Battle Lines

The Telegraph
Across the world, from Europe to Asia, the Americas to the Middle East, tensions are rising between nation states. Traditional alliances and alignments are constantly evolving in the 21st century. An understanding of defence and security policy and the tides of political, social and economic changes is crucial for any informed understanding of our world.2024 sees war in Europe and Israel, and elections in major economies, including the US, the UK, Taiwan, South Africa, and many others. Insurgencies flare in Yemen and Burma, tensions escalate in East Africa, and all around the world the international security architecture buckles under increasing pressure. With expert and experienced reporting on the ground from across the globe, Battle Lines combines on the ground reporting with analytical expertise to aid listeners to better understand the course of world politics and wars as the fault lines of global history grind and slip in an increasingly dangerous, and confusing, multipolar world. Battle Lines is the best of The Telegraph’s defence, security, and foreign reporting in one place.Telegraph subscribers get early access to bonus episodes on Ukraine: The Latest and Battle Lines. 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 head to https://www.telegraph.co.uk/contact-us/telegraph-subscription-bonus-content-apple-podcasts/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Introducing Battle Lines: Israel-Gaza
Trailer1 min 28 sec

All Episodes

On today's episode, we check in with Deputy US Editor Rozina Sabur about what the assassination attempt against Donald Trump tells us about political extremism in the United States. Then Senior Foreign Correspondent Sophia Yan reports on a secret military base in Tajikistan at the heart of China's plans to challenge Russia for dominance in Central Asia. ContributorsRoland Oliphant (Host)Rozina Sabur (Deputy US Editor)Sophia Yan (Senior Foreign Correspondent)ReadChina constructs secret Tajikistan military base amid fears of Taliban by Sophia Yan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 19

42 min 53 sec

A Navy frigate commander and a British submarine captain on playing cat and mouse in a ‘little bubble of GCHQ’"When a torpedo starts coming straight at you, there’s only one thing a submarine crew can do – snap into “full evasion” mode. Captain Ryan Ramsey issues swift orders. His crew responds immediately, twisting the Royal Navy’s Trafalgar-class submarine to manoeuvre the boat beneath the waves in an effort to shake off the weapon bearing down fast on their position."In this exclusive conversation between The Telegraph's Associate Editor Dom Nicholl's and Captain Ryan Ramsey (retired) and Captain Tom Sharpe (retired) listen to how top naval commanders think about their work at sea, the issues, problems and rewards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 18

40 min 11 sec

On today's episode of Battle Lines, we look at the UK's new Labour government and its defence policy with our defence editor Danielle Sheridan. We also pop over to the NATO summit and ask Brussels correspondent Joe Barnes how NATO can "Trump proof" the alliance? Finally we speak to Europe editor James Crisp about the shock French election result and what it means for President Macron.ContributorsVenetia Rainey (Host)Danielle Sheridan (Defense Editor) Joe Barnes (Brussels Correspondent) James Crisp (Europe Editor) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 12

35 min 54 sec

On today's episode of Battle Lines, we speak to US editor Tony Diver on the state of the presidential race after a disastrous debate for Joe Biden and the Supreme Court's presidential immunity ruling. Then, we catch up with correspondent Nicola Smith about the healthcare crisis in the West Bank, and her reflections after a month covering the Israel Hamas war. Finally, we talk to Defense Editor Danielle Sheridan about her recent trip to Kiev and hear about pole dancing in a nation at war.ContributorsDavid Knowles (Host) @djknowles on XTony Diver (US Editor) @Tony_Diver on XNicola Smith (Asia Correspondent) @niccijsmithDanielle Sheridan (Defense Editor) @SheridanDani on XReadOlena Zelenska interview: War has pushed me close to psychological burnout Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 5

41 min 26 sec

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 28

39 min 32 sec

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 26

29 min 59 sec

On today's episode, we speak to journalist and author Fareed Zakaria about why he believes America and the West are entering a new age of revolution. We then check in with Nicola Smith, our correspondent in Israel, about how domestic political turmoil and the ongoing war in Gaza is threatening Benjamin Netanyahu's government. ContributorsRoland Oliphant (Host) @rolandoliphant on xFareed Zakaria (CNN political correspondent, author ) @fareedzakaria on XNicole Smith (Asia correspondent) @niccijsmith on XReadAge Of Revolutions by Fareed Zakaria Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 21

45 min 53 sec

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 14

44 min 35 sec

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.

Jun 7

37 min 34 sec

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 31

31 min 56 sec

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.

May 24

34 min 58 sec

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 17

39 min 45 sec