The Brink
The Brink is a podcast hosted by Daily Telegraph columnist Jake Wallis Simons and former parachute regiment officer Andrew Fox. They discuss pressing topics such as Israel, immigration, Ukraine, Islamism, and the rise of Reform UK, aiming to offer a common-sense perspective on how to bring the West back from the brink. The show features a variety of guests and is produced from the edge of current events.
Episodes
Gad Saad: Suicidal Empathy and the Slow Death of the West
Watch the full uncut interview HERE: https://open.substack.com/pub/thebrinkpodcast/p/gad-saad-suicidal-empathy-and-the?r=63dafp&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=trueIn this episode of The Brink, Andrew and Jake are joined by evolutionary psychologist, bestselling author, and podcast host Gad Saad to discuss his new book, Suicidal Empathy, and the ideas he believes ar
Francis Foster: Henry Nowak Proves Britain Is Broken
Watch the full uncut interview HERE: https://open.substack.com/pub/thebrinkpodcast/p/francis-foster-henry-nowak-proves?r=63dafp&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=trueIn this episode of The Brink, Andrew and Jake are joined by comedian, commentator, and Triggernometry co-host Francis Foster for a wide-ranging conversation on identity politics, education, free speech, a
“America is losing…” Trump’s former Iran expert Elliott Abrams
Watch the full uncut interview HERE: https://thebrinkpodcast.substack.comIn this episode of The Brink, Andrew and Jake are joined by former US Special Representative for Iran Elliott Abrams for a wide-ranging conversation on the aftermath of the Iran war, Donald Trump’s foreign policy, and the future of American power in the Middle East.We examine the state of Iran’s nuclear programme after the 12
The Brink in Somaliland: Rageh Omar on Israel and the new scramble for Africa
Watch the full uncut interview HERE: https://open.substack.com/pub/thebrinkpodcast/p/the-brink-in-somaliland-rageh-omar?r=63dafp&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=trueIn this episode of The Brink, Andrew and Jake are joined by journalist and broadcaster Rageh Omaar for a conversation from Hargeisa on the extraordinary story of Somaliland and why this unrecognised stat
“Which is worse…Piers Morgan or the BBC?” Julia Harley-Brewer on the media collapse
Watch the full uncut interview HERE: https://open.substack.com/pub/thebrinkpodcast/p/the-real-reason-british-politics?r=63dafp&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=trueIn this episode of The Brink, Andrew and Jake are joined by broadcaster and journalist Julia Hartley-Brewer. The discussion begins with the mounting pressure on Keir Starmer, with Julia arguing that his le
“I Was No Friend Of Israel… Then I Went There” | Claire Fox On The Collapse Of Britain
Watch the full uncut interview HERE: https://open.substack.com/pub/thebrinkpodcast/p/i-was-no-friend-of-israel-then-i?r=63dafp&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=trueIn this episode of The Brink, Andrew and Jake are joined by Claire Fox for a wide-ranging conversation on Britain’s political realignment, the rise of populism, free speech, and the cultural fallout from O
“We’ve Got to Fight Back” | Katharine Birbalsingh Sounds the Alarms
Watch the full uncut interview HERE: https://open.substack.com/pub/thebrinkpodcast/p/weve-got-to-fight-back-katharine?r=63dafp&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=trueIn this episode of The Brink, Andrew and Jake are joined by Katharine Birbalsingh to discuss education, culture and the pressing crisis facing young people today.Their conversation begins with a fundamenta
Can The West Survive Its Own Tolerance? (And can Keir Starmer survive at all?) With Daniel Hannan
In this episode of The Brink, Andrew and Jake are joined by Daniel Hannan for a wide-ranging conversation on freedom, identity, and the political challenges facing Britain today.The discussion begins with a debate around freedom of worship and the place of Islam in a liberal society. We explore how questions of integration, national security, and cultural confidence are increasingly colliding in m
‘Hezbollah is the enemy of humanity’ | Lebanese expert Makram Rabah
In this episode of The Brink, Andrew is joined by Lebanese historian and political analyst Makram Rabah for a deep dive into Hezbollah, Iran’s regional influence, and the fragile state of Lebanon.The conversation explores how Hezbollah has evolved from a militant group into a dominant political and military force within Lebanon, and what that means for the country’s sovereignty. Rabah explains how
Who’s the real winner? Air Marshal Edward Stringer on Iran, NATO & Western Decline
Watch the full and ad-free interview HERE: https://open.substack.com/pub/thebrinkpodcast/p/whos-the-real-winner-air-marshal?r=63dafp&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=trueIn this episode of The Brink, Andrew and Jake are joined by Air Marshall Edward Stringer, for a timely and wide-ranging conversation on Iran, NATO, and the future of Western power.We explore the ques
Why do feminists have a problem with Jews? | Zoe Strimpel
In this episode of The Brink, Andrew and Jake discuss modern feminism, anti-Semitism, and the contradictions in contemporary culture with journalist and academic Zoe Strimpel.Strimpel shares her shocking experience visiting an anti-Semitic art exhibit in Margate, describing the disturbing imagery and rhetoric. She challenges the artist, raising questions about political expression, hate, instituti
