The Brink

The Brink
  • 4.9 (33)
  • 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. Why do feminists have a problem with Jews? | Zoe Strimpel

    6H AGO

    Why do feminists have a problem with Jews? | Zoe Strimpel

    In this episode of The Brink, Andrew and Jake discuss modern feminism, anti-Semitism, and the contradictions in contemporary culture with journalist and academic Zoe Strimpel. Strimpel shares her shocking experience visiting an anti-Semitic art exhibit in Margate, describing the disturbing imagery and rhetoric. She challenges the artist, raising questions about political expression, hate, institutions, and the normalisation of extreme ideas. The conversation explores how modern feminist movements have evolved and sometimes lost sight of their original aims. Strimpel argues that while feminism has made gains, its contemporary form is entangled with identity politics, victimhood narratives, and ideologies that undermine individual agency and social cohesion. The episode examines how these ideas intersect with attitudes towards Israel, the West, and liberal democracy. A central theme is the paradox of modern progressive movements: how feminist strands that claim to champion women’s rights can align with ideologies and regimes that oppose them. Strimpel traces a recurring pattern of anti-Semitism within feminist spaces, arguing that this is not new but increasingly visible. The conversation explores deeper cultural questions, such as the decline of family formation, changing attitudes to relationships and sexuality, and whether modern societies can sustain long-term fulfilment. Strimpel challenges assumptions about power, freedom, and gender, arguing that Western liberalism, despite its flaws, remains the most successful framework for human flourishing, especially for women. Watch the full uncut interview HERE: https://open.substack.com/pub/thebrinkpodcast/p/why-do-feminists-have-a-problem-with?r=63dafp&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:59 Inside the Gallery: “This Was Next Level” 05:21 Nazi Imagery and Blood Libels 07:46 Confronting the Artist and Crowd Intimidation 10:41 Calling the Police and Institutional Failure 13:37 Civil Society Complicity and Cultural Silence 17:55 Why Progressive Women Support Hamas 20:42 Feminism and Jihadism: An Impossible Alliance 21:06 The History of Anti-Semitism in Feminism 23:24 Class, Elites and Anti-Jewish Sentiment 24:17 Why Moral Clarity on Israel Is Rejected 25:00 Identity Politics and the Corruption of Feminism 27:46 Cognitive Dissonance in Western Activism 28:28 The “Problem With Women” in Modern Politics 31:54 Victimhood Culture and Feminist Identity 33:01 Hypocrisy in Modern Feminism 36:55 The Backlash to Good Slut 37:56 Bonnie Blue and the Limits of Liberal Society 40:07 Sexual Freedom vs Social Collapse 41:40 Family, Community and the Future of Society Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    43 min
  2. ‘What would Thatcher do?’ Iran, Islam, Trump and Reform with Charles Moore

    3D AGO

    ‘What would Thatcher do?’ Iran, Islam, Trump and Reform with Charles Moore

    Watch the full uncut interview HERE: https://open.substack.com/pub/thebrinkpodcast/p/what-would-thatcher-do-iran-islam?r=63dafp&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true In this episode of The Brink, we sit down with Charles Moore, former editor of The Daily Telegraph and The Spectator, and the definitive biographer of Margaret Thatcher, to examine a West in crisis. With geopolitical tensions rising, the transatlantic alliance under strain, and Britain facing deep internal divisions, Moore offers a sweeping diagnosis of where things have gone wrong and what might come next. The conversation begins with one of the most difficult and urgent questions facing Europe today: how Islam fits within Western societies. Moore reflects on decades of thought on the subject, arguing that the challenge is not simply demographic, but philosophical, rooted in unresolved tensions between religion, state, and pluralism. From integration and extremism to the failures of government policy, he lays out why current approaches may be empowering the wrong voices. We then turn to British politics, where the collapse of trust in the main parties has given rise to insurgent movements on both left and right. Moore explains why this fragmentation is both understandable and dangerous, and why populist parties often diagnose problems better than they solve them. The discussion also explores the weakening of the transatlantic relationship in the age of Trump, the rise of ideological extremes in American politics, and the growing confusion in the information age, where truth, propaganda, and narrative increasingly blur together. This is a wide-ranging and deeply thought-provoking conversation about identity, leadership, and the future of the West. Don't forget to check out our merch store: https://www.thebrinkmerch.com/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:42 Why the Public No Longer Believes the Establishment 03:58 The Rise of Ideology Over Evidence 06:12 How Elite Institutions Became Politicised 08:47 The Media’s Role in Shaping Public Narrative 11:05 Truth vs Narrative: What Changed? 13:26 Social Media, Censorship and Information Control 15:52 The Expert Class and the Illusion of Authority 18:34 Covid, Groupthink and Institutional Failure 21:06 The Incentives That Drive Bad Decisions 23:41 Why Dissent Is Shut Down 26:12 Identity Politics and Institutional Capture 29:05 How Bureaucracies Protect Themselves 32:18 Political Leadership and Failure of Accountability 35:44 The Consequences for Democracy 39:12 Immigration, Culture and Social Fragmentation 42:36 Economic Stagnation and Policy Failure 46:18 Britain vs the United States: A Growing Divide Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    49 min
  3. “You Can’t Even Debate This” UK’s Islamism Problem, with former ambassador to Saudi Sir John Jenkins

