The Brink

Watch the full uncut interview HERE: https://open.substack.com/pub/thebrinkpodcast/p/you-cant-even-debate-this-uks-islamism?r=63dafp&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

In this episode of The Brink, Andrew and Jake are joined by former British diplomat and intelligence expert John Jenkins for a deep dive into the influence of Islamism, the Muslim Brotherhood, and the growing challenges facing Britain and the West.

The conversation begins with the controversy surrounding public religious displays in Britain, and whether questions around cultural dominance and the use of public space can still be debated openly. Jenkins argues that these are legitimate issues, but increasingly difficult to discuss without accusations shutting down the conversation.

Drawing on his 2015 government review, he explains how Islamism differs from Islam, and why movements like the Muslim Brotherhood present a long-term ideological challenge to Western liberal democracies. The discussion explores how these ideas operate not just politically, but through social networks, charities, universities, and community structures.

The episode also examines the concept of “creeping influence” within public life, from changing social norms to the role of identity and integration in Britain. Jenkins stresses that the problem is not simple or singular, but part of a broader ideological ecosystem that interacts with wider cultural and economic factors.

Turning to foreign policy, the conversation shifts to Iran, with Jenkins arguing that Western governments have consistently misunderstood the nature of the regime. He critiques decades of policy shaped by wishful thinking, warning that Iran operates as a revolutionary state with global ambitions and deep links to militant networks.

Finally, the discussion focuses on what Britain should do next. Jenkins outlines a clear approach: restore open debate, follow the money behind extremist networks, rebuild institutional expertise, and confront subversive activity before it escalates into violence.

A wide-ranging and provocative conversation about ideology, security, and the future of the West.

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction

02:49 Who Is Sir John Jenkins? Background and Experience

03:26 Is Public Religious Display a Political Signal?

05:21 Why Islamism Challenges Western Liberal Democracy

07:48 Islam as Religion vs Islamism as Political System

08:59 Can Islam Be Compatible With Western Democracy?

12:01 Islamism as a Totalising Ideology

14:41 The Muslim Brotherhood’s Long-Term Strategy

17:33 Why Debate on Islamism Is Being Shut Down

18:50 Social Media, Intimidation and Closed Debate

19:34 Universities, DEI and Ideological Monoculture

21:33 The Muslim Brotherhood as a Global Network

24:20 Follow the Money: Financing Islamist Movements

27:52 Integration, Identity and Segregation in Britain

30:17 Economic Growth vs Cultural Fragmentation

31:04 Mosques, Preaching and Inflammatory Rhetoric

33:03 The Rise of a Global Muslim Identity

34:40 Iran Strategy: Where the West Got It Wrong

36:45 The Nuclear Deal, Wishful Thinking and Reality

40:41 Foreign Office Failures and Loss of Expertise

42:29 Is Iran a Revolutionary State and Active Threat?

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In this episode of The Brink, we are joined by Lionel Shriver for a wide-ranging conversation anchored in the results of the Gorton and Denton by-election and what they reveal about the changing political landscape in Britain.

Using the by-election as a starting point, we explore how immigration, identity politics, and cultural division are reshaping British politics. Lionel reflects on the growing disconnect between political elites and the public, and why questions around national identity, integration, and social cohesion are increasingly dominating the political conversation.

The discussion also turns to the wider cultural climate in the West. We examine the pressures shaping public debate, the influence of identity politics in media and institutions, and why many writers and public figures now feel constrained in what they can say openly. Lionel explains why she believes a culture of self-censorship has taken hold and how this affects journalism, literature, and democratic discourse.

Finally, we ask what the future holds for Western societies as these tensions deepen. Are we witnessing a political realignment driven by cultural issues, and what does that mean for the stability of democratic institutions?

This is a candid and thought-provoking conversation about politics, culture, and the forces now reshaping Britain and the wider West.

