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...
Oct 02, 2024•30 min
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) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Sep 30, 2024•31 min
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 Ol...
Sep 27, 2024•40 min
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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.co...
Sep 20, 2024•40 min
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? W...
Sep 18, 2024•44 min
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 ye...
Sep 13, 2024•58 min
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....
Sep 06, 2024•36 min
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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Sep 03, 2024•26 min
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 Hosted o...
Aug 30, 2024•29 min
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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Aug 23, 2024•42 min
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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Aug 21, 2024•30 min
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) Domin...
Aug 16, 2024•42 min
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 correspond...
Aug 09, 2024•38 min
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 Hosted on Acast. See acast...
Aug 02, 2024•33 min
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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jul 31, 2024•33 min
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) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jul 26, 2024•42 min
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) Hosted on Acast. See aca...
Jul 24, 2024•38 min•Season 1Ep. 2
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...
Jul 19, 2024•42 min
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 conve...
Jul 18, 2024•40 min•Season 1Ep. 1
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 Corresponde...
Jul 12, 2024•36 min
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. Contrib...
Jul 05, 2024•41 min
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 Correspon...
Jun 28, 2024•38 min
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 fo...
Jun 26, 2024•29 min
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) @...
Jun 21, 2024•45 min
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...
Jun 14, 2024•44 min
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 Ol...
Jun 07, 2024•37 min
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...
May 31, 2024•32 min
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. Contributor...
May 24, 2024•35 min
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 fore...
May 17, 2024•40 min
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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
May 15, 2024•25 min
