Episodes
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FARAGE'S CRYPTO-BUNG WOES ARE MOUNTING & RIGHTLY SO!
In his latest "The Lowdown" podcast, Nick Cohen talks to Peter Geoghegan, author of "Democracy for Sale," about the corruption allegations surrounding Nigel Farage and the Reform Party. Their chat centres on Farage receiving a £5 million personal donation from crypto billionaire Christopher Harbourne and being funded by convicted fraudster George Cottrell, with money potentially being funnelled through Richard Tice's companies. Peter explains how Farage's policies on cryptocurrency align with his donors' interests, noting that Reform Party has concrete policies on crypto deregulation despite having few other defined positions. The conversation explored how Farage's claims about being tough on crime contrast with his support from a crypto industry used by criminals, and discussed the lack of political opposition from Labour in highlighting these corruption issues.
Read all about itPeter Geoghegan's must read Substack is Democracy for Sale & his best selling book Democracy for Sale: Dark Money and Dirty Politics is published by W.F.Howes Ltd.Nick Cohen's @NickCohen4 latest Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond.
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THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA MUST NOT FALL FOR NIGEL FARAGE'S LATEST RUSE
Nick Cohen addresses the mainstream media's missed aspect of the story regarding Nigel Farage's links to the crypto industry. He highlights that Farage received £5 million from British Thai crypto billionaire Christopher Harbourn without declaring this donation, and that his convicted fraud pal, George Cottrell ,provided gifts in kind for Farage's political operations. Nick slams Farage's claim to be tough on crime while simultaneously lobbying against a digital pound and supporting the crypto industry, noting that crypto serves as a tool for criminals and state actors due to its untraceable nature. He emphasises that journalists and politicians should challenge Farage on this contradiction by asking why someone claiming to be tough on crime would be soft on crypto.
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Missing episodes?
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"LONDONOV!" HOW THE SLOANE RANGERS WHORED THEMSELVES OUT TO DODGY OLIGARCHS & SHEIKHS
In his latest Lowdown podcast, Nick Cohen talks to Peter York, the legendary social commentator who co-wrote the influential "Sloane Ranger's Handbook" in the 1980s about the English upper class in London.
Peter discusses how London has transformed from an English-dominated city to a global centre for wealthy international elites, with properties like the One Hyde Park development being owned primarily by Russian oligarchs, Middle Eastern investors, and other foreign billionaires rather than British residents. They examined how American and Russian influence has disrupted traditional national identities, with Peter citing examples like Elon Musk's deliberately inflammatory statements and the US government's official security strategy calling for regime change in favor of European far-right parties.
Peter and Nick explore how the English ruling class has been replaced by international plutocrats, with British citizens now often serving as "butlers to the world" in various service industries, while political figures like Nigel Farage receive funding from wealthy developers like the Candy Brothers who build luxury properties for international clients. Peter reflects on his own political awakening and expressed concern about Britain's future choices between aligning with America, Europe, or other global powers, emphasising the need for truth-telling about the current state of international relations.
Read all about it!Peter York @PeterPeteryork The legendary journalist, author, style guru & social commentator. Author: Sloane Ranger Handbook, Dictators Homes, Style Wars, The War Against the BBC, Dead Cat on Your Table
Nick Cohen's @NichCohen4 latest Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond.
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The tide has turned on Brexit - the "Brexiteers" have only the dead to rallyIn his latest Lowdown" podcast, Nick Cohen discusses the 10th anniversary of the Brexit referendum with Mark Leonard, director of the European Council on Foreign Relations, and the significant changes in global politics over the past 10 years since 2016 that make Brexit an even worse decision than it was a decade ago.
They both examine how Europe has moved from a "Kantian" rule-based system to an "unorder" world where international rules no longer have standing, using the Iran conflict as an example of how military actions are now conducted without regard for international law. They discuss Brexit's impact on Britain's position in the world, with Mark Leonard presenting polling data showing that 58% of Leave voters believe Brexit has been bad for border management and that 75% of Britons want closer EU relations.
They discuss how Germany has transformed its energy system and defence posture in response to global challenges, while Britain struggles with infrastructure projects and defence capabilities. Mark explains that British public opinion has shifted from the 2016 Brexit divide to three new groups: "loners" (27% who want to stay out of Europe), "optimists" (30% who would vote to rejoin), and "realists" (35% favouring
closer cooperation), with younger demographics being more pro-European. They conclude with optimism about potential future shifts in British politics toward re-engagement with Europe, particularly if Labour adopts a more pro-European stance.
Read all about it!
@markhleonard Co-Founder & director, @ecfr, bestselling author, latest book THE AGE OF UNPEACE, keynote speaker & weekly podcast host http://
apple.co/2ACObcj
Nick Cohen's @NichCohen4 latest Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond.
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Keir Starmer resigns - can Andy Burnham save the country from the disaster of a Reform government?
Nick Cohen talks about Keir Starmer's resignation as Britain's sixth Prime Minister in ten years, reflecting on the implications for the country and the wider West. Nick explores concerns about Britain's political stability, comparing the situation to historical examples of governments collapsing, and talks about how nationalist parties are gaining power across the UK. Nick defends Starmer's leadership, highlighting his handling of Trump's presidency and his efforts on Ukraine, while acknowledging his political shortcomings. Nick expresses optimism about Andy Burnham becoming the next Prime Minister and emphasises the need for the centre-left to unite to counter the growing influence of the radical right, led by figures like Farage who has successfully split the right-wing vote.
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The World Cup - the goals, the corruption and the colonialism!
In this week's Lowdown podcast, Nick Cohen talks to Professor Stefan Szymanski, Professor of the Economics of Sports at Michigan University, about the World Cup and the evolution of global football. They explore how the tournament has shifted from being hosted by nation-states to being controlled by oligarchical interests, with Stefan explaining how FIFA's corruption stems from colonialism's legacy and the post-colonial power struggle within the organisation. The conversation covered dramatic price increases in World Cup tickets from 1994 to the present, with final match tickets rising from $475 (inflation-adjusted) to $10,000 calculated for this year's final! Stefan argues the problem isn't the high prices themselves but where the money is being directed. They discuss the tension between FIFA and UEFA, the flow of talent from developing to developed nations, and the political challenges facing future World Cup hosts including the current tournament in the United States and Canada. The interview concludes with a discussion about whether the World Cup could eventually unravel due to political tensions and boycotts, similar to what happened with the Olympics.
Read all about it!Stefan Szymanski @sszy is Professor of the Economics of Sports at Michigan University, a leading sports historian, academic and podcaster - author of Crickonomics: The Anatomy of Modern Cricket, which was Shortlisted for the Sunday Times Sports Book Awards 2023. Stefan is co-host of the Soccernomics podcast, alongside hosted by renowned football author Simon Kuper and Ashish Malhotra.
Nick Cohen's @NichCohen4 latest Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond.
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Mackerfield shows why Andy Burnham must lead Labour in the fight against the Radical Right
Nick Cohen gives a comprehensive analysis of the Makerfield by-election results from early Friday morning, where Andy Burnham emphatically defeated Nigel Farage's Reform Party, arguing this victory represents both an opportunity and a significant challenge for the Labour Party.
Nick criticises the unprecedented propaganda campaign against Keir Starmer, including claims about a racist police incident and allegations of abuse, which Nick attributes to foreign interference led by Donald Trump's administration and supported by figures like Elon Musk and J.D. Vance.
Nick criticises the Labour government's failure to properly deal wth far right propaganda, or even enforce the Ofcom rules that are constantly flouted by GB News, little more than a voice for Reform. Nick warns that Burnham would face steep learning curves on foreign policy issues, particularly regarding defence spending and relations with America, and emphasises the need for Labour to develop a clear "theory of victory" to address why Starmer became so unpopular despite relatively successful policy outcomes on inflation and immigration control.
