Empire: World History

Hosts Anita Arand and William Dalrymple, joined by historian G.

Hosts William Dalrymple and Anita Aron explore the resurgence of Stalin's image in modern Russia, analyzing Putin's justification for restoring…

Peter Bergen details the failures preceding 9/11, including the Bush administration’s Cold War bias and the CIA’s failure to flag hijackers Khalid al-Midhar and Nawaf al-Hazmi.

Peter Bergen recounts the 1997 interview where Osama bin Laden first declared war on the US, detailing his arrival in Afghanistan and alliance with the Taliban.

Hosts William Dalrymple and Anita Arand interview Steve Coll on Osama bin Laden’s transformation from a celebrated Saudi hero to a stateless fugitive.

Steve Cole joins hosts Anita Arand and William Drepel to explore the Bin Laden family’s rise in Saudi Arabia.

Host Willie Walsh and guest Jason Burke explore the origins of Al-Qaeda during the Soviet-Afghan War.

Hosted by Jason Burke, this episode traces the ideological roots of 9/11 from mid-century Cairo to the torture cells of Egyptian prisons.

Hosts Anita Anand and William Durrant join guest Eleanor Barraclough to explore the cultural and religious syncretism between Norse paganism and Christianity in 10th-century Britain.

Hosts Anita Anand and William Durbin join guest Eleanor Barrowclough to debunk Viking stereotypes, such as horned helmets, while exploring their raids on monasteries like Lindisfarne and Iona.

Host Anita Anand interviews archaeologist Gordon Noble to debunk myths about the Picts, revealing them as a sophisticated, wealthy society with extensive trade links to the Mediterranean.

Historian David Ó Cróinín joins hosts Anita Anand and William Dalrymple to debunk myths surrounding St.

Hosts Anita Arnon and William Drummond join historian Eleanor Barraclough to explore religious syncretism in Roman Britain.

Hosts Anita Arnon and William de Rumpel interview Professor Ronald Hutton on the earliest religions of Britain and Ireland.

Hosts Anita Arnon and William de Rumpel compare modern tech billionaires to historical imperial powers, particularly the East India Company.

This final episode of the Algerian series examines how colonial history shapes modern France, focusing on the 1961 Paris massacre and its suppression.

This episode explores post-independence Algeria as a glamorous yet authoritarian hub for global liberation movements.

This episode explores the Battle of Algiers, detailing General Massoud’s brutal counter-insurgency tactics, including systematic torture and the use of informants to dismantle the FLN network.

Hosts Anita Arnhem and William Drupal explore the Algerian War of Independence, beginning with the FLN’s 1954 attacks and the subsequent Philippeville massacre that radicalized the population.

Hosts Anita Anand and William Dalrymple explore the roots of the Algerian War, tracing the 1848 decision to integrate Algeria into France while enforcing a racist dual legal system.

Hosts Anita Anand and William Dalrymple explore the origins of French colonization in Algeria, triggered by the "fly whisk incident.

Acclaimed filmmaker Ken Burns joins Empire to discuss his new series on the American Revolution, challenging nostalgic myths by highlighting the…

Hosts interview Matthew Davis, author of *Mount Rushmore*, to explore the landmark’s controversial history.

This final episode of the Duleep Singh sisters series examines the tragic lives of Princesses Pauline and Irene, daughters of the Maharaja’s second wife, Ada.

This episode of Empire: World History features host William Dalrymple and author Anita Anand discussing Bamba Duleep Singh, the eldest daughter of the last Maharaja of the Punjab.

Anita Anand and William Durrampel explore the life of Catherine Duleep Singh, sister of suffragette Sophia.

Hosts Anita Anand and William Dalrymple launch a series on the daughters of Maharaja Duleep Singh, focusing on Sophia Duleep Singh.

Host Jessica and guest Francesca Stavrakopoulou examine Sigmund Freud’s controversial theory linking Akhenaten to monotheism.

Hosts Anita Anand and William Dalrymple, joined by Dr.

Hosts Anita Anand and William de Rypel join Dr.

Hosts Anita Arnon and William de Rimpel welcome Egyptologist Aidan Dodson to discuss Nefertiti’s life, challenging myths about her foreign origins…

Host William de Rimpel interviews Professor Aidan Dodson on the collapse of Akhenaten’s Amarna Revolution.

In this episode of Empire, hosts William Durand and Anita Anand join historian Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones to explore Pharaoh Akhenaten’s radical religious revolution.

This episode explores the romantic relationship between Jawaharlal Nehru and Edwina Mountbatten during India’s partition.

Historian Eric Cline joins hosts Anita Anand and William de Rypin to discuss his book on the Amarna Letters, ancient clay tablets revealing a interconnected Bronze Age world.

Louis Theroux joins Empire hosts Anita Arnon and William Durimple to discuss his documentaries on Israeli settlers and the online manosphere.

This episode explores the controversial legacy of Subhash Chandra Bose, who allied with Axis powers to fight British rule in India.

Hosts Anita Anand and William Dalrymple welcome Michael Bass to discuss the decline of the Dutch East India Company and the rise of the British East India Company.

Host William de Rumpel and historian Giles Milton explore the brutal 17th-century rivalry between the English and Dutch East India Companies over nutmeg.

This episode explores rumors of Edwina Mountbatten’s affairs with African-American entertainers Paul Robeson and Les Hite.

Host Will and guest Harold van der Linde explore the rise of the Dutch East India Company (VOC), detailing its origins in 17th-century espionage and financial innovation.

This episode explores Simon Bolivar’s descent into dictatorship, highlighting his racist execution of naval hero José Padilla and his deteriorating health.

This episode explores the complex love triangle between Edwina Mountbatten, her husband Lord Mountbatten, and Jawaharlal Nehru during India’s partition.

Hosts Anita Arnon and William DeRumpel trace Simón Bolívar’s evolution from a self-interested creole to a revolutionary leader influenced by Haiti’s Toussaint Louverture.

Anita Anand and William Dalrymple discuss the renewed controversy over the Koh-i-Noor diamond, sparked by NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s call for its return to India.

This episode explores the complex origins of Simon Bolivar’s liberation campaign, focusing on tensions between Spanish peninsulares and local Creole elites exacerbated by Bourbon reforms.

Hosts Anita Anand and William Dalrymple explore the life of Simón Bolívar, linking his legacy to modern Venezuelan politics.

Host William Durimple and guest Kim Gattas trace Hezbollah’s origins from the 1982 Israeli invasion and Iranian intervention to the 1983 US embassy and Marine barracks bombings.

This episode details the 1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon, driven by Ariel Sharon’s ambition to dismantle the PLO and install a friendly Christian government.