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: I’m in Ukraine, a nation let down by America

But on the fourth anniversary of the war, Ukrainians want more than just warm words. They want real help to end this war. Trump isn’t going to give it – so it’s down to us... Continue
The New European

504. Is Trump Losing His Tariffs War? (Question Time)

Will Trump escalate his global acts of aggression in response to the dramatic Supreme Court ruling? How will the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten Windsor change the course of British royal history? Will L... Continue
The Rest Is Politics

Alastair Campbell’s diary: Trump’s Ukraine delusion

After four years of war, Putin isn't winning. So why does the president insist he is?... Continue
The New European

Why Trump Wants Greenland

Why has Donald Trump considered invading Greenland? How does he think it will benefit him? What is the role of China in the Arctic? And what animals have Russia trained to spy for them? Listen as Alas... Continue
The Rest Is Politics

177. Olaf Scholz: Putin, Power, and Far-Right Populism

Does the former German Chancellor think that Germany was wrong to rely on Russian gas in the run up to the war in Ukraine? What does Olaf Scholz think is behind the rise of the far-right Alternative f... Continue
Leading

503. Andrew’s Arrest: What Next?

Why has the disgraced Andrew Mountbatten Windsor been arrested? How damaging is this unprecedented moment for the royal family? How effective was King Charles’ response? Join Alastair and the forme... Continue
The Rest Is Politics

502. How Nigel Farage Gets Away With It (Question Time)

Why is Reform UK's leader not being properly challenged by the press, and how does he get away with it? What does this reveal about the international populist playbook? How can our democracies be bett... Continue
The Rest Is Politics

Alastair Campbell’s diary: The coercive control of Marco Rubio’s Munich doctrine

The US secretary of state told his audience he was only being tough on Europe because he loved it. It was almost as offensive as JD Vance a year earlier... Continue
The New European