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SALT & Goalhanger
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The Rest Is History
The First World War: The Battle of the Frontiers (Part 2)
What was Britain's first military move following the outbreak of the First World War? Where did the French launch their initial attack on the Germans? Whose army was the biggest and best of all the participants in the war? And, what unfolded at the pivotal Battle of the Ardennes in August 1914, on the frontiers of France, between the Germans and the French, and what would be the consequences of the outcome for the war as a whole? Join Dominic and Tom as they discuss, in riveting, unsparing detail, the dramatic early engagements of the...
2025-08-28
1h 00
The Rest Is Politics: US
The Trump Doctrine: America First, Ukraine Last
Will Donald Trump turn on Ukraine? How is Trump implementing ‘Oval Office Capitalism’? Will presidential powers ever stop expanding? Join Katty Kay and Anthony Scaramucci as they answer all these questions and more. Become a Founding Member: Go deeper into US politics every week with ad-free listening, members-only miniseries, early access to live show tickets and a bonus members-only podcast every week. Sign up at therestispoliticsus.com For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com Instagram: @RestPoliticsUS Twitter: @RestPoliticsUS E...
2025-08-21
46 min
Empire
283. Partition: East Pakistan Becomes Bangladesh (Part 6)
How did Bangladesh separate from Pakistan in 1971? When did India and Pakistan go from sharing intelligence to being at the brink of nuclear war? Why did George Harrison from the Beatles organise a concert for Bangladesh? William and Anita are joined once again by Sam Dalrymple, author of Shattered Lands: Five Partitions And The Making of Modern Asia, to discuss the separation of Bangladesh from Pakistan in 1971. Become a member of the Empire Club via empirepoduk.com to receive early access to miniseries, ad-free listening, early access to live show tickets, bonus episodes, book discounts...
2025-08-21
54 min
The Rest Is Politics
Question Time: How To Start A Centrist Party
Why do the Lib Dems still fly under the radar? Is Trump quietly setting the stage for an authoritarian takeover? And, why does Alastair swear so much? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. Join The Rest Is Politics Plus: Start your FREE TRIAL at therestispolitics.com to unlock exclusive bonus content – including Rory and Alastair’s miniseries – plus ad-free listening, early access to episodes and live show tickets, an exclusive members’ newsletter, discounted book prices, and a private chatroom on Discord. ...
2025-08-21
36 min
The Rest Is Politics
The Pro-Putin President: Are Zelensky and Europe sleepwalking into disaster?
Is appeasing Trump and Putin a recipe for disaster in Europe , or simply a pragmatic approach? Why was JD Vance so silent in Zelensky's second White House visit? With mass protests on the streets of Tel Aviv, is Netanyahu losing the Israeli public — and his own army? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. Join The Rest Is Politics Plus: Start your FREE TRIAL at therestispolitics.com to unlock exclusive bonus content – including Rory and Alastair’s miniseries – plus ad-free listening, early access to episodes...
2025-08-20
50 min
Empire
282. Partition: The Birth of The Kashmir Conflict (Part 5)
What happened to the 565 princely states within British India when it became independent from the empire? How are the current conflicts in Balochistan and Kashmir linked to the partition of the princely states? Why have copies of the Lonely Planet been burnt because of their maps of Kashmir? William and Anita are joined once again by Sam Dalrymple, author of Shattered Lands: Five Partitions And The Making of Modern Asia, to discuss how the division of the princely states created a territorial dispute between nuclear nations which has continued ever since. Become a member of t...
2025-08-19
49 min
The Rest Is Politics
Inside the Trump-Putin Summit: What Really Happened in Alaska?
What does 'no deal' mean for Ukraine and Europe? What was agreed behind closed doors? How will Zelensky respond? Join Rory and Alastair as they unpack Trump and Putin's historic meeting in Alaska, the morning after the night before. Join The Rest Is Politics Plus: Start your FREE TRIAL at therestispolitics.com to unlock exclusive bonus content – including Rory and Alastair’s miniseries – plus ad-free listening, early access to episodes and live show tickets, an exclusive members’ newsletter, discounted book prices, and a private chatroom on Discord. ...
2025-08-16
50 min
The Rest Is Politics: US
Inside the Trump-Putin Meeting: What Went Wrong?
What happened inside Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin's meeting? Is this a win for Russia? What’s next for Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ukraine? Join Katty Kay and Anthony Scaramucci as they answer all these questions and more. For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com Instagram: @RestPoliticsUS Twitter: @RestPoliticsUS Email: therestispoliticsus@goalhanger.com Assistant Producer: India Dunkley Producer: Fiona Douglas Video Editor: Kieron Leslie Social Producer: Charlie Johnson Senior Producer: Dom Johnson He...
2025-08-16
27 min
The Rest Is Politics: US
How Putin is Playing Trump
What does Trump really want from Putin? Will the Alaska summit end the war in Ukraine? Why has Trump sent the National Guard into Washington DC? Join Katty Kay and Anthony Scaramucci as they answer all these questions and more. Become a Founding Member: Go deeper into US politics every week with ad-free listening, members-only miniseries, early access to live show tickets and a bonus members-only Q&A podcast every week. Sign up at therestispoliticsus.com For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com...
2025-08-14
47 min
Empire
281. Partition: Why Was India Split In Two? (Part 4)
Why was the Partition of India and Pakistan so rushed in 1947? How did Partition divide everything from stationery to army boots in a matter of weeks? And how do South Asians today grapple with the memory of the largest forced migration in history? William and Anita are joined once again by Sam Dalrymple, author of Shattered Lands: Five Partitions And The Making of Modern Asia, to The Great Partition. Become a member of the Empire Club via empirepoduk.com to receive early access to miniseries, ad-free listening, early access to live show tickets, bonus episodes...
2025-08-14
54 min
The Rest Is Politics
Question Time: Farage vs Corbyn: The UK's Next Prime Minister?
Is Starmer too afraid to take on Farage? What does Germany’s turn away from Israel signal? And, how much should kids know about geopolitics? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. The Rest Is Politics Plus: Join with a FREE TRIAL at therestispolitics.com for exclusive bonus content including Rory and Alastair’s first ever miniseries, early access to episodes and live show tickets, ad free listening, our exclusive newsletter, discount book prices on titles mentioned on the pod, and our members chatroom.
2025-08-14
51 min
The Rest Is Politics
Is Trump Gifting Ukraine to Putin?
Have Zelensky and Europe lost all leverage over Trump and Putin? What’s behind Vance’s ‘odd relationship’ with UK foreign secretary David Lammy? Why does Rory think Starmer’s terrorist proscription of direct action group Palestine Action is ‘really foolish’? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. The Rest Is Politics Plus: Join with a FREE TRIAL at therestispolitics.com for exclusive bonus content including Rory and Alastair’s first ever miniseries, early access to episodes and live show tickets, ad free listening, our exclusive ne...
2025-08-13
50 min
Empire
280. Partition: The Creation of Pakistan (Part 3)
Why did Jinnah initially accept that Pakistan could be part of an Indian Federation? When did Jinnah start to push for Pakistan to be independent from India? What was Direct Action Day in 1946, and how did it start the violence of Partition? William and Anita are joined once again by Sam Dalrymple, author of Shattered Lands: Five Partitions And The Making of Modern Asia, to discuss the origins of The Great Partition of 1947. Become a member of the Empire Club via empirepoduk.com to receive early access to miniseries, ad-free listening, early access to live s...
2025-08-12
42 min
Empire
279. Partition: How Dubai Almost Became Part of India (Part 2)
Why have we forgotten that much of the Arabian peninsula was once legally part of India? How were the founding fathers of Yemen influenced by Indian nationalists? Which British spy was a double agent for the CIA and the KGB when he was based in Bahrain? William and Anita are joined once again by Sam Dalrymple, author of Shattered Lands: Five Partitions And The Making of Modern Asia, to discuss how the Gulf States were once part of the Raj. Become a member of the Empire Club via empirepoduk.com to receive early access to m...
2025-08-07
41 min
The Rest Is Politics
Question Time: The Migrant Return Plan, Colombia’s Drug Cartels, and Will Rory Join Corbyn’s New Party?
Can Starmer’s deal with Macron really fix the Channel crisis? Is Colombia’s fragile peace falling apart amid a booming drug trade? And, could AI replace mental health support lines? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. The Rest Is Politics Plus: Join with a FREE TRIAL at therestispolitics.com for exclusive bonus content including Rory and Alastair’s first ever miniseries, early access to episodes and live show tickets, ad free listening, our exclusive newsletter, discount book prices on titles mentioned on the pod...
2025-08-07
42 min
The Rest Is Politics
Why the West is Finally Recognising Palestine
Why are the UK, France and Canada finally recognising a Palestinian state? Why is Trump punishing Brazil, India, and Switzerland with tariffs? Should Starmer’s Labour be less cautious and more populist in the way it communicates with the country? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. The Rest Is Politics Plus: Join with a FREE TRIAL at therestispolitics.com, for exclusive bonus content including Rory and Alastair’s first ever miniseries The Real JD Vance, early access to Question Time episodes and live show...
2025-08-06
57 min
Empire
278. Partition: India’s Break With Burma (Part 1)
Why did Japan’s invasion of Burma in WW2 affect its path to independence? Who was the Burmese fascist leader who praised Hitler for his views on immigration? How did the separation of Burma link to the origin of the Rohingya Genocide? Anita and William are joined by Sam Dalrymple, author of Shattered Lands: Five Partitions And The Making of Modern Asia, to discuss Burma’s separation from India in 1937. Become a member of the Empire Club via empirepoduk.com to receive early access to miniseries, ad-free listening, early access to live show tickets, bonus episo...
2025-08-05
47 min
Empire
277. America Drills Through Hell’s Gorge (Part 5)
How did the US orchestrate the Panamanian Revolution to be able to build the Panama Canal? Why did French engineer Bunau-Varilla and the US sign a treaty about Panama without a single Panamanian in the room? How did Americans impose Jim Crow laws in The Canal Zone? William and Anita are joined by Matthew Parker, author of Hell’s Gorge: The Battle To Build The Panama Canal, to discuss how America finally completed the building of the Canal and entered the dawn of the American Century… Empire Club: Become a member of the Empire Club to re...
2025-07-31
42 min
The Rest Is Politics
Question Time: Epstein’s Inner Circle, Ukraine’s Zelensky Backlash, and Destroying the Addiction Economy
Can Zelensky survive a war abroad while fighting enemies at home? What does Epstein’s circle reveal about power, secrets and how justice really works? And, is addiction a personal failure or a rigged system designed to keep us hooked? This week, Alastair is joined by Katty Kay, host of The Rest is Politics US, to discuss all of this and more. The Rest Is Politics Plus: Join with a FREE TRIAL at therestispolitics.com, for exclusive bonus content including Rory and Alastair’s first ever miniseries The Real JD V...
2025-07-31
38 min
The Rest Is Politics
Trump, Starmer, and Gaza: Is The Tide Turning Against Israel?
Will the West turn the tide on Gaza or is it too little, too late? What are the pictures Netanyahu doesn't want Trump to see? Are Israel's aid drops purely performative? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. The Rest Is Politics Plus: Join with a FREE TRIAL at therestispolitics.com, for exclusive bonus content including Rory and Alastair’s first ever miniseries The Real JD Vance, early access to Question Time episodes and live show tickets, ad free listening for both TRIP and Le...
2025-07-30
1h 02
Empire
276. The Biggest Corruption Scandal in French History (Part 4)
How was George Eiffel of the Eiffel Tower involved in a huge corruption scandal associated with the Panama Canal? How many workers died during the French attempt to build the canal? And who was Bunau-Varilla and how did this smooth-talking moustache-wielding French engineer manage to sweet talk the US government to back his plan? Anita and William are joined once again by Matthew Parker, author of Hell’s Gorge: The Battle To Build The Panama Canal, to discuss how French dreams were dashed when the project came crumbling down, and how one man climbed out of the ru...
2025-07-29
32 min
Empire
275. The Battle To Build The Panama Canal (Part 3)
What madcap schemes did French engineers use to drum up support to build the Panama Canal in the 1880s? How did the Gold Rush affect the flow of travellers through Panama looking for a shortcut? Who was the eccentric Frenchman Ferdinand de Lesseps and why did he fly a hot air balloon over Paris to support the building of the Panama Canal? William and Anita are joined by Matthew Parker, author of Hell’s Gorge: The Battle To Build The Panama Canal, to discuss the nineteenth-century history of Panama and the French campaign to drill a sea ca...
2025-07-24
41 min
The Rest Is Politics
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 as they answer all these questions and more. The Rest Is Politics Plus Join with a FREE TRIAL at therestispolitics.com, for exclusive bonus content including Rory and Alastair’s first ever miniseries The Real JD Vance, early access to Question Time episodes and live show tickets, ad free listening for both TRIP and Leading, our exclusive newsletter, disc...
2025-07-24
52 min
The Rest Is Politics
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-olds? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. The Rest Is Politics Plus: Join with a FREE TRIAL at therestispolitics.com, for exclusive bonus content including Rory and Alastair’s first ever miniseries The Real JD Vance, early access to Question Time episodes and live show tickets, ad free listening for bo...
2025-07-23
56 min
Empire
274. Pirates of Panama: Francis Drake Strikes Spain's Empire (Part 2)
Who was Captain Morgan, and why is a spiced rum named after him? How did a Welsh buccaneer lead an attack on the heart of Spain’s empire in Panama? How did Elizabeth I fund Francis Drake’s first slaving voyage? William and Anita are joined once again by historian and archaeologist Mark Horton to discuss pirate raids in Panama in the 1600s. Empire Club: Become a member of the Empire Club to receive early access to miniseries, ad-free listening, early access to live show tickets, bonus episodes, book discounts, our exclusive newsl...
2025-07-22
50 min
The Rest Is Politics: Leading
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 could men do differently to deal with their mental health at work? Rory and Alastair are joined by author of The Trading Game, Gary Stevenson, to discuss all this and more. The Rest Is Politics Plus: Join with a FREE TRIAL at therestispolitics.com, for exclusive bonus content including Rory and Alastair’s first ever mi...
2025-07-21
36 min
The Rest Is Politics
The Real JD Vance: How Trump Ditched Ideology (Part 5) | FULL EPISODE
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 and Alastair as they answer questions exclusively from members of The Rest Is Politics Plus. The Rest Is Politics Plus: Join with a FREE TRIAL at therestispolitics.com, for exclusive bonus content including Rory and Alastair’s first ever miniseries The Real JD Vance, early access to Question Time episodes and live show tickets, ad free listening for...
2025-07-18
43 min
Empire
273. Panama’s Brutish Conquistador Who Found The Pacific and Lost His Head (Part 1)
Who was the first European to see the Pacific Ocean? Who was Balboa and why did he set his bloodhounds on Native people in Panama? Why do we remember Cortes over the brutish conquistador Balboa? Anita and William are joined by Mark Horton to discuss the conquistadors in Panama. Empire Club: Become a member of the Empire Club to receive early access to miniseries, ad-free listening, early access to live show tickets, bonus episodes, book discounts, our exclusive newsletter, and access to our members’ chatroom on Discord! Head to em...
2025-07-17
45 min
The Rest Is Politics
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 and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. The Rest Is Politics Plus: Join with a FREE TRIAL at therestispolitics.com, for exclusive bonus content including Rory and Alastair’s first ever miniseries The Real JD Vance, early access to Question Time episodes and live show tickets, ad free listening for both TRIP and...
2025-07-17
54 min
The Rest Is Entertainment
The MasterChef Disaster - What Happens Next?
John Torode and Gregg Wallace have been sacked from the BBC's flagship cookery programme MasterChef - but what happens next to them and the upcoming shows? Richard Osman and Marina Hyde answer your questions about the latest scandal affecting the BBC. John Torode says that he has “no recollection of any of this” and “does not believe it happened”. John Torode’s team have been approached for comment by Goalhanger The Rest Is Entertainment AAA Club: Become a member for exclusive bonus content, e...
2025-07-16
23 min
The Rest Is Politics
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 trade unionist Deputy PM? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. The Rest Is Politics Plus: Join with a FREE TRIAL at therestispolitics.com, for exclusive bonus content including Rory and Alastair’s first ever miniseries The Real JD Vance, early access to Question Time episodes and live show tickets, ad free listening for both TRIP an...
2025-07-15
1h 07
Empire
272. Solving The Mystery of America's Lost Colony
Have archaeologists finally solved the 400 year mystery of the lost American colonists? Who orchestrated historical hoaxes in the 1930s and did they get away with it? How has the history of the Roanoke Colony been reappropriated by the right-wing? Anita and William are joined by archaeologist Mark Horton to exclusively discuss his exciting new discovery through his work on the Roanoke dig site this year… ----------------- Empire Club: Become a member of the Empire Club to receive early access to miniseries, ad-free listening, early access to live show tickets, bonus episodes, book discounts, ou...
2025-07-15
45 min
The Rest Is Politics
The Real JD Vance: Trump's Most Dangerous Heir (Part 4)
Is JD Vance Trump's most dangerous heir? Would a JD Vance presidency be even more dangerous than Trump 2.0? How historically unusual is it for a Vice President to be so prominent in an administration? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more in this extract from the fourth episode of their first ever miniseries, available in full right now on The Rest Is Politics Plus. The Rest Is Politics Plus: Join with a FREE TRIAL at therestispolitics.com, for exclusive bonus content including Rory and...
2025-07-11
13 min
Empire
271. Canada’s Dark Secret: Stolen Children, Unmarked Graves, & Survival Stories (Ep 5)
What was life like for Indigenous children forced to attend Residential Schools in Canada in the 1800s and 1900s? When was the final residential school closed? Which grim discovery in 2021 forced non-Indigenous Canadians to grapple with this dark history? Listen as Anita and William are joined by Celia Haig-Brown, co-author of Tsqelmucwilc: The Kamloops Indian Residential School - Resistance And A Reckoning, to discuss the suffering and survival of Indigenous children at one residential school in British Columbia. ----------------- Empire Club: Become a member of the Empire Club to receive early access to...
2025-07-10
49 min
The Rest Is Politics
Corbyn's Comeback, Musk's New Party and The Broken SEND System
Is Corbyn’s new party a bold move — or a boost for the Tories? Can Labour fix SEND — or are vulnerable kids being left behind? Is Bosnia ready for the EU — or is Europe looking away again? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. The Rest Is Politics Plus: Join with a FREE TRIAL at therestispolitics.com, for exclusive bonus content including Rory and Alastair’s first ever miniseries The Real JD Vance, early access to Question Time episodes and live show tickets, ad free liste...
2025-07-10
47 min
The Rest Is Politics
Israel, Gaza, and the Definition of Genocide
Is the Israeli government creating a prison camp for Palestinians in Rafah? Why did the BBC drop its documentary investigating Israel’s destruction of Gaza’s healthcare system? How is Trump still getting played by Netanyahu and Putin? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. The Rest Is Politics Plus: Join with a FREE TRIAL at therestispolitics.com, for exclusive bonus content including Rory and Alastair’s first ever miniseries The Real JD Vance, early access to Question Time episodes to live show tickets, ad fre...
2025-07-08
52 min
Empire
270. The Day The Brits Burned The White House (Ep 4)
Why did Washington invade Quebec? How did the US fail to take the Canadian territories during the Revolutionary Wars? And why did the British burn the White House? Anita and William are once again joined by Maya Jasanoff to discuss how the American Revolution birthed Canada. ----------------- Empire Club: Become a member of the Empire Club to receive early access to miniseries, ad-free listening, early access to live show tickets, bonus episodes, book discounts, our exclusive newsletter, and access to our members’ chatroom on Di...
2025-07-08
51 min
The Rest Is History
The Irish Civil War: The Assassination of Sir Henry Wilson (Part 1)
Who was Sir Henry Wilson, and how was he shockingly murdered in 1922? Who ordered it? What was his attitude to the question of Irish Home Rule? Why has death been compared to the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, whose death triggered the First World War? How did he garner the undying enmity of British Prime Minister, Herbert Henry Asquith? What was Wilson’s reputation in Ireland then, and how has it endured to this day? And, how did Wilson’s unexpected death impact the future of Irish independence? In this week’s episode, Tom and Dominic are joined...
2025-07-07
47 min
The Rest Is Politics: Leading
The Truth About Net Zero's Credibility (Emma Pinchbeck)
Why are the British paying more for energy than anywhere else in Europe? How does society navigate the anxiety of having children during the climate crisis? What does the UK government need to do in order to speed up our transition to green energy? Rory and Alastair are joined by the Chief Executive of the Climate Change Committee and former CEO of Energy UK, Emma Pinchbeck, to answer all these questions and more. The Rest Is Politics Plus: Become a member for exclusive bonus content, early access to Question...
2025-07-07
1h 05
The Rest Is Politics
The Real JD Vance: From Never Trumper to Vice President (Part 3)
How do you go from calling Donald Trump “Hitler” to becoming his most loyal ally? Why did JD Vance abandon the thoughtful, Christian conservative image that made him famous? And what does his transformation reveal about how power really works in Trump’s America? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more in Part 3 of their first ever miniseries, The Real JD Vance, exclusively for members of The Rest Is Politics Plus. New episodes every Friday morning. Claim your FREE TRIAL at therestispolitics.com. The Rest Is Politic...
2025-07-04
12 min
Empire
269. Colonising Canada: The Truth Behind ‘The Last of The Mohicans’ (Ep 3)
Is there any truth in the film 'The Last of The Mohicans' and how did the French and Indian War that it's based on change the make-up of Canada? Why was the Seven Years War the first truly global war? What is the connection between the forced removal of the Acadians in Canada and cajun spices? Anita and William are joined by Maya Jasanoff to discuss how the French and Indian War affected Canada. ----------------- Empire Club: Become a member of the Empire Club t...
2025-07-03
57 min
The Rest Is Politics
Question Time: Glastonbury’s Israel fallout, New York’s socialist mayor and why NATO called Trump ‘daddy’
Has ‘impartiality’ become a cover for moral failure in Palestine? Why does Trump want a Nobel peace price? And, why is the head of NATO calling Trump "daddy"? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. The Rest Is Politics Plus: Join with a FREE TRIAL at therestispolitics.com, for exclusive bonus content including Rory and Alastair’s first ever miniseries The Real JD Vance, early access to Question Time episodes and live show tickets, ad free listening for both TRIP and Leading, our exclusive newsle...
2025-07-03
45 min
The Rest Is Politics
Things Can Only Get Better? Starmer's Stormy First Year
What have the Labour government achieved since the general election one year ago? What are the hardest challenges Keir Starmer must face? How has Donald Trump monetised the Presidency of the United States? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. The Rest Is Politics Plus: Join with a FREE TRIAL at therestispolitics.com, for exclusive bonus content including Rory and Alastair’s first ever miniseries The Real JD Vance, early access to Question Time episodes and live show tickets, ad free listening for both TR...
2025-07-02
56 min
Empire
268. Colonising Canada: Why Does Quebec Speak French? (Ep 2)
How did beaver fur and codfish turn a failed French attempt at colonisation into a success? What is the historical context behind Quebec as a French-speaking region of Canada? Did Indigenous leaders cleverly manipulate French settlers into fighting their tribal wars? William and Anita discuss how the trade in fur and fish supercharged the growth of New France. ----------------- Empire Club: Become a member of the Empire Club to receive early access to miniseries, ad-free listening, early access to live show tickets, bonus episodes...
2025-07-01
51 min
The Rest Is Politics
The Real JD Vance: The Power Behind The Man (Part 2)
What do we know about the billionaire tech bros backing Vance who hate democracy? Is Vance the political face of a revolution for the super rich? Is he a voice for the Rust Belt, or an avatar for Silicon Valley? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more in Part 2 of their first ever miniseries, The Real JD Vance, exclusively for members of The Rest Is Politics Plus. Claim your FREE TRIAL at therestispolitics.com. The Rest Is Politics Plus: Join with a FREE TRIAL...
2025-06-27
13 min
Empire
267. Colonising Canada: Kidnapping, Scurvy, & Fool’s Gold (Ep 1)
Who was the first European to try and colonise Canada? Who was John Cabot and why was he spied on by Columbus? Why did Jacques Cartier kidnap Indigenous Canadians and take them back to France? What is the mythology behind Canada being known as “Turtle Island”? William and Anita explore the early history of the colonisation of Canada and how European settlers of the 16th century thought they had found China… ----------------- Empire Club: Become a member of the Empire Club to receive early access...
2025-06-26
44 min
The Rest Is Politics
Question Time: The History of Iran vs. the West
How much do you really know about the geopolitics of Iran and the Middle East? Have British MPs made a mistake with the Assisted Dying Bill? What does the King say when he meets politicians? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all this and more in today's episode of Question Time. The Rest Is Politics Plus: Join with a FREE TRIAL at therestispolitics.com, for exclusive bonus content including Rory and Alastair’s first ever miniseries The Real JD Vance, early access to Question Time episodes and live sh...
2025-06-26
51 min
The Rest Is Politics
What next for Trump, Israel, and Iran? | Peace vs. Regime Change
Has Trump really helped agree peace between Israel and Iran, and how long will it last? Were last night's strikes from Iran on a US base merely performative? How real is the chance of Supreme Leader Khamenei falling? The Rest Is Politics Plus: Join with a FREE TRIAL at therestispolitics.com, for exclusive bonus content including Rory and Alastair’s first ever miniseries The Real JD Vance, early access to Question Time episodes and live show tickets, ad free listening for both TRIP and Leading, our exclusive newsletter, discount book prices on titles mentioned on the po...
2025-06-24
59 min
Empire
266. American Greenland: Nazis, Secret Nuclear Bases, & Trump (Ep 4)
When did the US first ask to buy Greenland? Why did America occupy the region in World War II? And how did a secret plan codenamed “Project Iceworm” lead to nuclear waste spilling on Greenland’s soil? Anita and William are joined by Daniel Immerwahr, author of How To Hide An Empire, to discuss the history of America’s involvement with Greenland, and Trump’s not so hidden imperial goals… ----------------- Empire Club: Become a member of the Empire Club to receive early access to miniseries, ad-free listening, early access to live show tickets, bon...
2025-06-24
43 min
The Rest Is Politics
Trump Bombs Iran: What Happens Now?
Why has the US entered the Israel-Iran war? Is this the beginning of a wider war? What does this all mean for the world? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. The Rest Is Politics Plus: Join with a FREE TRIAL at therestispolitics.com, for exclusive bonus content including Rory and Alastair’s first ever miniseries The Real JD Vance, early access to Question Time episodes and live show tickets, ad free listening for both TRIP and Leading, our exclusive newsletter, discount book prices on...
2025-06-22
46 min
The Rest Is Politics
The Real JD Vance: America’s Next President? (Part 1)
Will JD Vance be America's next president, or its first king? What explains his journey from vehement never-Trumper to Trump’s Vice President and heir apparent? How far will he go in the pursuit of unfettered power? Enjoy this extract from Rory and Alastair's new mini-series on the Vice President of the United States, exclusively for members of The Rest Is Politics Plus. The Rest Is Politics Plus: Join with a FREE TRIAL at therestispolitics.com, for exclusive bonus content including Rory and Alastair’s first ever miniseries The Real...
2025-06-20
16 min
Empire
265. Danish Greenland: Eradicating Inuit Culture (Ep 3)
How did the Danish missionary Hans Egede combine capitalism and religion in his colonisation of Greenland in the 1700s? Why have we forgotten about Danish colonialism in India and Greenland? When did Greenlanders gain self-determination? Anita and William discuss how the Danes colonised Greenland in the 18th century, using a system not too dissimilar to the East India Company: royal monopolies and efforts to eradicate Indigenous culture. ----------------- Empire Club: Become a member of the Empire Club to receive early access to miniseries, ad-free listening, early access to live show tickets, bonus episodes, bo...
2025-06-19
40 min
The Rest Is Politics
Question Time: What the Head of MI6 Really Does
What does the murder of politicians in Minnesota tell us about the state of American politics? What is the newly appointed Chief of MI6 going to know about the world? Is there a more divisive issue than immigration in the UK today? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. The Rest Is Politics Plus: Become a member for exclusive bonus content, early access to Question Time episodes to live show tickets, ad-free listening for both TRIP and Leading, our exclusive newsletter, discount book prices...
2025-06-19
52 min
The Rest Is Politics
Iran, Israel, and Trump: War in the Middle East
Are we heading for all-out war between the US, Netanyahu and the Iranian regime? Is the West betraying international law in its support of Israel's pre-emptive strikes on Iran? Why did Starmer u-turn on a national inquiry into child grooming gangs? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. The Rest Is Politics Plus: Become a member for exclusive bonus content, early access to Question Time episodes to live show tickets, ad-free listening for both TRIP and Leading, our exclusive newsletter, discount book prices on...
2025-06-18
51 min
Empire
264. Viking Greenland: Mysteries of the Lost Norse Settlers (Ep 2)
How did the Vikings and the Inuit interact in Greenland? When was the last record of Norse settlers in the region? How did climate change affect the decline of Viking settlers in Greenland, and why is their disappearance shrouded in mystery? William and Anita are joined once again by Eleanor Barraclough, author of Embers of The Hands: Hidden Histories of the Viking Age, to explore the last of the Norse Settlers. ----------------- Empire Club: Become a member of the Empire Club to receive early a...
2025-06-17
40 min
Empire
Murder in the Congo, The Cuban Missile Crisis, & India in the UN (EXTRACT)
How did the first Asian UN Secretary General prevent multiple Armeggedons in the 1960s? What is the mystery surrounding his predecessor’s death? How did the Global South shape the UN in a post-colonial landscape? What does the future of the UN look like in these uncertain times? In this special bonus episode we have made public for all, William and Anita are joined by Thant Myint-U, author of Peacekeeper: U Thant, The United Nations and the Untold Story of the 1960s, to discuss how his grandfather left an indelible mark on geopolitics yet ha...
2025-06-16
21 min
The Rest Is Politics
Israel vs. Iran: What Happens Next
Why has Benjamin Netanyahu's government launched an attack on the Iranian military? Is this the start of a new, larger war in the Middle East? What is Donald Trump's America's role in the conflict? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more in this emergency episode on Israel and Iran. The Rest Is Politics Plus: Become a member for exclusive bonus content, early access to Question Time episodes to live show tickets, ad-free listening for both TRIP and Leading, our exclusive newsletter, discount book prices...
2025-06-13
54 min
Empire
263. Viking Greenland: Erik The Red & Horny Zombies (Ep 1)
How did the Norse settlers in Greenland adapt to the harsh Arctic environment, and what did their diet consist of beyond fish? What role did walrus ivory play in their trade with Norway? And who were the "horny zombies" encountered in the Vinland sagas? In the first chapter of the new series on the history behind Trump's Shopping List, William and Anita are joined by Eleanor Barraclough, author of Embers of The Hands: Hidden Histories of the Viking Age, to discuss how the Norse made their way westwards to Greenland. -----------------
2025-06-12
43 min
The Rest Is Politics
Question Time: How to solve Britain’s immigration question
Why does the BBC give Reform so much air time? Should there be a global refugee coalition? And, should we be surprised that AI might gaslight us? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. The Rest Is Politics Plus: Become a member for exclusive bonus content, early access to Question Time episodes to live show tickets, ad-free listening for both TRIP and Leading, our exclusive newsletter, discount book prices on titles mentioned on the pod, and our members’ chatroom on Discord. Just head to theres...
2025-06-12
1h 01
The Rest Is Politics
Is Trump Starting a Civil War? | LA Protests
Are the LA protests the perfect gift for Trump, and does pushing back just add fuel to his fire? What does Musk’s exit mean for the MAGA coalition? Why has Starmer u-turned on winter fuel payments, and can Reeves’ spending review turn things around for Labour and the UK? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. The Rest Is Politics Plus: Become a member for exclusive bonus content, early access to Question Time episodes to live show tickets, ad-free listening for both TRIP and...
2025-06-11
57 min
Empire
262. Berlin Blockade: Airlift Across The Iron Curtain (Ep 2)
When was Checkpoint Charlie created in Berlin? What triggered Stalin to enact a blockade on West Berlin? And how did the Western powers airlift over 2.3 million tons of supplies to their occupied zone of the city from 1948 to 1949? William and Anita are joined once again by Giles Milton, author of Checkmate in Berlin: The Cold War Showdown That Shaped the Modern World, to discuss the Berlin Blockade, the Berlin Airlift, and the way in which the Iron Curtain hardened towards the end of the 1940s. ----------------- Empire Club: Become a member of the...
2025-06-10
40 min
The Rest Is Politics: Leading
The Anxious Generation: How Silicon Valley Has Rewired Our Brains (Jonathan Haidt)
What are the biggest lies we're being told about social media? How does unregulated social media help Trump and authoritarian regimes? How do you beat an addiction to your phone? Jonathan Haidt joins Rory and Alastair to discuss all this and more. The Rest Is Politics Plus: Become a member for exclusive bonus content, early access to Question Time episodes to live show tickets, ad-free listening for both TRIP and Leading, our exclusive newsletter, discount book prices on titles mentioned on the pod, and our members’ chatroom on Discord. Ju...
2025-06-09
1h 08
Empire
261. Race To Berlin 1945: A Devastated City Divided (Ep 1)
What was life like in Berlin in the immediate aftermath of the Second World War? Why did the Red Army steal taps from Berlin houses when they reached the city? Was the famous photo of the red flag on the Reichstag staged or authentic? Anita and William are joined by Giles Milton, author of Checkmate in Berlin: The Cold War Showdown That Shaped the Modern World, to discuss the division and destitution of the capital city after the Second World War. ----------------- Empire Club: Become a member of the Empire Club to receive e...
2025-06-05
58 min
The Rest Is Politics
Question Time: Gaza’s Aid Blocked, Trump’s Power Tested & Dominic Cummings’ Big Mistake
What was the most significant event of geopolitics in the last 30 years? Are Dominic Cummings' comments about the "broken" Westminster model valid? And, should politicians be clued up on popular culture? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all of these questions and more. The Rest Is Politics Plus: Become a member for exclusive bonus content, early access to Question Time episodes to live show tickets, ad-free listening for both TRIP and Leading, our exclusive newsletter, discount book prices on titles mentioned on the pod, and our members’ chatroom on...
2025-06-05
40 min
The Rest Is Politics
China, Russia, and Cyberwarfare: Is the UK preparing for the wrong war?
Is Labour exaggerating the threat from Russia and missing the real risks? Does the world beyond the West now prefer China over the US? What does Poland’s new pro-Trump president mean for Ukraine and European defence? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. The Rest Is Politics Plus: Become a member for exclusive bonus content, early access to Question Time episodes to live show tickets, ad-free listening for both TRIP and Leading, our exclusive newsletter, discount book prices on titles mentioned on the po...
2025-06-04
54 min
Empire
260. Yalta: Signing Away The Fate of The World (Ep 5)
Did the Western powers fail at Yalta? Did Churchill hold strong in his red line about the fate of Poland? Why did the Big Three eat a huge feast in the middle of a war zone? In the final episode in the story of the infamous Yalta conference, Anita and William discuss the moment that Stalin, FDR, and Churchill signed on the dotted line. ----------------- Empire Club: Become a member of the Empire Club to receive early access to miniseries, ad-free listening, early access to live show tickets, bonus episodes, book discounts, our e...
2025-06-03
54 min
Empire
259. Eastern Europe & “The Great Betrayal” (Ep 4)
Who created the United Nations? How did The Big Three divide Germany between themselves? Why did Poland see the Yalta conference as “The Great Betrayal”? Anita and William explore the origins of the United Nations and how the compromises made by world leaders in 1945 continue to affect geopolitics today… Love History? Get our exclusive History Today deal! You can get started with a 3-month trial for only £5 at https://historytoday.com/empire ----------------- Empire Club: Become a member of the Empire Club to receive early access to miniseries, ad-free listening, early access t...
2025-05-29
42 min
The Rest Is Politics
Question Time: Trump's Golden Dome, Gaza's Global Outcry and Starmer's Prison Gamble
How should global leaders deal with Trump? Why have the UK, France and Canada chosen now to speak out against Israel? Are young women being taken for granted, politically? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. See Rory and Alastair Live on Tour Sunday, 9 Nov 2025: Bournemouth International Centre Tuesday, 11 Nov 2025: Eventim Apollo, London Wednesday, 12 Nov 2025: Eventim Apollo, London Saturday, 15 Nov 2025: SEC Armadillo, Glasgow Sunday, 16 Nov 2025: O2 Apollo Manchester Get your...
2025-05-29
35 min
The Rest Is Politics
Broken Britain: Farage’s Plot to Outflank Labour
Is Reform UK’s growing appeal a product of Farage’s populism, or Labour’s failure to articulate a gripping national story? What’s behind Trump’s South African ‘white genocide’ claim? Why can’t the UK build the homes it so desperately needs? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. The Rest Is Politics Plus: Become a member for exclusive bonus content, early access to Question Time episodes to live show tickets, ad-free listening for both TRIP and Leading, our exclusive newsletter, discount book prices on t...
2025-05-28
1h 05
Empire
258. The Big Three & The Big Carve Up (Ep 3)
Where did The Big Three stay as they carved up the post-war world map, and why were their rooms full of bedbugs? Why did FDR refuse to allow the press to photograph him arriving at Yalta? What role did Churchill and FDR’s daughters play in the political negotiations? William and Anita discuss the first day of the Yalta conference and the unlikely alliances that begin to form as The Big Three redesign Europe… Love History? Get our exclusive History Today deal! You can get started with a 3-month trial for only £5 at https://historytoday.com/e...
2025-05-27
40 min
Empire
257. Churchill, FDR, & Mind Games at Yalta (Ep 2)
How did FDR become the mediator between Stalin and Churchill at the 1945 conference? Why did Churchill call Yalta the “Hades Riviera”? What was Mussolini’s rude nickname for FDR? Anita and William dive into the backstories of Churchill and FDR ahead of their arrival in Yalta, and explore the meetings that led up to the eight days that changed the world, including Churchill’s “naughty document” that signed away Eastern Europe to the Soviets... Love History? Get our exclusive History Today deal! You can get started with a 3-month trial for only £5 at https://historytoday.com/empire
2025-05-22
41 min
The Rest Is Politics
Question Time: The U-turn Starmer Can’t Avoid
Just how extreme will Merz’s immigration curb get? Can the Labour Party still identify as centre-right? And should the men guilty of felling the Sycamore tree be sent to prison? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. The Rest Is Politics Plus: Become a member for exclusive bonus content, early access to Question Time episodes to live show tickets, ad-free listening for both TRIP and Leading, our exclusive newsletter, discount book prices on titles mentioned on the pod, and our members’ chatroom on Disco...
2025-05-22
37 min
The Rest Is Politics
Biden, Springsteen, and Trump: Dancing in the Dark
What does Trump’s outburst against Bruce Springsteen and Joe Biden tell us about his psychology? Why has he lifted sanctions on al-Sharaa’s Syria, and why now? Has Portugal finally lost its immunity to far-right populism? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. The Rest Is Politics Plus: Become a member for exclusive bonus content, early access to Question Time episodes to live show tickets, ad-free listening for both TRIP and Leading, our exclusive newsletter, discount book prices on titles mentioned on the pod...
2025-05-21
37 min
Empire
256. Stalin & 8 Days That Changed The World (Ep 1)
How did one peace conference in Yalta in 1945 completely transform the world in just eight days? What was Joseph Stalin's backstory before becoming the Soviet leader? What is the relevance of the Yalta conference to global politics today? In a brand new series, Anita and William explore how Winston Churchill, Joseph Stalin and Franklin D. Roosevelt drew new borders and created new empire-like spheres of influence towards the end of The Second World War. With Europe left in a state of devastation, how did these three men reshape the world over the course of 8...
2025-05-20
38 min
The Rest Is Politics
Starmer's EU Deal: A New Era
Is Starmer's UK-EU deal a “win-win” reset of relations or a betrayal of Brexit red lines? Will this deal actually lower food and energy costs or boost growth? What does twelve years of European fishing access really mean for the UK? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. The Rest Is Politics Plus: Become a member for exclusive bonus content, early access to Question Time episodes to live show tickets, ad-free listening for both TRIP and Leading, our exclusive newsletter, discount book prices on titles mentioned on the...
2025-05-19
31 min
Empire
255. Victorian Narcos: From Opium To Fentanyl (Ep 9)
What led to the Second Opium War? Why wasn’t China colonised by Europeans? When did China start referring to this period as the “century of humiliation” and how did this narrative shape nationalism in the 20th century? Anita and William are joined by Stephen R. Platt, author of Imperial Twilight, for the final instalment of this series in which they discuss the Second Opium War and how its legacy continues to shape geopolitics today. Love History? Get our exclusive History Today deal! You can get started with a 3-month...
2025-05-15
48 min
The Rest Is Politics
Question Time: How Starmer Fell Into Farage's Immigration Trap
What message is the new pope sending to Trump? To what extent are the USAID cuts killing children? And, did Rory “get it wrong” on water nationalisation? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. The Rest Is Politics Plus: Become a member for exclusive bonus content, early access to Question Time episodes to live show tickets, ad-free listening for both TRIP and Leading, our exclusive newsletter, discount book prices on titles mentioned on the pod, and our members’ chatroom on Discord. Just head to therestis...
2025-05-15
54 min
The Rest Is Politics
Trump's Gulf Billions: Saudi, Sanctions, and Ceasefires
From a $400m plane to starvation in Gaza, who will benefit from Trump’s big Gulf visit? Who really brokered the ceasefire between India and Pakistan? Can Zelensky and Ukraine survive on half-promises and secondhand weapons? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. The Rest Is Politics Plus: Become a member for exclusive bonus content, early access to Question Time episodes to live show tickets, ad-free listening for both TRIP and Leading, our exclusive newsletter, discount book prices on titles mentioned on the pod, an...
2025-05-14
51 min
Empire
254. Victorian Narcos: Fire Monkeys, Iron Gunships, & Peasant Warfare (Ep 8)
Who won the First Opium War? Why did British troops feel guilty about their role? What treaty led to Britain taking control of Hong Kong? Anita and William discuss the tragic imbalance of The First Opium War, and the traumatic ways in which Chinese citizens responded to the humiliation it entailed… Empire Club: Become a member of the Empire Club to receive early access to miniseries, ad-free listening, early access to live show tickets, bonus episodes, book discounts, our exclusive newsletter, and access to our members’ chatroom on Discord! Head to empirepoduk.com to sign up.
2025-05-13
50 min
Empire
253. Victorian Narcos: Drug Dealers Lead Britain to War (Ep 7)
How did opium traders convince the British Cabinet to wage war on China? Who was Lord Palmerston? Why was China, one of the biggest empires in the world, so ill-prepared for war at sea? William and Anita discuss how James Matheson launched a propaganda campaign in the British press which led to warships being sent to China, on the way to start The First Opium War… Empire Club: Become a member of the Empire Club to receive early access to miniseries, ad-free listening, early access to live show tickets, bonus episodes, book di...
2025-05-08
42 min
The Rest Is Politics
Question Time: India vs. Pakistan | What Happens Now?
Should Labour boot Tony Blair over his attack on the government's climate policy? Why is the U.S. defending Germany’s AfD? Are Britain’s towns and cities more politically split than ever? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. The Rest Is Politics Plus: Become a member for exclusive bonus content, early access to Question Time episodes to live show tickets, ad-free listening for both TRIP and Leading, our exclusive newsletter, discount book prices on titles mentioned on the pod, and our members’ chatro...
2025-05-08
1h 00
The Rest Is Politics
Trump’s Corruption Machine, Israeli Settlers, and the Rise of Reform UK
How has Donald Trump transformed his political power into a money-making machine, and what does it mean for American democracy? How did Israel's settler movement shift from the extremist fringes into mainstream politics? Why does Nigel Farage always evade real scrutiny, and will he replace Keir Starmer as Prime Minister? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. The Rest Is Politics Plus: Become a member for exclusive bonus content, early access to Question Time episodes to live show tickets, ad-free listening for both TRIP...
2025-05-07
1h 08
Empire
252. Victorian Narcos: Selling Drugs To The Queen (Ep 6)
Who was Commissioner Lin and how did he crack down on foreign opium in China? Why was Charles Elliot so hopeless that he landed Queen Victoria with a bill owing millions to drug dealers? What was the Canton factory system and what was it like to live there? Anita and William meander through the at-times shocking story of how Victorian drug dealers willingly handed over millions of pounds worth of their product to Commissioner Lin, the emperor’s right-hand man. Empire Club: Become a member of the Empire Club to receive early acc...
2025-05-06
50 min
Empire
251. Victorian Narcos: Flooding China With Indian Opium (Ep 5)
Who were Jardine and Matheson? What was life like for workers growing opium in India? How does George Orwell relate to the East India Company opium trade? William and Anita explore how William Jardine and James Matheson accumulated immense power and wealth by becoming international drug dealers in the 1830s… Empire Club: Become a member of the Empire Club to receive early access to miniseries, ad-free listening, early access to live show tickets, bonus episodes, book discounts, our exclusive newsletter, and access to our members’ chatroom on Discord! Head to empirepoduk.com to si...
2025-05-01
55 min
The Rest Is Politics
Question Time: Has the US underestimated China?
What can be learnt from Poland’s fight against the far-right? Is it time for water to be nationalised? And, how has TRIP changed Alastair and Rory’s politics? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. The Rest Is Politics Plus: Become a member for exclusive bonus content, early access to Question Time episodes to live show tickets, ad-free listening for both TRIP and Leading, our exclusive newsletter, discount book prices on titles mentioned on the pod, and our members’ chatroom on Discord. Just head to therestispolitics.com to...
2025-05-01
41 min
The Rest Is Politics
Trump vs. Putin, How to Stop Farage, and Kashmir Explained
After 100 days of Trump 2.0, is he finally warming to Zelensky following their dramatic Vatican meeting? Is Reform UK’s rise really unstoppable? What’s next for India and Pakistan as the fight for Kashmir ramps up? Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more. The Rest Is Politics Plus: Become a member for exclusive bonus content, early access to Question Time episodes to live show tickets, ad-free listening for both TRIP and Leading, our exclusive newsletter, discount book prices on titles mentioned on the pod, and...
2025-04-30
51 min
Empire
250. Victorian Narcos: Banished From Beijing (Ep 4)
How did the Macartney Mission fail so spectacularly? Where does the word ‘kowtow’ come from? Why were the diplomats banished from the Forbidden City? Listen as William and Anita continue the story of how the Macartney expedition completely failed to develop diplomatic relations with imperial China in 1793. _____________ Empire Club: Become a member of the Empire Club to receive early access to miniseries, ad-free listening, early access to live show tickets, bonus episodes, book discounts, our exclusive newsletter, and access to our members’ chatroom on Discord! Head to empirep...
2025-04-29
34 min
Empire
249. Victorian Narcos: Doomed Envoy to China (Ep 3)
Who led the first British envoy to China? What did Europeans think of China in the 1700s? Why did the diplomats bring a huge planetarium as a gift for the Chinese emperor? William and Anita continue the story of the build up to the Opium Wars with the story of the doomed British envoy to China. _____________Empire Club: Become a member of the Empire Club to receive early access to miniseries, ad-free listening, early access to live show tickets, bonus episodes, book discounts, our exc...
