In this episode, Chris Wright and a panel of experts discuss the current geopolitical landscape, focusing on the Middle East, particularly the tensions between Israel and Iran, the implications of Trump's foreign policy, and the state of democracy in the U.S. The conversation delves into the complexities of regime change, the future of nuclear non-proliferation, and the challenges of expressing concerns about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The panelists also reflect on the rise of populism and its potential consequences for global politics. Finally they get to the bottom of why UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves was crying in The Commons…

The Panel:

Founder and Director of the Israeli Disarmament Movement, and the Middle East Treaty Organization, Sharon Dolev. Sharon was also the Israeli representative of the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize laureate International Campaign for Abolishing Nuclear Weapons (ICAN)

The China correspondent, and formerly the Middle East correspondent at the Times, Richard Spencer. Since October 7th Richard has stayed reporting on the Middle East as well as China - most recently focussing on the US/Israeli conflict with Iran.

Jean-Monnet Professor of European Integration at the National University of Ireland Maynooth, John O’Brennan

Writer, broadcaster, and columnist, Christina Patterson

Director at the Middle East Treaty Organization and co-author of Weapons of Mass Destruction: A new approach to non-proliferation Emad Kiyaei

Chapters

• Introduction and Overview of Global Issues
• Middle East Tensions: Israel, Iran, and the Nuclear Threat
• The Question of Regime Change in Iran
• Israel's Objectives and the Impact of Recent Attacks
• The Future of Nuclear Non-Proliferation in the Middle East
• The Complexity of Expressing Concerns about Gaza
• Global Perceptions of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
• Trump's Foreign Policy and Its Implications
• The State of American Democracy
• The Rise of Populism and Its Consequences
• Why Rachel Reeves was Crying & The Economy She Inherited
• How To Stop Nigel Farage

'I Hit The Nail Right On The Head' by Billy Bremner.

© Fridens liljor/Micke Finell.

Rock around the clock productions AB.

www.rockaroundtheclock.co

This episode was produced by Sound Sapien

Soundsapien.com

In this week’s episode Chris Wright is joined by: The Independent Member of Parliament for Great Yarmouth, Rupert Lowe, political commentator Lee Harris, and finally broadcast journalist and writer, Anna McGovern.

The panel discusses Trump’s tariffs, UK-US trade, Labour’s role in trade decisions, and the civil service’s influence on policy. They explore trade opportunities, EU policies, economic challenges, AI’s impact on jobs, and the need for political reform and better representation as the UK heads toward future elections.

Topics:

• Trump's tariffs are seen as detrimental to global trade.
• The UK is viewed as a sovereign nation post-Brexit.
• There are strategic opportunities for the UK amidst trade wars.
• The Labour Party's response to tariffs is uncertain.
• The civil service is perceived as ineffective and unaccountable.
• Political reform is necessary to address the two-party system in the UK.
• The panel believes that the British public is aware of their declining standard of living.
• There is skepticism about the Labour Party's ability to make smart trade decisions.
• The importance of respecting the 2016 Brexit vote is emphasized.
• The future of UK trade relations remains uncertain. The UK is facing higher tariffs compared to other countries entering the US market.
• Trade wars create a challenging environment with no clear winners.
• There are significant opportunities for the UK to negotiate better trade deals post-Brexit.
• The current government is perceived as failing to address economic challenges effectively.
• AI is transforming job markets, making it harder for graduates to find employment.
• The political landscape is shifting, with increasing public demand for change.
• The two-party system in the UK is seen as ineffective and outdated.
• Public sentiment is growing for a third party to emerge as a viable option.

We hope you enjoy this episode and feel free to get in touch with messages, comments or feedback at tom@soundsapien.com

Many thanks,

WOTN Team

'I Hit The Nail Right On The Head' by Billy Bremner.

© Fridens liljor/Micke Finell.

Rock around the clock productions AB.

www.rockaroundtheclock.co

This episode was produced by Sound Sapien

Soundsapien.com

In this week’s episode Chris Wright is joined by: Labour’s Member of the London Assembly for Merton and Wandsworth since 2016, Leonie Cooper, Jean-Monnet Professor of European Integration at the National University of Ireland Maynooth, John O’Brennan, and finally, former longtime editor of the Sunday Mirror, Nigel Nelson.


Topics:

• Rachel Reeves’s Spring Statement

• Is it a choice between tackling growth or inequality?

• John’s strong stance on Putin as a European expert.

• The Axis of China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran

• Is their method to Trump’s diplomatic bulldozing of the international community?

• Early signs of authoritarianism in the US.
  
  

The conversation covers Rachel Reeves' recent Spring Statement, the implications of austerity measures, the impact of Brexit on the UK economy, and the evolving dynamics of international relations, particularly concerning the Ukraine conflict and the role of the United States in global security. The conversation delves into the complexities of the Ukraine war, the integration of Russian-speaking minorities in the Baltic states, and the geopolitical implications of NATO and EU expansion. The speakers discuss the current military situation in Ukraine, the challenges of negotiating peace with Russia, and the ongoing occupation of Crimea. They also explore the rise of strongman leaders globally and the state of American democracy, emphasizing the importance of a free press in maintaining democratic values.


We hope you enjoy this episode and feel free to get in touch with messages, comments or feedback at tom@soundsapien.com

'I Hit The Nail Right On The Head' by Billy Bremner.

© Fridens liljor/Micke Finell.

Rock around the clock productions AB.

www.rockaroundtheclock.co

This episode was produced by Sound Sapien

Soundsapien.com