Battle Lines

Oriana Schuyler-Mastro, a China military specialist from Stanford, explains the purge of PLA leadership. Rozina Sabur, national security editor, recounts state-linked hacking and espionage targeting UK officials. Gareth Corfield, investigative reporter, reveals unredacted embassy plans and surveillance risks. They discuss leaked nuclear claims, loyalty purges, embassy spying, burner-device tactics and wider UK-China security tensions.

Gaza has entered the next phase of the peace process but is the ceasefire actually bringing peace?This week, Venetia Rainey and Arthur Scott-Geddes speak to Tess Ingram, UNICEF spokesperson who has just returned from four months on the ground. She outlines the humanitarian situation following the ceasefire, from winter shelters and malnutrition to unexploded ordnance, orphaned children, and the daily challenges facing civilians.Plus, The Telegraph’s Global Health Security Editor Paul Nuki examines Donald Trump’s controversial Board of Peace: how it works, why it has divided international allies, and what it could mean for disarming Hamas and the future of the conflict.Read Paul's article on how Northern Ireland can provide a roadmap for Gaza: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/01/23/how-northern-irelands-peace-can-provide-a-roadmap-for-gaza/Producer: Sophie O'SullivanExecutive Producer: Louisa WellsStudio Operator: Meghan Searle► Sign up to our most popular newsletter, From the Editor. Look forward to receiving free-thinking comment and the day's biggest stories, every morning. telegraph.co.uk/fromtheeditorContact us with feedback or ideas:battlelines@telegraph.co.uk@venetiarainey@ascottgeddes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr Burcu Ozcelik, RUSI Middle East security expert, explains Kurdish politics and recent territorial losses. Sophia Yan, The Telegraph correspondent, shares on‑the‑ground reporting from Syria. They discuss the rapid rollback of Kurdish-held areas, the fate of ISIS detainees and prison camps, shifting US involvement, and regional players reshaping northern Syria.

Donald Trump has abruptly backed down over the US takeover of Greenland. From the icy streets of Nuuk our correspondent James Rothwell reports from the centre of an unusual geopolitical spotlight as Greenlanders try to make sense of their island’s sudden importance and the anxiety of being discussed by faraway powers.Greenland itself emerges not as a prize but as a place with its own history identity and quiet resilience. James paints a picture of a small Arctic capital balancing fishing tourism and everyday life while navigating long memories of colonial rule and new questions about sovereignty security and self determination.Back in the studio Venetia and Roland are joined by Chief Foreign Commentator David Blair to unpack what Trump’s partial retreat really means and to explore the wider implications of Mark Carney’s striking Davos speech. Carney argues we are living through a rupture not a transition and urges middle powers to face reality and work together in a world where power politics is once again shaping events.Read James Rothwell's Greenland dispatch:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/01/24/trump-provokes-a-rare-emotion-in-greenland-blind-rage/Read David Blair's analysis of the Greenland deal: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/01/22/predicted-greenland-deal-not-good-one/Read Roland Oliphant on Trump's Board of Peace: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/01/22/monarchs-and-pariahs-join-trumps-board-of-peace-parade/Producer: Peter ShevlinExecutive Producer: Louisa Wells► Sign up to our most popular newsletter, From the Editor. Look forward to receiving free-thinking comment and the day's biggest stories, every morning. telegraph.co.uk/fromtheeditorContact us with feedback or ideas:battlelines@telegraph.co.uk @venetiarainey@RolandOliphant Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this insightful discussion, Sarah Newey, The Telegraph's Global Health Security correspondent, shares her on-the-ground experiences from Yangon amidst Myanmar’s sham election and humanitarian crisis. Joe Freeman from Amnesty International elaborates on the junta's efforts to regain legitimacy and the implications for civilians. Both delve into China’s strategic backing of the junta, the suppression of dissent, and the backdrop of a collapsing economy. They also highlight the contrast with 2015 democratic hopes and the urgent need for renewed international engagement.

Join retired four-star General Philip Breedlove, former Supreme Allied Commander Europe, and Connor Stringer, The Telegraph’s US correspondent, as they discuss the geopolitical fallout from Trump's policies. Breedlove critiques the coercive tactics against NATO allies and highlights the risk of rewarding aggressors like Russia. Stringer shares his firsthand experiences covering the relentless pace of the Trump administration and the impact on US-UK relations. Their insights reveal a rapidly changing world where alliances are tested and consequences loom large.

Rachel Ellehuus, Director General of the Royal United Services Institute and former senior US official at NATO, shares insights on Trump’s serious ambitions regarding Greenland. She explains why Greenland’s geopolitical importance is underestimated, discussing missile defense and critical minerals. The podcast delves into the European response, the security implications for NATO, and the economic interests at play. Ellehuus highlights Denmark's firm stance against US claims and suggests strategies for Europe to safeguard its values in this pivotal moment.

Dr. Kayvan Mirhadi, an Iranian-American internist, shares his frontline insights about the overwhelmed healthcare system in Iran amid protests. He highlights doctors' struggles, including warnings against treating injured protesters and the impact of security forces using live ammunition. Dr. Sanam Vakil, a Middle East expert, connects the dots between economic instability, rising food prices, and widespread anger leading to protests, while discussing the implications of potential foreign intervention and the importance of women's rights in this turmoil.

Akhtar Makoii, a foreign correspondent reporting from Iran, shares gripping first-hand accounts from the protests that have ignited across the country. David Blair, Chief Foreign Affairs Commentator at The Telegraph, provides geopolitical insights on the implications of US policy. They discuss the historic role of the Grand Bazaar, the unprecedented rural participation in protests, and the regime’s determination to maintain power amid increasing violence. The conversation highlights the complexities of potential foreign intervention and the fragmented opposition within Iran.

Ben Hodges, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant general and NATO analyst, discusses the complicated dynamics of recent U.S. military operations and their implications for NATO cohesion. He highlights the risk of U.S. moves toward Greenland potentially straining alliances. Meanwhile, Tom Sharpe, a former Royal Navy commander, reveals the complexities surrounding the seizure of the Bella One tanker, connecting it to oil control efforts and legal gray areas at sea. Both guests emphasize the importance of diplomatic relations amidst rising global tensions.