Battle Lines cover art

Battle Lines

Battle Lines

By: The Telegraph
Listen for free

About this listen

Battle Lines is The Telegraph’s defence, security and foreign affairs podcast. It offers expert analysis and on-the-ground reporting from around the world, everywhere from China and the United States to the Middle East and Europe.


Three times a week, veteran foreign correspondents Roland Oliphant and Venetia Rainey bring you on-the-ground dispatches from the world’s most volatile regions and informed analysis from world-class experts.


Every Wednesday on Battle Lines x Global Health Security they’re joined by Arthur Scott-Geddes to look at the intersection between health and security, from bioweapons to warzone diseases to frontline medicine. You can watch these episodes here.


Whether it’s the Russia-Ukraine war, the Israel-Gaza conflict, Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific, tensions between India and Pakistan, or the civil war in Sudan, Battle Lines covers the world’s most critical flashpoints with depth and clarity.


When will China invade Taiwan? Can Donald Trump bring peace to the Middle East? What should Europe do to help Ukraine beat Russia? Is Iran building a nuclear bomb? What is the point of NATO? Can the United Kingdom still defend itself?


Created by David Knowles, Battle Lines answers all these questions and more, bringing together the best of The Telegraph’s international, geopolitical, and conflict reporting in one place.


Don’t forget to follow and leave a review to stay updated on the latest in global conflict and foreign affairs.


Battle Lines: Global Health Security is supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

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

© Copyright 2025. All rights reserved. Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Why can't Britain build a decent tank?

    Why can't Britain build a decent tank?
    Dec 5 2025

    Ajax was meant to be the British Army’s modern embodiment of the mighty Greek warrior, strong, unbreakable, unstoppable. Instead, it’s become a national embarrassment. This week the Army suspended the entire fleet after 31 soldiers fell ill inside vehicles that were supposed to protect them. We’re talking tingling hands, ringing ears and troops vomiting on Salisbury Plain. It’s a £6.3 billion “world-beating” programme that’s been spiralling into chaos for two decades. To make matters worse, a whistleblower claims the manufacturer, General Dynamics, tried to shift the blame onto soldiers which was followed by an astonishing Facebook outburst from a company employee. With inquiries now launched and Parliament demanding answers, Roland is joined in the studio by The Telegraph’s Dom Nichols and Ben Barry from The International Institute for Strategic Studies.


    Read Tom's story: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/12/04/defence-boss-mocks-troops-deafened-ajax-armoured-vehicle/


    For blow-by-blow coverage of the peace talks, follow Ukraine the Latest: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/03/02/russia-ukraine-war-listen-daily-podcast/


    ► Sign up to our most popular newsletter, From the Editor. Look forward to receiving free-thinking comment and the day's biggest stories, every morning. telegraph.co.uk/fromtheeditor


    https://linktr.ee/BattleLines


    Contact us with feedback or ideas:

    battlelines@telegraph.co.uk

    @venetiarainey

    @RolandOliphant

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    51 mins
  • Terror insurgency or Christian genocide? Inside Nigeria’s security crisis

    Terror insurgency or Christian genocide? Inside Nigeria’s security crisis
    Dec 3 2025

    Nigeria is facing a security crisis. Extreme violence, mass kidnappings and deepening food insecurity has created what the UN has called the country’s worst emergency in a decade.


    Recent weeks have seen a spate of high profile mass kidnappings, including 300 schoolgirls and teachers from Niger state.


    Security officials now fear these pupils could be used as human shields to deter a military intervention being threatened by the United States.


    At the same time, aid is being slashed, and extremist groups and criminal gangs have disrupted food supplies - leaving 35 million people projected to face “severe food insecurity” next year.


    This week, Arthur and Venetia speak to Chi Lael, Head of Communications for the World Food Programme in Nigeria to get a clearer picture of the crisis.

    Plus Global Health Reporter Lilia Sebouai explains how tensions have worsened since she visited the area last year.


    Producer: Sophie O'Sullivan

    Executive Producer: Louisa Wells

    Studio Operator: Meghan Searle


    ► Sign up to our most popular newsletter, From the Editor. Look forward to receiving free-thinking comment and the day's biggest stories, every morning. telegraph.co.uk/fromtheeditor

    Contact us with feedback or ideas:

    battlelines@telegraph.co.uk

    @venetiarainey

    @ascottgeddes

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    31 mins
  • Europe is mobilising to face Russia. Is the UK falling behind?

    Europe is mobilising to face Russia. Is the UK falling behind?
    Dec 1 2025

    French President Emmanuel Macron has announced the return of military service in the country, 25 years after mandatory national service was phased out. And he's not alone, with the German parliament set to vote on similar measures, while Belgium and the Netherlands have introduced similar voluntary military service.


    But what do the measures entail exactly? How effective, or even necessary are they, and will the UK follow suit?


    To discuss all of this Venetia Rainey is sits down with Dr Lynette Nusbacher, a military historian and strategist, and James Crisp, The Telegraph’s Europe editor, to hear more.



    ► Sign up to our most popular newsletter, From the Editor. Look forward to receiving free-thinking comment and the day's biggest stories, every morning. telegraph.co.uk/fromtheeditor

    https://linktr.ee/BattleLines


    Contact us with feedback or ideas:


    battlelines@telegraph.co.uk


    @venetiarainey

    @RolandOliphant

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    38 mins
No reviews yet
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.