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UK needs a a strong liberal voice in the south to counter the predictable catastrophe of Farage and Reform
In his latest Lowdown podcast, Nick Cohen talks to historian and author James Hawes about parallels between current political developments and fascist movements in the 1930s and 1970s. James compares Elon Musk's influence to that of Alfred Hugenberg in 1930s Germany, noting how both used media control to promote extreme right-wing parties. Nick and James discuss conservative establishment figures like Michael Grade at Ofcom were failing to enforce impartiality laws, how the government was unwilling to act against platforms promoting insurrection, and how the right-wing media landscape had shifted dramatically since the days when Enoch Powell was rejected by the Conservative Party. Hawes emphasises the need for a united liberal democratic front to oppose far-right parties like Farage's, warning that the first-past-the-post electoral system could allow Nigel Farage to become Prime Minister with less than a third of the vote if the left remained split. They conclude with calls for a "popular front" similar to those that successfully opposed fascists in the past, with both hosts expressing optimism that such a coalition could still be formed. The UK desperately needs a strong Liberal voice in the south to prevent Farage inflicting his second catastrophe on the UK after Brexit - a Reform government with the inevitable division, economic misery and national failure that would guarantee.
Read all about it!
James Hawes @jameshawes2 Renaissance man, historian, writer and novelist. James, the author of The Shortest History of England and The Shortest History of Germany. His latest in the series, The Shortest History of Ireland, is out next month.
Nick Cohen's @NichCohen4 latest Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond.
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Rail to nowhere - HS2 - the poster child project of a failed British political classIn this week's Lowdown podcast, Nick Cohen talks to author and doyen transport writerChristian Wolmar about the serial UK failed high-speed railway project. HS2 has spiralled to an estimated cost of £87-102 billion pounds due to political fickleness, mismanagement, inefficiency, and excessive environmental requirements. Christian Wolmar, author of "Fast Track: The Extraordinary Story of High-Speed Rail," explains how Treasury interference, lack of coherent government strategy, and environmental concerns (including a notorious £130 million bat tunnel) contributed to the project's catastrophic cost overruns. Nick and Christian compare Britain's failure with successful high-speed rail implementations in Spain, China, and other countries that maintained national strategic vision and better project management. Christian expressed skepticism about current Labour government reforms, noting that Prime Minister Keir Starmer has apparently shown little interest in the Euston station project despite being the local MP.
Read all about it!Christian Wolmar Christian Wolmar is an award-winning writer and broadcaster specialising in transport and is the author of a series of books on railway history. He has spent nearly all of his working life as a journalist, and his interest in transport began at The Independent when he was appointed transport correspondent in 1992, a job he did until 1997. Christian's latest book is Fast Track: The Extraordinary Story of High-Speed Rail.
Nick Cohen's @NichCohen4 latest Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond.
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Iran and the Strait of Hormuz crisis reveal how much we owe to our merchant marinersThis week, Nick Cohen talks to author, travel writer and writer-mariner Horatio Clare about the hidden world of merchant marines and the critical role they play in global trade. Horatio shares insights from his experience as a writer-in-residence on container ships, describing the challenging conditions faced by seafarers stuck in the Gulf during the ongoing conflict, including extreme heat, isolation, and the constant threat of Iranian drone attacks. They discuss how modern shipping relies on a largely invisible workforce of approximately 18 people per large vessel, predominantly from countries like the Philippines, who maintain the world's supply chains while facing dangerous working conditions and minimal oversight.
Horatio explains how containerisation moved ports away from cities, making shipping less visible to the public while simultaneously making globalisation possible, with shipping costs representing just one cent for goods transported globally. They also discuss the environmental impact of shipping, with vessels contributing significantly to global pollution, and the lack of journalism or union representation in the industry, leaving seafarers vulnerable to abuse and dangerous practices like throwing stowaways overboard to avoid fines.
