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
Jun 4, 2025 • 45min
The Strategic Defence Review
Britain unveils a new and ambitious Strategic Defence Review outlining ways to make Britain battle-ready in the years and decades ahead. But is time already running out? With global threats intensifying and much of the review’s ambitions earmarked for the 2030s, Patrick and Tom question whether the UK is truly going to be prepared for full scale war as a result of the review. This week, they break down what they think the review gets right — and what they think it leaves out.You can reach us at generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 28, 2025 • 45min
Can Ukraine survive if President Trump walks away?
Last week, President Trump said in reference to the war in Ukraine: "I think something’s going to happen. And if it doesn’t, I just back away and they’re going to have to keep going". With that very real possibility looming large, General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton Dunn discuss in detail whether Ukraine can survive without the support of the US - and for how long.Do get in touch with the show: generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
29 snips
May 21, 2025 • 1h 13min
Simon Case: If you want peace, prepare for war
Sir Simon Case, the former Cabinet Secretary and top policy advisor to six prime ministers, shares his insights on Britain's defense spending in the face of rising global threats from an increasingly cooperative Russia and China. He emphasizes China as the dominant challenge for the next two decades, warning about its shared advancements with other rival states. Case discusses the UK's nuclear strategy and the necessity for increased defense budgets, while reflecting on the complexities of his past political experiences during crises like the pandemic.
May 15, 2025 • 7min
Introducing - The General & the Journalist
A new podcast on the intricacies of geopolitics in an age of uncertainty at a time when conflict is never far from the headlines. Patrick and Tom - the General and the Journalist - examine why wars begin, and how they end - and, crucially how they can be prevented. Unparalleled insights into the dynamics of modern warfare through General Sir Patrick Sanders, a decorated soldier with 40 years of military expertise, and from Tom Newton Dunn, an award-winning former defence correspondent and political editor. Together they provide a unique perspective on global conflict and diplomacy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
