Behind The Lines with Arthur Snell
Arthur Snell 155 episodes Nov 9, 2026
Behind The Lines with Arthur Snell is a weekly geopolitics podcast. Each episode gives listeners access to well-informed guests who help explain a turbulent world and highlight the issues likely to matter in the future. The host also shares his own thoughts on world affairs. Listeners can support the show and find related book recommendations through the links mentioned.
Episodes
Ukraine - the latest, with Sian Norris
I discussed the latest from Ukraine with Sian Norris who has just returned from a reporting trip there. Read Sian's work here:
https://www.thenewworld.co.uk/sian-norris-trump-is-more-like-putin-in-his-soul-why-ordinary-ukrainians-say-the-us-president-has-betrayed-them/
And here:
https://sianushka.substack.com/
If you would like to support this podcast please consider taking out a paid subscr
How to fix the UK economy and pay for defence, with Chris Coghlan MP
How to fix the UK economy and pay for defence, with Chris Coghlan MP
If you would like to support this podcast please consider taking out a paid subscription to my Substack arthursnell.substack.com or if you don't want the hassle of a subscription you can buy me a coffee! ko-fi.com/snellarthur
If you want to buy any of the books talked about in this show, please support independent bo
The Cockroach Revolution: the Gen Z political movement upending Indian politics
As huge protests that began with high school students sweep through France and a student-led movement takes over the government of Serbia, another authoritarian political leader, India's Narendra Modi finds himself under threat from a Gen Z-led political movement. The Cockroach Janta Party has adopted a moniker that was used initially to discredit youthful protesters and now seems poised to upend
Iran, the Middle East and Trump: chaos continues, with Charlie Gammell
An update on the situation in Iran and the Gulf region with Charlie Gammell.
If you would like to support this podcast please consider taking out a paid subscription to my Substack arthursnell.substack.com or if you don't want the hassle of a subscription you can buy me a coffee! ko-fi.com/snellarthur
If you want to buy any of the books talked about in this show, please support indepen
Luke Harding on Trump's Betrayal of the West
Listen to Luke Harding describe the depths of Trump's betrayal of Ukraine, of the West and of the rules-based international order.
If you would like to support this podcast please consider taking out a paid subscription to my Substack arthursnell.substack.com or if you don't want the hassle of a subscription you can buy me a coffee! ko-fi.com/snellarthur
If you want to buy any of the b
Deep Connections: Kaja Bego on the undersea cables that underpin the global economy.
Katja Bego is a researcher at Chatham House and an expert on undersea cables.
https://www.chathamhouse.org/about-us/our-people/katja-bego
f you would like to support this podcast please consider taking out a paid subscription to my Substack arthursnell.substack.com or if you don't want the hassle of a subscription you can buy me a coffee! ko-fi.com/snellarthur
If you want to buy
Banned from Britain: One Man's Migration Story
Garth St Clair is a military veteran, former drug addict and - for the past few decades - a tireless worker and campaigner in the field of drug demand reduction. In his native Trinidad and Tobago he is a well-known figure and in more recent years he has worked extensively with law enforcement from a variety of countries, notably the UK. All this came to an end when he was banned from entering the
The Houthis Strike Back - Iona Craig on the Red Sea and the Crisis in World Energy Markets
Follow Iona Craig on Bluesky here https://bsky.app/profile/ionacraig.com
Her latest reporting on UK complicity in US war crimes is here: https://www.declassifieduk.org/starmer-complicit-in-trumps-yemen-massacre/
If you would like to support this podcast please consider taking out a paid subscription to my Substack arthursnell.substack.com or if you don't want the hassle of a subscription you can
When the bad guys start using AI: David Wells on counter terrorism and AI
If you would like to support this podcast please consider taking out a paid subscription to my Substack arthursnell.substack.com or if you don't want the hassle of a subscription you can buy me a coffee! ko-fi.com/snellarthur
If you want to buy any of the books talked about in this show, please support independent bookshops by using Bookshop.org with this link:
https://uk.booksh
Bytes and Bullets: Steve Feldstein on how tech is reshaping modern warfare
Steve Feldstein is a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment and an expert on how technology is transforming warfare.
