The General & the Journalist
The Times
How wars start, how they are won and what they leave behind them.General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton Dunn first met in a war zone. Drawing on their real-life experience of armed conflict, they bring you the latest from Ukraine, Gaza and the dozens of other bitter struggles being fought across our increasingly divided planet.From interviews with key people on the frontlines of modern warfare to discussing the future of nuclear weapons and where Russia will attack next, this podcast from The Times and The Sunday Times also faces up to the biggest question - how ready are we for war, right now, if we had to fight one? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Aug 13, 2025 • 47min
What is the Israeli strategy for Gaza?
Tom and Patrick discuss Israel’s new Gaza strategy. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has set a controversial new goal - the full occupation of Gaza, starting with Gaza City. His security cabinet has signed off on the first phase, but opposition is growing fast from the international community, and it seems from within Israel’s own military leadership. There are warnings that the plan will deepen Gaza’s already grave humanitarian crisis. Can the plan be achieved militarily? What political calculations are driving it? And could it push the IDF to the limit? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 6, 2025 • 43min
The future of war, with U.S. General James Rainey
General James E. Rainey, head of the U.S. Army Futures Command, shares insights on the future of warfare. He discusses how AI and robotics are shaping military strategies, particularly in the context of Ukraine's innovative tactics. The conversation delves into the ethical implications of autonomous drones and the vital need for human oversight. Rainey emphasizes adaptation to rapid technological advancements and the importance of traditional warfare principles amidst evolving threats. The landscape of combat is changing, and he explores what that means for the soldiers of tomorrow.
Jul 30, 2025 • 40min
Was British involvement in Afghanistan worth it?
It’s been four years since the Taliban retook control of Kabul, marking the end of the UK’s 20-year military presence in Afghanistan. This week, Patrick sits down with James Cowan, CEO of the HALO Trust and a former army officer who led Task Force Helmand from 2009 to 2010. Together, they reflect on the 2021 evacuation, the recent Afghan data leak, their regrets, and whether Britain’s involvement in Afghanistan was, frankly, worth it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 23, 2025 • 27min
What's happening to the Ukrainian children taken by Russia?
Tom and Patrick have been in Ukraine updating the story of the tens of thousands of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia following their full-scale invasion. Some have been fostered or adopted by Russian families, but the vast majority are thought to have been funnelled into re-education camps. And now, as some of these children reach adulthood, that means new concerns amongst the Ukrainian authorities. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 16, 2025 • 52min
Andriy Yermak: The second most powerful man in Ukraine
While in Ukraine, Tom and Patrick sit down with President Zelensky’s Head of Office, Andriy Yermak. A long-time friend and trusted advisor to Volodymyr Zelensky, Yermak is also one of the most controversial figures in the country - unelected, immensely influential, and central to Ukraine’s war effort and diplomatic strategy.In their conversation, Yermak discusses the state of the war, the morale of Ukraine’s exhausted population, and most strikingly, whether President Trump’s dramatic new push for peace could actually bring the fighting to an end. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 9, 2025 • 50min
Where will Russia attack next?
Patrick and Tom have both been in countries where there is a very strong feeling that President Putin won’t stop with Ukraine: Tom in Poland and Patrick in Estonia. Nato’s Secretary General, Mark Rutte has gone so far as to say that Putin could launch an attack within the next five years, warning: “Let’s not kid ourselves, we are all on the eastern flank now.” So, they ask: Where will Russia attack next? And does Nato have the military and political strength to defend all its members? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 2, 2025 • 39min
A new age of nuclear weapons
The conversation probes the unsettling reality of potentially entering a new nuclear age, focusing on Iran's ambitions and various nations considering nuclear arms. Historical context is examined, drawing parallels to the Cold War's fear, including chilling personal anecdotes. The discussions also highlight the shifting nuclear policies of countries like the UK, and the challenges faced by the Non-Proliferation Treaty amid rising tension. Finally, insightful polls reveal a notable decline in NATO's perceived importance among younger generations.
Jun 25, 2025 • 35min
The Nato summit - waving or drowning?
A behind the scenes look at the 2025 NATO Summit. The summit was billed as a turning point—Secretary General Mark Rutte even called it a “quantum leap” in collective defence. The Nato allies have now pledged to spend 5% of GDP on defence by 2035. But will that money come fast enough to meet the threat from Russia? And what does it mean for Ukraine? We break down the numbers, the timing—and the politics. And of course much of this summit was less about strategy and more about one man, President Trump and the ceasefire in the Israel-Iran War. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 18, 2025 • 49min
Iran and Israel - how does this end?
During an unprecedented war between Iran and Israel, and ahead of the much anticipated Nato summit next week, Lord Robertson, former Secretary General of Nato, joins Tom and Patrick to assess what happens next in the conflict, and what it means for the rest of the world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 11, 2025 • 39min
The shadowy world of targeted killings
A pattern is seemingly emerging with a series of high profile targeted killings taking place inside Russian territory, blamed on Ukrainian forces. This week, an in depth look at those stories, who may be responsible for them, why they may be happening and what are rules when it comes to assessing wether they are legally and ethically justified. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