Watch the full uncut interview HERE: https://open.substack.com/pub/thebrinkpodcast/p/sectarian-muslim-voting-is-changing?r=63dafp&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction

03:22 Reaction to the Gorton & Denton By-Election

05:37 Immigration, Demographics and Political Power

07:08 Tribal Voting and the Breakdown of Assimilation

08:16 Identity Politics and the Green Party Alliance

10:18 Israel, Palestine and Progressive Politics

10:58 Who Is Manipulating Whom? Greens vs Muslim Voters

12:32 The Muslim Brotherhood and Political Strategy

15:22 Is Islam Compatible With Liberal Democracy?

18:38 Historical Parallels: Lessons from the Iranian Revolution

20:15 Lionel Shriver’s Novel A Better Life and Immigration

24:20 Borders, Nationhood and the Ideological Divide

26:32 Immigration as “Home Invasion” — The Novel’s Metaphor

27:26 Old Immigration vs Modern Immigration

31:14 Choosing the Right Immigration Policy

36:23 Disorder, Gang Culture and Failed Integration

37:12 Meet the Characters: Gloria and Progressive Compassion

39:16 Nico and the Collapse of the Work Ethic

43:41 Domingo, Masculinity and Cultural Conflict

48:29 The Decline of Western Work Ethic

51:03 Is There a Sensible Middle Ground on Immigration?

54:40 The Crisis of Western Identity

56:13 Civilisations in Decline and Cultural Self-Hatred

59:19 Complacency, Fragility and the Future of the West

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In this bonus episode of The Brink, recorded in Kyiv, Andrew and Jake speak with American photojournalist Christopher Occhicone, who has spent years documenting the war in Ukraine from the front line.

Chris explains what it is like to report from the battlefield with nothing but a camera, capturing the brutal realities of trench warfare, drone attacks, and the human cost of the conflict. Having worked closely with Ukrainian soldiers, medics, and civilians since 2014, he reflects on the desperation faced by those fighting and living through the war, and the difficulty of communicating that reality to audiences in the West.

The conversation explores what many Europeans and Americans still fail to grasp about the conflict, from the psychological toll on Ukrainian society to the stark difference between watching war on a screen and experiencing it firsthand. Chris also shares how his work has evolved beyond journalism, helping wounded soldiers access treatment and prosthetics while continuing to document the stories of those caught in the conflict.

Finally, he reflects on the personal motivations that brought him to Ukraine in the first place, including a desire to understand the wartime experiences of his grandfather and the powerful bonds formed among people facing danger together.

This is a raw and deeply personal conversation from the heart of a country still fighting for its survival.

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In this episode of The Brink, we are joined by Richard Dearlove, former Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service, for a wide-ranging conversation about intelligence, geopolitics, and the mounting confrontation between the West and the Iranian regime.

Sir Richard draws on decades of experience at the heart of Britain’s intelligence community to explain how the current crisis with Iran should be understood. We discuss the strategic calculations behind Western and Israeli actions, how intelligence agencies assess regime stability, and why the Islamic Republic remains such a persistent threat to regional and global security.

The conversation also explores the role of intelligence in modern conflict, from covert operations and alliance cooperation to the limits of diplomacy when dealing with ideological regimes. Sir Richard reflects on how Western intelligence services interpret signals from Tehran, the risks of escalation in the Middle East, and what the conflict could mean for the wider balance of power.

Finally, we look at the long-term future of the Iranian regime and whether internal pressure, economic strain, and external confrontation could ultimately lead to its collapse.

This is a rare and revealing conversation with one of Britain’s most experienced intelligence figures about espionage, statecraft, and the high-stakes struggle now unfolding in the Middle East.

Watch the full uncut interview HERE: https://open.substack.com/pub/thebrinkpodcast/p/mi6-spymaster-reveals-the-shadow?r=63dafp&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

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In this episode of The Brink, we are joined by military analyst and former Royal Navy officer Tom Sharpe to examine Britain’s response to the escalating crisis in the Middle East and the deeper problems facing the UK’s armed forces.

