The Bunker – News without the nonsense

James Kimmel Jr., a Yale psychiatry lecturer and author of The Science of Revenge, joins to explore the addictive nature of vengeance. He shares his personal journey from near-murder to a career in law focused on justice. The conversation dives into how revenge permeates politics, discussing figures like Trump and Putin as reflections of this primal urge. Kimmel also connects the allure of revenge with pop culture, revealing surprising parallels between The Lion King and John Wick, while urging a shift toward forgiveness for emotional healing.

Donald Trump promised to expose Jeffrey Epstein’s secrets but now he’s backing away, and the conspiracy crowd that once adored him is asking some serious questions. Can Trump survive the fallout from the QAnon movement he helped ignite? And even if he does, what will it mean for the future of his party, beyond his time as president Today in The Bunker, Chris Jones is joined by Mike Rothschild, journalist and author of The Storm Is Upon Us: How QAnon Became a Movement, Cult, and Conspiracy Theory of Everything, to ask whether the Republican Party can survive its toxic entanglement with conspiracy theorists. Buy The Storm Is Upon Us: How QAnon Became a Movement, Cult, and Conspiracy Theory of Everything through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too. • We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to https://indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.   • www.patreon.com/bunkercast  • Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/bunkerpod.bsky.social  Written and presented by Chris Jones. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editors: Tom Taylor. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Stephen Kinsella, a member of Patriotic Millionaires UK, passionately advocates for a wealth tax on the ultra-rich. He argues that taxing the wealthy could substantially reduce income inequality and raise vital funds for public services. Kinsella dispels myths about rich individuals fleeing the UK and highlights data showing their support for fairer taxation. The conversation explores the political feasibility of implementing such a tax and addresses the societal challenges posed by inherited wealth, making a compelling case for reform.

Join William Cohan, acclaimed journalist and author, as he dives into the explosive legal clash between Donald Trump and Rupert Murdoch over a $10 billion lawsuit. Cohan unpacks the intricate power dynamics between Trump and the media, examining how this feud reflects on political resilience and loyalty among Trump’s supporters. The conversation explores the broader implications for media integrity and the potential ripple effects on U.S. politics, revealing the depths of rivalry and strategy in Trump’s world.

Ros and Jacob dive into the unclear identity of a new political party linked to key personalities and its implications for British politics. They explore the evolving dynamics within the Green Party and Labor, particularly surrounding leadership contests. The conversation turns to the authoritarian shift in communication styles and the impact of junior doctors' strikes on public trust in the NHS. They also critique governmental responses to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and celebrate the unifying power of England's women's football victory.

Shashank Joshi, Defence editor at The Economist, dives into the chilling resurgence of nuclear threats reminiscent of the Cold War. He analyzes the pivotal role of nuclear weapons in modern conflicts, particularly the war in Ukraine, and discusses the growing nuclear arsenal of China, estimated at 600 warheads. The conversation highlights how nuclear capabilities influence global politics, the intricacies of international nuclear policies, and the ongoing tensions between nations like Russia and India. It's a compelling look at our precarious nuclear landscape.

In this engaging conversation, Andrew Rudalevige, a UCL Politics professor who specializes in American political institutions, dives deep into the troubling phenomena of Donald Trump's leadership style. He highlights how Trump’s defiance of court rulings and the use of executive orders threatens checks and balances. The discussion also critiques the Supreme Court's role in empowering presidential authority, suggesting a shift towards a quasi-monarchical system. Rudalevige raises critical questions about the future of democracy in this unprecedented political landscape.

OpenAI’s founders claimed they wanted to build ethical artificial intelligence for the benefit of humanity. So why is it now taking a $200 million contract from the US military? Today in The Bunker, Alex von Tunzelmann is joined by Mariarosaria Taddeo, Professor of Digital Ethics and Defence Technologies at Oxford University, to find out what A.I. means for the future of warfare.  • We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to https://indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.   www.patreon.com/bunkercast  Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/bunkerpod.bsky.social  Written and presented by Alex von Tunzelmann. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editors: Dom Delargy. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this engaging discussion, Daniel Treisman, a political science professor at UC and co-author of Spin Dictators, delves into the evolution of autocrats from Hitler to today. He reveals how modern leaders like Putin and Trump have adopted sophisticated tactics, shifting from overt brutality to subtle manipulation of public perception. Treisman highlights the role of technology in enabling state control and examines how contemporary autocrats strive for legitimacy while undermining democracy. The conversation emphasizes the resilience of civil society facing these challenges.

Explore urgent environmental hazards and their impact on communities. Delve into Keir Starmer's struggle for authority in the Labour Party and the significance of storytelling in politics. Learn about the challenges in the British water industry, from rising bills to outdated infrastructure. Discuss the humanitarian crisis in Palestine and the role of global support. Unpack geopolitical turmoil impacting Trump's political future and the complexities of his relationship with Murdoch's media empire.