Rory Stewart, a British academic, writer, and former diplomat, dives deep into the UK's current turmoil, critiquing political inefficacy and economic despair. He shares insights on Afghanistan under Taliban rule, where public safety contrasts starkly with freedom restrictions. The discussion also tackles immigration complexities, the real impacts of poverty, and the pitfalls of celebrity philanthropy. Stewart advocates for direct cash transfers as a more effective means to combat extreme poverty, challenging traditional charity approaches.

Rory Stewart, an ex-politician, discusses the fraying world order, problems with nation-building, cultural ignorance, catastrophic withdrawal from Afghanistan, role of Islam in failures, conspiracy theories, war in Ukraine, age of populism, Trump and future of NATO, Brexit, and current state of politics.

Rory Stewart, a former UK Secretary of State for International Development and cohost of The Rest is Politics, discusses vital global issues. He critiques traditional poverty alleviation methods, advocating for cash transfers as a revolutionary solution. The conversation also delves into the intersection of geopolitics and AI regulation, discussing recent legislative changes in California. Stewart reflects on populism's rise and the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, underscoring the need for nuanced understanding and effective diplomacy.

Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell discuss France's recent election, Keir Starmer's actions in the UK, and Iran's new president, Masoud Pezeshkian. They cover the transition in France, Starmer's first week, and the implications of Iran's new leadership. The podcast also explores Tony Blair's criticisms, the use of ChatGPT for research, and potential future Conservative leaders.

Rory Stewart, a former UK Member of Parliament and advocate for unconditional cash transfers, challenges traditional development aid approaches. He argues that many global initiatives waste resources and fail to help the poor effectively. Instead of advice, Stewart promotes giving cash directly to those in need. He shares success stories from Rwanda, illustrating how cash transfers improve health, education, and economic stability. By focusing on real-world outcomes, he emphasizes the importance of respecting the choices and dignity of those living in poverty.

Boris Johnson has resigned.Join Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart for this emergency podcast as they react to the news of Johnson's resignation. After a tumultuous few days, Johnson is finally standing down, and Alastair and Rory answer the key questions raised by this landmark announcement. Can Johnson stay on as caretaker? Who are the candidates to replace him? What happens next?Instagram:@restispoliticsTwitter:@RestIsPoliticsEmail:restispolitics@gmail.comProducer: Dom JohnsonExec Producers: Tony Pastor + Jack Davenport Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Political commentator Rory Stewart and political strategist Alastair Campbell discuss the aftermath of Joe Biden's debate performance against Trump. They explore concerns about Biden's age, cognitive abilities, factual errors, and the calls for him to step down. The podcast highlights contrasting behaviors between Biden and Trump, Biden's campaign strategies, and the challenges faced by Biden in continuing as president.

Join Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell as they discuss the rise of populism in Slovakia, a politician's comeback, stagnation in Northern Ireland, flaws in the education system, and charging politicians with misconduct.

Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell discuss the rise in gang violence in Sweden, corruption in New Jersey politics, the need for a new centrist party in the UK, UEFA allowing Russian youth teams back, and the history and cost of the HS2 railway project.

Rory Stewart, former UK Secretary of State for International Development and a senior advisor to GiveDirectly, advocates for cash transfers as a solution to extreme poverty. He shares his transformation from skeptic to advocate, emphasizing the efficiency of direct cash assistance over traditional aid. Stewart debunks myths surrounding cash transfers, highlighting positive outcomes like savings and entrepreneurship. He challenges philanthropy practices, calling for a re-evaluation of how aid is allocated. Can cash truly end poverty? Stewart believes it's possible.