The General & The Journalist

Israel votes next week and Benjamin Netanyahu faces a defining election as former IDF chief Gadi Eisenkot challenges his grip on power. After three years of war, Israel faces mounting security threats, international isolation and deep political divisions. But even if Netanyahu loses, a new government may struggle to change course. Tom speaks to Alon Pinkas, a former Israeli diplomat and adviser to Prime Minister Ehud Barak, and Danny Citrinowicz, a former Israeli Defence Intelligence office to explore whether the election could end the Netanyahu era – and what a change of government might mean for Gaza, Iran and the wider Middle East. Get in touch: generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk 04:57 Is Netanyahu heading for defeat? 11:28 Will Arab voters decide Israel’s election? 17:27 Is Israel safer after three years of war? 25:02 What would change if Netanyahu loses? 32:30 Could Netanyahu face prison if he loses power? Guests: Alon Pinkas, former Israeli diplomat and Danny Citrinowicz, a former Israeli Defence and…

In this month's Q&A, Patrick and Tom examine Donald Trump’s controversial deal to buy Russian diesel, the shifting world order, and the threats facing Western security. Plus, they consider a listener’s idea for bringing veterans closer to the public. Send your questions in to generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk Hosts: General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton Dunn Patrick brings his experience as a former head of the British Army to the podcast. He is also a Conservative peer and advises the party on defence. Producer: Julia Webster Executive producer: Priyanka Deladia Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For a decade, US spies and diplomats have reported mysterious symptoms including strange noises, sudden pressure and debilitating neurological symptoms… but no one has definitively explained why. Now, two investigative journalists say they have uncovered new evidence of a suspected microwave weapon, a Russian connection and a US government failure to confront the truth. Their new book, The Havana Syndrome: Secret Weapons, a Government Cover-Up, and the Greatest Spy Mystery of Our Time, raises fresh questions about intelligence failures, covert warfare and a mystery that may be far from over. Is Russia behind these mysterious events and has the US government been hiding what it knows? Get in touch: generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk 04:00 The first mysterious attacks 16:57 The alleged Russian microwave weapon 26:29 The scientific evidence and scepticism 29:24 Was there a government cover-up? 35:23 Is the mystery still unfolding? Guests: Michael Rey and Oriana Zill de Granados, investigative producers for…

The Houthis have advanced along Yemen’s Red Sea coast threatening one of the world’s most important shipping routes through Bab al-Mandab. Yemeni government forces are fighting back, but the Iran-backed group’s ability to disrupt global trade and strike across the region continues to grow. Yemen expert Nadwa Al-Dawsari joins Tom and Patrick to explain how the Houthis became a regional military power, how much control Iran really has over them, and whether Yemen is becoming another front in Tehran’s wider proxy war. So, how far can the Houthis expand, and can they be stopped? Get in touch: generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk 00:49 — The Houthis fight to seize Yemen’s Red Sea coast 02:58 — How Iran helped build Houthi military power 07:01 — Why the Bab el-Mandeb threatens global shipping 14:07 — Who are the Houthis and their enemies 22:13 — Can the US stop the Houthi threat? Guest: Nadwa Al-Dawsari, Fellow at the Centre on Armed Groups and Associate Fellow at the Middle East Institute Hosts: General Sir…

As Russia steps up sabotage, interference and intimidation across Europe, how far is Vladimir Putin prepared to go? Former MI6 chief Sir John Scarlett joins Tom and Patrick to explain what Putin wants in Ukraine, whether Russia could escalate into a direct confrontation with NATO, and why intelligence back channels may be crucial to preventing escalation. Get in touch: generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk 05:28 - Did the West misjudge Putin? 09:46 - Is Putin under pressure? 15:04 - What does Putin want in Ukraine? 17:30 - Russia’s hybrid war against NATO 23:49 - Why the CIA Chief went to Moscow Guest: Sir John Scarlett, former MI6 Chief and co-founder of SC Strategy Hosts: General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton Dunn Patrick brings his experience as a former head of the British Army to the podcast. He is also a Conservative peer and advises the party on defence. Producer: Julia Webster, Shabnam Grewal Executive producer: Priyanka Deladia Image: Kathia Mestanza, Getty Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy…

