The Lowdown from Nick Cohen

Nick Cohen
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Get The Lowdown from Nick Cohen as he investigates a world that seems to get ever more crazy, with leading commentators, columnists and politicians. Each week, leading commentator Nick Cohen talks to the country's leading movers and shakers - to cut the through much of the noise and commentary that passes for so much political discourse these days. Nick - a long-term columnist for The Observer and The Spectator - teams up with other commentators, journalists, authors and politicians to make sense of our ever stranger and troubling world. Nick aims to help keep you sane! So please get The Lowdown from Nick Cohen and subscribe to his Substack column - Writing from London. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 16H AGO

    Brexit Britons - away with the fairies!

    Lowdown election special with Rafael Behr of The Guardian Brexit Britons away with the fairies- and believing in at least 6 impossible things before Breakfast! In the local - and national elections, British voters voted for parties in Wales & Scotland that want to destroy the United Kingdom and for Nigel Farage and his fellow Reform con artists who conned 17.4 million people into voting for Brexit and geo-political isolation and economic impoverishment! WTF planet do these people inhabit? In his latest Lowdown podcast, Nick Cohen talks to Rafael Behr - the distinguished Guardian columnist - about the political crisis facing Britain and the Labour Party following recent election defeats across Scotland, Wales, London, and English local government. The two political commentators discuss Labour's leadership challenges, with Sir Keir Starmer facing significant unpopularity, and examine potential successors including Wes Streeting, Angela Rayner, and Andy Burnham. They discuss how the Labour Party lacks a clear identity or heartland support, while also addressing the rise of the Green Party and Reform Party as electoral forces. Nick and Raf conclude with analysis of Britain's broader political fragmentation, including the dominance of pro-independence parties across Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, and the challenges facing centrist politics in the current political environment. Read all about it! Rafael's recent book Politics: A Survivor's Guide: How to stay engaged without getting enraged is published by W.F.Howes Ltd and available at Amazon and in all good bookshops. Support the show You can also read his wonderful columns in the Guardian. His X handle is @rafaelbehr Nick Cohen's @NickCohen4 latest Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 5m

  2. MAY 4

    The "Special Relationship" is dead

    Trumps disastrous foreign policy on Iran and Ukraine isolates the U.S and the UK! In this latest Lowdown podcast, Nick Cohen talks to distinguished defence expert, Phillips O'Brien from St. Andrews University, about military developments in Ukraine and Iran, focusing on how drone technology is changing the nature of warfare. Phillips explains how Ukraine's use of cheap, mass-produced drones has transformed battlefield dynamics, making traditional heavy armour systems obsolete and causing significant Russian casualties. Phillips and Nick discuss Trump's Iran strategy, with Phillips analysing Trump's psychological dependence on Putin and his desire for a quick military victory that hasn't materialised. They also examine the declining U.S.-Israel relationship in American politics and discussed Britain's post-Brexit foreign policy challenges, particularly regarding the special relationship with the United States and potential rejoining of the European Union. The so-called Special Relationship" is dead - The UK's sucking up to the U.S. will achieve nothing! Phillips says, "King's Charles' visit, sadly, might've unfortunately turned the clock back to make people believe that the special relationship still exists when it doesn't. That, Britain's future security wise and political wise is in Europe and the Europeans now are far more down that road. "The Germans now are, are understanding that the United States is not reliable, not trustworthy, and Europeans have to look after themselves. States like the Baltics, the Nordics, all of them are farther down this road. The British might have been going down this road. "I'm not sure they will now after the the Charles visit, but hopefully they, they do, because that is something Britain has to admit. Brexit was a disaster. It was stupid. It weakened Britain. It's put it outside of the tent. For now. Britain has to try and get inside the European tent because that's where its future is." Read all about it! Read Phillips' own regular Substack column - Phillips's Newsletter. Phillips is also professor of strategic studies at the University of St. Andrews. Nick Cohen's @NichCohen4 regular Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond is another must-read. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    46 min

