The Econoclasts

Iran’s asymmetric victory & Europe’s looming energy shock

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 23:00:00 GMT

In this episode of The Econoclasts, Yanis Varoufakis and Wolfgang Munchau dissect the crumbling facade of Western geostrategic and economic orthodoxies, arguing that the United States has already reached a military checkmate against Iran, while simultaneously warning that Europe’s delusion of energy independence and perilous vulnerability to supply shocks will likely collapse into a humiliating, American-mediated return to Russian gas.

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Europe’s Iran delusion & Palantir’s road to extinction

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 23:01:00 GMT

In this episode of The Econoclasts, Yanis Varoufakis and Wolfgang Munchau dismantle the orthodoxies of European leadership and AI-driven warfare, breaking down how the EU’s structural fragmentation make it incapable of filling the global power vacuum, and exposing how corporations like Palantir provide absolution from accountability by replacing human judgment with the clinical, automated efficiency of cloud capital.

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Econoclasts LIVE: Iran and the New World Disorder

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Live from a packed Emmanuel Centre, the Econoclasts brought their podcast to London for a sweeping ‘around-the-globe’ deconstruction of the failing orthodoxies shaping our modern world. From the structural drivers of ‘forever wars’ in the Middle East to a sobering analysis of the Ukraine-Russia stalemate and the undeniable rise of Chinese technological supremacy, Yanis Varoufakis and Wolfgang Munchau strip away the myths regarding China’s industrial success and Europe’s own productivity collapse, and debate whether the West’s current trajectory can be reversed or if we are witnessing a permanent shift in the global balance of power.

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The West’s Iran crisis: Global recession & Russian revenue

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT

In this episode of The Econoclasts, Yanis Varoufakis and Wolfgang Munchau dismantle the narratives surrounding the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, breaking down how the resulting energy shock could trigger a permanent global recession. As the West faces systemic economic damage and a depleted military arsenal, and Russia reaps a massive financial windfall, is the West sleepwalking into a dual defeat in both Iran and Ukraine?

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How Iran exposed the West’s military weakness

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 00:01:00 GMT

🔗 Click the following link to get tickets to 'The Econoclasts LIVE' in London on March 23rd: https://unherd.com/econoclastslive

In this episode of The Econoclasts, Yanis Varoufakis and Wolfgang Munchau strip away the orthodoxies surrounding the ongoing conflict with Iran, and – via analysis of the 1953 CIA coup to the modern-day ‘Syrianisation’ of the Middle East - reveal a strategy-less West paralysed by its own deindustrialisation, dangerously dependent on China, and projecting power externally to mask a profound systemic rot at home.

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NATO’s hidden agenda & why Europe will fail Ukraine

Sat, 07 Mar 2026 15:00:00 GMT

In this episode of The Econoclasts, Yanis Varoufakis and Wolfgang Munchau target the orthodoxy of NATO’s post-1991 expansion as well as dismantling the prevailing narrative surrounding the war in Ukraine, including the logistical delusion of a Western victory and the dereliction of duty by European leadership that risks a global escalation.

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Trump’s Iran strikes and the new forever war

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 17:05:45 GMT

🔗 Click the following link to get tickets to 'The Econoclasts LIVE: Is Russia really a threat to Europe?' in London on March 23rd: https://unherd.com/econoclastslive

In this episode of The Econoclasts, Yanis Varoufakis and Wolfgang Munchau dissect the geopolitical fallout of the U.S. bombing campaign against Iran, arguing that the strikes signal a definitive shift toward a "permanent war doctrine" and expose how Donald Trump has abandoned his non-interventionist promises to embrace a neocon agenda of regional destabilisation. From the erosion of European sovereignty to the strategic victories handed to China and Russia, Yanis and Wolfgang challenge the "weapons of mass destruction" pretexts of the past and analyse the high economic and human cost of a conflict that seems designed to have no end.

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Why Trump will win the tariff war

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 00:01:00 GMT

🔗Go to unherd.com/econoclastslive to get your tickets to Yanis & Wolfgang's upcoming event!

In this episode of The Econoclasts, Yanis Varoufakis and Wolfgang Munchau pull back the curtain to reveal the shifting tectonic plates of the global economy, arguing that the world’s fixation on Donald Trump’s tariffs and Supreme Court rulings is a dangerous distraction from a much more profound transformation – namely a new form of power that allows Big Tech to hold the West to ransom, and an AI revolution that will permanently dismantle the foundations of human agency, private property, and the free market.

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Marco Rubio’s new world order & Starmer’s plan to rejoin Europe

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 00:01:00 GMT

In this episode of The Econoclasts, Yanis Varoufakis and Wolfgang Munchau dissect the false orthodoxies surrounding the current state of the transatlantic relationship and the UK’s post-Brexit strategy. Pointing to Marco Rubio’s Munich speech as a signal that America has pivoted its priorities away from its security guarantee with Europe, and highlighting Keir Starmer’s attempt to seek a backdoor return to the EU through regulatory alignment, they paint a stark picture of a West in transition, where old alliances are crumbling and delusional European leaders remain unable to confront the fiscal and military realities of a changing world order.

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The Starmer-Mandelson-Epstein scandal & Musk’s merger

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 00:01:00 GMT

In this episode of The Econoclasts, Yanis Varoufakis and Wolfgang Munchau confront the false orthodoxies of finance and power, beginning with a deep dive into the “rigged” valuation of the SpaceX-xAI merger and toxicity of stock buybacks, before clashing over Keir Starmer’s appointment of Peter Mandelson as US Ambassador, Mandelson's links to Jeffrey Epstein, and the resignation of Morgan McSweeney as proof of a clownish and ultimately doomed political strategy.

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Why gold and silver crashed & Trump’s Fed Chair pick

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 00:01:00 GMT

Following a historic price crash for gold and silver after President Trump picked Kevin Warsh to lead the Federal Reserve, Yanis Varoufakis and Wolfgang Munchau dismantle the orthodoxies surrounding the slump and connect the dots between Warsh’s Mar-a-Lago family ties, the toxic legacy of Quantitative Easing, and the inevitable shift toward fiscal dominance, exposing why the crash is a symptom of a dying central banking era and a warning of the dollar debasement yet to come.

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“This isn’t over”: Trump, Greenland & the Davos delusion

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 00:01:00 GMT

In this week’s Econoclasts, Yanis Varoufakis and Wolfgang Munchau engage in a deconstruction of multiple modern economic and geopolitical myths, from Mark Carney’s Davos speech to the shifting power dynamics between Europe and the United States. Was Carney’s much-lauded call for a new multilateral alliance actually a muddled and hypocritical attempt to revive a global order that has already ruptured? And was Europe’s “victory” over Trump with regard to Greenland actually delusional cheerleading, when the declining continent remains trapped by a deep dependency on American technology, the dollar, and security infrastructure?

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Europe’s fatal Greenland mistake & China’s real power

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 00:01:00 GMT

In the week when President Donald Trump vowed to implement a wave of increasing tariffs on European allies until the United States is allowed to buy Greenland, Yanis Varoufakis and Wolfgang Munchau dissect the terminal decline of European sovereignty and the shifting pillars of the global economy. Is Europe unable to confront Trump due to its total reliance on American technology and defence? And while the U.S. and China embrace disruptive economic models to maintain their dominance, why does the EU choose to preserve a failing status quo rather than pursuing the radical political union necessary for survival?

