Battle Lines

Amid the election of the first ever American Pope, Robert Prevost, who will be known as Pope Leo XIV, Roland Oliphant looks at the rise of a new force in American politics: MAGA Catholics.

Vice President JD Vance, First Lady Melania Trump, and of course Steve Bannon - Trump’s first term chief of staff - are among the best known names in Washington. Tim Stanley, The Telegraph’s “weapons-grade Catholic” sketch-writer, joins from Rome to discuss what unites Catholics and the MAGA movement, how much influence they wield in Washington, and whether they can influence the choice of the next Pope.

Plus, as Donald Trump prepares to go to the Middle East for the first official foreign trip of his second term, program director at the Institute for Global Affairs at Eurasia Group Jonathan Guyer explains what is on the agenda and what may actually be achieved. 

Rob Crilly's interview with Marjorie Taylor Greene: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2025/05/08/marjorie-taylor-greene-trump-needs-to-focus-on-america/

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Will there be a Ukraine peace deal this year? What's it like to be a reporter in China? Is Labour too wishy-washy on defence? And which conflicts should we be paying more attention to?

Venetia Rainey is joined by defence editor Danielle Sheridan, senior foreign correspondent Sophia Yan and Ukraine: The Latest host Adelie Pojzman-Pontay to discuss the biggest stories of the year so far. 

Plus, they reflect on what it’s like to be a foreign correspondent and the unique advantages and challenges of being a woman reporting on war and defence, including why can’t pregnant women go on Royal Navy ships.

https://www.justgiving.com/page/rhcc-vs-lwcc?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=WA&utm_campaign=015

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This week marked 100 days of Donald Trump’s second term. And what a hundred days it’s been. 

From cosying up to Vladimir Putin and closing USAID, to a trade war with China and effectively ending illegal migration into America, he has been busy.

Venetia Rainey is joined by co-host and chief foreign analyst Roland Oliphant and US editor Rob Crilly to assess everything Trump has done in terms of foreign policy, and what the consequences might be going forward. 

They also look at everything Trump hasn’t done despite promising to - from ending the wars in Ukraine and Gaza to annexing Canada. 

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2025/04/30/we-have-no-proof-kilmar-abrego-garcia-is-a-gangster-el/

https://www.justgiving.com/page/rhcc-vs-lwcc?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=WA&utm_campaign=015

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Wherever you look, we’re living in a world of increasing conflict and tensions.

That’s certainly the conclusion of the highly respected Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), which found an unprecedented rise in global military spending, the steepest increase since the end of the cold war.

SIPRI senior researcher Diego Lopes da Silva joins Venetia Rainey to look at who the biggest spenders are and what's driving the spike in spending. 

Plus, South Asia analyst Michael Kugelman looks at the growing tensions between nuclear foes India and Pakistan following a brutal attack on Indian tourists in Kashmir. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed a military response, prompting fears of an all-out war. How likely is it and can anyone stop it from escalating?

Germany overtakes Britain to become Europe’s largest defence spender

The most dangerous river in the world: Why the Indus could spark WWIII

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Donald Trump's defence secretary Pete Hegseth shared classified information on an unsecured group chat - not once but twice, according to new details that emerged this week. But the real turbulence shaking the Pentagon isn’t just about loose digital lips. It’s deeper: a toxic mix of internal rivalries, leadership clashes, and a crumbling sense of morale at the very top of America's defence hierarchy.

To unpack the chaos, we speak to Kathleen McInnis, senior fellow in the Defense and Security Department at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, former Pentagon staffer and author of a novel about life inside the defence department. She explains why encrypted apps like Signal are favored in Hegseth’s circles — and what life is really like behind the walls of the Pentagon.

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For the past century, war has been fought in three domains: land, sea, and air. But now, there is a fourth.

As America and China rush to establish bases on the Moon and Mars, Ukraine and Russia try to jam one another's satellite signals, and middle sized powers are learning how to protect themselves from enemy space weapons. Many countries now field Space Forces alongside armies, navies and airforces. How close are we to the first space war? And what will it look like? And who would win?

Roland Oliphant speaks to Juliana Suess, a space specialist at Germany's Institute for International and Security Affairs and Namrata Goswami, an author, professor and consultant specializing in space policy, about the era of war in the heavens.

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Lord Kim Darroch, former UK ambassador to the US, joins Venetia Rainey to talk Trump 1.0 vs 2.0, trade wars and Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. 

The Telegraph revealed this week that the US could finalise a trade deal with the UK within three weeks. That comes on the back of comments from JD Vance about how much Trump loves the UK and that a deal is highly likely. So what could that deal look like? And what would the potential costs be for the UK?

While he was ambassador to the US between 2016 and 2019, Lord Darroch also had direct experience of Trump’s first trade war with China. He talks about how this one might go and what it would mean for Britain.

Plus, Lord Darroch shares his insights on why we need a new Iran nuclear deal, how Nato can survive the US’ shift away from Europe, and why Trump loves Churchill - even if members of his circle increasingly don’t.

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The Troubles was a major period of conflict right here in the UK within living memory that continues to echo today, yet very few people know much about it. There is even less awareness about a clandestine network of spies that the British state was running - right in the heart of terror groups on both sides, including Stakeknife in the IRA.

On this bonus episode of Battle Lines, Venetia Rainey sits down with The Telegraph's investigative audio journalist Cara McGoogan to hear all about her new podcast, which digs into the spies, terrorists and collusion that became a hallmark of the conflict. Was it a civil war? What was the UK trying to achieve with its agents? What was the cost of letting them kill to stay undercover? Could the Troubles be reignited if they're not properly addressed? And is the state getting away with murder?

You can listen to the full season now on The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/01/31/bed-of-lies-new-series-conflict/

Or search for 'Bed of Lies' wherever you get your podcasts.

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Donald Trump has launched fresh talks with Iran to negotiate a new nuclear deal, vowing that there will be “all hell to pay” if Tehran does not agree to disarm. As foreign reporter Akhtar Makoii tells Venetia Rainey, it comes amid a major buildup of American military assets in the Middle East. Israel has repeatedly pushed for a strike on Iran's nuclear facilities, would the US go through with it if Iran refuses to compromise?

Meanwhile, China recently completed some surprise live-fire drills around Taiwan. Former diplomat, historian and author Kerry Brown explains how worried we should be and gives his assessment of the landing barges that have recently been revealed.

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What began as Donald Trump’s sweeping trade war against much of the world has sharpened into a tense standoff between two global giants: the United States and China. While Trump eased or delayed tariffs on many countries, China remained the outlier — and the economic tensions have only intensified. In this episode, we trace how the trade war has evolved, why China is still firmly in the firing line, and what the economic implications could be for both nations.

We’ll hear from Kelly Ann Shaw, who advised President Trump on global trade during his first term, to understand the thinking behind the White House’s strategy. And with The Telegraph’s senior foreign correspondent, Sophia Yan, we’ll explore what Beijing wants out of this moment — and how it’s trying to project strength. Sophia lived in China during the height of the last trade war and brings rare, on-the-ground insight into how much has changed. The big question: is Xi Jinping open to striking a deal?

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Can Trump bring peace to the Middle East? Should the UK recognise Palestine as a state? Should the West work more closely with China? Is the FCDO doing enough to help citizens detained abroad?

