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Phil Vine reviews Elemental by Arthur Snell, published by Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand.
Just how many red cards will Keir Starmer be shown before he actually leaves the pitch? Naomi and Alex ponder the latest Healey brickbats being hurled Sir Keir's way, and look in more detail at the 'defence v welfare' narrative. Plus, if you had a trillon bucks like Elon Musk, what would you do with it? Think Brewster's Millions, but with questionable morals. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** • Late night comedy clips on Trump's Big 80 from Desi Lydic on the Daily Show, Late Night with Seth Myers, Jimmy Fallon on the Tonight Show, and Jimmy Kimmel Live • Here is Arthur Snell's Behind The Lines on the Defence Sec resignation • And here is Arthur's substack • We have put together a BLUESKY STARTER PACK, if you would like to join us there • Email us at quietriotpod@gmail.com • Or visit our website www.quietriotpod.com Brought to you by Naomi Smith, Alex Andreou and Kenny Campbell. Quiet Riot is a Cooler Heads production. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
EXTRA! EXTRA! INCLUDES EMERGENCY MINI-EPISODE ON HEALEY RESIGNATION. Trump continues to struggle with Iran despite having 'completely defeated' it, and Putin can't even get petrol to Russian tourists in Crimea. Alex, Naomi and Kenny are joined by our favourite geopolitics expert Arthur Snell for a deep-dive into the latest alpha male chaos unfolding in these conflicts. Plus, announcing the arrival of a brand new regular feature, Old News ... because new news is not always new. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** • Here is Arthur's Behind The Lines on the Defence Sec resignation • And here is Arthur's substack • You can support Doctors Without Borders action in Palestine here • El Niño chaos looms ... from the LA Times almost 30 years ago • We have put together a BLUESKY STARTER PACK, if you would like to join us there • Email us at quietriotpod@gmail.com • Or visit our website www.quietriotpod.com Brought to you by Naomi Smith, Alex Andreou and Kenny Campbell. Quiet Riot is a Cooler Heads production. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Decker, Claudia www.deutschlandfunk.de, Andruck - Das Magazin für Politische Literatur
The next PM may be decided in a by-election near Wigan. That could be problematic for both the voters of Makerfield and the electorate at large. Naomi Smith and Kenny Campbell look at what the Burnham drama could mean for Britain as a whole, as national and local politics collide in Labour's latest psychodrama. Talking of local politics, they also venture to Worcestershire, where a rainbow coalition has formed to sideline some (allegedly) useless Reform councillors ... much to the chagrin of Conservative Central Office. And, in an attempt to escape the 'localm' for a few minutes, they pick some holidays ... that they wouldn never go on. Very Quiet Riot, that one. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** • That excellent Substack on Farage's millions by David Howarth https://drhow.substack.com/p/farages-5-million?triedRedirect=true • The elections report from Make Votes Matter • Alex's fabulous Podyssey series • Arthur Snell's Syrian deep-dive on Behind The Lines • Email us at quietriotpod@gmail.com • Or visit our website www.quietriotpod.com Brought to you by Naomi Smith, Alex Andreou and Kenny Campbell. Quiet Riot is a Cooler Heads production ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Political psychodrama heaped on top of political drama. Well, sort of. The psychodrama of the Labour leadership battle is real, whether we want another short-term PM or not. Naomi, Alex and Kenny pretend to hate the drama and then get sucked into the socialist-ish soap opera that's captivating Westminster. And then there's the King's Speech, which is legislatively significant but ... well, wouldn't it be more fun to find out what WE would do if we got the keys to No.10? Plus a properly uplifting Grin And Share It, some ranting about uncouth journalists and random sandwich news. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** • Saving lives with rubble – this week's Grin And Share It • Alex's fabulous Podyssey series • Arthur Snell's Syrian deep-dive on Behind The Lines • Email us at quietriotpod@gmail.com • Or visit our website www.quietriotpod.com Brought to you by Naomi Smith, Alex Andreou and Kenny Campbell. Quiet Riot is a Cooler Heads production ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In the iconic words from A Streetcar Named Desire "we've had this date with each other from the beginning!" For nearly half of Labour's 20 months in power, it has been said that this set of local elections would mark Starmer's last throw of the dice. With results still coming in, it is difficult to analyse precise voter movements, but patterns are certainly beginning to emerge. To discuss the results so far, Alex Andreou has a midnight cuppa and a chat with Quiet Riot favourite and Guardian columnist Zoe Williams. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** • You can listen to Alex's new Podyssey Storytime, on Arachne the Spider Woman, here. And don't miss his Bank Holiday Monday episode on Sisyphus. • Listen to Arthur Snell's latest Behind The Lines on Iran here. • We have put together a BLUESKY STARTER PACK, with all our regular contributors and many more interesting politicos besides • Email us at quietriotpod@gmail.com • Or visit our website www.quietriotpod.com Brought to you by Naomi Smith, Alex Andreou and Kenny Campbell. Quiet Riot is a Cooler Heads production ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
This week's Golders Green attack resurfaced some deeply disturbing prejudices and raised the political temperature too. Alex and Kenny look at the facts as they stand and analyse the political reaction to a tinderbox issue. And, with temperatures rising literally as well as metaphorically, they turn their attention to the looming El Niño impact, and ask if hotter summers make for violent protests. Plus Angela Rayner has a pint and gets hammered (by the press). Is it because she's (insert own theory here). nb answer is probably Yes. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** • If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol issues, Drinkaware can help • Climate clip from 'The Day The Earth Caught Fire' • You can listen to Alex's new Podyssey Storytime, on Arachne the Spider Woman, here. And don't miss his Bank Holiday Monday episode on Sisyphus. • Listen to Arthur Snell's latest Behind The Lines on Iran here. • We have put together a BLUESKY STARTER PACK, with all our regular contributors and many more interesting politicos besides • Email us at quietriotpod@gmail.com • Or visit our website www.quietriotpod.com Brought to you by Naomi Smith, Alex Andreou and Kenny Campbell. Quiet Riot is a Cooler Heads production ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Keeping up with the Starmer-Mandelson-Robbins scandal is like juggling spaghetti, soggy spaghetti at that, but we're here for the challenge. Naomi, Alex and Kenny pick apart this week's remarkable developments in a saga that has cost two of the main players their jobs ... and may well consign the third player to an early bath too. What happened, what happens next and who's to blame? And what do shop tills and Jim Hacker have to do with it? And we turn our gaze back to the Strait of Hormuz, where a not-quite-ceasefire is heating up economies globally while world leaders wonder how long it will be before the inflation frog in their domestic pot croaks, and not in a good way. Plus some NHS Wokey Dokeyness and a glass of green whisky. Trebles all round... ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** • The pre-show clip comes from that Yes, Prime Minister that Kenny just about remembered from the last century • Arthur Snell's insightful Behind The Lines pod on Cuba • Help fight corruption worldwide with Transparency International UK • Green whisky? Get some down you here • We have put together a BLUESKY STARTER PACK, with all our regular contributors and many more interesting politicos besides • Email us at quietriotpod@gmail.com • Or visit our website www.quietriotpod.com Brought to you by Naomi Smith, Alex Andreou and Kenny Campbell. Quiet Riot is a Cooler Heads production ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Our changing climate is accelerating conflict and migration, with the potential to drive political instability from the Sahel to Saudi Arabia to Siberia. From the water-stressed mountains of the Arabian Peninsula to the wildfires raging through America's most populated regions, the climate crisis is already affecting the lives of millions. In a new book, Elemental, former diplomat Arthur Snell explores how global powers must adapt to new vulnerabilities, the risk of future conflicts over natural resources, and the links between the climate crisis and the rise of populism in Europe and the United States. In this episode, he speaks to journalist Adam McCauley about our rapidly changing geopolitics, the technologies available to help us adapt to a heating planet, the potential for new forms of political cooperation and the choices we need to make to avert disaster. Arthur Snell is a former British diplomat who has worked in Afghanistan, Iraq and Yemen. His new book is Elemental: The New Geography of Climate Change and How We Survive It. If you'd like to become a Member and get access to all our full conversations, plus all of our Members-only content, just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more. For £4.99 per month you'll also receive: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared episodes, wherever you get your podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series - 15% discount on livestreams and in-person tickets for all Intelligence Squared