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
Dec 1, 2023 • 56min
'I want my baby back. I want my son back': Reflecting on a week of hostage releases
As the ceasefire ends, we reflect on the hostage releases - and those left behind. In this episode of Battle Lines, Middle East Correspondent Natalia Vasilyeva and Senior Reporter Henry Bodkin join us from on the ground in Israel, where they reflect on a week of hostage releases, and consider what the West Bank settlement of the Israeli finance minister can tell us about Gaza's future.Plus we hear from Orit Meir, whose son Almog is a hostage of Hamas, as she makes a heartfelt plea to get him back. Contributors:David Knowles (Host). @djknowles22 on X.Nataliya Vasilyeva (Middle East Correspondent). @Nat_Vasilyeva on X.Henry Bodkin (Senior Reporter). @HenryBodkin on X.We were joined by Orit and Aviram Meir. You can watch their interview here: https://youtu.be/rcPehC4sd2sFor 3 months access to The Telegraph for just £1: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/audio |Email: battlelines@telegraph.co.uk |See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 28, 2023 • 29min
‘If the Middle East sneezes, Europe catches a cold': Interview with Lebanon's Minister for Foreign Affairs
The view from LebanonIn this bonus episode of Battle Lines, Sophia Yan brings us her interview with Lebanon's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Abdallah Bou Habib. They discuss how the war in Israel and Gaza is impacting his country and the wider region, and what role the US and Britain have to play in resolving the conflict. Contributors:Sophia Yan (Host, Senior Foreign Correspondent). @sophia_yan on X.Abdallah Bou Habib (Lebanon's Minister for Foreign Affairs).Read: Britain must take more responsibility for Israel-Hamas war, says Lebanon, by Sophia Yan: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/11/27/uk-responsible-israel-hamas-war-balfour-declaration-lebanon/For 3 months access to The Telegraph for just £1: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/audio |Email: battlelines@telegraph.co.uk |See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 23, 2023 • 24min
'Torn between hope and fear': Israel's desperate families wait to hear if their loved ones are alive
Israel waits for Hamas to release hostagesIn this episode of Battle Lines, Middle East Correspondent Natalia Vasilyeva looks at the highly anticipated hostage release and temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, after weeks of bloody fighting. She also talks about the rollercoaster of emotions being experienced by the families of hostages, desperate to find out if their loved makes will make the lists of those being released.Plus Foreign Reporter Verity Bowman on the dire public health situation in Gaza as disease stalks the streets. Contributors:David Knowles (Host). @djknowles22 on X.Nataliya Vasilyeva (Middle East Correspondent). @Nat_Vasilyeva on Twitter.Verity Bowman (Foreign Reporter). @VerityBowman on X.For 3 months access to The Telegraph for just £1: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/audio |Email: battlelines@telegraph.co.uk |See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 21, 2023 • 18min
Testimony of an October 7th survivor: ‘I knew at any second they might kill me’
In this bonus episode of Battle Lines, we hear from Naomi Greenaway, Deputy Editor of the Telegraph Magazine, who tells the story of Adi Efrat.Adi Efrat was taken from her home on Kibbutz Be’eri and held hostage by Hamas for over 12 hours. Naomi explains that for Adi, her life will forever more be split in two – before and after October 7th, recounts that day, and explains how Adi is still full of hope for peace.Contributors:David Knowles (Host). @djknowles22 on X.Naomi Greenaway (Deputy Editor, Telegraph Magazine). @naomisamuelsgreenaway on X.Read: October 7 survivor: ‘I was alone with 15 terrorists – I knew at any second they might kill me’, by Naomi Greenaway: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/11/12/adi-efrat-hostage-israel-hamas-terrorist/For 3 months access to The Telegraph for just £1: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/audio |Email: battlelines@telegraph.co.uk |See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 17, 2023 • 34min
Israel hunts for Hamas while Gaza's hospitals collapse
A warning this week that this episode contains graphic language that some listeners might find distressing. In this episode of Battle Lines, Senior Foreign Correspondent Sophia Yan, analyses some of the diplomatic moves made by Middle Eastern states close to the conflict.Telegraph Global Health Reporter Lilia Sebouai updates us on the conditions In Gaza’s hospitals, and Foreign Reporter Verity Bowman talks us through the Israeli assault on the Al-Shifa hospital. Plus Defence Editor Danielle Sheridan explains how the war in Israel and Gaza impacted British society on Armistice Day.Contributors:David Knowles (Host). @djknowles22 on X.Sophia Yan (Senior Foreign Correspondent). @sophia_yan on X.Lilia Sebouai (Reporter, Telegraph Global Health team). @liliasebouai on X.Verity Bowman (Foreign Reporter). @VerityBowman on X. Danielle Sheridan (Defence Editor). @SheridanDani on X.Read: Coca-Cola out, Egyptian soda in as anti-Western boycott sweeps Middle East, by Sophia Yan: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/11/12/coca-cola-mcdonalds-boycott-israel-spiro-spathis-egypt/Read: ‘Drone snipers’ firing at targets around Gaza hospitals, says trapped British doctor, by Lilia Sebouai: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/terror-and-security/armed-drones-israel-hamas-war-gaza-hospitals-gunshots/Read: Poppy sellers forced to move stand after pro-Palestinian gathering, by Danielle Sherdian: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/11/12/poppy-sellers-move-stand-pro-palestinian-gathering/For 3 months access to The Telegraph for just £1: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/audio |Email: battlelines@telegraph.co.uk |See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 10, 2023 • 47min
Israel 'cuts Gaza in two', disagreements with the UN & Gaza's hospitals on the brink
