The Story

Louise Callaghan, Americas correspondent for The Sunday Times reporting from Mexico, describes Guadalajara after the takedown of a cartel boss. She recounts immediate cartel retaliation, visible violence and public fear. She explains the Jalisco cartel’s franchise model, control through terror and corruption, and the human cost seen in disappearances and mass-grave searches.

General Sir Patrick Sanders, former head of the British Army, offers strategic military perspective. Michael Evans, longtime defence correspondent, draws on decades covering conflicts. They discuss the UK allowing US use of bases, intercepting Iranian drones and a possible warship to Cyprus. They debate how political pressure, limited military options and escalation risks could draw Britain deeper into the crisis.

Ali Ansari, a historian of modern Iran at St Andrews, gives context on succession and power structures. Rana Rahimpour, an exiled Iranian journalist and former BBC Persian presenter, recounts protests, public emotions and daily realities under the regime. They explore the immediate political vacuum, competing power centers, military vulnerabilities and the international ripple effects.

Tom Kington, Italy correspondent for The Times, recounts investigations into 1990s Sarajevo and interviews with an eyewitness. He outlines rumours of foreigners paying to shoot civilians, how tourists allegedly accessed sniper positions, price lists targeting women and children, and the aftermath of violence. The narrative follows investigations now resurfacing in Italy and one witness’s decision to speak after decades.

Sir Peter Westmacott, former British ambassador to the US and long-serving diplomat with deep Iran experience. He discusses coordinated US–Israel strikes and Iran’s wide retaliation. He unpacks Iran’s succession uncertainties and whether decapitation can reshape its theocratic system. He also examines legal, military and regional risks as conflict spreads across the Gulf.

Anthony Lloyd, a veteran war correspondent for The Times, leads an investigation into the disappearance of British photojournalist John Cantlie. The conversation covers Cantlie’s appearances in ISIS propaganda. It explores why Cantlie alone remained unaccounted for and recounts the dangers and key moments leading up to his disappearance.

Alev Scott, investigative journalist and author of Cash Cow who probes fertility and maternal-health industries. She explores online breastmilk markets and why men buy milk. She exposes for-profit milk processors, price gaps between informal trade and industrial products, and the booming, loosely regulated global egg-donation trade. She recounts undercover experiences in clinics and urges debate on ethics and regulation.

A shocking by-election flips a once-safe Labour seat to the Greens and shakes up Britain’s political map. Discussion centers on which voter blocs have shifted and where campaign mistakes were made. They explore whether Labour’s leadership and direction can survive this realignment and how rivals like Reform and the Conservatives are being redefined.

A brief call for listener input and why feedback matters. Clear instructions on where to find and complete a new survey. A preview of a special segment about the Gorton and Denton by-election.

Poppy Koronka, a Times health reporter who interviews affected families, and Eleanor Hayward, Times health editor with deep NHS maternity experience. They discuss widespread failures across 12 trusts. They cover racism in care, staffing and postnatal neglect, culture and leadership problems, families’ anger at interim findings, calls for national guidance and whether a statutory inquiry is needed.