On this episode of Battle lines we talk to our US editor Tony Diver about Super Tuesday and why it could mean unrest in America and abroad. Then we hear from Nataliya Vasilyeva, our Middle Correspondent, who has been revisiting the south of Israel to reflect on what has changed since those dark days following the October 7 attack by Hamas. Finally, South America correspondent Simeon Tegel gives us the lowdown on what’s happening in Haiti and why the man at the centre of the violence is known as ...
Mar 08, 2024•40 min
On this episode of Battle Lines, Middle East correspondent in Jerusalem Nataliya Vasilyeva talks to Venetia Rainey about ongoing ceasefire talks and whether a deal is really as close as Joe Biden claimed. Then we hear from Jumana Shahin, a mother of one who is stuck in central Gaza and facing the hardest decision of her life: should she try to escape with her family or stay behind to help her people? Contributors: Venetia Rainey (Host, Weekend Foreign Editor) @venetiarainey on X Nataliya Vasilye...
Mar 01, 2024•31 min
In this Bonus episode of Battle Lines, The Telegraph's David Knowles speaks to Professor Sergrey Radchenko to discuss his upcoming book 'To Run The World: The Kremlin's Cold War Bid for Global Power'. Professor Radchenko's shares with us what he discovered about the psychology of the Kremlin's decision-making during the Cold War and what this can tell us about Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine. Contributors: David Knowles (Host) @djknowles22 on X. Sergey Radchenko (Wilson E. Schmidt Distinguished ...
Feb 28, 2024•34 min
In this episode of Battle Lines, Senior Foreign Correspondent Sophia Yan tells us about Israel's plans for an invasion of Rafah, the humanitarian crisis in the north, and where China stands on a ceasefire. Then we speak to Deputy US Editor Rozina Sabur about the US push for a ceasefire. Finally we check in with David Knowles who is in Kyiv as the second year anniversary of the Russian invasion is upon us. Contributors: Venetia Rainey (Host, Weekend Foreign Editor) @venetiarainey on X Sophia Yan ...
Feb 23, 2024•29 min
In this episode of Battle Lines, Foreign correspondent Ben Farmer updates us on Pakistan's elections and what they mean for the country's political and economic future. Then we speak to Middle East correspondent Nataliya Vasilyeva about talks of a US peace plan involving a Palestinian state, while Israel plans an imminent invasion of Rafah in the south. Contributors: David Knowles (Host) @djknowles22 on X. Nataliya Vasilyeva (Middle East Correspondent) @Nat_Vasilyeva on X. Ben Farmer (Foreign Co...
Feb 16, 2024•24 min
In this bonus episode of Battle Lines, Senior Foreign Correspondent Sophia Yan speaks to 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. Adam and Nadim's friendship faced challenges after Adam decided to join the Israel Defence Force as a reservist in the wake of the October 7th attacks. Nadim me...
Feb 14, 2024•23 min
In this episode of Battle Lines, Middle East Correspondent Natalia Vasilyeva bring us updates from the war in Gaza as Israel rejects peace talks. Plus Berlin Correspondent James Rothwell details the drone missile developed by the Iranians setting fire to the Middle East. Finally, we go to our Economics Correspondent Melissa Lawford, who tells us about the causes of the economic slowdown in China. Contributors: David Knowles (Host) @djknowles22 on X. Nataliya Vasilyeva (Middle East Correspondent)...
Feb 09, 2024•42 min
In this episode of Battle Lines, Middle East Correspondent Nataliya Vasilyeva gives us the latest from Israel with reports of a buffer zone being secretly built by Israel, Global Health Security Correspondent Sarah Newey tells us about a Thai farmer in Israel who was taken hostage by Hamas on the October 7th attacks, and David Knowles speaks to Professor Alex DeWaal about the unraveling civil war in Sudan. Contributors: Roland Oliphant (Host, Senior Foreign Correspondent) @RolandOliphant on X Da...
Feb 02, 2024•1 hr 3 min
In this episode of Battle Lines, Defence Editor Danielle Sheridan discusses her agenda setting front page story about how a top British General believes the British Army is too small and that the government may need to ‘mobilise the nation’ in the event of conflict with Russia. Then we hear from Middle East Correspondent Nataliya Vasilyeva and Senior Foreign Correspondent Sophia Yan about the latest news from Israel and the region. Finally, Economics Reporter Melissa Lawford gives us her take on...
Jan 26, 2024•40 min
In this episode of Battle Lines, Senior Foreign Correspondent Sophia Yan and Middle East Correspondent Natalia Vasilyeva bring us updates from the region as Iran and Pakistan trade missile strikes and the war in Gaza continues. Plus Senior Foreign Correspondent Roland Oliphant looks at the Houthi rebel movement in Yemen, and explains where they come from and who their friends are. Finally, we go to our Asia Correspondent, Nicola Smith, who analyses the continuing civil war in Myanmar as a rebel ...
