Iran: The Latest

After nearly a year of waiting, the UK's Strategic Defence Review has been published.  If that means nothing to you - don’t worry, we explain it all on today’s show. The SDR was intended to be a root-and-branch review of the UK Armed Forces that would provide a road map to keep the country safe for decades to come - especially in the face of the growing threat of Russia. But already ther...

Today’s episode has it all — political drama, military build-ups, and yes, Elon Musk with a chainsaw. We kick off with Musk’s big exit from his headline-hogging political role. He endorsed Trump, handed out millions to get out the vote, ran DOGE and even made time for a little on-stage lumberjacking. But now? He’s out. We’re playing some of his highlights. Then we’re off to Washington, where thing...

In this special episode of Battle Lines , we’re joined by Lally Snow — a seasoned war reporter and photographer who has spent years covering conflict zones around the world. From the frontlines of Afghanistan to other war-torn regions, Lally has witnessed the brutal realities of war. But amidst the chaos, she discovered something unexpected: people tending to gardens. Her fascination with this qui...

In today’s episode, we explore Donald Trump’s bold new vision for a space-based missile defence system — a futuristic project dubbed the Golden Dome . Announced in the Oval Office with his defence secretary Pete Hegseth, Trump claims the system will protect the U.S. from missile attacks launched from anywhere on Earth — or even from space. Featuring cutting-edge technologies deployed across land,...

As Israel launches a new offensive in Gaza, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declares the goal is full control of the Strip, a move that could signal the war’s final phase. We speak to The Telegraph’s David Blair about what this means for Israel’s military strategy, international support, and the deepening humanitarian crisis. Plus: Britain and the EU sign a new trade and defence pact that could...

This week, Donald Trump completed his first official trip abroad, a bling-filled tour of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE that was punctuated by lots of his favourite things: lucrative deals.  He also announced he would be lifting sanctions on Syria and that a deal with Iran is close.  It was a trip designed to focus on positive headlines, alliances, and good vibes - a rare narrative in t...

After four days of airstrikes and artillery duels, India and Pakistan have called a truce. But how long will the peace last, who won, and what lessons have their generals learned? Roland Oliphant talks to Dr Chietigj Bajpaee, senior research fellow for South Asia at Chatham House, about the real war, the propaganda war and the role of China and the US. Plus, chief foreign commentator David Blair d...

Amid the election of the first ever American Pope, Robert Prevost, who will be known as Pope Leo XIV, Roland Oliphant looks at the rise of a new force in American politics: MAGA Catholics. Vice President JD Vance, First Lady Melania Trump, and of course Steve Bannon - Trump’s first term chief of staff - are among the best known names in Washington. Tim Stanley, The Telegraph’s “weapons-grade Catho...

Will there be a Ukraine peace deal this year? What's it like to be a reporter in China? Is Labour too wishy-washy on defence? And which conflicts should we be paying more attention to? Venetia Rainey is joined by defence editor Danielle Sheridan, senior foreign correspondent Sophia Yan and Ukraine: The Latest host Adelie Pojzman-Pontay to discuss the biggest stories of the year so far.  Plus,...

This week marked 100 days of Donald Trump’s second term. And what a hundred days it’s been.  From cosying up to Vladimir Putin and closing USAID, to a trade war with China and effectively ending illegal migration into America, he has been busy. Venetia Rainey is joined by co-host and chief foreign analyst Roland Oliphant and US editor Rob Crilly to assess everything Trump has done in terms of...

Wherever you look, we’re living in a world of increasing conflict and tensions. That’s certainly the conclusion of the highly respected Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), which found an unprecedented rise in global military spending, the steepest increase since the end of the cold war. SIPRI senior researcher Diego Lopes da Silva joins Venetia Rainey to look at who the bigge...

Donald Trump's defence secretary Pete Hegseth shared classified information on an unsecured group chat - not once but twice, according to new details that emerged this week. But the real turbulence shaking the Pentagon isn’t just about loose digital lips. It’s deeper: a toxic mix of internal rivalries, leadership clashes, and a crumbling sense of morale at the very top of America's defence hierarc...