If you would like to support this podcast please consider taking out a paid subscription to my Substack arthursnell.substack.com or if you don't want the hassle of a subscription you can buy me a coffee! ko-fi.com/snellarthur
If you want to buy any of the books tal
Ukraine update: deep strikes on Russian oil and a shifting US position
I caught up with Kyiv-based correspondent Jimmy Rushton to discuss the latest in Ukraine and Russia as the NATO summit met and Trump appeared to have moderated his anti-Ukrainian stance (for now, at least).
If you would like to support this podcast please consider taking out a paid subscription to my Substack arthursnell.substack.com or if you don't want the hassle of a subscription y
International maritime policy: how far can a country control the seas?
Most of the times, the control of the seas empowers countries, logistically and economically, as well demontrated from Iran which now controls the strait of Hormuz. To discuss this further I spoke to Dr Ian Ralby, an American lawyer specialised in maritime affairs.
If you would like to support this podcast please consider taking out a paid subscription to my Substack arthursnell.substack.com or
Geopolitical Panel Discussion in Aid of Syrian Refugees
I was delighted to be invited by Will Wintercross of the Syrian Refugee Relief Fund to participate in a panel on geopolitics with Hannah Lucinda Smith, a distinguished foreign correspondent and author of the recent book, Hinterlands.
If you would like to support this podcast please consider taking out a paid subscription to my Substack arthursnell.substack.com or if you don't want the hassle of
10-year anniversary: an optimistic take - The UK's Long March back to Europe?
On the 10th anniversary of the UK's fateful Brexit vote, I wanted to re-issue a conversation I recorded back in November 2023 with the leader of the European Movement, Dr Mike Galsworthy - a scientist, campaigner and passionate European about how we might rejoin the EU. We cover a lot of ground and we started with the impact of Brexit on science - Mike’s professional calling, before moving on to d
BTL Exclusive: George Osborn on how authoritarians are exploiting the world of video games to geopolitical advantage.
It was my pleasure to speak to George Osborn, expert on video games, about how this artform, which is used by over 3 billion people worldwide, has been weaponised and exploited by extremists, populists and authoritarians. I confess to knowing nothing about video games, but found this whole subject fascinating and I hope you do too.
If you would like to support this podcast please consider taking
EMERGENCY EPISODE: the resignation of John Healey
I spoke to Dr Frank Ledwidge, former serviceman and defence expert about the resignation of John Healey. Recorded on 11 June just after the announcement of Healey's resignation, we analysed the state of Britain's armed forces and what to make of this news.
If you would like to support this podcast please consider taking out a paid subscription to my Substack arthursnell.substack.com or if you don
Iran Special: Is a deal about to be signed? Charlie Gammell on the future for the Islamic Republic and the Region
Can Donald Trump find a way out of the mess he's made for himself in Iran? Is the Islamic Republic doomed? Who's in charge in Tehran? Charlie Gammell, Iran expert and historian answers these and many more questions in this fascinating interview recorded in the morning of 9 June 2026.
If you would like to support this podcast please consider taking out a paid subscription to my Substack arthursnel
The Latest from Ukraine - is the tide turning?
As Russia faces embarrassment and humiliation with the St Petersburg Economic Forum taking place against a backdrop of plumes of smoke from burning oil refineries, Ukraine has been bracing against huge Russian air-raids targeting Kyiv. Nonetheless, Ukraine seems to be gaining an upper hand, with Russia unable to make progress and struggling to mobilise troops in the face of enormous casualties.
T
Hinterlands: Europe's Unfinished Frontiers, with Hannah Lucinda Smith
Long before Putin's invasion of Ukraine, conflict was simmering on Europe's borders. In overlooked territories in eastern Europe, the eastern Mediterranean and the Caucasus - from the Balkans and Cyprus to Abkhazia on the fringes of Georgia - local disputes spiral into regional crises, global alliances are forged and broken, and power is brokered while the West looks elsewhere.
