The Western Spirit - With Ariel Whitman

💥 Help keep The Western Spirit independent: https://buymeacoffee.com/WesternSpirit❤️ Support us on YouTube with Super Thanks — click the Thanks button below the video.📩 Business & advertising: [email protected] happens when an ultra-Orthodox rabbi publicly challenges the system his own community has relied on for generations?In this episode of The Western Spirit, Ariel Whitman sits down with Rabbi Yehoshua Pfeffer, chairman of the rabbinic committee of Hatzibur HaHaredi (The Haredi Public), a new Israeli political party challenging the country's established ultra-Orthodox political leadership.Pfeffer makes a provocative case: government subsidies meant to support ultra-Orthodox families can actually keep them trapped...

💥 Help keep The Western Spirit independent: https://buymeacoffee.com/WesternSpirit❤️ Support us on YouTube with Super Thanks — click the Thanks button below the video.📩 Business & advertising: [email protected]📚 Get your copy of Suella Braverman’s book, Patriot: Empire, Betrayal and Hope, here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1918944040Former British Home Secretary Suella Braverman joins Ariel Whitman to discuss Britain's immigration crisis, the rise of antisemitism and Islamism, and what happened when she confronted London's police leadership over pro-Palestinian demonstrations after October 7.We discuss why she believes Britain has lost control of immigration, why her own parents' immigrant background doesn...

💥 Help keep The Western Spirit independent: https://buymeacoffee.com/WesternSpirit❤️ Support us on YouTube with Super Thanks — click the Thanks button below the video.📩 Business & advertising: [email protected] Trump has publicly attacked Tucker Carlson. So why won't JD Vance turn against him? And could this conflict threaten Vance's presidential ambitions in 2028?Matthew Continetti, Wall Street Journal columnist and author of The Right, joins Ariel Whitman to discuss the growing divisions within the Republican Party, the surprising disillusionment of young conservatives with Trump, and the future of the MAGA movement.They also explore the 2026 midterm elections, America's changing relationship with Israel...

💥 Help keep The Western Spirit independent: https://buymeacoffee.com/WesternSpirit❤️ Support us on YouTube with Super Thanks — click the Thanks button below the video.📩 Business & advertising: [email protected] October 7, Israel pursued a policy that allowed millions of dollars in Qatari cash to enter Gaza while Hamas remained in control. In this episode of The Western Spirit, Israeli MK Oded Forer delivers a fierce critique of Benjamin Netanyahu’s policies toward Hamas in the years leading up to the October 7 massacre.Forer argues that the warning signs were already there — from Hamas’s growing strength to repeated rounds of violence — and tha...

💥 Help keep The Western Spirit independent: https://buymeacoffee.com/WesternSpirit❤️ Support us on YouTube with Super Thanks — click the Thanks button below the video.📩 Business & advertising: [email protected]📚 Get Victor Davis Hanson’s new book, The Counterrevolution: The Fall and Rise of Donald Trump and the MAGA Movement:https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/victor-davis-hanson/the-counterrevolution/9781541607842/⁠Victor Davis Hanson joins The Western Spirit for a wide-ranging conversation about Donald Trump, Iran, JD Vance, Tucker Carlson, Israel, antisemitism, and the growing divisions inside the American right.Hanson explains why he believes JD Vance will eventually have to confront Tucker Carlson, and why remaining s...

💥 Help keep The Western Spirit independent: https://buymeacoffee.com/WesternSpirit❤️ Support us on YouTube with Super Thanks — click the Thanks button below the video.📩 Business & advertising: [email protected] National Conservatism Conference (NatCon) is an international gathering of public figures, journalists, scholars and students who see conservatism as closely tied to the nation, national independence and the revival of distinctive national traditions. The next conference will take place in Jerusalem from October 6–8, 2026, bringing together leading Israeli and international voices to debate national sovereignty, security, immigration, foreign policy, religion, family and the future of democratic government.More information: https://nationalconservatism.org/natcon-jer...

