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Is there hope for Syria? Whatâs next for France? And, why does Nigel Farage have a spring in his step?Join Rory and Alastair as they answer all these questions and more.The Rest Is Politics is powered...
· 1 hr 1 min 40 sec
What lessons on leadership does Angela Merkel have after 16 years served as Chancellor of Germany? Does she have any regrets from her tenure? What was it like being in East Germany when the Berlin wal...
· 1 hr 8 min 46 sec
Who are the Syrian rebels that have captured the capital? Why has the Assad regime collapsed so quickly? What's next for Syria, and the Middle East? Join Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell as they an...
· 53 min 15 sec
It has been thirteen years since Bashar al-Assad triggered a civil war which would kill hundreds of thousands of people and devastate Syria. Recent events have shown just how far his rule has shattere...
· 16 min 33 sec
About the Hosts
Alastair Campbell is a prominent British figure best known for his role as Tony Blair's spokesman, press secretary, and director of communications and strategy during Blair's time as Prime Minister. Since leaving his full-time government role in 2003, Campbell has diversified his career, becoming a prolific author, podcaster, mental health advocate, and political strategist. He has written nineteen books, including diaries, novels, and non-fiction works on topics ranging from politics to mental health.
Beyond his media endeavours, Campbell remains actively involved in politics and campaigning, both in the UK and internationally. He has advised various political parties and leaders, including the Albanian Socialist Party and French Presidents François Hollande and Emmanuel Macron. Campbell is also a dedicated mental health advocate, drawing from his personal experiences with depression and addiction to support various charities and initiatives. His work in this area has been recognied with awards and an honorary fellowship from the Royal College of Psychiatrists. Additionally, he maintains interests in sports, particularly football, and continues to engage in public speaking, consulting, and media appearances on a wide range of topics.
Rory Stewart has had a diverse and accomplished career spanning academia, writing, adventure, politics, and diplomacy. After serving in the Army and diplomatic service, he gained recognition for his 6,000-mile walk across Asia, including Afghanistan shortly after the US invasion, which he documented in his award-winning book "The Places In Between." Stewart's experiences also include serving as Deputy Governor in Iraq, founding a charity in Kabul, and teaching at Harvard. His adventures and insights have been chronicled in multiple best-selling books.
Stewart's political career in the UK saw him rise to prominent positions within the Conservative Party. He served as an MP, chaired the Defence Select Committee, and held ministerial posts, including Secretary of State for International Development.
His bid for Conservative Party leadership, though unsuccessful, gained unexpected support and introduced a more moderate, progressive tone to the contest. Currently, Stewart is a Senior Fellow at Yale's Jackson Institute for Global Affairs, where he teaches politics and international relations, focusing on international development, intervention in fragile states, and the broader crisis in contemporary politics.