America has 11 aircraft carriers. So why is the US Navy struggling to deploy more than three at once? In this bonus video explainer, The Sunday Times’s Mark Urban examines the growing strain on America’s carrier fleet. These 100,000-ton floating airfields have long been symbols of US military power, but delayed ships, lengthy repairs and overstretched crews are making it increasingly difficult to keep them at sea. If Washington cannot reliably deploy the fleet it already has, what does that mean for America’s ability to project power around the world – and are aircraft carriers becoming a symbol not of US strength, but of its limits? 00:00 – America’s aircraft carrier problem 00:53 – Delayed ships and ageing carriers 02:24 – Trump’s proposed carrier redesign 03:25 – Longer deployments, greater strain 04:50 – The carrier gap in the Pacific 06:09 – The $25 billion carrier group at risk 07:30 – The cost to the wider fleet 08:38 – Shipyard decline and military power Get in touch:…

More than 25 years after the Good Friday Agreement, Britain remains bitterly divided over how to resolve legacy cases from the Troubles. The government’s new Northern Ireland Troubles Bill would allow some halted inquests to resume and reform the system for investigating legacy cases, with ministers insisting that veterans will be protected from unnecessary repeat investigations. But former senior SAS veterans Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton and George Simm argue it could reopen the door to repeated investigations that erode soldiers’ trust in the Government and ultimately weaken the SAS itself. Can Britain deliver justice for the past without undermining the soldiers it may need for the wars of the future? Get in touch: generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk 00:47 – Inside the SAS 10:24 – Northern Ireland legacy lawfare 16:29 – Loughgall and shoot-to-kill claims 22:15 – How lawfare is damaging the SAS 27:30 – The fight to protect British soldiers Guests: Former SAS Squadron Commander Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton and former…

Russia is holding its first State Duma election since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, but the Kremlin has worked to ensure the outcome is never truly in doubt. Nina Khrushcheva, great-granddaughter of the former Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, joins us to examine what the vote reveals about Putin’s rule and how the war in Ukraine is mounting pressure on Putin. With public patience under strain and unease growing among the elite, how much longer can Putin keep pressing this war on? Get in touch: generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk 00:55 – Nina Khrushcheva on Putin’s Russia 07:50 – Inside Russia’s rigged election 16:37 – Putin’s mobilisation gamble 23:04 – Russia’s war economy and breaking point 30:04 – Putin’s escalating threat to NATO Guest: Nina Khrushcheva, professor of International Affairs at The New School in New York City Hosts: General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton Dunn Patrick brings his experience as a former head of the British Army to the podcast. He is also a Conservative peer and…

It was one of the most audacious acts of sabotage in modern history - in September 2022, explosions ripped through the Nord Stream pipelines carrying natural gas from Russia underneath the Baltic Sea. The attack reshaped European geo-politics but at the time, no one knew who ordered the bombing, or carried it out. Journalist Bojan Pancevski has spent three years tracing the operation - and says the answers to those questions involve a tiny team of divers, a rented yacht and a former erotic model known only as ‘Freya’. Get in touch: generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk 00:00 – Who blew up Nord Stream? 02:55 – Why Nord Stream mattered 06:39 – Inside the sabotage mission 17:19 – Russia, CIA or Ukraine? 24:00 – Evidence, arrests and who ordered it Guest: Bojan Pancevski, chief European political correspondent for the Wall Street Journal Hosts: Tom Newton Dunn Producer: Julia Webster Executive producer: Dan Box Image: Kathia Mestanza, Getty Clips: Getty Images, Danish Defence Command Hosted on Acast. See…

Across Nato’s eastern flank, defence planners are increasingly focused on one date: 2030. War games, military assessments and troop deployments are being shaped around a stark question – could Moscow be ready to test Nato within the next few years? The Times’s defence editor Larisa Brown examines why 2030 has become such a crucial deadline for European defence, how Russia could try to probe Nato’s borders and whether the alliance is moving fast enough to deter Vladimir Putin. Get in touch: generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk Producer: Jack Feeney Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan have signed the Mecca Pact, a new defence alliance built around the promise that an attack on one is an attack on all. Together they bring Saudi money and religious authority, Turkey’s military strength and defence industry and Pakistan’s army and nuclear power. But would any of them really go to war for the others? Tom and Patrick are joined by Lieutenant General Sir Simon Mayall to explore why the pact has emerged now. Is it a response to Iran’s decline, growing doubts over America’s reliability or the changing relationship with Israel? Or is the Mecca Pact merely a strategic hedge, or the beginning of a new balance of power in the Middle East? How do you think the Mecca Defence Alliance will impact the region? Get in touch: generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk 00:00 - Mecca Pact Explained 05:04 - Saudi–Turkey–Pakistan Defence Alliance 13:02 - Why the Mecca Pact Matters Now 23:32 - Is the Mecca Pact a New NATO? 32:53 - Future of Middle East Security Guest: Ltn Gen Sir Simon…

