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This Is Why

This Is Why

By: Sky News
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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.ukCopyright Sky News Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Is Olly Robbins the Mandelson scapegoat?
    Apr 17 2026

    Top civil servant Olly Robbins has been sacked after his department did not inform the prime minister that Lord Mandelson had failed security vetting for the role of US ambassador.

    Opposition parties are calling on the prime minister to resign but Sir Keir Starmer is insisting he wasn’t told, in an "unforgivable" omission.

    He's due to speak to MPs in parliament on Monday, and address the accusations he misled them over the process of Mandelson’s appointment.

    But who is Olly Robbins, the man who has lost his job over the latest Mandelson revelation and is he being used as a fall guy? And how toxic will the row be for Sir Keir?

    Niall talks to hosts of fellow Sky podcast Politics at Sam and Anne’s, Anne McElvoy, executive editor at Politico and Sky’s deputy political editor, Sam Coates.

    Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show: why@sky.uk

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    16 mins
  • Why the era of Saudi “sportswashing” could be over
    Apr 16 2026

    A multi-billion-dollar Saudi-backed golf tour is reportedly close to collapse – so could this spell an end to the Gulf state’s interest in sport?

    The controversial LIV Golf Tour is just one strand of the Saudis’ sporting portfolio.

    Footballing superstar Cristiano Ronaldo plays there, while the country’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) also owns English Premier League team, Newcastle United.

    But the PIF - which has plunged $5b into the LIV project - has a new five-year economic strategy that includes no mention of sport. Having been accused of using sport as a political tool to legitimise the Saudi regime, what led to this apparent change of strategy?

    Sky News’ sports correspondent Rob Harris joins Niall to discuss what it means for the future of Saudi sport.

    Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show: why@sky.uk

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    17 mins
  • Why NATO has to prepare for life without Trump
    Apr 15 2026

    Another night, another post on Truth Social from Donald Trump criticising NATO. As other leaders try to persuade him to stay in the alliance, plans are being prepared in case the US goes through with its threat to walk away.

    At the same time, the UK government is in a muddle on defence spending – with criticism from current and former military chiefs - but no decisions yet on how and when to boost budgets.

    Niall and Sky's military analyst Professor Michael Clarke debrief on what a post-Trump NATO might look like.

    Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show: why@sky.uk

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    19 mins
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