2025-04-24
37 min
The Rest Is Politics
Question Time: Trump’s Plan to Overhaul US Diplomacy
Will Harvard win its fight with Trump? What caused Zelensky’s approval ratings to hit an all-time high? Which right-wing politician would Alastair swap places with? Join Alastair and Rory as they answer all of these questions and more. The Rest Is Politics Plus: Become a member for exclusive bonus content, early access to Question Time episodes to live show tickets, ad-free listening for both TRIP and Leading, our exclusive newsletter, discount book prices on titles mentioned on the pod, and our members’ chatroom on Discord. Just head to ther...
2025-04-24
42 min
The Rest Is Politics
Pope Francis, the Supreme Court Gender Ruling, and Trump’s International Populist Network
What does the UK's Supreme Court ruling mean for trans rights, single-sex spaces, and the debate Labour hoped to avoid? Is Trump 2.0 helping or hindering rightwing populists around the world? What is the real legacy of Pope Francis?Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more.The Rest Is Politics Plus: Become a member for exclusive bonus content, early access to Question Time episodes to live show tickets, ad-free listening for both TRIP and Leading, our exclusive newsletter, discount book prices on titles mentioned on...
2025-04-23
56 min
Empire
248. Victorian Narcos: Sex, Drugs, & The Opium Agency (Ep 2)
How did Britain create a violent monopoly on opium production in India in the 1700s? What was the Opium Agency? Why did Chinese elites use opium during sex? Anita and William discuss how the East India Company competed with other traders to sell Indian opium to China despite it being outlawed… _____________Empire Club: Become a member of the Empire Club to receive early access to miniseries, ad-free listening, early access to live show tickets, bonus episodes, book discounts, our exclusive newsletter, and access to our...
2025-04-22
44 min
Empire
247. Victorian Narcos: Tea Starts A Drug War (Ep 1)
How did the British taste for tea start a war over the right to sell drugs to China? When did tea become fashionable in Britain? How did the Dutch bring tea to India? William and Anita explore how the nation’s love of tea created a domino effect that led to the East India Company running a more prolific international drug cartel than Pablo Escobar… _____________Empire Club: Become a member of the Empire Club to receive early access to miniseries, ad-free listening, early access to liv...
2025-04-17
37 min
The Rest Is Politics
Question Time: It's over for Kemi Badenoch
Why is politics still so elitist? What story is Kemi Badenoch trying to sell? And, how can Dutton escape Trump comparisons? Join Alastair and Rory as they answer all of these questions and more. The Rest Is Politics Plus: Become a member for exclusive bonus content, early access to Question Time episodes to live show tickets, ad-free listening for both TRIP and Leading, our exclusive newsletter, discount book prices on titles mentioned on the pod, and our members’ chatroom on Discord. Just head to therestispolitics.com to sign up, or...
2025-04-17
38 min
The Rest Is Politics
Trump, Xi, and how China outsmarted America
Does Trump want to turn America into China? How come politicians - including those on the right - want to nationalise steel in the UK? Are we witnessing a seismic change in German politics?The Rest Is Politics is powered by Fuse Energy. Fuse are giving away FREE TRIP+ membership for all of 2025 to new sign-ups 🎉 TRIP+ gets you ad-free listening, discounts, and early access to episodes and pre-sale tickets for live shows! To sign up and for terms and conditions, visit GetFuse.com/Politics ⚡The Rest Is Politics Plus...
2025-04-16
1h 01
The Rest Is Politics
How We Trolled the Trolls: Putin, Trump, and Musk (with Anthony Scaramucci)
Has Elon Musk paid for fans to defend him on social media? What percentage of Twitter responses to Rory Stewart, Alastair Campbell, and Anthony Scaramucci are fake bots? How can information on Twitter trolls inform us on election interference?Alastair and Rory are joined by Anthony Scaramucci to delve into the murky world of Twitter algorithms and trolls.The Rest Is Politics Plus: Become a member for exclusive bonus content, early access to Question Time episodes to live show tickets, ad-free listening for both TRIP and Leading, our exclusive...
2025-04-15
32 min
The Rest Is Politics
Question Time: America’s last ally, Japan in crisis, and the Netanyahu Era
Why were two Labour MPs denied entry to Israel? What led to the impeachment of South Korea’s president? Is there a decline in blue-collar MPs?Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all of these questions and more. The Rest Is Politics Plus: Become a member for exclusive bonus content, early access to Question Time episodes to live show tickets, ad-free listening for both TRIP and Leading, our exclusive newsletter, discount book prices on titles mentioned on the pod, and our members’ chatroom on Discord. Just head to ther...
2025-04-10
56 min
The Rest Is Politics
Is a Financial Crisis Looming? Trump's Market Panic
What’s really behind Trump’s tariff madness? Are we watching the US slide into authoritarianism in real time? How should Europe and the world fight back?Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more.The Rest Is Politics Plus: Become a member for exclusive bonus content, early access to Question Time episodes to live show tickets, ad-free listening for both TRIP and Leading, our exclusive newsletter, discount book prices on titles mentioned on the pod, and our members’ chatroom on Discord. Just head to theres...
2025-04-09
1h 01
The Rest Is Politics
Trump vs. the World: Global Trade War
What happens next? Is this the start of a global recession? How should allies hit back?Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more, recorded in a special livestream on The Rest Is Politics YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@restispolitics/streamsThe Rest Is Politics Plus: Become a member for exclusive bonus content, early access to Question Time episodes to live show tickets, ad-free listening for both TRIP and Leading, our exclusive newsletter, discount book prices on titles mentioned on the pod, and our...
2025-04-04
49 min
The Rest Is Politics
Question Time: India’s moment, Qatargate, and do young brits want a dictator?
How should Starmer respond to the 27% of young people who would prefer to live in a dictatorship? Could India become a third power, rivalling the US and China? And, why do politicians never explain why they won't make certain decisions? Join Alastair and Rory as they answer all of these questions and more. The Rest Is Politics Plus: Become a member for exclusive bonus content, early access to Question Time episodes to live show tickets, ad-free listening for both TRIP and Leading, our exclusive newsletter, discount book prices on...
2025-04-03
1h 01
The Rest Is Politics
Trump, Vance, and How the US Invades Greenland
America vs. the Arctic - is this the end for NATO? Should Marine Le Pen still be allowed to run for president? Will Australia adopt Trump-style politics, or can Albanese buck the trend?Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more.The Rest Is Politics Plus: Become a member for exclusive bonus content, early access to Question Time episodes to live show tickets, ad-free listening for both TRIP and Leading, our exclusive newsletter, discount book prices on titles mentioned on the pod, and our members’ ch...
2025-04-02
55 min