Known for being straight-talking and forthright, Emily Thornberry is chair of the influential Foreign Affairs Committee and the long-serving Labour MP for Islington South and Finsbury. She joins Venetia Rainey for a special bonus episode of Battle Lines to answer all those questions and more. She discusses why she thinks frozen Russian assets need to be given to Ukraine, who should be sanctioned in the current "outrageous" Israeli government, and why the UK is right to give the Chagos Islands back to Mauritius. 

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A newly released video casts doubt on Israel’s initial account of the deadly attack on a convoy of ambulances and a fire truck in Gaza, leaving 15 rescue workers dead. Roland Oliphant speaks with co-host Venetia Rainey about the footage and the broader implications of the collapse of the ceasefire.

Plus, we turn to Sudan, where the Sudanese Armed Forces have regained control of Khartoum from the Rapid Support Forces. Chief Foreign Affairs Commentator David Blair explains why the ongoing conflict in Sudan is currently the deadliest crisis in the world.

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In this episode, we dive into the controversial decision surrounding the Chagos Islands, with Donald Trump reportedly signing off on a deal to return them to Mauritius. Venetia Rainey sits down with Associate Political Editor Tony Diver to discuss the potential security implications for the UK, US, and Asia, and why Trump might have suddenly backed this move. We also explore the possibility of Trump serving a third term, as political expert Bruce Peabody breaks down the legal options that could make it feasible. He outlines six scenarios that have been around for decades and explains why Trump's camp are not the first to hint at such a move.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/03/31/iran-urged-to-strike-diego-garcia-base-immediately/

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/04/01/donald-trump-signs-off-keir-starmer-chagos-deal/

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/03/01/mauritius-chagos-islands-agalga-indian-ocean-india-china/

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Myanmar is reeling from a major earthquake that has hit residents who are already struggling to survive amid a brutal four-year civil war. Venetia Rainey speaks to Asia correspondent Sarah Newey about her recent reporting trip from inside the country about how this will affect the junta’s grip on power and why things are likely to go from bad to worse. 

Plus, we look at a major debate underway in Australia about the growing risk posed by China after Beijing sent an unprecedented naval flotilla to circle the country. With snap elections now called for May, Sam Roggeveen, Director of the Lowy Institute’s International Security Program, explains why there is a tussle over the defence budget and how well equipped the Australian Defence Force is.

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This week, we discovered that recent US airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen were coordinated over the unsecured Signal messaging app, where officials accidentally added Jeffrey Goldberg, Editor of The Atlantic, to the group chat. This astonishing security lapse offered a rare, behind-the-scenes glimpse into America’s top national security figures as they make high-stakes decisions. So, what did we learn?

Plus: As Vice President J.D. Vance visits America’s air base in Northern Greenland following Donald Trump’s declaration that he will do whatever it takes to assert control over the island, we examine what a potential US annexation means for Denmark, Greenland, and the broader Arctic.

Roland Oliphant is joined by David Blair, former foreign policy speech writer at No10, Curt Mills, Executive Editor of The American Conservative, Danish politician and MEP Anders Vistisen, and Charly Salonius-Pasternak, CEO of Nordic West Office.

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Turkey and Israel: two Middle Eastern democracies in crisis. Venetia Rainey talks to Süddeutsche Zeitung journalist Raphael Geiger in Istanbul about why President Recep Tayyep Erdogan's arrest of the city's mayor Ekrem Imamoglu has sparked rare protests, and what might happen next. 

Henry Bodkin, our correspondent in Israel, explains how the sacking of Ronen Bar, the head of the internal security agency Shin Bet, has sparked fears that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is consolidating unprecedented power and removing critics.

Read:

'Netanyahu spy scandal leaves PM fighting on two fronts' by Henry Bodkin:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/03/22/netanyahu-spy-scandal-leaves-pm-fighting-on-two-fronts/

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Canadians are angry, very angry. US president Donald Trump is not backing down from his annexation plans - and this week he even called the country "nasty".

On last week's episode, we looked at a small minority of Canadian separatists who said they would welcome Trump's plan to turn Canada into the 51st state. It caused quite a stir among our Canadian listeners. So on today's episode, we go back to Canada and look at the majority's view on Trump's expansionist plans and how the current crisis is affecting politics there in unusual ways ahead of new Prime Minister Mark Carney calling a snap election expected in April.

We hear first-hand from some of our Canadian listeners and Roland Oliphant is joined by Mark MacKinnon, senior international correspondent at Canadian broadsheet, The Globe and Mail.

Read:

'We want to live in America’s 51st state: The Canadians pledging their loyalty to Trump' by Memphis Barker:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2025/03/15/the-canadians-who-want-trump-to-turn-canada-into-51st-state/

Listen:

Trump Edition: Annexing Canada, negotiating with Russia and containing China

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/trump-edition-annexing-canada-negotiating-with-russia/id1712903296?i=1000699135822

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After just two months of a shaky ceasefire deal, the Israel Hamas war has restarted. On Tuesday morning, Israel launched a series of what it described as "extensive strikes" right across the entire Gaza Strip.

The death toll currently stands at more than 400, including many children, with nearly 600 more people wounded, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. That number is expected to rise as more bodies are pulled from the rubble.  A spokesperson for the Israeli Foreign Ministry said this morning that Israel was left with no choice after Hamas refused a US-Israeli proposal to extend the ceasefire, which technically elapsed at the beginning of this month.

To make sense of all this, Venetia Rainey speaks to a Palestinian aid worker for MSF in Gaza, the cousin of Israeli slain hostage Tal Haimi, whose body is still held by Hamas, and The Telegraph's Jerusalem correspondent Henry Bodkin.

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Over the weekend, the United States launched what it called 'powerful and decisive' airstrikes against the Houthis, the Iranian backed rebel group that controls much of Yemen. The Houthis say the death toll so far stands at 53, including two children. American officials said the strikes aimed at the Houthi leadership and came in response to the group's threat to resume strikes on shipping in the Red Sea. But it's not just about Yemen. On Monday afternoon, Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social that 'Every shot fired by the Houthis will be looked upon, and from this point forward, as being a shot fired from the weapons and leadership of Iran.'

Iran, he said, will be held responsible and suffer the consequences, and those consequences will be dire. So what does this new wave of strikes mean for the people of Yemen and for the wider Middle East? Roland Oliphant speaks with Farea Al-Muslimi, research fellow at Chatham House's Middle East and North Africa program.

Plus: as a UN helicopter is attacked in South Sudan raising fears of a return to civil war, we hear diary extracts from Dr Ryan McHenry who spent three months working with MSF in the country's arduous circumstances.

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Donald Trump has long expressed a desire to make Canada the 51st state of the US, with tensions rising as the two countries engage in a trade war. Canada has implemented retaliatory tariffs against Trump’s policies, and outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has accused Trump of trying to weaken the Canadian economy to make annexation easier. Polling suggests 90% of Canadians say they would oppose becoming part of the US, but not everyone shares that view. Telegraph foreign correspondent Memphis Barker meets with those who believe joining the US might not be such a bad idea.

Plus: Thomas Wright, strategic and national security advisor in the Biden White House, speaks with Roland Oliphant about Trump's approach to Russia and China, and the surprising continuity between the Biden and Trump administrations.

For more context on the issue of Canada, listen to the episode 'Trump edition: The Canadians fighting back against annexation'

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/trump-edition-the-canadians-fighting-back-against/id1712903296?i=1000700229713

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On this Bonus episode, Roland Oliphant speaks with Reza Pahlavi, the son of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the Shah of Iran who was overthrown in 1979. The Crown Prince has lived in exile ever since, but he now believes the regime could be heading for collapse and is positioning himself as the potential figurehead of a democratic transition. We asked him why he thinks Iran is headed for a revolution like the one that overthrew his father, why he believes he could lead such a change, and what he thinks Western governments should do in this delicate moment in Iranian history.

