The Brink

The Brink
  • 4.9 (31)
  • 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. CIA Iran expert: This war will change global power

    1D AGO

    CIA Iran expert: This war will change global power

    In this episode of The Brink, we sit down with Norman Roule to unpack the unfolding war with Iran and the strategic thinking behind the campaign against the Islamic Republic. We discuss how the military operation has unfolded so far, why Iran’s response has followed a predictable pattern of drones and ballistic missiles, and what the campaign reveals about the strengths and weaknesses of the Iranian regime. Norman explains why Tehran may avoid closing the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic miscalculations that may have shaped Iran’s early decisions, and how Gulf states are navigating a conflict happening on their doorstep. The conversation also explores the broader geopolitical stakes. We examine the role of intelligence cooperation between the United States and Israel, the limits of air power in forcing regime change, and the difficult question of what a post-conflict Iran might look like. Could the regime collapse, or could the country descend into fragmentation and unrest? Finally, we discuss the long-term implications for the Middle East, from the future of the Abraham Accords to the possibility of deeper security integration among Gulf states. This is a wide-ranging and sobering conversation about war, intelligence, and the uncertain path toward a more stable Middle East. Watch the full uncut interview HERE: https://open.substack.com/pub/thebrinkpodcast/p/cia-iran-expert-this-war-will-change?r=63dafp&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true Don't forget to check out our merch store: https://www.thebrinkmerch.com/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction 03:24 Inside the US Campaign Against Iran 05:42 Why Iran Won’t Close the Strait of Hormuz 08:00 Strategic Failures Inside the Iranian Regime 10:05 Why This Was the “Moment” to Act 11:54 The Courage of the Iranian People 15:00 Trump’s Strategy: Keep the Enemy Guessing 17:02 The Kurdish Question and Risks of Fragmenting Iran 19:28 Why Iranian Protests Haven’t Overthrown the Regime 22:09 Can Air Power Bring Down the Islamic Republic? 25:37 US–Israel Intelligence Cooperation Against Iran 30:32 The Gulf States’ Real Position on the War 35:33 Why the Gulf Feels Abandoned by the International Community 38:10 Europe, Trump and the Fracturing of the Western Alliance 40:00 Will the Abraham Accords Expand After This War? 42:12 How Defeating Iran’s Proxies Could Transform the Middle East 46:57 The Intelligence Case for War With Iran 49:40 Imminent Threats, Terrorism and the Logic of Military Action Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    52 min
  2. The War the Mainstream Media Doesn’t Show You: The Brink in Ukraine

    FEB 26

    The War the Mainstream Media Doesn’t Show You: The Brink in Ukraine

    Watch the full uncut interview HERE: https://open.substack.com/pub/thebrinkpodcast/p/the-war-the-mainstream-media-doesnt?r=63dafp&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true In this special episode of The Brink, recorded in Kyiv to mark the fourth anniversary of Vladimir Putin’s full-scale invasion, Andrew and Jake bring you a powerful double interview from the front line of Europe’s most consequential war. In the first half, we are joined by Colonel Ruslan Miroshnichenko, known by Santa, founder and commander of Ukraine’s Second International Legion. He tells the extraordinary story of building a multinational fighting force from scratch in the first chaotic weeks of the invasion, drawing volunteers from more than 30 countries. From British and American veterans to Colombian, Georgian, and Australian fighters, Santa explains what motivated them to leave their lives behind and fight for Ukraine. He describes the brutal reality of trench warfare in the Serebriansky Forest, the evolution of drone and electronic warfare, and the moral weight of commanding both seasoned soldiers and inexperienced young volunteers. We also hear gripping stories from the front line, including the capture of Russian prisoners, the human cost of the war, and the responsibility he feels towards the families of fallen international fighters. In the second half, we are joined by Heorhii Tykhyi, former war correspondent and now a senior diplomat at Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Georgi reflects on the staggering casualty figures on both sides and argues that despite Russia’s vast losses, Vladimir Putin has failed strategically. We discuss the state of the peace process, the role of the United States under President Trump, and whether Washington remains a reliable partner for Kyiv. The conversation broadens to the emerging axis of Russia, Iran, North Korea, and China, and why Ukraine sees itself not as a recipient of Western charity but as a battle-hardened asset to European security. Georgi makes the case that Ukraine’s experience, technology, and resilience are essential to the future defence of the West. This is a sobering and urgent episode from the Ukrainian capital, combining battlefield reality with geopolitical strategy, and asking what it will truly take to secure peace in Europe. Don't forget to check out our merch store: https://www.thebrinkmerch.com/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction 03:05 Zelensky’s Call and the Birth of the International Legion 04:55 Who Joined? 30–40 Nations on the Front Line 09:34 Motivation: Idealism, Not Money 13:31 What Modern War in Ukraine Actually Looks Like 16:01 “Now You’re the Taliban” – Firepower Reality Check 17:49 Amateurs at War: Can You Train Civilians Fast Enough? 21:26 Holding the Sebriansky Forest: 13 Months Under Fire 23:18 Russia’s “Meat Grinder” Tactics Explained 24:29 Capturing Russian POWs: Drunk, Lost, and Mobilised 29:06 Respecting the Enemy and Adapting to Russian Tactics 31:42 Electronic Warfare and Intelligence Games 33:47 The Burden of Command: Speaking to Bereaved Families 35:56 Kyiv’s War Memorial and the Cost of Sacrifice 37:10 Casualty Figures: A Million Russian Losses? 39:30 Is This a Strategic Failure for Putin? 40:44 World War II Comparisons and Russian Myth-Making 42:26 The Peace Process: Pressure, Ultimatums and Reality 43:29 America’s Role: Partner, Powerbroker or Problem? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    44 min
  3. The Real Reason Israel Is Targeted - Haviv Rettig Gur

