These Times

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UnHerd political editor Tom McTague and Cambridge professor Helen Thompson team up to investigate the history of today’s politics — and what it means for our future. Each week they will explore the great forces, ideas and events that led us to where we are, whether in Britain, the United States, Europe or beyond. It’s a politics podcast for those who want a deeper, historical understanding of the news, to understand what has really shaped our world and why. We hope you enjoy! Don’t forget to rate, like and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts — and, of course, to get in touch with all your questions and comments so we can respond in future episodes. Email us at thesetimes@unherd.com or tweet us at @thesetimespod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    • Mar 31, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 53m AVG DURATION
    • 131 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from These Times

    Trump: the Multipolar President?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2025 53:55


    This week, Tom and Helen follow on from the previous episode by analysing Donald Trump's response to the multipolar world and its implications, especially for Europe. They dive into Trump's clear actions towards Russia, the complications with China, the broader strategic shifts, European interests, NATO's current state, and rising geopolitical tensions involving Turkey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The rise of the multipolar world order

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2025 59:19


    In this week's episode, Tom and Helen zoom out to look at the wider geopolitical world order coming into being in the midst of Donald Trump's second term, and whether American acceptance of a multipolar world is the key thread in Trump's geopolitical ambitions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Trump's Economic Revolution

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2025 68:16


    This week, Tom and Helen discuss the growing American debt crisis and whether Donald Trump's bold political moves can be understood as a response to this escalating financial challenge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Trump versus Zelensky and the Wars for Ukraine's Resources

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2025 55:38


    This week, Tom and Helen discuss the growing focus on the US-Ukraine minerals deal and its potential impact on intelligence sharing and arms supplies. They also explore whether the war in Ukraine has evolved into a battle over resources amid rising global geopolitical tensions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Crisis: Trump, Zelensky and a moment of truth for Starmer

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2025 72:34


    This week, Tom and Helen discuss the recent whirlwind of political events: Keir Starmer's meeting with Donald Trump after announcing a boost in British defense spending, Volodymyr Zelensky's fiery Oval Office press conference, and European leaders' efforts to draft a peace plan for presentation to the U.S. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The German Election: Friedrich Merz, “Independence” from America, and the Rise of the Far Right.

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2025 68:54


    This week, Tom and Helen discuss the aftermath of Germany's election, where the Christian Democrats won but with their second-lowest vote tally ever. They explore what these results mean for the future of European politics and the shifting dynamics of Europe's relationship with the United States. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Trump, Putin and Europe's Historic Crisis

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2025 65:24


    This week Tom and Helen discuss the impact that peace talks with Russia might have on the United States security commitment to Europe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Trump's Tariff War

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2025 64:44


    In this episode of These Times, Tom and Helen discuss the deep history behind Trump's latest round of tariffs on China, Mexico and Canada; how the US has used tariffs throughout history, how protectionism shifted between the Democratic and Republican parties, and what it all means for global politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Can Europe Survive Trump?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2025 52:12


    Following on from the previous episode, this week, Tom and Helen expand even further on the topic of Europe and its dependance on the United States. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Europe's Trump Shock

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2025 62:43


    This week, Tom and Helen discuss what Donald Trump's presidency means for Europe, historically, after his revealing first week in office. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Why The Oligarchs Now Back Trump

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2025 61:42


    This week, Tom and Helen delve into Joe Biden's farewell address, why he warned of a new tech oligarchy and the possible new epoch in American politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Why Trump Wants Greenland (and more)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2025 72:25


    This week, Tom and Helen delve into Donald Trump's open attempt to annex Greenland, retake the Panama Canal, and seduce Canada into joining the United States. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Who is Elon Musk?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2025 67:45


    For the first episode of 2025, Tom and Helen take a deep dive into the life and worldview of the world's richest man; who is Elon Musk, what does he believe - and what does he want? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Year of War, Donald Trump and an Ascendant Turkey

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 31, 2024 56:20


    On the final episode of the year, Tom and Helen reflect on the events of 2024 and how they may effect the geopolitical future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Year British Politics Hollowed Out

