The Rest Is Politics

1 Oct 2026

576. How Xi is Outplaying Trump and Tensions in Northern Ireland

As Trump becomes the first American president to personally welcome a visiting head of state off a plane since JFK greeted Harold Macmillan in 1962, did his summit with President Xi signal improving US-China relations, or does Xi have his counterpart in an economic chokehold? With the standoff between protesters and members of the pro-British Protestant Orange Order in Northern Ireland showing no sign of resolution, is the region's fragile peace in danger of unravelling? And as violence erupts in Ethiopia, is Africa's second most populous country on the brink of civil war – and does it risk dragging other regional actors into a wider conflict spanning the Horn of Africa and the Gulf?

Two men who’ve been at the heart of the political world – former Downing Street Director of Communications and Strategy Alastair Campbell and cabinet minister Rory Stewart – join forces from across the political divide.

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Leading

28 Sep 2026

208. Mustafa Suleyman: Is AI Actually Conscious?

Can Artificial Intelligence stay subordinate? Is Anthropic’s 100-Page constitution creating dangerous AI autonomy? Should AI models be granted legal personhood, rights, or financial compensation?

Every Monday, Rory and Alastair interrogate, converse with, and interview some of the world’s biggest names – from both inside and outside of politics – about life, leadership, or leading the way in their chosen field.

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Latest

Alastair Campbell’s diary: What two musician brothers from Carlisle can teach JD Vance about Ukraine

If the VP ever becomes president, there is truly no hope for America... Continue
The New European

187. Yanis Varoufakis: How The 2008 Crisis Revived Far-Right Populism

Was the 2008 financial crisis as consequential as the 1929 Wall Street Crash? How did it pave the way for Trump, Brexit, and the rise of the far-right across Europe? Will the economic damage caused by... Continue
Leading

Lucky or Left Behind? The Gen Z Money Story

Is Gen Z the most informed generation in history,  or the most financially trapped? Is a university degree still worth it, or have we sent too many people to study the wrong things? Has Britain gone ... Continue
The Rest Is Politics

527. Are American Tech Billionaires Threatening British Democracy?

Given Palantir’s controversial manifesto – described by some as having “techno-fascist” tendencies – why is the UK Government expanding its work with the company? Why has the Foreign Office ... Continue
The Rest Is Politics

Alastair Campbell’s diary: I went head-to-head with Aleksandar Vučić – and we’re still at war

The Serbian president still blames Nato and New Labour over Kosovo... Continue
The New European

Alastair Campbell’s diary: I went head-to-head with Aleksandar Vučić – and we still don’t agree

The Serbian president still blames Nato and New Labour over Kosovo... Continue
The New European

526. Can the King Save the Special Relationship?

Is the so-called ‘special relationship’ between America and Britain already broken, and is it even worth saving? How can the UK and Europe achieve independence from the US on defence, tech and nuc... Continue
The Rest Is Politics

186. President Aleksandar Vučić: Russia, China, and How Serbia Could Join the EU

How does President Vučić justify Serbia's geopolitical balancing act between Russia, China, and the European Union? Why does he warn that if the EU further delays enlargement, the United States migh... Continue
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