For more than a century, the Middle East has been made and remade by collapsing empires, colonial borders, revolutions, wars and powerful rulers. Now, Iran is weakening, Gulf states are becoming more influential and old alliances are shifting again. Historian Simon Sebag Montefiore joins Tom and Patrick to discuss how the modern Middle East was forged and why the forces that shaped it are still at work today. Who is gaining power, who is losing it, and are we watching the birth of a new regional order? Who do you think is reshaping the new Middle East? Get in touch: generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk Chapters: 00:00 — How the modern Middle East was made 13:15 — Colonialism, Sykes-Picot and the birth of “zombie states” 23:45 — Is the term “Middle East” now obsolete? 29:30 — Iran’s regional empire and the October 7 wars 36:45 — Six converging theatres—and reasons for hope The Cauldron: The Making of the Modern Middle East by Simon Sebag Montefiore is available in stores now Guest: Simon Sebag Montefiore,…

Ukraine’s drone campaign is reaching deeper into Russia than ever before, striking oil terminals, ships and targets around Moscow and St Petersburg. As casualties rise and attacks put growing pressure on Russia’s economy and war machine, is Ukraine beginning to change the course of the conflict? In this bonus audio explainer, The Sunday Times’s Mark Urban examines how Ukraine’s long-range strikes are testing Russia’s defences – and whether Vladimir Putin is approaching a serious turning point in the war. Get in touch: generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

North Korea has supplied Russia with millions of artillery rounds, thousands of troops and workers for its drone factories to support its war in Ukraine. In return, Russian money, food, energy and weapons are reviving Pyongyang’s economy, giving it military battlefield experience and potentially advancing Kim Jong Un’s nuclear and missile capabilities. Dr Victor Cha, former White House national security official and one of America’s leading Korea experts, joins The General & The Journalist to explain how Russia has made an isolated regime richer and more dangerous. How powerful has North Korea become? Why have decades of denuclearisation diplomacy failed? And could talks with Washington loosen Kim’s alliance with Putin? Should the West accept a nuclear North Korea? Get in touch: generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk Chapters: 00:00 North Korea’s economic boom 08:31 Russia fuels Kim Jong Un 14:18 China, Russia and North Korea 18:32 North Korea’s nuclear threat 26:16 Why denuclearisation failed 33:46 Kim Jong…

Mossad has spent decades building intelligence networks inside Iran, using spies, cyber operations and covert technology to penetrate the regime at the highest levels. Yossi Cohen, former director of Mossad, joins The General & The Journalist to reveal how Israel’s spies recruit agents, operate behind enemy lines and target Iran’s leadership. How far is Mossad willing to go? And can Israel’s intelligence successes ultimately bring about regime change in Iran? And where does covert action cross the line? The Sword of Freedom: Israel, Mossad, and the Secret War by Yossi Cohen is available at Harper Collins. 00:00 - Former Mossad Chief Yossi Cohen on Israel’s Intelligence Strategy 03:01 - How Mossad Penetrated the Iranian Regime’s Deepest Secrets 09:24 - HUMINT vs. SIGINT: Why Human Spies Outperform Cyber Intelligence 14:16 - Exploding Pagers, Sabotage & The Ethics of Covert Operations 24:28 - The Future of Iran, Regime Change & Yossi Cohen’s Political Ambitions Guest: Yossi Cohen, former director of Mossad…

Could Britain replace billion-pound warships with fleets of uncrewed vessels – and what happens when the technology fails? In this bonus audio explainer, The Sunday Times’s Mark Urban examines Britain’s £5 billion bet on uncrewed warfare, shaped by the lethal lessons of Ukraine. Military planners hope networks of specialised drones and automated platforms can cut costs, protect personnel and transform the battlefield. But with major conventional programmes still competing for funding, is Britain building the armed forces of the future or creating dangerous new vulnerabilities? Producer: Stephanie Bosset Image: Dana Chan, Getty Get in touch: generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pete Hegseth has turned the Pentagon into a stage for warrior bravado – renaming it the Department of War, ordering testosterone screening for troops over 30, and cheering on a US Navy jet's ultra-low flypast over a packed Florida beach. Former RAF Air Vice-Marshal Sean Bell joins Tom and Patrick to give his verdict on Hegseth's shake-up of the US armed forces and to ask whether a similar culture could take hold in the British military. Chapters: 00:00 — Pete Hegseth and the dangerous flybys 08:50 — Who is Pete Hegseth? 10:55 — Fitness, testosterone and the “warrior ethos” 14:30 — Diversity, standards and the military beard debate 21:40 — Does machismo belong in the military? Guest: Sean Bell, Former Air Vice-Marshal in the Royal Air Force Host: General Sir Patrick Sanders & Tom Newton Dunn Patrick brings his experience as a former head of the British Army to the podcast. He is also a Conservative peer and advises the party on defence. Producer: Elle Scott & Julia Webster Exec Producer: Priyanka Deladia…

