Rule Britannia

Between the 12th March and the 16th March, the government advice to the public about Coronavirus changed swiftly and dramatically. What happened during those 4 days to prompt that change? This week, Tom speaks to Professor Sir Lawrence Freedman, Emeritus Professor of war studies at Kings College London, who has been looking at the minutes of the government advisory groups during those crucial days. You can read his article in the New Statesman here https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk/2020/04/real-reason-uk-government-pursued-herd-immunity-and-why-it-was-abandoned

The divide in responses to and the extent of the damage wrought by covid 19 is becoming much starker. As we know, direct country to country comparisons do not take into account demography, geography or the original scale of the outbreak. One thing though that is clear is that it is the nation state, not many global multilateral fora that are deciding responses. Arguably, coronavirus hastens the challenge already posed to those institutions, like the UN. Challenges of democratic consent and of efficacy. The United Nations hasn’t yet been able to even declare coronavirus a threat to global peace and security. This week, Tom talks to Samantha Power, who served as US ambassador to the UN and led the global response to the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa.

Can the UK find solutions by looking abroad? Was Britain too slow compared to how others responded to the developing Coronavirus crisis? Much of the world is now looking at one small island, Taiwan, with a population of 24 million, they have only had 427 cases so far, and 6 deaths due to Covid-19. They acted very early to the developing crisis. This week, Tom speaks to Taiwan's representative in the UK, David Yung-Lo Lin.

If the facts around coronavirus and the way it’s affecting all of us were bad enough... wait to you hear the conspiracy theory nonsense. Over the past few weeks, misinformation and conspiracy has gained traction in the mainstream, with real-world consequences. This week, Tom speaks to Professor Karen Douglas, Professor of social psychology at the university of Kent who studies the psychology of conspiracy theories, and Josh Rogin, columnist for the Washington Post who has investigated the truth behind the conspiracy that Covid-19 didn't originate in the wet markets but escaped out of the Wuhan institute of Virology... Rule Britannia discovers Britains place in a fast changing world. Listen and subscribe now to Rule Britannia on Global Player or wherever you get your podcasts. https://www.lbc.co.uk/radio/presenters/tom-swarbrick/ Twitter @TomSwarbrick1

Polling shows attitudes towards China are hardening, the Japanese are shifting production out of China, and the US are flirting with cutting funding to the World Health Organisation. Equipment sent from China for testing has been sent back as faulty. Is the relationship between nations breaking down? Was Britain prepared? Were we prepared in the right way? How do we make ourselves more resilient in the future? This week, Tom speaks to Elizabeth Braw, Head of modern deterrence at the Royal United Services institute. Rule Britannia discovers Britains place in a fast changing world. Listen and subscribe now to Rule Britannia on Global Player or wherever you get your podcasts. https://www.lbc.co.uk/radio/presenters/tom-swarbrick/ Twitter @TomSwarbrick1

The Foreign Office launches the biggest repatriation of Brits in peacetime. 3/4s of a million stranded and told to get home. What’s it like trying to coordinate an effort like that inside Govenrment and is the foreign office, the longest arm of the British state, up to the job? Joining Tom this week is Alistair Burt, former foreign office minister responsible for the Middle East when the Arab spring broke out. Rule Britannia discovers Britains place in a fast changing world. Listen and subscribe now to Rule Britannia on Global Player or wherever you get your podcasts. https://www.lbc.co.uk/radio/presenters/tom-swarbrick/ Twitter @TomSwarbrick1