‘What would Thatcher do?’ Iran, Islam, Trump and Reform with Charles Moore
Watch the full uncut interview HERE: https://open.substack.com/pub/thebrinkpodcast/p/what-would-thatcher-do-iran-islam?r=63dafp&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=trueIn this episode of The Brink, we sit down with Charles Moore, former editor of The Daily Telegraph and The Spectator, and the definitive biographer of Margaret Thatcher, to examine a West in crisis.With g
“You Can’t Even Debate This” UK’s Islamism Problem, with former ambassador to Saudi Sir John Jenkins
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=trueIn 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 th
Lionel Shriver: Sectarian Muslim voting is changing our country
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
“The West must suffer to wake up”: Ukraine war snapper on the horror he saw first hand
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 wor
MI6 Spymaster Reveals The Shadow War in Iran
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 unde
What the Royal Navy’s shame says about Britain - Tom Sharpe OBE
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
Iran War: How the UN has been hijacked with Hillel Neuer
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
CIA Iran expert: This war will change global power
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 Irania
The War the Mainstream Media Doesn’t Show You: The Brink in Ukraine
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=trueIn 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 o
The Real Reason Israel Is Targeted - Haviv Rettig Gur
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 co
The Brutal & Honest Truth About Warfare in Gaza
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.An
Trump’s true strategy on Iran | Bonus episode
In this bonus episode Andrew and Jake were on Iran International for a special joint appearance on the London based anti regime television channel, bringing the podcast’s analysis directly to an Iranian audience watching from inside the country and across the diaspora.In a wide ranging conversation with Iranian presenter Negar Mojtahedi, who herself is on the regime’s death list, we discuss the br
What Sir Trevor Phillips really thinks about his old friend Peter Mandelson
In this episode of The Brink, we are joined by Sir Trevor Phillips, writer and broadcaster, for a wide-ranging and deeply revealing conversation about power, loyalty, identity, and the moral state of Britain.We begin with the explosive recent revelations surrounding Peter Mandelson and his association with Jeffrey Epstein. Sir Trevor speaks candidly about friendship, loyalty, and where moral lines
Iran Bloodbath: Why is the media silent?
Don't forget to claim your free one-month trial here: https://thebrinkpodcast.substack.com/newyeartrial In this episode of The Brink, we are joined by Atbin Moayedi & Haleh Blake to examine the unfolding catastrophe in Iran, where the death toll from the latest nationwide uprising has risen above 30,000 while much of the Western media remains largely silent.They have been working relentlessly
‘Final Hostages Are Home’ Palestinian Who Escaped from Hamas Speaks Out About Gaza’s Future
Don't forget to claim your free one-month trial here: https://thebrinkpodcast.substack.com/newyeartrial In this episode of The Brink, we are joined by Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, a Gaza-born analyst and one of the most prominent moderate Palestinian voices. Drawing on his upbringing in Gaza and his work today as a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, Ahmed offers a rare and deeply personal account of
Brendan O’Neill & Rachel Riley - The West’s Antisemitism Crisis | The Brink Live
In this special live episode of The Brink, Andrew and Jake are joined by Rachel Riley and Brendan O’Neill for a powerful and often confrontational discussion about antisemitism, Holocaust memory, and the moral collapse of Western institutions since October 7.We begin with the alarming decline of Holocaust education in British schools and ask why Jewish history is increasingly treated as a provocat
MUST WATCH: Michael Gove Slams “centrist dads” Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell
In this episode of The Brink, we sit down with Michael Gove, former Cabinet minister and one of the most influential figures in modern British politics, for a wide-ranging and unusually frank conversation about power, ideology, and the state of the country.Michael reflects on the dramatic realignment of British politics, from high-profile defections to Reform UK and the collapse of the old centris
Inside Iran: Everything The Legacy Media Won’t Tell You
In this episode of The Brink, Iranian researcher and analyst Kasra Aarabi joins us. He has extensive networks within Iran’s protest movement and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, offering a sobering and urgent account of the situation on the ground.Drawing on documents obtained from inside IRGC headquarters and direct contact with protest leaders, our guest explains how the regime’s vast infr
Kwasi Kwarteng: I’d do a better job than Rachel Reeves!
