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
May 3, 2024 • 38min
Special report: What it’s like to be attacked by Beijing in the South China Sea, and why is China stockpiling gold?
In this episode of Battle Lines, we join The Telegraph's Asia correspondent, Nicola Smith, for a special dispatch on board a Filipino ship patrolling the simmering conflict in the South China Sea. Then we speak to economics reporter Melissa Lawford about China's gold buying binge and why it means tensions in East Asia could be on the cusp of heating up even further.ContributorsVenetia Rainey (Host, Weekend Foreign Editor) @venetiarainey on XNicola Smith (Asia correspondent) @niccijsmith on XMelissa Lawford (Economics Reporter) @Melissalawford on XRead Nicola's report here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/04/30/onboard-filipino-ship-attacked-by-china/Melissa's report is here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2024/04/30/china-launches-gold-buying-spree-amid-fears-o/ For 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.
May 1, 2024 • 25min
"The Russians are definitely beatable, but it needs a coherent approach" : How to build an army in the 21st century
Colonel Hamish de Bretton-Gordon discusses the need for a modern army in 2024, emphasizing defense coherence and the importance of a credible deterrent. The podcast explores threats in Europe, the role of drones in warfare, and promoting news subscriptions for updates during conflicts.
Apr 26, 2024 • 34min
Will Israel invade Rafah and what's behind the protests in Georgia
In this episode of Battle Lines, we speak to The Telegraph's Middle East correspondent, Natalia Vasilyeva, about why the invasion of Rafah is back on the agenda, and what we know about Israel's attack on Iran one week on. Then we catch up with Russia and Caucasus correspondent James Kilner to hear about the mass protests in Georgia and how a shadowy billionaire figure with links to the Kremlin is driving the unrest.ContributorsVenetia Rainey (Host, Weekend Foreign Editor) @venetiarainey on XNataliya Vasilyeva (Middle East Correspondent) @Nat_Vasilyeva on X.James Kilner (Russia and Caucasus correspondent) @jkjourno on XHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 19, 2024 • 53min
The mood inside Iran as Israel plans retaliatory strike
In this episode of Battle Lines, we speak to the Telegraph’s Middle East Correspondent Nataliya Vasilyeva about how Israel will retaliate against Iran for their recent missile strikes. Then we speak to Holly Dagres, senior fellow with the Atlantic Council's Middle East Program and writer of the substack The Iranist, about how Iran and Israel's relationship has developed from a shadow war to the brink of a full-scale conflict.ContributorsRoland Oliphant (Host, Senior Foreign Correspondent) @rolandoliphant on XNataliya Vasilyeva (Middle East Correspondent) @Nat_Vasilyeva on X.Holly Dagres (The Iranist) @hdagres on XHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 15, 2024 • 21min
Could Iran's strike on Israel lead to full-scale war in the Middle East?
Middle East Correspondent Nataliya Vasilyeva discusses Iran's strike on Israel, exploring the closure of schools, Jordan's airspace, and multiple country involvement. Topics include the unprecedented attack on Jerusalem, allies' role in intercepting threats, Iran's retaliatory strategy, and the analysis of Iran's strike on Israel and defense measures.
Apr 12, 2024 • 40min
Will Iran strike Israel, rebels winning war in Myanmar, NATO's Deputy Secretary General
Middle East Correspondent Nataliya Vasilyeva discusses Iran's potential strike on Israel, while Asia Correspondent Nicola Smith explains rebels winning in Myanmar. The podcast also reflects on an interview with NATO's Deputy Secretary General regarding European security concerns.
Apr 5, 2024 • 37min
Blood, chaos and suffering: Six month anniversary of the Israel-Gaza war
In this episode of Battle Lines, we reflect on the upcoming 6 month anniversary of the October 7th attacks in Israel that sparked an invasion of Gaza. We speak to the Telegraph’s Middle East Correspondent Nataliya Vasilyeva and Senior Foreign Correspondent Sophia Yan as they reflect on the past 6 months and what the future holds for Israel, Hamas, and a Palestinian state.ContributorsDavid Knowles (Host) @djknowles22 on XNataliya Vasilyeva (Middle East Correspondent) @Nat_Vasilyeva on X. Sophia Yan (Senior Foreign Correspondent) @sophia_yan on XRead‘I tried to scrub the smell of death off my body...’: A war reporter’s Israel-Hamas diary by Nataliya VasilyevaFor 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.
Mar 29, 2024 • 46min
China's hacking campaign exposed, the Baltic states prepare for war & Tensions rise between Armenia and Azerbaijan
Experts discuss China's hacking campaign, Baltic states' defense measures against Russia, and tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Topics cover Chinese cyber tactics, Baltic defense preparedness, sentiments along Russia's border, and challenges in the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict.
Mar 27, 2024 • 22min
How would the EU react to a nuclear strike by Russia?
Former advisor to Angela Merkel's government, Professor James Davis, discusses the potential EU reaction to a nuclear strike by Russia. They explore the implications on global stability, Russia's nuclear strategy, and the feasibility of an EU nuclear deterrent. The conversation delves into deterrence strategies, nuclear weapon testing, and the broader consequences of a nuclear conflict.
Mar 22, 2024 • 37min
Famine in Gaza, Mongolia's valuable resources, Hong Kong's controversial new law
On this episode of Battle lines we talk to our Middle Eastern correspondent Nataliya Vasilyeva about the second raid on Gaza’s Al Shifa hospital. We’re also joined by our Global Health reporter Lilia Sebouai to discuss this week’s stark famine warning and what can be done to prevent thousands of Palestinians from dying of hunger. Then we hear from our Asia correspondent Nicola Smith about one of her most intrepid reporting trips yet - to the steppes of Mongolia. She also talks about a new national security law in Hong Kong - and why it means troubles for newspaper lovers and priests alike.Contributors:Venetia Rainey (Host, Weekend Foreign Editor) @venetiarainey on XNataliya Vasilyeva (Middle East Correspondent) @Nat_Vasilyeva on X. Lilia Sebouai (Global Health Reporter) @liliasebouai on XNicola Smith (Nicola Smith) @niccijsmith 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.