We are living through a generation-defining event - a moment of national emergency. How Britain responds to the coronavirus is critical to its future: economic, political, social, well-being. But this outbreak isn’t the first pandemic, and won’t be the last. What seems clear from the history of pandemics, is that nowhere is the same again after one of these. Economies, societies, reel from the shock and then change forever afterwards. What can the history of pandemics tell us about how Britain should react and how it’s going to change? How might our society, economy, politics, priorities, values, change? How alive was the U.K. to the probability of a catastrophic event like this? How ready, or not, were we? And how will Briton’s relationship and understanding of the role of the State change too? Joining Tom this week; Dr Liam Fox, former Defence Secretary, International Trade Secretary and GP who is writing a book on the history of pandemics. Rule Britannia discovers Britains place in a fast changing world. Listen and subscribe now to Rule Britannia on Global Player or wherever you get your podcasts. https://www.lbc.co.uk/radio/presenters/tom-swarbrick/ Twitter @TomSwarbrick1

Join LBC's Tom Swarbrick as he interviews leading experts, politicians and industry influencers to gather a weekly round up of the most important world news and hidden topics that you won't have heard about. Find out just what goes on behind closed doors and how today's decisions will affect Britain's future. Subscribe on Global player or wherever you get your podcasts, now!

As tens of thousands of displaced people make their way to the Greek border, is Europe experiencing the beginnings of the “Migrant Crisis” 2.0? Erdogan and Putin meet in an attempt to resolve the seemingly intractable problems in Syria which have resulted in the mass movement of at least a million people from Idlib Province. Tom also discusses the Afghanistan Peace deal which looks like it’s over before it started and the British troop deployment in Mali. This week, Tom is joined by the chief foreign affairs commentator at the Financial Times, Gideon Rachman. Tom is also joined by the UN World Food Programme’s Chief Economist Dr Arif Hussein who shows not only that chronic hunger across the world is rising but that food insecurity is driving population movements and contributing to conflicts across the world. What should the world, and Britain, be doing to reach the UN goal of eliminating hunger by 2030? Rule Britannia discovers Britains place in a fast changing world. Listen and subscribe now to Rule Britannia on Global Player or wherever you get your podcasts. https://www.lbc.co.uk/radio/presenters/tom-swarbrick/ Twitter @TomSwarbrick1

As the Coronavirus outbreak spreads throughout the world and causes stock market panic, Tom discusses the implications for the country at the epicentre of it, China. The rise of China presents opportunities and threats to the existing world order and asks huge questions of the U.K. about our strategic aims. In the week that the terms of the Government’s foreign policy and defence review are set, Tom speaks to the author of the seminal book “The Silk Roads: a New History Of The World”, Peter Frankopan, about how the West, and the U.K., responds to the influence and power of China. Rule Britannia discovers Britains place in a fast changing world. Listen and subscribe now to Rule Britannia on Global Player or wherever you get your podcasts. https://www.lbc.co.uk/radio/presenters/tom-swarbrick/ Twitter @TomSwarbrick1

This week Tom has an exclusive interview with one of the founders of the Gilets Jaunes protest movement, Priscillia Ludosky. The story of the “Yellow Vests” is one of violence and protest, police brutality and a restlessness, among some, with democratic processes. Priscillia tells Tom about how the movement started, whether she takes responsibility for the violence, injuries and death and how the “Giles Jaunes” inspire other groups around the world. We talk about Brexit, Frexit and the future of western liberal democracy. Tom is also joined by James Rogers, Director of the Global Britain programme at the Henry Jackson Society. They discuss Chinese interference in British universities, the recent reshuffle, the foreign-policy review, Idlib and the latest technology wizzing around in the skies above us. Rule Britannia discovers Britains place in a fast changing world. Listen and subscribe now to Rule Britannia on Global Player or wherever you get your podcasts. https://www.lbc.co.uk/radio/presenters/tom-swarbrick/ Twitter @TomSwarbrick1

As the Prime Minister reshuffles his Cabinet team, what effect will this have on the UK's foreign and defence aims? The billions-strong swarms of locusts now threatening a humanitarian catastrophe in Africa. And as leaders gather for the Munich Security Conference, Tom discusses an emerging threat to Europe - the reliance on Russia for much of the continent's supply of gas. Why Should the UK be opposing Germany in forming this alliance? Tom is joined by the Defence Editor of the Times, Lucy Fisher and by the newly-elected chair of the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Select Committee, Tom Tugendhat. Rule Britannia discovers Britains place in a fast changing world. Listen and subscribe now to Rule Britannia on Global Player or wherever you get your podcasts. https://www.lbc.co.uk/radio/presenters/tom-swarbrick/ Twitter @TomSwarbrick1