President Volodymyr Zelensky has sacked his defence minister and army chief after a bitter struggle over Ukraine’s military strategy triggered widespread street protests. Natia Seskuria of RUSI examines the clash between reformers and the old guard, and the consequences for Zelensky’s democratic reputation. Could this upheaval at the top change the course of the war with Russia? Should Zelensky reinstate Mykhailo Fedorov as minister of defence? Get in touch: generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk Chapters: 00:00 – Zelensky's Political Crisis 01:42 – Why Zelensky Fired Mykhailo Fedorov and Oleksandr Syrskyi 08:56 – Civilian Control vs. Military Command in Ukraine 14:37 – RUSI Expert Natia Seskuria on Kyiv's Power Struggle 32:13 – Listener Q&A: The Red Sea Crisis and China's Role in Djibouti Guest: Natia Seskuria, Head of Russia and Eurasia Programme at RUSI Hosts: General Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton Dunn Patrick brings his experience as a former head of the British Army to the podcast. He is also a…

The collapse of the Iran ceasefire has pushed oil prices higher and left Tehran using the Strait of Hormuz as its most powerful leverage. With American casualties rising and roughly a fifth of the world's oil supply at risk, Washington faces a stark choice – keep bombing, attempt to force the strait open or start looking for a way out. Kirsten Fontenrose, former White House national security advisor, joins The General & The Journalist to assess Trump’s options. Can the US reopen the strait without triggering a wider war? And can Trump pull back before Iran becomes America’s next forever war? Is a military showdown in the Gulf inevitable? Send in your thoughts to generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk Chapters: 00:00 – Is Iran Trump’s Forever War? 05:22 – Why Iran wants to control the Strait of Hormuz 09:41 – US Troop deaths and growing political pressure on Trump 13:23 – Trump’s Iran Options: Diplomacy, Naval Blockade or Escalation 27:14 – Can the US reopen the Strait? Kirsten Fontenrose’s Six-Month Forecast…

The pressure is mounting on the Kremlin, both militarily and economically. With Ukraine keeping a stranglehold on Putin's crown jewel, Crimea, the chances of a Russian escalation are growing. Could it become the beginning of the end for Vladimir Putin? Russia expert Mark Galeotti joins The General & The Journalist to analyse Russia's capacity to lash out, the likelihood of a new mobilisation wave, and critically, when it might happen. Is an escalation by Putin inevitable? Send in your thoughts to generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk Guest: Mark Galeotti, expert on on transnational crime and Russian security affairs Hosts: General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton Dunn Producer: Julia Webster Executive producer: Priyanka Deladia Image: John Silva, Getty Clips: Reuters, Getty Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following the NATO summit in Ankara, American allies face an uncomfortable question – can they still rely on Washington to lead? Donald Trump is demanding more from Europe, NATO is trying to adapt and countries like Britain must decide whether to step up or become spectators in a world shaped by others. This week, John Bew joins The General & The Journalist to discuss NATO, Donald Trump, Britain's defence strategy and the future of transatlantic security. Drawing on his experience advising four UK prime ministers, he explains what the summit means for UK national security, military spending, foreign policy, and Britain's role in a changing world. Should NATO be trying to keep the US on board or should they plan for a future without their support? Get in touch: generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk Guest: John Bew, Professor of History and Foreign Policy at the Department of War Studies, King's College London Hosts: General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton Dunn Producer: Julia Webster Executive producer:…

Britain says its long-awaited Defence Investment Plan will strengthen its role in NATO. But after months of delays, funding rows and warnings from allies, does the money go far enough? Admiral Sir Keith Blount, the former Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe at NATO, joins Tom and Patrick to assess what the plan gets right, where it falls short and why Britain risks losing influence in the alliance if it fails to deliver. As NATO leaders prepare to gather in Ankara next week – with Russia threatening Europe, Donald Trump demanding more from the alliance, and countries such as Poland, Denmark and Germany moving faster on defence – is Britain still leading NATO or falling behind? Do you think the government has sufficiently funded UK defence? Get in touch: generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk Guest: Admiral Sir Keith Blount, former Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe to NATO Hosts: General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton Dunn Producer: Julia Webster Executive producer: Priyanka Deladia Image: Getty,…

