The Brink

The Brink
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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. 2 days ago

    Islamists, progressives, far-right: who are the real heirs to Hitler?

    Watch the full uncut interview HERE: https://thebrinkpodcast.substack.com In this episode of The Brink, Andrew and Jake are joined by historian Roger Moorhouse to ask what became of fascism after the Second World War, and whether its influence can still be seen in politics today. From Nazi influence in the Arab world and the rise of Islamism to Putin’s Russia and Donald Trump’s America, Roger explores which elements of fascism have survived and why the label itself may now be doing more harm than good. The conversation also turns to the populist right, political extremism and the attempts from both left and right to rewrite the legacy of Winston Churchill and the Second World War. Don't forget to check out our merch store: https://www.thebrinkmerch.com/ Chapters 00:00 What Is Fascism? 02:26 How Fascism Became a Political Insult 06:10 Racism, Antisemitism & Nazi Germany 10:05 Humiliation: The Fuel of Fascism 16:08 Fascism’s Influence on the Arab World 20:51 Hitler, Al-Husseini & Political Islam 28:02 Is Putin’s Russia Becoming Fascist? 30:20 Trump & the Fascism Question 40:36 Erdoğan & the Problem with the “Fascist” Label 44:55 What Fascism Can Teach Us Today Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Islamists, progressives, far-right: who are the real heirs to Hitler?

  2. 4 days ago

    From The KGB To Gaza: How Soviet Propaganda Survived

    Watch the full uncut interview HERE: https://thebrinkpodcast.substack.com In this episode of The Brink, Andrew and Jake are joined by Izabella Tabarovsky to explore how some of today’s most powerful accusations against Israel have their roots in Soviet propaganda. Izabella traces claims of genocide, apartheid, and “Zionism is racism” back to Soviet campaigns designed to portray Israel as racist, colonialist, and even Nazi. She explains how these ideas spread through academia, the UN, and the global left, surviving long after the Soviet Union itself collapsed. The conversation also examines the growing overlap between the far left and far right, and why the same conspiracy theories about Israel and Jewish power are increasingly appearing across both political extremes. A fascinating discussion about Soviet propaganda, antisemitism, and why the ideas of the Cold War are still shaping the debate around Israel today. Chapters 00:00 How Soviet Propaganda Targeted Israel 02:02 Where the “Genocide” Accusation Began 07:01 Why Stalin Turned Against Israel 12:12 How the Soviets Reinvented Anti-Semitism 16:51 The Far Right Roots of Soviet Anti-Zionism 22:39 Mahmoud Abbas & Soviet Propaganda 28:00 Where “Zionism Is Racism” Came From 33:41 How Soviet Propaganda Survived the USSR 36:48 Durban, 9/11 & the New Anti-Zionism 40:55 How the Far Right Adopted the Same Playbook Don't forget to check out our merch store: https://www.thebrinkmerch.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    From The KGB To Gaza: How Soviet Propaganda Survived

  3. 11 Sept

    The lies we believed about jihadism after 9/11

    In this episode of View from the Brink, Jake Wallis Simons reflects on the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and asks how the West has become increasingly confused about the difference between its friends and its enemies. Jake traces the consequences of September 11th through Afghanistan, Iraq, and the rise of jihadism, arguing that while the West fought Islamist extremism abroad, its propagandists became increasingly effective at exploiting Western institutions, social media, and the progressive left. Turning to October 7th and Israel, Jake argues that the response to the Hamas attacks exposed the scale of this information war, with misinformation spreading rapidly while sympathy for Israel collapsed. Twenty-five years after 9/11, Jake argues that the West must recover the confidence to recognise its enemies, defend its allies, and resist the propaganda designed to turn it against itself. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The lies we believed about jihadism after 9/11

  4. 9 Sept

    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?

  5. 8 Sept

    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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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”
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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
    74
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Brink
  • Show Website
    The Brink

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