Show Notes
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 Headlines, Lord Peter Ricketts – former chair of the UK’s Joint Intelligence Committee and author of books including the upcoming Peace Makers: Shaping the Modern World – talks to David Musgrove about the changing nature of international relations, and whether the post-WW2 consensus is now a thing of the past. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
More from History Behind the Headlines
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?
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.
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.
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?
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.