For The General & The Journalist’s first anniversary, Tom and Patrick return to the question at the heart of the podcast – is the world becoming more dangerous? Recorded live at the Nevill Holt Festival, they look at Ukraine’s fightback, Putin’s next moves, the Iran ceasefire, China’s advantage, the threat to Taiwan and the crisis in Britain’s defences. Patrick warns that we may be entering a new Cold War and Tom asks whether Britain is moving fast enough to protect itself. Hosts: General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton Dunn Producer: Julia Webster Executive producer: Priyanka Deladia Image: William Blakesley-Herbert What are your thoughts on the state of British defence spending? Get in touch: generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

H.R. McMaster served as Donald Trump’s National Security Adviser and saw firsthand how he makes decisions about war, peace and American power. As his former boss is tested by crises from Iran to Ukraine, China, NATO and Venezuela, he explains how the president really thinks. Does Trump have a grand strategy, or is he driven by instincts, deals and the search for a quick win? And will fragile US-Iran peace deal force a lasting peace or end in disaster? Guest: LTG HR McMaster, former US National Security Advisor (2017-2018) Hosts: General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton Dunn Producer: Julia Webster Executive producer: Priyanka Deladia Image: Dana Chan and Getty Clips: PBS, WPLG, Reuters, Getty What are your thoughts on the US/Iran deal? Get in touch: generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cuba is running out of power, fuel and patience. As blackouts spread and anger grows, Donald Trump is turning up the pressure on Havana, blaming the regime for the island’s collapse while Cuba points to decades of US sanctions. The historic US indictment of former president Raúl Castro has raised the stakes and a bigger question – is Trump trying to use his Venezuela playbook on Cuba? With US military power visible in the Caribbean, can Washington force change in Havana or would intervention in America’s Caribbean neighbour could end in catastrophe? Guest: Stephen Gibbs, Latin America correspondent for The Times & The Sunday Times William LeoGrande, professor of Government at American University Hosts: Tom Newton Dunn Producer: Julia Webster Executive producer: Priyanka Deladia Image: Paul Brookbanks and Getty Clip: USA TODAY, Getty Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nearly four years into Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine is trying to change the course of the war with drones, AI and battlefield innovation. What began as improvised technology has become central to Kyiv’s strategy, helping Ukraine defend the front line and strike deeper into Russia. But can drones really help Ukraine break the deadlock? And what does this mean for the future of war? Patrick and Tom speak to leading military analyst Dr Jack Watling about the reality on the front line, the rise of AI-enabled warfare and the ethical questions it raises. Hosts: General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton Dunn Guest: Dr Jack Watling, Senior Research Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute Producer: Shabnam Grewal and Julia Webster Executive producer: Priyanka Deladia Image: Dinesh Mehta and Getty Clip: CNN Can drones and AI help Ukraine break the deadlock or make the war more dangerous? Get in touch: generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two weeks after British paratroopers landed on Tristan da Cunha, one of the world’s most remote inhabited islands, the rescue team are finally heading home. Their mission was extraordinary – reach a critically ill Briton on a tiny British Overseas Territory with no runway, no quick route by sea, and no easy way in. Within hours, 16 Air Assault Brigade was mobilised, sending paratroopers, military medics and vital supplies into the South Atlantic. Brigadier Ed Cartwright, who planned the operation, tells General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton Dunn how the daring rescue unfolded and what it says about Britain’s duty to protect its citizens and remote territories. But could the UK really defend these far-flung outposts from disaster or attack? Hosts: General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton Dunn Guest: Brigadier Ed Cartwright, Commander, 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team Producer: Shabnam Grewal Executive producer: Priyanka Deladia Image: Getty Get in touch: generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on…

