The Brink

Yossi Cohen, former Director of Mossad and prominent Israeli spymaster, shares gripping insights from his illustrious career. He discusses the art of espionage, including the daring Pager operation against Hezbollah. Cohen reflects on the intelligence community's crucial decisions after October 7, and critiques the leadership culture in Israel. He emphasizes the importance of emotional control under pressure and addresses Israel's struggles in the propaganda war. A fascinating exploration of the moral complexities in national security and leadership.

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 justify terror. From the international reaction and Western media’s coverage to the political failures that allowed Hamas to endure, we explore what this means for Israel’s future and for the moral state of our own societies.We also break down Donald Trump’s role in securing the deal, the geopolitical fallout with Qatar and Turkey, and what the next phase of this war could look like. This is a raw and timely Substack Rapid Response from The Brink.👉 To access all of our rapid response breakdowns and watch them live, sign up to our Substack: https://thebrinkpodcast.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 believes leaders must act with strength rather than politics. We explore his “bubble programme” for Gaza’s future governance, the double standards Israel faces in the international arena, and his personal story as the son of Holocaust survivors who has dedicated his life to the principle of “Never Again.”We also discuss Britain’s role, the tension between values and interests, and what a long war with Hamas will mean for the Middle East and the West.This is a rare and candid conversation with one of Israel’s most senior military and political figures about war, survival, and the hard lessons of leadership in a time of crisis.Remember you can get the full interview HERE: https://thebrinkpodcast.co.ukChapters 0:00 Introduction 1:07 General Gallant's Political Career and Military Experience 4:30 General Galant's Personal Story and Israel's Values 8:15 The Future of a Palestinian State19:19 The Role of Military and Political Solutions 24:54 The Role of International Forces in Gaza30:14 The Double Standard Against Israel 34:15 The Need for a Comprehensive Reconstruction Plan 36:52 The Importance of Military Strength and Political Will Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Jewish communities, national security, and the West’s future.If you want access to all of our rapid response breakdowns, sign up to our Substack today and join us on The Brink.Join here: https://www.thebrinkpodcast.co.uk/Chapters ⁠0:00⁠ Manchester Attack: Initial Reactions and Security Measures⁠2:18⁠ Role and Training of the Community Security Trust (CST)⁠5:00⁠ Police and Military Response to Terror Attacks ⁠8:39⁠ Journalistic Perspective on Terror Attacks⁠12:59⁠ Political and Social Implications of Terror Attacks⁠15:42⁠ Impact of Propaganda and Social Media on Public Perception ⁠25:51⁠ Jewish Community's Response to Increased Threats⁠33:30⁠ Final Thoughts and Call to Action Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 war, and whether this plan could actually change the game.👉 Head over to our Substack to watch the full episode of The Brink’s Rapid Response: thebrinkpodcast.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 actually trust. We explore how disinformation spreads around Israel and Gaza, why groupthink dominates so many newsrooms, and whether legacy media is even reformable.We also discuss the explosion of anti-Semitism after October 7th, the dangers of political extremes on both left and right, and why rebuilding confidence in Western values might be the most important project of our generation.This is a wide-ranging conversation on truth, courage, and the fight to reclaim the centre ground in a polarised age.Watch the full episode by going to thebrinkpodcast.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 geopolitical analyst Andrew Fox on The Brink for Episode One. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 others won’t ask.Some weeks it’s just us diving deep into the stories that matter most. Other weeks, we’re joined by leading voices in politics, culture, and current affairs—people who help us make sense of where the world is heading.Join us for new episodes every Thursday on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you listen. The first episode will be released on 18th September 2025. For exclusive content, ad-free listening, bonus conversations, and the chance to interact with us directly, sign up to our Substack: thebrinkpodcast.co.ukWe’re just getting started...join us on The Brink Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.