Battleground

In our weekly round up of the latest news from Ukraine, Roger Moorhouse and Patrick Bishop examine a week of "salient moments" that may signal a turning point in the war. They discuss the Kremlin’s risky move to throttle Telegram, the deepening recession across 21 sectors of the Russian economy, and the high-profile assassination attempt on Lieutenant-general Vladimir Alexeyev. The duo also breaks...

In this episode of Battleground: Special Forces , Saul David is joined by Julius Strauss to dive into the brutal history and mixed legacy of one of Russia’s elite units: Spetsnaz. Julius provides a unique reporter’s perspective on the ground, reflecting on his own experiences embedded with these units during some of their most controversial deployments. The episode focuses on two of the most infam...

This week Patrick Bishop and Saul David examine a the latest news in week of deadly limbo in Ukraine as Donald Trump’s promised "energy truce" is shattered by a record-breaking Russian bombardment in -20°C temperatures. We analyse why Moscow’s advances are now slower than the Battle of the Somme and discuss Elon Musk’s latest move to block Starlink from Russian drones. Later in the episode, we are...

While the 1942 Dieppe Raid was a catastrophic failure for the Allies, one unit achieved a flawless tactical victory against the odds. In part one of this special series, Patrick Bishop and Saul David explore the origins of the British Commandos—Winston Churchill’s "hunter class" of soldiers. From the brutal training bogs of the Scottish Highlands to the clifftops of Varengeville, we follow No. 4 C...

In this episode of Battleground Ukraine , Saul David and Roger Moorhouse explore the terrifying reality of modern warfare and the unexpected heroes of the resistance. Journalist and friend of the show Askold Krushelnycky recounts his harrowing experience surviving a drone strike in Odesa, describing the "screaming banshee" sound of a Shahed drone on its final approach. We also hear from Boldizsár...

In the dramatic conclusion of this two-part special, Saul David and Patrick Bishop deconstruct the chaotic 99 minutes on the ground at Entebbe. The episode tracks the high-stakes assault from the moment the first Hercules landed in a tropical storm to the black Mercedes decoy and the controversial firefight that followed. Together they examine the tactical blunders and friendly fire tragedies that...

In this episode, Patrick Bishop and Roger Moorhouse explore a week of geopolitical upheaval that marks a potential "1938 moment" for the modern world. One year into Donald Trump’s imperial presidency, the duo discusses the stunning ultimatum issued to eight European NATO allies: accept a massive tariff hike or facilitate the American purchase of Greenland. Roger weighs in on whether NATO can survi...

On June 27, 1976, Air France Flight 139 was diverted to Uganda, sparking a crisis that would redefine special operations forever. In the first of a two-part special, hosts Saul David and Patrick Bishop break down the lead-up to Operation Thunderbolt . Saul provides a first-hand look at the "Unit"—the elite Sayeret Matkal —and the internal friction between legendary commanders like Yoni Netanyahu a...

As Ukraine slips from the international headlines in favour of turmoil in Venezuela and Iran, Roger Moorhouse and Saul David examine a week of "curious" developments and renewed escalation. With temperatures plunging to -14°C, Russia has intensified its campaign against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, launching a rare Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile at Lviv—a strike less than 50 mil...

In the premiere of a new series from Battleground , Patrick Bishop and Saul David dive into the high-stakes world of Special Forces to explore why these small bands of elite warriors have captured the global imagination. From the SAS and Delta Force to Sayeret Matkal, the duo strips away the Hollywood veneer to define the "SF type," debating whether it is superior fitness, a specific mental edge,...

In this momentous episode, Patrick Bishop and Saul David analyze the global shockwaves following the US capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and its profound implications for the war in Ukraine.  They explore the rise of the "Donroe Doctrine"—a new American focus on the Western Hemisphere—and how the seizure of the Russian-flagged tanker Marinera marks a direct humiliation for Vladimir Puti...

In our final episode of our Hero or Villain series Patrick and Roger go all the way back to the first part of the twentieth century and take a look at perhaps Britain's most famous soldier from the First World War - Field Marshall Douglas Haig. They take a dive into the arguments for and against Haig and give their judgement. They also take a look at the results from the listener votes on our prev...