Nearly three months after the Iran war began, there is a ceasefire, but no settlement. The Strait of Hormuz remains a global pressure point, Iran’s nuclear programme is unresolved, and Donald Trump is still demanding progress. But the biggest question may be inside Tehran. After war, assassinations and stalled diplomacy, power appears to be shifting away from the clerics and towards the Revolutionary Guards. Has the West weakened the Islamic Republic or helped make it harder to deal with? Patrick and Tom speak to Iran analyst Alex Vatanka about the rise of the IRGC, the myth of division inside Tehran, and what comes next. Hosts: General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton Dunn Guest: Alex Vatanka, Senior Fellow at the Middle East Institute Producer: Shabnam Grewal Executive producer: Fiona Leach, Priyanka Deladia Image: Getty Who holds the upper hand in the Iran war? Get in touch: generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As President Trump lands in Beijing for his summit with Xi, Patrick and Tom are joined by China analyst, Sam Olsen, to discuss whether Iran has flipped the balance of power between the rivals. Sam argues the war has degraded America's weapons stockpile, recast China as the reliable global partner, and given Beijing a ringside seat on the US military playbook - gifting China with the strategic edge. And, if Trump needs Xi's help to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, will he be willing to sell-out Taiwan in return, with potentially even greater consequences for the balance of power? Hosts: General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton Dunn Guest: Sam Olsen Producer: Shabnam Grewal Executive producer: Fiona Leach Image: Getty Get in touch: generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Estonia's foreign minister, Margus Tsahkna, says Putin will flood Europe with the criminals he recruited to fight in Ukraine once the war ends. With Russia unable to reintegrate thousands of 'psychologically crazy' ex-combatants, they will be used for Wagner-style sabotage operations on a scale European governments have yet to grapple with. In Patrick's words, 'the moment of maximum danger could be when the fighting ends.' Hosts: General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton Dunn Guest: Foreign Minister of Estonia, Margus Tsahkna Producer: Shabnam Grewal Executive producer: Fiona Leach Image: Getty Get in touch: generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

General Christopher Cavoli was NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) until July 2025. He was responsible for the defence and security of 981 million people across 32 countries. Ooph. While on a flying visit to London, he dropped into the General and the Journalist studio to see his old friend Patrick and get grilled by Tom on the UK's parlous defence expenditure. But, mostly, he was here to talk about NATO and why, as a proud and patriotic American, he sees the Alliance as critical to America's own defence and security. Hosts: General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton Dunn Guest: General Christopher Cavoli Producer: Shabnam Grewal Executive producer: Fiona Leach Image: Getty Clips: Fox news Get in touch: generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr Fiona Hill is a former deputy assistant to President Trump and served as director for Russian Affairs on the US National Security Council from 2017-19. She joins Tom and Patrick to chew over the lessons from the Iran war - that the US is no longer a reliable partner, other alliances must urgently be formed, and the world economy can be held to ransom at will. But it's in her capacity as one of the authors of last year's UK strategic defence review that Fiona's lessons from the Iran conflict most hit home. 'It's time to level with the population that the UK is under siege, it just doesn't know it'. The Government must prepare now for attacks on critical infrastructure and supply lines, and ensure the NHS could respond to a mass casualty event. Hosts: General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton Dunn Guest: Dr Fiona Hill Producer: Shabnam Grewal Executive producer: Fiona Leach Image: Getty Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From Russia's nuclear threat to satellites, the prospect of a permanent lunar station, and the hopes of Artemis, Patrick and Tom could barely contain their space-geek excitement at speaking with General Whiting, head of US Space Command. 'There cannot be anybody on the planet who has more power in space than that man', gushed Patrick. And for good reason; war is now essentially a space domain, as the the American general explains, determining conflicts from Ukraine to Iran. And space, more than any other theatre, is where the cold war with China is most acutely felt. In a welcome note of optimism to close the conversation, General Whiting doubled-down on the benefits to both Europe and America of continued military cooperation, and paid fulsome tribute to his Nato allies. We hope you love this conversion half as much as Patrick and Tom did! Hosts: General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton Dunn Guest: General Stephen Whiting, head of US Space Command Producer: Micaela Arneson and Harry Stott Executive…

Having first demanded that Iran 'open the fucking strait', President Trump followed up with a post vowing 'an entire civilisation will die tonight' if it did not do so. But could any such order ever be legal, and would the American military even agree to carry it out? Patrick and Tom chew over these and other questions, including whether it's time for America's long-standing allies to bail on it, if bombing a country into submission ever works, and what the sacking of the head of the US army tells us about the state of the country's military and, perhaps, its constitution. But first up, in a week which saw possibly the finest rescue mission ever carried out, John Nichols recalls his experience in the first Gulf War of being shot down over enemy territory, attempting to evade capture, and waiting for the infantry to arrive. Hosts: General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton Dunn Guest: John Nichol Producer: Micaela Arneson Executive producer: Fiona Leach Image: Getty Get in touch:…

