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
Mar 15, 2024 • 41min
The war on Ecuador's gangs, famine in Sudan, captivity in Hamas' tunnels
On this episode of Battle lines we talk to South America correspondent Mat Charles about meeting child gang members at the forefront of an explosion of violence in Ecuador. Then we hear from our Africa correspondent Ben Farmer about why the nearly year-long war in Sudan might be entering a new phase. Finally, Brussels correspondent Joe Barnes takes us into a recreation of the Hamas tunnels where Israelis were kept and we hear from a hostage about what it was like. Contributors:Venetia Rainey (Host, Weekend Foreign Editor) @venetiarainey on XMat Charles (South American correspondent) @mat_charles_ on XBen Farmer (Africa correspondent) @benfarmerDT on XJoe Barnes (Brussels correspondent0 @Barnes_Joe on XWatch:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/03/02/ecuador-noboa-gangs-drugs-police-crackdown-prisons/ by Matthew CharlesFor 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 8, 2024 • 40min
Trump dominates Super Tuesday, Ramadan during war, chaos in Haiti
On this episode of Battle lines we talk to our US editor Tony Diver about Super Tuesday and why it could mean unrest in America and abroad. Then we hear from Nataliya Vasilyeva, our Middle Correspondent, who has been revisiting the south of Israel to reflect on what has changed since those dark days following the October 7 attack by Hamas. Finally, South America correspondent Simeon Tegel gives us the lowdown on what’s happening in Haiti and why the man at the centre of the violence is known as Barbecue.Contributors:Venetia Rainey (Host, Weekend Foreign Editor) @venetiarainey on XNataliya Vasilyeva (Middle East Correspondent) @Nat_Vasilyeva on X. Tony Diver (US Editor) @Tony_Diver on XSimeon Tegel (South America Correspondent) @SimeonTegelRead:Haiti’s ‘Barbecue’ gang leader warns of genocide unless prime minister Ariel Henry steps down by Simeon TegelFor 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 1, 2024 • 31min
Israel ceasefire & a mother's dilemma over fleeing Gaza
On this episode of Battle Lines, Middle East correspondent in Jerusalem Nataliya Vasilyeva talks to Venetia Rainey about ongoing ceasefire talks and whether a deal is really as close as Joe Biden claimed. Then we hear from Jumana Shahin, a mother of one who is stuck in central Gaza and facing the hardest decision of her life: should she try to escape with her family or stay behind to help her people?Contributors:Venetia Rainey (Host, Weekend Foreign Editor) @venetiarainey on XNataliya Vasilyeva (Middle East Correspondent) @Nat_Vasilyeva on X. Jumana Shahin https://www.instagram.com/jumana.shahin/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.
9 snips
Feb 28, 2024 • 34min
The Kremlin's Cold War bid for global power
Discover the Kremlin's Cold War strategies, insights into Soviet leaders' mindsets, and historical anecdotes like Stalin's permission for the Korean invasion. Uncover untold stories from newly discovered documents and the impact of individual leaders on global events.
Feb 23, 2024 • 29min
Invasion of Rafah, US push for ceasefire & two years of war in Ukraine
In this episode of Battle Lines, Senior Foreign Correspondent Sophia Yan tells us about Israel's plans for an invasion of Rafah, the humanitarian crisis in the north, and where China stands on a ceasefire. Then we speak to Deputy US Editor Rozina Sabur about the US push for a ceasefire. Finally we check in with David Knowles who is in Kyiv as the second year anniversary of the Russian invasion is upon us.Contributors:Venetia Rainey (Host, Weekend Foreign Editor) @venetiarainey on XSophia Yan (Senior Foreign Correspondent). @sophia_yan on X.Rozina Sabur (Deputy US Editor) @Rozinasabur on X.David Knowles (Host) @djknowles22 on X.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.
Feb 16, 2024 • 24min
Pakistan's political turmoil & US plan for a Palestinian state
In this episode of Battle Lines, Foreign correspondent Ben Farmer updates us on Pakistan's elections and what they mean for the country's political and economic future. Then we speak to Middle East correspondent Nataliya Vasilyeva about talks of a US peace plan involving a Palestinian state, while Israel plans an imminent invasion of Rafah in the south.Contributors:David Knowles (Host) @djknowles22 on X.Nataliya Vasilyeva (Middle East Correspondent) @Nat_Vasilyeva on X.Ben Farmer (Foreign Correspondent) @BenFarmerDT on X.Read Pakistan army chief hails election success despite unrest and vote-rigging allegations by Ben Farmer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 14, 2024 • 23min
Inside the 'Oasis of Peace' in Israel
In this bonus episode of Battle Lines, Senior Foreign Correspondent Sophia Yan speaks to two friends, Adam Ben-Shabbat and Nadim Tali, who grew up in a village known as the 'Oasis of Peace'. This village, situated between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, is the only village in Israel where Palestinians and Jewish Israelis choose to live together. Adam and Nadim's friendship faced challenges after Adam decided to join the Israel Defence Force as a reservist in the wake of the October 7th attacks. Nadim meanwhile has had family members killed in Gaza. Despite the tensions, Adam and Nadim remain close friends.Contributors:Sophia Yan (Senior Foreign Correspondent). @sophia_yan on X.ReadDispatch: Inside the only place in Israel where Jews and Arabs choose to live together by Sophia Yan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 9, 2024 • 42min
Israel rejects ceasefire, how Iranian drones changed warfare, and what's going wrong for China's economy
Israel's rejection of a ceasefire in Gaza, the development and impact of Iran's Shahid drone, analyzing warning signs of China's economy and the potential global repercussions, President Xi Jinping's goals for the Chinese economy.
Feb 2, 2024 • 1h 3min
Israel wants security buffer zone in Gaza, Thai farmer taken hostage by Hamas, complexities of civil war in Sudan
In this episode of Battle Lines, Middle East Correspondent Nataliya Vasilyeva gives us the latest from Israel with reports of a buffer zone being secretly built by Israel, Global Health Security Correspondent Sarah Newey tells us about a Thai farmer in Israel who was taken hostage by Hamas on the October 7th attacks, and David Knowles speaks to Professor Alex DeWaal about the unraveling civil war in Sudan.Contributors:Roland Oliphant (Host, Senior Foreign Correspondent) @RolandOliphant on XDavid Knowles (Host) @djknowles22 on X.Nataliya Vasilyeva (Middle East Correspondent). @Nat_Vasilyeva on X.Sarah Newey (Global Health Security Correspondent) @sneweyy on XProfessor Alex DeWaal @WorldPeaceFdtn on XReadRevealed: Israel's new Gaza border by Natalie VasilyevaFifty days in chains: The Thai hostage who survived Hamas by Sarah NeweyFor 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.
Jan 26, 2024 • 40min
Army chief says public face call-up if UK goes to war with Russia & hostage families protest in Israel
In this episode of Battle Lines, Defence Editor Danielle Sheridan discusses her agenda setting front page story about how a top British General believes the British Army is too small and that the government may need to ‘mobilise the nation’ in the event of conflict with Russia. Then we hear from Middle East Correspondent Nataliya Vasilyeva and Senior Foreign Correspondent Sophia Yan about the latest news from Israel and the region. Finally, Economics Reporter Melissa Lawford gives us her take on the impact of the attacks in the Red Sea on global trade and the economy.Contributors:David Knowles (Host). @djknowles22 on X.Nataliya Vasilyeva (Middle East Correspondent). @Nat_Vasilyeva on X.Sophia Yan (Senior Foreign Correspondent). @sophia_yan on X.Melissa Lawford (Economics Correspondent). @MelissaLawford on X.Danielle Sheridan (Defense Editor) @SheridanDani on X.ReadSunak forced to rule out conscription as Russia war threat rises by Danielle SheridanWorld faces second wave of disruptions from Red Sea crisis, warns shipping giant 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.
