted in the past? And what happened to those who tried, and failed? Regular panellists Rana Mitter and Han
Have the royals always been diplomatic tools?
King Charles's recent visit to the United States prompted much commentary on both sides of the Atlantic, with particular praise given to his speech to Congress. But at what other moments in recent history has the royal family been used as a way to reach a political goal? And what did this 'soft diplomacy' look like in the medieval era? Regular panellists Rana Mitter and Hannah Skoda share their th
What happens when popes and politics collide?
A high-profile spat between Pope Leo and leading figures in the US administration has made headlines in recent weeks, after United States president Donald Trump and vice-president JD Vance disagreed with comments the pope made about US-Israeli actions in the war with Iran. But it's far from the first time that the papacy and other powerful figures have butted heads. In this episode, regular panell
Is the Bayeux Tapestry coming to Britain or not?
The loan of the Bayeux Tapestry from France to the UK has caused great excitement, but also some concerns. Lord Peter Ricketts is the UK government's Bayeux Tapestry Envoy, and here in conversation with David Musgrove, he gives the lowdown on how the loan is progressing.
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GO BEYOND THE PODCASTThere is a wealth of Bayeux Tapestry content on the HistoryExtra site, including a comprehensive fi
Chess, space and medieval monks: this spring’s overlooked historical headlines
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has dominated news coverage, and episodes of this podcast, in recent weeks – and because we chose to focus on those pressing events, some other stories have taken a back seat.So, in this special episode, regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter catch up with some of the headlines we’ve missed over the past few months, from new theories about the ninth
Peter Ricketts on diplomacy, Trump and Iran
Recent US actions in the Middle East have challenged the established world order, and called into question existing diplomatic and political norms. But how different is today’s diplomacy from that of the Second World War or the Cold War? And what does history tell us about the best way to deal with convention-busting figures such as President Trump?
In this bonus episode of History Behind the
What happens when war puts oil supplies at risk?
Almost a month in, the Iran conflict has begun to have an impact on the world’s supplies of oil and gas – particularly as a result of Iran’s effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s busiest shipping channels. But what’s the longer story of our reliance on particular resources? And what have the historical consequences been when they’re jeopardised?
In this episode, regula
Is this the US’s least popular war?
The conflict in the Middle East continues into a second week, with fighting between the United States, Israel, Iran and US-allied states in the region continuing to escalate. Senior US officials have given a range of reasons for launching the war, and disquiet about its causes and consequences has led to a lack of popular support in the US and reports of a fraying of its ‘special relationship’ wit
How can the past help us understand the UK monarchy's current crisis?
One story has dominated headlines in recent days: the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. The younger brother of King Charles has been released under investigation following his arrest on 19 February on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The news followed an announcement by Thames Valley Police that they were assessing a complaint over the alleged sharing of confidential material by the f
How have political scandals shaped history?
This week has seen reverberations continue from the latest release of files relating to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Here in the UK, the government has been rocked by questions about the nature of his relationship with senior Labour figure Peter Mandelson, and suggestions that sensitive information may have changed hands.
In this episode, regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter look b
Is President Trump really weaponising history?
From Greenland and Venezuela to his speech at Davos, the past few weeks have seen US president Donald Trump make a series of big moves on the world stage. But how historically unprecedented have his actions been? And is it right to see his administration as weaponising history for political ends?
To assess whether we are witnessing what Canadian prime minister Mark Carney has called a “rupture” i
Is Trump returning the world to an age of empires?
At the start of January, the United States government launched a military operation in Venezuela, capturing its president Nicolás Maduro and announcing that the US would run the nation until it deems that there can be "a proper and judicious transition”. Meanwhile, Donald Trump and figures around him have also made repeated suggestions that the US needs to claim Greenland for reasons of national s
BONUS: The history behind 2025
In this special bonus episode of History Behind the Headlines, historians Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter – plus host Matt Elton – pick the historical insights that stood out for them from across the past 12 months. From war in the Middle East to a new pope and surprising revelations about Adolf Hitler, we reveal the ways in which the past helps us make sense of today’s news.
Clips taken from:
Pa
2025 in review: the historical trends of the year
As we head into the Christmas season, regular panellists Rana Mitter and Hannah Skoda look back at the key historical parallels, books and anniversaries of the past 12 months – and the history that might shape the year to come.
If you have any questions that you'd like Rana and Hannah to tackle, get in touch: podcast@historyextra.com
For more fascinating stories from the past, head to Histor
Ukraine peace deal: what are the lessons from history?
The prospect of a peace agreement in the Ukraine-Russia war has been in the news over the past week, as delegates met in Geneva in an attempt to work out a deal. The story is still evolving – but which historical treaties offer useful comparisons? Regular panellists Rana Mitter and Hannah Skoda consider the parallels. Plus: as the UK reacts to the chancellor’s Budget, we explore the history behind
BONUS: What does Hitler’s DNA really tell us?
A recent documentary drawing conclusions from new analysis of Adolf Hitler’s DNA has sparked headlines around the world. But how did the programme’s researchers get hold of the key evidence? And what issues – and implications – are prompted by linking the Nazi leader with a range of physical and psychological conditions?
In this bonus episode of History Behind the Headlines, two of the experts
Princes, prisons and the limits of power
Regular panellists Rana Mitter and Hannah Skoda take a look at the history behind crises facing two British institutions in recent months: the royal family and the prison system. How did monarchs in past centuries deal with family members embroiled in scandal? And do recent headlines about escaped inmates tell us something about our shifting view of incarceration? Plus, what happens when a politic
The most remarkable historical heists
The history world was shaken earlier this month when thieves stole 19th-century jewellery thought to be worth 88 million euros from the Louvre Museum in Paris. In this episode, regular panellists Rana Mitter and Hannah Skoda discuss some of the greatest historical heists of past centuries – and explore whether museums can learn any lessons from the recent robbery.
For more fascinating stories f
Why is it so hard for Israelis and Palestinians to make peace?
Headlines in recent days have been dominated by news of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. This follows two years of heightened conflict that has had a devastating impact on the Middle East, and which has also spilled over to cause tensions in other parts of the world.
In this episode, regular panellists Rana Mitter and Hannah Skoda are joined by Eugene Rogan, Professor of Modern Middle East
Should historians be celebrities?
Historian, author and broadcaster David Olusoga is among the famous faces to feature on new TV series The Celebrity Traitors, which launches in the UK next Wednesday, 8 October on BBC One. But what are the opportunities, and dangers, when historians become celebrities? And to what extent should history be entertainment? Regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter share their thoughts. Plus: hi
American violence & presidential visits
Following the killing of prominent conservative activist Charlie Kirk, tensions have been running high in the United States. But what parallels can history offer us to help make sense of recent events? Regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter are joined by fellow historian Adam IP Smith to discuss the key context. Plus, a historian's eye view of President Trump's recent state visit to the U
The real history of Britain's flags
Recent weeks have seen thousands of St George's and union flags being flown in villages, towns and cities around England. But what's the real history behind those symbols? In this episode of our fortnightly podcast charting the history behind breaking news stories, regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter discuss their origins. Plus what a set of 17th-century diaries tell us about life duri
Welcome to History Behind the Headlines
How does the past shape today's world? In HistoryExtra's fortnightly podcast History Behind the Headlines, Matt Elton is joined by regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter and guest experts to explore the historical context you need to understand the latest news.
For more fascinating stories from the past, head to HistoryExtra, the home of ‘History’s Greatest’ podcasts. Find out more at