Another terror attack on the streets of London. Another knife-wielding terrorist, recently released from prison, shot dead in broad daylight by armed police. The Government making changes to the law to stop the automatic early release of terror convicts from prison. But that is only half the story. How to change the views of those motivated to carry out these terrorist atrocities? Is it a hopeless task? This week, Tom speaks to an imam who believed so much in the Islamist ideology, that he fought across the world, funded terror groups and was at the forefront of recruiting new extremists in the UK. How was he able to disengage and deradicalise? And what more needs to be done in the UK to counter this ideology? Rule Britannia discovers Britains place in a fast changing world. Listen and subscribe now to Rule Britannia on Global Player or wherever you get your podcasts. https://www.lbc.co.uk/radio/presenters/tom-swarbrick/ Twitter @TomSwarbrick1

This week: As the U.K. leaves the European Union, Tom interviews Jeremy Hunt who could have been the Prime Minister to have taken the U.K. out and, as Foreign Secretary and Health Secretary, spent many years around the Cabinet table debating the best way forward for Britain. What will post-Brexit Britain do on the world stage? Will Britain’s ability to influence others diminish once outside of the EU? And what was Donald Trump really like in private? Tom also speaks to CNN anchor Bianca Nobilo who discusses the Coronavirus outbreak, the UK’s decision on Huawei and Trump’s Middle East Peace Plan” Rule Britannia discovers Britains place in a fast changing world. Listen and subscribe now to Rule Britannia on Global Player or wherever you get your podcasts. https://www.lbc.co.uk/radio/presenters/tom-swarbrick/ Twitter @TomSwarbrick1

This week: - With the world's countries poised to defend themselves against a threatening pandemic, what can be done to control the coronavirus, and what is China's role in controlling the situation. - In a bizarre turn, the Saudi Arabian crown prince is accused of being behind the recent hack of billionaire Jeff Bezo's iPhone. - And spies and spin, how a failed attempt to kill two former Russian spies let to the death of an innocent women and a campaign of misinformation. Join LBC's Tom Swarbrick for this episode of Rule Britannia, an in depth exploration of week's events and the news that didn't make the headlines. Tom interviews Elisabeth Braw, Senior Research Fellow of the Modern Deterrence Project at the Royal United Services Institute to find out, among other things, what can be done about the recent coronavirus pandemic, and the role China and the world play in controlling the disease. And in an exclusive interview with Tom McTague, Staff Writer for The Atlantic, Tom discovers what happened in Salisbury in March 2018, how connects to a massive Russian campaign of disinformation and just how deep the rabbit hole goes. Rule Britannia discovers Britains place in a fast changing world. Listen and subscribe now on Global Player or wherever you get your podcasts. https://www.lbc.co.uk/radio/presenters/tom-swarbrick/ Twitter @TomSwarbrick1

This week: - In a historic moment, president Trump swears in America's first Chief of Space Operations, what will be the worldwide response to policing space? - With Prime Minister Boris Johnson in support of Trump's Iran deal, will a lasting peace be possible from the current tensions in the Middle East? - And with space becoming a fearcly disputed territory, will Britain need a Space-Force? Join LBC's Tom Swarbrick for this episode of Rule Britannia, an in depth exploration of week's events and the news that didn't make the headlines. Tom interviews Sky News Defence and Security Correspondent Alistair Bunkall to find out how No.10 intend to move forward in issues including Iran, National Security, Huawei and the UK 5G network. And in an exclusive interview with Former UK Government Defence Minister Tobias Ellwood, Tom discovers the implications policing space could have in our daily lives. Rule Britannia discovers Britains place in a fast changing world. Listen and subscribe now on Global Player or wherever you get your podcasts. https://www.lbc.co.uk/radio/presenters/tom-swarbrick/ Twitter @TomSwarbrick1