A warning this week that this episode contains graphic language that some listeners might find distressing. In this episode of Battle Lines, Senior Foreign Correspondent Sophia Yan brings us up to date on the major news of the week from the region, Telegraph Global Health Reporter Lilia Sebouai speaks about the devastating plight of Gaza’s hospitals and Middle East Correspondent Nataliya Vasilyeva explains the bad blood between Israel and the UN.Plus Assistant Comment Editor Francis Dearnley gives a potted history of the now infamous Balfour Declaration. Contributors:David Knowles (Host). @djknowles22 on Twitter.Sophia Yan (Senior Foreign Correspondent). @sophia_yan on Twitter.Lilia Sebouai (Reporter, Telegraph Global Health team). @liliasebouai on Twitter.Nataliya Vasilyeva (Middle East Correspondent). @Nat_Vasilyeva on Twitter.Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor). @FrancisDearnley on Twitter.Read: ‘Bodies scratched, bleeding and full of flies’: Infections plague Gaza’s hospitals, by Lilia Sebouai: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/terror-and-security/hospital-infections-gaza-medical-supplies-clean-water/For 3 months access to The Telegraph for just £1: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/audio |Email: battlelines@telegraph.co.uk |See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 6, 2023 • 19min
Urban warfare, the Merkava tank and taking the battle underground
In this bonus episode of Battle Lines we hear from Telegraph Contributor Hamish de Bretton-Gordon.As a former soldier, we wanted to hear his views on the kind of conflict Hamas and The IDF are fighting in Gaza, what the challenges are, and the similarities and differences between this war and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Contributors:David Knowles (Host). @djknowles22 on Twitter.Hamish de Bretton Gordon, former British Army Colonel. @HamishDBG on Twitter.For 3 months access to The Telegraph for just £1: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/audio |Email: battlelines@telegraph.co.uk |See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 3, 2023 • 58min
Israeli troops push deep into Gaza & investigating Hamas' property portfolio
A warning this week that this episode contains graphic language that some listeners might find distressing. In this episode of Battle Lines, we speak to Defence Editor Danielle Sheridan, Middle East correspondent Nataliya Vasilyeva and Senior Foreign Correspondent Sophia Yan.Danielle speaks about the Israeli forensics teams searching through ash as they look for teeth to identify Hamas victims, Sophia takes us inside her investigation into Hamas assets in Turkey, and Nataliya explains her reporting into the experiences of the Israeli Bedouin. Plus Assistant Comment Editor Francis Dearnley takes on the difficult task of trying to sum up the history of the region.Contributors:David Knowles (Host). @djknowles22 on Twitter.Nataliya Vasilyeva (Middle East Correspondent). @Nat_Vasilyeva on Twitter.Danielle Sheridan (Defence Editor). @SheridanDani on Twitter.Sophia Yan (Senior Foreign Correspondent). @sophia_yan on Twitter.Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor). @FrancisDearnley on Twitter.Read Inside the gleaming developments that made Hamas a $1bn terror group, by Sophia Yan: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/10/30/property-developments-hamas-1bn/Read Israeli police sift through ash as they look for teeth and bones to identify Hamas victims, by Danielle Sheridan: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/11/01/israel-victims-body-bags-ash-hamas-gaza/Read I’d rather be back in Ukraine, say refugee children sent to Israel, by Danielle Sheridan: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/10/31/ukrainian-refugee-children-israel-kfar-chabad/Read ‘They came out of the sea shooting us’: How Israel’s Bedouin Arabs became Hamas targets, by Nataliya Vasilyeva: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/11/05/israel-hamas-bedouin-attack-arab-muslim-gaza-jews/For 3 months access to The Telegraph for just £1: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/audio |Email: battlelines@telegraph.co.uk |See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 1, 2023 • 17min
Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the economic impact of the war in Israel and Gaza
In this bonus episode of Battle Lines we'll hear from The Telegraph's Economics reporter, Melissa Lawford.Melissa has been writing about the economic impact of the war in Israel and Gaza on key regional actors - Saudi Arabia and Qatar.As Saudi Arabia desperately courts investment and Qatar is busy striking LNG deals with states around the world, what does the war mean for them and how might their great economic involvement with the West impact international diplomacy? Contributors:David Knowles (Host). @djknowles22 on Twitter.Melissa Lawford (Economics reporter). @MelissaLawford on Twitter.Read Israel-Hamas conflict casts a shadow over Saudi Arabia’s ‘Davos in the Desert’, by Melissa Lawford:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2023/10/25/israel-hamas-conflict-shadow-saudi-arabias-davos-desert/For 3 months access to The Telegraph for just £1: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/audio |Email: battlelines@telegraph.co.uk |See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 31, 2023 • 25min
'Gazans are living through a bombardment like they've never experienced before'
In this bonus episode of Battle Lines we'll hear from James Rothwell, The Telegraph's Berlin Correspondent who until recently was our Middle East Correspondent based in Jerusalem.James tells us about his reporting on life and death in the Gaza Strip, of Palestinian journalists battling to tell the story, and what impact this war will have on the future of the region.Contributors:David Knowles (Host). @djknowles22 on Twitter.James Rothwell (Berlin Correspondent). @JamesERothwell on Twitter.For 3 months access to The Telegraph for just £1: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/audio |Email: battlelines@telegraph.co.uk |See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
