Battle Lines

Roland Oliphant, a senior foreign correspondent, Adrian Blomfield, a Telegraph contributor, and Paul Nuki, Global Health Security editor, dive into the chaos following Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah's assassination. They discuss the potential escalation into full-scale war and how sectarian tensions in Lebanon could ignite. The conversation shifts to Israel's military strategies, including a possible ground invasion and the creation of a buffer zone. Underlying geopolitical ramifications involving Iran and the U.S. are also explored in this gripping analysis.

Adrian Blomfield, a correspondent for the Telegraph reporting from Beirut, and Heathcliff O'Malley, a photographer based in Tel Aviv, delve into the rising tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. They discuss the IDF's readiness for a potential ground invasion of Lebanon, drawing parallels to the 2006 conflict. The duo highlights the anxiety gripping civilians on both sides, the crucial role of Hezbollah in Lebanon's political landscape, and the relentless impact of rocket fire on Israeli communities. Their candid insights paint a vivid picture of the region's precarious future.

On today's episode we have a special round table with co-hosts Venetia Rainey and Roland Oliphant who are joined by senior foreign correspondent, Sophia Yan. We'll be talking about the attack on Hezbollah, what it's like reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the challenges of being a foreign correspondent.ContributorsVenetia RaineyRoland OliphantSophia Yan ReadLong arm of China looms over one of the world’s last Uyghur bookshops by Sophia Yan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sudan has suffered a brutal conflict that has killed nearly 20,000 people, displaced over 10 million, and left around 25 million facing acute hunger. Sudan's cities have been turned into battlefields. Fighting has been marked by mass rape and murder, hospitals have been attacked, one in five people have now fled their homes, and cholera is on the rise.The scale of the humanitarian crisis in Sudan far outstrips Gaza and Ukraine, yet it receives almost no attention. So how did things get so bad? Why isn't it being covered more? And is there any prospect of peace? ContributorsVenetia RaineyAsil SidahmedBasma KhalifaDr Jennifer HulseResources to find out more about the war in Sudan and how you can help:https://x.com/MadaniyaSDGhttps://linktr.ee/londonforsudanhttps://x.com/khartoumkitchen Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today's episode we pay tribute to David Knowles, creator of Battle Lines. David tragically passed away at the age of 32 on September 8th, 2024. We've put together some highlights of David's brilliant work for the Battle Lines Podcast. You can leave a message of condolence on David's obituary page using the link below.David Knowles, journalist behind Telegraph’s Ukraine war podcast, dies aged 32Battle Lines: A war reporter reacts to the film ‘Civil War’Battle Lines: Could Iran be due for yet another revolution?Battle Lines: Naval lessons from the Black Sea & how China’s enormous new invasion mothership rewrites the rules of warBattle Lines: 'If there is one Hamas guy without a right arm, but with his left hand makes a victory sign – we lost'Battle Lines: The future of the Israel-Gaza war & the geopolitics of the Olympic GamesBattle Lines: 'The children ask me, Santa, are you coming, despite the war?' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Battle Lines we speak to Middle East correspondent Jotam Confino for the latest updates from Israel, where Israelis took to the streets as Hamas executed more hostages. Then, we speak to our Europe editor James Crisp on the rise of the far right in Germany.Contributors David Knowles (Host)Jotam Confino (Middle East correspondent)James Crisp (Europe Editor) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former Royal Navy officer Tom Sharp dives into the groundbreaking naval developments in the Black Sea, highlighting Ukraine's unexpected successes against the Russian fleet. He discusses how the rise of drones is reshaping traditional naval warfare and the implications for military strategies worldwide. Sharp also brings attention to China's rapid production of military vessels, stressing the need for Western powers to adapt. The conversation uncovers critical lessons from the Moskva incident, emphasizing the importance of robust defense and surveillance protocols in modern conflict.

This week we discuss the biggest Israeli military operation in the West Bank since the Second Intifada and Hezbollah's rocket attack against Israel. We also take a trip into the skies above Gaza with one of our reporters for a rare bird's eye glimpse into the territory. Plus, an al Qaeda linked group has been accused of murdering hundreds of people in Burkina Faso. We discuss jihadists and the security situation in the Sahel region.ContributorsVenetia RaineySophia YanBen Farmer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Battle Lines we speak to Tony Diver about his conversation with families of the Israeli hostages who are desperate for a ceasefire deal. Then we speak to Akhtar Makoii who reports on the Taliban soldiers longing for a battle. ContributorsRoland Oliphant (Host)Tony Diver (US editor)Akhtar MakoiiRead‘Sitting in an office is boring’: Taliban soldiers long for war by Akhtar Makoii Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this bonus episode of Battle Lines we talk to Peter Schwartzstein, author of the upcoming book The Heat and the Fury. From ISIS training grounds in Iraq to the pirate-ridden waters of Bangladesh Peter discovers the unexpected ways in which climate change is feeding global unrest and conflict. ContributorsVenetia Rainey (Host)Peter Schwartzstein (Author, The Heat and the Fury)Pre-order The Heat and the Fury HERE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.