Best of the Spectator

What does China want with Xinjiang? Its systematic repression of the Uyghur people and other regional minorities has shocked the world, eliciting accusations of genocide from politicians and activists across the West. The Chinese Communist Party claims that its re-education camps are an anti-terrorism measure, but surely if anything is going to radicalise vast swathes of a non-Han population, it’s their forced internment and (for many) subsequent incarceration. So what is the CCP’s long term aim?According to Raffaello Pantucci, senior associate fellow at the think tank Rusi, ‘the Central Government recognises that a very strong security crackdown is not necessarily going to deal with these problems in perpetuity’. Instead, ‘long-term stability for Xinjiang is going to come from economic prosperity’.That’s where Central Asia comes in. On this episode, I talk to Raffaello about China’s relations with the five ‘Stans that sit cushioned between China (to their east) and Russia (to their north). As with China’s relationship with any developing region, Beijing is motivated by access to its significant oil and mineral resources. But there’s something special about Central Asia - Raffaello argues that it’s an extension of Beijing’s Xinjiang strategy: ‘It’s really about trying to improve the prosperity in this border region around Xinjiang to help improve its prosperity and stability… If you’re going to make Xinjiang economically prosperous, you’re going to have to find a way of connecting it to the world.’   Raffaello’s new book is Sinostan: China’s Inadvertent Empire, based on a decade of travel in and around the region (there were two when they started, but Raffaello’s co-author, Alexandros Petersen, died in a Taliban attack in Kabul eight years ago). As well as the Xinjiang implications, Sinostan looks at China’s oil and gas trade with these resource-rich countries, the cultural exchanges (or lack thereof, and often promoted by Confucius Institutes) and the difference in approach between Moscow and Beijing, all of which we discuss on the episode.On China’s usurpation of Russia in the region, it’s striking that some public opinion is deeply suspicious of the new power in the region, a general Sinophobia that crystallises in numerous conspiracy theories (for example that roads built by Chinese companies are specifically designed to the weight of Chinese tanks). Welcomed by governments keen to benefit from the economic clout of their neighbour, some Chinese companies end up trying to hide their presence to avoid the ire of the locals. Raffaello recounts that ‘there are some cities in Kazakhstan, particularly in the oil regions, where we know CNPC [China National Petroleum Corporation] is a big player, but we just couldn’t find evidence of them. You’d ask the locals “where are the CNPC guys” and they’d say “we don’t know what you’re talking about”’.But China’s influence is very much there. It remains a ‘huge lacuna in Western strategic thinking’ that cannot be ignored, Raffaello says. Tune in to get ahead on this next geopolitical hot topic.This episode is sponsored by the SOAS China Institute. Buy tickets for their three day course on China and the media at www.spectator.co.uk/soas.Learn more about China's relationship with Afghanistan here: https://www.spectator.co.uk/podcast/will-china-become-afghanistan-s-new-sponsor- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fraser Nelson, The Spectator’s editor, speaks to our columnist Lionel Shriver about the attack on Salman Rushdie:‘Publishing has become completely paranoid about putting out anything that might be insulting to Islam.’ – Lionel ShriverOn the rest of the show, our economics editor Kate Andrews explains why the jobs market is so good, but the economy is heading for a recession. Jonathan Sumption, a former Supreme Court judge, says the Online Harms Bill is ‘illegitimate’. Our deputy political editor Katy Balls and assistant editor Isabel Hardman look at who might be in Liz Truss’s cabinet. Journalist Francesco Giubilei argues that Giorgia Meloni, the favourite to become Italy’s next prime minister, isn’t a fascist. Spectator contributor Matthew Lynn says crypto is back. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Spectator Out Loud, Katy Balls discusses the challenges facing prospective PM Liz Truss (00:52). Toby Young shares why he is defending a pro-Putin apologist (06:45) and Mark Palmer reads his notes on hand luggage (11:29).  Produced and presented by Oscar Edmondson.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s episode:  Is Giorgia Meloni the most dangerous woman in Europe? Spectator contributor, Nicholas Farrell and political correspondent at Bloomberg, Chiara Albanese join us to discuss the road ahead for Italy’s next likely leader. (01.10)Also this week: Are we entering a new age of digital censorship? Lord Sumption unpicks the Online Safety Bill in this week’s magazine. He’s joined by Baroness Nicky Morgan, a firm supporter of the bill. (17.53)And finally: why has holiday hand luggage become such a hassle this summer? Spectator contributor and marketing guru, Rory Sutherland joins us to get to the bottom of this. (31.56) Hosted by Lara Prendergast and Gus Carter. Produced by Natasha Feroze. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My guest on this week's Book Club podcast is Rhodri Jeffreys-Jones – whose new book A Question of Standing: The History of the CIA looks at the real-life story behind one of the most mythologised agencies of American power. How does the world's first democratically answerable spy agency actually work? Were all those dirty tricks, extra-legal shenanigans and attempted assassinations – sorry: "health adjustments" in the lingo of Langley – really the work of an agency gone rogue? Did the CIA fail to foresee the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Iranian Revolution, the Arab Spring and the Twin Towers – or has it been made to take the fall for political ineptitude? And what is its standing now? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paul Feig is an actor, comedian and acclaimed filmmaker. He has been behind films such as Bridesmaids, The Heat and the 2016 remake of Ghostbusters as well as episodes of Parks and Recreation and The Office. On the podcast, Paul talks to Lara and Olivia about growing up thinking food was bland and tasteless, the secrets of on set catering and how to make the perfect Martini. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Winston speaks with American indie legend Ariel Pink. The accomplished singer-songwriter had his life turned on its head for the great crime of supporting Trump. Listen to find out what happened and why. They discuss January 6th, life after cancellation and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Freddy Gray questions Biden’s supposed ‘hot streak’ (00:55), Mary Killen warns that a neighbourly feud is worse than a hosepipe ban (07:19) and Jonathan Miller talks about France’s sexual civil war (11:43).  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s episode:Who’s to blame for the water shortages?James Forsyth, The Spectator’s political editor and Ciaran Nelson from Anglian Water join us to discuss the UK’s deteriorating water supply. (0.29)Also this week: Is it time for some old-fashioned Tory state-building?Tim Stanley from the Telegraph shares his vision for a Conservative future. He’s joined by Annabel Denham, director of communications at the Institute of Economic Affairs. (11.19)And finally: What’s behind France’s new sexual politics?Jonathan Miller writes about a new civil war in France between the nudes and prudes. He’s joined by Louise Perry, columnist and author of The Case Against the Sexual Revolution. (23.08)Hosted by Lara Prendergast.Produced by Natasha Feroze. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's Book Club podcast, I'm joined by Andrea Wulf to talk about the birth of Romanticism at the end of the 18th century. Her new book Magnificent Rebels tells the story of the "Jena set" – a staggering assemblage of the superstars of German literature and philosophy who gathered in a small town and collectively came up with a whole new way of looking at the world. Goethe, Schiller, Fichte, Schelling, Novalis, the Schlegel brothers, the von Humboldt brothers – and their brilliant and daring wives and lovers... their intellectual fireworks were matched by a tangle of literary feuds and hair-raising sexual complications. Here's a piece of the jigsaw of intellectual history that most British people will only vaguely know of if at all – and it's fascinating. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.