Mark Urban

Mark Urban, a defense columnist for the Sunday Times, offers his expertise on the Ukraine conflict. The discussion kicks off with a recent media frenzy sparked by a provocative tweet, prompting a debate about free speech in the digital age. Urban explores Biden's controversial decision to arm Ukraine with long-range missiles amidst growing tensions with Russia. This shift in U.S. military support raises questions about international relations and the geopolitical ramifications. Urban also highlights Germany's delicate positioning in these turbulent times.

Mark Urban, a writer and columnist for The Sunday Times and former BBC correspondent, brings his expertise on the Syrian conflict. He discusses the chaotic power dynamics following Assad's regime and the risks of ISIS exploiting this turmoil. Urban highlights the ideological splits within jihadist factions and the challenges Western governments face regarding terrorism. He also touches on shifting power in the Middle East, particularly Iran's impact, and the societal trauma endured by Syrians amid ongoing instability.

Mark Urban, a seasoned writer and columnist for The Sunday Times, dives into the recent resurgence of the Syrian civil war. He discusses an extraordinary offensive by a coalition of rebel fighters that has captured Aleppo, exploring the shifting dynamics between Assad's regime and the opposition. Urban explains the implications of this conflict, the roles of Iran, Russia, and Turkey, and the ongoing struggles faced by civilians. With deep insights, he sheds light on the complexities of alliances and the lingering instability in the region.

Investigation claims a Ukrainian military officer coordinated an attack on Russia's Nord Stream pipelines. We hear from James Waterhouse in Kyiv and Mark Urban, and get the latest update on the 'stalemate' war. Olga from Kherson tells us about life under Russian occupation and one year after liberation.

It’s been six months since the Wall Street Journal’s Evan Gershkovich was detained by Russian authorities in March. We’re joined by his friend, Eliot Brown, and his boss, Deborah Ball.And Newsnight’s diplomatic editor, Mark Urban, is in the studio to talk about his experiences on the front-line of the conflict, where he joined the 24th Mechanised Brigade. His producer, Louis Harris-White is also on. Today’s episode is presented by Victoria Derbyshire and Vitaly Shevchenko. The producers were Keiligh Baker and Arsenii Sokolov. The technical producer was Gareth Jones. The series producer is Tim Walklate. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham. Email Ukrainecast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments. You can also send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram to +44 330 1239480You can join the Ukrainecast discussion on Newscast’s Discord server here: tinyurl.com/ukrainecastdiscord TOPICS:00:05 - Kremlin media operation 02:27 - Evan Gershkovich 14:47 - Mark Urban’s Ukraine trip