    MAR 26

    “You Can’t Even Debate This” UK’s Islamism Problem, with former ambassador to Saudi Sir John Jenkins

    Watch the full uncut interview HERE: https://open.substack.com/pub/thebrinkpodcast/p/you-cant-even-debate-this-uks-islamism?r=63dafp&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true In this episode of The Brink, Andrew and Jake are joined by former British diplomat and intelligence expert John Jenkins for a deep dive into the influence of Islamism, the Muslim Brotherhood, and the growing challenges facing Britain and the West. The conversation begins with the controversy surrounding public religious displays in Britain, and whether questions around cultural dominance and the use of public space can still be debated openly. Jenkins argues that these are legitimate issues, but increasingly difficult to discuss without accusations shutting down the conversation. Drawing on his 2015 government review, he explains how Islamism differs from Islam, and why movements like the Muslim Brotherhood present a long-term ideological challenge to Western liberal democracies. The discussion explores how these ideas operate not just politically, but through social networks, charities, universities, and community structures. The episode also examines the concept of “creeping influence” within public life, from changing social norms to the role of identity and integration in Britain. Jenkins stresses that the problem is not simple or singular, but part of a broader ideological ecosystem that interacts with wider cultural and economic factors. Turning to foreign policy, the conversation shifts to Iran, with Jenkins arguing that Western governments have consistently misunderstood the nature of the regime. He critiques decades of policy shaped by wishful thinking, warning that Iran operates as a revolutionary state with global ambitions and deep links to militant networks. Finally, the discussion focuses on what Britain should do next. Jenkins outlines a clear approach: restore open debate, follow the money behind extremist networks, rebuild institutional expertise, and confront subversive activity before it escalates into violence. A wide-ranging and provocative conversation about ideology, security, and the future of the West. Don't forget to check out our merch store: https://www.thebrinkmerch.com/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:49 Who Is Sir John Jenkins? Background and Experience 03:26 Is Public Religious Display a Political Signal? 05:21 Why Islamism Challenges Western Liberal Democracy 07:48 Islam as Religion vs Islamism as Political System 08:59 Can Islam Be Compatible With Western Democracy? 12:01 Islamism as a Totalising Ideology 14:41 The Muslim Brotherhood’s Long-Term Strategy 17:33 Why Debate on Islamism Is Being Shut Down 18:50 Social Media, Intimidation and Closed Debate 19:34 Universities, DEI and Ideological Monoculture 21:33 The Muslim Brotherhood as a Global Network 24:20 Follow the Money: Financing Islamist Movements 27:52 Integration, Identity and Segregation in Britain 30:17 Economic Growth vs Cultural Fragmentation 31:04 Mosques, Preaching and Inflammatory Rhetoric 33:03 The Rise of a Global Muslim Identity 34:40 Iran Strategy: Where the West Got It Wrong 36:45 The Nuclear Deal, Wishful Thinking and Reality 40:41 Foreign Office Failures and Loss of Expertise 42:29 Is Iran a Revolutionary State and Active Threat? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    46 min
  4. Lionel Shriver: Sectarian Muslim voting is changing our country

