Intelligence Squared

What are the connections between propaganda about the Russian Empire and the invasion of Ukraine? Mikhail Zygar, a renowned Russian dissident journalist, is the founding editor-in-chief of Russian news TV channel Dozhd, who was forced to close his company and flee the country after condemning the invasion. In July 2023 he came to Intelligence Squared to share his insights into the power struggles and myths that shape Russo-Ukrainian relations today. Drawing on his new book War and Punishment: Putin, Zelensky, and the Path to Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine, Zygar explored how pervasive historical myths about Ukraine led Russian President Putin to underestimate the growing influence of Volodymyr Zelensky, the television comic who ultimately became Ukraine’s president. Joining Zygar in conversation is Edward Lucas, columnist at The Times and an expert on National Security.

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Samira Ahmed speaks to comedian Katherine Ryan, as part of the Intelligence Squared series How I Found My Voice. From working at Hooters and her first stand-up gigs to watching TV with her mum, they discuss the moments that inspired Katherine to find her voice and, in her own words, be a disruptive woman. This episode was first aired in 2019. How I Found My Voice explores how some of the world's greatest artists and thinkers became such compelling and unique communicators. 

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Food has always been more than just fuel. Beyond mere nourishment, food carries deep meaning in our lives. It evokes feelings of comfort and joy and it can ignite disagreement and discord. It serves as a powerful link to culture and identity, creating a sense of belonging and community.

In August 2023 we were joined by restaurateur and author Ravinder Bhogal and award-winning writer and broadcaster Kavita Puri, as they discussed the politics of food in our increasingly globalised world. Exploring the arguments around culinary authenticity, they asked how genuine food needs to be in a multicultural society. Can recipes be subject to cultural appropriation? And what happens when a people lose their cuisine, as has happened to some Palestinian people who have been living on UN food aid for so long they have lost touch with their traditional cuisine?

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Among wine lovers, there is no greater divide than that between Burgundy and Bordeaux. These are the world’s most celebrated wine regions. What separates them and why the great rivalry? Back in 2015 we invited two of the UK's top wine critics, Jancis Robinson and Hugh Johnson, to debate the issue. Chairing the event was Michelin-starred chef and restauranteur Michel Roux Jr. 

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Television and radio broadcaster Aasmah Mir speaks about her recent memoir A Pebble In The Throat, which looks at the interwoven narratives found between the experiences of her own childhood growing up in Glasgow in Scotland and that of her parents raised in Pakistan. Joining her to discuss the book is Iranian-American novelist Dina Nayeri, author of the The Ungrateful Refugee.  

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What is the nature of authentic creativity in a world of artificial intelligence? In this episode, artist Sarah Meyohas, whose practice explores the technologies that are transforming society, speaks to Albert Read, the managing director of Condé Nast Britain and author of The Imagination Muscle. His brilliant book is a guide to honing our human skills of creation in a complex and increasingly automated world. Together, they discuss originality, authorship, and the enduring power of the artist.

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Samira Ahmed speaks to one of Britain's most popular podcasters - Adam Buxton. From experimenting with early video recorders to his David Bowie impressions and comedic use of Star Wars figurines on national television, Buxton talks about the moments that shaped and inspired his voice. This discussion first aired on our award-winning podcast, How I Found My Voice, in 2019.

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Both Queen Elizabeth I and Queen Victoria set their stamp firmly on their era but which was the greater monarch? In this event, recorded in 2017, we welcomed Philippa Gregory, bestselling author of the Tudor Court series of novels to make the case for Queen Elizabeth I, and in the other corner was Daisy Goodwin, writer of the hit ITV series Victoria, arguing the case for that the show’s namesake. Actors Fiona Shaw and Greta Scacchi were onstage to bring the personas of these historical icons to life and our host for the evening was historian and television presenter Dan Jones.

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Samira Ahmed speaks to the chef Yotam Ottolenghi, who has arguably done more than any other food writer in recent times to change the way we cook and eat. In 2014 the American food magazine Bon Appétit wrote that he had ‘made the world love vegetables’ – although he himself is not a vegetarian. They speak about his life and career, from discovering his love of food in Jerusalem and that his grandmother was a Mossad spy to his professional partnership with Palestinian chef Sami Tamimi and navigating what it means to be a gay man and parent. He is the author of numerous cookbooks including Simple and Flavour. This discussion first aired on our award-winning podcast, How I Found My Voice, in 2021.

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The annals of ancient Rome’s first emperors have been recounted countless times. However, in his new book, Palatine: An Alternative History of the Caesars, former editor of The Times Peter Stothard presents a fresh perspective. Stothard shifts the focus to the individuals who orbited around figures such as Tiberius, Caligula, and Claudius – the courtiers, flatterers, slaves, former slaves, gluttons and party animals who formed their entourage. He joins our host, fellow classicist Daisy Dunn, to share his insights.

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