This episode is part of a new series of regular bonus material that Battle Lines will be releasing every month. From extended interviews with key political and defence figures to deep dives into the state of the world's biggest militaries, all you need to do to hear these episodes as soon as they're released is subscribe to The Telegraph and link your subscription in Apple Podcasts. For more information, click here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/contact-us/telegraph-subscription-bonus-content-apple-podcasts/

Read more

'Iran’s Crown Prince: My country is on the brink of a revolution like that of 1979' by Roland Oliphant:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/02/23/crown-prince-reza-pahlavi-iran-on-the-brink-of-revolution/

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As Iran carries out military drills with Russia and China, Venetia Rainey chats to Telegraph reporter Akhtar Makoii about the country's attempts to build up its army with new weapons and new capabilities. They also discuss Iran's renewed attempts to strike a nuclear deal, and why Donald Trump's threatening letter to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei might backfire. 

Plus: The war in Sudan continues to rage with no sign of resolution. The Telegraph's global health reporter Lilia Sebouai and photographer Simon Townsley gained rare access to Sudan's Nuba Mountains. They tell Roland Oliphant the stories they heard first-hand, including the way mass rape is being used as a weapon of war by the Rapid Support Forces.

Read more

'Iran unveils new ‘stealth fighter’ drone for bombing and reconnaissance' by Akhtar Makoii:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03/04/iran-unveil-stealth-fighter-drone/

'Putin agrees to help Trump start direct talks with Iran' by Akhtar Makoii:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/03/04/putin-agrees-help-trump-direct-talks-with-iran/

'Dispatch: Children reduced to skin and bones in war-torn Sudan’s forgotten famine' by Lilia Sebouai and Simon Townsley:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/terror-and-security/sudan-war-famine-nuba-malnutrition-starvation-conflict/

Children as young as four among victims of gang-rape and ethnic cleansing in war-torn Sudan by Lilia Sebouai and Simon Townsley:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/terror-and-security/child-victims-of-gang-rape-and-ethnic-cleansing-sudan-war/

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This week, following unsuccessful attempts by Volodymyr Zelensky to repair the damage done during last week's Oval Office row, Donald Trump cut all American military aid to Ukraine. It was a huge move that made clear once and for all that Zelensky is no longer in favour in Washington. 

The decision divided America, provoked widespread criticism in Europe, and was heartily cheered by Russia. So what has led to this? Trump's apparent dislike for Zelensky has not come out of nowhere, nor has his embrace of Vladimir Putin's view of the war in Ukraine and NATO.

There is a long and hugely contested history that's crucial to understanding the events of the last few weeks, and whatever will unfold in the coming months and years of Trump's presidency. On today's episode Venetia Rainey speaks with Orysia Lutsevych from Chatham House about the history of Trump's relationship with Zelensky, from Hunter Biden to the mysterious server, and Roland Oliphant looks at Trump's embrace of Putin, from KGB asset rumours to the Mueller investigation.

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Following President Trump and JD Vance's public row with Volodymyr Zelensky, Sir Keir Starmer hosted the Ukrainian leader and vowed to put together a coalition of 'the willing', saying we are at a 'crossroads in history'. So what must Britain do now to survive in Trump’s new world order? The Telegraph's David Blair, former foreign policy speech writer at No10, talks us through the six steps the British Prime Minister should take to adapt.

Plus: As the first stage of the Hamas-Israel ceasefire expired over the weekend, The Telegraph's Israel correspondent Henry Bodkin speaks with the sister-in-law of hostages Iair and Eitan Horn. Iair was recently released but Eitan is still in Gaza. She talks about her fears for Eitan's life if the ceasefire collapses.

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As US President Donald Trump reshapes the Pentagon, Roland Oliphant speaks with Missy Ryan, National Security Correspondent at The Washington Post, to uncover the reasons behind the dismissal of top military officers and the potential impact of an 8% Pentagon budget cut. Plus: The Telegraph's Jerusalem correspondent, Henry Bodkin, talks us through the controversial AI-generated video envisioning "Trump’s Gaza."

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Today marks three years since Russia's full scale invasion of Ukraine began. As Europe prepares to boost its defence in preparation for a future possible war with Russia, we ask: what has the British army learned from the Ukraine war? To find out, Venetia Rainey went to visit one of the host camps for Operation Interflex, a mammoth operation that has seen the UK and 13 partner nations train up tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers since June 2022. 

Plus: James Rothwell brings us the election results from Germany and explains what Friedrich Merz's upcoming leadership means for European defense and what the East-West election divide reveals about German society today.

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This week a very public spat erupted between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian president Vlodomoyr Zelensky after Washington took the unprecedented step of starting peace negotiation talks with Moscow - but without Kyiv. 

After Zelensky accused Trump of disinformation, Trump retorted by branding Zelensky a dictator, something that has been roundly condemned by European leaders. 

So why has Trump turned against Zelensky, what is behind his embrace of Russia and is his view shared by Americans?

Plus: How do you end a war? Do they always end in negotiations, as the cliche goes? And is there a fair way to do it - particularly if neither side has been militarily defeated?

Professor Sir Lawrence Freedman, the Emeritus Professor of War Studies at King's College London, looks to history to discuss all these questions and more.

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As the first phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire-hostage deal enters its final weeks, the region is on tenterhooks to see what will happen next. 

Will the rest of the hostages be released and aid continue to enter Gaza? Or will the deal be blown up and fighting restart? And as we mark 500 days since the October 7th massacre, we’ll be asking to what extent Israel has achieved its original war aims. 

Plus, we go behind the scenes at the most dramatic Munich Security Conference yet, and look at why deputy US vice president JD Vance’s speech left European leaders speechless.

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In a recent address to NATO in Brussels, U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth declared that the U.S. is no longer "primarily focused on Europe's security." He emphasised that the U.S. would not send troops to Ukraine and would 'no longer tolerate an imbalanced relationship which encourages dependency'. With the American commitment to global peace since 1945 now over, what does this shift mean for European security? Can Europe defend itself without American troops, funding, and intelligence support?

Plus: is the Trump administration signalling a move towards a multipolar world, where global power is divided into three distinct spheres of influence?

Roland Oliphant is joined by Ed Arnold, Senior Research Fellow for European Security at RUSI, and by Michael Ignatieff, the former leader of the Canadian Liberal Party and leader of the Opposition.

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USAID is dead. From Ukraine to Vietnam, the knock-on effect from Donald Trump and Elon Musk's dramatic shuttering of one of the largest aid agencies in the world is being felt around the world. Why has it been shuttered and what does it mean for American soft power?

Roland Oliphant speaks to Sera Koulabdara, CEO of Legacies of War, about the halt of de-mining work in southeast Asia and why it is essential for American influence in China's backyard. 

Plus he talks to The Telegraph’s senior foreign correspondent Memphis Barker about why Kyiv is especially worried and whether this might prompt a rethink of the international aid system.

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In a shock announcement this week Donald Trump said he would ‘take over’ Gaza, ‘own’ it and called for Palestinians to be 'resettled' in neighbouring countries, prompting concerns over ethnic cleansing. Venetia Rainey catches up with The Telegraph’s woman in Washington Katie O'Neill about it and asks military expert Linda Robinson about the feasibility of Trump’s proposed plan.