We begin by looking at the current military situation around Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, including the role of naval deployments, missile threats, and the strategic importance of keeping global shipping lanes open. Tom explains why the UK’s naval presence matters in this kind of conflict and what capabilities British forces could realistically contribute alongside the United States.

The conversation then turns to a wider critique of Britain’s defence posture. From delays in deploying ships to chronic shortages of equipment and personnel, we explore how decades of decline have left the Royal Navy and wider armed forces stretched dangerously thin. Tom also breaks down the failures in defence procurement, the waste within the system, and why Britain struggles to translate a large defence budget into real military capability.

Finally, we discuss the strategic choices facing the UK. Should Britain focus on European security and the Russian threat, or continue playing a global role alongside the United States in regions like the Middle East? And what would it actually take to rebuild a military capable of meeting the challenges of an increasingly unstable world?

This is a candid and sobering discussion about Britain’s military decline, the realities of modern warfare, and the urgent reforms needed if the UK is to remain a credible power.

Watch the full uncut interview HERE: https://open.substack.com/pub/thebrinkpodcast/p/what-the-royal-navys-shame-says-about?r=63dafp&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

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In this episode of The Brink, we are joined by Hillel Neuer to examine the role of the United Nations during the escalating crisis in Iran and to ask whether the institution is still capable of acting as a moral authority in world affairs.

Hillel argues that the UN’s response to the Iranian uprising has exposed deep structural problems within the organisation. While tens of thousands of protesters were reportedly killed during the regime’s crackdown, many UN bodies remained largely silent, yet quickly condemned the United States and Israel when military action was taken against the Iranian regime.

We explore how authoritarian states have gradually come to dominate key UN institutions, from the Human Rights Council to special rapporteur positions, and why mechanisms that were originally intended to defend human rights are now often used to advance political agendas. Hillel also explains how propaganda, procedural manoeuvres, and ideological alliances shape the way international law and legitimacy are discussed on the global stage.

Finally, we ask whether the UN can realistically be reformed, or whether democracies must find new ways to defend liberal values in a world where authoritarian regimes increasingly shape international institutions.

This is a candid and provocative conversation about international law, moral authority, and the struggle over the institutions meant to uphold the global order.

Watch the full uncut interview HERE: https://thebrinkpodcast.substack.com/p/iran-war-how-the-un-has-been-hijacked?r=63dafp

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction

03:21 The UN’s Reaction to the Iran Protests

05:00 Why the UN Condemns the US and Israel

06:36 October 7 and the UN’s Anti-Israel Bias

10:12 Why the UN Still Won’t Condemn Hamas

10:45 How Dictatorships Captured the UN

12:25 Why the UN Still Holds Global Legitimacy

14:14 Is the UN Actually Effective?

15:52 Can the UN Be a Neutral Legal Arbiter?

18:58 Iran’s Long War Against America

20:00 When International Law Undermines National Interest

21:39 Why Moral Action Sometimes Means Ignoring the UN

25:00 How the UN Was Hijacked After Decolonisation

27:00 The Role of the UN Secretariat

29:17 Special Rapporteurs and the Accountability Problem

35:05 The Genocide Accusations Against Israel Explained

40:30 Calling Out Hypocrisy at the United Nations

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In this episode of The Brink, we sit down with Norman Roule to unpack the unfolding war with Iran and the strategic thinking behind the campaign against the Islamic Republic.

We discuss how the military operation has unfolded so far, why Iran’s response has followed a predictable pattern of drones and ballistic missiles, and what the campaign reveals about the strengths and weaknesses of the Iranian regime. Norman explains why Tehran may avoid closing the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic miscalculations that may have shaped Iran’s early decisions, and how Gulf states are navigating a conflict happening on their doorstep.

The conversation also explores the broader geopolitical stakes. We examine the role of intelligence cooperation between the United States and Israel, the limits of air power in forcing regime change, and the difficult question of what a post-conflict Iran might look like. Could the regime collapse, or could the country descend into fragmentation and unrest?

Finally, we discuss the long-term implications for the Middle East, from the future of the Abraham Accords to the possibility of deeper security integration among Gulf states. This is a wide-ranging and sobering conversation about war, intelligence, and the uncertain path toward a more stable Middle East.

Watch the full uncut interview HERE: https://open.substack.com/pub/thebrinkpodcast/p/cia-iran-expert-this-war-will-change?r=63dafp&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction

03:24 Inside the US Campaign Against Iran

05:42 Why Iran Won’t Close the Strait of Hormuz

08:00 Strategic Failures Inside the Iranian Regime

10:05 Why This Was the “Moment” to Act

11:54 The Courage of the Iranian People

15:00 Trump’s Strategy: Keep the Enemy Guessing

17:02 The Kurdish Question and Risks of Fragmenting Iran

19:28 Why Iranian Protests Haven’t Overthrown the Regime

22:09 Can Air Power Bring Down the Islamic Republic?

25:37 US–Israel Intelligence Cooperation Against Iran

30:32 The Gulf States’ Real Position on the War

35:33 Why the Gulf Feels Abandoned by the International Community

38:10 Europe, Trump and the Fracturing of the Western Alliance

40:00 Will the Abraham Accords Expand After This War?

42:12 How Defeating Iran’s Proxies Could Transform the Middle East

46:57 The Intelligence Case for War With Iran

49:40 Imminent Threats, Terrorism and the Logic of Military Action

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Watch the full uncut interview HERE: https://open.substack.com/pub/thebrinkpodcast/p/the-war-the-mainstream-media-doesnt?r=63dafp&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

In this special episode of The Brink, recorded in Kyiv to mark the fourth anniversary of Vladimir Putin’s full-scale invasion, Andrew and Jake bring you a powerful double interview from the front line of Europe’s most consequential war.

In the first half, we are joined by Colonel Ruslan Miroshnichenko, known by Santa, founder and commander of Ukraine’s Second International Legion. He tells the extraordinary story of building a multinational fighting force from scratch in the first chaotic weeks of the invasion, drawing volunteers from more than 30 countries. From British and American veterans to Colombian, Georgian, and Australian fighters, Santa explains what motivated them to leave their lives behind and fight for Ukraine.

He describes the brutal reality of trench warfare in the Serebriansky Forest, the evolution of drone and electronic warfare, and the moral weight of commanding both seasoned soldiers and inexperienced young volunteers. We also hear gripping stories from the front line, including the capture of Russian prisoners, the human cost of the war, and the responsibility he feels towards the families of fallen international fighters.

In the second half, we are joined by Heorhii Tykhyi, former war correspondent and now a senior diplomat at Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Georgi reflects on the staggering casualty figures on both sides and argues that despite Russia’s vast losses, Vladimir Putin has failed strategically. We discuss the state of the peace process, the role of the United States under President Trump, and whether Washington remains a reliable partner for Kyiv.

The conversation broadens to the emerging axis of Russia, Iran, North Korea, and China, and why Ukraine sees itself not as a recipient of Western charity but as a battle-hardened asset to European security. Georgi makes the case that Ukraine’s experience, technology, and resilience are essential to the future defence of the West.

This is a sobering and urgent episode from the Ukrainian capital, combining battlefield reality with geopolitical strategy, and asking what it will truly take to secure peace in Europe.

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction

03:05 Zelensky’s Call and the Birth of the International Legion

04:55 Who Joined? 30–40 Nations on the Front Line

09:34 Motivation: Idealism, Not Money

13:31 What Modern War in Ukraine Actually Looks Like

16:01 “Now You’re the Taliban” – Firepower Reality Check

17:49 Amateurs at War: Can You Train Civilians Fast Enough?

21:26 Holding the Sebriansky Forest: 13 Months Under Fire

23:18 Russia’s “Meat Grinder” Tactics Explained

24:29 Capturing Russian POWs: Drunk, Lost, and Mobilised

29:06 Respecting the Enemy and Adapting to Russian Tactics

31:42 Electronic Warfare and Intelligence Games

33:47 The Burden of Command: Speaking to Bereaved Families

35:56 Kyiv’s War Memorial and the Cost of Sacrifice

37:10 Casualty Figures: A Million Russian Losses?

