Across the world, from Europe to Asia, the Americas to the Middle East, tensions are rising between nation states. Traditional alliances and alignments are constantly evolving in the 21st century. An understanding of defence and security policy and the tides of political, social and economic changes is crucial for any informed understanding of our world.
2024 sees war in Europe and Israel, and elections in major economies, including the US, the UK, Taiwan, South Africa, and many others. Insurgencies flare in Yemen and Burma, tensions escalate in East Africa, and all around the world the international security architecture buckles under increasing pressure.
With expert and experienced reporting on the ground from across the globe, Battle Lines combines on the ground reporting with analytical expertise to aid listeners to better understand the course of world politics and wars as the fault lines of global history grind and slip in an increasingly dangerous, and confusing, multipolar world.
Battle Lines is the best of The Telegraph’s defence, security, and foreign reporting in one place.
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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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
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....
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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) @...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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....
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 ...
In this episode of Battle Lines, we join The Telegraph's Asia correspondent, Nicola Smith, for a special dispatch on board a Filipino ship patrolling the simmering conflict in the South China Sea. Then we speak to economics reporter Melissa Lawford about China's gold buying binge and why it means tensions in East Asia could be on the cusp of heating up even further. Contributors Venetia Rainey (Host, Weekend Foreign Editor) @venetiarainey on X Nicola Smith (Asia correspondent) @niccijsmith ...
On this bonus episode of Battle Lines we speak to Colonel Hamish de Bretton-Gordon about the state of the army in 2024. What should an army look like in the 21st century? What equipment is needed? How much should countries be spending? Contributors David Knowles (Host) @djknowles22 on X. Hamish Stephen de Bretton-Gordon OBE @HamishDBG on X For 3 months access to The Telegraph for just £1: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/audio | Email: battlelines@telegraph.co.uk&...
In this episode of Battle Lines, we speak to The Telegraph's Middle East correspondent, Natalia Vasilyeva, about why the invasion of Rafah is back on the agenda, and what we know about Israel's attack on Iran one week on. Then we catch up with Russia and Caucasus correspondent James Kilner to hear about the mass protests in Georgia and how a shadowy billionaire figure with links to the Kremlin is driving the unrest. Contributors Venetia Rainey (Host, Weekend Foreign Editor) @venetiarainey on X N...
In this episode of Battle Lines, we speak to the Telegraph’s Middle East Correspondent Nataliya Vasilyeva about how Israel will retaliate against Iran for their recent missile strikes. Then we speak to Holly Dagres, senior fellow with the Atlantic Council's Middle East Program and writer of the substack The Iranist, about how Iran and Israel's relationship has developed from a shadow war to the brink of a full-scale conflict. Contributors Roland Oliphant (Host, Senior Foreign Correspondent)...
In this episode of Battle Lines, we speak to the Telegraph’s Middle East Correspondent Nataliya Vasilyeva about Iran's weekend strike on Israel. We ask; did Iran achieve its objectives? How will Israel respond? And does this mean full-scale war in the Middle East is inevitable? Contributors Venetia Rainey (Host, Weekend Foreign Editor) @venetiarainey on X Nataliya Vasilyeva (Middle East Correspondent) @Nat_Vasilyeva on X. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information Host...
In this episode of Battle Lines, we speak to the Telegraph’s Middle East Correspondent Nataliya Vasilyeva about Iran's potential plans to strike on Israel, then our Asia Correspondent Nicola Smith explains why the rebels are winning the war in Myanmar. Finally, Europe Editor James Crisp reflects on his interview with NATO's Deputy Secretary General. Contributors Venetia Rainey (Host, Weekend Foreign Editor) @venetiarainey on X Nataliya Vasilyeva (Middle East Correspondent) @Nat_Vasily...
In this episode of Battle Lines, we reflect on the upcoming 6 month anniversary of the October 7th attacks in Israel that sparked an invasion of Gaza. We speak to the Telegraph’s Middle East Correspondent Nataliya Vasilyeva and Senior Foreign Correspondent Sophia Yan as they reflect on the past 6 months and what the future holds for Israel, Hamas, and a Palestinian state. Contributors David Knowles (Host) @djknowles22 on X Nataliya Vasilyeva (Middle East Correspondent) @Nat_Vasilyeva ...
In this episode of Battle Lines, we speak to the Telegraph’s Chief Political Correspondent Camilla Turner and US Editor Tony Diver on an alleged Chinese hacking plot against the UK and the US. Then we speak to Senior Foreign Correspondent Sophia Yan on her visit to Latvia to understand how the Baltic nations are mobilising to counter any future attack by the Russian Federation. Finally, we speak to Senior Foreign Correspondent Roland Oliphant on the rising tensions after decades of conflict...
On today's bonus episode of Battle Lines James Rothwell speaks to Professor James Davis, a former advisor to Angela Merkel's government and the head of a new research group, the European Nucleus Study Group. which has been launched to advise experts and European leaders on the current nuclear crisis between Russia and NATO. They discuss what the west reaction would be to a nuclear attack by Russia and what precedent that would set for countries like India, Pakistan and N...
On this episode of Battle lines we talk to our Middle Eastern correspondent Nataliya Vasilyeva about the second raid on Gaza’s Al Shifa hospital. We’re also joined by our Global Health reporter Lilia Sebouai to discuss this week’s stark famine warning and what can be done to prevent thousands of Palestinians from dying of hunger. Then we hear from our Asia correspondent Nicola Smith about one of her most intrepid reporting trips yet - to the steppes of Mongolia. She also talks abo...
On this episode of Battle lines we talk to South America correspondent Mat Charles about meeting child gang members at the forefront of an explosion of violence in Ecuador. Then we hear from our Africa correspondent Ben Farmer about why the nearly year-long war in Sudan might be entering a new phase. Finally, Brussels correspondent Joe Barnes takes us into a recreation of the Hamas tunnels where Israelis were kept and we hear from a hostage about what it was like. Contributors: Veneti...
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...
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 Va...