In Hinterlands, a
BANK HOLIDAY SPECIAL: the King's troublesome younger brother
Imagine, if you can, a king with two younger brothers. One of them, the youngest, is hardworking and loyal, a little dull, but always shows up when needed. The middle brother is flamboyant, egotistical, entitled, unreliable and capable of great cruelty and abusive behaviour. After putting up with this for perhaps longer than might be expected, eventually the Crown loses patience and the law takes
Syria: Is the new government in league with Jihadists?
The new government of Syria, led since last year by former Al-Qaida commander Ahmad Al-Shara'a is allegedly a pragmatic, multifaith movement righting the wrongs of the Assad era. But might it be a front for more extreme jihadist elements? The escape of thousands of Islamic State militants under the noses of Al-Shara'a's forces points to a lack of concern at the very least. To discuss this I was de
The Iran War - the Impact on the Gulf Countries
Why did the UAE announce its departure from OPEC? What does this have to do with the Iran war, relations with Saudi Arabia and Israel and the role of the United States? To answer these questions and more, I spoke to Michael Stephens, RUSI Middle East expert and Gulf affairs specialist.
If you would like to support this podcast please consider taking out a paid subscription to my Substack arthursn
Iran and the West - from Crassus to crass US
As an ancient imperial civilisation, Iran (or, to use an earlier name, Persia) has had a complex relationship with the West from the Roman era to the present day. I spoke to historian James Barr about this long and winding road.
You can find James on Bluesky and his website, with details of his books, is here: https://historythatmatters.org
If you would like to support this podcast please consid
Cuba - will Trump have the "honor" of taking it?
Away from the war with Iran, Trump and many of his associates have been talking about bringing an end to the communist regime in Cuba. To discuss this further I spoke to Nicolas Forsans who is author of the excellent Substack sinfiltroya.substack.com which focuses on Latin America.
If you would like to support this podcast please consider taking out a paid subscription to my Substack arthursnell
Ukraine, solidarity and the war to stop Europe from burning
Please follow my guest Sian Norris's work at https://sianushka.substack.com and on Bluesky. She mentioned Save Ukraine and the Ukraine Solidarity Campaign.
If you would like to support this podcast please consider taking out a paid subscription to my Substack arthursnell.substack.com or if you don't want the hassle of a subscription you can buy me a coffee! ko-fi.com/snellarthur
If you want t
Fantastic Kingdom: Dr Helene von Bismarck on her latest book, and Britain
Helene von Bismarck is a writer, historian and political commentator who has become a familiar face and voice for those that follow British politics. After an academic career as a historian of late British colonial history, she has now published Fantastic Kingdom: A Stranger's Notes on a Contrary Country. I spoke to her about her new book and what it tells us.
You can pre-order Helen's book at th
FILL YOUR TANK! PREPAY YOUR GAS BILL! IT REALLY IS AN ENERGY EMERGENCY
I decided to talk to Thom Reilly, former head of UK govt international energy policy and also with experience from one of the world's largest energy firms about the realities of what the Iran crisis means for energy markets. No exaggeration: it's scary stuff.
If you like what you hear, please order the full audiobook or you can by the a discounted copy of the physical book at this bookshop.org
THE SANCTUARY SCHOLARS Meet the displaced academics rewriting the future
As a special partnership with Somerville College Oxford, it was my huge pleasure to be able to interview three of their Sanctuary Scholars - young academics displaced by conflict now pursuing their studies in Oxford, but at the same time making change in their own countries - rewriting the future.
Dr. Hadeel Abdelseid
Hadeel was still a medical student in Sudan when the civil war broke out ag
Elemental: The New Geography of Climate Change
Exclusive audiobook clip: this week's episode is a chapter from the Audiobook of Elemental, my book which came out last week.
If you like what you hear, please order the full audiobook or you can by the a discounted copy of the physical book at this bookshop.org link.
If you would like to support this podcast please consider taking out a paid subscription to my Substack arthursnell.substack.com
Back by popular demand: Charlie Gammell on the latest in Iran
Once again and back by popular demand - I have Charlie Gammell, Iran expert, former diplomat and historian and now author of the brilliant https://onceadiplomat.substack.com on the latest in Iran.
If you would like to support this podcast please consider taking out a paid subscription to my Substack arthursnell.substack.com or if you don't want the hassle of a subscription you can buy me a coffee
IRAN EMERGENCY EPISODE WITH CHARLIE GAMMELL
I spoke to Iran expert Charlie Gammell about the extraordinary events unfolding.