💥 Help keep The Western Spirit independent: https://buymeacoffee.com/WesternSpirit❤️ Support us on YouTube with Super Thanks — click the Thanks button below the video.📩 Business & advertising: [email protected] Dubowitz has spent decades thinking about sanctions, economic pressure and Iran. Today, he is chief executive of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and co-founder of its Center on Economic and Financial Power. In this episode of The Western Spirit, Dubowitz warns that Israel is facing a new kind of campaign—one fought not only with missiles and armies, but through financial, economic, diplomatic and political pressure. He argues that tools develope...

💥 Help keep The Western Spirit independent: https://buymeacoffee.com/WesternSpirit❤️ Support us on YouTube with Super Thanks — click the Thanks button below the video.📩 Business & advertising: [email protected] 16 years in power, Viktor Orbán's Fidesz has lost control of Hungary. In this episode of The Western Spirit, Balázs Orbán discusses the political upheaval that followed and lays out his case against Hungary's new government, Brussels and the direction Europe is taking. He argues that critics spent years portraying the Orbán government as authoritarian, only for the new government to target conservative politicians and institutions after taking power.We...

💥 Help keep The Western Spirit independent: https://buymeacoffee.com/WesternSpirit❤️ Support us on YouTube with Super Thanks — click the Thanks button below the video.📩 Business & advertising: [email protected] Milstein joins The Western Spirit for a wide-ranging conversation about antisemitism, radical Islam, Qatar’s influence in America, Israel, American politics, and the growing divisions inside both the Republican and Democratic parties.Milstein argues that Americans are underestimating the threat posed by radical Islam and warns that the United States could follow the path he believes Europe has taken. He also delivers a striking criticism of the Jewish community’s response to anti...

💥 Help keep The Western Spirit independent: https://buymeacoffee.com/WesternSpirit❤️ Support us on YouTube with Super Thanks — click the Thanks button below the video.📩 Business & advertising: [email protected] Johnson, editor-in-chief of the Washington Free Beacon and a regular on the Commentary Magazine podcast, joins The Western Spirit for a wide-ranging conversation about Donald Trump, JD Vance, Tucker Carlson, Israel, antisemitism, the Democratic Party and the future of American politics. Johnson discusses declining support for Israel among some younger Republicans and why she believes JD Vance is trying to navigate between the Republican Party's pro-Israel voters and the constituency represented...

💥 Help keep The Western Spirit independent: https://buymeacoffee.com/WesternSpirit❤️ Support us on YouTube with Super Thanks — click the Thanks button below the video.📩 Business & advertising: [email protected]. McMaster, President Donald Trump’s former National Security Adviser and a retired U.S. Army lieutenant general, joins The Western Spirit for a wide-ranging conversation about Trump, Iran, Israel, Russia, Ukraine, China and the future of American foreign policy.McMaster argues that lasting peace with Iran will require a fundamental change in the nature of the Iranian government, warns that negotiations with the existing regime could merely pause the conflict, and...

💥 Help keep The Western Spirit independent: https://buymeacoffee.com/WesternSpirit❤️ Support us on YouTube with Super Thanks — click the Thanks button below the video.📩 Business & advertising: [email protected] new documentary Naza has ignited controversy over its allegations about Israeli airstrikes, civilian casualties and the IDF’s use of intelligence and AI in Gaza. But Andrew Fox, a former British Army officer and researcher at the Henry Jackson Society, says the claims being promoted simply don’t add up.Fox challenges the film’s anonymous testimony, questions the lack of verification behind its most explosive allegations, and argues that the very process o...

No Israeli should have to face hunger alone. Meir Panim provides meals and essential support to families, Holocaust survivors, and others in need across Israel. Donate and help make a difference: https://meirpanim.org/feeding-israel💥 Help keep The Western Spirit independent: https://buymeacoffee.com/WesternSpirit⁠❤️ Support us on YouTube with Super Thanks — click the Thanks button below the video.📩 Business & advertising: [email protected] has Israel become such an obsession in Britain — and what happened when one of its former critics actually went there?Baroness Claire Fox, member of the House of Lords and one of Britain’s most outspoken defender...

When will China attack Taiwan? According to Abby Lee, Taiwan’s representative in Israel, the conflict has already begun.Lee joins The Western Spirit to discuss China’s growing pressure on Taiwan, cyberwarfare, disinformation, the threat of invasion and why the “One China” policy could make Taiwan even more vulnerable.We also discuss the remarkable parallels between Taiwan and Israel, Taiwan’s support for Israel since October 7, China’s relationships with Iran and Russia, and why Taiwan’s semiconductor industry is critical to the global economy and the future of AI.What happens if China ultimately decides to take Taiwan by forc...

No Israeli should have to face hunger alone. Meir Panim provides meals and essential support to families, Holocaust survivors, and others in need across Israel.Donate and help make a difference:https://meirpanim.org/feeding-israelDid France help create the ideology now transforming the Western world — and is Europe running out of time to reverse it?French entrepreneur and political commentator Brivael Le Pogam joins The Western Spirit for a provocative conversation about the intellectual origins of wokeism, mass immigration, Europe’s demographic future, capitalism, technology, Elon Musk and the crisis facing Western civilization.Le Pogam traces modern progressive ideology back...

No Israeli should have to face hunger alone. Meir Panim provides meals and essential support to families, Holocaust survivors, and others in need across Israel.Donate and help make a difference:https://meirpanim.org/feeding-israelWhy has Tucker Carlson become increasingly sympathetic toward the Islamic world — and why won’t JD Vance distance himself from him?Comedian and political commentator Ami Kozak returns to The Western Spirit for a wide-ranging conversation about Tucker Carlson, JD Vance, the future of the Republican Party, antisemitism on the right and left, Israel, and the political forces reshaping America.Kozak argues that Tucker has beco...

No Israeli should have to face hunger alone. Meir Panim provides meals and essential support to families, Holocaust survivors, and others in need across Israel.Donate and help make a difference:https://meirpanim.org/feeding-israelWhat is happening to Britain — and can the country reverse course?Italian-born comedian Nicholas De Santo joins The Western Spirit for a provocative conversation about Britain’s changing identity, immigration, Islamism, the political left, Israel, Christianity and free speech.De Santo argues that Britain and other Western countries have been taught to turn against their own history, culture and national identity. He describes what he sees...

What happens when a country becomes embarrassed by its own identity?British comedian and political commentator Leo Kearse joins The Western Spirit for a provocative conversation about Britain’s cultural and political transformation, DEI, immigration, free speech, national identity, Israel and Zionism.Kearse argues that white, straight and traditionally minded Britons increasingly find themselves treated as the problem by their own institutions. He discusses the rise of identity politics and DEI, the changing British right, and why he believes Britain has lost confidence in defending its own culture.The conversation also turns to Israel and Zionism — and a growing argu...

Why is Britain turning against Israel?Former British MP and GB News presenter Miriam Cates joins Ariel Whitman to discuss Britain’s changing relationship with Israel, Labour’s appeal to Muslim and progressive voters, rising antisemitism, political Islam, immigration, and the crisis of British national identity.Cates argues that hostility toward Israel is connected to a much deeper struggle over nationalism, Western values and how Britain sees its own history. We also discuss the future of the Conservative Party, Reform UK, Christianity, declining birth rates, and whether Britain can rediscover confidence in its own civilization.Subscribe to The Western Spir...

Is free speech dying in Britain?Lord Toby Young, founder of the Free Speech Union, joins Ariel Whitman to discuss Britain's growing free-speech crisis, policing of controversial speech, criticism of Islam, the growing political power of the Muslim vote, and why he believes Britain's political establishment is increasingly afraid of populism.We also discuss Labour, Reform UK, Gaza, blasphemy, the Online Safety Act, two-tier policing, censorship, social media, and Toby's warning that British free speech is now “on life support.”Subscribe to The Western Spirit for more conversations about politics, free speech and the future of the West. For busi...

