Documentaries
An indepth look at stories and issues from around the world. This podcast offers you the chance to access landmark series from our archive.
The Global Jigsaw: Russia’s gateway to Africa in jeopardy
What would the potential loss of Syria naval and air bases mean for Russia? The fall of the Assad regime triggered the start of possibly the greatest reshaping of the Middle East in decades, throwing into uncertainty the fate of Russia’s military bases in the country, among many other things…
The Fifth Floor: K-drama craze
K-dramas are taking the world by storm. What's the secret of their success? BBC journalists Faith Oshoko, Julie Yoonnyung Lee and Samantha Haque discuss all things K-drama and offer their recommendations for series to get stuck into during the holiday period. Produced by Hannah Dean and Alice Gioia. (Photo: Faranak…
BBC OS Conversations: Syrian prisoners and their families
It has been two weeks since the fall of the Assad regime and the horror of the brutal and corrupt system he oversaw has been laid bare. Since the start of the civil war in 2011, it is estimated that 100,000 people – men, women and children – disappeared without…
Heart and Soul: Antisemitism in Turkey
Members of Turkey’s ancient Jewish community say they feel forced to hide their identities and practice their religion in private, after a marked rise in antisemitism following the 7 October attacks in Israel. Turkey’s President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has maintained a relentless criticism of Israel’s government for its response to…
The Watermelons: Myanmar's military moles
***This program contains distressing content. The voices of all active Watermelons have been changed for security reasons*** The Myanmar military is now riddled with soldiers betraying their colleagues. Military green on the outside, rebel red within. They are known as the Watermelons. BBC Eye goes inside the Watermelons unit to…
Footprints: How did human feet get washed up on the west coast of Canada and the US?
In August 2007, on an island off Canada’s west coast, the remains of a human foot were found washed up on a beach.Six days later, on another beach 50 miles away, a second foot was found. But, strangely, it does not match the first - they are from different people.The…
Assignment: Argentina - Milei's Chainsaw
It has been a year since chainsaw-wielding Javier Milei won the Presidency in Argentina. During his campaign, his chainsaw became a symbol of how quickly and drastically he wanted to cut the Argentine state. And he has slashed government budgets and sliced subsidies on power, food and transport. He stopped…
In the Studio: Creating Selfridges’ Christmas windows
One of the many traditions in London at Christmas is to visit the capital’s festive lights. People travel from across the world to enjoy the colourful and eye-catching Christmas window displays along Oxford Street, one of London’s main shopping roads. Andrea Kidd goes behind the glitter and tinsel with the…
Introducing Dramas: Purple Heart Warriors
Time-travelling drama about the Japanese-American legends of US military history - inspired by real events. The story of the 442nd regiment, fighting the Nazi German army in World War Two, is written by Oscar nominated Iris Yamashita and narrated by Will Sharpe. It contains dramatised battle scenes. Available now, just…
The Fifth Floor: Fleeing Chechnya
Why would a young woman flee her family and leave everything behind? BBC Russian's Zlata Onufrieva has been following the journeys of three women who've decided to run away from their homes in the Russian republic of Chechnya. Her documentary, Don't look for me, is part of the BBC 100…
BBC OS Conversations: Syrians after the fall of Assad
Syrians have finally got their voices back. After 50 years of living under the cruelty of their President, Bashar al-Assad, they can now speak freely without fear, although some are still cautious. We talk to Syrians across the country, including Ibraheem from Aleppo. He tells host Mark Lowen: “I couldn’t…
Black Madonnas
Author and broadcaster Chine McDonald has never seen a black representation of the Virgin Mary. Black Madonnas are statues or paintings of the Virgin Mary and the Infant Jesus, where both figures are depicted with dark skin. They can be found both in Catholic and Orthodox countries. There are thought…
Srebrenica’s forgotten refugees
Thirty years after the war in Bosnia, survivors and their descendants find themselves permanently displaced in their own country. BBC reporter Lauren Tavriger visits the Tuzla region where families fleeing atrocities, including the Srebrenica massacre, have been living for decades in makeshift settlements originally designed as temporary. She talks to…
Introducing World of Secrets S6: The bad guru
New season on World of Secrets. Miranda’s search for inner peace through yoga leads to allegations of grooming, trafficking and exploitation. “You just get sucked in so gradually... that you don't realise,” says her mother Penny. The Bad Guru is season six of World of Secrets, the global investigations podcast…
Assignment: Mining the Pacific – future proofing or fool’s gold?
Climate change is intensifying, sea levels are rising and the very existence of low-lying Pacific Islands is under threat. The Cook Islands, though, has a plan to assure their peoples’ future. Enter deep sea mining, harvesting metallic nodules on the bottom of the sea floor for use in things like…
Bonus: The Food Chain is 10!
A bonus episode from The Food Chain - as they turn 10!We are celebrating 10 years of The Food Chain with some of our favourite programme moments from the past decade.Fishing to stay alive, chopping onions in remembrance, and tasting people’s names – these stories and more tell us something…
Morse code: Ready to transmit
The World Morse Code championships are fiendishly competitive. Contestants from many countries travel to Tunisia, where they face each other across tiny tapping machines in a competition hall silent but for the clicking. It is called High Speed Telegraphy - the skill and art of sending and receiving fast and…
The Fifth Floor: Javier Milei's first year in power
Argentina's president Javier Milei famously campaigned with a chainsaw, promising he would cut public spending. Has he delivered? Verónica Smink of BBC Mundo will bring us the latest from Buenos Aires. Plus, how thousands of old portrait pictures were found and restored in Uganda, with BBC Africa's Christine Otieno.Produced by…
BBC OS Conversations: The Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire
It is coming up to two weeks since a ceasefire was brokered between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Since then there have been reports of minor violations on both sides. As the fragile truce continues, we hear from residents about their experiences, their fears and their hopes for peace. For…
Heart and Soul: Should I change my name?
Personal names have spiritual and religious meanings in the Christian tradition. But what if you carry an inherited surname that you feel is profoundly unchristian? Should you keep it or change it? Robert Beckford is going through this dilemma. His surname is a slave name, a brand of ownership passed…