Read all about it!Robert Saunders - @redhistorian - author and academic. Author of "Yes to Europe! The 1975 Referendum & Seventies Britain". "A jaw-dislocating page turner"(Andrew Marr). Co-director the Mile End Institute @MileEndInst , Reader Queen Mary's @QMHistory
Horatio Clare, @HoratioClare is an author, with books including We Came By Sea; Your Journey; Heavy Light, Down to the Sea in Ships, Aubrey and the Terrible Yoot, Running for the Hills.
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Is instability the new normal with the UK's broken polticis.
In this week's Lowdown podcast, Nick Cohen talks to author and historian Robert Saunders about Britain's transition from decades of political stability to having six prime ministers in ten years and how this reflects deep systemic pressures rather than just poor individual leadership. Robert explains that modern leaders have faced an unprecedented convergence of global crises—including Brexit, COVID-19, and soaring public debt—with very little governance experience. He views Brexit as both a symptom of long-term political decline and an amplifier that polarized the electorate into rigid identities and normalised political dishonesty.
Unlike the unstable 1920s, which maintained experienced leadership and defended democratic norms against extremism, today's crisis is unprecedented because both major parties have lost their traditional social roots, resulting in a highly volatile electorate. This instability is compounded by massive public debt, which severely constrains government action. Rather than addressing these constraints honestly, modern politicians have largely abandoned their "educative" role, choosing to hide difficult economic trade-offs from the public.
This systemic decay is further accelerated by a plutocratic assault on democracy, led by billionaire-controlled platforms and populist media that actively promote anti-establishment sentiment. Robert argues that mainstream politicians must stop legitimising this "anti-politics" rhetoric and instead actively defend democratic institutions by highlighting their tangible successes. Ultimately, he warns that universal suffrage is less than a century old, and citizens must stop acting as complacent "vandals" of a highly fragile democratic ecosystem.
Read all about it!Robert Saunders - @redhistorian - author and academic. Author of "Yes to Europe! The 1975 Referendum & Seventies Britain". "A jaw-dislocating page turner"(Andrew Marr). Co-director the Mile End Institute @MileEndInst , Reader Queen Mary's @QMHistory
Nick Cohen's @NichCohen4 latest Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond.
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Why we think what we think! The factors beyond our control that form our beliefs!
Nick Cohen chats to author, journalist and entrepreneur Turi Munthe about his latest book "Why We Think What We Think," which explores how non-rational factors significantly influence political and social beliefs.
In an increasingly polarised and fractious world, the issue of people's beliefs and think and why they hold them is becoming increasingly of importance, and for our sinister tech giants, of monetary value!
Turi Munthe discusses various research findings showing how physical attributes like beauty, neurological differences, climate, and cultural background shape political preferences, including examples like taste bud variations between liberals and conservatives, and how collectivist versus individualist cultures affect moral reasoning. Turi's research also reveals how factors such as good looks can have an inordinate influence on people''s belief systems and how they succeed or fail in life.
Nick and Turi discuss concerns about using biological research to pathologise political differences, the importance of free speech in allowing different perspectives to emerge, and how gender differences in political attitudes have shifted over time. Turi concludes by emphasising that humans think better in conversation than alone, suggesting that robust debate remains essential for understanding and potentially overcoming our predisposed opinions.
Read all about it!Turi Munthe FRSA is an Anglo-French journalist and entrepreneur. He is the founder of Demotix, which became the largest network of photo-journalists in the world, as well as Parlia, an encyclopaedia of opinion. His book Why we think what we think, The unexpected origins of our deepest beliefs is published by Penguin.
Nick Cohen's @NickCohen4 latest Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Centrists of the World, Unite! The world needs the path of Liberalism out of today's madnessNick 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.
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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.
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The World's growing Trump crisis - the rogue U.S. president is everyone's biggest problem nowThis 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.
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