The Bunker – News without the nonsense

Peter Ricketts, former UK National Security Adviser and Britain’s representative to NATO, discusses the urgent need for Britain to bolster its military readiness potentially within two years. He dives into the implications of Russia’s threats and the lessons learned from the Cold War, highlighting the importance of modernizing Britain’s defense strategies. Ricketts emphasizes the challenges of defense procurement and the necessity for societal commitment to warfare, drawing parallels to historical rearmament efforts. A thought-provoking conversation on the future of Britain's security!

The podcast dives into the contentious military parade under Trump, critiquing its pomp and political implications. Protests against his leadership are examined, revealing the complex voter sentiments impacted by economic factors. Tensions in the Middle East, particularly between Iran and Israel, are explored, highlighting potential conflict escalation. The conversation touches on divisive issues like the assisted dying bill and the grooming gang inquiry. They also celebrate the appointment of the first female head of MI6, discussing the challenges she will face.

Edward J. Watts, a distinguished history professor at UC San Diego and author of 'The Eternal Decline and Fall of Rome', joins the discussion to debunk common myths about the Roman Empire. They challenge the idea that Rome fell completely in 476 AD, revealing the complexities of political shifts and continuing legacies. The conversation humorously explores misconceptions, like Nero's actions during the great fire and the realities of gladiatorial life. Watts also highlights the enduring influence of Roman contributions, including infrastructure and cultural narratives.

Legendarily hot, dry and hedonistic, the Summer of ’76 burnt itself into our cultural memory as a kind of Ultimate Summer. But the record temperatures, the soul and disco classics and the sense of youth breaking free took place against a backdrop of economic collapse, political failure and barely suppressed rage. These were the Dark 70s of the Southall Riots, the Ripper and the Black Panther, police queerbashing and simmering hatreds. John L. Williams, author of Heatwave: The Summer of 1976 – Britain At Boiling Point, talks to Andrew Harrison about four months of tension that birthed punk rock, Thatcherism and a more cynical Britain. • Buy Heatwave: The Summer of 1976 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. • Support us on Patreon for early episodes and more. • We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker to get your £100 sponsored credit.   Written and presented by Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Sara Farolfi. Produced by Liam Tait. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production www.podmasters.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben Camacho, a journalist and co-founder of LA News Cooperative, shares his firsthand experience covering the explosive protests in Los Angeles. He vividly recounts the chaos he faced, including being shot with rubber bullets while on the ground. The conversation dives into the challenges reporters encounter amidst civil unrest, alongside issues of community trust impacted by law enforcement tactics. Camacho also sheds light on the launch of LA's first worker-led newsroom, emphasizing the importance of grassroots reporting in such turbulent times.

In this engaging discussion, David Shirk, a political science expert at the University of San Diego, dissects the complicated relationship between MAGA politics and Mexico’s fight against drug cartels. He explores the impact of Trump's chaotic policies on organized crime and evaluates high-tech crackdowns employed by President Sheinbaum. Additionally, Shirk highlights the challenges facing democracy in Mexico, the evolution of U.S.-Mexico cooperation in combating cartels, and Mexico's rich culture that persists despite ongoing violence.

Andrew Roth, the Global affairs correspondent for The Guardian, delves into Tulsi Gabbard's controversial political journey—from an antiwar Democrat to a staunch Trump loyalist. He argues her appointment in intelligence signals a challenge to the security establishment and explores her fascination with strongmen. Roth discusses how Gabbard promotes paranoid social media politics within the government and critiques the implications of her evolving loyalties on U.S. national security, posing crucial questions about political accountability and intelligence manipulation.

Elon Musk and Trump’s epic fallout continues – who will win this war of words? And how will the squabbling pair try to hurt each other next? Plus, there’s chaos on the streets of LA – how far will Trump take this? And back at home, there’s the spending review – who will be the winners and losers? Alex von Tunzelmann joins Jacob Jarvis to discuss all that and more on Start Your Week.    We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.     www.patreon.com/bunkercast       Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis with Alex von Tunzelmann. Audio production: Tom Taylor. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join Nikki McCann Ramirez, a writer at Rolling Stone and co-host of American Friction, as she dives into the chaotic fallout between Trump and Musk. The discussion reveals how their celebrity cultures collide and shape political landscapes. From Musk's Twitter criticisms to the implications of their rivalry, the conversation explores the absurdities of U.S. politics. Expect humor and sharp insights as they analyze power dynamics and the unexpected alliances that arise. This episode is a wild ride of entertainment and political commentary!

A Chinese ‘super embassy’ could be built in the heart of London – and intelligence experts say it would open the door to cyber interference at the heart of Britain’s financial system. Today on The Bunker, Gavin Esler sits down with security expert Nigel Inkster, former director of operations and intelligence MI6 and senior advisor at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, to ask if Britain is turning a blind eye to the growing threat from Beijing? With fears of espionage, tech theft and power plays rising fast, how worried should we really be about China? • We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to https://indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.   www.patreon.com/bunkercast  Follow us on BlueSky. Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Produced by Liam Tait. Audio editors: Robin Leeburn. 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