Jan 19, 2024•52 min
In this bonus episode of Battle Lines, we take a look at the Taiwanese election, and what it means for the region, with Asia Correspondent Nicola Smith and Senior Foreign Correspondent Sophia Yan. Taiwan, which the Chinese Communist Party claims as its own territory, represents one of the world’s most dangerous flashpoints, with the potential to ignite a global war. The general election is one of the most consequential of the 70+ polls being held around the world this year, determining how the i...
Jan 16, 2024•29 min
In this episode of Battle Lines, Defence Editor Danielle Sheridan and Telegraph writer Tom Sharpe bring the latest news and analysis from the Red Sea, as Britain and America strike Houthi positions after months of attacks on civilian and military vessels. Then Middle East Correspondent Nataliya Vasilyeva updates us from Israel as the IDF continues to battle Hamas across Gaza, and Senior Foreign Correspondent Sophia Yan describes how the Chinese state forced ethnic Kazakhs to round up Muslim fami...
Jan 12, 2024•58 min
For months, Iranian backed Houthi rebels have been attacking merchant shipping in the Red Sea. In response, an international task force patrols the waters to protect the civilian vessels. In this episode of Battle Lines we speak to former warship commander and Telegraph writer Tom Sharpe about operation Prosperity Guardian, naval strategy and life at sea. Contributors: David Knowles (Host). @djknowles22 on X. Tom Sharpe, former Royal Navy officer, @TomSharpe134 on X. Read: https://www.telegraph....
Jan 10, 2024•23 min
In this episode of Battle Lines, we hear from Foreign Correspondent Lizzie Porter in Jerusalem, who brings up to date on the war in Gaza. Then we look South, with The Telegraph’s Defence Editor Danielle Sheridan, at the tensions rising in the Red Sea as Houthi rebels continue to target a busy shipping lane with missiles and drones. Finally, with our Asia Correspondent Nicola Smith, we travel to Taiwan a week ahead of presidential election in the embattled island nation that could have profound c...
Jan 05, 2024•48 min
In this episode of Battle Lines, Middle East Correspondent Nataliya Vasilyeva joins us from Israel to give us this week's update on the fighting, the diplomacy, and the unprecedented events in the Red Sea as Houthi rebels target international shipping. Then we stay with Nataliya for a special dispatch from Jerusalem, as she interviews the only licensed Santa in the city, ahead of a Christmas full of worry for the region's Christian population. Contributors: David Knowles (Host). @djknowles22 on ...
Dec 23, 2023•23 min
In this episode of Battle Lines, Middle East Correspondent Nataliya Vasilyeva joins us from Bethlehem in the West Bank to bring us up to date with the news from the Israeli assault on the Gaza strip, and Senior Foreign Correspondent Sophia Yan talks us through her analysis of Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and asks how the war has impacted his chances of political survival. Plus more than a month on from the start of Israeli ground operations in Gaza, Hamish de Bretton-Gordon share...
Dec 15, 2023•40 min
'Children think that their father is a superhero, but I cannot do anything for them': a dispatch from Gaza In this episode of Battle Lines, Middle East Correspondent Natalia Vasilyeva and Senior Foreign Correspondent Sophia Yan both join us from on the ground in Israel, and Sophia guides us through the experience of Gazan journalist Sami Abu Salem and how his life has altered forever after October 7th. Plus we hear from Ilay David, who is calling for the world not to forget the Hamas hostages st...
Dec 08, 2023•53 min
Life in Gaza. For weeks now, we've been covering the deteriorating situation in Gaza, as Israeli strikes and fierce fighting between the IDF and Hamas destroyed buildings, infrastructure, and lives. To get an idea of what life is like on the ground, we contacted our journalist and fixer, Siham Shamalakh who lives in Gaza. Sending us her thoughts via WhatsApp voice notes, Siham reflects on her personal journey of having to flee her home and considers what the future might hold for the Palestinian...
Dec 06, 2023•15 min
As the ceasefire ends, we reflect on the hostage releases - and those left behind. In this episode of Battle Lines, Middle East Correspondent Natalia Vasilyeva and Senior Reporter Henry Bodkin join us from on the ground in Israel, where they reflect on a week of hostage releases, and consider what the West Bank settlement of the Israeli finance minister can tell us about Gaza's future. Plus we hear from Orit Meir, whose son Almog is a hostage of Hamas, as she makes a heartfelt plea to get him ba...
Dec 01, 2023•56 min
The view from Lebanon In this bonus episode of Battle Lines, Sophia Yan brings us her interview with Lebanon's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Abdallah Bou Habib. They discuss how the war in Israel and Gaza is impacting his country and the wider region, and what role the US and Britain have to play in resolving the conflict. Contributors: Sophia Yan (Host, Senior Foreign Correspondent). @sophia_yan on X. Abdallah Bou Habib (Lebanon's Minister for Foreign Affairs). Read: Britain must take more resp...
Nov 28, 2023•29 min
Israel waits for Hamas to release hostages In this episode of Battle Lines, Middle East Correspondent Natalia Vasilyeva looks at the highly anticipated hostage release and temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, after weeks of bloody fighting. She also talks about the rollercoaster of emotions being experienced by the families of hostages, desperate to find out if their loved makes will make the lists of those being released. Plus Foreign Reporter Verity Bowman on the dire public health si...
Nov 23, 2023•24 min
In this bonus episode of Battle Lines, we hear from Naomi Greenaway, Deputy Editor of the Telegraph Magazine, who tells the story of Adi Efrat. Adi Efrat was taken from her home on Kibbutz Be’eri and held hostage by Hamas for over 12 hours. Naomi explains that for Adi, her life will forever more be split in two – before and after October 7th, recounts that day, and explains how Adi is still full of hope for peace. Contributors: David Knowles (Host). @djknowles22 on X. Naomi Greenaway (Deputy Edi...
Nov 21, 2023•18 min
A warning this week that this episode contains graphic language that some listeners might find distressing. In this episode of Battle Lines, Senior Foreign Correspondent Sophia Yan, analyses some of the diplomatic moves made by Middle Eastern states close to the conflict. Telegraph Global Health Reporter Lilia Sebouai updates us on the conditions In Gaza’s hospitals, and Foreign Reporter Verity Bowman talks us through the Israeli assault on the Al-Shifa hospital. Plus Defence Editor Danielle She...
Nov 17, 2023•34 min
A warning this week that this episode contains graphic language that some listeners might find distressing. In this episode of Battle Lines, Senior Foreign Correspondent Sophia Yan brings us up to date on the major news of the week from the region, Telegraph Global Health Reporter Lilia Sebouai speaks about the devastating plight of Gaza’s hospitals and Middle East Correspondent Nataliya Vasilyeva explains the bad blood between Israel and the UN. Plus Assistant Comment Editor Francis Dearnley gi...
Nov 10, 2023•47 min
In this bonus episode of Battle Lines we hear from Telegraph Contributor Hamish de Bretton-Gordon. As a former soldier, we wanted to hear his views on the kind of conflict Hamas and The IDF are fighting in Gaza, what the challenges are, and the similarities and differences between this war and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Contributors: David Knowles (Host). @djknowles22 on Twitter. Hamish de Bretton Gordon, former British Army Colonel. @HamishDBG on Twitter. For 3 months access to The Telegraph...
Nov 06, 2023•19 min
A warning this week that this episode contains graphic language that some listeners might find distressing. In this episode of Battle Lines, we speak to Defence Editor Danielle Sheridan, Middle East correspondent Nataliya Vasilyeva and Senior Foreign Correspondent Sophia Yan. Danielle speaks about the Israeli forensics teams searching through ash as they look for teeth to identify Hamas victims, Sophia takes us inside her investigation into Hamas assets in Turkey, and Nataliya explains her repor...
Nov 03, 2023•58 min
In this bonus episode of Battle Lines we'll hear from The Telegraph's Economics reporter, Melissa Lawford. Melissa has been writing about the economic impact of the war in Israel and Gaza on key regional actors - Saudi Arabia and Qatar. As Saudi Arabia desperately courts investment and Qatar is busy striking LNG deals with states around the world, what does the war mean for them and how might their great economic involvement with the West impact international diplomacy? Contributors: David Knowl...
Nov 01, 2023•17 min
In this bonus episode of Battle Lines we'll hear from James Rothwell, The Telegraph's Berlin Correspondent who until recently was our Middle East Correspondent based in Jerusalem. James tells us about his reporting on life and death in the Gaza Strip, of Palestinian journalists battling to tell the story, and what impact this war will have on the future of the region. Contributors: David Knowles (Host). @djknowles22 on Twitter. James Rothwell (Berlin Correspondent). @JamesERothwell on Twitter. F...
Oct 31, 2023•25 min
NB: This episode of Battle Lines contains descriptions of extreme violence and murder, plus details of antisemitism. We would not advise listening to this episode with children present. In this episode of Battle Lines, we speak to Defence Editor Danielle Sheridan and Middle East correspondent Nataliya Vasilyeva about their reporting on the ground in Israel and the West Bank. They talk about the harrowing experience of watching a screening of Hamas murders, speaking to locals in the West Bank whe...
Oct 27, 2023•48 min
In this first episode of Battle Lines, The Telegraph's leading journalists bring you analysis on the war taking place in Israel and the Gaza Strip, after a surprise attack of Hamas Terrorists a few weeks ago, from what it's like reporting on the ground to what we know about the other global actors keeping a close eye on the war. Contributors: David Knowles (Host). @djknowles22 on Twitter. Nataliya Vasilyeva (Middle East Correspondent). @Nat_Vasilyeva on Twitter. Danielle Sheridan (Defence Editor...
Oct 20, 2023•38 min
