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

498. Alastair Reacts to Starmer-Mandelson Turmoil

How should the government and politics as a whole respond to the latest revelations about the scale of Epstein's influence, and Mandelson's abuse of power? If Starmer goes, who and what comes next? Do... Continue
The Rest Is Politics

174. Taking On Europe’s Last Dictator: The Fight Against Lukashenko and Putin

How did Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya go from being a housewife to leading a Belarussian government in exile? How did Aleksandr Lukashenko become the last dictator in Europe? Why was Segei, Sviatlana’s h... Continue
Leading

497. Is Trump Plotting Regime Change in Iran? (Question Time)

Is Trump deliberately wielding chaos as a negotiating tactic with Iran? When did it become acceptable for world leaders to openly interfere in each other's elections, as seen with Orbán's internation... Continue
The Rest Is Politics

Alastair Campbell’s diary: Trump’s lies are trashing the dollar

Economic facts are catching up with the political untruths of the Trump administration... Continue
The New European

496. Mandelson’s Disgrace: How Epstein Poisoned Our Politics

What do Peter Mandelson's ties to Jefferey Epstein reveal about the influence of the rich and powerful in British politics? Why did so many prominent figures continue associating with and supporting J... Continue
The Rest Is Politics

173. The man Putin can’t silence: Bill Browder and sanctioning Russia

How did the “biggest capitalist in Eastern Europe” become the primary target of the Russian state? Why was Bill Browder’s friend Sergei Magnitsky killed in Russian prison? Why did Putin really s... Continue
Leading

495. Terror in Minnesota: The Putinisation of America (Question Time)

*This episode contains content that may not be suitable for younger listeners* What do the killings of protesters by ICE in Minnesota reveal about the state of democracy and truth in the Trump era? I... Continue
The Rest Is Politics

494. Carney’s Trump Fightback and the Starmer-Burnham Fallout

Can the 'middle powers' escape Trump's grip and build a world beyond American and Chinese dominance? What is the 'Board of Peace' and why is Trump its chairman for life? Is Starmer’s ‘control-frea... Continue
The Rest Is Politics