If you would like to support this podcast please consider taking out a paid subscription to my Substack arthursnell.substack.com or if you don't want the hassle of a subscription you can buy me a coffee! ko-fi.com/snellarthur
If you want to buy any of the books talked about in this show, please support independent b
Ukraine Special Episode: John Sweeney on four years of war and heroism
John Sweeney, veteran war correspondent - the man in the orange hat - spoke to me about four years of Russia's war on Ukraine, the heroism, the tragedy and the importance of it for all of us.
If you would like to support this podcast please consider taking out a paid subscription to my Substack arthursnell.substack.com or if you don't want the hassle of a subscription you can buy me a coffee! k
South Yemen and the reshaping of the Middle East
With the dramatic events in Yemen leading to a breakdown in relations between the UAE and Saudi Arabia, I took the chance to speak to Amr Al-Beidh of the STC - the Southern Yemeni separatist movement which has been at the heart of this issue but which has had very little, if any coverage in the world's press. He gave his side of the story and how it illustrates the world of great-power action that
Cryptocurrency and Political Money Laundering - the threat to the UK with Neil Barnett
I spoke to Neil Barnett about his recent work researching political money laundering and the role played by cryptocurrency. You can find his report here https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/commentary/uk-election-security-threatened-political-money-laundering-cryptocurrency
If you would like to support this podcast please consider taking out a paid subscription to my Substack a
Conflict in the Arctic: the reality
Professor Klaus Dodds has been studying Arctic security for decades, long before it had addled the mind of Donald Trump. He is the author of Unfrozen - the Fight for the Future of the Arctic and he spoke to me about the real situation there, the impacts of climate change, the potential for future conflict and the role of great powers, including Russia, China and the United States.
If you would
The Post Western World and the Trump Regime
Dr Samir Puri works at Chatham House and has written a brilliant book called Westlessness.
If you would like to support this podcast please consider taking out a paid subscription to my Substack arthursnell.substack.com or if you don't want the hassle of a subscription you can buy me a coffee! ko-fi.com/snellarthur
If you want to buy any of the books talked about in this show, please support ind
Everything, everywhere all at once: what 2026 might hold, with Dan Kaszeta
I spoke to Dan about many things. Better to have a listen. If you are looking for the chart about AI financing that he mentioned, it's here. You can find Dan on Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/dankaszeta.bsky.social
If you would like to support this podcast please consider taking out a paid subscription to my Substack arthursnell.substack.com or if you don't want the hassle of a subscription you
Iran in Crisis: Charlie Gammell on the protests
Charlie Gammell is one of Britain's leading Iran experts and he joined me in a conversation recorded on 13 January about the rapidly evolving situation in Iran. You can find Charlie's work here on Substack: https://onceadiplomat.substack.com
If you would like to support this podcast please consider taking out a paid subscription to my Substack arthursnell.substack.com or if you don't want the has
EMERGENCY EPISODE: Maduro, Chavez, Delcy Rodriguez and where we're going in Venezuela
Catherine Royle was Britain's Ambassador to Venezuela, making one of very few people to have met and worked with all of Nicolas Maduro, his predecessor Hugo Chavez and Maduro's (perhaps temporary) successor Delcy Rodriguez. She shared her unique experiences and insights for this emergency episode recorded on 4 January 2026.
If you would like to support this podcast please consider taking out a pa
A Storm of Princes: Saudi Arabia and the UAE fight over South Yemen
A struggle over who controls South Yemen might not seem particularly important, but it's a proxy for a far bigger conflict that has been bubbling for years between two of the key countries in Gulf region, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. I was able to speak to Iona Craig about this and what it means for Yemen and the wider region.