  3. APR 27

    The UK is the no-can-do nation

    Is there are braver new world out there for Brits or they doomed for ever to be the no-can-do nation? Nick Cohen talks to journalist and author, John Kampfner, about his book "Brave a New World," which examines democratic governments that successfully address long-term challenges like aging populations, renewable energy, and housing. Kampfner highlights Japan's approach to demographic change through cross-party collaboration, insurance systems, and integrating older citizens into mainstream society. Climate change, low birth rate amd and ageing populations, the dangerous instability of the US - these are are all existential issues some nations are grasping while others are ducking them, or tip-toeing around them. Nick and John discuss Britain's failure to address such huge issues issues, particularly under Keir Starmer's government, which Kampfner criticises for adopting a cautious, incremental approach that avoids bold leadership. The failure is all the more mysterious when taking into acccount the huge landslide majority won by Labour at the last general election. They explore how Britain's political culture and journalistic practices create barriers to addressing long-term challenges, and John Kampfner suggests that unless mainstream politics embraces more daring leadership, it risks being overtaken by populist alternatives. Read all about it! John Kampfner @johnkampfner @johnkampfner.bsky.social is a journalist and author. His new book, Braver New World, The countries daring to do things other countries won't, is published by Atlantic Books. John's Susbtack column is Citizen of Everywhere. Nick Cohen's @NickCohen4 latest Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    43 min

  4. APR 20

    The death of the book means trouble

    We have the i-Phone to thank for the fast death of literacy & rise of autocracy "What Orwell feared were those who would ban books. What Huxley feared was that there would be no reason to ban a book because there would be no one who wanted to read one." — Neil Postman, Amusing Ourselves to Death This week, Nick Cohen talks to essayist and Times journalist James Marriott about Marriott's essay on "The dawn of the post-literate society" and his upcoming book "The New Dark Ages." James argued that mass literacy, which emerged in the 18th century, was fundamental to democracy, science, and philosophy, but that modern screen-based technologies like smartphones are replacing reading and leading to mass cognitive decline. James and Nick discuss how television and now social media platforms like TikTok are changing political discourse, making it more emotional and less rational, with examples like Donald Trump's anti-vaxx stance and the rise of populist leaders who thrive on screen. James concludes that democracy may not be sustainable in our current information environment, as it relies on abstract thinking that doesn't translate well to visual media formats Read all about it! James Marriott is a columnist and film critic on The Times, and has own Substack column, Cultural Capital. James's Substack essay on how the smart phone is helping to usher in a new dark age - The dawn of the post-literate society - And the end of civilisation - went viral and has led to his first book, to be published by Bodley Head - an imprint of Penguin - either next month or in the Autumn, The new Dark Ages: the end of reading and the dawn of a post-literate society. Nick Cohen's @NickCohen4 latest Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    49 min

  5. APR 13

    America - The decline & fall

    Nick Cohen interviews Andrew Gawthorpe about the current geopolitical situation, particularly focusing on America's disastrous war with Iran and its broader implications. Andy Gawthorpe is the author of the highly-regarded newsletter "America Explained" and teaches at Leiden University in The Netherlands. He describes the current mess caused by Trump and his fellow incompetents, such as defence minister Pete Hegseth, as "America's Suez moment", suggesting it could mark the beginning of American empire decline. Nick and Andy discuss how Trump's foreign policy lacks strategic rationale, the rise of militarism on the American right, and the potential dangers of Trump's ability to command military power - as "Commander-in-Chief" - even as his domestic political position weakens. They also discuss the impact on the U.S.-Israel relationship, with both agreeing that Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu's approach has undermined the alliance and international support for Israel, especially liberals who have been deeply antagonised by its catastrophic war on the Palestinian people, that increasing numbers of critics are characterising as genocide. Nick and Andy also discuss concerns about America's military becoming a tool for Trump's personal agenda. The UK and the rest of Europe face the most toxic version of the United States. On one hand, the U.S. is now deeply isolationist and not only seeks to abandon Europe to the wiles of the fascist regime of Vladamir Putin while it also actively helps the Kremlin in its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. Meanwhile, the MAGA White House is seeking to overturn liberal and democratic governments in Europe and to replace them with MAGA-friendly acolytes in Europe's far-right parties. Only this week, U.S. vice-president J.D. Vance visited Hungary to help bolster the election chances of beleaguered authoritarian autocrat Viktor Orbán, who has impoverished Hungary democratically, morally and economically, while turning it from one of the richest countries in the EU to one of the poorest. Read all about it! Andrew Gawthorpe @andygawt explains an increasingly unstable and reckless U.S. to his baffled readers in his Substack column America Explained. Nick Cohen's @NickCohen4 latest Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    47 min

  6. APR 6

    Centrists of the world unite!

