The Rest Is Politics

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

7 Sep 2026

205. Anthony Scaramucci: Why America Keeps Making the Same Mistakes

Why does Anthony Scaramucci think Osama bin Laden is “winning”, and what has the War on Terror really cost America? From letting China into the WTO to bailing out the banks in 2008, how did America's own leaders pave the way for Donald Trump's electoral victories? As Trump's second term reaches its halfway point, is America about to bankrupt itself?

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

Alastair Campbell’s diary: What Farage told me about Musk, Trump & the Tories

It underlined that he views politics mainly through the lens of personality and rarely bothers with policy... Continue

350. Assad in Moscow, Trump meets Zelensky, and Farage’s secret strategy

Is there hope for Syria? What’s next for France? And, why does Nigel Farage have a spring in his step?Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more.The Rest Is Politics... Continue

111. Angela Merkel: Putin, Trump, and Europe’s future

What lessons on leadership does Angela Merkel have after 16 years served as Chancellor of Germany? Does she have any regrets from her tenure? What was it like being in East Germany when the B... Continue

349. The Fall of Assad: What’s next for Syria?

Who are the Syrian rebels that have captured the capital? Why has the Assad regime collapsed so quickly? What's next for Syria, and the Middle East? Join Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell a... Continue

348. Syria, Afghanistan, and The Rest Is Classified

It has been thirteen years since Bashar al-Assad triggered a civil war which would kill hundreds of thousands of people and devastate Syria. Recent events have shown just how far his rule ha... Continue

347. Question Time: Biden’s Pardon is Unforgivable

Is Starmer right to dismiss the two million people calling for a general election? What are Georgia’s chances of EU integration? And, if they were heading up British Intelligence, how much ... Continue

Alastair Campbell’s diary: Navalny’s daughter will haunt Putin

The 23-year-old hopes to, one day, return to Russia and hep make it a free country. She's certainly her father's daughter... Continue

346. The Battle for Syria

Who are the Syrian rebels who have attacked Aleppo? Will Keir Starmer's reset be enough to convince the public? Why is the French government on the brink of collapse?Join Rory and Alastair as... Continue