Behind The Lines with Arthur Snell
Arthur Snell
Behind the Lines with Arthur Snell is a geopolitics podcast. Every week we give the listener access to the best informed people to help you understand this turbulent world and get a feel for the things that will matter in the future.
I am on Bluesky here and you can read some of my thoughts on world affairs here https://arthursnell.substack.com/
If you enjoyed this podcast please spread the word and give us a positive review - it makes all the difference! I don't have a special subscriber tier for this content, but if you would like to support this work, please buy me a coffee ko-fi.com/snellarthur
NEW: we get a lot of great writers on the show. With that in mind, I have set up a Bookshop.org linked account. If you'd like to buy any of the books discussed on the podcast, click here and you'll be able to support both the podcast and independent bookshops as you do so.
I am on Bluesky here and you can read some of my thoughts on world affairs here https://arthursnell.substack.com/
If you enjoyed this podcast please spread the word and give us a positive review - it makes all the difference! I don't have a special subscriber tier for this content, but if you would like to support this work, please buy me a coffee ko-fi.com/snellarthur
NEW: we get a lot of great writers on the show. With that in mind, I have set up a Bookshop.org linked account. If you'd like to buy any of the books discussed on the podcast, click here and you'll be able to support both the podcast and independent bookshops as you do so.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 17, 2025 • 39min
The New Total War: Bob Seely on Russia's Strategy
Bob Seely, a former MP, soldier, and journalist based in Kyiv, discusses his book on Russia's new form of total war. He reveals how this conflict blends military force with manipulative tactics like psychological warfare and child abduction. Seely shares gripping frontline stories, including those of brave figures like sniper Panushka. He critiques Russia's strategies, emphasizing the importance of understanding their long-term goals against both Ukraine and the West, and warns of the need for NATO to adapt to new warfare technologies.
Dec 9, 2025 • 1h 3min
America First: A New Era in Foreign Policy with Jonathan Terra
In this episode, Arthur Snell and Dr. Jonathan Terra delve into the Trump administration's National Security Strategy, exploring its ideological underpinnings, rejection of globalism, and implications for America's role in the world. They discuss the document's views on migration, the Monroe Doctrine, and the contrasting approaches to Europe and Asia, highlighting the administration's isolationist tendencies and the potential consequences for international relations.
Have a look at my substack on this subject: https://arthursnell.substack.com/p/americas-weakness-europes-strength Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 3, 2025 • 38min
Crisis in the Sahel: the end of Western intervention and the collapse of Mali
Mali, a vast country larger than most of Western Europe added together is a country whose central authority has largely collapsed and whose capital city Bamako is surrounded by radical Islamist militants. There seems to be a pattern here, with Syria and Afghanistan having fallen as Western countries lose interest. As with Syria, the corrupt Malian government had allied itself with Russia, apparently to little effect. I spoke to Tessa Devereaux of SOAS about Mali and the wider Sahel, and what it means for all of us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
10 snips
Nov 25, 2025 • 55min
Ukraine Crisis: Will Trump Force Moscow's Deal on Zelenskyy?
Iuliia Osmolowska, former senior Ukrainian diplomat now leading the GLOBSEC think tank in Kyiv, and political commentator Alex Andreou join the discussion about the controversial 28-Point Peace Plan. They delve into its one-sided nature, calling it a Russian psyop, and unpack the confusion among US officials. Iuliia highlights restrictions in the plan that threaten Ukraine's military strategy, while Alex discusses the divisions within the MAGA coalition regarding Ukraine. They also explore the implications of a potential temporary deal versus maintaining sovereignty.
Nov 18, 2025 • 46min
From Abu Ghraib to the White House - How Ahmad Al-Shara'a is Ruling Syria
I spoke to Orwa Ajjoub about the remarkable rise of Syria's new ruler, Ahmad Al-Shara'a, from wanted terrorist to White House visitor. His ruthless pragmatism is his signature and we discussed this in some detail, including his relations with the Kurdish SDF, with Turkey, Israel and the regional states, as well as with the US. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 12, 2025 • 47min
Are we living in an age of competitive authoritarianism?
Sara Dorman of Edinburgh University spoke to me about the rising tide of authoritarianism around the world, and particularly the form of competitive authoritarianism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 5, 2025 • 56min
Emily Thornberry on British Foreign Policy
As Behind the Lines formally announces joining the Cooler Heads podcast family, making us now the little brother to the massive success that is Quiet Riot - the brilliant politics podcast with Alex Andreou, Naomi Smith and Kenny Campbell, I was delighted to have as my guest none other than Emily Thornberry MP, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 28, 2025 • 1h 2min
Classic Behind the Lines: Disinformation in the Trump Era with Nina Jankowicz
Back in January I spoke to Nina Jankowicz, a disinformation expert, about what the Trump era would portend. Her views proved remarkably prescient and I thought it would be of further interest now.
Check out our Bookshop.org affiliate site behindthelines and please sign up for my substack at arthursnell.substack.com and/or follow me on Bluesky Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 23, 2025 • 49min
Gaza - where are we now? with Michael Stephens
The Trump deal for Gaza, announced with great pomp and ceremony appeared to lead very quickly to a resumption of hostilities. Has Trump or even his administration got a plan for seeing this through, or was this just a quick deal to get the hostages out? I discussed this with regular guest, Middle East expert Michael Stephens. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 14, 2025 • 53min
Emma Briant on the Age of Disinformation
Professor Emma Briant is a prolific and important researcher on disinformation and information warfare, some of the most things in our age. She has frequent been asked to give evidence to parliaments about the issue including recent evidence to the UK parliament here https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/138542/pdf/ and to the New Zealand parliament here
She can be found online at https://bsky.app/profile/emmalbriant.bsky.social as well as in all the other relevant places. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