    FEB 19

    The Real Reason Israel Is Targeted - Haviv Rettig Gur

    In this episode of The Brink, we are joined by Haviv Rettig Gur for a wide-ranging and deeply probing conversation about why Israel is so disproportionately hated, and what that hostility reveals about the state of the West. We begin with the disruption of Haviv’s lecture at Haverford College, where keffiyeh-clad activists attempted to shut down a talk on Jewish history and the charge of settler colonialism. Haviv reflects on the ignorance driving campus activism, the collapse of serious historical scholarship, and the failure of elite universities to equip students with intellectual depth or empathy. Haviv argues that Israel’s strength lies in its synthesis of Western democracy and Middle Eastern solidarity, combining liberal institutions with a deep sense of tribal cohesion and shared destiny. We discuss why that social trust has produced military resilience, demographic growth, technological innovation, and high levels of national happiness, even during wartime. The conversation also examines the broader crisis facing Western societies, from cultural self-erasure and collapsing social trust to the information warfare being waged by hostile states and ideological movements. We ask whether the West can rediscover the solidarity that once sustained it, and whether Israel’s model offers lessons rather than condemnation. In the second part of the episode, Andrew joins to discuss his new Henry Jackson Society report, Tactical Lessons from Gaza, and what Western militaries must learn from the war. We examine how Hamas weaponised civilian casualties, how the information battlefield reshaped global opinion, and how Israel adapted its military doctrine in real time to meet the challenge of urban and tunnel warfare. This is a searching and urgent conversation about identity, democracy, and whether the West still has the confidence to defend the civilisation it built. Watch the full uncut interview HERE: https://open.substack.com/pub/thebrinkpodcast/p/the-real-reason-israel-is-targeted?r=63dafp&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true Don't forget to check out our merch store: https://www.thebrinkmerch.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 8m
  4. The Brutal & Honest Truth About Warfare in Gaza

    FEB 12

    The Brutal & Honest Truth About Warfare in Gaza

    In this episode of The Brink, Andrew is in the hot seat as we discuss his new report for the Henry Jackson Society, Tactical Lessons from Gaza, a detailed and highly praised analysis of the war and what Western militaries can learn from it. The report has been read and commended by senior military figures around the world, including four-star generals in the United States, Canada, and Australia. Andrew explains why the Gaza war has become the most politicised conflict in modern history, and how Hamas successfully turned battlefield defeat into strategic influence by weaponising civilian casualty figures. We unpack how propaganda, NGOs, international institutions, and the media helped reshape the narrative of the war, often ignoring context, verification, and basic military realities. The conversation moves deep into the realities of combat in Gaza. We explore Hamas’ vast tunnel network, the use of human shields, and the extraordinary bravery required of Israeli soldiers fighting underground. Andrew sets out how the IDF adapted in real time, developing new approaches to combined arms warfare, intelligence fusion, special forces integration, and urban combat under unprecedented conditions. We also examine operational and logistical failures, from ammunition shortages to supply chains under fire, and what these challenges reveal about Western unpreparedness for large-scale war. The discussion covers intelligence failures before October 7, the limits of technology without human intelligence, and why information warfare now plays a decisive role in shaping public support for conflict. Finally, we turn to the most important lessons of all. Andrew explains how Israel dramatically reduced battlefield deaths through medical innovation, forward-deployed doctors, and whole blood transfusion, saving hundreds of lives that would have been lost in earlier wars. We ask whether Britain and its allies are willing to learn these lessons, or whether ideology and propaganda will once again stand in the way. This is a rigorous, challenging, and essential conversation about modern warfare, truth, and what the West must confront before the next major conflict arrives. Watch the full uncut interview HERE: https://open.substack.com/pub/thebrinkpodcast/p/the-brutal-and-honest-truth-about?r=63dafp&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true Don't forget to check out our merch store: https://www.thebrinkmerch.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    48 min
  5. Trump’s true strategy on Iran | Bonus episode

