Unspun World provides an unvarnished version of the week's major global news stories - reliable, honest and essential viewing with the BBC's world affairs editor John Simpson.
Where to watch
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Availability data: JustWatch
- Seasons
- 6
- Episodes aired
- 129
- Latest aired
- S06E10
- Total runtime
- 2d 7h
Timeline when each season aired
- Season 1 February 2022 – December 2022 32 episodes
- Season 2 May 2023 – July 2023 8 episodes
- Season 3 September 2023 – March 2024 22 episodes
- Season 4 May 2024 – March 2025 27 episodes
- Season 5 April 2025 – March 2026 30 episodes
- Season 6 April 2026 – September 2026 12 episodes
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S06E01 22/04/2026: Gulf tensions rise as Lebanon crisis deepens and Orbán’s fall shakes EU
April 22 · 26min find the promo
Show synopsis
This week John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses the confrontation between Iran and the United States in the Gulf, looks at the humanitarian situation in Lebanon and examines the effect of the downfall of the Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orban, on the European Union.
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S06E02 29/04/2026: Iran tensions test Trump, China feels impact and Gaza votes after 20 years
April 29 · 26min find the promo
Show synopsis
This week John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, looks at the pressure on President Trump to find an end to the confrontation with Iran, examines the way in which the war in the Middle East has affected China and analyses the first elections in Gaza for twenty years.
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S06E03 06/05/2026: Three Crises Assessed - Gulf Standoff, Ukraine Fighting, Israel Vote
May 6 · 26min find the promo
Show synopsis
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses the Iranian position in their confrontation with the United States in the Gulf, examines the state of play in Russia’s war with Ukraine and looks at the chances of Benjamin Netanyahu surviving as Israeli prime minister after elections later this year.
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S06E04 13/05/2026: US-Iran deadlock, global economic fears and African jihadists raise alarm
May 13 · 26min find the promo
Show synopsis
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses what is preventing the United States and Iran from reaching an agreement to end their conflict, examines the global economic impact of the confrontation, and looks at the growing threat from jihadists in West Africa.
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S06E05 20/05/2026: US-China Rifts, UK Political Turmoil and the Rise of AI Anxiety
May 20 · 26min find the promo
Show synopsis
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses whether there has been a significant shift in the relationship between the United States and China, examines the long-term political turmoil in the United Kingdom, and looks at the psychological impact of Artificial Intelligence.
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S06E06 27/05/2026: Cuba in US Crosshairs, Putin’s Standing and the Rise of Prediction Markets
May 27 · 26min find the promo
Show synopsis
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses the possibility of the US forcing regime change in Cuba, examines the effect of the war in Ukraine on Vladimir Putin’s standing in Russia and looks at the increasing popularity of prediction markets.
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S06E07 03/06/2026: Voices from Iran, Extreme Weather, and Ethiopia’s Elections
June 3 · 26min find the promo
Show synopsis
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, explores the feelings of ordinary Iranians about the conflict with the United States, analyses the latest extreme global weather warnings and looks at the state of Ethiopia as it heads to the polls.
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S06E08 10/06/2026: Israel Strikes Lebanon as SpaceX Float Nears and Armenia Votes
June 10 · 26min find the promo
Show synopsis
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, explores the impact of Israel's recent attacks on Lebanon, analyses the flotation of SpaceX and what it will mean for Elon Musk, and looks at the outcome of the election in Armenia.
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S06E09 17/06/2026: US-Iran agreement, Ukraine's EU bid and Taliban rule
June 17 · 26min find the promo
Show synopsis
This week John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, examines the new deal aimed at ending the war between the US and Iran, analyses Ukraine's bid to join the European Union and looks at the worsening situation for women in Afghanistan under Taliban rule.
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S06E10 25/06/2026: UK PM resignation, America at 250, Colombia election analysed
June 27 · 26min find the promo
Show synopsis
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC's unparalleled range of experts across the world, examines the factors behind the latest resignation of a British prime minister, explores the state of US politics and society on the eve of the country's 250th birthday and analyses the results of the Colombian presidential election.
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S06E11 16/09/2026
September 16 · 26min find the promo
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S06E12 23/09/2026
September 23 · 26min find the promo