Of all the countries playing a part in the Ukraine crisis, Turkey is perhaps the most difficult to read. A NATO member and supplying drones to Ukraine, but at the same time thwarting Sweden and Finland’s attempts to join the alliance, and hosting Russia's foreign minister Sergey Lavrov later this week.To discuss what Turkey and its president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan are trying to achieve, Aslı Aydıntaşbaş, Senior Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, dials in from Istanbul to speak to Arthur Snell.We're putting out irregular war bulletins covering different aspects of the Ukraine crisis. You can support our work on the crowdfunding app Patreon: doomsdaywatch.co.ukResources to help the Ukrainian people can be found here: https://ukrainewar.carrd.co/  “There is a feeling within Turkey that the country is on the verge of something great.”  “I live on the Bosporus, a few months ago I saw Russian ships coming down into the Black Sea.” DOOMSDAY WATCH was written and presented by Arthur Snell, and produced by Robin Leeburn with Jacob Archbold. Theme tune and original music by Paul Hartnoll. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. DOOMSDAY WATCH is a Podmasters production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

At the heart of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the wider crisis affecting Europe, is the question of energy security. How did the West become so reliant on Russian oil and gas? And as the continent moves away from the Kremlin's energy supply, what will the impact be? Helen Thompson, professor of Political Economy at the University of Cambridge and author of Disorder, joins Arthur Snell to discuss the geopolitical fallout from Putin's invasion.We're putting out irregular war bulletins covering different aspects of the Ukraine crisis. You can support our work on the crowdfunding app Patreon: doomsdaywatch.co.ukResources to help the Ukrainian people can be found here: https://ukrainewar.carrd.co/  “Out of the West European reaction to the Suez crisis came the first turn back to Soviet energy.”  “Russia wanted to be an Eurasian energy power, unlike the Soviet Union which was focused on Western Europe.”  “Before the Omicron variant last year, an energy crisis was already beginning to take shape.”  “Europe can’t go back to the geopolitical complacency that dominated the continent before Russia’s invasion.” DOOMSDAY WATCH was written and presented by Arthur Snell, and produced by Robin Leeburn with Jacob Archbold. Theme tune and original music by Paul Hartnoll. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. DOOMSDAY WATCH is a Podmasters production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As Sweden and Finland apply to join NATO, ending decades of military neutrality, how has Putin's invasion revived an alliance described as 'Braindead' by Emmanuel Macron just two years ago?Lord Peter Ricketts, a former Permanent Representative to NATO, ex-ambassador to France and Britain's first National Security Advisor, joins Arthur Snell to discuss the implications of war in Ukraine for Western security, and the potential paths for ending the conflict.We're putting out irregular war bulletins covering different aspects of the Ukraine crisis. Thank you for backing us on Patreon, we really appreciate your support.Resources to help the Ukrainian people can be found here: https://ukrainewar.carrd.co/ “Sweden and Finland applying to join signals a huge turnaround for the NATO alliance.” “Sweden and Finland bring to NATO a serious defence capacity and a serious defence mindset.” ”Russia has to come to terms with the fact that as a result of what Putin has done, NATO is stronger and more united.” “This move from the Nordic nations is so well supported, I don’t think Turkey will block it in the long-term.” “When there are problems in NATO, Washington usually uses its muscle to sort them out.” “Although people around Trump have doubts around NATO, the alliance is well supported in Congress.” “Britain is most effective in the world when we work with our closest neighbours and allies.” DOOMSDAY WATCH was written and presented by Arthur Snell, and produced by Robin Leeburn with Jacob Archbold. Theme tune and original music by Paul Hartnoll. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. DOOMSDAY WATCH is a Podmasters production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's been three months since Russia invaded Ukraine, but with Putin now focusing on the east of the country after his failure to take Kyiv, where is the war currently?Dr Mike Martin, a former British Army officer and author of Why We Fight, comes back on the show to tell Arthur Snell about the brutal battle for the Donbas, and where the conflict could head next.We're putting out irregular war bulletins covering different aspects of the Ukraine crisis. Thank you for backing us on Patreon, we really appreciate your support.Resources to help the Ukrainian people can be found here: https://ukrainewar.carrd.co/  “The Russians are trying to take the whole of the Donbas under their control.”  “Many of the same mistakes the Russians made in Kyiv are being made in the Donbas.”  “Russian morale is appalling, and Ukrainian morale is sky high.”  “I’ve lost count as to how many Russian generals have been killed.”  “The Russians cannot reinforce their naval presence in the Black Sea as Turkey has closed off the Bosporus.”  “Were Russia to use a nuclear weapon, the NATO powers wouldn’t allow that to pass without a response.”  "Russia have de-escalated. They were talking about regime change and de-nazification, now they're talking about getting the Donbass under Russian control.”  "Russian leaders don't tend to survive when they lose wars.” DOOMSDAY WATCH was written and presented by Arthur Snell, and produced by Robin Leeburn with Jacob Archbold. Theme tune and original music by Paul Hartnoll. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. DOOMSDAY WATCH is a Podmasters production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Russian dark money has infiltrated Western politics for years, leading to increased support for the Kremlin and their actions in capitals across the developed world. To discuss the how and why behind Russia's financial meddling, Iain Campbell, financial investigator and journalist, joins Arthur Snell for another War Bulletin.We're putting out irregular war bulletins covering different aspects of the Ukraine crisis. You can support our work on the crowdfunding app Patreon: doomsdaywatch.co.ukResources to help the Ukrainian people can be found here: https://ukrainewar.carrd.co/  “Unravelling the influence of Russian money in Western societies will take many years.”  “In practical terms, Orban is doing what he can to slow down the flow of weapons from the EU to Ukraine.”  “Campaigns such as ‘No to AV’ and those for Scottish Independence had links to Russia.”  “The Russians view European integration as an existential threat, they want a Europe of small nations they can dominate.” DOOMSDAY WATCH was written and presented by Arthur Snell, and produced by Robin Leeburn with Jacob Archbold. Theme tune and original music by Paul Hartnoll. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. DOOMSDAY WATCH is a Podmasters production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Russian state is working incredibly hard to persuade its people that the war is both necessary and going well, but what state of mind is Russia's population in?Sarah Hurst, author of the Russia Report newsletter, talks to Arthur Snell about the Kremlin's campaign of disinformation, and how international sanctions are hitting the Russian population.We're putting out irregular war bulletins covering different aspects of the Ukraine crisis. Thank you for backing us on Patreon, we really appreciate your support.Resources to help the Ukrainian people can be found here: https://ukrainewar.carrd.co/Sarah's Russia Report newsletter can be found here: https://therussiareport.substack.com “The majority of Russian people by now would realise that the war isn’t going to plan.” “Putin is taking ownership of the Soviet victory over the Nazis as if it were his own.” “There are people who fought for the Soviets in World War 2, and their houses have been destroyed by the Russians.” “In all his lengthy press conference, Putin has never said anything meaningful, it’s all catchphrases.” “Severe economic problems can make a dictatorship more brutal.” “Despite the fact Russia has oil and gas, we should expect them to have some pretty dire difficulties.” DOOMSDAY WATCH was written and presented by Arthur Snell, and produced by Robin Leeburn with Jacob Archbold. Theme tune and original music by Paul Hartnoll. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. DOOMSDAY WATCH is a Podmasters production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How important are motivations when it comes to fighting a war? Is a 'warrior mindset', rather than high level training, carrying the Ukrainian military through? Fresh from a reporting trip to Kyiv, former U.S. Marine Elliot Ackerman joins Arthur Snell to give an insight into the mentality of both the Russian and Ukrainian forces, and explain how Putin united the Western world.We're putting out irregular war bulletins covering different aspects of the Ukraine crisis. You can support our work on the crowdfunding app Patreon: www.doomsdaywatch.co.ukResources to help the Ukrainian people can be found here: https://ukrainewar.carrd.co/  “The Russians have clearly underestimated the Ukrainian resolve to resist.”  “If you’re a Ukrainian you’re fighting for your family, home and identity. The Russians meanwhile are fighting for an abstraction.”  “The West has conflated Russia’s nuclear capability with its conventional capability.”  “When Putin makes reference to Russian history, he is mining grievances which he can use to invade Ukraine.”  “Russia’s spiritual mission is saving the world from the decadence of the West.”  “In the days after Russia invaded Ukraine, we saw the first bipartisan moment in the U.S. since 9/11.” DOOMSDAY WATCH was written and presented by Arthur Snell, and produced by Robin Leeburn with Jacob Archbold. Theme tune and original music by Paul Hartnoll. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. DOOMSDAY WATCH is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Russia's invasion of Ukraine lead to a seismic u-turn in Germany, as Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced a huge increase in military spending. What are the implications for Europe? And as other European nations reduce their need for Russian energy, why has Berlin has been reluctant to follow suit?Annette Dittert, London Bureau Chief for German broadcaster ARD, joins Arthur Snell to discuss what Germany's military u-turn means for Europe, and why Scholz is having difficulty stamping out Russian oil and gas.We're putting out irregular war bulletins covering different aspects of the Ukraine crisis. You can support our work on the crowdfunding app Patreon: doomsdaywatch.co.ukResources to help the Ukrainian people can be found here: https://ukrainewar.carrd.co/  “Germany had thought of itself as a pacifist country, then Scholz announced all of that will change.”  “The German Government is afraid of its own courage.”  “Germany has a massive dependency on Russian oil and gas, something Scholz inherited from the past government.”  “Even after helping Ukraine on many levels, there is still reluctance from Scholz to offer full-throated support.”  “The worry about Russians coming back into Berlin is still there.”  “Germany has to get its act together, it’s crucial for the security of Europe.”  “It’s in the interests of Germany, and every democratic country, to stand up for Ukraine.” DOOMSDAY WATCH was written and presented by Arthur Snell, and produced by Robin Leeburn with Jacob Archbold. Theme tune and original music by Paul Hartnoll. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. DOOMSDAY WATCH is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Last week we held a live Zoom session with Dr Alexander Clarkson of King's College London, who took us on a whirlwind world tour of Ukraine, Transnistria and the future of Russia’s catastrophic invasion. How is it developing and how could it end?Out now on general release, here is a shortened version of the session. If you'd like to get access to the entire Zoom, as well as future events, early episodes and merchandise, you can support our work on the crowdfunding app Patreon: http://doomsdaywatch.co.ukResources to help the Ukrainian people can be found here: https://ukrainewar.carrd.co/DOOMSDAY WATCH was written and presented by Arthur Snell, and produced by Robin Leeburn with Jacob Archbold. Theme tune and original music by Paul Hartnoll. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. DOOMSDAY WATCH is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The sinking of the Russian warship Moskva highlighted the importance of naval conflict in the Russia-Ukraine war. Why is the Black Sea so vital? And is Ukraine up to the task of stopping Putin's fleet of frigates?Former Royal Navy Captain Chris Clough joins Arthur Snell to discuss the intricacies of naval warfare, what the Moskva sinking means for the conflict, and how real the risk of escalation is as the war moves forward.We're putting out irregular war bulletins covering different aspects of the Ukraine crisis. You can support our work on the crowdfunding app Patreon: http://doomsdaywatch.co.ukResources to help the Ukrainian people can be found here: https://ukrainewar.carrd.co/  “The Russians have always invested in their Black Sea fleet.”  “The Moskva is a ship designed around its weapon systems. It epitomises the Cold War.”  “Despite the sinking of the Moskva, Russia still has two very capable frigates in the Black Sea.”  “I would be much more worried about mines that we can’t see than those that we can.”  “Money doesn’t translate into military capability.”  “There are too many unknowns to risk any kind of escalation.” DOOMSDAY WATCH was written and presented by Arthur Snell, and produced by Robin Leeburn with Jacob Archbold. Theme tune and original music by Paul Hartnoll. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. DOOMSDAY WATCH is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices