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 Musli...
Jan 12, 2024•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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://ww...
Jan 10, 2024•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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). @djk...
Dec 23, 2023•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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...
Dec 15, 2023•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast '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•Transcript available on Metacast 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 ...
Dec 06, 2023•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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: Brit...
Nov 28, 2023•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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 (Depu...
Nov 21, 2023•18 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 ...
Nov 17, 2023•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Dearn...
Nov 10, 2023•47 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 T...
Nov 06, 2023•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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...
Nov 03, 2023•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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...
Nov 01, 2023•17 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Twit...
Oct 31, 2023•25 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast