These Times

<p>UnHerd political editor Tom McTague and Cambridge professor Helen Thompson team up to investigate the history of today’s politics — and what it means for our future. Each week they will explore the great forces, ideas and events that led us to where we are, whether in Britain, the United States, Europe or beyond. It’s a politics podcast for those who want a deeper, historical understanding of the news, to understand what has really shaped our world and why. We hope you enjoy! Don’t forget to rate, like and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts — and, of course, to get in touch with all your questions and comments so we can respond in future episodes. </p><br><p>Email us at <a href="mailto:thesetimes@unherd.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">thesetimes@unherd.com</a> or tweet us at @thesetimespod</p><br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

Can Syria Survive?

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

12-17
01:07:45

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

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

12-10
45:26

Revolution in Syria

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

12-09
47:24

Starmer adrift: What future for British politics?

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

12-03
01:03:38

Putin escalates: The threat of World War Three

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

11-26
01:02:25

Donald Trump: Peacemaker President?

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

11-19
01:01:36

Is Pop Culture Right Wing?

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

11-14
01:01:02

What Trump Means: Musk and Mars, Germany and Ukraine

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

11-12
01:05:14

Donald Trump: The Sequel

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

11-07
38:27

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

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

11-05
59:13

Kemi Badenoch: On Race, Empire and Roger Scruton

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

10-30
49:58

Israel Attacks Iran

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

10-29
01:06:43

These Times Live: The Most Important Election in Modern History

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

10-23
01:09:12

Wanted: Europe’s Missing Leader

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

10-22
01:06:00

100 Days of Starmer: The Ghosts of British Politics

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

10-14
01:08:05

Israel Prepares to Strike Iran

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

10-07
01:00:21

Why Nasrallah’s Death Changes Everything

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

09-30
01:02:45

Tom Tugendhat: The Outside Bet?

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

09-26
51:29

Labour's Crisis Conference?

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

09-25
47:04

Hezbollah & Israel: Lebanon Stares into the Abyss

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

09-23
01:02:46

Tom Flynn

This guy is no Helen Thompson

07-08 Reply

Tom Flynn

The end is cut off again

11-10 Reply

J Coker

Before arriving at Liverpool rail station in the 80s, there was graffiti 'Cockneys you will die'.

10-11 Reply

Jeff Carr

Pleased to listen to Helen Thompson on podcast again. Her sensible and balanced contributions have been greatly missed.

05-11 Reply

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