Plus: The Telegraph’s former Beijing correspondent Sophia Yan explains why China retaliated to US tariffs and what lessons were learned from dealing with Donald Trump in his first term.

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Amid news of Iran developing new ballistic missiles and unveiling an underground missile city, we look at the truth behind this show of force. With its axis of resistance across the Middle East in tatters and ongoing internal issues over women's rights, the economy and the environment, we ask - can the Iranian regime survive 2025?

Plus: We catch up with exiled Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof about his new film The Seed of the Sacred Fig and ask what he thinks will happen to the Iranian regime.

Contact us with feedback or ideas:

battlelines@telegraph.co.uk 

@venetiarainey

@RolandOliphant

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US President Donald Trump has called Chinese AI company DeepSeek a "wake up call" - and he's right. As shock waves continue to reverberate through the US tech industry, The Telegraph’s AI and cybersecurity expert Gareth Corfield explains why a new AI Cold War is developing and what it means for Western security. 

Plus, we speak to a Doomsday Clock scientist about why AI means humanity is closer to disaster than ever before, and look at what the Trump administration's approach will be to the conflict in Congo and the African continent at large.

Contact us with feedback or ideas:

battlelines@telegraph.co.uk 

@venetiarainey

@RolandOliphant

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New Middle East correspondent Henry Bodkin talks to Venetia Rainey about his recent trip to Syria where he went out on the road with ruling party Hayat Tahrir al-Sham looking for former Assad regime loyalists. He also discusses the stories behind the biggest headlines from the Middle East, including what the latest hostage release tells us about Hamas’ remaining strength in Gaza and why one Israeli woman was left off the list. 

Plus, Roland Oliphant explains why Congo's foreign minister has accused its neighbour Rwanda of declaring war and the role 'blood minerals' are playing in the conflict.

Read:

'On the road with Syria’s new ‘terrorist’ leaders' by Henry Bodkin:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/01/23/syria-young-rebels-hayat-tahrir-al-sham-justice-purge-hts/

'The teeth and bones that hold the key to this century’s worst chemical weapons attack' by Henry Bodkin:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/01/11/teeth-bones-hold-key-centurys-worst-chemical-weapons-attack/

Contact us with feedback or ideas:

battlelines@telegraph.co.uk 

@venetiarainey

@RolandOliphant

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As Donald Trump returns to the White House, the world braces for what comes next. Every Friday, Battle Lines will turn its focus to the US and look at how Trump’s foreign policy decisions are reshaping the world.

On today’s episode, we look at Donald Trump's first week in office. Roland Oliphant is joined from Washington by The Telegraph's Katie O'Neill to get the latest, and speaks with the author and historian Robert Merry about the 19th century President William McKinley, who appears to be the inspiration for Trump's new American expansionism.

Plus: former soldier Chris Purdy tells us why many veterans are alarmed at Donald Trump's pick for Defense secretary Pete Hegseth.

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As the Hamas-Israel ceasefire deal comes into effect, we speak with Jotam Confino to hear why he thinks the deal is unlikely to hold and why Israelis are angry with Netanyahu’s government. We also hear from Rosalia Bollen, UNICEF Communications Specialist, who describes the scale of the humanitarian challenge in the Gaza strip where 1. 8 million people are in urgent need of emergency shelter, food and essential household items. Plus: on Donald Trump's first day back in the White House, Brussels correspondent Joe Barnes examines just what he wants from the world, and whether he'll get it. 

Contact us with feedback or ideas:

battlelines@telegraph.co.uk 

@venetiarainey

@RolandOliphant

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Roland Oliphant and Venetia Rainey discuss the Gaza ceasefire, how the deal happened and what it means for Israel, Hamas, and the world. Plus: reactions from Ruwaida Amer on the ground in Gaza and from Gil Dickmann, the cousin of Carmel Gat, one of the hostages killed by Hamas.

Contact us with feedback or ideas:

battlelines@telegraph.co.uk 

@venetiarainey

@RolandOliphant

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The former British Army colonel and chemical weapons expert tells Venetia Rainey about his recent trip to Syria,his optimism about the country’s future, and the efforts to find the evidence of Assad’s use of chemical weapons. Plus: Can negotiators get a Gaza ceasefire deal over the line before Donald Trump’s inauguration next Monday? 

Contact us with feedback or ideas:

battlelines@telegraph.co.uk 

@venetiarainey

@RolandOliphant

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With no end in sight to conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, Myanmar and many more places, 2025 promises to be at least as tumultuous as last year. So what is the biggest threat to security for Britain, and its Western allies?

From complacency and our underfunded army to China and Russia, we get the views of Alicia Kearns MP, former chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee and now Shadow Minister for National Security; General Lord Richard Dannatt, former head of the British army; and John Bolton, former foreign security advisor to Donald Trump and ambassador to the UN.

Contact us with feedback or ideas:

battlelines@telegraph.co.uk 

@venetiarainey

@RolandOliphant

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In late December Israeli forces raided the Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, forcibly evacuating its wards of patients and medical staff and arresting the hospital’s prominent director, Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya. Venetia Rainey catches up with The Telegraph’s Middle East correspondent Jotam Confino to find out more.

Plus: the inside track on a migrant smuggling network that reaches from Afghanistan’s Herat to the French port of Calais. Our foreign correspondent Akhtar Makoiiinfiltrated the network for The Telegraph. 

Contact us with feedback or ideas:

battlelines@telegraph.co.uk 

@venetiarainey

@RolandOliphant

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On another special episode of Battle Lines, Roland Oliphant and guests look at the war memoir. How have war memoirs shaped our understanding of wars? Has the art and the role of the memoir changed over time? And will the ones written today similarly influence how future generations will remember the wars of our time?

Contributors

Francis Dearnley (The Telegraph’s Assistant Comment Editor)

Dr. Matilda Greig (Historian at the National Army Museum in London, specialising in the Napoleonic period)

Colin Freeman (Journalist and author)

'Dead Men Telling Tales, Napoleonic War Veterans and the Military Memoir Industry, 1808-1914' by Matilda Greig, is available here:

https://global.oup.com/academic/product/dead-men-telling-tales-9780192896025?cc=es&lang=en

'Curse of the Al Dulaimi Hotel : And Other Half-Truths from Baghdad', by Colin Freeman, is available here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Curse-Al-Dulaimi-Hotel-Half-Truths/dp/1906308020

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On this special end of year episode, Roland Oliphant is joined by The Telegraph's Chief Film Critic Robbie Collin to look back at the best war films of the year. Plus: Are we seeing an era of growing conflict reflected on film? And what do the films we make say about our attitudes to these unsettling times?

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In another special episode looking back at history, Venetia Rainey talks with the author of ‘Fifth Sun: A New History of the Aztecs’, a book that came highly recommended by David Knowles. It’s a new look at how the Aztecs dealt with internal conflict, how they lost the war with the Spanish, and how history has misremembered them.

'Fifth Sun: A New History of the Aztecs’, by Camilla Townsend, is available here:

https://global.oup.com/ukhe/product/fifth-sun-9780197577660 

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On this special episode of Battle Lines, Roland Oliphant and guests tackle the late David Knowles’ favourite conversational gambit: Who is your favourite of Napoleon’s Marshals? As they ponder their own choice they look back at who the generals were, what made them ‘great’, and why they continue to capture the imagination.