If you would like to support this podcast please conside
The New Total War: Bob Seely on Russia's Strategy
From the revolutionary use of drones to staged coups, child abduction and psychological warfare, the war in Ukraine is like no other. It is a new form of total war, combining traditional military force with all the non-military tools of the Russian state. The 2022 invasion was just the next stage of a conflict that Russia has been fighting since 2005, using all the tactics at its disposal to contr
America First: A New Era in Foreign Policy with Jonathan Terra
In this episode, Arthur Snell and Dr. Jonathan Terra delve into the Trump administration's National Security Strategy, exploring its ideological underpinnings, rejection of globalism, and implications for America's role in the world. They discuss the document's views on migration, the Monroe Doctrine, and the contrasting approaches to Europe and Asia, highlighting the administration's isolationist
Crisis in the Sahel: the end of Western intervention and the collapse of Mali
Mali, a vast country larger than most of Western Europe added together is a country whose central authority has largely collapsed and whose capital city Bamako is surrounded by radical Islamist militants. There seems to be a pattern here, with Syria and Afghanistan having fallen as Western countries lose interest. As with Syria, the corrupt Malian government had allied itself with Russia, apparent
Ukraine Crisis: Will Trump Force Moscow's Deal on Zelenskyy?
I spoke to Quiet Riot regular Alex Andreou as well as Iuliia Osmolowska, former senior Ukrainian diplomat now running the GLOBSEC think tank office in Kyiv about the so-called 28-Point Peace Plan as well as Ukraine and Europe's response.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
From Abu Ghraib to the White House - How Ahmad Al-Shara'a is Ruling Syria
I spoke to Orwa Ajjoub about the remarkable rise of Syria's new ruler, Ahmad Al-Shara'a, from wanted terrorist to White House visitor. His ruthless pragmatism is his signature and we discussed this in some detail, including his relations with the Kurdish SDF, with Turkey, Israel and the regional states, as well as with the US.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Are we living in an age of competitive authoritarianism?
Sara Dorman of Edinburgh University spoke to me about the rising tide of authoritarianism around the world, and particularly the form of competitive authoritarianism.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Emily Thornberry on British Foreign Policy
As Behind the Lines formally announces joining the Cooler Heads podcast family, making us now the little brother to the massive success that is Quiet Riot - the brilliant politics podcast with Alex Andreou, Naomi Smith and Kenny Campbell, I was delighted to have as my guest none other than Emily Thornberry MP, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcast
Classic Behind the Lines: Disinformation in the Trump Era with Nina Jankowicz
Back in January I spoke to Nina Jankowicz, a disinformation expert, about what the Trump era would portend. Her views proved remarkably prescient and I thought it would be of further interest now.
Check out our Bookshop.org affiliate site behindthelines and please sign up for my substack at arthursnell.substack.com and/or follow me on Bluesky
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoice
Gaza - where are we now? with Michael Stephens
The Trump deal for Gaza, announced with great pomp and ceremony appeared to lead very quickly to a resumption of hostilities. Has Trump or even his administration got a plan for seeing this through, or was this just a quick deal to get the hostages out? I discussed this with regular guest, Middle East expert Michael Stephens.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Emma Briant on the Age of Disinformation
Professor Emma Briant is a prolific and important researcher on disinformation and information warfare, some of the most things in our age. She has frequent been asked to give evidence to parliaments about the issue including recent evidence to the UK parliament here https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/138542/pdf/ and to the New Zealand parliament here
She can be found online at ht
Crossing the Line: an Israeli - Palestinian love story
Two years on from the devastating events of October 7, 2023, Gaza lies in ruins and numerous hostages are still held by Hamas. The destruction and losses, both in human terms and to the idea of peace as a possibility has been devastating. Whilst there are glimmers of hope in the latest ceasefire negotiations, it still feels too early to try to answer huge questions about the future of Israel and P
Migration - the real facts in an age of alarmism
As countries all over the world, but particularly liberal democracies in the West, turn themselves inside out over the issue of migration and in the process empowering the far right, it was my great pleasure to speak to one of the few people who actually is willing to give calm, clear facts on this subject. Zoe Gardner is rightly a prominent figure in media and public debates on migration, but is
Can Ukraine Arm Europe?
Check out Olena's work at https://ukrainesarmsmonitor.substack.com/
Check out our Bookshop.org affiliate site behindthelines and please sign up for my substack at arthursnell.substack.com and/or follow me on Bluesky
@snellarthur.bsky.social. You can sometimes find me on other podcasts - most often Disorder which I am involved with in partnership with RUSI, the Royal United Services Institute, the
Whatever happened to the Tories?
