The Lowdown from Nick Cohen

All the evidence points to Genocide in Gaza Nick Cohen talks to author and former Foreign Office diplomat Arthur Snell about the ongoing Middle East crisis, focusing on the devastating impact of the Hamas attack on Israel in 2023 and its consequences for the region. They explored the situation in Gaza, including concerns about potential genocide and the humanitarian crisis, as well as the implications of proposed resettlement plans and refugee outflows. The conversation also touched on the role of international actors, particularly Europe and the United States, in addressing the situation, and the unpredictable nature of Donald Trump's foreign policy regarding Israel and the Middle East. What's happening in Gaza is genocide Arthur argues that Israel's actions against the Palestinian population in Gaza constitute genocide under the 1948 Genocide Convention. He examines the Israeli government's intent and capability and concludes that it is to make Gaza uninhabitable for Palestinians, noting the shift in Israeli public opinion after the October attacks. Arthur emphasises the challenges Israel faces in defeating Hamas without destroying the Gaza population. International Influence on Gaza Tragedy Arthur and Nick discuss the ongoing tragedy in Gaza, focusing on the role of international actors, particularly Europe and the United States, in addressing the situation. Arthur emphasises that while Europe has limited influence over Israel, there are mechanisms to pressure governments committing international crimes, such as sanctions and surveillance missions by the RAF. He also highlighted the involvement of companies like BCG in planning for ethnic cleansing in Gaza. Andrew questioned Europe's power to influence the situation, noting that only the United States, under Trump, has significant leverage over Netanyahu. READ ALL ABOUT IT .Arthur Snell's substack column is Not all doom [https://arthursnell.substack.com/] & his regular inciteful podcast is Behind the Lines. [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/behind-the-lines-with-arthur-snell/id1704344656] Arthur's first not fiction book is How Britain Broke the World: War, Greed and Blunders from Kosovo to Afghanistan, 1997-2022 [https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Britain-Broke-World-Afghanistan-ebook/dp/B0DSC5HNB9?ref_=ast_author_mpb] . Nick Cohen's @NickCohen4 [https://x.com/NicholasTyrone]latest Substack column Writing from London [https://nickcohen.substack.com/] on politics and culture from the UK and beyond. Read Nick's latest column, Can Europe resist Trump's gangsterism? Does it have the willpower to try? [https://nickcohen.substack.com/p/can-europe-resist-trumps-gangsterism?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=721720&post_id=157740072&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=false&r=1lxbko&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Nick Cohen & Professor Robert Wintemute discuss transgender rights and women's rights, exploring legal, medical, and societal implications of transgender issues. The conversation covered topics such as the evolving demands of the LGBTQ+ movement, challenges faced by transgender individuals in various settings, and the controversy surrounding medical treatments for gender dysphoria in minors. Transgender Rights vs. Women's Rights Debate Nick talks to Robert, Professor of human rights law at King's College London, about transgender rights and women's rights. They discuss the controversy surrounding transgender issues in liberal media and academia, with Andrew noting that many people are afraid to speak out on the topic. Robert, author of Transgender Rights V. Women's Rights, provides a legal perspective on the debate, highlighting decisions against trans campaigners and the Supreme Court's ruling that trans women are not women for legal purposes. Transgender Rights and Societal Tensions Robert and Nick discuss the evolving demands of the LGBTQ+ movement, particularly focusing on the differences between LGBTQ+ and transgender rights. Robert highlights how transgender demands have shifted from seeking equal rights to requesting exemptions and changes to legal and medical systems, which he views as problematic. Transgender Rights and Social Implications Robert and Nick also talk about the implications of removing sex from birth certificates and the challenges faced by transgender individuals, particularly in areas such as prisons, sports, and equal pay. Robert emphasised that while the number of transgender individuals may be small, the effects on women in specific situations can be distressing, and he highlights a case where a transgender athlete's participation raised fairness concerns. Gender Dysphoria Treatment Bans Robert and Nick also tackle the controversial issue of medical treatment for gender dysphoria in minors, particularly focusing on the recent bans in Brazil and Argentina. They expressed concern about the lack of evidence supporting the effectiveness and safety of treatments like puberty blockers for young people, noting that many individuals eventually change their minds about their gender identity. Transgender Rights and Political Realities Robert argues that transgender rights activists