    FEB 6 · BONUS

    Trump’s true strategy on Iran | Bonus episode

    In this bonus episode Andrew and Jake were on Iran International for a special joint appearance on the London based anti regime television channel, bringing the podcast’s analysis directly to an Iranian audience watching from inside the country and across the diaspora. In a wide ranging conversation with Iranian presenter Negar Mojtahedi, who herself is on the regime’s death list, we discuss the brutal crackdown on protesters, the scale of the killings, and why Iran’s uprising has received so little sustained attention in the West. Drawing on reporting from inside the country, we examine mass executions, torture, internet shutdowns, and the use of fear to crush dissent. The discussion turns to Donald Trump’s approach to Iran, the limits of diplomacy, and what military action would realistically look like. We explore whether the regime can be pressured into collapse, the risks of normalising Tehran through a deal, and why the Iranian leadership’s ideology makes genuine compromise unlikely. We also address the information war now playing out on Western streets and online, where regime propaganda is amplified by activists who frame Iran solely through the lens of opposition to Israel. From protests in London to the exploitation of Western guilt and confusion, we examine how the Islamic Republic uses disinformation to shield itself from accountability. Finally, we ask what a free Iran could actually look like, the role of figures such as Reza Pahlavi, and whether the international community is willing to stand with the Iranian people rather than sacrifice them to geopolitical convenience. This is a sobering and urgent conversation about tyranny, propaganda, and why Iran’s struggle matters not just to Iranians, but to the future of the free world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    40 min
  6. What Sir Trevor Phillips really thinks about his old friend Peter Mandelson

    FEB 5

    What Sir Trevor Phillips really thinks about his old friend Peter Mandelson

    In this episode of The Brink, we are joined by Sir Trevor Phillips, writer and broadcaster, for a wide-ranging and deeply revealing conversation about power, loyalty, identity, and the moral state of Britain. We begin with the explosive recent revelations surrounding Peter Mandelson and his association with Jeffrey Epstein. Sir Trevor speaks candidly about friendship, loyalty, and where moral lines are drawn when serious allegations emerge. He reflects on why he chose to publicly stand by a long-time friend, and what it reveals about hypocrisy. The conversation then widens to Sir Trevor’s own life and career, from growing up in an immigrant family to becoming one of the most prominent voices in British public life. He explains why he has repeatedly challenged orthodoxies on race, identity, and multiculturalism, and why he believes honesty about integration and cultural difference matters more than political comfort. We explore the failures of multicultural policy, the rise of segregation, and the challenge of extremism in a liberal democracy. Sir Trevor discusses Muslim integration, the influence of the Muslim Brotherhood, and why authorities too often appease the loudest voices rather than enforcing equal standards under the law. He also reflects on Britishness, arguing that a shared civic culture matters more than rigid or performative definitions of identity. The discussion turns to the media and journalism, where Sir Trevor delivers a sharp critique of activism in newsrooms, the loss of curiosity among younger journalists, and the collapse of the distinction between reporting and advocacy. He explains how this has distorted coverage of Israel, antisemitism, and major cultural issues, and why public trust has eroded so badly. This is a frank, challenging, and intellectually rich conversation about loyalty, courage, and what it will take to hold a diverse society together without losing confidence in truth or moral clarity. Watch the full uncut interview HERE: https://open.substack.com/pub/thebrinkpodcast/p/sir-trevor-phillips-i-stand-by-peter?r=63dafp&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true Don't forget to check out our merch store: https://www.thebrinkmerch.com/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction 03:35 Sir Trevor Phillips on Peter Mandelson 16:06 Navigating Establishment and Challenging Orthodoxy 22:11 Empathy and Understanding Different Perspectives 36:43 Muslim Integration and Multiculturalism 44:39 Challenges of Extremism and Ghettoization Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    47 min
  7. Iran Bloodbath: Why is the media silent?

    JAN 29

    Iran Bloodbath: Why is the media silent?

