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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122. How Europe can survive Trump (Frans Timmermans)

Are Trump and Putin carving up the world? How should the EU adapt to this new world? What imagination is needed on the political left? TRIP Plus:Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus ... Continue
Leading

374. Question Time: Why The US Needs A Leader Of The Opposition

How dangerous is Europe's exclusion from Ukraine peace talks? Is there anything to be learnt from the USAID cuts? And what are Rory and Alastair's guilty pleasures?Join Alastair and Rory as t... Continue
The Rest Is Politics

373. Europe vs. America: Crisis in the West

What can Europe do to protect itself against the Trump administration? Will Germany’s historic anti-far right ‘firewall’ collapse? Will Ukraine become a Russian satellite state?Join Ror... Continue
The Rest Is Politics

121. Yulia Navalnaya: The Woman Who Could Bring Down Putin

Why did Yulia’s husband, Alexei Navalny, return to Russia, knowing he’d be imprisoned? Is there any credible opposition to Putin left? What does the West get wrong about Putin’s Russia?... Continue
Leading

372. Syria, al-Sharaa, and the future of the Middle East

What does al-Sharaa's rise to power mean for Syria? Given his surprise takeover, how will today’s CIA analysts be changing the way they think about the country and what happens next? Will S... Continue
The Rest Is Politics

We need a Labour revolution on Brexit

Closer EU alignment would boost growth, strengthen our hand against an unpredictable US and set a trap for Farage and Badenoch... Continue
The New European

Europe needs to get real on defence; Britain needs to get real on Europe

Below is the text of a speech I am making this evening to the Labour Movement for Europe, urging a change in approach by Labour, to be bolder in the terms of the "reset" that is promised, clearer in ... Continue
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371. Question Time: Buying Gaza, Macron’s AI Stunt, and Europe on a Knife’s Edge

How does Trump’s controversial plan impact Middle Eastern relations? Can President Macron combat AI deep fakes in France? How does Canada plan to fight a trade war with the US?Join Alastair... Continue
The Rest Is Politics