What is happening inside the American Right?In this episode of The Western Spirit, conservative radio host and author Dana Loesch joins Ariel Whitman for a provocative conversation about JD Vance, Tucker Carlson, Israel, antisemitism, Jeffrey Epstein, MAGA, Iran, Qatar and the growing battle over the future of American conservatism.Dana explains why she has concerns about JD Vance, what she thinks happened to Tucker Carlson, and why she calls parts of the new Right the “woke right.” She also argues that phrases like “Epstein class” can function as coded antisemitism, discusses foreign influence and conspiracy theories online, and explains...

What is happening to Britain?In this episode of The Western Spirit, journalist Nicole Lampert joins Ariel Whitman for a provocative conversation about Islamic extremism, immigration, Andy Burnham, the Muslim vote, Israel, Gaza, antisemitism, the Green Party and the growing political divisions inside Britain.Lampert explains why she believes Britain has been too reluctant to confront Islamist extremism, examines the unlikely alliance between Islamists and the radical Left, and discusses how Gaza is reshaping British politics. She also raises serious questions about Andy Burnham, Labour's relationship with Muslim voters, and where Britain could be heading next.🔔 Subscribe to The Wes...

Why has Zionism suddenly become such a hated idea across the West?In this episode of The Western Spirit, Ariel Whitman sits down with Alana Newhouse, founder and editor-in-chief of Tablet, for a provocative conversation about Israel, Zionism, antisemitism, October 7, Jewish identity, nationalism, Christianity, and the crisis facing Western civilization.Newhouse argues that some of the hostility toward Zionism may actually reflect envy of what Israel has preserved: national identity, peoplehood, tradition, and a sense of belonging—things much of the modern West has struggled to maintain.They also discuss the aftermath of October 7, the collapse of trust in We...

Has JD Vance fundamentally changed? Is the American Right moving in a dangerous new direction?In this episode of The Western Spirit, Ariel Whitman sits down with political analyst David Reaboi for a candid conversation about JD Vance, Donald Trump, the Republican Party, Israel, Qatar, online radicalization, conspiracy theories, and the future of American conservatism.David explains why he believes JD Vance has changed dramatically, discusses Qatar's growing influence in conservative media, and warns about the rise of antisemitism and conspiracy thinking on the American Right.🔔 Subscribe to The Western Spirit for in-depth conversations on politics, geopolitics, economics, and the...

Why has support for Israel changed so dramatically in the West? Is the backlash against Israel really about Benjamin Netanyahu—or is something much deeper happening?In this episode of The Western Spirit, Ariel Whitman sits down with Iddo Netanyahu—author, physician, historian, and the brother of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—for a conversation about Israel, Zionism, antisemitism, Western civilization, the Middle East, and the future of democracy.Iddo explains why he believes opposition to Israel goes far beyond one political leader, discusses the roots of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and shares his perspective on October 7, the two-state solution, anti-Z...

Is the West in decline? Is Britain losing its identity? And is the hostility toward Israel really about something much bigger?In this episode of The Western Spirit, Ariel Whitman sits down with Francis Foster—comedian, political commentator, co-host of the Triggernometry podcast, and author of Uneducated—for a wide-ranging conversation on Britain, Israel, free speech, antisemitism, woke ideology, education, Western civilization, immigration, and the future of democracy.Francis explains why he believes the anti-Israel movement is ultimately rooted in a broader hostility toward Western values, why Britain's institutions are failing, what has gone wrong with modern education, and why...

Why is Qatar investing billions in American universities? Why does Nick Matau believe so many pro-Palestinian activists don't even understand Hamas? And why does he argue that the radical left and Islamist movements have far more in common than most people realize?Political commentator Nick Matau joins Ariel Whitman for a wide-ranging conversation about Israel, Hamas, Gaza, Qatar, AIPAC, American universities, free speech, the radical left, Islamism, antisemitism, political extremism, the Middle East, and the future of Western civilization.Nick shares what he has learned after years of debating pro-Palestinian activists, explains why he believes many of the most...

Is Britain running out of time?British political commentator Connor Tomlinson joins Ariel Whitman for a provocative conversation about mass immigration, deportations, British identity, demographic change, multiculturalism, Israel and the future of Britain.Connor argues that Britain needs to reverse mass immigration, not simply reduce it. He asks why Israel can protect its national culture and identity while Britain cannot, and warns that if current trends continue, Britain risks becoming an increasingly fractured and violent society.They also discuss Gaza, the British left, assimilation, nationalism, demographic change and whether Britain can preserve what makes it Britain.Subscribe to The...

Are Americans getting JD Vance wrong? What is happening inside the Democratic Party—and why does Hugh Hewitt believe the conspiracy theories surrounding Charlie Kirk are already beginning to collapse?Conservative commentator, attorney and longtime radio host Hugh Hewitt joins Ariel Whitman for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of American politics, Israel, JD Vance, Donald Trump, the Democratic Party, antisemitism, Charlie Kirk, Candace Owens, Tucker Carlson and the battle over the direction of the American right.Hewitt explains why he believes many Israelis are misreading Vice President JD Vance, drawing on his own conversations and interviews with Vance. He...

Is Britain really in decline—or can it still recover?Entrepreneur, former Member of the European Parliament, and one of Britain's most outspoken political commentators, Lance Forman, joins Ariel Whitman for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of the United Kingdom.They discuss Brexit, immigration, free speech, antisemitism, Labour, Reform UK, Nigel Farage, Kemi Badenoch, the British economy, net zero, taxes, energy policy, Israel, and whether Britain can still reverse its decline.Lance explains why he believes Britain's biggest problems are self-inflicted—and why a change in political direction could quickly restore economic growth and national confidence. He also shar...

Has international law become a political weapon?International law expert and barrister Natasha Hausdorff joins Ariel Whitman for a wide-ranging conversation on the International Criminal Court (ICC), the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the United Nations, Hamas propaganda, Benjamin Netanyahu, Iran, Hezbollah, the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), and why she believes international law is increasingly being weaponized against Israel. In this interview, Natasha explains why she believes the ICC prosecutor failed to present key evidence, how anonymous testimony and Hamas-controlled sources have influenced international institutions, and why she argues that politics—not law—is driving many of the...

Has the Democratic Party fundamentally changed?Political strategist, commentator, and Numbers Game host Ryan Girdusky joins Ariel Whitman to discuss the future of American politics, the rise of democratic socialism, immigration, identity politics, Donald Trump, the Democratic Party, the 2028 presidential race, Israel, and why he believes America's political landscape is changing faster than most people realize. Ryan explains why he believes the Democratic Party is increasingly dominated by its radical wing, why establishment Democrats have struggled to respond, how demographic change is reshaping American politics, and what Republicans need to do ahead of the midterm elections. The conversation also...

Bill Ackman joins Ariel Whitman for a wide-ranging conversation on investing, artificial intelligence, Israel, Iran, Charlie Kirk, Warren Buffett, Donald Trump, the U.S. economy, and the future of America.Ackman explains why he remains optimistic about AI, discusses the stocks and businesses he's investing in, reflects on Warren Buffett's legacy, and shares his outlook on markets and long-term investing.The conversation also explores Israel's war with Iran, rising antisemitism, Charlie Kirk, the future of the Republican Party, Benjamin Netanyahu, the Democratic Party, Elon Musk, Neuralink, and why Ackman believes the biggest opportunities often emerge during periods of uncertainty...

What if we've misunderstood the conflict from the very beginning?In this episode of The Western Spirit, Ariel Whitman sits down with former Israeli Member of Knesset Einat Wilf to discuss Hamas, anti-Zionism, October 7, Gaza, UNRWA, antisemitism, the global campaign against Israel, and why she argues that anti-Zionism has become the driving ideology behind a worldwide assault on Jewish life. They discuss whether Hamas is the cause or merely a symptom, the future of Gaza, the role of UNRWA, the Democratic Party, antisemitism on Western campuses, Israel's information war, Iran, Lebanon, and why Wilf believes Israel must fundamentally change...

Has South Africa fulfilled the promise of democracy—or lost its way?In this episode of The Western Spirit, Ariel Whitman sits down with Mmusi Maimane, one of South Africa's leading opposition figures, to discuss the country's future, the legacy of Nelson Mandela, the ANC, corruption, economic decline, race, crime, democracy, and why he believes liberation movements can become part of the establishment they once opposed. They also discuss South Africa's relationship with Israel, the ICJ case, Donald Trump's criticism of South Africa, claims of white farmer persecution, antisemitism, the two-state solution, investment, economic reform, and why Maimane believes So...

Has Britain lost the confidence to defend its own values?In this episode of The Western Spirit, Ariel Whitman sits down with British comedian, broadcaster, and GB News host Josh Howie to discuss free speech, Islam, anti-Semitism, mass immigration, Britain's identity crisis, and why he believes the country is no longer willing to defend the principles that built Western civilization. They discuss blasphemy laws, the Batley teacher still living in hiding, anti-Semitism after October 7, Nigel Farage, Reform UK, Keir Starmer, identity politics, free speech, the Israel-Hamas war, and why Josh argues Britain must rediscover confidence in its own values...

Is woke really over—or has it simply changed its form?In this episode of The Western Spirit, Ariel Whitman sits down with author, broadcaster, and political commentator Andrew Doyle to discuss the future of free speech, the decline of liberal values, the rise of a new authoritarianism, and why many of the ideological battles of the past decade are far from over. They discuss woke ideology, cancel culture, Donald Trump, Elon Musk, political violence, anti-Semitism, the Israel-Hamas war, conspiracy theories, Britain's free speech crisis, identity politics, and why Andrew believes the West is repeating mistakes it has made be...

Why has Britain lost confidence in itself?In this episode of The Western Spirit, Ariel Whitman sits down with historian, broadcaster, author, and political commentator Rafe Heydel-Mankoo, author of Immigration: The Betrayal of Britain, to discuss mass immigration, the decline of British national identity, the education system, the legacy of the British Empire, demographic change, and why he believes Britain's institutions have fundamentally transformed over the past two decades. They discuss Keir Starmer, Andy Burnham, the Labour Party, multiculturalism, Islamism, Pakistani grooming gangs, the British Empire, decolonization, the culture war, free speech, and whether Britain—and the wider West—can...

Can technology defeat terrorism—or will human intelligence always matter more?In this episode of The Western Spirit, Ariel Whitman sits down with Lieutenant General Devendra Pratap Pandey, one of India's most distinguished military leaders and former Commander of the Chinar Corps, to discuss what Israel and India can learn from each other's decades-long fight against terrorism. They discuss the lessons of October 7, the limits of artificial intelligence and surveillance, Pakistan, China, Hamas, Kashmir, narrative warfare, counterinsurgency, military strategy, and why Lt. Gen. Pandey believes technology can never replace human intelligence on the battlefield. Lieutenant General Devendra Pratap Pandey se...

Has American politics entered a post-principles era?In this episode of The Western Spirit, Ariel Whitman sits down with journalist, author, and Commentary Magazine columnist James Kirchick to discuss the transformation of the Republican Party, Tucker Carlson's evolution, JD Vance's growing influence, rising anti-Semitism on both the Left and Right, and the future of American conservatism.They discuss Donald Trump, Israel, Zohran Mamdani, Candace Owens, foreign policy, the rise of conspiracy thinking, and whether ideology has been replaced by political tribalism.James Kirchick is a journalist, author, and columnist for Commentary Magazine. He is the author of the New...