Shows / This Is Why
This Is Why
The world’s a pretty confusing place right now – so how do you make sense of it all? This Is Why takes one story every day, explains how we got here and why it matters to you. Sky News’ Niall Paterson speaks to experts and correspondents from around the world, getting simple answers to some complex questions. Available every weekday afternoon. This Is Why is a Sky News podcast – if you have a question, contact us: why@sky.uk
Episodes
This Is WhyWhy is the UK buying nuclear-carrying fighter jets?
The government has announced it is purchasing at least 12 new F-35 stealth jets that can carry nuclear warheads. It's a move that's been described by Downing…
This Is WhyWhat’s NATO without America?
The 32 members of the NATO alliance are in the Netherlands for a summit that has been overshadowed by efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East. World…
This Is WhyWhat is the Strait of Hormuz - and why does it matter to global trade?
Iran is threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz, the world's busiest oil shipping channel, in retaliation for the US strikes on its nuclear facilities. How…
This Is WhyFrom accidental to absolute leader – who is Ayatollah Khamenei?
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s often reclusive supreme leader, surfaced this week to hit back at Donald Trump’s demands for an unconditional surrender…
This Is WhyCould there be another Post Office scandal?
The Horizon scandal captured the nation after the ITV drama Mr Bates vs the Post Office. And now, more faulty Post Office accounting software has been…
This Is WhyIs Labour facing big backlash over welfare reforms?
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has announced new protections in a bill which will attempt to cut benefits to more than three million households. In…
This Is WhyTrump’s doing it his own way on Iran – could it work?
After leaving the G7 early, Donald Trump told reporters on Air Force One he was seeking what he’s calling a “real end” to the conflict between Israel and Iran…
This Is WhyWas there a Whitehall cover-up of the grooming gangs scandal?
Whitehall officials tried to convince Michael Gove to go to court to cover up the grooming scandal in 2011. That's according to Dominic Cummings, who was…
This Is WhyIsrael v Iran – what's next?
On today's Sky News Daily, we're sharing the latest episode of The World. Israel has attacked Iran and its operation will continue for "as many days as it…
This Is WhyWhat happened to Air India flight 171?
An Air India plane bound for Gatwick has crashed seconds after take-off. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner had taken off from Ahmedabad Airport in Gujarat in the…
This Is WhySpending review: What does it mean for me?
The chancellor has unveiled her long-awaited spending review, which sets out detailed plans for how individual government departments are funded over the next…
This Is WhyThe making of The Wargame podcast with Sir Ben Wallace and Deborah Haynes
The Wargame was designed to test the state of the UK's defences and national resilience after decades of cuts to military spending after the end of the Cold…
This Is WhyGreta and Gaza – what did she achieve?
A boat carrying Greta Thunberg and 11 other activists with aid for Gaza was intercepted by Israeli forces overnight. The Madleen was operated by the…
This Is WhyRoman Abramovich: From rags, to riches, to 'ripping off' Ukraine
The government is threatening to take former Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich to court over the proceeds of the sale of the club. Three years after being…
This Is WhyWeight loss jabs - what else don't we know?
The government's health agency, the MHRA, is warning women that they shouldn't use weight loss jabs while pregnant and that the drugs can also affect the…
This Is WhyWhere’s Rachel Reeves getting her bus money?
The chancellor presents the spending review next week where she will outline how the budget will be divided for government departments between 2026 and 2029…
This Is WhyWhy good weather isn’t to blame for small boat crossings
The Home Office says the doubling of good weather days this year compared to the start of 2024 "coincides with small boat arrivals being 46% higher" - but…
This Is WhyDefence review: 'War ready’ - but for what war?
