The Brink

The Brink
  • 4.8 (74)
  • Politics
  • Updated weekly

Welcome to your much-needed antidote to centrist dad podcasts. Presented by Daily Telegraph columnist and foreign correspondent Jake Wallis Simons and former parachute regiment officer and geopolitical analyst Andrew Fox, The Brink brings their wealth of real-life experience to bear upon the most important topics of the day, from Israel to immigration, Ukraine to Islamism, asylum hotels to the rise of Reform UK. With a host of stellar guests and an emphasis on common sense, Jake and Andrew explore what it will take to bring the West back from the brink. A podcast from the edge of what’s coming. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 4 hr ago

    Dan Hodges: Is this the slow end of Nigel Farage?

    In this episode of The Brink, Andrew is joined by political commentator Dan Hodges for a wide-ranging conversation about Labour’s sanctions against Israel, the growing crisis inside Reform UK and why he believes Nigel Farage’s grip on the party may be approaching its end. Hodges begins by examining the political calculation behind Andy Burnham’s approach to Israel. He argues that Labour is attempting to shore up its left flank against the Greens and pro-Palestinian challengers, and explains how pressure from activists, backbenchers and senior cabinet figures previously pushed Keir Starmer towards recognising a Palestinian state. The conversation then turns to Reform and the fallout from the protests in Dover and Portsmouth. Hodges argues that the emergence of Rupert Lowe and Restore has dragged Reform away from its strategy of professionalisation and towards an increasingly populist battle for its own base, while figures including Zia Yusuf and Robert Jenrick position themselves for what could eventually become a leadership contest. Hodges also discusses the mounting scrutiny of Reform’s finances and Nigel Farage’s response to it. He argues that attempts to portray journalists and parliamentary investigations as part of an establishment conspiracy resemble the playbooks of both Donald Trump and Jeremy Corbyn, and warns that Reform’s once formidable political “force field” is beginning to break down. Finally, Hodges makes a striking prediction: Reform may have a future, but Nigel Farage may not have one at its head. With Farage increasingly divisive among the wider electorate, he assesses the potential successors and explains why a future leadership contest could ultimately come down to Zia Yusuf and Robert Jenrick. Chapters 00:00 Introductions 02:19 The Politics Behind Miliband’s Israel Sanctions 07:26 Andy Burnham’s Political Strategy 13:42 Why Israel Is Losing The Propaganda War 19:56 The Dover Protests & Reform’s Response 22:23 Has Rupert Lowe Got Inside Farage’s Head? 25:08 Farage, Reform & The Populist Playbook 31:02 Why Dan Hodges Is Targeting Reform 38:34 What’s Really Going On With Reform’s Finances? 42:45 Can Farage Copy Trump’s Playbook? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Dan Hodges: Is this the slow end of Nigel Farage?

  2. 1 day ago

    Dover Protests, Tucker Carlson, Nick Fuentes and Britain's Right – Daniel Finkelstein

    Watch the full uncut interview HERE: https://thebrinkpodcast.substack.com In this episode of The Brink, Andrew and Jake are joined by Lord Daniel Finkelstein for a wide-ranging conversation about the rise of populism, the far right, and the growing threat of political extremism across Britain, Europe, and the United States. Drawing on his own family's experience of Nazism and Stalinism, Finkelstein reflects on his confrontation with Nick Fuentes and the extraordinary antisemitic abuse that followed. He examines Tucker Carlson's role in bringing once-fringe ideas towards the mainstream, and why attacks on the historical understanding of the Second World War and the Holocaust have become increasingly important to parts of the American right. Turning to Europe, the conversation explores the dramatic rise of Germany's AfD and the role immigration has played in fuelling populist politics. Finkelstein argues that mass migration was a serious political mistake and that governments must regain control, while warning that demonising people who are already British citizens risks making integration harder and pushing politics towards ethno-nationalism. The discussion also turns to Reform UK, Restore, and the battle over the future of the British right. Finkelstein explains why he believes Nigel Farage has historically drawn an important line against the far right, criticises Matt Goodwin's rhetoric on migrants, and delivers a damning assessment of Robert Jenrick's defence of Reform activists after violence at the party's conference. Finally, they examine the growing tolerance of political violence on both the left and right, the appeal of Vladimir Putin to populist movements, and whether Britain's frustration with immigration, bureaucracy, and political institutions could drive the country further towards the extremes. Don't forget to check out our merch store: https://www.thebrinkmerch.com/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:46 Confronting Nick Fuentes 07:44 Tucker Carlson & The New Right 15:51 The Rise Of Europe’s Populist Right 21:15 The Failure Of Mass Immigration 24:39 Matt Goodwin’s “Goat Herders” Comments 27:00 Immigration, Protest & Vigilantism 33:03 AfD, Reform & The Far Right 36:22 Farage, Reform & Ethno-Nationalism 39:29 Robert Jenrick & Political Violence Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Dover Protests, Tucker Carlson, Nick Fuentes and Britain's Right – Daniel Finkelstein

