Battle Lines
The Telegraph
Battle Lines is The Telegraph’s foreign policy, geopolitics and global conflict podcast. It offers expert analysis and on-the-ground reporting everywhere from China and the United States to the Middle East and Europe.Twice 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.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 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.Plus, every Friday, the podcast delves into the seismic impact US President Donald Trump is having on the world - from peace talks to tariffs to migration policy. Don’t forget to follow and leave a review to stay updated on the latest in global conflict and foreign affairs.Telegraph subscribers get early access to bonus episodes of Battle Lines and its sister podcast, Ukraine: The Latest. You can subscribe within The Telegraph app, or tap on ‘Already a subscriber’ at the top of this page to log in to link your existing subscription, for more information click here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Aug 16, 2024 • 42min
Diplomatic efforts to avoid full-scale war in the Middle East, Ukraine's incursion into Russia
On today's episode, Global Health Editor Paul Nuki joins me from Tel Aviv to report on the mammoth diplomatic effort to avert a full scale war between Israel and Iran. Then we talk to Associate Editor Dominic Nicholls about Ukraine's operation in Kursk, the first foreign incursion into Russia since the Second World War and how it could tip the balance of the conflict in Ukraine.ContributorsRoland Oliphant (Senior Foreign Correspondent, Host)Paul Nuki (Global Health Security Editor) Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor Defense) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 9, 2024 • 38min
Israel prepares for Iranian strikes, France’s view of Britain’s riots & political turmoil in Bangladesh
In this episode of Battle Lines, we look at how Israel is preparing for a possible war with Iran and a deep dive into how Hamas fights with Middle East Correspondent Jotam Confino. We also pop over to Paris to talk to the Telegraph's Henry Samuel's and see how the French have been covering the riots and what advice they would give the UK. Plus we get an explainer of the political turmoil in Bangladesh with Sarah Newey.ContributorsVenetia Rainey (Host)Jotam Confino (Middle East correspondent)Henry Samuels (Paris correspondent)Sarah Newey (Global Health Security correspondent)ReadHow Hamas fights by Jotam Confino Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 2, 2024 • 33min
Assassinations of top Hamas and Hezbollah leaders rock the Middle East amid anarchy in Israel & Venezuela's disputed election
This week on Battle Lines we look at the assassinations of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders in the Middle East that are raising fears of a wider war throughout the region amid chaos in the state of Israel. Then we look at the controversial Venezuelan elections that President Maduro claims to have won despite a disputed outcome. ContributorsDavid Knowles (Host)Venetia Rainey (Host)James Rothwell (Berlin correspondent) Paul Nuki (Global Health Security Editor)Simeon Tegel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 31, 2024 • 33min
How tyrants fall
Marcel Dirsus, an insightful author on authoritarian dynamics, teams up with Roland Oliphant, a keen geopolitical contributor. They dive into the resurgence of tyrants like Putin and Xi, questioning their apparent strength. The discussion reveals the precarious nature of dictatorship and how factors like peaceful protest threaten these regimes. They also explore the moral dilemmas of coups as methods to combat corruption and the complex challenges of political succession in authoritarian systems. A thought-provoking analysis of power, instability, and potential paths to freedom.
Jul 26, 2024 • 42min
The future of the Israel-Gaza war & the geopolitics of the Olympic Games
On today's episode we examine the situation in Gaza and Israel, asking whether the war could spread beyond its current limits. Then, with the opening ceremony of Paris 2024 just a few hours away, we look at the links between geopolitics, identity, and the Olympic Games throughout historyContributorsDavid Knowles (Host)David Hearst (Editor in Chief, Middle East Eye)Professor Matthew Andrews (University of North Carolina) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 24, 2024 • 38min
How close is the world to nuclear war?
Rafael Grossi, IAEA Director General, discusses the global nuclear landscape including China and Iran's nuclear programs. Insights on uranium enrichment timelines, challenges at Zaporizhia nuclear plant, and concerns about nuclear proliferation in the Middle East. Emphasis on multilateral diplomacy in nuclear policies.
Jul 19, 2024 • 42min
Political extremism in America, China's secret military base in Tajikistan
On today's episode, we check in with Deputy US Editor Rozina Sabur about what the assassination attempt against Donald Trump tells us about political extremism in the United States. Then Senior Foreign Correspondent Sophia Yan reports on a secret military base in Tajikistan at the heart of China's plans to challenge Russia for dominance in Central Asia. ContributorsRoland Oliphant (Host)Rozina Sabur (Deputy US Editor)Sophia Yan (Senior Foreign Correspondent)ReadChina constructs secret Tajikistan military base amid fears of Taliban by Sophia Yan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 18, 2024 • 40min
How to catch a Russian submarine
Captain Ryan Ramsey, a British submarine captain, discusses the intense moments of evading torpedoes and the challenges faced while operating underwater. They delve into anti-submarine warfare strategies, leadership styles, and the elite Perisher course for training top submarine captains. The conversation also explores real-world operational challenges in anti-submarine warfare, including interactions with Russian submarines and the impact of unmanned underwater vessels on naval operations.
Jul 12, 2024 • 36min
How will Labour govern, a look inside the NATO summit, shock French election
Defense Editor Danielle Sheridan discusses Labour's defense strategies and NATO summit challenges. Brussels Correspondent Joe Barnes explores 'Trump-proofing' NATO. Europe Editor James Crisp analyzes the shock French election result and its impact on President Macron.
Jul 5, 2024 • 41min
Chaos in an unprecedented US presidential race & the West Bank's medical crisis
On today's episode of Battle Lines, we speak to US editor Tony Diver on the state of the presidential race after a disastrous debate for Joe Biden and the Supreme Court's presidential immunity ruling. Then, we catch up with correspondent Nicola Smith about the healthcare crisis in the West Bank, and her reflections after a month covering the Israel Hamas war. Finally, we talk to Defense Editor Danielle Sheridan about her recent trip to Kiev and hear about pole dancing in a nation at war.ContributorsDavid Knowles (Host) @djknowles on XTony Diver (US Editor) @Tony_Diver on XNicola Smith (Asia Correspondent) @niccijsmithDanielle Sheridan (Defense Editor) @SheridanDani on XReadOlena Zelenska interview: War has pushed me close to psychological burnout Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