    Don't forget to claim your free one-month trial here: https://thebrinkpodcast.substack.com/newyeartrial In this episode of The Brink, we are joined by Atbin Moayedi & Haleh Blake to examine the unfolding catastrophe in Iran, where the death toll from the latest nationwide uprising has risen above 30,000 while much of the Western media remains largely silent. They have been working relentlessly to document what is happening inside the Islamic Republic and to get the truth out to journalists, governments, and the public. Drawing on direct contact with people on the ground, they describe mass killings, executions, mass graves, chemical weapons, and the use of hospitals as sites of repression. The conversation explores how the regime has imposed a de facto military lockdown across the country, cutting off internet access, arresting people in the streets, and targeting anyone with signs of protest. We discuss the systematic use of torture, sexual violence, organ removal, and financial extortion of grieving families, as well as the psychological toll this violence is taking on Iranians both inside the country and across the diaspora. We also confront the failure of international institutions, Western governments, and major news organisations to respond with urgency. We ask why Iran receives so little coverage compared to other conflicts, how economic and geopolitical interests shape media narratives, and why the Islamic Republic continues to enjoy impunity despite its actions at home and abroad. Finally, we look ahead to what comes next. We discuss the role of Reza Pahlavi, the possibility of international intervention, and whether this moment represents a genuine chance for the collapse of the regime and the birth of a free Iran. This is a harrowing and essential conversation about courage, hypocrisy, and one of the worst human rights crises of our time. Watch the full uncut interview HERE: https://open.substack.com/pub/thebrinkpodcast/p/iran-bloodbath-why-is-the-media-silent?r=63dafp&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true Don't forget to check out our merch store: https://www.thebrinkmerch.com/ Chapters 00:00 – Introduction 01:43 – A People’s Revolution, Not a Proxy War 04:09 – 30,000 Dead: What’s Really Happening on the Streets 06:15 – Iran as a Military State 08:36 – Door-to-Door Arrests & Hospital Executions 10:52 – Organ Removal, Silence & Regime Brutality 12:16 – Why the Media Looked Away 14:46 – Oil, Gas & the Money Behind Silence 18:16 – Why Gaza Dominates Coverage 19:43 – The Regime’s Lobbying Network in the UK & US 22:58 – Western Media as Regime Amplifier 25:28 – A Universal Human Rights Struggle 28:07 – Celebrity Silence & Moral Cowardice 32:26 – Who Iranians Really Are Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    47 min
  8. ‘Final Hostages Are Home’ Palestinian Who Escaped from Hamas Speaks Out About Gaza’s Future

    JAN 27

    ‘Final Hostages Are Home’ Palestinian Who Escaped from Hamas Speaks Out About Gaza’s Future

    Don't forget to claim your free one-month trial here: https://thebrinkpodcast.substack.com/newyeartrial In this episode of The Brink, we are joined by Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, a Gaza-born analyst and one of the most prominent moderate Palestinian voices. Drawing on his upbringing in Gaza and his work today as a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, Ahmed offers a rare and deeply personal account of life under Hamas. Ahmed describes how Hamas systematically groomed children through schools, mosques, and summer camps, recounting his own childhood experiences of indoctrination, intimidation, and early encounters with Hamas leadership. He explains how the group transformed religious spaces into propaganda hubs, used violence to impose social control, and built a generational system of radicalisation that many in the West still fail to understand. The conversation turns to Gaza today. Ahmed outlines the existence of two parallel societies, one living in extreme deprivation and another protected by access to salaries, aid networks, and Hamas-controlled taxation systems. He exposes how aid is diverted, how hospitals are used as centres of repression and torture, and how Hamas has rebuilt its finances since the ceasefire through taxation and intimidation. We also examine the Muslim Brotherhood playbook, its influence in the UK and across the West, and why moderate Palestinian voices are often silenced by intimidation from Islamist networks. Finally, Ahmed sets out a stark assessment of Gaza’s future, the failure of the so-called peace mechanisms currently being proposed, and what would actually be required to dismantle Hamas and give Palestinians a genuine chance at a different future. This is a sobering, courageous, and essential conversation about extremism, truth, and the human cost of allowing ideology to triumph over reality. Watch the full uncut interview HERE: https://open.substack.com/pub/thebrinkpodcast/p/final-hostages-are-home-palestinian?r=63dafp&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true Don't forget to check out our merch store: https://www.thebrinkmerch.com/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction 03:18 Early Indoctrination & Life in UNRWA Schools 06:35 The Second Intifada & Radicalisation of Children 10:12 Personal Encounters with Hamas Leaders 14:50 Mosques, Schools & the Indoctrination Pipeline 16:53 The Muslim Brotherhood Playbook Explained 21:06 Groomed by Hamas & the Road to Asylum 24:03 Exporting Radicalisation to the West 27:07 Why Moderate Muslims Are Silenced 29:00 The UK’s Blind Spot on Islamist Networks 30:02 Saudi Arabia, Abraham Accords & Regional Power 32:04 Why Gaza Must Reject the “Resistance Narrative” 35:12 A Pragmatic Path Forward for Palestinians Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    37 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.9
out of 5
31 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
    33
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Brink
  • Show Website
    The Brink

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