Battleground

In this latest episode of Battleground Ukraine, Saul and Patrick take a look at the latest developments from the war in Ukraine and discuss what is likely to come out from Nato’s 75th anniversary conference in Washington D.C.They also look at responses to a question from last week, concerning the relationship between relatives in Ukraine and Russia and how the war has strained these family ties. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@gmail.comProducer: James HodgsonX (Twitter): @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the first of two episodes Patrick delves into the remarkable tale of the events in French capital Paris during the Second World War, a place at the time was one of the most significant cultural and political hubs in the world.Drawing on his knowledge from his new book Paris '44: The Shame and the Glory Patrick sets out the scene of the capital under occupation in the lead up to liberation. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@gmail.comProducer: James HodgsonX (Twitter): @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week Saul and Patrick will be concentrating on three elections whose outcomes will have profound effects on the war in Ukraine. The British general election which took place on Thursday, the French parliamentary elections, the second round of which will be held on Sunday and the US presidential elections where the balance has been tipped in Donald Trump’s favour following the televised presidential debate, which has caused turmoil inside the Democratic Party over whether President Joe Biden can be allowed to go ahead as their candidate following his poor performance.If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@gmail.comProducer: James HodgsonX (Twitter): @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The conditions for allied servicemen in Japanese prisoner of war camps were notoriously brutal, with the pow's having to deal with malnutrition, rampant diseases, and cruelty at the hands of their captors.Joining Patrick to discuss his farther's experiences after he was captured by the Japanese at Signapore is Simon de Wardener.If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@gmail.comProducer: James HodgsonX (Twitter): @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Discussions on threats to cut weapons supplies to Ukraine under a potential Donald Trump presidency, Nigel Farage's controversial statements on NATO and the EU, and UK-led training programs for Ukrainian infantry. Also, insights on General Rommel's tactics in North Africa during WWII, reflections on the Warsaw Uprising, and strategic considerations in the Ukrainian conflict.

A matter of weeks after the western allies landed on the beaches in Normandy and began their offensive in the west of Europe, the Soviet Red Army began a larger and probably more significant offensive on the Eastern front - Operation Bagration. Joining Patrick to discuss the epic strategic offensive operation is broadcasting legend Jonathan Dimbleby, who has just written about it in his latest book Endgame 1944: How Stalin Won The WarIf you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@gmail.comProducer: James HodgsonX (Twitter): @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week Vladimir Putin met with fellow autocrat - the North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un in another public demonstration of what is being touted as another step in the construction of a new security block to challenge the dominance of the West. Patrick and Saul discuss what this means for the war in Ukraine and how worried should we be? To help them answer this they talk to Roger Boyes, veteran foreign correspondent and very distinguished Diplomatic Editor of the London Times.If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@gmail.comProducer: James HodgsonX (Twitter): @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Battleground '44, Saul speaks to former SAS troop commander Tom Petch - author of the book Speed, Aggression, Surprise: The Untold Secret Origins of the SAS.Together they discuss the role the SAS played in the second world war and in particular the role they played in operation Overlord.If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@gmail.comProducer: James HodgsonX (Twitter): @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ilya Nuzov, Head of Eastern Europe and Central Asia Desk for the International Federation for Human Rights, discusses efforts to combat Russian propaganda targeting Ukraine. The discussion delves into the historical roots, evolution, and dangerous implications of hate speech and incitement to violence. Nuzov explains the meticulous process of analyzing propaganda content for hate speech, presenting findings to the court and advocating for ICC arrest warrants for individuals involved in international crimes in Ukraine.

This week Saul and Patrick look at the interesting developments that have emerged both on and off the battlefield. Noticeably the results of the relaxation of the use of western weapons by Ukraine inside Russia proper, and the success of far-right parties in the recent EU elections, particularly in Germany and France - which could potentially result in declining EU support for Ukraine.We also have some fascinating correspondence from our cyber security expert David Alexander, who highlights the perilous situation that Russia's GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System) finds itself in.If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@gmail.comProducer: James HodgsonX (Twitter): @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices