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

431. Question Time: Netanyahu’s Survival, Deadly Clashes in Syria, and Japan’s “Deep State”

Is Netanyahu escalating conflict to distract from scandal? How is toxic masculinity taking hold among young men? Is Japan’s youth driving a new wave of nationalism? Join Rory and Alastair ... Continue
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Alastair Campbell’s diary: Notes from Brixton prison

The problem with Britain’s justice system is that incarceration is more than a punishment – it destroys lives... Continue
The New European

430. Murdoch, Epstein, and AI Billionaires: Is Trump Losing Control?

What did Alastair make of Jeffrey Epstein when he met him? Just how dangerous is AI in an unregulated world of tech bro billionaires? Why do Rory and Alastair disagree on votes for 16 year-ol... Continue
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144. Gary Stevenson: From Teenage Drug Dealer to Millionaire Trader (Part 1)

How did Gary Stevenson go from being expelled for drug dealing, to one of the most successful traders in London? How does class and privilege play into the world of finance in the UK? What... Continue
Leading

How Trump Ditched Ideology

Does Trump already see himself as America’s king? Have he and Vance swapped ideology for a medieval approach to politics? Will reality finally catch up with the MAGA coalition? Join Rory a... Continue
The Rest Is Politics

The Real JD Vance: How Trump Ditched Ideology (Part 5)

Does Trump already see himself as America’s king? Have he and Vance swapped ideology for a medieval approach to politics? Will reality finally catch up with the MAGA coalition? Join Rory a... Continue
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429. Question Time: Gaza, Genocide, and Global Hypocrisy

Has the West lost its moral voice on Gaza? Can Britain and France rebuild trust on migration after Brexit? And, where are today’s Bob Geldofs — and why won’t they speak up? Join Rory a... Continue
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428. Rory vs. Alastair: Are we spending too much on defence?

Is Starmer falling into Trump's defence spending trap? What's the bigger threat to the European democracies: Putin or populism? Why has a Labour-affiliated union suspended Angela Rayner, a tr... Continue
The Rest Is Politics