Check out our Bookshop.org affiliate site behindthelines and please sign up for my substack at arthursnell.substack.com and/or follow me on Bluesky
@snellarthur.bsky.social. You can sometimes find me on other podcasts - most often Disorder which I am involved with in partnership with RUSI, the Royal United Services Institute, the world's oldest think tank.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy f
The War in Sudan, and role of the UAE
I speak to Jan Pospisil of Coventry University about the war in Sudan, its roots and its current trajectory.
Check out our Bookshop.org affiliate site behindthelines and please sign up for my substack at arthursnell.substack.com and/or follow me on Bluesky
@snellarthur.bsky.social. You can sometimes find me on other podcasts - most often Disorder which I am involved with in partnership with RUSI,
The Baltic States in the Twentieth Century and their security now
Dan Kaszeta is the author of two books on the Baltic States, as well as being world renowned expert on chemical, biological and nuclear weapons. He talked to me about the Baltic States in the twentieth century and the risks to them today from a rampantly aggressive Russia.
You can find Dan's books here: https://www.hurstpublishers.com/profile/dan-kaszeta/
Check out our Bookshop.org affiliate site
Understanding Trump's authoritarianism
Professor Christina Pagel is responsible for the excellent website https://www.trumpactiontracker.info/? in addition to her work in public health and public policy. Here, she explains how she is tracking increasing authoritarian and anti-democratic tendencies in the Trump administration.
Check out our Bookshop.org affiliate site behindthelines and please sign up for my substack at arthursnell.sub
How Technology is Transforming Warfare, with Matthew Savill
Joint Episode with Disorder and RUSI, Check out our Bookshop.org affiliate site behindthelines and please sign up for my substack at arthursnell.substack.com and/or follow me on Bluesky
@snellarthur.bsky.social. You can sometimes find me on other podcasts - most often Disorder which I am involved with in partnership with RUSI, the Royal United Services Institute, the world's oldest think tank.
Ho
The Spy and the Devil
Professor Tim Willasey-Wilsey is author of The Spy and the Devil. We spoke about the remarkable subject of his book, Baron Bill de Ropp and the story of Britain's secret operations against Nazi Germany in the 1930s.
Check out our Bookshop.org affiliate site behindthelines and please sign up for my substack at arthursnell.substack.com and/or follow me on Bluesky
@snellarthur.bsky.social. You can so
Ukraine, its occupied territories and its future
with Jade McGlynnCheck out our Bookshop.org affiliate site behindthelines and please sign up for my substack at arthursnell.substack.com and/or follow me on Bluesky
@snellarthur.bsky.social. You can sometimes find me on other podcasts - most often Disorder which I am involved with in partnership with RUSI, the Royal United Services Institute, the world's oldest think tank.
Hosted on Acast. See ac
A Moment of Change? France recognises the State of Palestine
With Michael StephensCheck out our Bookshop.org affiliate site behindthelines and please sign up for my substack at arthursnell.substack.com and/or follow me on Bluesky
@snellarthur.bsky.social. You can sometimes find me on other podcasts - most often Disorder which I am involved with in partnership with RUSI, the Royal United Services Institute, the world's oldest think tank.
Hosted on Acast. Se
Is the Islamic regime in Iran fatally wounded?
with Charlie GammellCheck out our Bookshop.org affiliate site behindthelines and please sign up for my substack at arthursnell.substack.com and/or follow me on Bluesky
@snellarthur.bsky.social. You can sometimes find me on other podcasts - most often Disorder which I am involved with in partnership with RUSI, the Royal United Services Institute, the world's oldest think tank.
Hosted on Acast. See
Russia's Use of Chemical Weapons and a Victory for Dutch Spies
I spoke to Dutch defence journalist and Russia expert Steven Derix about an important new revelation of Russia's use of chemical weapons in the war in Ukraine, happening as part of direct orders and thousands of times. You can find the original report here
https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/07/04/nederlandse-inlichtingendiensten-russen-zetten-in-oekraine-op-grote-schaal-chemische-wapens-in-a4899319
Ch
EPISODE 100: Creeping authoritarianism in the United States
This is the 100th episode of Behind the Lines podcast. Thank you all for listening and for supporting this show. It's nothing without the listeners.