events ... Or Subscribe on Apple for £4.99: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series … Already a subscriber? Thank you for supporting our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations! Visit intelligencesquared.com to explore all your benefits including ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content and early access. … Subscribe to our newsletter here to hear about our latest events, discounts and much more. https://www.intelligencesquared.com/newsletter-signup/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The Chinese are cleaning our clock when it comes to lithium batteries and EVs, while the Russians still dominate at nuclear energy? Why? Why can't the West play the geopolitics of climate change better? Why can't Western countries work together to prepare for, mitigate, and profit from the upcoming cataclysm? Why are we sleepwalking off the cliff? To find out, we return to friend of the show and former Co-host Arthur Snell returns to Disorder to explore the themes of his new book, Elemental: The New Geography of Climate Change and How We Survive it. The overall approach of the book showcases how the Enduring Disorder paradigm epitomizes the collective action challenges democracies face as they compete against each other and see-saw from one policy to another while dictatorships tend to think much more long term when it comes to how to prepare for the opportunities and challenges of climate change. This investigation comes at a highly relevant time as the Iran War has made clear how the geopolitics of energy, electricity, AI Data centres, critical minerals, and climate change are the top table issues of our day. Arthur and Jason start off talking about the situation in the Straight of Hormuz and how developments there will affect the energy transition. They quickly pivot to a discussion of the geopolitics of the Arctic and Antarctic, especially the scramble for the Northwest Passage. Jason points out that China has been strategic about how to benefit from climate change, while Western nations have only notched tactical successes, but have not systematically prepared for the top table challenges that climate changes poses for humanity. As they Order the Disorder, Arthur explores who the approach of Antarctic of international legal treaties could be expanded to other domains and how we could international, socialize, and demilitarize the geopolitics of climate change. To join our Mega Orderers Club for ad free listening, early episode releases and exclusive access to live events, visit disordershow.com/club To tell us more about Disorder, visit disordershow.com/survey For more on our partnership with the New Books Network visit: https://newbooksnetwork.com/category/up-partners/disorder Producer: George McDonagh Subscribe to our Substack - https://natoandtheged.substack.com/ Disorder on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@DisorderShow Show Notes Links: Relentless sun and ruthless populists: how the climate crisis will change the next 20 years https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/mar/04/arthur-snell-interview-geopolitics-climate-crisis-book-elemental?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other Elemental: The New Geography of Climate Change and How We Survive it https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/arthur-snell/elemental-the-new-geography-of-climate-change-and-how-we-survive-it/9781035412945/ Listen and watch Jason explain ‘How will the Iran war reshape global supply chains?' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoZyAP5tFXo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
One minute, it's Armageddon and profanity; the next, it's back to the clown show and Trump's biggest TACO yet. Naomi, Alex and Kenny are joined by QR favourite Arthur Snell to rake through the ashes of Trump's Iranian dumpster fire, and try to make sense of a blisteringly bleak week in the annals of US foreign policy. The yellow streak that runs though Trump hasn't stopped him declaring victory, of course, but who is really coming out on top? And what does it mean for all of us? Plus, there's drama building in Hungary – is Orban, the European lapdog of both Putin and Trump, really facing a landslide defeat? Or should we perhaps manage our expectations ahead of the looming election? And we've got TWO – count 'em – Grin And Share Its because we really need some good news this week, don't we? ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** • More from our opening Jimmy Kimmel Live clip • Help Smart Medical Aid for Ukraine if you can. • Help Medecins Sans Frontiers in Gaza and the wider Middle East. • GASI #1: The Springburn ruin resurrected • GASI #2: Sun power lights up Greece • Our guest Arthur Snell's book, Elemental, is available at our bookshop here • We have put together a BLUESKY STARTER PACK, with all our regular contributors and many more interesting politicos besides • Email us at quietriotpod@gmail.com • Or visit our website www.quietriotpod.com Brought to you by Naomi Smith, Alex Andreou and Kenny Campbell. Quiet Riot is a Cooler Heads production ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Brace for betrayal, resurrection and chocolate in our Easter special! Naomi Smith and Kenny Campbell examine the Judas Factor in politics, and then dive into that other great seasonal topic: the soaring price of Easter eggs. All that plus the Wokeydokey we had to hold over from our midweek shows with Baroness Ayesha Hazarika, because there was too much other stuff to talk about. Happy Easter y'all! ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** • Rage at the price of chocolate treats with the help of the Freddo Index • Our podcast pal Arthur Snell's new climate book, Elemental, is available at our bookshop here • We have put together a BLUESKY STARTER PACK, with all our regular contributors and many more interesting politicos besides • Email us at quietriotpod@gmail.com • Or visit our website www.quietriotpod.com Brought to you by Naomi Smith, Alex Andreou and Kenny Campbell. Quiet Riot is a Cooler Heads production ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Welcome to the second part of our fabulous bank holiday two-parter with Baroness Ayesha Hazarika. What does becoming a peer actually feel like? How should we reform the upper chamber? And will our friendly Baroness give us any juicy insights from behind those woolsacks? If you missed the first part of this two-parter, why not pause this one and go back to hear Ayesha's views on Trump's latest Iranian-adjacent madness, plus Labour's growing gravitation towards Europe – and we ask what the party can do to prepare us all for some expected hard times ahead. Also, we answer the question that our subscriber Sarah was midway through when our latest Ask Us Anything session timed out! Have a lovely Easter weekend xxx ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** • To be the first to hear about Best for Britain's exciting new Europe announcement, sign up here. It's free (though donations are always welcome!) • Our podcast pal Arthur Snell's new climate book, Elemental, is available at our bookshop here • We have put together a BLUESKY STARTER PACK, with all our regular contributors and many more interesting politicos besides • Email us at quietriotpod@gmail.com • Or visit our website www.quietriotpod.com Brought to you by Naomi Smith, Alex Andreou and Kenny Campbell. Quiet Riot is a Cooler Heads production ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Our fabulous bank holiday two-parter with Baroness Ayesha Hazarika kicks off with (of course) Trump's latest Iranian-adjacent madness. And we utter a modest hurrah as Labour starts to move publically towards Europe – and ask what the party can do to prepare us all for some expected hard times ahead. Also, we answer the question that our subscriber Sarah was midway through when our latest Ask Us Anything session timed out! Don't miss Part 2 of this special, uploading imminently, featuring Ayesha's insights from her first couple of years in the House of Lords, ideas for reforming the upper chamber, plus a discussion on disinformation and the state of our media. Happy Easter y'all! ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** • To be the first to hear about Best for Britain's exciting new Europe announcement, sign up here. It's free (though donations are always welcome!) • Our podcast pal Arthur Snell's new climate book, Elemental, is available at our bookshop here • Tim Bales book on how the Tories have changed is available at our bookshop here. • We have put together a BLUESKY STARTER PACK, with all our regular contributors and many more interesting politicos besides • Email us at quietriotpod@gmail.com • Or visit our website www.quietriotpod.com Brought to you by Naomi Smith, Alex Andreou and Kenny Campbell. Quiet Riot is a Cooler Heads production ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
As the conflict in the Middle East rattles energy markets, this episode explores the connections between climate change, energy, and geopolitics. It addresses questions such as: What does the war in Iran reveal about the links between fossil fuels, vulnerability, and power? What lessons can be drawn? What does the energy transition mean for global geopolitics, and how should governments manage the 'messiness' of the process? How are the impacts of climate change reshaping our world, and what can be done to navigate the challenges that arise? To unpack these dynamics, Anna and Bhargabi are joined by Arthur Snell (a former diplomat and author of 'Elemental: The New Geography of Climate Change and How We Survive It'), Michael Bradshaw (Professor of Global Energy at Warwick Business School, Associate Fellow at Chatham House, and author of 'The Geopolitics of Energy System Transformation: Managing the Messy Mix'), and Dr Beatrice Mosello (Senior Research Fellow at Chatham House).
Alex Andreou and Naomi Smith discuss a parliamentary report on disinformation, in the light of news that the BBC has chosen a former Google executive as its new boss. And - as promised - they bring you our research into party membership in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, to supplement QR's midweek deep dive. Finally, can you tell Prank from Frank? Alex and Naomi test each other with far fetched headlines, some of which are April Fools and some of which are all too real. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** • Naomi's choice for most informative video on disinformation is here. • Read the Foreign Affairs Committee's report on Disinformation here. • Carole Cadwalladr's piece on the new BBC boss is here. • Visit Northern Ireland's data resource ARK here. • Watch the full BBC Spaghetti Harvest prank here. • Don't forget our podcast chum Arthur Snell's new climate book, Elemental, is available at our bookshop here • We have put together a BLUESKY STARTER PACK, with all our regular contributors and many more interesting politicos besides • Email us at quietriotpod@gmail.com • Or visit our website www.quietriotpod.com Brought to you by Naomi Smith, Alex Andreou and Kenny Campbell. Quiet Riot is a Cooler Heads production ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
War? What war? As missiles continue to whizz around the Middle East and the global economy continues to sweat as a result, Trump looks to be planning his exit from that Iranian adventure. Alex Andreou and Kenny Campbell look at the latest, and wonder if US plans to de-escalate the conflict will be as well thought through as its plans to escalate were in the first place. And, away from the madness of Trumpworld, they also look at the (sort of) madness that is featuring in upcoming elections in both Hungary and Denmark. This part may feature extreme pig breeding. Finally, by way of sanity, they have a look at Nigel Farage's video request money-making venture in which he accidentally appears to support Canadian Neo-Nazis, amongst other lovely things. As you do. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** • Opening clip from SNL cold open here. • Don't forget our podcast chum Arthur Snell's new climate book, Elemental, is available at our bookshop here • We have put together a BLUESKY STARTER PACK, with all our regular contributors and many more interesting politicos besides • Email us at quietriotpod@gmail.com • Or visit our website www.quietriotpod.com • Original oil photo by A. C. on Unsplash Brought to you by Naomi Smith, Alex Andreou and Kenny Campbell. Quiet Riot is a Cooler Heads production ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
As the UK and Europe push back on Trump's overseas adventures, Naomi Smith and Alex Andreou are joined by MP for Oxford East, Dame Anneliese Dodds, to look at the Iran latest, the Ukraine defence partnership, and the government's pivot towards the EU. Starmer is, for once, in tune with the public mood. Can foreign policy repair his domestic reputation? Plus, we talk overseas aid (or the lack of it) with Anneliese who resigned her cabinet position in International Development over aid cuts, and is also Chair of the Sudan and South Sudan parliamentary group. And, despite that packed agenda, we've still got time for a bit of Wokey Dokey action ... and some surprising news about yoyo dieting. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** • Follow Women4Sudan on LinkedIn, Instagram, or the Women for Women account on Bluesky. And here is the Women4Sudan website. • Stephen Colbert's sharp take on Trump's 'fun' bombing. (Thanks to listener Julia for suggesting, at our recent editorial meeting for subscribers, that we include a link to the source of the pre-show comedy clip.) • More of that Rachel Reeves speech here • Anneliese's speech on protecting civilians in Sudan • Yoyo dieting ... maybe it's not all bad news • Don't forget our pod buddy Arthur Snell's new climate book, Elemental, is available at our bookshop here • We have put together a BLUESKY STARTER PACK, with all our regular contributors and many more interesting politicos besides • Email us at quietriotpod@gmail.com • Or visit our website www.quietriotpod.com Brought to you by Naomi Smith, Alex Andreou and Kenny Campbell. Quiet Riot is a Cooler Heads production ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Brace yourselves for an episode with a particularly adult feel... fret not, it's still Quiet Riot. Naomi Smith and Kenny Campbell start with the latest on Mandelson, and the never-ending political fallout from his relationship with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Then they turn their gaze to the Government's muddle over pornography – specifically, the row over whether content representing incest pornography should be banned while step-incest pornography is left legal. How on earth did we get to this point? And, to complete a trio of grown-up topics, they look at the somewhat disturbing news that ReformUK wants a say in your bedroom habits. Put that away now Nigel dear, I've got a throbbing headache. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** • That UK-Trump drug deal mystery ... write to your MP with Best for Britain's help here • Our pod buddy Arthur Snell's new book, Elemental, featured in our Thursday show ... Get it at our bookshop here • We have put together a BLUESKY STARTER PACK, with all our regular contributors and many more interesting politicos besides • Email us at quietriotpod@gmail.com • Or visit our website www.quietriotpod.com Brought to you by Naomi Smith, Alex Andreou and Kenny Campbell. Quiet Riot is a Cooler Heads production ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
As Nigel Farage gets Reform's local election campaign under way, we look at how his existing platoon of local representatives is doing (nb may involve the odd shambles). Plus, Naomi Smith and Alex Andreou are joined by Quiet Riot's favourite geopolitics titan, Arthur Snell, to discuss the new geography of climate change – which just happens to be the subject of his brand new book, Elemental (buy it below). ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** • Arthur's new book, Elemental, is a must-read. Get it at our bookshop here. • Check out Best for Britain's Reform Defection Tracker • Britain's groundbreaking geothermal powerplant • Vidura Bandara Rajapaksa's proposal for renaming the "Global South" • James O'Brien and Henry Riley's report on Reform council "savings" • We have put together a BLUESKY STARTER PACK, with all our regular contributors and many more interesting politicos besides. • Email us at quietriotpod@gmail.com. • Or visit our website www.quietriotpod.com. Brought to you by Naomi Smith, Alex Andreou and Kenny Campbell. Quiet Riot is a Cooler Heads production. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Former British diplomat Arthur Snell is about to publish a book that explains how climate is rapidly changing the geographic assumptions on which geopolitics is built. Buy it now — Elemental: The New Geography of Climate Change and How We Survive It. But first, check out this Wickedproblems.earth conversation with Arthur Snell about his new book, the first comprehensive account of the geopolitics of climate change.In this conversation:00:00 Arctic Ice Wake Up00:45 War Crowds Out Climate02:32 Chokepoints Aren't Fixed04:08 Meet Arthur Snell04:22 Why Climate Is Geopolitics08:05 Alps Collapse Story11:01 Skiing Lobbies And Emissions12:40 Geopolitics Map Gets Redrawn14:59 Arctic Shipping Routes Open18:37 Trump Greenland And Minerals22:46 Panama Canal China Leverage24:20 Panama Canal Leverage25:56 Who Shapes Strategy28:24 Migration as Hard Reality34:55 Greenland Plans Accelerate39:27 Russia China North Shift42:28 Wine and Adaptation44:36 Book Plug and Farewell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
He came, he saw, he conked out. Trump blew chaotically into Davos, demanded Greenland then carried out a spectacular U-turn. Well, for now at least. Whatever the outcome of this latest round of Trumpian Wheel of Fortune, one thing was very clear: Trump is a man struggling to make sense, even when he's been prepped for the biggest of stages. Alex Andreou, Naomi Smith and Kenny Campbell talk Trump, Carney, Macron and Newsom. And there's even time to talk Starmer, Badenoch and the Chagos fallout too, because domestic politics doesn't stop for Trump, even if it does get blown off course by him rather a lot. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD – and get an invite to our next Editorial Meeting on February 17th*** • Grin And Share It: More on that Covid vaccination study • Check out Carole Cadwalladr's substack here. • Don't forget to check out our fabulous sister podcast, Arthur Snell's Behind the Lines • Read good stuff! Visit our bookshop here. • Email us at quietriotpod@gmail.com. • Or visit our website www.quietriotpod.com. Brought to you by Naomi Smith, Alex Andreou and Kenny Campbell. Quiet Riot is a Cooler Heads production. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The Robert Jenrick fiasco capped what was a mad week in the crazy world of Westminster. Naomi Smith and Kenny Campbell dive in to the cartoonish series of events that culminated in yet another Tory lashing their political career to the Farage mast. And, in a not-entirely-unrelated segment, they also ask whether politics is in fact run on the same principles as cartoon favourite Road Runner. Meep-meep! ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** • Don't forget to check out our fabulous sister podcast, Arthur Snell's Behind the Lines • Read good stuff! Visit our bookshop here. • Email us at quietriotpod@gmail.com. • Or visit our website www.quietriotpod.com. Brought to you by Naomi Smith, Alex Andreou and Kenny Campbell. Quiet Riot is a Cooler Heads production. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NOW what's he done, and why? Trump, the self-appointed King of Chaos, is ramping up that chaos, kidnapping foreign leaders, hijacking oil tankers, reiterating his threats to move in on Greenland and more besides. Naomi Smith and Alex Andreou are joined by the redoubtable Arthur Snell – Quiet Riot regular, former diplomat, author and, of course, host of the excellent Behind The Lines podcast – to try to make some sense of what is unfolding on the world stage. You'll not be surprised to learn they have a LOT to discuss. Away from the Madness of King Donald, they also look at Keir Starmer's latest moves to bring the UK a tad closer to our European cousins. Should there be grounds for optimism? Listen in to find out. SHOW NOTES Visit the International Crisis Group Read more from Chatham House Back Best For Britain Find out more about UK In A Changing Europe Read Naomi's excellent Guardian opinion article More geopolitical podcast goodness from Arthur Snell's Behind The Lines ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** • Read good stuff! Visit our bookshop here. • Email us at quietriotpod@gmail.com. • Or visit our website www.quietriotpod.com. Brought to you by Naomi Smith, Alex Andreou and Kenny Campbell. Quiet Riot is a Cooler Heads production. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In this episode, Arthur Snell and Dr. Jonathan Terra delve into the Trump administration's National Security Strategy, exploring its ideological underpinnings, rejection of globalism, and implications for America's role in the world. They discuss the document's views on migration, the Monroe Doctrine, and the contrasting approaches to Europe and Asia, highlighting the administration's isolationist tendencies and the potential consequences for international relations. Have a look at my substack on this subject: https://arthursnell.substack.com/p/americas-weakness-europes-strength Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Alex Andreou and Naomi Smith, mull the week's news. The second part of the Covid Inquiry issues its report on decision making and is scathing about the toxicity, chaos, and sheer incompetence at the centre of the Johnson administration. Should there be consequences? Trump tries to impose a surrender on Ukraine, in order to distract from the MAGA meltdown at home. How should Europe respond? And more questions than answers for Reform UK, after their former leader in Wales is jailed and Farage's alleged youthfull nazi-philia resurfaces. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** Head to nakedwines.co.uk/riot to get a £30 voucher and six top-rated wines from our sponsor Naked Wines for £39.99, delivery included. CALLS TO ACTION Listen to Arthur Snell's latest Behind The Lines and SUBSCRIBE! Find out all about Season 2 of Alex Andreou's Podyssey. • Buy something from our bookshop here. • Email us at quietriotpod@gmail.com. • Or visit our website www.quietriotpod.com. With Naomi Smith, Alex Andreou and Kenny Campbell. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
TO RUSSIA WITH LOVE - FROM EUROPE'S RADICAL RIGHT, AND EX-BREXIT PARTY MEP NATHAN GILL!Nick Cohen and Arthur Snell - the author and ex-diplomat - discuss political corruption and treason - following the sentencing of Nathan Gill, the former Brexit Party MEP and ex-leader of UKIP in Wales. They discuss the deply disturbing case of Gill- convicted of eight counts of bribery, after an investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing uncovered how he received payment in return for making statements which supported the presence of pro-Russian media outlets in Ukraine.Arthur explains the enduring love affair between Putin's Russia and Europe's Radical Right politicians. Gill and others have collaborated with pro-Kremlin politicians to spread anti-Ukrainian propaganda. Nick and Arthur explore the unique aspects of corruption across different countries and highlighted an upcoming trial involving charges of bribery related to pro-Kremlin propaganda activities. The discussion concluded with an examination of the complex relationship between the radical right in Western countries and Russian President Vladimir Putin.Russian Influence in European PoliticsArthur explains the widespread pro-Russian sentiment among far-right European politicians, noting examples like Farage's admiration for Putin and Tice's connection to a Russian financier. He emphasises that while Nathan Gill's influence was limited, his propaganda echoed broader Russian efforts to insert pro-Russian narratives into mainstream media Nick highlights how Russian disinformation, amplified through social media and media outlets, can shape public opinion, referencing instances like Nigel Farage's paid appearances on Russia Today, the Putin propaganda channel now banned from UK airwaves. Both Arthur and Nick agree about the reluctance of British authorities to investigate Russian interference, particularly in the context of Brexit, due to political sensitivities.Read all about itArthur Snell's substack column is Not all doom & his regular inciteful podcast is Behind the Lines. Arthur's first not fiction book is How Britain Broke the World: War, Greed and Blunders from Kosovo to Afghanistan, 1997-2022 .Nick Cohen's @NickCohen4 latest Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond. Read Nick's latest column, Can Europe resist Trump's gangsterism? Does it have the willpower to try? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
It takes a very special team to accidentally advertise and fuel a leadership challenge that was not even real yet, but the current team in No.10 is nothing if not special. AND... Is the BBC just another legacy giant that has outlived its purpose? Or is it worth defending against Trump? (SPOILERS: Hell, yes, it's worth defending!) PLUS... an unexpected "Wokey Dokey" and a superbly inspirational "Grin And Share It". Naomi Smith, Alex Andreou and Kenny Campbell discuss the latest drama. In as non-dramatic a way as possible, of course. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** “To head off a coup, you display confidence and strength. This did the opposite - showed weakness and anxiety. It was just pretty weird. Like they accidentally fired the starter's pistol on the leadership challenge they were trying to quell.” “Starmer has just not been a good Prime Minister. He has shown poor judgment throughout his tenure. They have consistently boxed themselves in and made everything harder than they needed to.” “The political strategy, at its core - come to power and instead of looking after your base, devote the first year to p***ing off your base, in favour of voters who will probably never come to you - is so poor and so predictably disastrous, that I don't understand how McSweeney is still in Downing St.” “There are two separate issues here: Yes, the BBC needs to do better, but they are also the victim of Trump doing what Trump does. And this will be used by Trump's team to divert attention from other stuff.” “We also have to realise that the assault on the BBC is part of a larger battle being waged. A battle between sources of accurate information and political forces and people for whom accurate information is like kryptonite.” “The BBC is important and contributes globally. If it comes under pressure the scale, the reach, the nature of its output might shift and Britain's soft power global footprint takes a substantial hit.” CALLS TO ACTION Listen to Arthur Snell's latest Behind The Lines, and SUBSCRIBE! Find out more about the BBC Media Action charity here. GRIN AND SHARE IT All about Lego MRI Scanners! • Buy something from our bookshop here. • Email us at quietriotpod@gmail.com. • Or visit our website www.quietriotpod.com. With Naomi Smith, Alex Andreou and Kenny Campbell. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Why is a moral panic gripping the country about a handful of mistaken prisoner releases? How do we lift our gaze to a better horizon? Musk's remuneration package is designed to shock. Why is the Tesla board so keen to reward failure? And - with Comcast eyeing up ITV and the BBC scoring a massive Traitors hit, were news of the death of legacy media premature? Alex Andreou and Naomi Smith, mull the week's news. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** CALLS TO ACTION Listen to Arthur Snell's latest Behind The Lines, with Emily Thornberry and SUBSCRIBE! Find out all about Season 2 of Alex Andreou's Podyssey. Harvard research on the influence of media in amplifying division. • Buy something from our bookshop here. • Email us at quietriotpod@gmail.com. • Or visit our website www.quietriotpod.com. With Naomi Smith, Alex Andreou and Kenny Campbell. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The future's bright, the future's not orange. Perhaps. Trump may think he's the ultimate New Yorker but the Big Apple turned rotten on him, as Zohran Mamdani became the first mayor to attract a million votes since the 1960s, on an uplifting night for Democrats across the US. We take a deep dive. And, talking of rotten, we look at Rachel Reeves' attempts to prepare us all for a bruising Budget. Uh-oh. Plus - what to do about the far right radicalising the country online. Alex Andreou and Kenny Campbell are joined by two top-tier guests: former special advisor Salma Shah; and geopolitical mega-brain and newest member of the Quiet Riot family, Arthur Snell. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** CALLS TO ACTION Listen to Arthur Snell's latest Behind The Lines, with Emily Thornberry and SUBSCRIBE! Find out more about Relief International's work in Sudan. “Trump has made Democratic voters feel extremely threatened and disempowered, so I think the big takeaway is that, if you do that, the moment voters have the power to punish you, they will take the opportunity to do so and in large numbers.” “The number of votes Cuomo got, would have won any NYC mayoral election since the mid-90s. And yet, against Mamdani, he was nearly 10% short. Turnout was extraordinary.” “There is more space for radical policies now, than there has been for the last several decades - whether you believe in left or right radicalism.” “What Mamdani shares with people like Polanski, but also Trump or Farage, is that he acknowledges a decline and seeks to reverse it. Whatever one thinks of their proposed solutions, tonally, that is very different from centrist politicians who, on the whole, seek to manage and tweak.” “There is a tension inside the Trump regime between the desires of an aging billionaire with pretty toxic behavioural traits and no impulse control, and the calculated Stephen Miller approach of trying to turn America into a corporate oligarchy.” “In all administrations, you have big figures. In this one, you have only Trump. This creates practical questions of comms management and how to run a news grid. Because he cannot do it all, all the time.” “Trump has moved from outright hostility to Ukraine to a sort of grumpy neutrality, where, as long as someone else is paying, he is happy for weapons to keep flowing.” “The original sin of this Labour manifesto was how the gov't boxed itself in on taxes. But the time to rip the plaster off, rather than peel it off slowly, was when they took over.” “There are strategic missteps by the Tory leadership. Apparent weaknesses are being allowed to be exploited by people like Jenrick - or any backbencher looking for a bit of profile.” “We do have quite an inexperienced House of Commons, on all sides. And that is bad for scrutiny, it is bad for legislation, it is bad for debates.” “That gap, between an attack and proper information coming out, is their golden hour to sow discord. And it feels strategic and deliberate. Because after information is out, it might suit them or not. The confusion of the aftermath is all theirs.” “It's up to all of us to close the gap between the Prevent programme theory and its practical delivery and to be a lot more open in discussing the signs of someone about to fall into the radicalisation pit, so we can catch them before it's too late.” “We tend to obsess about the ideology of radicalisation, when more often the issue is the psychology of individuals feeling a profound lack of status.” • Buy something from our bookshop here. • Email us at quietriotpod@gmail.com. • Or visit our website www.quietriotpod.com. With Naomi Smith, Alex Andreou and Kenny Campbell. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Why is Putin provoking Poland, and how bad could this get? In this Quiet Riot special, Kenny Campbell is joined by Behind The Lines host and geopolitics specialist Arthur Snell to look at Russia's astonishing drone attack on Poland – a story that is being squeezed off front pages by madness on both sides of the Atlantic, but should definitely still be headline news. What is Putin's game plan here? How involved is Britian – and do we have the resources for yet another front in the Putin crisis? How bad could this get? Answers (with caveats) aplenty – and this is a hot topic. Just after we finished recording, NATO states were on high alert in response to joint Russia-Belarus military exercises near the borders with Poland, Lithuania and Latvia. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** 'NATO's red line isn't red enough' 'Drones don't do training exercises' Love your global politics? Listen to Arthur's fantastic Behind The Lines ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** Buy something from our bookshop here. Email us at quietriotpod@gmail.com. Or visit our website www.quietriotpod.com. With Naomi Smith, Alex Andreou and Kenny Campbell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
SummaryIn this discussion, Nick Cohen and former diplomat Arthur Snell explore the complex relationship between Donald Trump and Russia, examining evidence suggesting Trump may be serving Russian interests either knowingly or unwittingly. They analyze Christopher Steele's controversial intelligence work on Trump-Russia connections, noting that despite criticism, many of his key allegations have proven accurate according to subsequent investigations, including the Senate Intelligence Committee report. The conversation concludes by addressing concerns about Trump's deferential behaviour toward Putin, his appointment of pro-Russian officials to intelligence positions, and the implications for US-UK intelligence sharing should Trump return to power.In this discussion, Nick Cohen and former diplomat Arthur Snell explore the complex relationship between Donald Trump and Russia, examining evidence suggesting Trump may be serving Russian interests either knowingly or unwittingly. They analyse Christopher Steele's controversial intelligence work on Trump-Russia connections, noting that despite criticism, many of his key allegations have proven accurate according to subsequent investigations, including the Senate Intelligence Committee report. The conversation concludes by addressing concerns about Trump's deferential behaviour toward Putin, his appointment of pro-Russian officials to intelligence positions, and the implications for US-UK intelligence sharing should Trump return to power.Trump's Russian Connection ExaminationNick Cohen introduces a discussion on whether Donald Trump is a Russian asset, with guest Arthur Snell, a former Foreign Office diplomat. Arthur explains there's a spectrum of possibilities, from Trump being a recruited KGB/FSB asset to him being an unwitting "agent of influence" serving Russian interests. They note Trump's unusual connections to the Soviet bloc during the Cold War, including his 1987 Moscow visit and marriage to Ivana from Czechoslovakia, emphasising how rare it was for American businessmen to engage with communist countries at that time.Read all about it.Arthur Snell's substack column is Not all doom & his regular inciteful podcast is Behind the Lines. Arthur's first not fiction book is How Britain Broke the World: War, Greed and Blunders from Kosovo to Afghanistan, 1997-2022 .Nick Cohen's @NickCohen4 latest Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond. Read Nick's latest column, Can Europe resist Trump's gangsterism? Does it have the willpower to try? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
As Ukraine and Russia master new forms of drone warfare, are NATO and Europe being left behind? Is the West willfully clinging to older 20th century ways of equipping and preparing for war? In this episode, Arthur Snell is joined by Matthew Savill, the Director of Military Sciences at RUSI. They focus on developments and trends in contemporary conflict and investigate new trends in the use of force in the mid-21st Century. The duo discuss Ukraine's rapid innovation in drone technology, the challenges NATO faces in integrating the newer forms of air power with its ground forces, Britain's lack of preparedness at the Corp level, and the shifting dynamics of US commitment to NATO. And as they Order the Disorder, Matthew expresses a need for European countries to enhance their military capabilities and boost overall readiness – and the need to spend large amounts of money to achieve those objectives. This episode is truly a master class in the dynamics of modern warfare that many consumers of news will miss beyond the headlines. Producer: George McDonagh Subscribe to our Substack - https://natoandtheged.substack.com/ Disorder on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@DisorderShow Show Notes Links: For more on our RUSI partnership visit: https://www.rusi.org/podcast-series/disorder-podcast Watch Is Trump losing MAGA over Epstein? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEiX7chStSY Watch Jason Pack play in the Final of the World Championship of Speedgammon: https://youtu.be/Z8Nk_5V8RXM?si=NTUhPU-Z_ghhakne Follow Arthur's Behind the Lines Pod: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/behind-the-lines-with-arthur-snell/id1704344656 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
All the evidence points to Genocide in GazaNick Cohen talks to author and former Foreign Office diplomat Arthur Snell about the ongoing Middle East crisis, focusing on the devastating impact of the Hamas attack on Israel in 2023 and its consequences for the region. They explored the situation in Gaza, including concerns about potential genocide and the humanitarian crisis, as well as the implications of proposed resettlement plans and refugee outflows. The conversation also touched on the role of international actors, particularly Europe and the United States, in addressing the situation, and the unpredictable nature of Donald Trump's foreign policy regarding Israel and the Middle East.What's happening in Gaza is genocideArthur argues that Israel's actions against the Palestinian population in Gaza constitute genocide under the 1948 Genocide Convention. He examines the Israeli government's intent and capability and concludes that it is to make Gaza uninhabitable for Palestinians, noting the shift in Israeli public opinion after the October attacks. Arthur emphasises the challenges Israel faces in defeating Hamas without destroying the Gaza population.International Influence on Gaza TragedyArthur and Nick discuss the ongoing tragedy in Gaza, focusing on the role of international actors, particularly Europe and the United States, in addressing the situation. Arthur emphasises that while Europe has limited influence over Israel, there are mechanisms to pressure governments committing international crimes, such as sanctions and surveillance missions by the RAF. He also highlighted the involvement of companies like BCG in planning for ethnic cleansing in Gaza. Andrew questioned Europe's power to influence the situation, noting that only the United States, under Trump, has significant leverage over Netanyahu.Read all about it.Arthur Snell's substack column is Not all doom & his regular inciteful podcast is Behind the Lines. Arthur's first not fiction book is How Britain Broke the World: War, Greed and Blunders from Kosovo to Afghanistan, 1997-2022 .Nick Cohen's @NickCohen4 latest Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond. Read Nick's latest column, Can Europe resist Trump's gangsterism? Does it have the willpower to try? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In his roll as UK Foreign Secretary, David Lammy has often talked of his concept of progressive realism, but what does that mean? And how has that impacted British foreign policy over the past 12 months? In this episode of Disorder, Alex Hall Hall and Arthur Snell delve into the complexities of British diplomacy over the past year – offering a grade point for each area of British foreign policy. They assess the UK's relationships with the US and EU, the implications of NATO and defense strategies, their dealings with Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia and the government's response to the humanitarian crisis in the Middle East. To close – and Order the Disorder – the pair express the need for a clearer vision in foreign policy, greater engagement with the Global South, and a clearer moral backbone from Starmer and co. Producer: George McDonagh Subscribe to our Substack - https://natoandtheged.substack.com/ Disorder on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@DisorderShow Show Notes Links: Read ‘Keir Starmer Has Missed His Chance to Make a Bold Break With the Past on Foreign Policy' by Alex Hall Hall: https://bylinetimes.com/2025/06/27/labour-foreign-policy-report-card/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
At different engagements throughout the month, NATO allies will meet in Brussels and the Hague to discuss Ukraine and defense spending – with Trump's team putting pressure on the Europeans to up their spending to 5% of GDP. But with the Americans wavering on the alliance as a whole, and these unrealistic spending targets: Can NATO survive?To find out, Arthur Snell speaks with Sten Rynning, professor and director of the Danish Institute for Advanced Study, University of Southern Denmark, and author of ‘NATO: From Cold War to Ukraine, a History of the World's Most Powerful Alliance'. The duo discuss the origins and evolution of NATO, the significance of Article 5, NATO's complex relationship with France, and the challenges faced during the Afghanistan mission. Plus: the contentious issue of NATO's eastward expansion in the wake of the fall of the Soviet Union, and the Alliance's role in maintaining Order in the Post-War era. And as they conclude the discussion, they explore the future of European security architecture, the importance of America's role in NATO, and – to Order the Disorder – the need for a cohesive European defense strategy.Producer: George McDonaghSubscribe to our Substack - https://natoandtheged.substack.com/Disorder on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@DisorderShow Show Notes Links:Get Sten Rynning's book, NATO: From Cold War to Ukraine, a History of the World's Most Powerful Alliance - https://www.londonreviewbookshop.co.uk/stock/nato-from-cold-war-to-ukraine-a-history-of-the-world-s-most-powerful-alliance-sten-rynning Watch The Paradox of the Anti-Semitic Boulder attack - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7zAO_5CtfE Check out our Bookshop.org affiliate site behindthelines and please sign up for my substack at arthursnell.substack.com and/or follow me on Bluesky@snellarthur.bsky.social. You can sometimes find me on other podcasts - most often Disorder which I am involved with in partnership with RUSI, the Royal United Services Institute, the world's oldest think tank. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
At different engagements throughout the month, NATO allies will meet in Brussels and the Hague to discuss Ukraine and defense spending – with Trump's team putting pressure on the Europeans to up their spending to 5% of GDP. But with the Americans wavering on the alliance as a whole, and these unrealistic spending targets: Can NATO survive? To find out, Arthur Snell speaks with Sten Rynning, professor and director of the Danish Institute for Advanced Study, University of Southern Denmark, and author of ‘NATO: From Cold War to Ukraine, a History of the World's Most Powerful Alliance'. The duo discuss the origins and evolution of NATO, the significance of Article 5, NATO's complex relationship with France, and the challenges faced during the Afghanistan mission. Plus: the contentious issue of NATO's eastward expansion in the wake of the fall of the Soviet Union, and the Alliance's role in maintaining Order in the Post-War era. And as they conclude the discussion, they explore the future of European security architecture, the importance of America's role in NATO, and – to Order the Disorder – the need for a cohesive European defense strategy. Producer: George McDonagh Subscribe to our Substack - https://natoandtheged.substack.com/ Disorder on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@DisorderShow Show Notes Links: Get Sten Rynning's book, NATO: From Cold War to Ukraine, a History of the World's Most Powerful Alliance - https://www.londonreviewbookshop.co.uk/stock/nato-from-cold-war-to-ukraine-a-history-of-the-world-s-most-powerful-alliance-sten-rynning Watch The Paradox of the Anti-Semitic Boulder attack - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7zAO_5CtfE Listen to Arthur's Behind The Lines Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/behind-the-lines-with-arthur-snell/id1704344656 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
FIRSTLY, PLS COME TO OUR LIVE SHOW. NOW OPEN TO ALL DISORDER LISTENERS Wednesday MAY 14, 17:30 AT RUSI. You can sign up here: https://my.rusi.org/events/disorder-podcast-live-ordering-the-global-financial-disorder.html NOW TO THIS EPISODE: In Trump's first 100 days he has disordered almost everything: from freedom of speech on campus to global trade to affairs of war and peace. And yet, despite his threats to abandon Ukraine, and actual denials of provision of certain forms of intelligence and anti-aircraft equipment, the frontlines have largely held. In fact, it now appears that Trump lacks the ability to force Ukraine to make concessions that it doesn't want to make, namely over Crimea. So, is there more Order and hope to be found in Ukraine than is immediately apparent? To find out, Jason Pack is joined by Mark McNamee. Mark moved to Kyiv in October 2023 in order to start the Ukraine Business News (UBN) Network, with the mission to aid foreign investors in navigating the business environment of Ukraine and drive Ukraine's economic recovery and reconstruction. He is also host of the podcast "History in the Making: The War in Ukraine”. Mark and Jason discuss: the current state of the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War, with a particular focus on the resilience of Ukraine's economy, its innovative use of drone technology and how Ukraine could become a global leader in defense technology going forward. Plus: the implications of the U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal as truly game changing, the role of Europe in supporting Ukraine, and whether Ukraine's potential EU membership can offset lack of potential for it to become a NATO member. And as they look to Order the Disorder, Mark proposes the creation of a European Defense Tech Fund to support Ukraine's recovery and defense capabilities. Producer: George McDonagh Executive Producer: Neil Fearn Subscribe to our Substack and become a paid member to support our work - https://natoandtheged.substack.com/ Show Notes Links: Read this new report, just published by international human rights foundation Global Rights Compliance, exposing Russia's disinformation campaign - https://globalrightscompliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Manufacturing-Impunity.pdf Read more about the minerals deal https://www.politico.eu/article/us-donald-trump-volodymyr-zelenskyy-ukraine-parliament-minerals-deal-approved/ Ukraine Business News - https://ubn.news UBN Network - https://ubn.network/ Podcast History in the Making: The War in Ukraine - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/history-in-the-making-the-war-in-ukraine/id1752915858 The Ukrainian Action Heroes Rehabilitation Program teaches Ukrainian veterans with PTSD to ski and provides psychological support: You can support their work with Ukrainian veterans at: www.UkrainianAction.com Arthur Snell in conversation with Romeo Kokriatski: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/ukraine-and-america-the-great-betrayal/id1704344656?i=1000706415200 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