39:30 Is This a Strategic Failure for Putin?

40:44 World War II Comparisons and Russian Myth-Making

42:26 The Peace Process: Pressure, Ultimatums and Reality

43:29 America’s Role: Partner, Powerbroker or Problem?

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In this episode of The Brink, we are joined by Haviv Rettig Gur for a wide-ranging and deeply probing conversation about why Israel is so disproportionately hated, and what that hostility reveals about the state of the West.

We begin with the disruption of Haviv’s lecture at Haverford College, where keffiyeh-clad activists attempted to shut down a talk on Jewish history and the charge of settler colonialism. Haviv reflects on the ignorance driving campus activism, the collapse of serious historical scholarship, and the failure of elite universities to equip students with intellectual depth or empathy.

Haviv argues that Israel’s strength lies in its synthesis of Western democracy and Middle Eastern solidarity, combining liberal institutions with a deep sense of tribal cohesion and shared destiny. We discuss why that social trust has produced military resilience, demographic growth, technological innovation, and high levels of national happiness, even during wartime.

The conversation also examines the broader crisis facing Western societies, from cultural self-erasure and collapsing social trust to the information warfare being waged by hostile states and ideological movements. We ask whether the West can rediscover the solidarity that once sustained it, and whether Israel’s model offers lessons rather than condemnation.

In the second part of the episode, Andrew joins to discuss his new Henry Jackson Society report, Tactical Lessons from Gaza, and what Western militaries must learn from the war. We examine how Hamas weaponised civilian casualties, how the information battlefield reshaped global opinion, and how Israel adapted its military doctrine in real time to meet the challenge of urban and tunnel warfare.

This is a searching and urgent conversation about identity, democracy, and whether the West still has the confidence to defend the civilisation it built.

Watch the full uncut interview HERE: https://open.substack.com/pub/thebrinkpodcast/p/the-real-reason-israel-is-targeted?r=63dafp&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

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In this episode of The Brink, Andrew is in the hot seat as we discuss his new report for the Henry Jackson Society, Tactical Lessons from Gaza, a detailed and highly praised analysis of the war and what Western militaries can learn from it. The report has been read and commended by senior military figures around the world, including four-star generals in the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Andrew explains why the Gaza war has become the most politicised conflict in modern history, and how Hamas successfully turned battlefield defeat into strategic influence by weaponising civilian casualty figures. We unpack how propaganda, NGOs, international institutions, and the media helped reshape the narrative of the war, often ignoring context, verification, and basic military realities.

The conversation moves deep into the realities of combat in Gaza. We explore Hamas’ vast tunnel network, the use of human shields, and the extraordinary bravery required of Israeli soldiers fighting underground. Andrew sets out how the IDF adapted in real time, developing new approaches to combined arms warfare, intelligence fusion, special forces integration, and urban combat under unprecedented conditions.

We also examine operational and logistical failures, from ammunition shortages to supply chains under fire, and what these challenges reveal about Western unpreparedness for large-scale war. The discussion covers intelligence failures before October 7, the limits of technology without human intelligence, and why information warfare now plays a decisive role in shaping public support for conflict.

Finally, we turn to the most important lessons of all. Andrew explains how Israel dramatically reduced battlefield deaths through medical innovation, forward-deployed doctors, and whole blood transfusion, saving hundreds of lives that would have been lost in earlier wars. We ask whether Britain and its allies are willing to learn these lessons, or whether ideology and propaganda will once again stand in the way.

This is a rigorous, challenging, and essential conversation about modern warfare, truth, and what the West must confront before the next major conflict arrives.

Watch the full uncut interview HERE: https://open.substack.com/pub/thebrinkpodcast/p/the-brutal-and-honest-truth-about?r=63dafp&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

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