For the past century, war has been fought in three domains: land, sea, and air. But now, there is a fourth. As America and China rush to establish bases on the Moon and Mars, Ukraine and Russia try to jam one another's satellite signals, and middle sized powers are learning how to protect themselves from enemy space weapons. Many countries now field Space Forces alongside armies, navies and airfor...

Lord Kim Darroch, former UK ambassador to the US, joins Venetia Rainey to talk Trump 1.0 vs 2.0, trade wars and Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.  The Telegraph revealed this week that the US could finalise  a trade deal with the UK within three weeks . That comes on the back of comments from JD Vance about how much Trump loves the UK and that a deal is highly likely. So what could that deal l...

The Troubles was a major period of conflict right here in the UK within living memory that continues to echo today, yet very few people know much about it. There is even less awareness about a clandestine network of spies that the British state was running - right in the heart of terror groups on both sides, including Stakeknife in the IRA. On this bonus episode of Battle Lines, Venetia Rainey sit...

Donald Trump has launched fresh talks with Iran to negotiate a new nuclear deal, vowing that there will be “all hell to pay” if Tehran does not agree to disarm. As foreign reporter Akhtar Makoii tells Venetia Rainey, it comes amid a major buildup of American military assets in the Middle East. Israel has repeatedly pushed for a strike on Iran's nuclear facilities, would the US go through with it i...

What began as Donald Trump’s sweeping trade war against much of the world has sharpened into a tense standoff between two global giants: the United States and China. While Trump eased or delayed tariffs on many countries, China remained the outlier — and the economic tensions have only intensified. In this episode, we trace how the trade war has evolved, why China is still firmly in the firing lin...

Can Trump bring peace to the Middle East? Should the UK recognise Palestine as a state? Should the West work more closely with China? Is the FCDO doing enough to help citizens detained abroad? Known for being straight-talking and forthright, Emily Thornberry is chair of the influential Foreign Affairs Committee and the long-serving Labour MP for Islington South and Finsbury. She joins Venetia Rain...

A newly released video casts doubt on Israel’s initial account of the deadly attack on a convoy of ambulances and a fire truck in Gaza, leaving 15 rescue workers dead. Roland Oliphant speaks with co-host Venetia Rainey about the footage and the broader implications of the collapse of the ceasefire. Plus, we turn to Sudan, where the Sudanese Armed Forces have regained control of Khartoum from the R...

In this episode, we dive into the controversial decision surrounding the Chagos Islands, with Donald Trump reportedly signing off on a deal to return them to Mauritius. Venetia Rainey sits down with Associate Political Editor Tony Diver to discuss the potential security implications for the UK, US, and Asia, and why Trump might have suddenly backed this move. We also explore the possibility of Tru...

Myanmar is reeling from a major earthquake that has hit residents who are already struggling to survive amid a brutal four-year civil war. Venetia Rainey speaks to Asia correspondent Sarah Newey about her recent reporting trip from inside the country about how this will affect the junta’s grip on power and why things are likely to go from bad to worse.  Plus, we look at a major debate un...

This week, we discovered that recent US airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen were coordinated over the unsecured Signal messaging app, where officials accidentally added Jeffrey Goldberg, Editor of The Atlantic, to the group chat. This astonishing security lapse offered a rare, behind-the-scenes glimpse into America’s top national security figures as they make high-stakes decisions. So, what...

Turkey and Israel: two Middle Eastern democracies in crisis. Venetia Rainey talks to Süddeutsche Zeitung journalist Raphael Geiger in Istanbul about why President Recep Tayyep Erdogan's arrest of the city's mayor Ekrem Imamoglu has sparked rare protests, and what might happen next.  Henry Bodkin, our correspondent in Israel, explains how the sacking of Ronen Bar, the head of the internal secu...

Canadians are angry, very angry. US president Donald Trump is not backing down from his annexation plans - and this week he even called the country "nasty". On last week's episode, we looked at a small minority of Canadian separatists who said they would welcome Trump's plan to turn Canada into the 51st state. It caused quite a stir among our Canadian listeners. So on today's episode, we go back t...

After just two months of a shaky ceasefire deal, the Israel Hamas war has restarted. On Tuesday morning, Israel launched a series of what it described as "extensive strikes" right across the entire Gaza Strip. The death toll currently stands at more than 400, including many children, with nearly 600 more people wounded, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. That number is expected to ri...