This year I’m using their feedback (from various platforms) as a basis for my choice of 2016 Top Three Political Interviews. Enjoy !

1.) Jens Spahn : The Man Who Would Be Chancellor

MdB, Finance Ministry, Parliamentary State Sec.

Jens Spahn is often touted as the CDU’s young rebel to help the party regain its luster as the star of Angela Merkel fades with each passing terrorist attack committed by an asylum seeker, failed or otherwise. His threat is especially sharp in that he owes the Chancellor nothing for his stellar career and can only gain from her being toppled. He’s backed by a bevy of young conservatives chafing to take to the ramparts and fight for a hard conservative edge to replace the muddied contours of a conservative CDU party softened by its third Grand Coalition with the Social Democrats. He’s even been described as Merkel’s Gottesdämmerung.

He was open to all my questions, quick off the mark, and not afraid to make (at the time) controversial statements like his call for banning the burka in Germany.

Check out Jahn here.

2.) Ian Duncan Smith : The Brexit Sage Who Proved Right

Tory Luminary, Sec.of State for Work and Pensions (Frmr.)

It’s always a pleasure to talk with people fighting their corner when the whole world is against them. Those are my favorite interviews and frankly, my favorite type of individual as well: call it the Anglo-American love of the Underdog, cuddly and otherwise. Mr.Smith, a wily political operator, is hardly cuddly. When I interviewed him, the Brexit campaign was lagging so far in the polls that few thought it had a snowball’s chance in Hell. Duncan didn’t doubt it and eloquently held forth with his arguments for the Leave Campaign with a conviction that should make any other Highlander proud. It made him very cuddleable. In a way.

His cause won the day, and as every Remainer knows, Brexit wasn’t the snowball in hell, but the Monster Snowman from Hell (let’s hope the child with that Snowman isn’t Frexit waiting to grow up).

Thumbs up for Ian Duncan Smith fighting like a lion for his side when it was expected to be handed a humiliating defeat.

Check out Ian here.

3.) Pavlo Klimkin : David versus Goliath

Ukrainian Foreign Minister

No matter where you stand on the Ukraine debate, no matter whether you are a Putin-Versteher or a Putin-Hater, you have to admit Ukraine occupies an unenviable place in history, geography and in its leadership. I found Pavlo Klimkin to be a refreshingly open man and a bright light in a region that has known so much deception and so many disappointments. He was here in Berlin for consultations with the Group of Four Foreign Ministers on the Minsk Agreements and was willing to engage me on issues that are anathema for Kiev, like autonomy for the breakaway pro-Russian region. Ukraine can use more men like Klimkin. He’s a trained physicist, a capable diplomat, and a dedicated patriot. He seemed to be willing to stand up for the rights of Ukrainians as Russia, especially after its victory in Aleppo, is likely to push hard for its strategic goals, including in eastern Ukraine.

Check out Pavlo here.

Thanks again to all my guests, and to all my viewers and readers. Together, we can keep the torch of free speech burning, one spark at a time.

May your 2017 be filled with health, happiness, and many blessings.