For their Easter special, Tom and Patrick turn the entire show over to you. They answer as many listener questions as possible that have landed in the General & Journalist inbox since Christmas. Among them: whether Europe could defend itself in the events of an immediate Russian incursion, and whether the Iran war has changed Xi's calculus over taking Taiwan - and many more. Hosts: Tom Newton Dunn & General Sir Patrick Sanders Producer: Shabnam Grewal Executive producer: Fiona Leach Get in touch: generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Kremlin's treasury runneth-over with oil revenues, Moscow's military is being treated to a lesson in the latest US warfare in real time, and the world's eyes are averted from Ukraine. Trump's war with Iran has been a boon for President Putin. And yet rumours of paranoia, deserting elites, and strange defections abound. To decipher what exactly is going on in Moscow, Patrick and Tom are joined by Russia-watcher extraordinaire, Mark Galeotti. Hosts: General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton Dunn Guest: Mark Galeotti Producer: Shabnam Grewal Executive producer: Fiona Leach Image: Getty Listen here to Mark's podcast, In Moscow's Shadows Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

World-renowned historian Peter Frankopan joins Tom and Patrick to dissect the escalating conflict in Iran through the lens of ancient history and shifting civilisations. The Silk Roads author argues the war is less a standalone event and more the continuation of a century-long struggle for control over the "spine of the world" and its vital resources, namely oil. Upending international law, decades-long alliances, and the norms of democracy, Frankopan posits that the war has buried multilateralism for good, and is as consequential for geopolitics as either the fall of the Berlin Wall or 9/11. Hosts: General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton Dunn Guest: Peter Frankopan Producer: Shabnam Grewal Executive producer: Fiona Leach Image: Getty Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We are in the second week of a war that was supposed to be over by now. Yet the world is facing soaring oil prices, rising inflation and a regime which doesn't seem ready to capitulate. While President Trump continues to threaten Iran, he faces the limits of what air power, alone, can achieve and increasing pressure at home. Recording on Day 12 of the conflict, Patrick and Tom are joined by Sir Simon Gass, former Ambassador to Tehran and Chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee, to dissect the rise of a new Iranian dynasty and the high-stakes search for an off-ramp that no one seems able to find. Hosts: General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton Dunn Guest: Sir Simon Gass Producer: Shabnam Grewal Executive producer: Fiona Leach Image: Getty Clips: War.gov Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

President Trump has given numerous reasons for America's war on Iran. But if a clear objective cannot be defined, can that war be won? Admiral James 'Sandy' Winnefeld is a former vice-chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff. Until last year he headed the President's Intelligence Advisory Board, overseeing planning for American strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. He joins Tom and Patrick to talk US tactics, Iranian response and a possible end-game. Hosts: General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton Dunn Guest: Admiral James 'Sandy' Winnefeld Producer: Shabnam Grewal Executive producer: Fiona Leach Image: Getty Clips: Whitehouse.gov, Reuters, USA Today, @WION. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two years ago, Al Carns was a colonel in the Royal Marines and, though he can never confirm or deny it, had also commanded the Special Boat Service. He pivoted to politics when he realised that the country's military leadership did not fully grasp the seismic shift in warfare brought about by drones and AI - but he did. Having risen at breakneck speed to become armed forces minister, Al talks candidly to Patrick and Tom about the need for the country to prepare for war with Russia in "three to five years." Hosts: General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton Dunn Guest: Al Carns DSO OBE MC MP Producer: Shabnam Grewal Executive producer: Fiona Leach Image: courtesy of Al Carns Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Beginning with the annexation of Crimea in 2014, but accelerated by the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Poland has super-charged its military to become the third largest in Nato, behind only Turkey and the US. It spends more on defence as a proportion of national wealth than even America and is soon to have more large tanks than the UK, Germany and France combined. So how did this happen, what are the implications, and are there lessons to be learned for the UK? Host:Tom Newton Dunn Guests: Oliver Moody and Bartosz Kielak Producer: Shabnam Grewal Executive producer: Fiona Leach Photo: Getty Images Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If the UK is to present a credible deterrence to any adversary, its armed forces need to be sufficiently large. They are not. And the fastest, most economical, way of plugging the gap is by growing the reserves. The Chief of the defence staff recently called for an 'all in mentality', urging civilians to step up to the very real threat posed by Russia. Not 'weekend warriors', but people from high-tech industries and professions, skills the regular army lacks. He meant all of us. So, who could join the reserves, how quickly, and what would they get out of it? Hosts: General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton Dunn Guests: Elisabeth Braw and Peter Apps Producer: Shabnam Grewal Executive producer: Fiona Leach Photo: Getty Images Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the space race and the arms race, only a human could determine an outcome. But what happens in war when AI, and not a human, takes the decision to pull the trigger? If AI can equal human capabilities, Artificial 'superintelligence' is smarter, potentially putting ASI beyond human control. Jon Wolfsthal worked in the Obama White House on nuclear non-proliferation. He, like scores of others in defence, diplomacy and AI, has signed a petition calling for a ban on superintelligence, unless and until it can be controlled. He joined Patrick and Tom from New York to spell out exactly why we must stop our nuclear and biological weapons being run by machines. But, don't worry, it gets lighter. Jon is a massive fan of sci-fi. Turns out, so are Patrick and Tom. The three of them swap film and book faves, from Prometheus to Frankenstein, Alien to Terminator, and talk about how they all foreshadowed this artificial intelligence moment. Hosts: General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton Dunn Guest: Jon Wolfsthal…