Contributors

Francis Dearnley (The Telegraph’s Assistant Comment Editor)

Dr. Matilda Greig (Historian at the National Army Museum in London, specialising in the Napoleonic period.

Dr. Zack White (historian and host of 'The Napoleonic Wars Podcast')

The Napoleonic & Revolutionary War Graves Charity

To learn more about the charity that aims to provide similar care to the dead of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars to that we see from more recent conflicts, visit:

https://www.nrwgc.com/

'Napoleonic Objects and their Afterlives', edited by Matilda Greig, is available here:

https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/napoleonic-objects-and-their-afterlives-9781350415072/ 

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As mysterious drone sightingsnear US military bases continue to unsettle anxious citizens, we look into what a new drone age means for the future of warfare. The flying objects have been defining the battlefield for a while, dominating the wars in Ukraine, Sudan and the Middle East. But now, with the advent of Artificial Intelligence, anyone can build an autonomous killer drone. So could this herald a new age of assassinations and mass destruction? How can it be controlled? And can it be kept out of the wrong hands?

The Telegraph’s Arthur Scott-Geddes tells Roland Oliphant how he turned a toy into an assassination device and why more conversation around containing this technology is needed.

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In the first episode of our special holiday series taking a left-field look at conflict and war, we hear personal stories from two countries that have had to grapple with multiple crises in recent years: Lebanon and Afghanistan.

Journalist Sune Engel Rasmussen lived and worked in Afghanistan for nearly a decade. He spent hundreds of hours interviewing everyone from Taliban fighters to female activists for his book “Twenty Years: Hope, War, and the Betrayal of an Afghan Generation”  He talks about the lasting impact of America’s post 9/11 invasion in 2001 on young Afghans and how the Taliban managed to make such a startling comeback.

Plus: Victoria Lupton, founder and CEO of charity Seenaryo on how Lebanon is faring post-ceasefire deal and their film Tilka, which follows five women navigating the collapse of the country prior to the war.

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On today’s episode we speak to Farouq Habib from Syria’s White Helmets about returning to his home city of Homs for the first time in over a decade. He tells us about the devastation Bashar al-Assad wreaked across Syria, and how the country can heal now that the regime has fallen. Plus: The Telegraph’s senior foreign correspondent Sophia Yan has been on the Turkish-Syrian border. She’s been speaking to refugees excited to finally be able to go back, but also to Turkish Alawites who continue to have an affinity for Assad. 

Read

Syrians stream across border from Turkey as guards open crossings, by Sophia Yan:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/12/10/syrians-flood-across-border-from-turkey-open-crossings/

It’s too soon to return to Syria – its new rulers were al-Qaeda members just a few years ago, by Abdulrahman Bdiwi:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/12/10/first-person-too-soon-go-back-syria-al-qaeda-few-years-ago/

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Within the space of 10 days, opposition forces have toppled the Assad regime, ending five decades of the family’s authoritarian rule. In the streets of Damascus, Hama, Homs and Aleppo, Syrians are celebrating, saying this is a new dawn for their country. Venetia Rainey and Roland Oliphant discuss how we got here, and what happens next. Plus: renowned war photographer Paul Conroy shares his reflections on the fall of Assad, nearly 13 years after the Syrian regime injured him and killed his colleague veteran reporter Marie Colvin.

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Roland Oliphant speaks with The Telegraph’s senior correspondent Sophia Yan about her analysis of satellite imagesshowing Russia ramping up its military presence in the African state. Plus: The Telegraph’s James Rothwell on how children are being recruited to carry out gang killings in Sweden.

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How has a Syrian rebel lightning offensive managed to seize Aleppo from Bashar al-Assad's regime? Who are the leaders, Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham? And could it reignite the civil war? Venetia Rainey is joined by Dr Haid Haid, Syrian columnist and consulting fellow at Chatham House, to answer all those questions and more.

Plus: an Israeli conscientious objector tells her story of why she spent three months in prison for refusing to serve her compulsory military service.

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In today’s episode we get two rare insides from the ground. Our team of reporters just returned from the frontline in Kharkiv and Jan Egeland, Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council witnessed the humanitarian crisis unravelling in Sudan as a result of the ongoing war. Venetia Rainey catches up with both of them. 

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Lebanon and Hezbollah have struck a ceasefire deal - but how will it work and is Gaza next? For this emergency podcast, Venetia Rainey is joined by Maya Gebeily, Reuters Beirut Bureau Chief, and Jotam Confino, The Telegraph’s correspondent in Israel, to take the temperature on the ground. 

Plus, as thousands of displaced people in both Lebanon and Israel return home to survey the damage of 14 months of war, we look at why the deal is being treated with caution on both sides.

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One year on from the last Gaza hostage deal, Venetia Rainey speaks with Sharone Lifschitz, whose father was kidnapped on October 7th and is still being held hostage by Hamas. We also hear from Amani Ahmed, a Palestinian academic from Gaza, who was at the University of Edinburgh when the war began and after a long ordeal managed to be reunited with her family. Plus: an update of the last week's big news stories from the Middle East, including the ICC arrest warrants, Israel's attempt to assassinate another senior Hezbollah official, and Lebanon ceasefire talks.

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Roland Oliphant is joined by The Telegraph’s Sarah Newey to talk about her interview with one of the international combatants fighting in Myanmar’s brutal civil war. Plus: as violence escalates in Haiti, MSF are suspending activities in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince until further notice. We hear from their head of mission about the decision and what the mood is like on the ground. 

Contributors

Roland Oliphant (Host)

Sarah Newey (Global Health Security Correspondent)

Christophe Garnier (MSF’s Head of Mission in Haiti)

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Con Coughlin, the Telegraph’s defence and foreign affairs editor, joins Venetia Rainey to discuss Israel’s strike on Hezbollah’s spokesman Mohammad Afif, the pope’s calls for an investigation into potential genocide in Gaza and how the geopolitical landscape might shift under Donald Trump’s new cabinet. Plus: Sir Keir Starmer’s upcoming meeting with Chinese president Xi Jinping.

Contributors

Venetia Rainey

Con Coughlin

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This week, President-elect Donald Trump made key appointments to his diplomatic and security cabinet. What do his picks for Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, and Director of National Intelligence reveal about the direction of his foreign policy? In this episode, we take a closer look at the backgrounds and ideologies of these key figures and explore the potential impact on global issues, from the war in Ukraine to the conflict in Gaza and the US-China relationship. Plus: who might the British government choose to send as its next ambassador to Washington?

Contributors

Roland Oliphant

Tony Diver

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Israel has said there is progress in talks about a ceasefire and indicated Russia could play a part. On today’s episode of Battle Lines, Venetia and Roland look at what this means and go over the latest news updates from around the region, including a voicenote from an aid worker fleeing northern Gaza and meetings between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

They also chat to Reuters’ Beirut Bureau Chief Maya Gebeily about how Lebanese politicians and citizens are coping with the fighting, what is behind Israel’s increasing attacks on Syria, and why the conflict in Lebanon is her most difficult reporting assignment yet.

Contributors

Venetia Rainey

Roland Oliphant

Maya Gebeily (Reuters Beirut bureau chief)

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What will Trump's second term look like? On today's episode of Battle Lines we discuss Donald Trump's re-election and its implications for both the US and the wider world.

