History Behind the Headlines

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 security.

Following those events, historians Rana Mitter and Hannah Skoda explore the history of governance in South America – and whether President Trump and his administration are really making unprecedented moves on the world stage.

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GO BEYOND THE PODCAST

Read more about a 19th-century doctrine that may be the key to understanding today’s US foreign policy in this HistoryExtra article: https://bit.ly/4qSz8lq

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If you have any questions that you'd like Rana and Hannah to tackle, get in touch: [email protected]

For more fascinating stories from the past, head to HistoryExtra, the home of ‘History’s Greatest’ podcasts. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠historyextra.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠

We'd love to know what you think about the podcast, so leave us a review and let us know the topics you think we should be covering. Or, follow us on ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠X⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ or ⁠YouTube⁠ to keep in touch.

You can listen ad-free to this episode and more by subscribing to HistoryExtra Plus here: ⁠⁠⁠https://historyextra.supportingcast.fm/⁠⁠⁠

This episode was hosted by Matt Elton with regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter and produced by Lewis Dobbs.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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:

Papal elections and tariff troubles: history behind the headlines (HistoryExtra podcast, 29th April 2025)

Why is it so hard for Israelis and Palestinians to make peace? (16th October 2025)

BONUS: What does Hitler’s DNA really tell us? (22nd November 2025)

If you have any questions that you'd like Rana and Hannah to tackle, get in touch: [email protected]

For more fascinating stories from the past, head to HistoryExtra, the home of ‘History’s Greatest’ podcasts. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠historyextra.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠.

We'd love to know what you think about the podcast, so leave us a review and let us know the topics you think we should be covering. Or, follow us on ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠X⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ or ⁠YouTube⁠ to keep in touch.

You can listen ad-free to this episode and more by subscribing to HistoryExtra Plus here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://historyextra.supportingcast.fm/⁠⁠⁠⁠

This episode was hosted by Matt Elton with regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter and produced by Lewis Dobbs.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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: [email protected]

For more fascinating stories from the past, head to HistoryExtra, the home of ‘History’s Greatest’ podcasts. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠historyextra.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠.

We'd love to know what you think about the podcast, so leave us a review and let us know the topics you think we should be covering. Or, follow us on ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠X⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ or ⁠YouTube⁠ to keep in touch.

You can listen ad-free to this episode and more by subscribing to HistoryExtra Plus here: ⁠⁠⁠https://historyextra.supportingcast.fm/⁠⁠⁠

This episode was hosted by Matt Elton with regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter and produced by Lewis Dobbs.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 the annual economic review.

If you have any questions that you'd like Rana and Hannah to tackle, get in touch: [email protected]

For more fascinating stories from the past, head to HistoryExtra, the home of ‘History’s Greatest’ podcasts. Find out more at ⁠⁠historyextra.com/podcast⁠⁠.

We'd love to know what you think about the podcast, so leave us a review and let us know the topics you think we should be covering. Or, follow us on ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠X⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ or ⁠YouTube⁠ to keep in touch.

You can listen ad-free to this episode and more by subscribing to HistoryExtra Plus here: ⁠⁠⁠https://historyextra.supportingcast.fm/⁠⁠⁠

This episode was hosted by Matt Elton with regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter and produced by Jack Bateman and Lewis Dobbs.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 behind the documentary, Turi King and Alex J Kay, spoke to Matt Elton about what led to their involvement – and offer their take on the real value of such research.

 

What's your take on this story? Let us know – email [email protected].

 

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GO BEYOND THE PODCAST

To find out more about Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany, don’t miss our HistoryExtra Academy course Nazi Germany, with Laurence Rees: https://bit.ly/4i9bs9n

 

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For more fascinating stories from the past, head to HistoryExtra, the home of ‘History’s Greatest’ podcasts. Find out more at historyextra.com/podcast.

 

We'd love to know what you think about the podcast, so leave us a review and let us know the topics you think we should be covering. Or, follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram or YouTube to keep in touch.

You can listen ad-free to this episode and more by subscribing to HistoryExtra Plus here: https://historyextra.supportingcast.fm/

 

This episode was hosted by Matt Elton and produced by Jack Bateman.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices