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
Jun 28, 2024 • 38min
Wikileaks' impact, China's crackdown in Tibet, Gaza update
In this episode of Battle Lines we're going to explore the impact of WikiLeaks from a conflict and security perspective and ask the Telegraph's Gordon Rayner and journalist Colin Freeman what founder Julian Assange's intentions really were. We also hear from journalist Dorjee Wangmo about Chinese oppression in Tibet and get an update on the dire situation in Gaza from Nicola Smith.ContributorsVenetia Rainey (Host)Colin FreemanGordon Rayner (Associate Editor)Nicola Smith (Asia Correspondent) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 26, 2024 • 29min
Could Iran be due for yet another revolution?
On today's bonus episode of Battle Lines, we speak to Professor Ali Ansari, author and founding director of the Institute of Iranian Studies at the University of St. Andrews. With the recent death of Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash, Iranian politics is set for yet another shift. With an increasingly youthful secular population suffering through a dire economic situation, some say the stranglehold of the Iranian clerics known as the ulama is waning. Could Iran be due for yet another revolution?ContributorsDavid Knowes (Host) @djknowles22 on XProfessor Ali Ansari (University of St. Andrews) @aa51_ansari on X Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 21, 2024 • 45min
Fareed Zakaria: Are we entering a new age of revolution?
Fareed Zakaria discusses a new age of revolutions, comparing historical shifts and geopolitical challenges. Topics include widening wealth gaps in America, potential election outcomes, and Israel's political turmoil amidst the Gaza conflict.
Jun 14, 2024 • 44min
Israel hostage rescue, far-right gains in EU election, judges resign in Hong Kong
On today’s episode we check in with Telegraph correspondent Nicola Smith about the controversy surrounding Israel’s hostage rescue, the latest ceasefire talks and could a full scale conflict break out with Lebanon. Then we spoke with Europe editor James Crisp about the surprising gains by the far right in the EU elections. Finally Senior foreign correspondent Sophia Yan explains why three judges have quit the courts in Hong Kong this week.ContributorsRoland Oliphant (Host) @rolandoliphant on xNicola Smith (Asia correspondent) @niccijsmith on XJames Crisp (Europe editor) @jamescrisp6 on XSophia Yan (Senior foreign correspondent) @sophia_yan on X Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 7, 2024 • 37min
What D-Day means for the future of international security
On today's episode of Battle Lines, we mark and reflect on this anniversary, and ask what it means for Western countries in 2024 as another full scale war ravages Europe. 2024 as another full scale war ravages Europe. We hear from The Telegraph's US editor, Tony Diver, who's been following Joe Biden's visit to Normandy. We also speak to our defence editor, Danielle Sheridan, who's been talking to veterans on the ground in France. In the studio in London, we catch up with Roland Oliphant, who's been exploring some of the journalism from D Day, and we talk about what it means about the coverage of war then and now. Finally, we speak to Asia correspondent Nicola Smith. who's starting a new reporting stint in Israel. ContributorsDavid Knowles (Host)Tony Diver (US Editor)Danielle Sheridan (Defence Editor)Ken Hay (Veteran)Roland Oliphant (Senior Foreign Correspondent)Nicola Smith (Asia correspondent) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 31, 2024 • 32min
Labour's defence spending, devastating attacks in Rafah, South Africa goes to the polls
On today's episode, we chat with Defence Editor Danielle Sheridan, who tells us how Labour and the Conservatives differ in their views on defence spending. Then we speak to Paul Nuki, editor of Global Health and Security, who gives us the latest on the dire situation in Rafah as Israeli airstrikes kill dozens. Finally, we speak to Ben Farmer, our South Africa correspondent, about the elections there this week.ContributorsVenetia Rainey (Host) @venetiarainey on XDanielle Sheridan (Defence Editor) @sheridandani on XPaul Nuki (Global Health and Security Editor) @paulnuki on XBen Farmer (South Africa crrespondent) @benfarmerDT on xFor 3 months access to The Telegraph for just £1: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/audio |Email: battlelines@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 24, 2024 • 35min
Anti-colonial riots in New Caledonia, humanitarian crisis in Sudan, oil rush in the South Pole
On today's episode of Battle Lines we speak to The Telegraph's Paris correspondent Henry Samuel about the unlikely link between Azerbaijan and pro independence riots in France's Pacific island of New Caledonia. Then, Africa correspondent Ben Farmer describes the dire humanitarian situation in the besieged Sudanese city of El Fashir. Finally, we speak to Energy Editor Jonathan Leake about how the discovery of oil near Antarctica could spark a rush for resources at the South Pole.ContributorsRoland Oliphant (Senior Foreign Correspondent) @RolandOliphant on XHenry Samuel (Paris Correspondent) @H_E_Samuel on XBen Farmar (Africa Correspondent) @benfarmerdt on XJonathan Leake (Energy Editor) @jonathan__leake on xReadRussia finds vast oil and gas reserves in British Antarctic territory by Jonathan LeakeMacron flying to New Caledonia in bid to end violent insurrection by Henry Samuel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
4 snips
May 17, 2024 • 40min
Assassination attempt on Slovakia's PM, Georgia protests controversial 'foreign agent' law
In this episode of Battle Lines, we speak to Europe editor James Crisp about the attempted assassination of Slovakian PM Robert Fico. Then we speak to Gia Japaridze, a former Georgian diplomat who was beaten up in what he believes was punishment for his opposition to a controversial foreign agent's law. And finally, we speak to Robin Forestier Walker, a British filmmaker who lives in Tbilisi, about how protesters have reacted to the law. ContributorsRoland Oliphant (Senior foreign correspondent) @rolandoliphant on XJames Crisp (Europe Editor) @JamesCrisp6 on XGia Japaridze @giajapar on XRobin Forestier Walker @robinfwalker on XFor 3 months access to The Telegraph for just £1: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/audio |Email: battlelines@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 15, 2024 • 25min
A war reporter reacts to the film 'Civil War'
On today's episode, we speak to senior foreign correspondent Roland Oliphant, who recently saw the film Civil War, directed by Andrew Garland. Roland, as a war reporter, had some thoughts on the film and he shares them with us.ContributorsDavid Knowles (Host) @djknowles22 on X.Roland Oliphant (Host, Senior Foreign Correspondent) @rolandoliphant on X Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 10, 2024 • 42min
Biden blocks weapons to Israel, the dire state of Iran's economy, war correspondent responds to Civil War film
On today's episode, we speak to our Middle East correspondent Natalia Vasilyeva in Jerusalem on Israel's impending assault on Rafa and Biden's threats to halt weapons supplies to Israel. Then, we hear from Jumana Shahin, a Gaza resident who's fled to Egypt to protect herself and her young daughter. Then, we speak to our economics reporter Melissa Lawford on the dire state of Iran's economy. And finally, I talk to senior foreign correspondent Roland Oliphant, who recently saw the film Civil War, directed by Andrew Garland. Roland, as a war reporter, had some thoughts on the film and he shares them with us.ContributorsDavid Knowles (Host) @djknowles22 on X.Nataliya Vasilyeva (Middle East Correspondent) @Nat_Vasilyeva on X.Jumana Shahin @jumana.shahin on InstagramMelissa Lawford (Economics Reporter) @Melissalawford on XRoland Oliphant (Host, Senior Foreign Correspondent) @rolandoliphant on XRead‘Iran is broke’: How clerics crippled the Islamic Republic by Melissa LawfordFor 3 months access to The Telegraph for just £1: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/audio |Email: battlelines@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