Contributors

Roland Oliphant (Host)

Robert Mendick (Chief Reporter)

Edward Arnold (Senior Research Fellow at RUSI)

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Is Iran preparing another attack on Israel? On today's episode of Battle Lines we discuss what's next for Iran as they look to retaliate for recent strikes from Israel. Plus we hear from Kamal Mouzawak, a Lebanese social entrepreneur who runs a community kitchen to help displaced Lebanese.

Contributors

Venetia Rainey

Roland Oliphant

Kamal Mouzawak

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On today's episode of Battle Lines we speak to Deputy US Editor Rozina Sabur to find out what the mood is like on the ground before the US election. Then we talk to the directors of a new documentary, War Game, which had former US government officials simulate a contested election that led to insurgents taking the capital.

Contributors

Venetia Rainey (Host)

Rozina Sabur (Deputy US Editor)

Tony Gerber (director of War Games)

Jesse Moss (director of War Games)

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How will Iran respond to Israel's attack? On today's episode of Battle Lines we'll update you on everything you need to know about Israel's retaliatory strike on Iran. We'll also be chatting to Karin Huster, a Médecins Sans Frontières doctor in Gaza to get an in depth look at what's really going on in the north of the Strip amidst Israel's ongoing siege.

Contributors

Venetia Rainey

Roland Oliphant

Karin Huster

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On today's episode of Battle Lines we check in with Russia correspondent James Kilner about why dozens of world leaders are meeting in Russia and what it says about Vladimir Putin's plans for a new world order. Then we chat to East Asia correspondent Nicola Smith about how North Korean troops in Ukraine could have major implications in the Western Pacific. 

Contributors

Roland Oliphant

James Kilner

Nicola Smith

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Who will lead Hamas now that Yahya Sinwar has been killed? On today's episode we get the latest from the Middle East including the significance of the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and Hezbollah's attempted assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. We also talk to our veteran defense and foreign affairs editor, Con Coughlin, about his time in Beirut reporting on the war with Israel back in 1984. 

Contributors

Venetia Rainey

Ben Farmer

Con Coughlin

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Is China threatening to take action in Taiwan? On today's episode of Battle Lines we'll be looking at China's aggressive war games around Taiwan and what it tells us about their plans to 'reunify' the island with the mainland. Plus, a behind the scenes look at a British royal's trip to the Sudanese-Chad border.

Contributors

Venetia Rainey (Host)

Nicola Smith (Asia correspondent)

Henry Bodkin (Senior reporter)

Just 10 miles from a war zone, the Duchess of Edinburgh finds a ‘complete atrocity’ by Henry Bodkin

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Why does Netanyahu want UN peacekeepers removed from Lebanon and what does the strengthening of ties between Russia and Iran mean for the war in Gaza? On today's special bonus episode of Battle Lines we update you on the latest from the Middle East with our hosts Venetia Rainey and Roland Oliphant.

Contributors

Venetia Rainey

Roland Oliphant

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Will Israel's conflict with Iran go nuclear? On today's episode, we speak to foreign correspondent Ben Farmer for the latest updates from Lebanon, where Israel is expanding its ground offensive against Hezbollah. Then we speak to US academic Henry Sokolski about fears a direct conflict between Israel and Iran could escalate to a nuclear war. 

Contributors

Roland Oliphant (Host)

Ben Farmer (Telegraph contributor)

Henry Sokolski (Executive Director of the Nonproliferation Policy Education Center

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In this bonus episode of Battle Lines, Senior Foreign Correspondent Sophia Yan checks back in on year later with two friends, Adam Ben-Shabbat and Nadim Tali, who grew up in a village known as the 'Oasis of Peace'. This village, situated between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, is the only village in Israel where Palestinians and Jewish Israelis choose to live together. How is the village dealing with the ongoing war and how do the two friends feel things have changed?

Contributors:

Sophia Yan (Senior Foreign Correspondent). @sophia_yan on X.

Adam Ben-Shabbat

Nadim Tali

Read

Dispatch: Inside the only place in Israel where Jews and Arabs choose to live together by Sophia Yan

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One year on from the Hamas massacre of October 7, Israel is still struggling to recover from the trauma of that day. We share three different Israeli perspectives: Telegraph correspondent Jotam Confino, who has reported on the shifts in Israeli society and politics; Yifat Zailer, whose cousin Shiri Bibas is still being held hostage along with her two red-headed young children and husband; and Joel Carmel, a former IDF soldier who examines the reality of the Israeli military's methods through his work for advocacy group Breaking the Silence.

Contributors

Venetia Rainey (Host)

Jotam Confino (Telegraph correspondent)

Yifat Zailer (relative of Israeli hostages)

Joel Carmel (Breaking the Silence Advocacy Director, former IDF solider)

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How will Israel respond to Iran's historic missile attack? On today’s emergency episode of Battle Lines we speak to the Telegraph’s Paul Nuki who was in Tel Aviv as Iran launched 180 missiles at Israel. We’re also joined by the Telegraph’s Adrian Blomfield to discuss Israel’s invasion of Lebanon and what comes next.

Contributors

Venetia Rainey (Host)

Paul Nuki (Global Health Security Editor

Adrian Blomfield (Telegraph contributor)

I dodged death on historic day for Israel and Middle East by Paul Nuki

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In this emergency episode of Battle Lines we get the latest on the assassination of Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah. What does this mean for Iran's 'axis of resistance' and will this be the tipping point of a full-scale war throughout the region?

Contributors

Venetia Rainey (Host)

Roland Oliphant (Senior foreign correspondent)

Adrian Blomfield (Telegraph contributor)

Paul Nuki (Global Health Security editor)

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On today's episode of Battle Lines we speak to the Telegraph's Adrian Blomfield in Beirut, and photographer Heathcliff O'Malley in Tel Aviv about the possibility of a ground war in Lebanon. The Israeli Defense Forces top general has told his troops to be ready to enter Lebanon to fight Hezbollah on their own turf for the first time since 2006. While American diplomats rush to broker a ceasefire, the Middle East stands on the brink of unlikely peace or an even bloodier war.

Contributors

Roland Oliphant (Host)

Adrian Blomfield (Telegraph contributor)

Heathcliff O'Malley (Telegraph photographer)

Read

Schools turn to shelters as thousands flee across Lebanon by Adrian Blomfield

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On today's episode we have a special round table with co-hosts Venetia Rainey and Roland Oliphant who are joined by senior foreign correspondent, Sophia Yan. We'll be talking about the attack on Hezbollah, what it's like reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the challenges of being a foreign correspondent.

Contributors

Venetia Rainey

Roland Oliphant

Sophia Yan 

Read

Long arm of China looms over one of the world’s last Uyghur bookshops by Sophia Yan

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Sudan has suffered a brutal conflict that has killed nearly 20,000 people, displaced over 10 million, and left around 25 million facing acute hunger. Sudan's cities have been turned into battlefields. Fighting has been marked by mass rape and murder, hospitals have been attacked, one in five people have now fled their homes, and cholera is on the rise.The scale of the humanitarian crisis in Sudan far outstrips Gaza and Ukraine, yet it receives almost no attention. So how did things get so bad? Why isn't it being covered more? And is there any prospect of peace? 

Contributors

Venetia Rainey

Asil Sidahmed

Basma Khalifa

Dr Jennifer Hulse

Resources to find out more about the war in Sudan and how you can help:

https://x.com/MadaniyaSDG

https://linktr.ee/londonforsudan

https://x.com/khartoumkitchen

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On today's episode we pay tribute to David Knowles, creator of Battle Lines. David tragically passed away at the age of 32 on September 8th, 2024. We've put together some highlights of David's brilliant work for the Battle Lines Podcast. You can leave a message of condolence on David's obituary page using the link below.

David Knowles, journalist behind Telegraph’s Ukraine war podcast, dies aged 32

Battle Lines: A war reporter reacts to the film ‘Civil War’

Battle Lines: Could Iran be due for yet another revolution?

Battle Lines: Naval lessons from the Black Sea & how China’s enormous new invasion mothership rewrites the rules of war

Battle Lines: 'If there is one Hamas guy without a right arm, but with his left hand makes a victory sign – we lost'

Battle Lines: The future of the Israel-Gaza war & the geopolitics of the Olympic Games

Battle Lines: 'The children ask me, Santa, are you coming, despite the war?'

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This week on Battle Lines we speak to Middle East correspondent Jotam Confino for the latest updates from Israel, where Israelis took to the streets as Hamas executed more hostages. Then, we speak to our Europe editor James Crisp on the rise of the far right in Germany.

Contributors

David Knowles (Host)

Jotam Confino (Middle East correspondent)

James Crisp (Europe Editor)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ukraine has stunned the world in the Black Sea, pushing back the Russian fleet and sinking numerous vessels. Is it really true that drones have fundamentally changed war at sea? And what is happening in China, where the production of new military vessels is dwarfing the efforts of Western countries? We spoke to former Royal Navy officer Tom Sharp to find out more.

Contributors

David Knowles

Tom Sharp

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This week we discuss the biggest Israeli military operation in the West Bank since the Second Intifada and Hezbollah's rocket attack against Israel. We also take a trip into the skies above Gaza with one of our reporters for a rare bird's eye glimpse into the territory. Plus, an al Qaeda linked group has been accused of murdering hundreds of people in Burkina Faso. We discuss jihadists and the security situation in the Sahel region.

Contributors

Venetia Rainey

Sophia Yan

Ben Farmer

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In this episode of Battle Lines we speak to Tony Diver about his conversation with families of the Israeli hostages who are desperate for a ceasefire deal. Then we speak to Akhtar Makoii who reports on the Taliban soldiers longing for a battle.

Contributors

Roland Oliphant (Host)

Tony Diver (US editor)

Akhtar Makoii

Read

‘Sitting in an office is boring’: Taliban soldiers long for war by Akhtar Makoii

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On this bonus episode of Battle Lines we talk to Peter Schwartzstein, author of the upcoming book The Heat and the Fury. From ISIS training grounds in Iraq to the pirate-ridden waters of Bangladesh Peter discovers the unexpected ways in which climate change is feeding global unrest and conflict. 

Contributors

Venetia Rainey (Host)

Peter Schwartzstein (Author, The Heat and the Fury)

Pre-order The Heat and the Fury HERE

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On today's episode, Global Health Editor Paul Nuki joins me from Tel Aviv to report on the mammoth diplomatic effort to avert a full scale war between Israel and Iran. Then we talk to Associate Editor Dominic Nicholls about Ukraine's operation in Kursk, the first foreign incursion into Russia since the Second World War and how it could tip the balance of the conflict in Ukraine.

Contributors

Roland Oliphant (Senior Foreign Correspondent, Host)

Paul Nuki (Global Health Security Editor)

Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor Defense)

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In this episode of Battle Lines, we look at how Israel is preparing for a possible war with Iran and a deep dive into how Hamas fights with Middle East Correspondent Jotam Confino. We also pop over to Paris to talk to the Telegraph's Henry Samuel's and see how the French have been covering the riots and what advice they would give the UK. Plus we get an explainer of the political turmoil in Bangladesh with Sarah Newey.

Contributors

Venetia Rainey (Host)

Jotam Confino (Middle East correspondent)

Henry Samuels (Paris correspondent)

Sarah Newey (Global Health Security correspondent)

Read

How Hamas fights by Jotam Confino

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This week on Battle Lines we look at the assassinations of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders in the Middle East that are raising fears of a wider war throughout the region amid chaos in the state of Israel. Then we look at the controversial Venezuelan elections that President Maduro claims to have won despite a disputed outcome.

Contributors

David Knowles (Host)

Venetia Rainey (Host)

James Rothwell (Berlin correspondent)

Paul Nuki (Global Health Security Editor)

Simeon Tegel

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The tyrant was once thought to be an endangered species. From Vladimir Putin to Xi Jinping and Kim Jong Un, there is a new generation of leaders for life. But are they as strong as they look? Marcel Dirsus has written a book looking at that exact question. How tyrants fall. Is there a way to help them along the way? And is it always a good idea to do so?

Contributors

Roland Oliphant

Marcel Dirsus

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On today's episode we examine the situation in Gaza and Israel, asking whether the war could spread beyond its current limits. Then, with the opening ceremony of Paris 2024 just a few hours away, we look at the links between geopolitics, identity, and the Olympic Games throughout history

Contributors

David Knowles (Host)

David Hearst (Editor in Chief, Middle East Eye)

Professor Matthew Andrews (University of North Carolina)

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On today's special episode of Battle Lines we speak to International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi. As China rapidly expands its nuclear arsenal and Iran inches closer to a bomb than ever before, Raphael Grossi is possibly the individual most responsible for holding it together. We asked him how dangerous this moment really is, how scared we should be and what, if anything, we can do about it.

Contributors

Roland Oliphant (Host)

Rafael Grossi (IAEA)

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On today's episode, we check in with Deputy US Editor Rozina Sabur about what the assassination attempt against Donald Trump tells us about political extremism in the United States. Then Senior Foreign Correspondent Sophia Yan reports on a secret military base in Tajikistan at the heart of China's plans to challenge Russia for dominance in Central Asia. 

Contributors

Roland Oliphant (Host)

Rozina Sabur (Deputy US Editor)

Sophia Yan (Senior Foreign Correspondent)

Read

China constructs secret Tajikistan military base amid fears of Taliban by Sophia Yan

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A Navy frigate commander and a British submarine captain on playing cat and mouse in a ‘little bubble of GCHQ’

"When a torpedo starts coming straight at you, there’s only one thing a submarine crew can do – snap into “full evasion” mode. Captain Ryan Ramsey issues swift orders. His crew responds immediately, twisting the Royal Navy’s Trafalgar-class submarine to manoeuvre the boat beneath the waves in an effort to shake off the weapon bearing down fast on their position."

In this exclusive conversation between The Telegraph's Associate Editor Dom Nicholl's and Captain Ryan Ramsey (retired) and Captain Tom Sharpe (retired) listen to how top naval commanders think about their work at sea, the issues, problems and rewards.

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On today's episode of Battle Lines, we look at the UK's new Labour government and its defence policy with our defence editor Danielle Sheridan. We also pop over to the NATO summit and ask Brussels correspondent Joe Barnes how NATO can "Trump proof" the alliance? Finally we speak to Europe editor James Crisp about the shock French election result and what it means for President Macron.

Contributors

Venetia Rainey (Host)

Danielle Sheridan (Defense Editor)

Joe Barnes (Brussels Correspondent)

James Crisp (Europe Editor)

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On today's episode of Battle Lines, we speak to US editor Tony Diver on the state of the presidential race after a disastrous debate for Joe Biden and the Supreme Court's presidential immunity ruling. Then, we catch up with correspondent Nicola Smith about the healthcare crisis in the West Bank, and her reflections after a month covering the Israel Hamas war. Finally, we talk to Defense Editor Danielle Sheridan about her recent trip to Kiev and hear about pole dancing in a nation at war.