The prime minister has launched a 10-year Strategic Defence Review setting out how Britain will operate in an ever-more worrying geopolitical environment. Sir…
This Is Why‘Le slap’: Brigitte Macron, schoolteacher to France’s first lady
Emmanuel Macron has played down a video of him being pushed in the face by his wife Brigitte, as the couple prepared to leave their plane to begin their tour…
This Is WhyIsrael's illegal settlements - and those fighting back
Israel has authorised 22 new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, including legalising unauthorised outposts.Such settlements are considered illegal…
This Is WhyDominic Cummings: If Farage listens to me, he’ll be the next PM
Nigel Farage could "definitely" become prime minister at the next general election. That's according to Dominic Cummings, Boris Johnson’s former chief advisor…
This Is WhyLiverpool parade: Why were suspect details released so quickly?
The police's rapid announcement of the age, ethnicity, and nationality of the Liverpool parade suspect shows they've learned lessons from the 2024 Southport…
This Is WhyTargeted by Trump: Who is South African president Cyril Ramaphosa?
Donald Trump put his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa on the spot during his visit to the Oval Office this week with a list of claims about the deaths…
This Is WhyCrime and castration: Will government's prison plans work?
The government says it will accept the majority of the recommendations in the report it commissioned into jail sentences. The independent review, led by…
This Is WhyWarnings of Gaza famine: Will Israel listen?
Israel has stopped aid from going into Gaza for the past 11 weeks - a blockade that Sir Keir Starmer has called "indefensible". It allowed a limited amount of…
This Is WhyCaught up in the crossfire: Reporting from an urban war zone
Rampant gang violence has surged in Haiti, one of the poorest nations in the world, with authorities struggling to cope. Swathes of territory are under the…
This Is WhyStarmer's UK-EU deal: What does it mean for you?
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer today signed a landmark post-Brexit deal with the European Union. The deal has been lauded by the Labour leader as "a new era…
This Is WhyTrump’s gift: Why is Air Force One so important to the President?
Air Force One, sometimes referred to the 'flying Oval Office', is seen as a global symbol of American power. It is for this reason, among others, that Donald…
This Is WhyCan Ukraine and Russia find peace in Turkey?
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russia of sending "stand-in props" to peace talks in Turkey after Moscow confirmed President Vladimir Putin…
This Is WhyTrump’s deal with Syria, what it means
Donald Trump has met Syrian president Ahmed al Sharaa - a former al Qaeda leader - during a tour of the Middle East. The US president said he is looking at…
This Is WhyWho are the gangs behind the cannabis home delivery service?
A Sky News investigation has uncovered the complex gang network using stickers on lampposts and e-bikes to expand their cannabis home delivery operation. Led…
This Is WhyMigration – Is Labour Reform-ing?
The prime minister today announced a plan to reduce net migration as he warned the UK risks becoming an "island of strangers". Sir Keir Starmer wants to bring…
This Is WhyPope Leo XIV: Why it's significant he's the first American pope
Pope Leo XIV is the first North American to lead the Catholic Church. But he was not considered to be in the top 10 likely candidates to succeed Pope Francis…
This Is WhyTrade deals and interest rates - a good day for Starmer?
President Trump has called the US-UK trade deal "full and comprehensive" while Sir Keir Starmer said "it's going to not only protect jobs, but create jobs…
This Is WhyThe India-Pakistan conflict explained
India has launched missile strikes on Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir in retaliation for a terror attack last month that India accused its neighbour…
This Is WhyReform flirts with loyal Labour voters – is it a winning strategy?
Reform is flirting with traditional Labour support - workers and union members. Ten local authorities are now controlled by Reform - including Doncaster, taken…
This Is WhyWill Prince Harry and the King reconcile?
Prince Harry has lost his legal challenge over the level of security he receives while in the UK and described the ruling as an "establishment stitch-up". He…
This Is WhyKneecap: The Irish rap group condemned by MPs - but who are they?
Online videos of the rap trio Kneecap calling for the death of British MPs and shouting "Up Hamas, up Hezbollah" are now being investigated by the police. It…
This Is WhyWhat is going on with the retail cyber attacks?
M&S has been targeted in a cyber attack which has left it unable to process online orders or take contactless payments. Some experts predict it could be…
This Is Why'Defiled and looted' - returning home during the Sudan war
Civil war has been raging in Sudan for two years. The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has seen…
This Is WhyDid Trump just win the election for Canada’s Mark Carney
Mark Carney's Liberals have won the Canadian election in a remarkable turnaround for the centre-left party. The Liberal Party was well behind in the polls just…
This Is WhyStar behaviour – will the scandals ever stop?
A small number of BBC stars and managers "behave unacceptably" at work and bosses often fail to tackle them. That's according to a new report into the…
This Is WhySlot better than expected: The Liverpool and Arne story
Arne Slot, who took over as manager of Liverpool FC from Jurgen Klopp last summer, has had a remarkable year. His club is about to win the Premier League title…
This Is WhyWhat happens if the US walks away from a Ukraine peace deal?
JD Vance is the latest senior member of Donald Trump's administration to say the US will walk away from peace talks if there isn’t a yes from both Ukraine and…
This Is WhyUkraine war: are we inching closer to peace?
Delegations arrived in London on Wednesday for talks on a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine after the discussions were downgraded from the very top level…
This Is WhyWhat next after the Pope?
As Catholics around the world continue to mourn the death of Pope Francis, the process to elect a new pope will begin soon. But what direction will the new…
This Is WhyWhat's the legacy of Pope Francis?
Pope Francis has died at the age of 88, a day after appearing in the Vatican’s St Peter's Square to wish worshippers a happy Easter Sunday. Earlier this year…
This Is WhyWho is the "world's coolest dictator" Nayib Bukele?
El Salvador's president Nayib Bukele was welcomed into the White House by President Trump earlier this week. The pair have recently become close allies after…
This Is WhyTrans women not legally women say judges – what changes now?
The definition of a woman is based on biological sex, according to the UK’s most senior judges. As part of the decision, Lord Hodge, one of the judges, said…
This Is WhyWeinstein retrial: What happened to the #MeToo momentum?
Jury selection begins on Tuesday in the retrial of the Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, where the original charges of rape and sexual assault will be heard…
This Is WhyFrom Shanghai to Scunthorpe - what's China's influence on UK industry?
British Steel's Scunthorpe steelworks are now effectively under government control after the business secretary said Chinese owner Jingye had decided to stop…
This Is WhyElectoral Dysfunction: Why isn’t Keir Starmer saying what he really thinks?
On today's Sky News Daily, we're sharing the latest episode of Electoral Dysfunction. Donald Trump has pressed pause on his higher tariffs... but not before he…
This Is WhyBin strikes, stinking rubbish and rats – what's life like in Birmingham now?
It's been five weeks since the Birmingham bin strikes began over a long-running dispute between workers and the council. The city's residents have complained…
This Is WhyUS-China trade war ramps up: Who will blink first?
Donald Trump has raised trade tariffs on China again - up to 125% and that's effective immediately. At the same time, he's ordered a 90-day pause on higher…
This Is WhyCourts and the Colosseum: What is the Harry and King Charles dynamic now?
Unannounced Prince Harry arrived at the court of appeal in London on Tuesday, as part of a last-ditch attempt to overturn the Home Office decision to remove…
This Is WhyMarket turmoil: Are we heading for a global recession?
Today has seen chaos on global stock markets, with price plunges reminiscent of the famous Black Monday crash of 1987. Back then, the causes were unclear…
This Is WhyThe rise (and fall?) of Marine Le Pen
The leader of France's far-right National Rally party Marine Le Pen has had her dreams of becoming the president of France thwarted. It comes after a court…
This Is WhyTrump's tariffs: what do they mean for Britain?
President Donald Trump has imposed immediate tariffs of 10% on all British exports to the United States. He did this as he announced a "declaration of economic…
This Is WhyHow have Trump's tariffs already affected China?
China's economy is already struggling. Growth has slowed dramatically in recent years and there is high youth employment. Since the beginning of March, there's…
This Is WhyBills, bills, bills: How can you beat the hikes?
From 1 April, household bills are going up. The cost of everything from energy to phone bills, council tax, and broadband is increasing. You can calculate how…