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Trump’s war on the Fed & Bulgaria’s Euro disaster

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 00:01:00 GMT

In the week when the Trump administration threatened criminal charges against Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell, Yanis Varoufakis and Wolfgang Munchau expose the high-stakes power struggle to dismantle central bank independence and privatise the U.S. dollar. Added to Bulgaria’s controversial entry into the eurozone, Yanis and Wolfgang argue that the era of technocratic consensus is dead, replaced by a volatile new age of economic ‘techno-feudalism’ where the lines between state power and private profit have finally vanished.

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Venezuela special: Maduro, oil, and Trump’s next target

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 00:01:00 GMT

In today’s Venezuela special, Yanis Varoufakis and Wolfgang Munchau expose the reality behind the abduction of Nicolás Maduro and the dawn of a ‘Donroe Doctrine’ that signals the end of international law. As the first days of 2026 unfold, could Trump’s gangster-style intervention actually be emboldening Putin and Xi, and are Greenland and Canada truly the next targets on the list? And in a ‘Putinised’ West where European leaders remain non-entities, is this merely a regime change in Caracas, or a strategic flooding of the zone designed to shatter the transatlantic alliance and usher in a new era of transactional warfare?

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2025: The West’s annus horribilis

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:01:00 GMT

In this special year-end edition of The Econoclasts, Yanis Varoufakis and Wolfgang Munchau dissect 2025 - a pivotal year and annus horribilis for the European Union in a world reshaped by a G2 power structure, where a resurgent Russia, a technologically dominant China, and a tariff-wielding Trump administration have left Europe and the UK strategically "snookered." From the collapse of international law and the death of the green transition to the rise of Cloud Capital and autonomous AI warfare, Yanis and Wolfgang shatter the comforting myths of the centrist establishment. As capitalism mutates into a predatory digital feudalism, how can we make the distinction between empirical optimism and the necessity of human hope as we enter 2026?

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Q&A: Germany’s economic death trap & the truth about BRICS

Wed, 24 Dec 2025 00:01:00 GMT

This week on a special Q&A edition of The Econoclasts, Yanis Varoufakis and Wolfgang Munchau confront the uncomfortable truths of 2025. From the economic death trap currently paralysing German society, to why nationalist parties like the AfD are sympathetic to Putin, America’s waning interest in NATO, and BRICS’s blockchain-based new world order - Yanis and Wolfgang look back on a year in which global values were rubbished.

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Greece’s doom loop & why Europe can’t stand up to Trump

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 00:01:00 GMT

This week, Yanis Varoufakis and Wolfgang Munchau take aim at two prevailing myths: the widespread belief that Greece's recovery is a heartwarming success story—a model for debt-laden nations like Germany and the UK—and the soft centre-left idea that the EU can "go it alone" and challenge the United States politically and economically. Is Greece's success real, or just a financial illusion? And is a meaningful decoupling from a tariff-wielding America possible, or is the dream of a strategically independent Europe dead?

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The AI bubble myth & the truth about Trump’s Venezuela attacks

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 00:01:00 GMT

This week, Yanis Varoufakis and Wolfgang Munchau take aim at two prevailing orthodoxies. Is the explosive AI boom really a bubble, or is the technology itself forcing a non-reversible shift away from capitalism and toward a new age of Techno-Feudalism? Plus, are Trump's orders to sink Venezuelan boats and kill sailors really about a "War on Drugs," or is that just a cynical cover story when what the administration really want from Venezuela is oil? And if the term "war crime" is wrong, should these acts be called something far more chilling: extrajudicial murder?

The Econoclasts is the podcast from UnHerd in which Yanis Varoufakis and Wolfgang Munchau each week pick pillars of the economic orthodoxy – so-called ‘settled facts’ – and shatter them. Why? Because, while they don’t always agree politically, they’re united in one conviction: the consensus is rotten and the establishment’s model is failing.

If you have a question for Yanis and Wolfgang then now is your chance. Send us your Econoclastic questions and they'll answer them on a future episode of the show. Email your questions to us at econoclasts@unherd.com

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Europe’s identity crisis: Empty values & defence delusion

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 00:01:00 GMT

This week, Yanis Varoufakis and Wolfgang Munchau take aim at Europe's core illusions. Are Europe's 'values' anything more than a slogan when its leaders fail to defend a French ICC judge sanctioned by the Trump administration? And why is Europe fixated on rapidly increasing defence spending to 3.5% of GDP - is this target a genuine strategy to counter Russia and achieve independence, or is it a doomed exercise that will only funnel money inefficiently and increase Europe's reliance on American arms suppliers?

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Trump’s Ukraine peace plan & the truth about the crypto crash

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 00:01:00 GMT

This week on The Econoclasts, Yanis Varoufakis and Wolfgang Munchau challenge two global orthodoxies: Europe's cynical strategy in the Ukraine war and the alleged freedom of the cryptocurrency world. Are European leaders actively frustrating any Ukraine peace plan to buy time for re-armament? And did last week’s crypto winter confirm that the digital currency universe has been taken over by an unholy alliance of Big Government and Big Finance that will guarantee future global financial chaos? Prepare to see the world's strategic priorities—from Kyiv to Bitcoin—in a new and alarming light.

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Should Labour sack Starmer & will Reeves bankrupt Britain?

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 00:01:00 GMT

On this episode of The Econoclasts, in an important week for the British economy, Yanis Varoufakis and Wolfgang Munchau debate speculation over Keir Starmer’s leadership and whether political instability is now a permanent feature of Westminster - before dissecting the fatal mistake at the heart of Rachel Reeves’ budget, her reliance on economic “experts”, and why Reeves is paralysed by a crisis of her own choosing.

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Palantir's secret pact & the Euro's fatal flaw

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT

This week on The Econoclasts, Yanis Varoufakis and Wolfgang Munchau debunk two more establishment orthodoxies. First, Wolfgang challenges the widespread belief that the euro is a safe and permanent currency and investigates the deep structural flaws that were never fixed, exploring whether a new political shock in a major country like France could be the trigger that finally unravels the entire project. Next, Yanis shatters the foundational myth that capitalism is synonymous with free markets, exploring the cozy relationship between big business and the state, and questioning whether the 'free market' is just an ideological smokescreen. Is the system secretly designed to secure monopoly power, and will AI be a force for true competition, or will it be the ultimate weapon for existing tech giants to solidify their control forever?

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China vs. the dollar & Europe's far-Right failure

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 00:03:00 GMT

This week on The Econoclasts, Yanis Varoufakis and Wolfgang Munchau debunk two more establishment orthodoxies. First, Yanis challenges the widespread belief that China is actively trying to dethrone the US dollar as the world's reserve currency, arguing that while Beijing wants independence from US sanction power, it is strongly opposed to the idea of taking on the burden of the reserve currency. And second, Wolfgang debunks the "cordon sanitaire", or "firewall" orthodoxy that European centrist parties must never form coalitions with the far-Right, exposing how this failed tactic forces centrists into permanent coalitions that deliver only stagnation and ultimately guarantees the rise of far-Right parties

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Should Europe seize Russian assets? Is a crypto crisis looming?

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 00:01:00 GMT

In this first episode of The Econoclasts, Yanis Varoufakis and Wolfgang Munchau debunk two failed economic orthodoxies shaping our world. First, they dismantle the narrative that Europe is helping Ukraine - and striking a powerful blow against Russia - by raiding Russia’s frozen assets. More than this being legally questionable, is it also economically and geopolitically self-defeating? Next, they expose the "battle" between central banks and anti-establishment crypto rebels as a false choice, revealing it as a dangerous illusion that serves the powerful. Far from being revolutionary, are stablecoins turbo-charging financial instability for the next global crash?

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Trailer: The Econoclasts

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 16:26:11 GMT

The Econoclasts is a new podcast from UnHerd hosted by economist Yanis Varoufakis and journalist Wolfgang Munchau. While they don't always agree politically, they are united in one conviction: the consensus is rotten. Mainstream economics has consistently failed to predict the events that shape our world, yet this broken orthodoxy still dominates policy and media. Each week, they choose two pillars of the established orthodoxy — the "settled facts" — and shatter them, cutting through the spin to connect the dots between money, geopolitics, and the real forces shaping our future.

Don't forget to rate, like and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

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These Times - Trump: the Multipolar President?

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 23:30:00 GMT

This week, Tom and Helen follow on from the previous episode by analysing Donald Trump's response to the multipolar world and its implications, especially for Europe. They dive into Trump's clear actions towards Russia, the complications with China, the broader strategic shifts, European interests, NATO's current state, and rising geopolitical tensions involving Turkey.

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These Times - The rise of the multipolar world order

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 00:03:00 GMT

In this week's episode, Tom and Helen zoom out to look at the wider geopolitical world order coming into being in the midst of Donald Trump's second term, and whether American acceptance of a multipolar world is the key thread in Trump's geopolitical ambitions.

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These Times - Trump’s Economic Revolution

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 00:30:00 GMT

This week, Tom and Helen discuss the growing American debt crisis and whether Donald Trump's bold political moves can be understood as a response to this escalating financial challenge.

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These Times - Trump versus Zelensky and the Wars for Ukraine’s Resources

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 00:30:00 GMT

This week, Tom and Helen discuss the growing focus on the US-Ukraine minerals deal and its potential impact on intelligence sharing and arms supplies. They also explore whether the war in Ukraine has evolved into a battle over resources amid rising global geopolitical tensions.

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These Times - Crisis: Trump, Zelensky and a moment of truth for Starmer

Tue, 04 Mar 2025 00:30:00 GMT

This week, Tom and Helen discuss the recent whirlwind of political events: Keir Starmer's meeting with Donald Trump after announcing a boost in British defense spending, Volodymyr Zelensky’s fiery Oval Office press conference, and European leaders’ efforts to draft a peace plan for presentation to the U.S.

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These Times - The German Election: Friedrich Merz, “Independence” from America, and the Rise of the Far Right.

Mon, 24 Feb 2025 17:00:00 GMT

This week, Tom and Helen discuss the aftermath of Germany's election, where the Christian Democrats won but with their second-lowest vote tally ever. They explore what these results mean for the future of European politics and the shifting dynamics of Europe’s relationship with the United States.

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These Times - Trump, Putin and Europe’s Historic Crisis

Tue, 18 Feb 2025 00:30:00 GMT

This week Tom and Helen discuss the impact that peace talks with Russia might have on the United States security commitment to Europe.

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These Times - Trump's Tariff War

Tue, 11 Feb 2025 00:01:00 GMT

In this episode of These Times, Tom and Helen discuss the deep history behind Trump's latest round of tariffs on China, Mexico and Canada; how the US has used tariffs throughout history, how protectionism shifted between the Democratic and Republican parties, and what it all means for global politics.

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These Times - Can Europe Survive Trump?

Tue, 04 Feb 2025 00:30:00 GMT

Following on from the previous episode, this week, Tom and Helen expand even further on the topic of Europe and its dependance on the United States.

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These Times - Europe’s Trump Shock

Tue, 28 Jan 2025 00:30:00 GMT

This week, Tom and Helen discuss what Donald Trump's presidency means for Europe, historically, after his revealing first week in office.

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These Times - Why The Oligarchs Now Back Trump

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 00:30:00 GMT

This week, Tom and Helen delve into Joe Biden's farewell address, why he warned of a new tech oligarchy and the possible new epoch in American politics.

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These Times - Why Trump Wants Greenland (and more)

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 00:30:00 GMT

This week, Tom and Helen delve into Donald Trump's open attempt to annex Greenland, retake the Panama Canal, and seduce Canada into joining the United States.

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These Times - Who is Elon Musk?

Tue, 07 Jan 2025 00:02:46 GMT

For the first episode of 2025, Tom and Helen take a deep dive into the life and worldview of the world's richest man; who is Elon Musk, what does he believe - and what does he want?

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These Times - The Year of War, Donald Trump and an Ascendant Turkey

Tue, 31 Dec 2024 00:30:30 GMT

On the final episode of the year, Tom and Helen reflect on the events of 2024 and how they may effect the geopolitical future.

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These Times - The Year British Politics Hollowed Out

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:30:20 GMT

For our Christmas special episode Tom and Helen take a look back at the state of British politics this year and ask the question - Is British politics unravelling?

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These Times - Can Syria Survive?

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 00:30:44 GMT

This week Tom and Helen return to the extraordinary situation in Syria and question whether it's really possible to have a unified Syrian state.

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These Times - Europe’s Franco-German Crisis: Macron and Scholz Stare Into The Abyss

Tue, 10 Dec 2024 16:01:05 GMT

Following the collapse of the French government, Tom and Helen discuss the Franco-German crisis in the new age of Trump.

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These Times - Revolution in Syria

Mon, 09 Dec 2024 15:52:03 GMT

The Economist's Defence Editor Shashank Joshi joins Tom and Helen for an early episode this week to discuss how the Assad regime fell so rapidly and what this means for Syria and the world.

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These Times - Starmer adrift: What future for British politics?

Tue, 03 Dec 2024 00:30:12 GMT

This week on the podcast Helen and Tom explore why Keir Starmer's government has come so far adrift so quickly and what this means for the future of British politics.

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These Times - Putin escalates: The threat of World War Three

Tue, 26 Nov 2024 00:30:31 GMT

In this week's episode Tom and Helen explore the recent military escalation over Ukraine and what this might mean for the current geopolitical world.

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These Times - Donald Trump: Peacemaker President?

Tue, 19 Nov 2024 00:25:42 GMT

Following Joe Biden's controversial decision over the weekend to authorise Ukrainian forces to fire American missiles deep into Russia itself, Tom and Helen explore what a Trump presidency means for war and peace across the world, not just in Ukraine, but in China, the Middle East and the border with Mexico...

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These Times - Is Pop Culture Right Wing?

Thu, 14 Nov 2024 00:30:02 GMT

Donald Trump won the podcast battle by appearing on the shows of right-leaning stars like Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman and Theo Von. On the other hand, Kamala Harris went on the 'Call Her Daddy' podcast. Tom is joined in the studio by James Marriott to discuss the decline of liberal dominance in the world of popular culture, from The Rest is History, to Batman the Dark Knight...

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These Times - What Trump Means: Musk and Mars, Germany and Ukraine

Tue, 12 Nov 2024 00:30:42 GMT

What awaits Europe after Donald Trump's second coming? Will it mark the end of the war in Ukraine or the end of America's defence of Europe? What role does Elon Musk have to play? From the China trade war to space travel, Tom and Helen bring it all into focus...

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These Times - Donald Trump: The Sequel

Thu, 07 Nov 2024 00:45:45 GMT

As the dust begins to settle in the US, Tom is is joined by Emily Jashinsky, host of Undercurrents, to discuss Trump's great American triumph and the existential disaster facing the Democrats.

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These Times - US Election Special: What's Wrong with American Politics?

Tue, 05 Nov 2024 00:30:13 GMT

As the US goes to the polls, Tom and Helen look back at the last decades of US politics and ask why the current moment, of Trump vs Harris, feels so much more polarised than ever...

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These Times - Kemi Badenoch: On Race, Empire and Roger Scruton

Wed, 30 Oct 2024 00:33:54 GMT

Tom McTague sits down with the controversial Tory firebrand Kemi Badenoch to talk about immigration, being a black Tory politician and why she is the right person to lead the opposition...

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These Times - Israel Attacks Iran

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 00:09:47 GMT

After four weeks, Israel's anticipated revenge attack on Iran was complete. Missiles launched at Iranian missile targets from Israel threatened even more escalation. Tom and Helen dive into the details of what occurred and what the ramifications might be for the region and the wider world.

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These Times Live: The Most Important Election in Modern History

Wed, 23 Oct 2024 16:07:56 GMT

On 5 November, the American people will go to the polls in what may prove to be the most important election in modern history. From Ukraine to Taiwan, the world is watching with bated breath. Tom and Helen explore these topics in a special These Times live recording, and analyse how both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump could redefine the geopolitical fault lines shaping our world...

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These Times - Wanted: Europe’s Missing Leader

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMT

With soaring deficits, immigration debates, and a flock of North Korean soldiers arriving in Ukraine to fight alongside Russia, the continent feels adrift. Tom and Helen explore who can really lead Europe out of crisis...

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These Times - 100 Days of Starmer: The Ghosts of British Politics

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 23:30:28 GMT

With Keir Starmer's approval ratings at an all-time low and the Tory leadership race staggering to an exhaustive conclusion, Tom and Helen ask why Britain's two main political parties are so useless without any apparent political strategy. Does the ghost of Margaret Thatcher have anything to do with it?

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These Times - Israel Prepares to Strike Iran

Mon, 07 Oct 2024 23:30:54 GMT

For our 100th episode, we remain in the Middle East. Israel has just relocated a battalion from Gaza to Lebanon. The anniversary of October 7th has heightened the already feverish tension in the region. Lebanon endures heavy assault, and Israel prepares its retaliation against Iran; Helen Thompson and Tom McTage delve into the developing crisis and explore why oil is so essential…

Please join us for our live show in Westminster. Tickets below

https://club.unherd.com/event/these-times-us-election/

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These Times - Why Nasrallah’s Death Changes Everything

Mon, 30 Sep 2024 23:37:09 GMT

Hezbollah are in disarray. Their leadership is decapitated, and Israeli troops amass at the border. Iran has vowed revenge. In this week's episode, Tom and Helen explore what the assassination of Hassan Nasrallah means for the crisis in the Middle East...

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These Times - Tom Tugendhat: The Outside Bet?

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 23:42:08 GMT

Tom chats with Tory leadership hopeful Tom Tugendhat about his personal and political philosophies and what is so egregious about Keir Starmer as PM...

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These Times - Labour's Crisis Conference?

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 23:30:30 GMT

In this special episode, These Times heads to Liverpool to delve into Starmer's reset of the Labour Party. Are Labour in crisis, or is Kier just getting started?

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These Times - Hezbollah & Israel: Lebanon Stares into the Abyss

Mon, 23 Sep 2024 23:36:47 GMT

After an astonishing week in the Middle East, Tom and Helen delve into the rapidly escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. Why has Netanyahu chosen to intensify Israel's attacks on Hezbollah, and what happens to Lebanon now?

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These Times - Robert Jenrick: The Next Tory Leader?

Thu, 19 Sep 2024 00:00:39 GMT

Tom chats to Robert Jenrick, the supposed front-runner in the race to become the next leader of the Conservative Party, about his leadership credentials, Margaret Thatcher, and the issue of immigration...

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These Times - The Franco-German Crisis: Budgets and Borders Haunt Macron and Scholz

Tue, 17 Sep 2024 00:00:27 GMT

After former central bank president Mario Draghi reported that the EU has to invest 800 billion euros a year to compete with the US and China, Tom and Helen, turn to the crises in France and Germany and explore why politics has become so much harder for the two European powerhouses…

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These Times - The Truth About Churchill and WWII: Rebuking Tucker Carlson and Darryl Cooper

Wed, 11 Sep 2024 23:30:26 GMT

After a controversial interview between Tucker Carlson and Darryl Cooper, in which Cooper claimed Churchill was, in fact, the villain of WWII, Tom talked to Churchill expert Andrew Roberts to explore the true political and personal history of Sir Winston Churchill from the British Empire to the beaches of Normandy.

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These Times - Ukraine's Trump Dread: Zelensky's Kursk Gambit and the US Election

Mon, 09 Sep 2024 23:30:56 GMT

Shashank Joshi joins Tom and Helen to discuss Ukraine's recent shock incursion into Russian soil and whether there are still conditions in Western democracies to provide military and economic support for Ukraine...and would a Trump presidency spell the end for Ukraine?

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These Times - Starmer’s European Project: Why Britain Keeps Gambling on Germany

Mon, 02 Sep 2024 23:30:33 GMT

After the AfD's dominant election victory in East Germany, Tom and Helen explore Keir Starmer's plans to reset relations with the EU, and whether his goals are realistic in a drastically changing geopolitical world...

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These Times - The End of the European Project?

Mon, 12 Aug 2024 23:30:20 GMT

After The European elections in June, the French and British elections in early July, and a recent speech by Viktor Orban calling into question the entire future direction of the EU, Tom and Helen explore the fragmentation of the European project...

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These Times - When Israel Assassinates

Tue, 06 Aug 2024 00:00:04 GMT

After Israel's double assassination, first Fuad Shukr, Hezbollah military commander in Beirut, and then Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, Tom and Helen explore what the history of Israel's political assassinations reveals about the present dangers around a regional war in the Middle East...

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These Times - Israel Edges Towards War With Hezbollah

Mon, 29 Jul 2024 23:30:09 GMT

In this week's episode, Tom and Helen turn to the desperately volatile situation in the Middle East, where Israel stands on the Brink of war with Hezbollah following the attack on the Golan Heights on Saturday. Is the Israel-Hamas war moving towards a wider Middle East conflagration, and how does the politics of the American election impact everybody's choices?

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These Times - Biden Quits: What next for the Democrats?

Mon, 22 Jul 2024 15:19:48 GMT

This week Tom and Helen discuss Joe Biden's withdrawal from the race to be the next U.S President and what this means for the Democratic Party.

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These Times - The Shooting of Donald Trump: America and Violence

Mon, 15 Jul 2024 23:30:06 GMT

In this week's episode, Tom and Helen discuss the attempted assassination of Donald Trump and what this says about not only America, but violence in politics, where it comes from, and what we can learn from previous points in history.

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These Times - Republics in Danger: Election Crisis in France and America—and Lessons for Britain

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 23:30:40 GMT

In this week's episode, Tom and Helen turn to the three largest political stories in the world right now - the last-minute surge by France's left-wing coalition, the increasing pressure on Joe Biden to step down, and Starmer's first few days in government in the weeks to come...

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These Times - Labour's shallow victory, with Freddie Sayers

Sat, 06 Jul 2024 14:07:04 GMT

UnHerd's Freddie Sayers chats to These Times' Tom McTague about an extraordinary night in British politics - take a closer look at the numbers, and there's another story under the surface...

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These Times - Labour Landslide: The Brutality of British Elections

Sat, 06 Jul 2024 00:30:43 GMT

In this emergency election episode, Tom and Helen reflect on the scale of the Conservative's defeat and what Labour's landslide triumph on just 33. 7 percent of the vote means for British politics...

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These Times - Britain on the Edge: Election Day

Wed, 03 Jul 2024 23:45:15 GMT

Tom McTague reflects on the election campaign, from Rishi in the rain to Boris Johnson's appearance as a last-ditch substitute, and his journey across Britain, from Uist to Kent, to discover what's really going on...

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These Times - Is Biden Gone? The Democratic Party after THAT debate

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 23:30:22 GMT

Helen and Tom turn to Joe Biden's catastrophic performance at the recent election debate. Will the Democrats really force out Biden, and if so what will that mean for the United States?

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These Times - Apocalypse in Toryland

Thu, 27 Jun 2024 02:26:44 GMT

Tom travels deep into the Tory heartlands, where the Liberal Democrats are threatening the infamous Blue Wall. Is there a wipeout on the horizon in the Tory's own backyard?

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These Times - France Enters Its Summer of Crisis

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 00:00:23 GMT

In this week's episode, Tom and Helen explore the extraordinary situation developing in France, sparked by Emmanuel Macron's dramatic decision to call snap parliamentary elections. What is happening in France, and what does it mean for Europe?

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These Times - Has the SNP Blown it?

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 00:00:28 GMT

In this special episode, Tom travels to the Outer Hebrides, Scotland's wild western edge, where one of the most interesting hustings of this election is taking place. Then we head to Glasgow, to find out whether the Indy dream is still alive after a catalogue of spectacular SNP failures... Join us on the road!

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These Times - When Scotland Votes

Tue, 18 Jun 2024 00:30:22 GMT

Tom and Helen turn to the situation north of the border, and explore what the last decade of Scottish elections reveal about British politics more widely...

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These Times - London's Dissident Left

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 00:30:48 GMT

After Tom's pursuit of Farage's rebel army, he heads into London to explore the left's breakaway factions. From Chingford, to Stoke Newington, via Corbyn's stronghold in North Islington, Tom finds out what challenges might lie ahead for Keir Starmer...

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These Times - Europe's France Shock

Tue, 11 Jun 2024 00:30:45 GMT

In this week's episode, Tom and Helen react to the shock European election results, and Macron's sudden snap election....is Europe on the brink?

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These Times - Nigel's Rebel Army: These Times Election Special

Thu, 06 Jun 2024 00:30:57 GMT

For the first episode of a new mini-series from These Times, Tom McTague is on the search for Nigel Farage's rebel army. Reporting from the ground in Great Yarmouth, Tom speaks to the people who are going to shape the election....

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These Times - Can Biden Bring Peace to the Middle East?

Tue, 04 Jun 2024 01:00:27 GMT

In this week's episode, Tom and Helen return to the desperate situation in Gaza, following Joe Biden's peace proposal on Friday. Where has this peace proposal come from? Why is it being made now? And what does it mean?

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These Times - Sunak Jumps

Tue, 28 May 2024 02:00:26 GMT

In this week's episode, Helen and Tom dissect Rishi Sunak's shock snap election, and explore why we are seeing such swings in UK opinion between general elections...

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These Times - Biden’s Car War With China

Tue, 21 May 2024 01:00:00 GMT

After Joe Biden announced a new 100 percent tariff on the import of Chinese electric cars, Tom and Helen explore whether the United States can stop China's industrial ascendancy through the energy transition...

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These Times - New World, New Labour

Mon, 13 May 2024 23:30:31 GMT

In this week's episode, Tom and Helen explore whether Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves can create a mode of governance for for the new geopolitical world economy...

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These Times - How the US Controls the World

Mon, 06 May 2024 23:30:18 GMT

In this week's episode Tom and Helen explore the power of the US dollar, and why in a more multipolar, economic and political world, it remains king...

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These Times - The Future of the City, with Bim Afolami and Francesca Carlesi

Thu, 02 May 2024 23:30:12 GMT

In this bonus episode sponsored by Revolut, Tom and Helen talk about the geopolitics of the city of London, before Tom chats to MP Bim Afolami and CEO of Revolut, Francesca Carlesi about the future of the city...

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These Times - Can Britain Afford More On Defence?

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 23:30:52 GMT

After Rishi Sunak announced that Britain will increase its defence spending to 2.5 percent of GDP by 2030, Tom and Helen explore the history of Britain's defence, and whether it will be able to align what it can spend on defence with a changing geopolitical world...

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These Times - The Next Oil War?

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 23:30:20 GMT

In this week's episode, Tom and Helen turn to the border dispute between Venezuela and Guyana, and explore what it means for the rest of the world...

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These Times - Crisis: Iran Attacks

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 23:30:16 GMT

Tom and Helen turn to the crisis unfolding between Iran and Israel, and explore the likelihood of US intervention after they were forced to take direct military action in defence of Israel for the first time in their history...

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These Times Live: War and Peace in the Middle East

Thu, 11 Apr 2024 23:30:36 GMT

From Houthi ship attacks to the spectre of Iranian aggression, the Middle East seems set to become the next front for violent conflict. Could the turbulent history of the region tell us something about what its future holds? Join These Times’ Tom McTague and Helen Thompson for the first live recording of their hit podcast.

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These Times - The Return of ISIS

Mon, 08 Apr 2024 23:30:36 GMT

As the dust settles in Moscow, Tom and Helen ask from where did Isis come, and why are they still here...

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These Times - Paul Morland: The Power of Population

Mon, 01 Apr 2024 23:30:57 GMT

In this week's episode, Tom and Helen chat to demographer Paul Morland about the geopolitics and economics of demography, and why population matters...

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These Times - We Need to Talk About Turkey

Tue, 26 Mar 2024 00:30:35 GMT

In this week's episode, Tom and Helen turn to Turkey, the country at the crossroads of global geopolitics, and ask why it is so important to the future of the 21st Century...

Please join us at the UnHerd Club on 8th April for our first live event "War and Peace in the Middle East", where Tom and Helen are diving deeper into the geopolitics of the Middle-East... Don't miss it! Tickets below

https://club.unherd.com/event/these-times-live/

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These Times - What’s the Matter with Western Europe?

Tue, 19 Mar 2024 00:30:50 GMT

After their extensive analysis into the economic binds of France and Germany, Tom and Helen explore why the geopolitical world has become so much harder for Western Europe to navigate over the last decade...

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These Times - What's the Point of Emmanuel Macron?

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 00:30:49 GMT

This week, Tom and Helen turn to France's divisive leader, Emmanuel Macron, and explore whether there is any strategic substance behind the grand speeches, declarations and interventions....

Elsewhere at UnHerd, we have launched our new Spring Sale which gives subscribers unlimited access to our articles, subscriber-only app, and ability to join the conversation in the comment section, and that’s all for just £4.99 per year, and for all our UK listeners you can get your first month free. Just visit the link below

https://unherd.com/spring-sale/

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These Times - Britain's Lethal Economic Bind

Tue, 05 Mar 2024 00:30:57 GMT

In this week's episode Tom and Helen explore what has happened to the British economy over the past 20 years, and why is it becoming increasingly difficult for it to adjust to the new economic and geopolitical world....

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These Times - Germany's Economic Reckoning

Tue, 27 Feb 2024 00:30:50 GMT

In this episode, Tom and Helen turn to Germany, and ask why it was last year's worst performing major economy, and what those difficulties reveal about the present economic and geopolitical world...

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These Times - Europe’s Reckoning with Ukraine

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 00:30:17 GMT

In this week's episode, Tom Mctague and Helen Thompson look back at Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014, and explore why it has been so difficult for the United States and the European Union to protect Ukraine's independence...

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These Times - The War for Ukraine: How History Came Roaring Back

Tue, 13 Feb 2024 00:30:46 GMT

In the wake of Putin's fast and loose interview with Tucker Carlson, Tom and Helen turn to the history of Ukrainian independence, and ask what it means for the future of Ukraine, Europe and NATO...

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These Times - Biden Resumes America’s Forever War in Iraq

Tue, 06 Feb 2024 00:30:51 GMT

In the wake of recent US/UK led bombings of Iraq and Syria, Tom McTague and Helen Thompson ask why America continues to embroil itself in the Iraq quagmire, and whether further escalation lies on the horizon...

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These Times - Trump, the Borderlands, and a Global Crisis

Tue, 30 Jan 2024 00:30:35 GMT

In this week's episode, Tom and Helen turn to the current border crisis unfolding in Texas, and explore how a set of global and domestic crises, from the drug cartels in Mexico, to the situation in Ukraine, might play into Trump's hands come the end of the year...

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These Times - Iran Lashes Out, with Ali Ansari

Tue, 23 Jan 2024 00:30:09 GMT

In this week's episode, Tom and Helen talk to Ali Ansari, director of Iranian Studies at St Andrews University, about the history of Iranian power - from the 1979 Islamic revolution, to the most recent exchange of airstrikes with Pakistan.

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These Times - The War for Taiwan

Tue, 16 Jan 2024 00:30:14 GMT

With the new anti-Chinese President elected in Taiwan, Tom and Helen turn to the most important body of water in the world: the Western Pacific, and explore what's at stake there.

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These Times - The War for the Red Sea

Tue, 09 Jan 2024 00:30:38 GMT

This week, Helen and Tom explore the geopolitical history of the Red Sea, from the erection of the Suez Canal, to the waring Houthi Rebels patrolling the waters, and what it all tells us about where power lies in the world today.

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These Times - New Year, New World

Wed, 03 Jan 2024 00:30:21 GMT

Tom McTague and HelenH Helen Thompson look back at the major events that took place in 2023, from Ukraine's stalled counter-offensive and the Israel Hamas War, and ask what they mean for the year ahead...

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These Times - Europe’s Lost World: The Radetzky March and The Leopard

Tue, 26 Dec 2023 00:30:04 GMT

For this Christmas Special, Tom and Helen discuss two of their all time favourite novels that share the same themes of empire, nationalism and loss - Joseph Roth's The Radetzky March (1932) and Giuseppe Tommasi, The Lampedusa's The Leopard (1958).

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These Times - Europe’s Civilisational Turn?

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 00:30:00 GMT

This week, Tom and Helen sit down with Hans Kundnani to discuss the domestic politics of European countries and the reshaping of Europe's collective future.

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These Times - Ukraine's Dark Winter Ahead

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 00:30:38 GMT

Tom and Helen sit down with Shashank Joshi to ask why supporting Ukraine has been so politically difficult in many Western countries, and what are the consequences for Ukraine, the EU, NATO, and the geopolitical conflicts around the Middle East?

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These Times - Europe's Bet on Net Zero

Tue, 05 Dec 2023 00:30:29 GMT

As world leaders meet in Dubai for COP 28, Tom and Helen turn to one of the most important political issues of our age - Net Zero, and ask where Europe's ambition to be the first carbon dioxide free continent comes from, and whether it can succeed?

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These Times - Can British Growth Ever Recover?

Tue, 28 Nov 2023 00:30:49 GMT

In this week's episode, Tom McTague and Helen Thompson dissect the sorry state of Britain's economy with policy-expert Torsten Bell - and ask whether darker days do indeed lie ahead, or whether there's still cause for hope...

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These Times - David Cameron's Failed Foreign Policy

Tue, 21 Nov 2023 00:30:46 GMT

On the day that David Cameron is sworn into the House of Lords, Tom and Helen explore the history of his foreign policy, and look ahead at what kind of Foreign Secretary he might make...

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These Times - Decision 2024: What’s at stake for Israel, Ukraine, and the world next year

Tue, 14 Nov 2023 00:30:37 GMT

In this episode Tom and Helen sit down to discuss the next U.S election and what's at stake for Israel, Ukraine, and the world.

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These Times - Britain's Israel-Palestine Dilemma

Tue, 07 Nov 2023 00:30:51 GMT

In this episode, Tom and Helen discuss the history of Britain's relationship with the Israel-Palestine question; from Lloyd George and Winston Churchill, to Starmer's recent opposition to calls for ceasefire.

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These Times - Israel Invades: The Gazan Trap, with Shashank Joshi

Tue, 31 Oct 2023 00:30:57 GMT

In this episode, Tom and Helen chat to the The Economist's defence editor, Shashank Joshi, about the logistical challenges of a ground-war, what Israel seek to gain by invading Gaza, and the dangers that lie ahead.

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These Times - Israel vs Iran: The Deadliest Foes

Mon, 23 Oct 2023 23:30:09 GMT

In this week's episode, Tom and Helen explore the long and fraught history of Iranian-Israeli relations, and ask how Israel vs Iran became the most dangerous prospect in the Middle-East

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These Times - The Israel-Hamas War

Mon, 16 Oct 2023 23:30:57 GMT

In this week's episode Tom and Helen discuss the history of Israel and the geopolitical fault-lines running through the Middle East

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These Times - Jamie Carragher: My History of Liverpool

Tue, 10 Oct 2023 23:01:11 GMT

In this episode, Tom travels to Liverpool to meet on of the city's favourite sons: Jamie Carragher. They talk about Liverpool's sectarian past, Brexit, Keir Starmer and the phenomenon of secret Tory footballers...

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These Times - Keir Starmer's Europe Problem

Mon, 09 Oct 2023 23:30:08 GMT

During the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, Tom and Helen explore Labour's uneasy relationship with the Europe question - and the potential challenges it poses for Keir Starmer going forward.

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These Times - Rishi Sunak's Challenge

Mon, 02 Oct 2023 23:00:13 GMT

With the Conservative Conference currently taking place in Manchester, Tom and Helen discuss the upcoming challenges facing the Prime Minister.

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These Times - 2. YOUR QUESTIONS: Charles De Gaulle, Brexit and Britain's History within the European Community

Wed, 27 Sep 2023 23:30:24 GMT

In another Q&A episode, Tom and Helen turn to your questions on Brexit and Britain's relationship with the wider European Community.

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These Times - The Race for the Arctic

Mon, 25 Sep 2023 23:30:52 GMT

Helen and Tom chat to one of the world's great geopolitical thinkers, Pippa Malmgren, about how the big player's on the world stage are jostling for position in earth's northernmost point. Does the race for the Arctic represent a new cold war?

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These Times - 1. YOUR QUESTIONS: Will Northern Ireland ever truly be British; Blair’s missed opportunity; missing England; most surprising general elections.

Wed, 20 Sep 2023 23:30:22 GMT

Tom and Helen answer the your questions on British politics.

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These Times - How George Osborne’s All-In Bet On China Went Wrong

Mon, 18 Sep 2023 23:30:29 GMT

In the wake of revelations about Chinese spy activity in Westminster, Tom and Helen explore the recent history of British-Chinese relations, from Hong Kong, to espionage.

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These Times - Rory Stewart's Divided Soul: An Interview with the Man Who Still Wants to be PM

Wed, 13 Sep 2023 23:30:10 GMT

In this special episode, Tom McTague sits down with Rory Stewart to chat about populism and spycraft, John le Carré and Lawrence of Arabia, and his prospective route to Number 10.

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These Times - How Worried Should We Be About Saudi Arabia?

Mon, 11 Sep 2023 23:30:00 GMT

In this episode, Tom and Helen explore Saudi Arabia - a place at once futuristic and authoritarian. From Aramco Oil to Cristiano Ronaldo, we discuss the ways in which the Kingdom in the Middle East is trying to take over the world, and how worried we should be.

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These Times - Africa's Coup Belt

Mon, 04 Sep 2023 23:30:00 GMT

In this episode, Tom and Helen explore the African Coup's, from Gabon to Niger, and discuss what the turmoil across the Sahel reveals about today's world.

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These Times - The Strange Legacy of Tony Blair

Mon, 28 Aug 2023 23:30:38 GMT

In this episode, we turn to Britain's abiding political presence - Tony Blair. From his early beginnings in British politics, to The Tony Blair Institute, Tom and Helen ask whether we are entering a new era of Blairdom?

If you would like to ask Tom and Helen a question about politics, history or whatever else which they will endeavour to answer on next week's podcast, please email us at thesetimes@unherd.com or dm us on Twitter @thesetimespod. Looking forward to hearing from you!

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These Times - Thatcher’s Legacy: An Interview with Charles Moore

Wed, 23 Aug 2023 23:30:52 GMT

In this episode, Tom sits down with former editor of The Daily Telegraph and The Spectator, and Margaret Thatcher's biographer to talk about the romance of Ms. Thatcher, and her influential legacy on modern British politics.

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These Times - From Bruges to Brexit

Mon, 21 Aug 2023 23:30:07 GMT

In this week's episode, Tom and Helen journey back 35 years to explore the forces surrounding Margaret Thatcher's speech in Bruges and how it set the future of British politics in motion.

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These Times - The 1970s Strike Back with Dominic Sandbrook

Mon, 14 Aug 2023 23:30:17 GMT

In this episode, Tom and Helen sit down with Dominic Sandbrook to discuss the 1970s - from energy shocks to Stars Wars' new age spirituality and bin-bags lining the streets during the winter of discontent, Tom, Helen and Dom ask whether we are entering a neo-1970s, and what that might mean for Britain's future...

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These Times - Special Report: Inside Tony Blair Inc.

Wed, 09 Aug 2023 23:30:26 GMT

In this special episode, Tom is interviewed by UnHerd's editor Freddie Sayers to explore Tom's new report into the inner workings of the Tony Blair Institute.

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These Times - American Power in the Age of Biden

Mon, 07 Aug 2023 23:30:04 GMT

In this week's episode, Tom and Helen discuss the politics of US foreign policy, from Vietnam to Ukraine and what that reveals about the future.

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These Times - The Times of Joe Biden

Mon, 31 Jul 2023 23:30:18 GMT

In this week’s episode Tom and Helen discuss the US president’s long (and controversial) political record and ask what it reveals about the state of the nation today — and the country’s future.

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These Times - Cancelled by Keir: An Interview with Jamie Driscoll

Wed, 26 Jul 2023 23:30:58 GMT

Meet Jamie Driscoll, the incumbent mayor blocked from standing to be Labour's candidate for the new north-east super mayoralty, now crowdfunding to stand as an independent left-winger.

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These Times - Europe's Right Turn?

Mon, 24 Jul 2023 23:30:16 GMT

After the elections in Spain, and a shock announcement in Germany, Tom and Helen discuss the underlying causes of Europe’s tilt to the right.

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These Times - Keir's Blairite Ultra: An interview with Pat McFadden

Wed, 19 Jul 2023 23:30:00 GMT

In this episode, Tom McTague chats to Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Pat McFadden—the man tasked with making Starmer’s sums add up—on the lessons of Labour’s history, from Kinnock to Blair to Starmer.

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These Times - Inside NATO's Summit

Mon, 17 Jul 2023 23:30:25 GMT

In this episode, Tom and Helen discuss how last week's meeting in Vilnius revealed fault lines in the organisation which can be traced all the way back to its founding.

If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe and leave a review. You can also find us on Twitter @TheseTimesPod, to join the conversation!

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These Times - Come on Arlene: An Interview with Arlene Foster

Wed, 12 Jul 2023 23:30:20 GMT

Come on Arlene: An interview with Arlene Foster. In this episode, we discuss the history of Northern Ireland through the lens of Arlene Foster's own turbulent life, covering everything from the IRA’s attempted assassination of her father to her own downfall as leader — and everything in between.

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These Times - France on fire

Mon, 10 Jul 2023 23:30:44 GMT

This week, Tom and Helen are joined by John Lichfield — one of Britain’s most respected journalists based in France — to talk about the history of street violence in the country and what that means for the future.

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These Times - Chaos in Russia

Mon, 03 Jul 2023 23:01:50 GMT

After last week’s march on Moscow, Tom and Helen discuss the Wagner group and the history of wars not going to plan and destabilising the political regime at home — from Ireland to Algeria, Vietnam to Iraq.

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These Times - What would Thatcher do?

Wed, 28 Jun 2023 23:01:00 GMT

An interview with Charles Powell, Mrs Thatcher’s long time foreign policy adviser, covering everything from the war in Ukraine, the risks of humiliating Putin, chaos in Russia and the future of Britain in Europe.

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These Times - The Politics of Inflation

Mon, 26 Jun 2023 23:00:00 GMT

With inflation remaining stubbornly high and interest rates at their highest in 15 years, this week’s episode looks at the causes and political repercussions of today’s crisis as well as the parallels with previous governments — from Harold Wilson to Ted Heath, James Callaghan and Margaret Thatcher.

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These Times - Britain's Place in the New World Order - Part 2

Wed, 21 Jun 2023 23:30:30 GMT

Tom and Helen discuss Britain's changing role overseas in the second instalment of our series on 'The New World Order'. They discuss Boris Johnson's AUKUS deal, David Cameron's involvement in the middle east and where Brexit has left Britain on the international stage.

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These Times - A New World Order? - Part 1

Mon, 19 Jun 2023 23:30:58 GMT

This week Tom and Helen debate whether America's global supremacy is coming to an end, replaced by a new multipolar world — and, if so, what that means for the world. From Russia's invasion of Georgia in 2008 to the great financial crisis, from Obama's "pivot to Asia" to the presidencies of Donald Trump and Joe Biden, Tom and Helen explore this new age.

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These Times - Is Boris Johnson History?

Mon, 12 Jun 2023 23:30:15 GMT

In this episode, Tom and Helen discuss the tumultuous history of Boris Johnson and ask whether the ups and downs of his political career owe more to his unique character (warts and all) or the much deeper forces at play far beyond his control. The answer to this question will go a long way to determining his future in British politics.

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These Times - How "Made in China 2025" Changed the World

Mon, 05 Jun 2023 23:30:34 GMT

In 2015, Xi Jinping unveiled his central policy objective: to transform China into the world’s most powerful advanced economy which would no longer be dependent on Western technology. In the eight years that have passed since, the world has transformed — from the election of Donald Trump in 2016 to Joe Biden’s protectionist “inflation reduction act” last year and the European Union’s panicked response in between. In this episode, Tom and Helen trace the origins of the Sino-American stand-off and map out the implications for the rest of the world.

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These Times - The History of Immigration

Mon, 29 May 2023 23:30:00 GMT

Official figures released last week showed net migration into the UK had topped 600,000, a new record. But the politics of migration has a long history — from the Napoleonic wars, to Windrush, Enoch Powell and Brexit. In this week’s episode, Tom and Helen discuss this history and what it tells us about Britain today.

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These Times - When Labour Wins

Mon, 22 May 2023 23:30:21 GMT

With Keir Starmer seemingly on course for victory at the next election, Tom and Helen look back at the only other Labour leaders to have won a majority: Clement Attlee, Harold Wilson and Tony Blair. What was it about these three leaders (and the age in which they served) which allowed them to triumph — and what does that tell us about Labour’s chances today?

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These Times - National Conservatism: New or Old?

Mon, 15 May 2023 23:30:19 GMT

With the Tories struggling in the polls and the first “National Conservative” convention meeting in the UK this week, Tom and Helen take a look at the history of the Conservative Party and what it really means to be a conservative today. Tom and Helen debate who founded the Conservative Party, what it seeks to conserve and where its future lies. Take a deep dive into a party and an idea which has shaped Britain and much of the world beyond.

Twitter: @tommctague @HelenHet20 @TheseTimesPod

Please don't forget to subscribe and tell all your friends about These Times. If you have any feedback or questions for a future episode, email Tom and Helen at thesetimes@unherd.com

These Times, from UnHerd. The history of today’s politics with Tom McTague and Helen Thompson

Each week Tom and Helen explore the great forces and ideas that led us to where we are right now. It’s a politics podcast for those who want a deeper, historical understanding of the news, to understand what has really shaped our world and why.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

These Times - Axis of Evil: An Interview with David Frum

Wed, 10 May 2023 23:30:41 GMT

In this one-off special, Tom McTague interviews the conservative commentator, activist and former White House speechwriter David Frum — the man who coined George Bush’s famous “axis of evil.” Helen was away when David was in London. In the interview Tom and David discuss the war in Ukraine and lessons from Iraq, George Bush’s haunted retirement and the need for more “tragic thinking” when confronting the world’s problems.

Twitter: @tommctague @HelenHet20 @TheseTimesPod

Please don't forget to subscribe and tell all your friends about These Times. If you have any feedback or questions for a future episode, email Tom and Helen at thesetimes@unherd.com

These Times, from UnHerd. The history of today’s politics with Tom McTague and Helen Thompson

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

These Times - Ukraine and the world order

Mon, 08 May 2023 23:30:56 GMT

This week, Tom and Helen discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine and to what extent it has changed the world order. Tom and Helen look at the security situation in Europe, the growing power of Turkey, and India — and, of course, how it all fits into the emerging battle for supremacy between the United States and China.

Twitter: @tommctague @HelenHet20 @TheseTimesPod

Please don't forget to subscribe and tell all your friends about These Times. If you have any feedback or questions for a future episode, email Tom and Helen at thesetimes@unherd.com

These Times, from UnHerd. The history of today’s politics with Tom McTague and Helen Thompson

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

These Times - Coronation and The Union - Part 2

Wed, 03 May 2023 23:30:46 GMT

In the second of our two-part opening special on the Coronation of King Charles III, Tom and Helen discuss what the ceremony reveals about the state of the Union at home, the political fudge at its heart and how historical disputes about religion remain key in understanding how it still functions.

Twitter:

@tommctague

@HelenHet20

@TheseTimesPod

Please don't forget to subscribe and tell all your friends about These Times. If you have any feedback or questions for a future episode, email Tom and Helen at thesetimes@unherd.com

These Times, from UnHerd. The history of today’s politics with Tom McTague and Helen Thompson

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

These Times - Coronation and power - Part 1

Mon, 01 May 2023 23:05:19 GMT

The Coronation of King Charles III marks a momentous day not only in the life of the new monarch, but also for the British monarchy and the country as a whole. In this very first episode of These Times, Tom McTague and Helen Thompson discuss what this year’s ceremony reveals about Britain’s place in the world and how much has changed since previous coronations.

Twitter:

@tommctague

@HelenHet20

@TheseTimesPod

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These Times from UnHerd - Coming Soon

Sun, 30 Apr 2023 17:22:34 GMT

UnHerd political editor Tom McTague and Cambridge professor Helen Thompson team up to investigate the history of today’s politics — and what it means for our future. Each week they will explore the great forces, ideas and events that led us to where we are, whether in Britain, the United States, Europe or beyond. It’s a politics podcast for those who want a deeper, historical understanding of the news, to understand what has really shaped our world and why. We hope you enjoy! Don’t forget to rate, like and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts — and, of course, to get in touch with all your questions and comments so we can respond in future episodes.

Email us at thesetimes@unherd.com or tweet us at @thesetimespod

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