The Rest Is Politics

Goalhanger

Summary

What happens when two of Britain’s most experienced political minds lock horns over the most pressing issues of the day? The Rest Is Politics is an essential listen for anyone trying to make sense of our volatile modern world. Hosted by Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart—often joined by guest experts like Dominic Sandbrook—the show moves beyond the soundbites and hyper-partisan shouting matches that dominate today's headlines. Instead, the hosts offer a masterclass in nuanced, high-level analysis. Whether they are dissecting the dangerous trajectory of U.S. foreign policy in Iran, exploring the global rise of populism, or debating the erosion of democratic norms, they bring a rare blend of intellectual rigor and candid personal reflection. You will hear them tackle the heavy stuff—like the survival of NATO or the chilling lessons of Orwell’s literature—without ever losing sight of the human stakes involved. The format is flexible and conversational, spanning from deep-dive investigations into the origins of current crises to the popular Question Time episodes where they engage directly with the concerns of their listeners. If you are looking for a show that respects your intelligence, challenges your assumptions, and treats politics as a complex, messy, and fascinating endeavor rather than a mere sport, this is the podcast for you. Join the conversation and gain a clearer understanding of the forces shaping our collective future.

Updated Apr 9, 2026

Episodes

519. Trump's NATO Threat & a Critical Election in Hungary (Question Time)

Apr 8, 202650 min

Donald Trump's aggressive stance toward NATO sparks fears for European security alongside a critical election in Hungary.

518. Is Trump a Fascist and is His War on Iran Unwinnable?

Apr 7, 202650 min

Is Trump a fascist, and can his increasingly reckless and chaotic war on Iran actually be won?

The Real Reasons Populism Is Taking Over

Apr 2, 202620 min

Liam Byrne explains why populism is surging by examining economic inequality, community decline, and lost optimism.

517. Is Trump Plotting Regime Change in Cuba? (Question Time)

Apr 1, 202653 min

Is Trump planning to force regime change in Cuba through economic strangulation and aggressive distraction tactics?

516. Trump’s Iran Delusion and the Limits of American Power

Mar 31, 202654 min

Trump's aggressive Iran policy highlights a dangerous cycle of American hubris, strategic confusion, and instability.

Nineteen Eighty-Four: Big Brother, Surveillance, and Fear (The Book Club)

Mar 29, 202624 min

Explore the chilling relevance of Orwell’s 1984, from surveillance and doublethink to modern political propaganda.

515. Starmer’s Foreign Aid Betrayal, Islamophobia & Australia’s Far Right (Question Time)

Mar 26, 202652 min

Keir Starmer faces backlash over record international aid cuts while Australia’s political landscape shifts right.

514. Who Is Profiting from Trump's Iran Catastrophe?

Mar 25, 202654 min

Trump’s hubris and lack of foresight have pushed the Middle East into a dangerous, uncontrolled conflict.

513. Inside Iran: The Country Trump Cannot Control? (Question Time)

Mar 19, 202653 min

Expert Karim Sadjadpour breaks down the deep-seated tensions, regime fragility, and the future of conflict with Iran.

512. Trump’s Iran Disaster and the GB News Propaganda Machine

Mar 18, 20261h 9m

Trump’s lack of strategic objective in Iran is fueling global economic instability and emboldening state propaganda.

511. Is Blair Undermining Starmer on Iran? (Question Time)

Mar 11, 202655 min

Tony Blair’s reported criticism of Keir Starmer highlights a growing rift over Britain’s foreign policy on Iran.

510. How The Iran War Is Spiralling Into a Global Crisis

Mar 9, 20261h 5m

The Future of Warfare: Anthropic vs Open AI

Mar 5, 202611 min

Explore the complex intersection of AI ethics, national security, and the limits of corporate sovereignty.

509. Labour's Polanski Problem and the Student Loans Scandal (Question Time)

Mar 5, 202641 min

508. Is Starmer Sleepwalking into War with Iran?

Mar 4, 20261h 0m

507. The Ayatollah Is Killed - REACTION

Mar 1, 20261h 3m

506. Trump Attacks Iran: What Happens Now?

Feb 28, 202654 min

505. Are Trump and Putin Underestimating Ukraine?

Feb 25, 20261h 5m

504. Is Trump Losing His Tariffs War? (Question Time)

Feb 24, 202656 min

Why Trump Wants Greenland

Feb 23, 20269 min

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