    MAR 19

    Lionel Shriver: Sectarian Muslim voting is changing our country

    In this episode of The Brink, we are joined by Lionel Shriver for a wide-ranging conversation anchored in the results of the Gorton and Denton by-election and what they reveal about the changing political landscape in Britain. Using the by-election as a starting point, we explore how immigration, identity politics, and cultural division are reshaping British politics. Lionel reflects on the growing disconnect between political elites and the public, and why questions around national identity, integration, and social cohesion are increasingly dominating the political conversation. The discussion also turns to the wider cultural climate in the West. We examine the pressures shaping public debate, the influence of identity politics in media and institutions, and why many writers and public figures now feel constrained in what they can say openly. Lionel explains why she believes a culture of self-censorship has taken hold and how this affects journalism, literature, and democratic discourse. Finally, we ask what the future holds for Western societies as these tensions deepen. Are we witnessing a political realignment driven by cultural issues, and what does that mean for the stability of democratic institutions? This is a candid and thought-provoking conversation about politics, culture, and the forces now reshaping Britain and the wider West. Watch the full uncut interview HERE: https://open.substack.com/pub/thebrinkpodcast/p/sectarian-muslim-voting-is-changing?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 03:22 Reaction to the Gorton & Denton By-Election 05:37 Immigration, Demographics and Political Power 07:08 Tribal Voting and the Breakdown of Assimilation 08:16 Identity Politics and the Green Party Alliance 10:18 Israel, Palestine and Progressive Politics 10:58 Who Is Manipulating Whom? Greens vs Muslim Voters 12:32 The Muslim Brotherhood and Political Strategy 15:22 Is Islam Compatible With Liberal Democracy? 18:38 Historical Parallels: Lessons from the Iranian Revolution 20:15 Lionel Shriver’s Novel A Better Life and Immigration 24:20 Borders, Nationhood and the Ideological Divide 26:32 Immigration as “Home Invasion” — The Novel’s Metaphor 27:26 Old Immigration vs Modern Immigration 31:14 Choosing the Right Immigration Policy 36:23 Disorder, Gang Culture and Failed Integration 37:12 Meet the Characters: Gloria and Progressive Compassion 39:16 Nico and the Collapse of the Work Ethic 43:41 Domingo, Masculinity and Cultural Conflict 48:29 The Decline of Western Work Ethic 51:03 Is There a Sensible Middle Ground on Immigration? 54:40 The Crisis of Western Identity 56:13 Civilisations in Decline and Cultural Self-Hatred 59:19 Complacency, Fragility and the Future of the West Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 2m
  5. “The West must suffer to wake up”: Ukraine war snapper on the horror he saw first hand

    MAR 17 ·  BONUS

    “The West must suffer to wake up”: Ukraine war snapper on the horror he saw first hand

    In this bonus episode of The Brink, recorded in Kyiv, Andrew and Jake speak with American photojournalist Christopher Occhicone, who has spent years documenting the war in Ukraine from the front line. Chris explains what it is like to report from the battlefield with nothing but a camera, capturing the brutal realities of trench warfare, drone attacks, and the human cost of the conflict. Having worked closely with Ukrainian soldiers, medics, and civilians since 2014, he reflects on the desperation faced by those fighting and living through the war, and the difficulty of communicating that reality to audiences in the West. The conversation explores what many Europeans and Americans still fail to grasp about the conflict, from the psychological toll on Ukrainian society to the stark difference between watching war on a screen and experiencing it firsthand. Chris also shares how his work has evolved beyond journalism, helping wounded soldiers access treatment and prosthetics while continuing to document the stories of those caught in the conflict. Finally, he reflects on the personal motivations that brought him to Ukraine in the first place, including a desire to understand the wartime experiences of his grandfather and the powerful bonds formed among people facing danger together. This is a raw and deeply personal conversation from the heart of a country still fighting for its survival. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    18 min
  6. MI6 Spymaster Reveals The Shadow War in Iran

    MAR 13

    MI6 Spymaster Reveals The Shadow War in Iran

    In this episode of The Brink, we are joined by Richard Dearlove, former Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service, for a wide-ranging conversation about intelligence, geopolitics, and the mounting confrontation between the West and the Iranian regime. Sir Richard draws on decades of experience at the heart of Britain’s intelligence community to explain how the current crisis with Iran should be understood. We discuss the strategic calculations behind Western and Israeli actions, how intelligence agencies assess regime stability, and why the Islamic Republic remains such a persistent threat to regional and global security. The conversation also explores the role of intelligence in modern conflict, from covert operations and alliance cooperation to the limits of diplomacy when dealing with ideological regimes. Sir Richard reflects on how Western intelligence services interpret signals from Tehran, the risks of escalation in the Middle East, and what the conflict could mean for the wider balance of power. Finally, we look at the long-term future of the Iranian regime and whether internal pressure, economic strain, and external confrontation could ultimately lead to its collapse. This is a rare and revealing conversation with one of Britain’s most experienced intelligence figures about espionage, statecraft, and the high-stakes struggle now unfolding in the Middle East. Watch the full uncut interview HERE: https://open.substack.com/pub/thebrinkpodcast/p/mi6-spymaster-reveals-the-shadow?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.

    47 min
  7. What the Royal Navy’s shame says about Britain - Tom Sharpe OBE

    MAR 10

    What the Royal Navy’s shame says about Britain - Tom Sharpe OBE

    In this episode of The Brink, we are joined by military analyst and former Royal Navy officer Tom Sharpe to examine Britain’s response to the escalating crisis in the Middle East and the deeper problems facing the UK’s armed forces. We begin by looking at the current military situation around Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, including the role of naval deployments, missile threats, and the strategic importance of keeping global shipping lanes open. Tom explains why the UK’s naval presence matters in this kind of conflict and what capabilities British forces could realistically contribute alongside the United States. The conversation then turns to a wider critique of Britain’s defence posture. From delays in deploying ships to chronic shortages of equipment and personnel, we explore how decades of decline have left the Royal Navy and wider armed forces stretched dangerously thin. Tom also breaks down the failures in defence procurement, the waste within the system, and why Britain struggles to translate a large defence budget into real military capability. Finally, we discuss the strategic choices facing the UK. Should Britain focus on European security and the Russian threat, or continue playing a global role alongside the United States in regions like the Middle East? And what would it actually take to rebuild a military capable of meeting the challenges of an increasingly unstable world? This is a candid and sobering discussion about Britain’s military decline, the realities of modern warfare, and the urgent reforms needed if the UK is to remain a credible power. Watch the full uncut interview HERE: https://open.substack.com/pub/thebrinkpodcast/p/what-the-royal-navys-shame-says-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.

    52 min
  8. Iran War: How the UN has been hijacked with Hillel Neuer

    MAR 6

    Iran War: How the UN has been hijacked with Hillel Neuer

    In this episode of The Brink, we are joined by Hillel Neuer to examine the role of the United Nations during the escalating crisis in Iran and to ask whether the institution is still capable of acting as a moral authority in world affairs. Hillel argues that the UN’s response to the Iranian uprising has exposed deep structural problems within the organisation. While tens of thousands of protesters were reportedly killed during the regime’s crackdown, many UN bodies remained largely silent, yet quickly condemned the United States and Israel when military action was taken against the Iranian regime. We explore how authoritarian states have gradually come to dominate key UN institutions, from the Human Rights Council to special rapporteur positions, and why mechanisms that were originally intended to defend human rights are now often used to advance political agendas. Hillel also explains how propaganda, procedural manoeuvres, and ideological alliances shape the way international law and legitimacy are discussed on the global stage. Finally, we ask whether the UN can realistically be reformed, or whether democracies must find new ways to defend liberal values in a world where authoritarian regimes increasingly shape international institutions. This is a candid and provocative conversation about international law, moral authority, and the struggle over the institutions meant to uphold the global order. Watch the full uncut interview HERE: https://thebrinkpodcast.substack.com/p/iran-war-how-the-un-has-been-hijacked?r=63dafp Don't forget to check out our merch store: https://www.thebrinkmerch.com/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction 03:21 The UN’s Reaction to the Iran Protests 05:00 Why the UN Condemns the US and Israel 06:36 October 7 and the UN’s Anti-Israel Bias 10:12 Why the UN Still Won’t Condemn Hamas 10:45 How Dictatorships Captured the UN 12:25 Why the UN Still Holds Global Legitimacy 14:14 Is the UN Actually Effective? 15:52 Can the UN Be a Neutral Legal Arbiter? 18:58 Iran’s Long War Against America 20:00 When International Law Undermines National Interest 21:39 Why Moral Action Sometimes Means Ignoring the UN 25:00 How the UN Was Hijacked After Decolonisation 27:00 The Role of the UN Secretariat 29:17 Special Rapporteurs and the Accountability Problem 35:05 The Genocide Accusations Against Israel Explained 40:30 Calling Out Hypocrisy at the United Nations Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    44 min
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4.9
out of 5
33 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
    41
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © The Brink
  • Show Website
    The Brink

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