Battle Lines
The Telegraph
Battle Lines is The Telegraph’s defence, security and foreign affairs podcast. It offers expert analysis and on-the-ground reporting from around the world, everywhere from China and the United States to the Middle East and Europe.Three times a week, veteran foreign correspondents Roland Oliphant and Venetia Rainey bring you on-the-ground dispatches from the world’s most volatile regions and informed analysis from world-class experts.Every Wednesday on Battle Lines x Global Health Security they’re joined by Arthur Scott-Geddes to look at the intersection between health and security, from bioweapons to warzone diseases to frontline medicine. You can watch these episodes here.Whether it’s the Russia-Ukraine war, the Israel-Gaza conflict, Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific, tensions between India and Pakistan, or the civil war in Sudan, Battle Lines covers the world’s most critical flashpoints with depth and clarity.When will China invade Taiwan? Can Donald Trump bring peace to the Middle East? What should Europe do to help Ukraine beat Russia? Is Iran building a nuclear bomb? What is the point of NATO? Can the United Kingdom still defend itself? Created by David Knowles, Battle Lines answers all these questions and more, bringing together the best of The Telegraph’s international, geopolitical, and conflict reporting in one place.Don’t forget to follow and leave a review to stay updated on the latest in global conflict and foreign affairs.Battle Lines: Global Health Security is supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 28, 2025 • 36min
Inside Ukraine-Russia talks: Britain's Kissinger, Putin's enforcer and Trump's envoy
Joining the discussion are David Blair, Chief foreign affairs commentator at The Telegraph, and Orysia Lutsevych, Head of the Ukraine Forum at Chatham House. They delve into Jonathan Powell's significant role in reshaping diplomatic strategies around Ukraine, comparing him to Henry Kissinger. Topics of negotiation dynamics reveal the challenges of engaging with Putin, while Orysia emphasizes Ukraine’s multifaceted crises. The conversation raises pressing questions about the future of peace talks and the endurance of Ukraine under immense pressure.
5 snips
Nov 26, 2025 • 32min
Why cutting aid to buy bombs is making us less safe
In this episode, Lord Dannatt, the former head of the British Army, and Olivia O'Sullivan, Director at Chatham House, delve into the chilling consequences of cutting aid to bolster defense spending. They argue that such moves threaten national security and allow competitors like China to seize influence. Dannatt reflects on past engagements in Sudan and Bosnia, demonstrating how development can foster peace. O'Sullivan highlights the severe impacts on global health, including rising infectious diseases, as cuts disproportionately affect vulnerable regions and essential programs.
8 snips
Nov 24, 2025 • 33min
China bosses vanishing as Xi Jinping’s childhood traumas trigger Mao style purge
Joseph Terugian, an associate professor who spent years researching Xi Jinping's father, delves into Xi's complex upbringing and its impact on his leadership style. He discusses how family trauma and historical context shape Xi's purges and his distrust of deputies. Terugian also reveals insights into Xi Zhongxun's radical past, including his early revolutionary acts and pivotal moments during the Cultural Revolution. The conversation explores Xi's authoritarian shift, the evolving Xinjiang policies, and what Western leaders should understand about Xi's ambitions.
37 snips
Nov 21, 2025 • 29min
Nato is running out of TNT. How did we fall behind Russia and China?
Joakim Sjöblom, CEO of Sweden Ballistics, discusses his ambitious plan to build a new TNT production facility in Europe, addressing the current supply crisis and the risks of dependence on a single Polish factory. Tom Cotterill, Acting defence editor, evaluates a parliamentary report highlighting the UK’s struggles with military readiness and procurement delays. The conversation reveals alarming insights on Europe’s reliance on external sources for munitions, the challenges of building new plants, and how outdated processes have left nations vulnerable in modern warfare.
13 snips
Nov 19, 2025 • 27min
Indiscriminate weapons: how wars became so deadly for civilians
George Graham, Executive Director at Save the Children, and Shehan Hettiaratchy, a paediatric blast injury expert at Imperial College, discuss the alarming rise in child casualties due to explosive weapons. They highlight how modern conflicts utilize more destructive technologies and urban warfare tactics, leaving children uniquely vulnerable. The guests explore the societal impacts of these casualties, gaps in long-term outcome research, and the need for better accountability measures to protect civilians, especially children, in war zones.
17 snips
Nov 17, 2025 • 33min
Biggest US military buildup since Cuban Missile Crisis puts Latin America on edge
Tom Sharpe, a former British Royal Navy officer with experience in Caribbean drug smuggling operations, joins Carlos Solá, a senior research fellow specializing in Latin American geopolitics. They dive into the significant military buildup around Venezuela, discussing whether the USS Gerald Ford's presence signals an impending invasion or is merely an overreaction. Solá outlines the complexities of U.S.-Venezuela relations and explores how regime change could be perceived regionally, while Sharpe critiques the effectiveness of anti-narcotics strategies and the risks of military escalation.
Nov 14, 2025 • 41min
Trump and the ex-terrorist: why the West needs Syria to work
Joining the discussion is Jerome Drevon, an expert on Syria and co-author of a book on HTS. He delves into the astonishing rise of Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former jihadist turned president, and his recent meeting with Donald Trump. Jerome analyzes how Sharaa has rebranded himself, courting global powers while dismantling extremist ties. They explore Sharaa's complex history, minority outreach, and the geopolitical implications of his leadership. Can this controversial figure truly transform Syria or is it all an elaborate PR strategy?
Nov 12, 2025 • 41min
Inside the bloody work of tracking war crimes from space
Nathaniel Raymond, Executive Director of Yale's Humanitarian Research Lab, discusses how satellite imagery is revolutionizing the tracking of war crimes in Sudan, detailing methods like calibrating body sizes and identifying kill boxes. Shashwat Saraf from the Norwegian Refugee Council provides harrowing updates on the humanitarian crisis in Tawila, including daily displacements and dire famine conditions. Together, they shed light on the intersection of technology and humanitarian efforts in one of the world's worst crises.
14 snips
Nov 10, 2025 • 36min
'Worse than war with Israel': Why Iran's regime is on edge
In this insightful discussion, Akhtar Makoii, an Iran correspondent for The Telegraph, and Kaveh Madani, an environmental scientist and former Iranian deputy, delve into Iran's escalating water crisis. They explore the dire implications of ongoing drought affecting major cities like Tehran, Isfahan, and Mashhad, and how it could trigger political unrest. Kaveh breaks down the mismanagement in water policies, while Akhtar warns of potential evacuations. Together, they highlight the twin factors of climate change and policy failures driving Iran to a tipping point.
Nov 7, 2025 • 42min
Germany is finally rearming against Russia. Can it go fast enough?
James Rothwell, the Berlin correspondent for The Telegraph, and Ulrike Franke, a senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, discuss Germany’s rapid rearmament in response to the Russian threat. They explore the historical underinvestment in the Bundeswehr and the critical turning point in 2022 under Chancellor Scholz. The guests also address the challenges of rebuilding Germany’s defense capabilities, including procurement priorities and public opinion shifts, highlighting a new mindset towards military responsibility in Europe.