  3. 4 days ago

    Rock ‘n' Roll's disturbing hatred of Israel - David Draiman

    Watch the full uncut interview HERE: https://thebrinkpodcast.substack.com In this episode of The Brink, Andrew is joined by David Draiman, frontman of Disturbed, for a deeply personal conversation about October 7th, antisemitism, Israel and why he has refused to remain silent despite the potential cost to his career. Drawing on his own experiences of antisemitism and his family's history, from grandparents who survived Auschwitz and Dachau to relatives who served in the IDF, Draiman explains why defending the Jewish people has always been central to his identity. He reflects on how October 7th transformed that fight and why the reaction that followed left him deeply concerned about the future of Jews in the West. Draiman also addresses one of the most controversial moments of his activism: writing “F*ck Hamas" on an Israeli artillery shell. He explains why he has no regrets, while also speaking candidly about Palestinian suffering, his hopes for coexistence, and his belief that Israelis and Palestinians ultimately deserve a future beyond perpetual war. Finally, Draiman reflects on the power of music after Disturbed's Hold On to Memories was played at the funeral of Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir Bibas, and on his friendship with Yarden Bibas. He explains why, whatever the professional consequences of speaking out, being able to act according to his conscience matters more than becoming "the next Metallica." Don't forget to check out our merch store: https://www.thebrinkmerch.com/ Chapter 00:00 David Draiman On Speaking Up 02:58 Why October 7th Changed Everything 05:56 Growing Up With Anti-Semitism 09:27 How Jewish Identity Shaped Disturbed 16:16 Jews, Division & Survival 19:43 Hollywood, Music & Israel 25:49 Israel, Gaza & Legitimate Criticism 33:15 Fighting Back Against Anti-Israel Narratives 34:57 Why Celebrities Won’t Debate Him 40:57 “I Wrote F*** Hamas” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Rock ‘n' Roll's disturbing hatred of Israel - David Draiman

  4. 1 Sept

    The Dysfunctional Department of War: Pentagon in Disarray Over Explosive Leaks

    Watch the full uncut interview HERE: https://thebrinkpodcast.substack.com In this episode of View from The Brink, Andrew Fox examines a growing crisis inside the Pentagon, asking whether Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth’s drive for loyalty and ideological control is beginning to undermine the military effectiveness of the United States. Andrew examines Hegseth’s transformation of the Pentagon itself, from the removal of senior military leaders and interventions in promotion decisions to restrictions on the traditional press and the undisclosed government roles given to sympathetic online influencers. Andrew asks whether a culture intended to restore discipline and merit is instead making military officers increasingly reluctant to deliver unwelcome advice. Finally, Andrew makes the case that the readiness leak should be understood as a warning about the health of civilian-military relations. If senior officers believe professional objections are being ignored or punished, he argues, the greatest danger is not disobedience but a Pentagon in which uncomfortable truths can no longer travel safely upwards… Don't forget to check out our merch store: https://www.thebrinkmerch.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Dysfunctional Department of War: Pentagon in Disarray Over Explosive Leaks

  5. 27 Aug

    The Arab Case for Israel with Hussain Abdul-Hussain

    Watch the full uncut interview HERE: https://thebrinkpodcast.substack.com In this episode of The Brink, Jake is joined by Hussain Abdul-Hussain, author of The Arab Case for Israel, for a fascinating conversation about Israel, the Arab world, and why he believes peace requires a fundamental change in the way the Middle East thinks about politics, identity, and prosperity. Growing up between Saddam Hussein’s Iraq and Hezbollah-dominated Baalbek, Hussain absorbed the politics of Arab nationalism, sectarianism, and hostility towards Israel. He explains how moving to Beirut, encountering different religious communities, and eventually teaching himself Hebrew by listening to Israeli radio transformed his understanding of the Jewish state. Hussain argues that much of the Arab world has prioritised land, honour, and historical grievance over economic prosperity and individual liberty. Drawing on the UAE and the Abraham Accords, he makes the case for a different model: abandoning permanent conflict with Israel, raising living standards, and allowing political reform to emerge gradually rather than through revolution. The conversation also explores the decline of Christian and Jewish minorities across the Middle East, Hezbollah’s grip on Lebanon, the prospects for Arab-Israeli normalisation, and why Hussain believes many ordinary Arabs may be considerably more open to peace than their governments and political movements suggest. Don't forget to check out our merch store: https://www.thebrinkmerch.com/ Chapters 00:00 From Hezbollah Sympathiser To Supporting Israel 02:43 The Arab Case For Israel 04:17 Why Hussein Changed His Mind 09:13 Prosperity, Palestine & National Pride 21:46 Minorities In The Muslim World 28:33 Growing Up Around Hezbollah 35:53 How Beirut Changed Everything 38:01 Discovering The Real Israel 42:52 Why Hussein Broke With The Left 47:15 Can The Arab World Really Change? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Arab Case for Israel with Hussain Abdul-Hussain

  6. 25 Aug

    The Middle East, Zionism and The West’s New “Religion”

    Watch the full uncut interview HERE: https://thebrinkpodcast.substack.com In this episode of The Brink, Andrew and Jake are joined by bestselling historian and author Simon Sebag Montefiore for a sweeping conversation about the history of the Middle East and his new book, The Cauldron: The Making of the Modern Middle East. Sebag challenges many of the assumptions shaping today's debates about Israel, Islam, and the wider region. He explains why Islam cannot be treated as a single political or religious force, why Israel is in many ways more typical of Middle Eastern history than Western audiences realise, and how Zionism fits into a much longer history of Jewish attachment to the Holy Land. The conversation also examines what Sebag describes as the West's almost religious commitment to the two-state solution, despite the realities on the ground. From the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and the creation of modern nation-states to Turkey, Iran, and the decline of Christianity across the region, he explores how history continues to shape today's conflicts. Finally, we look at America's changing role in the Middle East and the emergence of a new geopolitical order in which conflicts from Ukraine and the Caucasus to the Horn of Africa are increasingly interconnected. Chapters 00:00 The Two-State Solution Has Become A Religion 02:28 Simon Sebag Montefiore On The Brink 07:25 The Truth About Islam 13:37 Israel’s Crisis From Within 18:50 Will Israel Survive Its Divisions? 24:15 The Real History Of Zionism 30:44 Why The Two-State Solution Keeps Failing 32:12 The West’s Contradiction On Nationalism 35:36 Does The Middle East Need America? 45:37 Why Israel Isn’t Historically Exceptional Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Middle East, Zionism and The West’s New “Religion”

  7. 20 Aug

    “I Was Brainwashed Into Hating Jews” | Ayaan Hirsi Ali

    Watch the full uncut interview HERE: https://thebrinkpodcast.substack.com In this episode of The Brink, Jake is joined by author and activist Ayaan Hirsi Ali for a wide-ranging conversation about Islam, antisemitism, Israel, and what she sees as a crisis of confidence across Western civilisation. Drawing on her own journey from growing up as a Muslim to leaving Islam and more recently converting to Christianity, Ayaan reflects on her changing relationship with Jews and Israel. She argues that the West has misunderstood the ideological challenge posed by Islamism and discusses whether meaningful reform within Islam is possible. The conversation explores the influence of the Muslim Brotherhood, the growth of Islamist movements in Europe and America, and why Ayaan believes Western freedoms have been exploited by organisations seeking to undermine liberal societies. She also sets out the five forces she believes are driving modern antisemitism, from immigration and the internet to the wider political realignment taking place across the West. Finally, Jake and Ayaan discuss Christianity, the decline of religious confidence in Europe, and why she believes the West must rediscover its Judeo-Christian foundations. Drawing on her recent return to Israel, Ayaan argues that the country's sense of identity and purpose offers lessons for Western societies struggling with their own cultural uncertainty. A conversation about Islam, Israel, Christianity, antisemitism, and whether the West can rediscover the confidence to defend its own civilisation. Don't forget to check out our merch store: https://www.thebrinkmerch.com/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction 03:52 Growing Up With Hatred of Jews 06:13 Is “Radical Islam” Really Radical? 08:57 Muslims, Islam & the Problem of Doctrine 16:53 Can Islam Be Reformed? 17:00 The Origins of Modern Islamism 20:24 Where Modern Antisemitism Comes From 25:00 Moderate Islam & the Muslim World 28:42 The Muslim Brotherhood in the West 33:52 The Five Causes of Modern Antisemitism 38:41 Islamophobia & Silencing Criticism of Islamism 44:58 How the West Lost Confidence in Itself Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    “I Was Brainwashed Into Hating Jews” | Ayaan Hirsi Ali

  8. 18 Aug

    Migrant R*pes Old Man Outside a Church…Where’s The Outrage?

    Watch the full uncut interview HERE: https://thebrinkpodcast.substack.com In this episode of View from The Brink, Jake tackles one of the most difficult issues facing Britain today: illegal migration, border control, and the growing public anger over the way the system is being managed. Jake examines the scale and cost of small boat crossings, as well as a series of serious criminal and terrorist cases that have intensified concerns about Britain's asylum and immigration system. He argues that legitimate worries about security, integration, and rapid demographic change can no longer simply be dismissed or ignored. But the episode also turns to the response emerging on parts of the political right. Jake warns that ethno-nationalism and the idea that Britishness should be determined by race or ancestry offer a dangerous alternative to the failures of the political establishment. Instead, he makes the case for a tougher but fundamentally British approach: secure borders, effective enforcement, the removal of those with no right to remain, and a system rooted in the rule of law rather than race or religion. Don't forget to check out our merch store: https://www.thebrinkmerch.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Migrant R*pes Old Man Outside a Church…Where’s The Outrage?
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4.8
out of 5
74 Ratings

About

Welcome to your much-needed antidote to centrist dad podcasts. Presented by Daily Telegraph columnist and foreign correspondent Jake Wallis Simons and former parachute regiment officer and geopolitical analyst Andrew Fox, The Brink brings their wealth of real-life experience to bear upon the most important topics of the day, from Israel to immigration, Ukraine to Islamism, asylum hotels to the rise of Reform UK. With a host of stellar guests and an emphasis on common sense, Jake and Andrew explore what it will take to bring the West back from the brink. A podcast from the edge of what’s coming. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    The Brink
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    71
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © The Brink
  • Show Website
    The Brink

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