The Rest Is Politics

25 Mar 2026

514. Who Is Profiting from Trump’s Iran Catastrophe?

Are Russia, Israel, and Iran itself the real winners from Trump and Netanyahu’s war? Is Starmer right to resist more British involvement in the war? Will the Gulf states realign with Europe and ‘middle powers’ as a result of America’s latest exploits in the Middle East?

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.

Leading

23 Mar 2026

181. Ai Weiwei: China, Censorship, and Dissidence Through Art

Why was Ai Weiwei kidnapped and held prisoner by the Chinese government? How did the 2008 Sichuan earthquake radicalise him into taking aim at the authorities through art? What’s behind Ai Weiwei’s belief that there is a serious censorship issue in the West? 

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.

Latest

Alastair Campbell’s diary: Trump’s dark legacy – the world now sees America as worse than China

MAGA has made the land of the free more of a global danger than a repressive surveillance state that spies, steals and kills... Continue

510. How The Iran War Is Spiralling Into a Global Crisis

Has Trump unleashed a sequence of events nobody in the world can control? How serious are the global consequences? Is this war even more dangerous than the Iraq war? Join Rory and Alastair as they an... Continue

179. President Stubb: Trump’s Unlikely Best Friend

How did President Stubb’s golfing talent lead him to fostering a close relationship with President Trump? Why was ‘Prime Minister’ the worst job ever? Why will the Global South define the new wo... Continue

The Future of Warfare: Anthropic vs Open AI

Is Europe sleepwalking into American AI dependency? Are we building toward a world where AI genuinely thinks for itself? And as AI becomes the backbone of modern warfare, who's really in control? Joi... Continue

509. Labour’s Polanski Problem and the Student Loans Scandal (Question Time)

Does the Gorton and Denton by-election result suggest Labour has been underestimating the threat of the Green Party? Is the UK's tuition fee system less like a loan and more like a punishing graduate ... Continue

508. Is Starmer Sleepwalking into War with Iran?

Is Keir Starmer sleepwalking into a war Britain never agreed to fight? What are Trump's real objectives in attacking Iran? How far will Iran's retaliation go? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer al... Continue

178. Gavin Newsom: The Next President Of The United States?

What happened on a ridiculous midnight phone call between Donald Trump and the Governor of California? Why does Gavin Newsom believe the President will be crushed in the mid-terms? What is Newsom’s ... Continue

507. The Ayatollah Is Killed – REACTION

With the confirmation of the death of Iran's Supreme Leader confirmed, where does this leave the regime? Who is being targeted in Iran's retaliation attacks and how have Iranians reacted? Is Trump's b... Continue