    Centrists of the World, Unite! The world needs the path of Liberalism out of today's madness Nick Cohen and Adrian Wooldridge discuss Adrian's book "Centrists of the World Unite: The Lost Genius of Liberalism." They discuss how liberal institutions and ideologies have become corrupted across multiple domains - from "Woke" identitarianism on the left to neoliberal capitalism and global managerialism. Adrian identifies three main liberal overreaches: left liberals pushing extreme social policies, neoliberals promoting unfettered markets, and globalists supporting unmanaged immigration and multinational institutions. They discuss how these failures created conditions for authoritarian populism, with examples like Trump and Brexit, though Adrian argues these represent bad solutions to real problems rather than legitimate alternatives. They also talk about how tech companies pose a civilisational threat to liberal values by manipulating preferences and fracturing attention, and concluded with optimism about liberalism's historical pattern of revival after apparent deaths, suggesting current incremental adjustments by politicians like Sir Keir Starmer could lead to a new liberal renaissance. Read all about it! Adrian Wooldridge @adwooldridge is a columnist for Bloomberg Opinion and an author. His book Centrists of the world, unite! The lost genius of liberalism" has just been published. Adrian's book lays out a centrist agenda for today’s problems. It reminds us of the dynamism and fixed principles that have shaped the successes of liberalism and warns us against splitting into sub-groups that fail to grapple with the common good. Nick Cohen's @NickCohen4 latest Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    44 min

  7. MAR 30

    Can the U.S. be saved from itself?

    Can the Democrats put an end to Trump & his MAGA cult? Nick Cohen talks to leading U.S. commentator and conservative dissident Charlie Sykes about the continuing collapse of the U.S. Republic under the corruption, authoritarianism and incompetence of the Trump-MAGA regime. Nick asks Charlie the question increasing numbers of people are asking, "Can Democrats save the U.S. from becoming a despotic regime permanently controlled by Trump's MAGA cult?" Trump is desperately trying to get his so-called "Save America Act" passed through Congress and the Senate ahead of the midterm elections in November. The Act is widely seen as a brazen attempt by an unstable and rapidly ageing man to rig future elections to the Republicans' advantage by putting major obstacles in the way of voters' ability to vote. Meanwhile, the media, civic society and important institutions are under relentless assault by Trump and his MAGA minions. Trump's illegal tariffs are helping to impoverish many Americans - and billions more around the world - while his illegal and increasingly catastrophic war threatens to plunge the global economy into chaos and recession. His sinister support for Vladimir Putin not only threatens Ukraine but the security of the rest if Europe. Nick asks Charlie Sykes, "Can the Democrats finally get their act together and end Trump's increasingly toxic tyranny before it's too late?" Read all about it! Charlie Sykes @SykesCharlie is a leading highly respected United States conservative political commentator who was formerly editor-in-chief and founder of the highly influential website The Bulwark. Charlie has been a leading Never Trump Conservative since Trump stood for the presidency in 2015. Charlie's Substack - To the contrary is a must read, and his regular podcast - also called To the contrary - a must listen. He has also been a columnist and author for the progressive channel MSNBC. Nick Cohen's @NichCohen4 latest Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    44 min

  8. MAR 23

    Humiliating America & threatening the world

    The World's growing Trump crisis - the rogue U.S. president is everyone's biggest problem now This week, Nick Cohen interviews Paris-based American journalist and author Claire Berlinski, editor ofThe Cosmopolitan Globalist, about the ongoing crisis involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. Nick and Claire discuss Donald Trump's decision to launch military strikes against Iran without congressional approval, with Claire describing it as a diplomatic catastrophe and economic disaster. They discuss Trump's rapidly deteriorating mental state and cognitive abilities, with Claire arguing that Trump increasingly appears to be losing his inhibitions and suffering from dementia. They explore potential outcomes of the messy, growing conflict, including the possibility of regime change in Iran and the implications for NATO. They also touch on the lack of understanding in Western media about the toxic religious ideology of Iran's religious leaders and the unpredictability and ruthlessness of Iran's political and security leaders. Read all about it! Claire Berlinski @Claire Berlinski is an American author and commentator based in Paris. Claire's regular Substack column The Cosmopolitan Globalist - is a must read for anyone looking for keen analysis of insight into the continuing Trump Trauma in the U.S. - a crisis which has serious implications for all of us and the current world order. Claire also co-hosts a podcast - Critical Conditions - with Dan Perry Nick Cohen's @NichCohen4 latest Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    40 min
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4.9
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About

Get The Lowdown from Nick Cohen as he investigates a world that seems to get ever more crazy, with leading commentators, columnists and politicians. Each week, leading commentator Nick Cohen talks to the country's leading movers and shakers - to cut the through much of the noise and commentary that passes for so much political discourse these days. Nick - a long-term columnist for The Observer and The Spectator - teams up with other commentators, journalists, authors and politicians to make sense of our ever stranger and troubling world. Nick aims to help keep you sane! So please get The Lowdown from Nick Cohen and subscribe to his Substack column - Writing from London. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Nick Cohen
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    118
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2024 The Lowdown from Nick Cohen
  • Show Website
    The Lowdown from Nick Cohen

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