Contributors

David Knowles (Host) @djknowles on X

Tony Diver (US Editor) @Tony_Diver on X

Nicola Smith (Asia Correspondent) @niccijsmith

Danielle Sheridan (Defense Editor) @SheridanDani on X

Read

Olena Zelenska interview: War has pushed me close to psychological burnout

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In this episode of Battle Lines we're going to explore the impact of WikiLeaks from a conflict and security perspective and ask the Telegraph's Gordon Rayner and journalist Colin Freeman what founder Julian Assange's intentions really were. We also hear from journalist Dorjee Wangmo about Chinese oppression in Tibet and get an update on the dire situation in Gaza from Nicola Smith.

Contributors

Venetia Rainey (Host)

Colin Freeman

Gordon Rayner (Associate Editor)

Nicola Smith (Asia Correspondent)

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On today's bonus episode of Battle Lines, we speak to Professor Ali Ansari, author and founding director of the Institute of Iranian Studies at the University of St. Andrews. With the recent death of Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash, Iranian politics is set for yet another shift. With an increasingly youthful secular population suffering through a dire economic situation, some say the stranglehold of the Iranian clerics known as the ulama is waning. Could Iran be due for yet another revolution?

Contributors

David Knowes (Host) @djknowles22 on X

Professor Ali Ansari (University of St. Andrews) @aa51_ansari on X

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On today's episode, we speak to journalist and author Fareed Zakaria about why he believes America and the West are entering a new age of revolution. We then check in with Nicola Smith, our correspondent in Israel, about how domestic political turmoil and the ongoing war in Gaza is threatening Benjamin Netanyahu's government. 

Contributors

Roland Oliphant (Host) @rolandoliphant on x

Fareed Zakaria (CNN political correspondent, author ) @fareedzakaria on X

Nicole Smith (Asia correspondent) @niccijsmith on X

Read

Age Of Revolutions by Fareed Zakaria

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On today’s episode we check in with Telegraph correspondent Nicola Smith about the controversy surrounding Israel’s hostage rescue, the latest ceasefire talks and could a full scale conflict break out with Lebanon. Then we spoke with Europe editor James Crisp about the surprising gains by the far right in the EU elections. Finally Senior foreign correspondent Sophia Yan explains why three judges have quit the courts in Hong Kong this week.

Contributors

Roland Oliphant (Host) @rolandoliphant on x

Nicola Smith (Asia correspondent) @niccijsmith on X

James Crisp (Europe editor) @jamescrisp6 on X

Sophia Yan (Senior foreign correspondent) @sophia_yan on X

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On today's episode of Battle Lines, we mark and reflect on this anniversary, and ask what it means for Western countries in 2024 as another full scale war ravages Europe. 2024 as another full scale war ravages Europe. We hear from The Telegraph's US editor, Tony Diver, who's been following Joe Biden's visit to Normandy. We also speak to our defence editor, Danielle Sheridan, who's been talking to veterans on the ground in France. In the studio in London, we catch up with Roland Oliphant, who's been exploring some of the journalism from D Day, and we talk about what it means about the coverage of war then and now. Finally, we speak to Asia correspondent Nicola Smith. who's starting a new reporting stint in Israel. 

Contributors

David Knowles (Host)

Tony Diver (US Editor)

Danielle Sheridan (Defence Editor)

Ken Hay (Veteran)

Roland Oliphant (Senior Foreign Correspondent)

Nicola Smith (Asia correspondent)

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On today's episode, we chat with Defence Editor Danielle Sheridan, who tells us how Labour and the Conservatives differ in their views on defence spending. Then we speak to Paul Nuki, editor of Global Health and Security, who gives us the latest on the dire situation in Rafah as Israeli airstrikes kill dozens. Finally, we speak to Ben Farmer, our South Africa correspondent, about the elections there this week.

Contributors

Venetia Rainey (Host) @venetiarainey on X

Danielle Sheridan (Defence Editor) @sheridandani on X

Paul Nuki (Global Health and Security Editor) @paulnuki on X

Ben Farmer (South Africa crrespondent) @benfarmerDT on x

For 3 months access to The Telegraph for just £1: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/audio |

Email: battlelines@telegraph.co.uk

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today's episode of Battle Lines we speak to The Telegraph's Paris correspondent Henry Samuel about the unlikely link between Azerbaijan and pro independence riots in France's Pacific island of New Caledonia. Then, Africa correspondent Ben Farmer describes the dire humanitarian situation in the besieged Sudanese city of El Fashir. Finally, we speak to Energy Editor Jonathan Leake about how the discovery of oil near Antarctica could spark a rush for resources at the South Pole.

Contributors

Roland Oliphant (Senior Foreign Correspondent) @RolandOliphant on X

Henry Samuel (Paris Correspondent) @H_E_Samuel on X

Ben Farmar (Africa Correspondent) @benfarmerdt on X

Jonathan Leake (Energy Editor) @jonathan__leake on x

Read

Russia finds vast oil and gas reserves in British Antarctic territory by Jonathan Leake

Macron flying to New Caledonia in bid to end violent insurrection by Henry Samuel

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In this episode of Battle Lines, we speak to Europe editor James Crisp about the attempted assassination of Slovakian PM Robert Fico. Then we speak to Gia Japaridze, a former Georgian diplomat who was beaten up in what he believes was punishment for his opposition to a controversial foreign agent's law. And finally, we speak to Robin Forestier Walker, a British filmmaker who lives in Tbilisi, about how protesters have reacted to the law.  

Contributors

Roland Oliphant (Senior foreign correspondent) @rolandoliphant on X

James Crisp (Europe Editor) @JamesCrisp6 on X

Gia Japaridze @giajapar on X

Robin Forestier Walker @robinfwalker on X

For 3 months access to The Telegraph for just £1: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/audio |

Email: battlelines@telegraph.co.uk

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On today's episode, we speak to senior foreign correspondent Roland Oliphant, who recently saw the film Civil War, directed by Andrew Garland. Roland, as a war reporter, had some thoughts on the film and he shares them with us.

Contributors

David Knowles (Host) @djknowles22 on X.

Roland Oliphant (Host, Senior Foreign Correspondent) @rolandoliphant on X

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On today's episode, we speak to our Middle East correspondent Natalia Vasilyeva in Jerusalem on Israel's impending assault on Rafa and Biden's threats to halt weapons supplies to Israel. Then, we hear from Jumana Shahin, a Gaza resident who's fled to Egypt to protect herself and her young daughter. Then, we speak to our economics reporter Melissa Lawford on the dire state of Iran's economy. And finally, I talk to senior foreign correspondent Roland Oliphant, who recently saw the film Civil War, directed by Andrew Garland. Roland, as a war reporter, had some thoughts on the film and he shares them with us.

Contributors

David Knowles (Host) @djknowles22 on X.

Nataliya Vasilyeva (Middle East Correspondent) @Nat_Vasilyeva on X.

Jumana Shahin @jumana.shahin on Instagram

Melissa Lawford (Economics Reporter) @Melissalawford on X

Roland Oliphant (Host, Senior Foreign Correspondent) @rolandoliphant on X

Read

‘Iran is broke’: How clerics crippled the Islamic Republicby Melissa Lawford

For 3 months access to The Telegraph for just £1: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/audio |

Email: battlelines@telegraph.co.uk

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