This week: - Iran and the US, daggers drawn over the killing of the head of the Quds force in Baghdad, what happens next? - What will 2020 bring, and what can we expect from the new decade? The crystal ball comes out! - And with space becoming a fearcly disputed territory, will Britain need a Space-Force? Join LBC's Tom Swarbrick for this episode of Rule Britannia, an in depth exploration of week's events and the news that didn't make the headlines. Tom interviews The Daily Mail's defence and security editor Larisa Brown to find out what this year may bring in developments in the Middle East. And in an exclusive interview with Sir Lawrence Freedman, Tom discovers what the next ten years may hold in store and how world influence could be shifting to new quarters. Rule Britannia discovers Britains place in a fast changing world. Listen and subscribe now on Global Player or wherever you get your podcasts. https://www.lbc.co.uk/radio/presenters/tom-swarbrick/ Twitter @TomSwarbrick1

This week: - Why the US blocked a move by Britain at the UN to debate North Koreas Human Rights record. - Nobel peace prize winner and State Counsellor of Myanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi, faces allegations of genocide while she was in office. - In American politics, can president trump survive the impeachment process? - When the drugs don't work; what will be the worldwide impact of microbial resistance to modern medicine? Join LBC's Tom Swarbrick for this episode of Rule Britannia, an in depth exploration of week's events and the news that didn't make the headlines. Tom interviews ITV's security editor Rohit Kachroo for a breakdown of this week's pressing news and how this could affect the political landscape in Britain. And in an exclusive interview with Lord Jim O'Neill, Tom discovers the significant and worrying reality of growing anti-microbial resistance and the toll this could have on the world population in the near future. Rule Britannia discovers Britains place in a fast changing world. Listen and subscribe now on Global Player or wherever you get your podcasts. https://www.lbc.co.uk/radio/presenters/tom-swarbrick/ Twitter @TomSwarbrick1

This week: - Can Nato's deep divisions be healed? What does the future hold for world peace if the alliance was to dissolve? - With less than a week until the general election, which party holds the most influence, and where will the balance of power lie when the voted have been counted? Join LBC's Tom Swarbrick for this episode of Rule Britannia, an in depth exploration of week's events and the news that didn't make the headlines. Tom interviews Tim Marshal (former diplomatic editor and foreign affairs editor for Sky News), to find out what went on and the most recent NATO meeting. Plus Tom interviews Henry Jones, (Journalist covering defence and international security at the UK Defence Journal) and Sophia Gaston (Director of the British Foreign Policy Group) to find out what to expect from each party during the run up to voting day in the most recent general election. With so much at stake, how will this election shape Britain's future? Rule Britannia discovers Britains place in a fast changing world. Listen and subscribe now on Global Player or wherever you get your podcasts. https://www.lbc.co.uk/radio/presenters/tom-swarbrick/ Twitter @TomSwarbrick1

This week: - The row about Nato and its future sees Merkel throw diplomatic shade at Macron, day’s ahead of the summit in London. - China’s dark secret...the persecution of more than a million ethnic minority’s in detention camps... - And the growing row about cuts to the U.K. armed forces...is Britain leaving itself exposed? Join LBC's Tom Swarbrick for this episode of Rule Britannia, an in depth exploration of week's events and the news that didn't make the headlines. Tom interviews Lucy Fisher, defence editor for The Times, to find out answers to these questions and more. Plus Tom interviews the former National Security Advisor Sir Mark Lyall Grant about briefing the PM, and being in the UK’s equivalent of the situation room when terror came to Britain...How did the decision to bomb Syria affect Britain and the future of the World? Rule Britannia discovers Britains place in a fast changing world. Listen and subscribe now on Global Player or wherever you get your podcasts. https://www.lbc.co.uk/radio/presenters/tom-swarbrick/ Twitter @TomSwarbrick1