In this episode of The Brink, we sit down with Kwasi Kwarteng, former Chancellor of the Exchequer, for a wide-ranging and unusually candid conversation about power, politics, and the realities of governing Britain.Kwasi reflects on his dramatic rise and fall in office, the chaos surrounding the mini-budget, and what it was really like to be at the centre of one of the most turbulent moments in mod
New Year on The Brink: War, Lies, Power and the Collapse of Trust
In this special end of year episode of The Brink, Andrew and Jake look back on 2025, reflecting on the moments, conversations, and events that defined the year and shaped the world we are heading into in 2026.We revisit some of the standout interviews from the past twelve months, including conversations with Yoav Gallant, Yossi Cohen, Bari Weiss, Tom Holland, Neil Ferguson, and Nick Timothy. From
Bernard-Henri Lévy - 'Trump Is Splitting The West and The Jihadis Know It!'
In this episode of The Brink, we’re joined by French philosopher, writer, and public intellectual Bernard-Henri Lévy for a wide ranging conversation about the fate of the West, the wars in Ukraine and Israel, and the values now under threat across liberal democracies.Bernard explains why Ukraine and Israel are fighting the same battle against the same enemies, and why Russia, Iran, Hamas, and radi
Revealed: How British and European taxes fund Hamas
In this episode of The Brink, we’re joined by Anne Herzberg, Legal Adviser at NGO Monitor, to examine how international NGOs have become deeply entangled with Hamas in Gaza and how Western taxpayer money has been misused as a result.Anne walks us through explosive findings based on Hamas documents seized by the IDF, revealing how aid organisations were monitored, infiltrated, and manipulated throu
Ed Husain: Is Islam compatible with the West?
In this episode of The Brink, we’re joined by Ed Husain, author of The Islamist and Among the Mosques, to explore the roots of Islamist extremism, the rise of the Muslim Brotherhood, and what has gone wrong inside parts of Britain’s Muslim community.Ed traces the movement’s origins from Hassan al-Banna and Sayyid Qutb through to modern-day Hamas, explaining how fascist ideas, humiliation after emp
‘It’s activism masquerading as journalism’: Former Sky newsreader and director of BBC TV speak out
In this episode of The Brink, we’re joined by Colin Brazier, former Sky News presenter, and Danny Cohen, former Director of Television at the BBC, for an insider look at how Britain’s media lost its way.Drawing on decades inside Sky and the BBC, Colin and Danny explain how activism crept into journalism, how impartiality was replaced by ideology, and why both institutions now struggle with trust,
Now Europe Must Face Both Trump and Putin: War Correspondent’s First-Hand Take | David Patrikarakos
In this episode of The Brink, we’re joined by David Patrikarakos, foreign correspondent and author of War in 140 Characters, for a gripping conversation on the end of the Pax Americana, the future of Ukraine, and the rise of a new global order.David explains why he argues that Putin’s invasion is not just about territory, but about rewriting the rules of the world order. From the fall of Bretton W
Tory Defector Alan Mendoza: 'All I Care About Now Is A Reform Win'
In this episode of The Brink, we sit down with Alan Mendoza, Executive Director of the Henry Jackson Society and newly appointed Chief Adviser on Global Affairs for Reform UK. Alan reflects on his political journey from lifelong Conservative to joining Reform, and why he believes Britain needs bold, radical change to confront the crises it faces at home and abroad.We talk about the decline of the
Nick Timothy MP - We Must Stop The Islamist Takeover of Britain
In this episode of The Brink, we sit down with Nick Timothy, Conservative MP and former Downing Street adviser, for a powerful conversation about extremism, free speech, and the cultural challenges reshaping Britain.We begin with the recent Aston Villa controversy, where Israeli fans were banned from attending a match against Maccabi Tel Aviv. Nick explains what this decision reveals about fear, c
Nigel Biggar: Slavery, Empire and The Tyranny of Guilt
In this episode of The Brink, we sit down with Lord Nigel Biggar, theologian, ethicist, and author, for a fearless examination of Britain’s imperial past and the moral panic surrounding slavery, reparations, and “decolonisation.”We discuss the truth about Cecil Rhodes and the “Rhodes Must Fall” movement, how history has been distorted for ideological ends, and why modern activists are waging war o
Sir Niall Ferguson: “We’ve Torn Up the Foundations of Our Civilisation”
In this episode of The Brink, we sit down with historian and writer Niall Ferguson for a sweeping conversation on the West’s cultural and moral decline, from the rise of radical progressivism and Islamist ideology to the erosion of faith, patriotism, and social cohesion.Ferguson traces how Western elites, having abandoned Christianity and traditional values, opened the door to new forms of ideolog
Tom Holland - “A Civilisational Earthquake” The Fall of Christianity and Rise of Islam in the West
In this episode of The Brink, Jake sits down with Tom Holland, historian and co-host of The Rest Is History, for a profound conversation about faith, Western civilisation, and the moral roots of our culture.We explore how Christianity shaped the West’s ideas of compassion, morality, and universal values — and what happens when a society begins to forget those origins. Holland explains how the cult
‘We are deeply compromised’ Britain’s National Security Crisis with Lord Walney & MP Tom Tugendhat
In this episode of The Brink, we sit down with Lord Walney (John Woodcock) and MP Tom Tugendhat, former Security Minister, for a deep dive into Britain’s growing national security crisis. From Russian assassination plots and Chinese espionage to Iranian influence and homegrown extremism, this conversation exposes the threats the UK can no longer afford to ignore.We discuss how Britain’s institutio
Banning Israeli Football Fans: A New Low for Britain | The Brink Rapid Response
In this Rapid Response clip, we react to Aston Villa’s shocking decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending their upcoming Europa League match — a move that has sparked outrage and raised serious questions about double standards, fear, and antisemitism in Britain.Andrew and Jake unpack how a combination of local politics, police weakness, and community intimidation led to this decision —
Mossad Spymaster Reveals the Truth About Espionage, Netanyahu, Pagers, Qatar and The Propaganda War
In this episode of The Brink, we sit down with Yossi Cohen, former Director of Mossad and one of the world’s most renowned spymasters. From leading the 2018 raid on Iran’s nuclear archive to brokering the Abraham Accords, Cohen has shaped some of the most pivotal moments in recent Middle Eastern history.We discuss the art of intelligence, emotional control under extreme pressure, and the secrets b
The Hostage Release Changes Everything: Exploring Trump’s Deal, the Future of Gaza and Hamas
In this Rapid Response episode of The Brink, we react to the breaking news that Israeli hostages have finally been freed after two years in Hamas captivity. A moment of relief, sorrow, and reckoning for Israel and the wider West.We discuss the emotional weight of their return, the moral clarity of this moment, and what it reveals about the divide between those who stand for life and those who just
[Exclusive] Yoav Gallant - Harsh Truths About Hamas, Gaza & the West | Former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav
In this episode of The Brink, we sat down with General Yoav Gallant, former Israeli Defence Minister during October 7th and the first year of the war, to discuss the future of Gaza, Britain’s stance under Keir Starmer, and the survival of Israel in the face of unprecedented threats.Gallant reflects on the horror of October 7th, the necessity of military force to bring hostages home, and why he bel
Terror Attack in Manchester: We Knew This Was Coming…
Something different today… this is our Substack Rapid Response, where we break down the horrific events in Manchester, a suspected terror attack leaving victims injured and now dead and a community shaken.We break down the CST’s frontline role in protecting synagogues, to the toxic propaganda climate fuelling antisemitism, to Britain’s wider counter-terror failures. We dig into what this means for
“There's a Trap Here” The Truth Behind Trump’s Gaza Plan: What the Media Won’t Tell You…
In this clip from The Brink’s Rapid Response, we break down Donald Trump’s 20-point Gaza plan and what it means for Israel, Hamas, and the wider Middle East.We look at why Trump put hostages first, how his plan contrasts with Europe’s approach, and why even countries like Qatar and Turkey are backing it. We also discuss the risks of Hamas playing for time, the possibility of infiltration after the
Bari Weiss - Crisis of Trustworthiness: Death of Legacy Media and What Comes Next...
In this episode of The Brink, we sit down with journalist and media entrepreneur Bari Weiss to talk about the collapse of trust in our institutions, the rise of anti-Semitism, and the future of journalism in America and the West.Bari reflects on leaving The New York Times at the height of 2020’s cultural upheaval, why she founded The Free Press, and what it takes to build media that people can act
The Brink Begins: Tommy’s March, Islam and UN Report on Gaza
Was the Tommy Robinson rally a good or bad thing? What did it say about the state of British politics, Christianity and the West? Is there true evidence of “genocide” in Gaza? And what happened when Andrew was engaged in a firefight with Taliban jihadis outside a mosque? Join Daily Telegraph columnist and foreign correspondent Jake Wallis Simons and former parachute regiment officer and geopolitic
Welcome To The Brink...
Sometimes the world feels like it’s on the edge—from conflict in Ukraine and the Middle East to culture wars dividing us here at home. From Israel to immigration, it can feel like the West is losing its way. That’s why we created The Brink.Hosted by Jake Wallis Simons and Andrew Fox, the podcast aims to cut through the noise to uncover the real implications, hidden angles, and the tough questions