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2024 55:35


    For our Christmas special episode Tom and Helen take a look back at the state of British politics this year and ask the question - Is British politics unravelling? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Can Syria Survive?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2024 64:12


    This week Tom and Helen return to the extraordinary situation in Syria and question whether it's really possible to have a unified Syrian state. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Europe's Franco-German Crisis: Macron and Scholz Stare Into The Abyss

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 10, 2024 44:17


    Following the collapse of the French government, Tom and Helen discuss the Franco-German crisis in the new age of Trump. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Revolution in Syria

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2024 47:32


    The Economist's Defence Editor Shashank Joshi joins Tom and Helen for an early episode this week to discuss how the Assad regime fell so rapidly and what this means for Syria and the world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Starmer adrift: What future for British politics?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2024 63:07


    This week on the podcast Helen and Tom explore why Keir Starmer's government has come so far adrift so quickly and what this means for the future of British politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Putin escalates: The threat of World War Three

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 26, 2024 59:11


    In this week's episode Tom and Helen explore the recent military escalation over Ukraine and what this might mean for the current geopolitical world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Donald Trump: Peacemaker President?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2024 60:03


    Following Joe Biden's controversial decision over the weekend to authorise Ukrainian forces to fire American missiles deep into Russia itself, Tom and Helen explore what a Trump presidency means for war and peace across the world, not just in Ukraine, but in China, the Middle East and the border with Mexico... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Is Pop Culture Right Wing?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2024 57:27


    Donald Trump won the podcast battle by appearing on the shows of right-leaning stars like Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman and Theo Von. On the other hand, Kamala Harris went on the 'Call Her Daddy' podcast. Tom is joined in the studio by James Marriott to discuss the decline of liberal dominance in the world of popular culture, from The Rest is History, to Batman the Dark Knight... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    What Trump Means: Musk and Mars, Germany and Ukraine

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 12, 2024 61:46


    What awaits Europe after Donald Trump's second coming? Will it mark the end of the war in Ukraine or the end of America's defence of Europe? What role does Elon Musk have to play? From the China trade war to space travel, Tom and Helen bring it all into focus... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Donald Trump: The Sequel

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2024 37:26


    As the dust begins to settle in the US, Tom is is joined by Emily Jashinsky, host of Undercurrents, to discuss Trump's great American triumph and the existential disaster facing the Democrats. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    US Election Special: What's Wrong with American Politics?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2024 59:33


    As the US goes to the polls, Tom and Helen look back at the last decades of US politics and ask why the current moment, of Trump vs Harris, feels so much more polarised than ever... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Kemi Badenoch: On Race, Empire and Roger Scruton

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2024 46:15


    Tom McTague sits down with the controversial Tory firebrand Kemi Badenoch to talk about immigration, being a black Tory politician and why she is the right person to lead the opposition... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Israel Attacks Iran

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2024 63:02


    After four weeks, Israel's anticipated revenge attack on Iran was complete. Missiles launched at Iranian missile targets from Israel threatened even more escalation. Tom and Helen dive into the details of what occurred and what the ramifications might be for the region and the wider world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    These Times Live: The Most Important Election in Modern History

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2024 66:06


    On 5 November, the American people will go to the polls in what may prove to be the most important election in modern history. From Ukraine to Taiwan, the world is watching with bated breath. Tom and Helen explore these topics in a special These Times live recording, and analyse how both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump could redefine the geopolitical fault lines shaping our world... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Wanted: Europe's Missing Leader

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2024 62:38


    With soaring deficits, immigration debates, and a flock of North Korean soldiers arriving in Ukraine to fight alongside Russia, the continent feels adrift. Tom and Helen explore who can really lead Europe out of crisis... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    100 Days of Starmer: The Ghosts of British Politics

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2024 64:47


    With Keir Starmer's approval ratings at an all-time low and the Tory leadership race staggering to an exhaustive conclusion, Tom and Helen ask why Britain's two main political parties are so useless without any apparent political strategy. Does the ghost of Margaret Thatcher have anything to do with it? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Israel Prepares to Strike Iran

