Conspiracy theorists. Incels. White Nationalists. Once, these groups all belonged on the fringes of the political spectrum. Today, accelerated by the polycrisis of the pandemic, economic crisis, global conflict and rapid technological change, their ideas are becoming more widespread. Based on Julia’s undercover investigations for her latest book Going Mainstream, she explores: why outlandish ideas have taken hold and conspiracy myths are spreading faster than ever and, how, united by a shared sense of grievance and skepticism about institutions, radicalised individuals are influencing the mainstream as never before.

Eugene will tell the story of what happened in Damascus in 1860, discussing the lessons we can learn from that period and how they relate to current tensions in the Middle East.

For years, foreign lobbyists have worked as foot-soldiers for the most authoritarian regimes around the planet. In the process, they’ve not only entrenched dictatorships and spread kleptocratic networks, but they’ve secretly guided U.S. policy without the rest of America even being aware. Casey joins us to shed a light on this powerful group and the damage and devastation they have caused in Washington and elsewhere.

We live in a chaotic, polarised, and unstable age: nothing less than an age of revolutions. Fareed, one of the world’s most sought after commentators, joins us to present his unique analysis of our current global epoch – and reveal what past revolutions including the Glorious Revolution, French Revolution and Industrial Revolution can teach us about navigating the illiberal backlash of our times.