What does Putin's invasion means for a potential Chinese takeover of Taiwan? And how is conflict in Europe affecting the wider Asia region? As China throws their weight behind Russia over the war in Ukraine, Ankit Panda, fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, joins Arthur Snell to discuss the ”marriage of convenience” between Moscow and Beijing. We're currently running a listener survey to hear what you think. Complete it to be in with a chance of winning a Doomsday Watch t-sh...
Aug 02, 2022•31 min•Season 2Ep. 39
With the war heading into a sixth month, where will the conflict go next? How are both sides doing when it comes to ammunition? Is NATO really united in its objectives? And how Russia's rhetoric playing out in the Global South? Dr Jack Watling, a senior research fellow at RUSI, joins Arthur Snell for the second of two war bulletins to look at the future direction of the conflict. We're currently running a listener survey to hear what you think. Complete it to be in with a chance of winning a Doo...
Jul 26, 2022•28 min•Season 2Ep. 38
As war continues in Ukraine, where is the conflict at? Has Russia's increased focus on the Donbas allowed them to make some gains? How strong is the Ukrainian resistance? And why has President Zelenskyy fired his top spy chief and head prosecutor? Fresh from a trip to Ukraine, Jack Watling, a senior research fellow in land warfare at RUSI, joins Arthur Snell for our latest war update. We're putting out irregular war bulletins covering different aspects of the Ukraine crisis. You can support our ...
Jul 21, 2022•32 min•Season 2Ep. 37
Recently we held a live Zoom session with reporting legend John Sweeney, who joined us live from Lviv after a week touring the Ukrainian front. In a crossover with John’s hit podcast Taking On Putin, we spoke to John about where the war is heading, where Putin goes next, the courage of the Ukrainian people and much more. Out now on general release, here is a shortened version of the session. If you'd like to get access to the entire Zoom, as well as future events, early episodes and merchandise,...
Jul 15, 2022•29 min•Season 2Ep. 36
As war continues in Ukraine, how did the collapse of neoliberalism get us to the point of conflict in Europe? Are we entering a new era of authoritarianism? Professor Gary Gerstle, author of The Rise and Fall of the Neoliberal Order: America and the World in the Free Market Era, joins Arthur Snell for our latest war bulletin. We're putting out irregular war bulletins covering different aspects of the Ukraine crisis. You can support us on the crowdfunding app Patreon: doomsdaywatch.co.uk Resource...
Jul 12, 2022•36 min•Season 2Ep. 35
As NATO leaders gathered in Madrid, what were the key moments and decisions from a historic summit? How are alliance members supporting Ukraine militarily? And following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, is the "long peace" following World War Two now over? Dr. Ulrike Franke, senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations and European defence expert, joins Arthur Snell for our latest war bulletin. We're putting out irregular war bulletins covering different aspects of the Ukraine ...
Jul 05, 2022•33 min•Season 2Ep. 34
As the war in Ukraine enters a fifth month, and with the conflict entering a stalemate, what could Russian escalation look like? Would they turn to chemical weapons? And why are bio weapons still part of the debate? Dan Kaszeta, a former US military and secret service officer, chemical weapons expert and author of Toxic: A History of Nerve Agents, From Nazi Germany to Putin's Russia, joins Arthur Snell for another war bulletin. We're putting out irregular war bulletins covering different aspects...
Jun 30, 2022•30 min•Season 2Ep. 33
While much of the focus is on the ground war in Ukraine, there's another conflict Russia is fighting, dubbed 'hybrid war'. This involves the use of non-military methods such as cyber attacks, espionage and fake news, and is being waged against western democracies including the UK. Helena Ivanov and Neil Barnett have written a report on the subject titled Russia’s Hybrid War Against the UK. They join Arthur Snell to discuss the conflict we can't see. We're putting out irregular war bulletins cove...
Jun 24, 2022•34 min•Season 2Ep. 32
Nearly four months into the Ukraine-Russia war, where is the conflict at? After limited early progress, is Russia now beginning to gain ground, or are both sides grinding to a halt? And in the longer term, can the West sustain both the supply of arms to Ukraine, and it's unity? Defence Editor for the Economist Shashank Joshi joins Arthur Snell for an update on where the war is headed. We're putting out irregular war bulletins covering different aspects of the Ukraine crisis. You can support our ...
Jun 18, 2022•37 min•Season 2Ep. 31
Those in the West would be forgiven for thinking Ukraine is winning the information war, with slick videos of President Zelenskyy appearing all over social media. However for those in the Global South, the content they consume about the war is much more pro-Russia. To explain this phenomenon and the wider context, Carl Miller, Research Director at the Demos Centre for the Analysis of Social Media, joins Arthur Snell for another War Bulletin. We're putting out irregular war bulletins covering dif...