Our colleagues at The Times this week launched an American edition of their superb UK politics pod, The State of It. We thought you might want to hear the fabulous first episode. Welcome to the first ever episode of The State of It: USA. An attack on Iran looks imminent: we reveal what senior military and political figures are saying about it. Also, is Donald Trump taking a softer line on immigration after the deaths of Renée Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis? And get ready for Melania, the movie. Katy Balls, Washington editor and columnist at The Times and The Sunday Times Gerard Baker, columnist at The Times and editor at large at The Wall Street Journal Producer: Euan Dawtrey Executive producer: Molly Guinness Email us: thestateofit@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Xi Jinping has effectively removed his last remaining rival power-base in Beijing. Until last weekend, Zhang Youxia was the highest ranking general in the Chinese armed forces and second only to Xi in the military's hierarchy. But having now carried out an almost-total purge of the PLA's leadership, has Xi consolidated his power or, ultimately, undermined it? And what does it mean for a prospective move on Taiwan? Patrick and Tom are joined from Taipei by RUSI's Philip Shetler-Jones, to talk about rumours of a coup and chew over what's left of the PLA's command and control structures. Watching events in Beijing closely will be Japan, which has recently ditched its post-war pacificism to rearm at breakneck speed. Recognising the reality of Xi's ambition to 'reunite' with Taiwan, and mindful of an increasingly unpredictable America, Tokyo has come off the fence and declared that any attack on Taiwan would automatically draw it into a war with China. But is it too late to deter Xi? Hosts: General Sir Patrick…

In a week that's marked an inflection point in European history and transatlantic relations, Tom and Patrick discuss whether the two continents' world views are, finally, irreconcilable. And, were America to walk away from Nato, what are the military gaps that Europe would rapidly have to fill? Could it do so, and how fast? Hosts: General Sir Patrick Sanders & Tom Newton Dunn Producer: Shabnam Grewal Clips: CNN, Irish Mirror Photo: Getty Images Get in touch: generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While President Trump ponders when, whether and how to take action against Tehran, Tom and Patrick discuss the options available to him, ranging from cyber attacks to assassinations, and ask whether any would improve the lot of ordinary Iranians or simply make a bad situation worse. Joining them is the author and journalist, Hooman Majd, to explain why the absence of any viable opposition raises the spectre of civil war, should the regime collapse. Hosts: General Sir Patrick Sanders & Tom Newton Dunn Guest: Hooman Majd Producer: Shabnam Grewal Clips: CBS News, Deutsche Welle and Al Jazeera English Photo: Getty Images Get in touch: generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Maduro gone and Venezuela seemingly bending to Trump’s will, the world is now asking who will be next and where will it stop? General Jack Keane knows the President well and has his ear. In a wide-ranging conversation, Tom and Jack discuss the Latin American countries the US now wants to bring to heel, and talk about the likelihood of Trump following through on his threat to take Greenland, by force if necessary. Host: Tom Newton Dunn Guest: General Jack Keane Clip: Fox News Photo: Getty Images Get in touch: generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this New Year edition of The General and the Journalist, Tom and Patrick explore the idea of a looming 'polycrisis', a convergence of geopolitical, economic and technological shocks that could peak around 2027. Joined by intelligence expert and China specialist Sam Olsen, they unpack what a simultaneous crisis involving China, Russia, and potentially North Korea and Iran could mean for the West. The conversation moves from worst-case scenarios to practical mitigations, asking whether governments, businesses and citizens truly grasp the scale of the challenge ahead. Hosts: General Sir Patrick Sanders & Tom Newton Dunn Guest: Sam Olsen Photo: Getty Get in touch: generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For their Christmas special, Tom and Patrick turn the entire show over to you. They answer as many listener questions as possible that have landed in the General & Journalist inbox since May. Among them: what to do about wayward NATO members who still help Russia, and the state of Britain’s fighting power, and plenty more. Vote for The General & the Journalist for People's Choice at the 2026 Political Podcast Awards. Hosts: Tom Newton Dunn & General Sir Patrick Sanders Get in touch: generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.