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2024 58:27


    For our 100th episode, we remain in the Middle East. Israel has just relocated a battalion from Gaza to Lebanon. The anniversary of October 7th has heightened the already feverish tension in the region. Lebanon endures heavy assault, and Israel prepares its retaliation against Iran; Helen Thompson and Tom McTage delve into the developing crisis and explore why oil is so essential…Please join us for our live show in Westminster. Tickets belowhttps://club.unherd.com/event/these-times-us-election/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Why Nasrallah's Death Changes Everything

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2024 59:41


    Hezbollah are in disarray. Their leadership is decapitated, and Israeli troops amass at the border. Iran has vowed revenge. In this week's episode, Tom and Helen explore what the assassination of Hassan Nasrallah means for the crisis in the Middle East... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Tom Tugendhat: The Outside Bet?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2024 47:55


    Tom chats with Tory leadership hopeful Tom Tugendhat about his personal and political philosophies and what is so egregious about Keir Starmer as PM... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Labour's Crisis Conference?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2024 44:29


    In this special episode, These Times heads to Liverpool to delve into Starmer's reset of the Labour Party. Are Labour in crisis, or is Kier just getting started? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Hezbollah & Israel: Lebanon Stares into the Abyss

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2024 59:47


    After an astonishing week in the Middle East, Tom and Helen delve into the rapidly escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. Why has Netanyahu chosen to intensify Israel's attacks on Hezbollah, and what happens to Lebanon now? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Robert Jenrick: The Next Tory Leader?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2024 52:48


    Tom chats to Robert Jenrick, the supposed front-runner in the race to become the next leader of the Conservative Party, about his leadership credentials, Margaret Thatcher, and the issue of immigration... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Franco-German Crisis: Budgets and Borders Haunt Macron and Scholz

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2024 63:24


    After former central bank president Mario Draghi reported that the EU has to invest 800 billion euros a year to compete with the US and China, Tom and Helen, turn to the crises in France and Germany and explore why politics has become so much harder for the two European powerhouses… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Truth About Churchill and WWII: Rebuking Tucker Carlson and Darryl Cooper

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2024 50:57


    After a controversial interview between Tucker Carlson and Darryl Cooper, in which Cooper claimed Churchill was, in fact, the villain of WWII, Tom talked to Churchill expert Andrew Roberts to explore the true political and personal history of Sir Winston Churchill from the British Empire to the beaches of Normandy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Ukraine's Trump Dread: Zelensky's Kursk Gambit and the US Election

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2024 54:43


    Shashank Joshi joins Tom and Helen to discuss Ukraine's recent shock incursion into Russian soil and whether there are still conditions in Western democracies to provide military and economic support for Ukraine...and would a Trump presidency spell the end for Ukraine? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Starmer's European Project: Why Britain Keeps Gambling on Germany

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 2, 2024 61:06


    After the AfD's dominant election victory in East Germany, Tom and Helen explore Keir Starmer's plans to reset relations with the EU, and whether his goals are realistic in a drastically changing geopolitical world... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The End of the European Project?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2024 52:40


    After The European elections in June, the French and British elections in early July, and a recent speech by Viktor Orban calling into question the entire future direction of the EU, Tom and Helen explore the fragmentation of the European project... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    When Israel Assassinates

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2024 50:05


    After Israel's double assassination, first Fuad Shukr, Hezbollah military commander in Beirut, and then Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, Tom and Helen explore what the history of Israel's political assassinations reveals about the present dangers around a regional war in the Middle East... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Israel Edges Towards War With Hezbollah

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2024 62:21


    In this week's episode, Tom and Helen turn to the desperately volatile situation in the Middle East, where Israel stands on the Brink of war with Hezbollah following the attack on the Golan Heights on Saturday. Is the Israel-Hamas war moving towards a wider Middle East conflagration, and how does the politics of the American election impact everybody's choices? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Biden Quits: What next for the Democrats?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 22, 2024 60:24


    This week Tom and Helen discuss Joe Biden's withdrawal from the race to be the next U.S President and what this means for the Democratic Party. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Shooting of Donald Trump: America and Violence

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 15, 2024 56:54


    In this week's episode, Tom and Helen discuss the attempted assassination of Donald Trump and what this says about not only America, but violence in politics, where it comes from, and what we can learn from previous points in history. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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