Home Podcasts The General & The Journalist
The General & The Journalist

The General & The Journalist

The Times 58 Episodes Jul 22, 2026

How wars start, how they are won and what they leave behind them. General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton Dunn first met in a war zone. Drawing on their real-life experience of armed conflict, they bring you the latest from Ukraine, Gaza and the dozens of other bitter struggles being fought across our increasingly divided planet. From interviews with key people on the frontlines of modern warfare to discussing the future of nuclear weapons and where Russia will attack next, this podcast from The Times and The Sunday Times also faces up to the biggest question - how ready are we for war, right now, if we had to fight one?

Episodes

Can Trump force open the Strait of Hormuz?
Can Trump force open the Strait of Hormuz? Jul 22, 2026 36:35 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
Crimea under pressure: Will Putin lash out?
Crimea under pressure: Will Putin lash out? Jul 15, 2026 40:43 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 w
NATO, Britain and the middle powers
NATO, Britain and the middle powers Jul 8, 2026 40:45 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,
Does Britain’s defence plan make it NATO’s weak link?
Does Britain’s defence plan make it NATO’s weak link? Jul 1, 2026 38:34 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
Is Britain ready for a more dangerous world? Live at Nevill Holt Festival
Is Britain ready for a more dangerous world? Live at Nevill Holt Festival Jun 24, 2026 55:47 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
Trump’s Art of the Deal – from the man who advised him
Trump’s Art of the Deal – from the man who advised him Jun 17, 2026 33:06 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-Ira
Trump’s Cuba Playbook
Trump’s Cuba Playbook Jun 10, 2026 37:43 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
How AI drones are changing the war in Ukraine
How AI drones are changing the war in Ukraine Jun 3, 2026 36:15 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
Inside the 8,000ft rescue jump onto Tristan da Cunha
Inside the 8,000ft rescue jump onto Tristan da Cunha May 27, 2026 39:14 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 m
Who is really running Iran now?
Who is really running Iran now? May 20, 2026 45:26 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 Revolutiona
Has Iran flipped the Xi-Trump balance of power?
Has Iran flipped the Xi-Trump balance of power? May 13, 2026 37:37 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
Putin ‘will flood Europe with criminals and fighters after the war’
Putin ‘will flood Europe with criminals and fighters after the war’ May 6, 2026 29:33 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

Recommended