Jun 14, 2022•38 min•Season 2Ep. 30
Of all the countries playing a part in the Ukraine crisis, Turkey is perhaps the most difficult to read. A NATO member and supplying drones to Ukraine, but at the same time thwarting Sweden and Finland’s attempts to join the alliance, and hosting Russia's foreign minister Sergey Lavrov later this week. To discuss what Turkey and its president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan are trying to achieve, Aslı Aydıntaşbaş, Senior Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, dials in from Istanbul to speak t...
Jun 07, 2022•33 min•Season 2Ep. 29
At the heart of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the wider crisis affecting Europe, is the question of energy security. How did the West become so reliant on Russian oil and gas? And as the continent moves away from the Kremlin's energy supply, what will the impact be? Helen Thompson, professor of Political Economy at the University of Cambridge and author of Disorder, joins Arthur Snell to discuss the geopolitical fallout from Putin's invasion. We're putting out irregular war bulletins coverin...
Jun 01, 2022•33 min•Season 2Ep. 28
As Sweden and Finland apply to join NATO, ending decades of military neutrality, how has Putin's invasion revived an alliance described as 'Braindead' by Emmanuel Macron just two years ago? Lord Peter Ricketts, a former Permanent Representative to NATO, ex-ambassador to France and Britain's first National Security Advisor, joins Arthur Snell to discuss the implications of war in Ukraine for Western security, and the potential paths for ending the conflict. We're putting out irregular war bulleti...
May 26, 2022•39 min•Season 2Ep. 27
It's been three months since Russia invaded Ukraine, but with Putin now focusing on the east of the country after his failure to take Kyiv, where is the war currently? Dr Mike Martin, a former British Army officer and author of Why We Fight, comes back on the show to tell Arthur Snell about the brutal battle for the Donbas, and where the conflict could head next. We're putting out irregular war bulletins covering different aspects of the Ukraine crisis. Thank you for backing us on Patreon, we re...
May 23, 2022•37 min•Season 2Ep. 25
Russian dark money has infiltrated Western politics for years, leading to increased support for the Kremlin and their actions in capitals across the developed world. To discuss the how and why behind Russia's financial meddling, Iain Campbell, financial investigator and journalist, joins Arthur Snell for another War Bulletin. We're putting out irregular war bulletins covering different aspects of the Ukraine crisis. You can support our work on the crowdfunding app Patreon: doomsdaywatch.co.uk Re...
May 20, 2022•33 min•Season 2Ep. 24
The Russian state is working incredibly hard to persuade its people that the war is both necessary and going well, but what state of mind is Russia's population in? Sarah Hurst, author of the Russia Report newsletter, talks to Arthur Snell about the Kremlin's campaign of disinformation, and how international sanctions are hitting the Russian population. We're putting out irregular war bulletins covering different aspects of the Ukraine crisis. Thank you for backing us on Patreon, we really appre...
May 17, 2022•35 min•Season 2Ep. 23
How important are motivations when it comes to fighting a war? Is a 'warrior mindset', rather than high level training, carrying the Ukrainian military through? Fresh from a reporting trip to Kyiv, former U.S. Marine Elliot Ackerman joins Arthur Snell to give an insight into the mentality of both the Russian and Ukrainian forces, and explain how Putin united the Western world. We're putting out irregular war bulletins covering different aspects of the Ukraine crisis. You can support our work on ...
May 13, 2022•39 min•Season 2Ep. 22
Russia's invasion of Ukraine lead to a seismic u-turn in Germany, as Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced a huge increase in military spending. What are the implications for Europe? And as other European nations reduce their need for Russian energy, why has Berlin has been reluctant to follow suit? Annette Dittert, London Bureau Chief for German broadcaster ARD, joins Arthur Snell to discuss what Germany's military u-turn means for Europe, and why Scholz is having difficulty stamping out Russian oil...
May 10, 2022•37 min•Season 2Ep. 21
Last week we held a live Zoom session with Dr Alexander Clarkson of King's College London, who took us on a whirlwind world tour of Ukraine, Transnistria and the future of Russia’s catastrophic invasion. How is it developing and how could it end? Out now on general release, here is a shortened version of the session. If you'd like to get access to the entire Zoom, as well as future events, early episodes and merchandise, you can support our work on the crowdfunding app Patreon: http://doomsdaywa...
May 06, 2022•38 min•Season 2Ep. 20
The sinking of the Russian warship Moskva highlighted the importance of naval conflict in the Russia-Ukraine war. Why is the Black Sea so vital? And is Ukraine up to the task of stopping Putin's fleet of frigates? Former Royal Navy Captain Chris Clough joins Arthur Snell to discuss the intricacies of naval warfare, what the Moskva sinking means for the conflict, and how real the risk of escalation is as the war moves forward. We're putting out irregular war bulletins covering different aspects o...
May 04, 2022•38 min•Season 2Ep. 19
Putin’s undeserved reputation as a master strategist means some analysts have employed the metaphor of chess to his invasion of Ukraine, but is the Russian President actually playing poker with the West? Jason Pack, non-resident fellow at the Middle East Institute and 2018 World Champion in doubles backgammon, talks to Arthur Snell about the high stakes game between NATO and Russia, and why the Kremlin might have overplayed their hand. We're putting out irregular war bulletins covering different...
Apr 29, 2022•35 min•Season 2Ep. 18
Anyone familiar with Putin's history of kleptocracy, money laundering and threats of murder against his adversaries will know the name of Bill Browder, formerly one of Russia's leading foreign investors, now a sworn enemy of Vladimir Putin. Browder talks to Arthur Snell about his new book Freezing Order, which details the 'real money' funding the Kremlin's war, and how he became Vladimir Putin’s number one enemy for exposing his campaign of theft and money laundering. We're putting out irregular...
Apr 26, 2022•35 min•Season 2Ep. 17
With the second round of France's presidential election on Sunday, what could the vote for the French response to the Ukraine crisis? And when other leaders have stopped, why has President Macron has continued diplomatic efforts with Vladimir Putin? Stephanie Pezard, senior political scientist at the RAND Corporation, joins Arthur Snell to discuss France's approach to Russia's war, and what the conflict means for European defence and security. We're putting out irregular war bulletins covering d...
Apr 22, 2022•35 min•Season 2Ep. 16
With Russia's invasion of Ukraine faltering, could the Kremlin consider escalating the conflict using chemical weapons? What would biological warfare look like? Dr Alastair Hay, a Professor of Environmental Toxicology at the University of Leeds, joins Arthur Snell to discuss the history of chemical weapons, and if we'll see them used in the Ukraine conflict. We're putting out irregular war bulletins covering different aspects of the Ukraine crisis. Help our work, and shape the next full series o...
Apr 19, 2022•31 min•Season 2Ep. 15
As Russia’s war crimes in Bucha are revealed to the world, are there more atrocities yet to be uncovered? And what should the world be doing to help Ukraine? Journalist Romeo Kokriatski dials in to tell Arthur Snell about Putin’s plans for genocide, how the war has changed Ukraine, and why the West needs to do more. We're putting out irregular war bulletins covering different aspects of the Ukraine crisis. Help our work, and shape the next full series of Doomsday Watch, by supporting us on Patre...
Apr 15, 2022•39 min•Season 2Ep. 14
China is yet to condemn Putin’s war, and Russia has reportedly asked Beijing for economic and military support. Is Xi proving to Putin’s most important ally? And what does Russia’s faltering invasion mean for China’s potential takeover of Taiwan? Bonnie Glaser, director of the Asia Programme at the German Marshall Fund, joins Arthur Snell to explain China’s stance on Russia’s invasion, and what war in Europe means for Asian security. We're putting out irregular war bulletins covering different a...
Apr 11, 2022•39 min•Season 2Ep. 13
With Vladimir Putin putting Russia’s nuclear deterrent on high alert, could the war take an atomic turn? Or is this merely a tactical move from the Kremlin? And what could the Ukraine crisis mean for nuclear policy in the coming years? Dr Laura Considine, politics professor at Leeds University, joins Arthur Snell to explain the history of nuclear proliferation, atomic weapons in the context of the Russia-Ukraine crisis, and the direction of nuclear policy in the coming years. We're putting out i...
Apr 08, 2022•32 min•Season 2Ep. 12
As war rages on Russia’s European front, tensions are also rising in the East with neighbours Japan, as Russian forces conduct military drills on the disputed Northern Territories, claimed by Japan. Japanese Deputy Cabinet Secretary Koichiro Matsumoto joins Arthur Snell to explain the complicated history between Japan and Russia, what Putin’s invasion means for Asian security, and how the Japanese people have rallied around Ukraine. We're putting out irregular war bulletins covering different as...
Apr 03, 2022•31 min•Season 2Ep. 11
It has been over a month since Russia invaded Ukraine, but with Kyiv still yet to fall Kremlin officials have announced plans to withdraw troops from the region. Where did Russia’s war go so wrong? Is this retreat real, or is Putin wargaming for something bigger? Dr Mike Martin, a former British Army officer and author of Why We Fight, joins Arthur Snell to discuss Russia’s apparent withdrawal, and where the conflict could go next. We're putting out irregular war bulletins covering different asp...
Mar 31, 2022•40 min•Season 2Ep. 10
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has Western nations looking to the Middle East for their oil supplies, but are they obliging? And could the conflict in Europe spark another round of uprisings across the Arab world? Human rights activist and authoritarianism expert Iyad el-Baghdadi joins Arthur Snell to discuss what Putin’s war means for the Middle East. We're putting out irregular war bulletins covering different aspects of the Ukraine crisis. Help our work, and shape the next full series of Doomsd...
Mar 28, 2022•30 min•Season 2Ep. 9
