Newscast Episode 1 - Old Newscast: The Gulf War, Operation Desert Storm, 1991 (Part 1)
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Aug 23, 2025 
Kate Adie, Justin Webb, and Jeremy Bowen, seasoned BBC reporters, share gripping insights from their time covering the Gulf War. They recount the tense atmosphere leading up to Operation Desert Storm and the challenges of reporting in a war zone. Each journalist reflects on the personal stakes and profound historical significance of their work during this pivotal conflict. The discussion also delves into the geopolitical dynamics of the era, particularly the formation of the international coalition against Saddam Hussein's Iraq.
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Waiting In Dharan Before The Offensive
- Justin Webb recalls arriving in Dharan unprepared, with confiscated Swiss army knives and waiting anxiously at a hotel by the airfield.
- He describes long waits punctuated by chemical-attack drills and the building sense of seriousness.
Woken To War In A Desert Tent
- Kate Adie describes being woken in a tent at 03:20 with the words, "Gentlemen and lady, at war."
- She recalls chaotic gear-up, gas drills and the unforgettable shift from preparation to active conflict.
Journalists Embedded But Independent
- Kate Adie emphasises journalists' independence while operating alongside the military and strict secrecy rules.
- She stresses they were unarmed observers trained in military drills, not soldiers.