The Bunker – News without the nonsense

The BBC’s Ros Atkins regularly goes viral for his news explainers. In our latest episode, he joins Ros Taylor to discuss the art of communication in a changing media environment. Whether you’re talking about a complex political issue, or an email to your boss, it’s vital to be able to communicate effectively and clearly. Where do we begin, are there systems to use in constructing our explanations and what makes an explanation effective? Atkins reveals all in his new book The Art of Explanation.  "Two things I ask when building a video: what's essential and what’s interesting?” – Ros Atkins "You just can’t do quality analysis without proper understanding of the whole story.” – Ros Atkins Art of Explanation by Ros Atkins:https://geni.us/TAOEBOOKWritten and presented by Ros Taylor. Audio production: Alex Rees. Production: Liam Tait and Adam Wright. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Israel-Hamas War is the latest horrific episode in what seems like an intractable political-religious conflict. But could there be a political way out of these generational hatreds? Middle East Analyst and member of the NATO Defence College Foundation Jason Pack believes there IS a solution – and it could come from the most unexpected source. He explains a possible post-war future for Gaza to Andrew Harrison.Why?, the brand new podcast taking you to the edge of knowledge. Available on all good podcast players. Visit whypodcast.co.uk to find itListen to Jason Pack on the Disorder podcast: https://linktr.ee/disorderpodRead more on this topic in The Road to Middle East Peace Runs Through Doha – Jason Pack on foreignpolicy.com • “Netanyahu has committed himself to eradicating Hamas, but Hamas is an ideology, more than a group.” – Jason Pack• “Hamas created Netanyahu as much as he was created by Hamas.” – Jason Pack• “The key to long term peace is a coalition of Arab States… The Qataris are the lynchpin.” – Jason Packwww.patreon.com/bunkercastPresented by Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers Eliza Davis Beard, Chris Jones and Liam Tait. Art by James Parrett. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters ProductionInstagram | Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the final King’s Speech before the election due, is there any point to Sunak’s plans anymore? What can we expect from the government’s agenda – and can any of its goals even be achieved? Plus the latest on the Israel-Hamas conflict – will growing calls for a ceasefire or pause be heeded? Finally, Trump is expected to testify in one of his many court cases, what should we expect? Jacob Jarvis is joined in The Bunker by Alex Andreou to get you prepped for the week ahead.   ‘“The Conservatives are a party that has given up on governing.” – Alex Andreou “We know we’ve run out of spaces in prisons, so harsher sentences are pointless.” – Alex Andreou “The environmentalist King Charles reading out a regressive fossil fuel policy will be fascinating to watch.” – Alex Andreou  Support us on Patreon:www.patreon.com/bunkercast Why? - the brand new podcast taking you to the edge of knowledge. Available on all good podcast players - visit whypodcast.co.uk to find itWritten and presented by Jacob Jarvis and Alex Andreou. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Jade Bailey. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.Instagram | Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this Bonfire night special Bunker Gold, let us take you back to November 2020…Was Guy Fawkes really “the last honest man to enter Parliament”, as we keep hearing on Twitter? Or a fore-runner of today’s religiously radicalised terrorists? Why is a villain of the Gunpowder Plot acclaimed as a hero by some in 2020? Nick Holland, author of The Real Guy Fawkes, tells Jude Rogers why Guy Fawkes persists as a symbol… and what we misunderstand about a man who almost murdered thousands in a 17th century atrocity. “Guy Fawkes is a complicated figure – so both political sides can claim him.” “It’s estimated he’d gathered enough gunpowder to destroy Parliament 25 times over.” Presented by Jude Rogers. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producer Jacob Archbold. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From Obama’s tan suit to the Emperor’s new clothes – we’ve always been fascinated by politicians’ wardrobes. But should we care at all what they wear? Marie Le Conte is joined by fashion writer and political commentator, Derek Guy aka "The Menswear Guy" on Twitter to find out. "I don’t like the respectability politics of clothing. Your character isn’t determined by how you dress.” – Derek Guy "I would agree. I’m a bit of a snob.” – Derek Guy “You don’t know if somebody earnestly loves something or if they’re being paid by a brand." – Derek Guy Support us on Patreon:www.patreon.com/bunkercast Written and presented by Marie Le Conte. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Jade Bailey. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.Instagram | Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The notion of American patriotism has become increasingly controversial — and linked to violence. With no clear-cut definition of patriotism, the notion has been co-opted by far-right extremist groups such as the Proud Boys and Oathkeepers. Sam Jackson is the author of Oath Keepers: Patriotism and the Edge of Violence in a Right-Wing Anti Government Group, he joins Chris Jones in The Bunker to discuss how the concept has been warped.Book link: http://cup.columbia.edu/book/oath-keepers/9780231193450 “Patriotism is used as a political weapon”. “There’s no clear and thick analytical definition of patriotism - it’s more a form of strategic communication or persuasion”. “I don’t see any reason that we should be confident that another January 6th insurrection couldn’t happen again”. Support us on Patreon:www.patreon.com/bunkercastWritten and presented by Chris Jones. Producer: Eliza Davis Beard. Audio producer: Jade Bailey. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Questions over Iran’s involvement in the Israel-Hamas conflict have run rampant since the terrorist attacks of October. How would the nation benefit from chaos in the Middle East and what would it take for Iran to join the war? Today in The Bunker, Alex Andreou sits down with Dr Sanam Vakil, director of the Middle East and North Africa Programme at Chatham House, to ask: what does Iran want? “Iran is not a natural partner with Hamas, they have significant religious differences.” – Dr Sanam Vakil “There is a concern that escalation can come not because of choice but because of mistakes." – Dr Sanam Vakil “Iran is exploiting deep divisions between the global north and south over this war.” – Dr Sanam Vakil www.patreon.com/bunkercast Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Producers: Liam Tait and Eliza Davis Beard. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.Instagram | Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are tech giants out of control? Our media landscape is dominated by tech titans with unlimited resources and little to no oversight. Does anyone have a plan to deal with this lack of regulation? Ros Taylor sits down with, senior research fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School and author of Techlash, Tom Wheeler to discuss his vision of digital governance. “Certain men of wealth can do as they please." – Tom Wheeler  “We need a new federal agency that is created to deal with the realities of modern tech.” – Tom Wheeler  “The internet is the largest ungoverned space in the world.” – Tom Wheeler  https://www.brookings.edu/books/techlash/ www.patreon.com/bunkercast Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.Instagram | Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Prisons across England and Wales are at breaking point. If the system does not change, experts say the number of people living in squalor in overcrowded facilities will only increase. What are the government’s plans to change the system? And can it be fixed? Danny Shaw is a crime, justice and policing commentator and ex-BBC Home Affairs Correspondent. He joins Ros Taylor in The Bunker.“What’s really bad is that the entire criminal justice system feels broken.” – Danny Shaw“I think both Labour and the Conservatives have had an arms race to be tough on criminal justice.” – Danny Shaw“There isn’t just a shortage of capacity, there just aren’t enough prison officers.” – Danny Shawwww.patreon.com/bunkercast Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production:Alex Rees. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The far-right could seize power in the next French presidential election. Marine Le Pen has been flying the flag for the anti-immigration Nation Rally Party ever since her father Jean-Marie Le Pen stepped down in 2011. Despite multiple failed attempts at election, her popularity has been increasing in the polls - and it looks like 2027 could be her year. So what’s behind her success and what would France under Le Pen’s presidency look like? Paul Smith is an Associate Professor in French History and Politics at Nottingham University, he joins Chris Jones in The Bunker.  “Le Pen wants to be a disruptive Trump-like figure for the EU.” – Paul Smith “Le Pen doesn’t care about a Frexit. Brexit has taught everyone in Europe that they shouldn’t leave the EU.” – Paul Smith www.patreon.com/bunkercast Written and presented by Chris Jones. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio production: Alex Rees. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices