Today

14m 54s

Jeremy Bowen: Trump has called for an Ir...

About this episode

In this special essay, the BBC’s international editor Jeremy Bowen explains what can happen when an American president calls for an uprising – and then doesn’t get involved when it starts.

A version of this piece first ran on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on 11 March.

Producer for The Global Story: Xandra Ellin

Mix: James Shield

Senior news editor: China Collins

Photo: Jeremy Bowen, October 2025

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Yesterday

How the Oscars went international

On Sunday, many of the film industry’s biggest stars will gather in Los Angeles for Hollywood’s biggest night: the 98th annual Academy Awards.Looming over the celebrations are some major upheavals in Hollywood: big corporate mergers, the incursion of AI, and mass layoffs. And it’ ... Show More

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Mar 12

Why is Donald Trump obsessed with the Chagos Islands?

At a recent White House event, President Trump assessed how America’s allies have responded to the US-Israel war in Iran. He praised some, but was angry with others, notably Britain and its prime minister Keir Starmer. His anger with the UK seemed to centre around a British-owned ... Show More

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Mar 11

Iran: Is diplomacy dead?

As the US-Israeli strikes on Iran continue and the death toll continues to rise, so too does the war of words. President Trump has described Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran's choice for new supreme leader, as "unacceptable". He has also said he believes the war will be over “pretty quickl ... Show More

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