Simon Brook

Simon Brook, journalist and communications consultant offering international affairs analysis. Negar Anger, former US State Department and NSC adviser now a geopolitics fellow. They discuss rising US‑Iran tensions and opening communication channels. Military postures, diplomatic aims and Europe’s options come up. They also touch on summit diplomacy, political theatre, and the possible role of AI in foreign policy.

William Yang, Senior Northeast Asia analyst, discusses the nuanced trade outcomes of the recent US-China summit, including symbolic tariff cuts and the complexities around fentanyl enforcement. Ruth Michelson, a Middle East journalist, dives into Chancellor Merz's visit to Turkey, exploring pivotal defense and migration talks. Karen Krasanovich shares spine-chilling horror movie recommendations for Halloween, while Andrew Muller rounds up the week’s cultural highlights, touching on political oddities and recent events. Simon Brook offers insights into the implications of AI deepfakes in elections and the ongoing UK-China tensions.

Simon Brook, a freelance journalist, provides insights into the deadly ‘double tap’ strike on a Venezuelan boat, discussing military command responsibility and the culture of violence. Tom Roundtree, VP at IHG, shares exciting trends in luxury hospitality from Cannes, highlighting Six Senses' expansions and the appeal of Albania as a rising destination. The conversation also touches on urban cycling trends, with cities like Paris transforming infrastructure to promote bike use, revealing insights into safety and regulation challenges.