JOIN OUR SUBSTACK TO COME TO THE DISORDER LIVE SHOW MAY 14, 17:30 AT RUSI. INFO IN THE LINKS BELOW NOW TO THIS EPISODE: Alex and Jason take listener questions that explore the chaotic political landscape shaped by Trump. Our brilliant Mega Orderers have asked about: What are Trump's true goals and how aligned are they with Russia; where is this going to end; and how should functioning democracies respond? Bouncing off listeners' ideas, Alex and Jason discuss: new forms of ‘spheres of influence' imperialism; how Trumpian advisors, like the influencer Rasputin Laura Loomer, recycle Russian talking points; could Canada, the UK, New Zealand and Australia work together to forge an alternative order? Is crypto just a vehicle for corruption? And how do you deal with switching from driving on one side of the road to the other? Producer: George McDonagh Executive Producer: Neil Fearn Subscribe to our Substack and become a paid member to support our work - https://natoandtheged.substack.com/ Show Notes Links: Disorder Podcast Live: Ordering the Global Financial Disorder 17:30 – 20:00 BST; 14 May 2025 Join us for a live recording of the Disorder Podcast with Tom Keatinge, Director of the Centre for Finance and Security at RUSI IN LOND AT 61 Whitehall To attend become a paid for member of the Ordering the Disorder Substack here and then follow the RUSI prompts to attend: https://natoandtheged.substack.com/p/disorder-podcast-live-1730-may-14?triedRedirect=true Listen to Arthur Snell's podcast, Behind The Lines, with Jonathan Terra: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-crisis-in-the-atlantic-alliance-ep-2/id1704344656?i=1000702371956 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In this special episode of Disorder, you can hear some of the highlights from our first ever live show event at RUSI. To start things off, Jason Pack was joined on stage by his fellow co-hosts, Alex Hall Hall, Jane Kinninmont and Arthur Snell. The panel discussed how they experience Disorder in their own lives, as well as what they perceive makes this historic period novel. Then, Jane and Alex departed the stage, while Arthur and Jason were joined by Neil Melvin, RUSI's Director of International Security. The trio investigated if Trump actually has a grand strategy and is deliberately accelerating the long durée US pivot to Asia or if he is merely a strategic-less deliberate Disorderer. Then the trio looked at the role Europe plays in global security, while Neil and Jason had an agreeable -- and not even staged -- disagreement about the ideal position the UK can play in global security – should the UK continue cozying up to the US? Or seek to counterbalance it by forging new relationships and convening a coalition of orderers? Lastly, the recording ends with a Lord of the Rings-themed question from a Mega-Ordering audience member. If you would like to hear the rest of the audience questions and have access to the full recording, please join the pay for substack. Producer: George McDonagh Executive Producer: Neil Fearn Subscribe to our Substack (paid members can listen to the whole unedited event including listener q and a): https://natoandtheged.substack.com/ Show Notes Links: More on the RUSI Disorder partnership - https://www.rusi.org/news-and-comment/rusi-news/rusi-announces-partnership-disorder-podcast Become RUSI members for more of their brilliant content: https://my.rusi.org/membership.html And From Neil Melvin Read: Europe's attitude to Trump is dangerously naive. He demands action, not words: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/12/21/europes-attitude-trump-dangerously-naive-he-demands-action/ And for more on Neil's bio: https://www.rusi.org/people/melvin Read Jane's piece about OSCE's potential role - https://europeanleadershipnetwork.org/commentary/its-time-to-use-the-osce/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In 2022, Nina Jankowicz was appointed to a brand new role within the US Government – Executive Director of the DHS's Disinformation Governance Board, tasked with tackling disinformation. Within weeks, she was the target of a mass disinformation campaign – driven primarily by Fox News – that put her life, family and career at risk. In today's episode, Nina joins Arthur Snell to tell that story – and look at the role of dis- and mis-information around the globe. If the US under Trump turns into a deliberate disorderer in the information space, who will be left to order? There is an argument that medium powers like the UK, Brazil and the EU will hold the key to stemming the tide. Nina is an expert on Russia, Eastern Europe and Ukraine, but in the early 2020s, she became better known as an expert on disinformation. In 2022, she was appointed by the Biden administration to the Disinformation Governance Board, part of the United States Department of Homeland Security. But after Fox attacked her personally, the role was pulled. Since then, she has worked in various NGOs and in other foundations, and her current work is with American Sunlight, which tries to counteract disinformation by providing clear information and research to Americans. In her conversation with Arthur, she shares insights into the challenges of combating misinformation in the current political landscape, the role of media and big tech in amplifying disinformation, and the implications for democracy. Plus: the duo discuss shifting dynamics within the Republican Party regarding Russia, Elon Musk's influence, the rise of deepfake technology, and the gendered dimension to the violence that permeates online spaces. And then as they try to Order the Disorder, they look at Brazil as a place where disinformation regulation is starting to work, the importance of information literacy, and what's been done educationally in Ukraine, plus – could smaller, stronger online communities be the answer? Producer: George McDonagh Executive Producer: Neil Fearn Subscribe to our Substack: https://natoandtheged.substack.com/ Show Notes Links For more on Nina visit https://www.ninajankowicz.com/ For a CBS explainer on what happened to Nina and the role played by Fox: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=64&v=z6havT5C9_M&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2F Follow Arthur's pod Behind The Lines https://open.spotify.com/show/4bpdB1iEN3irFueS5CMuq5 Read recent report from the American Sunlight Project on Deepfake Pornography Targeting Members of Congress https://www.americansunlight.org/updates/deepfake-pornography-targeting-members-of-congress Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Over the weekend, Israel confirmed that they had killed Hezbollah's charismatic leader – and terrorist master mind -- Hassan Nasrallah. He was frequently described as the leader of the globe's most powerful non-state armed group. So, what does Nasrallah's exit from the stage and the ongoing Israeli bombardment of Lebanon, mean for the region? Amidst the humanitarian crisis and vast escalatory pressures, how can we Order the Disorder? To find out, Arthur Snell and Jane Kinninmont recorded a special bonus episode of the podcast. The duo discuss: the escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah/Iran – examining the motivations of both parties. They analyse Netanyahu's political manoeuvring, the complexities of Lebanon's political/sectarian landscape, and the potential for diplomatic solutions amidst the chaos. Plus, they dissect the challenges faced by the international community in addressing the crisis and the implications for US influence in the region, as they try and Order the Disorder. For more on the fast moving situation across Lebanon and the wider region, subscribe to our Substack: https://natoandtheged.substack.com/ Producer: George McDonagh Exec Producer: Neil Fearn Show Notes Links Listen to Arthur Snell's podcast Behind The Lines: https://shows.acast.com/65196b0b1488340011cf14a1 Read Tom Fletcher's (a former guest from Episode Ep10. How international actors can stabilize the ongoing Israel-Hamas War and prevent a regional escalation - https://pod.link/1706818264/episode/cd7401e8093b8bb8f10c639a30db226c) piece on what's next for the region: https://www.ft.com/content/f78a4277-8f94-40c4-a4d4-6c0bde361ecb Read Michael Young's Twitter Thread on the latest: https://x.com/beirutcalling/status/1840008152336527715?s=46 More on the moving situation in Reuters https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/apartment-building-beirut-hit-israel-widens-air-campaign-2024-09-29/ Read this really insightful bio of Hassan Nasrallah by Hassan Hassan (from Syria) and Karim Shaheen in New Lines magazine - https://newlinesmag.com/argument/end-of-an-era-what-hassan-nasrallahs-assassination-spells-for-the-middle-east/ Read this article by Michael Young (@beirutcalling) which covers both the regional risks and the domestic political implications - https://carnegieendowment.org/middle-east/diwan/2024/09/israel-has-assassinated-the-secretary-general-of-hezbollah-hassan-nasrallah?lang=en¢er=middle-east Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The sun is shining, the flowers are in bloom, there is a dense fog over the Iranian-Azeri border, what time does that make it? Russo-Ukrainian Summer Offensive Time! This episode starts with a short emergency-cast about the crash of the Iranian President's helicopter due to fog. Jason briefly investigates if the death of this ‘disorderer-in-chief' is likely to bring any more order to the Middle East region, before rejoining our regularly scheduled programming about Ukraine. Over the last two weeks, Russia has been gaining territory in Ukraine's northeast, while the shelling of Kharkiv has progressively increased. This does not come as a surprise. The Ukrainians have been on the back foot militarily since their 2023 Summer offensive stalled. What is the strategic logic of Russia's recent advance? Jason is joined by acclaimed military historian Saul David. He co-hosts our sister podcast within the Goalhanger network, Battleground. Saul and Jason debate the strategic logic behind Russia's recent moves – proposing three alternative theses for Russia's actions: 1) Putin is trying to create a buffer zone in northeastern Ukraine; 2) the current offensive is a faint to draw Ukrainian troops to the north prior to a Russian attack in Donbass; 3) Russia is trying to turn Kharkiv into Mariupol, Grozny, or Aleppo, that is to say to aerially decimate the city and inflict tremendous humanitarian suffering on its populace without any hope of actually conquering it. After sketching a broad-brush stroke picture of the tactical and strategic situation on the ground, Saul and Jason discuss how new shipments of Western armaments will affect the current fighting; recent Russian attempts to assassinate President Zelensky; if the murder of Navalny has changed battlefield dynamics at all; the role of China and the ongoing Gaza war upon the fighting in Ukraine; and what are the relevant historical parallels to the current fighting and what lessons they hold for orderers. Twitter: @DisorderShow Subscribe to our Substack: https://natoandtheged.substack.com/ Website: https://natoandtheglobalenduringdisorder.com/ Producer: George McDonagh Exec Producer: Neil Fearn Show Notes Links For a quick overview of Iranian President Raisi's death and what happens next: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/20/world/europe/raisi-iran-instability.html Listen to Goalhanger's excellent Battleground Pod here: https://www.goalhangerpodcasts.com/battleground Get Saul's Sunday Times bestselling book, Sky Warriors: British Airborne Forces in the Second World War, here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sky-Warriors-British-Airborne-Forces/dp/0008522162 Learn more about what is going on: Is the Russian offensive a faint? Read more here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2024/05/16/russias-victory-day-campaign-just-ran-into-a-wall-of-ukrainian-mechanized-troops/ More on Tactics and Armaments affecting development in Kharkiv: https://foreignpolicy.com/2024/05/15/russia-kharkiv-offensive-ukraine-vovchansk-weapons-biden/ For more on Blinken's visit to Kyiv: https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/may/14/ukraine-zelenskiy-calls-for-more-air-defences-as-blinken-arrives-in-kyiv And on the Russian plot to assassinate Zelensky: https://www.newsweek.com/zelensky-assassination-plot-foiled-1897852 Find out more on Ukraine's will to survive and defend Kharkiv from Jade McGlynn: Her recent Pod with Arthur Snell: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/behind-the-lines-with-arthur-snell/id1704344656?i=1000653710733 And her Dispatch from Kharkiv commemorating the 2 year anniversary of the war: https://engelsbergideas.com/notebook/despatch-from-kharkiv/ Finally, Jason and Bill Browder's ideas on the need for a seizure of Frozen Russian asset via Navalny acts: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/opinion/what-makes-a-martyr-alexei-navalny-shines-a-light-on-vladimir-putin-s-evil-tyranny/ar-BB1ja4If Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In the early morning hours of 19 April, American officials told major news outlets that an Israeli missile had struck central Iran near its nuclear sites. No one was harmed. Officially, the Israelis are not claiming to have attacked; and Iran is not claiming to have been attacked. It is distinctly possible that this pinprick strike combined with denials on all sides will satisfy both parties and avert further retaliation. Conversely, it is also distinctly possible that it will lead to further cycles of revenge and escalation. To Order this Disorder, Jason is joined by our returning champion Arthur Snell and our great Scottish hopeful, Jane Kinninmont -- Policy & Impact Director at the European Leadership Network (an institution specializing in preventing nuclear war). The trio discuss: 1) why did Israel choose to retaliate, even though Biden counselled them to ‘Bank the Win'; 2) if this event even counts as retribution for the Iranian strikes of 14 April or could be classified as a non-strike as it is below the threshold of certain previous Israeli actions inside Iran; and 3) how Iran's and Israel's Sunni Arab neighbors are responding. Mulling over this unique historical moment, the trio use the Ordering the Disorder segment to propose opportunities for sage diplomacy to prevail and de-escalate tensions. Of course, the mere existence of these win-win, mutually beneficial, off-ramps from further conflict, does not mean that the Iranians or Israelis will seizes these opportunities. Twitter: @DisorderShow Subscribe to our Substack: https://natoandtheged.substack.com/ Website: https://natoandtheglobalenduringdisorder.com/ Producer: James Hodgson Exec Producer: Neil Fearn Show Notes Links For a quick overview of April 19th's events: https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2024/04/israel-carries-out-strikes-isfahan-iran-reports?mc_cid=a8bfe16bdf&mc_eid=b844138f36 For Iranian narratives of the confrontation with Israel: https://www.europeanleadershipnetwork.org/commentary/out-of-the-shadow-war-iranian-narratives-of-the-confrontation-with-israel/ For Arthur Snell's Substack, ‘Not All Doom': https://arthursnell.substack.com/ And for his podcast ‘Behind the Lines': https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/behind-the-lines-with-arthur-snell/id1704344656 Join ELN's roundup of the Persian language news: https://europeanleadershipnetwork.us5.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=f9c4fc8e446f80bb4d50ed06f&id=ca7882ea45 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Beneath the Caribbean's idyllic seafronts and sandy beaches lies a darker truth. Illicit money flows, corruption, and organised crime leave these small states hollowed out and open to state capture. In fact, the failure of Caribbean states to provide services to their populations and to generate income has led some of them to sell their sovereignty to their highest bidder. In this episode, Jason Pack is joined by Arthur Snell, host of the Behind the Lines podcast and former British High Commissioner to Trinidad and Tobago to discuss the multiplicity of interconnected roles Caribbean nations play within the Global Enduring Disorder. The pair discuss: Haiti's recent gang uprising, the high homicide rates throughout the Caribbean, the historical role of the Caribbean as the first truly globalized region in human history, why former British colonies like the British Virgin Islands are increasingly turning to money laundering and drug trafficking, and how the legacy of the sugar trade has left societal scars in the region that are still felt to this day. Twitter: @DisorderShow Subscribe to our Substack here Website: https://natoandtheglobalenduringdisorder.com/ Producer: George McDonagh Exec Producer: Neil Fearn Show Notes Links Read the report, ‘Homicide and Organised Crime in Latin America and the Caribbean here Read more about Haiti here Discover more about Andrew Fahie's drug case here Read ‘The Crime Conundrum in the Caribbean' here Buy Arthur's, How Britain Broke the World here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Today, we look at renewed US/UK airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen and the reaction to this year's Oscar nominations.To give a clearer picture of why the US and the UK have conducted a fresh wave of strikes Adam is joined by International Correspondent for Newsnight Nawal al-Maghafi and former UK diplomat in Yemen, Arthur Snell.Plus, this year's Oscar nominations are OUT! We return to the phenomenon of Barbenheimer to ask who will win more awards? Our culture and media editor, Katie Razzall brings us all the shocks and surprises from this year's nominations. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack Maclaren with Sam McLaren and Joe Wilkinson. The technical producer was Gareth Jones. The senior news editors are Jonathan Aspinwall and Sam Bonham.
As the Houthis attack ships in the Red Sea, Arthur Snell and Jason explore: 1) How this horrible crisis is actually an opportunity to create a coalition of orderers; 2) how Iran is not really able to use the Houthis as a proxy; 3) how one interpretation of the Houthi actions is as ‘global disordering' rather than specifically supporting the Palestinians or a given outcome in Gaza; and 4) how there is an opportunity for a uniquely constructive role for Britain, drawing on its credibility and experience in protecting global shipping especially in a context where China refuses to engage. Twitter: @DisorderShow Website: https://natoandtheglobalenduringdisorder.com/subscribe Producer: George McDonagh Exec Producer: Neil Fearn Show Notes Links A good intro to Yemeni history from Time's ‘Made by History' can be found here. What the US is doing here What the UK is doing by Elisabeth Braw here And what some think the US and UK should be doing here Context around Anti-Semitism in Yemen here Role of Saudi here Listen to Arthur Snell's podcast, Behind the Lines here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Is keeping the Tory two-child benefit cap Starmer's biggest mistake? We look at Labour's trade-off between maintaining deadly seriousness on the economy and the party's core beliefs. Plus, in a new irregular series we look ahead at the huge challenges facing the next government. This time: defence. Are Britain's armed forces fit for purpose and how will Labour deal with troop levels, cyber war and costly nukes in a world where “there is no money left”? Politics professor Richard Whitman of the University of Kent joins us to explain. https://www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Andrew Harrison with Hannah Fearn and Arthur Snell. Audio producer: Alex Rees. Producer: Chris Jones. Art: James Parrett. Theme music by Cornershop. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Greg Olear welcomes Arthur Snell back to the program. After graduating from Oxford with a first class degree in history, Snell joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. A fluent Arabic speaker, he served in Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Yemen, and Iraq, and then headed the international strand of the UK Government's Prevent counterterrorism program. He is currently a geopolitical consultant, author of “How Britain Broke the World,” and host of the hit podcast “Doomsday Watch” which has produced a new season that chronicles the history of the war in Ukraine. The far-ranging discussion goes from Eurovision to Rishi Sunak to the coronation to Mariupol. Plus: Seid hustles.Follow Arthur:https://twitter.com/SnellArthurSubscribe to “Doomsday Watch:”https://kite.link/doomsdayBuy his book:https://www.amazon.com/How-Britain-Broke-World-Afghanistan/dp/1912454602Sign up for his Substack:https://arthursnell.substack.com/Also…Epic Sax Guy:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iFbuIpe68k&t=9sSubscribe to the PREVAIL newsletter:https://gregolear.substack.com/aboutWould you like to tell me more about you? http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short.