The Rest Is Politics

13 Feb 2026

The Battle for the Arctic

One of the most important political issues of our time - the battle for the Arctic. Why is Russia so dominant there? Why does Trump really want Greenland? And why is Climate Change right at the heart of this?Join Alastair and author Kenneth R. Rosen in the first episode of our new members-only miniseries on the battle for geopolitical control of the icy north, the polar war.

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

9 Feb 2026

175. Ex-Director of GCHQ: China, Russia, and the Threats Facing the UK (Jeremy Fleming)

Do Russia or China represent a bigger risk to UK national security? Why are we underestimating the threat posed by cybercriminals? Who holds the real power - ministers or spies?

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

340. Question Time: Assisted Dying, Texting Macron, and the Politics of Scandal

Are Alastair and Rory starry-eyed about Australian politics? What have Alastair and Macron been texting about? And, what does the world look like without America at the centre of it? Join R... Continue

Alastair Campbell’s diary: Our shameful media, trolling for Trump

The British press featured some bizarre coverage of the US election this week, even by its own standards... Continue

339. Trump, the Middle East, and Ukraine

How will the president elect deal with the Israel-Gaza conflict? Does the US election result spell doom for Zelensky? What’s going on in Germany?Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all th... Continue

107. General David Petraeus: Iraq, Afghanistan, and the US military’s role in the world

Was the surge in Iraq a success for the United States? How critical are alliances to maintaining global stability? How can leaders maintain resilience and integrity in the face of public scru... Continue

Why we should be upgrading not downgrading language teaching in schools across the UK

So yesterday was a big day for me … my first speech in German since my Goethe Institute courses in lockdown to brush up a language I had slowly lost since student days. It was last night, at the Ge... Continue

338. Trump beyond America: what’s next?

Who will Trump appoint to his cabinet? Did wishful thinking cloud the election? And, what do the next four years look like for Taiwan, Ukraine and the Middle East? Join Rory and Alastair as... Continue

337. Trump Returns: What Now?

Did Trump win it or did the Democrats blow it? What are the implications of a second Trump presidency for America and the rest of the world? Has rightwing populism delivered a fatal blow to l... Continue

336. 8am: TRUMP WINS

Head to The Rest is Politics Youtube channel now for live coverage of the final twists and turns of the US presidential election, between 8pm-midnight GMT on Tue 5th Nov, again from 5am-9am G... Continue