need to align with political reality to avoid electing reactionary leaders like Donald Trump. He proposes a "tough love" approach for coexistence, which includes two concessions: transgender individuals should stop expecting others to validate their gender identity, and society should ensure no discrimination against individuals based on their appearance. Read all about it! Professor Wintermute is a lawyer, a trustee of @AllianceLGB [https://x.com/AllianceLGB]and an author and co-author of books on same sex partnerships and sexual orientation and human rights. His latest book Transgender Rights vs Women's rights, From conflicts to co-existence [https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Robert+Wintemute&crid=22DC2TPZAVU7O&sprefix=robert+wijntemute%2Caps%2C1352&ref=nb_sb_noss], is now published Nick Cohen's @NichCohen4 [https://x.com/NickCohen4] latest Substack column Writing from London [https://nickcohen.substack.com/] on politics and culture from the UK and beyond. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Nick Cohen and commentator Nick Tyrone discuss the rise of the radicalised right in the UK and ask why the Conservatives won't fight against the extremists in their midst and party. Instead, some Tories are have buckled to the siren voices of intolerance and extremism. They are dragging their party further to the extremes by trying to outflank Nigel Farage & Reform on the right. Right wing extremism becomes ever more extreme Nick Tyrone says, "We've come so far that Farage is starting to look relatively moderate compared to some of the stuff that's even happening within the conservative party now. That's how scary things have become." Nick adds, "I have my doubts that however much money you threw at it, that a sort of a party that was sort of Rupert Lowe shaped like, was sort of that right wing could actually succeed to a huge degree in Britain. ... you could do it in a boiling frog sort of a way. I think you could get a, a government elected that on a much more moderate platform that, so that kept turning up the dial and got more and more right wing and, and if that government was producing, you know, economic growth and was eliminating some of the bigger problems they got the NHS working, they would probably be given leeway to do some fairly terrible right wing stuff." Conservatives wont defend conservatism - inevitability of Jenrick leadership Nick says, "Robert Jenrick is going to be the conservative leader unless Jenrick jumps to reform, which I don't think he will, but I can't rule that out. Yeah, it's gonna be Jenrick. And again, it's that sort of thing. Well, what do the moderates do? And the answer seems to be not very much. And just sort of go along and hope somewhere along the line everything works out. I think Jenrick could take them further to the right than reform. and what happens when that happens? I don't know. I mean, I can say, well, I don't think that'll work." Possible malevolent force could take over the UK Nick Tyrone says, "I can't really emphasise enough every time I come on how completely all over the place the Tories are and what a mess they are. So in the end it's totally possible that some real malevolent force could take hold in British politics." READ ALL ABOUT IT! Nick Tyrone is an author, activist, policy advisor and commentator and keen observer of the Tory party whose Substack column as Neoliberal Centrist Dad - nick.tyrone.substack.com [https://nicktyrone.substack.com/] - is a must read for those of us desperate for the return of sanity to our national political discourse. Nick Cohen's @NickCohen4 [https://x.com/NicholasTyrone]latest Substack column Writing from London [https://nickcohen.substack.com/] on politics and culture from the UK and beyond. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Nick Cohen and historian James Hawes discuss wide range of political topics, focusing primarily on British politics, Brexit, and the rise of right-wing populism. Discussions included the historical context and current state of the Conservative Party, the challenges faced by Labour and the SNP, and the potential long-term implications of demographic changes on political landscapes. James Hawes argues that only liberal populists can counter the threat posed by Nigel Farage and Reform. Brexit's Long-Term Consequences and Failures James and Nick discusses the long-term implications and failures of Brexit, highlighting how Farage and other Brexit advocates had been promoting the idea for decades. Both criticise the lack of accountability and the continued influence of Brexit supporters despite the project's evident failures. James expressed optimism for a pro-remain populist leader to challenge Brexit advocates directly, rather than relying on complex economic arguments. He also shared a conversation with a top UK insider predicting the UK's collapse by 2029 due to Keir Starmer's inability to address the mess left by the Tories & Brexit The Tory Party pickle James & Nick discuss the historical and current dire state of the Conservative Party, highlighting its long history of populism and sectarianism. They argue that the party's true nature is being revealed through its alignment with Farage and its anti-migrant stance, which James compares to 19th-century Tory behaviour. Farage's Rise and threat to the UK The discussion focuses on British politics, particularly Farage's rise and the potential for a shift towards far-right governance. James argues that Farage success in England will re-energise the SNP & inevitably speed up the UK's break-up. Both express concern about the working-class appeal of Farage's populism and discuss the perception of left-wing politicians as communists by some conservatives. Demographic Shifts and Political Implications The discussion focused on demographic challenges and political implications, with Nick and James exploring how an aging population and ironically more financially secure voters are more likely to vote for Farage and his brand of nut-job populist extremism, while younger generations face difficulties accessing housing and other opportunities. James argues that a more liberal -leftist brand of populism - with policies such as I.D. cards and German-like tests for trades people - might help counter the poison and certain chaos of Farageism. Read all about it! James Hawes @jameshawes2 [https://x.com/jameshawes2] is a historian and author of a novel and books such as including The Shortest History of Germany [https://www.amazon.fr/Shortest-History-Germany-James-Hawes/dp/1910400416] and The Shortest History on England [https://www.amazon.fr/-/en/James-Hawes-ebook/dp/B08KFT2XPQ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2RBHBHJZAR4EX&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.c3k8GDy46-d4TrI6WwCh1uWIk1fzEMTMDyOHiDsxp9k.rLs_wTEtPGW7vH3gZdTxdNIusnm6rOqTtqYU68HNyWE&dib_tag=se&keywords=shortest+history+of+england&qid=1750966153&sprefix=shortest+history+of+en%2Caps%2C636&sr=8-1] Nick Cohen's @NichCohen4 [https://x.com/NickCohen4] latest Substack column Writing from London [https://nickcohen.substack.com/] on politics and culture from the UK and beyond. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Nick Cohen talks to Lowdown regular and Guardian columnist Rafael Behr about Labour's struggle with the new international Trump disorder, its communications crisis, perceived serial bungling by Sir Keir Starmer and the party's perceived drift. Starmer struggling with Trump's betrayal of the West In anticipation of a possible US strike against Iran's nuclear facilities, Rafael & Nick discuss the growing decay of the so-called US-UK "special relationship". Rafael does not believe that Sir Keir Starmer grasps "the sheer enormity of what is happening." He adds "I think he's ultimately a very small "c" conservative person who thinks you can just fix things by sort of just getting through, making do mending sort of DIY around the status quo and hoping that that process will just see you through." Trump's Putin fanboys are nothing new Rafael reminds Nick that the American First tradition was "very sympathetic of Hitler or, wanted to keep out of the second World War." He adds, They developed conspiracy theories that Roosevelt was really responsible for Pearl Harbour and all that kind of underworld, which never went away in America, is, is now back, is now back with Trump." Like America First, Trump's MAGA are in a world of where Putin apologists & conspiracy crackpots are now right at the heart of power in Washington. Clueless Kemi & her hapless party are all at sea Rafael has completely lost her bearings of where votable right ring thinking is current/y, and even Trump was "...not so stupid as to do the sort of Kemi Badenoch trying to out Reform Reform by being in the sort of mad slightly conspiracy theory, tinge, racist, digital silos that reform paddle around in." Keir Starmer is an analog prime minister in a digital age Rafael is convinced that Starmer doesn't have a fully worked out concept of the British economy. Labour has major communications problems and Raf is picking up murmurings among Party figures of possibly replacing him. "he would've been a great Prime minister in 1968 or 1949, " says Rafael, adding, "he's a fantastically well qualified analog prime minister!" READ ALL ABOUT IT! Rafael's recent book Politics: A Survivor's Guide: How to stay engaged without getting enraged [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Politics-Survivors-Engaged-Without-Getting/dp/B0C113JP71/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.grYaKsYNBQSAI9-lFQbV93k-zJ-gVLaKNeQU80LXh8TJ2bs4UvcHGkVy1YtE9gmnbwTnJNJC6kHRd9bdMV7fGEfOp6A8ZB_oZPx5_dskZKBZiduwKr6qm748qjoiQkVGW-jRKt3DD7FTBGL_Va4i3-JXZOM97RRqpFJa_XfsUuxYJLqHudS9kUsXV8v2LmRVAZm2sXeUzdKWMA7cw7ofrg.jJQ19vq3j_GpQHH4gGJiMA_RBE_b5joCjt_uivtp4qg&dib_tag=se&qid=1726236066&refinements=p_27%3ARafael+Behr&s=books&sr=1-1] is published by W.F.Howes Ltd and available at Amazon and in all good bookshops. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2181263/support] You can also read his wonderful columns in the Guardian [https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/nov/27/mps-assisted-dying-bill-vote-right-to-die]. His X handle is @rafaelbehr [https://x.com/rafaelbehr] Nick Cohen's @NichCohen4 [https://x.com/NickCohen4] latest Substack column Writing from London [https://nickcohen.substack.com/] on politics and culture from the UK and beyond. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.