Battleground

Hosts Patrick Bishop and Roger Moorhouse examine the latest US-led diplomatic efforts following meetings between Donald Trump's envoys—Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff—and leaders in Moscow and Kyiv. They unpack the lack of concrete diplomatic breakthroughs, Witkoff's controversial comments to Vladimir Putin, and Volodymyr Zelensky's calls for winter air defence support.

The hosts also analyse Owen Matthews’ bleak assessment of Ukraine's war efforts in The Spectator, contrasting his pessimistic outlook with tactical Ukrainian successes around Lyman, where forces liberated 200 square kilometres. They discuss the "pervasive culture of lying" within the Russian military identified by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), $27 billion in unexpected budget shortfalls reported by Kyiv, and potential mass mobilisation rumours driving young Russian men to flee.

Finally, marking the 25th anniversary of 9/11, Patrick and Roger reflect on how global perception of US leadership has transformed since 2001. In the Q&A section, they respond to listener inquiries regarding the rise of far-right political parties in Europe and their stance on Ukraine, the current status of the military campaign in Crimea, escalation risks in cyber warfare, and shifting youth attitudes towards military service and national defence.

Join the Conversation: If you have a question about the war in Ukraine or any of the conflicts we cover, email us at podbattleground@gmail.com
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Producer: James Hodgson
A Goalhanger Podcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Battleground: The Big Picture, Roger Moorhouse is joined by Bojan Pancevski, Chief Political Correspondent for Europe at The Wall Street Journal and author of The Nord Stream Conspiracy. Together, they unravel the audacious plot behind the autumn 2022 sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines, examining how a small team of operatives allegedly carried out the most significant act of modern industrial sabotage on a shoestring budget. Pancevski reveals details from inside both the Ukrainian team and the German investigation, exploring how the CIA caught wind of the plan, why Western allies tried to stop it, and how Poland attempted to derail the German probe.

They also break down the collapse of Germany’s long-standing Wandel durch Handel energy policy, analyse the upcoming high-stakes trial in Hamburg, and confront the wild conspiracy theories—from Seymour Hersh to Russian false-flag narratives—that surrounded the attack. Finally, Pancevski offers his sharp assessment of Donald Trump's diplomatic stance toward Putin and Zelenskyy, and discusses what this dangerous precedent means for the future of global critical infrastructure.

Join the Conversation: If you have a question about the war in Ukraine or any of the conflicts we cover, email us at podbattleground@gmail.com
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Producer: James Hodgson
A Goalhanger Podcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Saul David and Roger Moorhouse analyze the recent escalation in long-range aerial strikes, including Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian logistics sites, as well as severe Russian missile raids on Kyiv and Odesa's power infrastructure. They discuss Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s direct comments to Vladimir Putin at the BRICS summit, Germany's official findings on the Russian hybrid drone attack at Leipzig/Halle airport, and the complex legal parallel of the upcoming Nord Stream trial in Hamburg. They also examine Ukraine's significant counterattack near Lyman and report on heavy Russian military losses in Donetsk.

Later, cybersecurity expert David Alexander joins the podcast to explore the history of state-sponsored cyber operations—from the 2007 attack on Estonia to pre-positioned malware in critical infrastructure. He discusses NATO's legal frameworks under the Tallinn Manual, the realities of offensive cyber capabilities, and the emerging risks posed by AI-driven tools like Mythos. Finally, Saul and Roger answer listener questions regarding thermobaric weapons, civilian evacuations, and Belarus’s precarious strategic position.

Join the Conversation: If you have a question about the war in Ukraine or any of the conflicts we cover, email us at podbattleground@gmail.com
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Producer: James Hodgson
A Goalhanger Podcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Big Picture, host Patrick Bishop is joined by former soldier, military entrepreneur, and author Tim Spicer.

Patrick and Tim discuss Tim’s latest book, An Axe and Four Balloons, which tells the story of Brian Franks—the former Etonian and hotel manager who became a wartime commando and is credited with saving the SAS from extinction after the Second World War. Tim explores Franks’s military career, from his early days in the Middlesex Yeomanry and commando raids in the desert, to leading 2 SAS during the perilous Operation Loyton in the Vosges Mountains and his post-war hunt for German war criminals.

The discussion broadens into big-picture concepts of military philosophy and modern society. Tim reflects on the nature of leadership and shares his definition of courage as "the management of fear." They also examine the qualities of historical mavericks, whether modern political leadership is lacking, and whether the youth of today would step up to defend their country if called upon.

Join the Conversation: If you have a question about the war in Ukraine or any of the conflicts we cover, email us at podbattleground@gmail.com
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Producer: James Hodgson
A Goalhanger Podcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Battleground, Patrick Bishop and Saul David delve into high-stakes diplomacy and the gruelling realities of life on the front lines.
First, the hosts analyse the sudden, clandestine visit of CIA Director John Ratcliffe to Moscow. What brought a US military aircraft to Russia's capital for an eight-hour stay, and what does it mean for the future of Western support for Ukraine? Patrick and Saul debate whether the trip was a stern warning against Russian sabotage in NATO countries or an attempt by Washington to enlist Moscow’s help in resolving tensions with Iran.
They also look at Europe's shifting defence posture, including news of joint nuclear deterrence talks between Germany, Britain, and France.

Then, Patrick and Saul are joined by Hungarian journalist and filmmaker Emma Strauss, fresh off a reporting trip to the frontline city of Kherson. Emma delivers an extraordinary and harrowing eyewitness account of a civilian population living under constant terror. Located just three kilometres from Russian positions, Kherson is bombarded daily by FPV and fibre-optic drones targeting movement in the streets. Emma shares stories of local hospital workers walking to work in constant fear, the hidden danger of air-dropped mines, and her own heart-stopping experience coming under direct drone attack.

You can find Emma Strauss on Instagram by following her: @emastrauss

Finally, the hosts answer listener questions covering political rifts within Kyiv's top leadership, the strategic viability of Russian mobilisation efforts, and potential Ukrainian targets on Russian supply lines.

Join the Conversation: If you have a question about the war in Ukraine or any of the conflicts we cover, email us at podbattleground@gmail.com
Follow us on:
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Producer: James Hodgson
A Goalhanger Podcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.