In the first episode of 2026, Roger Moorhouse and Patrick Bishop look back on a bizarre and momentous year of conflict. The hosts begin by reflecting on the breakdown of international cooperation, noting how Russia has moved from sensitive joint enterprises, like decommissioning nuclear power submarines, to living on the "dark side of the moon" diplomatically and economically. The centre of this w...

In this episode of Hero or Villain , Roger Moorhouse and Patrick Bishop evaluate the military career of Josip Broz Tito, the "titan of Central Europe" who led the Yugoslav partisans during World War II and served as President until 1980. The discussion traces his journey from a decorated Austro-Hungarian sergeant major to a revolutionary swayed by communism while a POW in Russia. The hosts highlig...

With the Battleground: Ukraine team taking a Christmas break, we have a special interview for you this episode. Saul is joined by Journalist, writer and pacifist turned volunteer soldier Artem Chapeye, who tells his story plus his thoughts and reflections on the war in Ukraine. Artem recently wrote the book: Ordinary People Don't Carry Machine Guns. Join us next week for an update on the latest ne...

In this episode of Hero or Villain , Roger Moorhouse and Patrick Bishop examine the polarising military legacy of Tony Blair. They debate whether the former Prime Minister was a noble champion of "liberal interventionism" or a reckless architect of regional chaos. The discussion moves from the early humanitarian successes in Kosovo and Sierra Leone to the strategic overreach of Afghanistan and the...

In a now annual Battleground tradition, for a special Christmas treat we've recorded a special festive episode discussing the standout history books of the year, and the wider stories that surround them. Patrick, Saul and Roger are joined by friends of the podcast - publicist and historical novelist Richard Foreman and book critic, writer and journalist Antonia Senior. If you have any thoughts or...

In this pivotal episode of Battleground: Ukraine, Patrick Bishop and Saul David discuss the high-stakes EU summit in Brussels that could decide the financial future of the conflict. With Kyiv facing potential bankruptcy by the spring, the hosts break down the urgent debate over seizing €210 billion in frozen Russian assets to fund a "reparations loan." We also look at the latest from the front lin...

In the latest episode of our Hero or Villain series hosts Patrick Bishop and Roger Morehouse ask the ultimate question about one of the 20th century's most controversial figures: Was Charles de Gaulle a hero or a villain? De Gaulle remains a giant of French and world history, looming over his nation's political landscape and physical fabric, with over 3,600 public spaces named after him. He is reg...

Join us as Saul David and Roger Moorhouse digest the latest news from Ukraine, including the intense pressure mounting on Kyiv as the Trump administration reportedly issues an ultimatum to Zelensky to concede territory—likely the Donbas—to end the war. Despite this, they look at analysis that shows that Ukraine can win a protracted war of attrition against Russia's exaggerated claims of victory. W...

In the second episode of our Hero or Villain series, Patrick Bishop and Roger Moorhouse examine Air Marshal Sir Arthur Harris, the controversial chief of RAF Bomber Command, known as "Butcher Harris" due to the staggering losses suffered by his crews . Harris vigorously pursued the necessary policy of area bombing German cities , a campaign he justified as crucial for shortening the war and preser...

Patrick Bishop and Roger Moorhouse discuss a familiar feeling of "deja vu" as the latest US peace mission to Moscow—led by envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner—ends with no substantial progress. They argue that Russian President Putin is deliberately "stringing Trump along" to keep the outside world waiting while Russia continues to make incremental gains on the ground. The hosts also dive into...

In the first of our latest Battleground history series Patrick Bishop and Roger Morehouse tackle Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, the Nazi Germany commander revered by enemies for his "war without hate". Together they peel back the decades of mythology, challenging the image of Rommel as the "good German". How much did Rommel, who served as Hitler’s personal security commander , know about the regime’s...

Join Saul David and Patrick Bishop as they dissect the latest surrounding the war in Ukraine, including the extraordinary collapse and revision of the US 'peace plan' for Ukraine. What started as a controversial 28-point proposal —heavily suspected to have been drafted by Russia and passed on by US envoy Steve Witkoff (as revealed in leaked calls)—has now been reduced to a 19-point framework that...

In this final episode of our Korean War series, hosts Saul, David, and Roger Morehouse examine the enduring legacy of the 1953 Armistice, exploring the human cost of the conflict and the profound ways it continues to shape modern geopolitics. Joining them to discuss this is political analyst Robert Kelly, who helps detail why the lack of a formal peace treaty defines the high-risk security situati...