In this episode I discussed the creeping authoritarianism in the United States with Jonathan Terra, a US political scientist based in Central Europe.
Check out our Bookshop.org affiliate site behindthelines and please sign up for my substack at arthu
Israel - Iran - ceasefire? Or more chaos
As Lenin apparently never said, ‘There Are Decades Where Nothing Happens and Weeks Where Decades Happen’. We are clearly living through the latter. Arthur and Jason attempt to untangle the latest: from the Iranian attack on the US airbase in Qatar to Trump’s declaration of forever peace to end what he is cleverly calling the 12 Day War.
Arthur and Jason rally in violent unity for Mega Ordering --
War in the Middle East and its wider impacts
I spoke to Chris Coghlan, MP for Dorking and Horley and former diplomat and soldier about the unfolding crisis in the Middle East, the implications for European security and the wider political ramifications.
Check out our Bookshop.org affiliate site behindthelines and please sign up for my substack at arthursnell.substack.com and/or follow me on Bluesky
@snellarthur.bsky.social. You can sometime
Sten Rynning on the Past and the Future of NATO
At different engagements throughout the month, NATO allies will meet in Brussels and the Hague to discuss Ukraine and defense spending – with Trump’s team putting pressure on the Europeans to up their spending to 5% of GDP. But with the Americans wavering on the alliance as a whole, and these unrealistic spending targets: Can NATO survive?
To find out, Arthur Snell speaks with Sten Rynning, profes
Mike Martin MP on the Strategic Defence Review
I spoke to Dr Mike Martin, MP for Tunbridge Wells and former soldier about the Strategic Defence Review.
Check out our Bookshop.org affiliate site behindthelines and please sign up for my substack at arthursnell.substack.com and/or follow me on Bluesky
@snellarthur.bsky.social. You can sometimes find me on other podcasts - most often Disorder which I am involved with in partnership with RUSI, the
Iran and the US: is a new nuclear deal in sight?
I spoke to Iran expert Charlie Gammell in the light of the recent developments in the Iran nuclear negotiations.
Check out our Bookshop.org affiliate site behindthelines and please sign up for my substack at arthursnell.substack.com and/or follow me on Bluesky
@snellarthur.bsky.social. You can sometimes find me on other podcasts - most often Disorder which I am involved with in partnership with R
Starvation in Gaza, is the world finally responding?
As the humanitarian situation in Gaza descends to unimaginable levels, and the war of words between Benjamin Netanyahu and the West escalates, I spoke to Michael Stephens of RAND Europe and RUSI about the situation.
Check out our Bookshop.org affiliate site behindthelines and please sign up for my substack at arthursnell.substack.com and/or follow me on Bluesky
@snellarthur.bsky.social. You can so
Murder in Helmand
On this episode I discuss recent allegations of war crimes committed by UK Special Forces in Afghanistan. These featured in a recent BBC Panorama episode which can be found here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001ykkf/panorama-special-forces-i-saw-war-crimes
My guest on this episode is Professor Matthew Ford, a military expert based at the Swedish Defence University. We covered these alleg
Yemen, the UK, the US and the transatlantic alliance
On this episode I speak to Iona Craig, the veteran Yemen expert and journalist about recent events, including the UK's decision to join the US in carrying out airstrikes against the Houthis.
Iona mentioned an earlier episode of this podcast with Laura Cretney, which is worth listening to if you are interested in Yemen. You can find it here https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/behind-the-lines-wit
Ukraine and America: the great betrayal
I spoke to Romeo Kokriatski, presenter of the Ukraine without the Hype podcast about recent events in his country, including the Trump betrayal.
We mentioned Operation Sky Shield, a plan which you can read about here.
Check out our Bookshop.org affiliate site behindthelines and please sign up for my substack at arthursnell.substack.com and/or follow me on Bluesky
@snellarthur.bsky.social. You can
The Geopolitics of Climate: how Tuvalu is thinking about possible extinction
What does the climate crisis mean for sovereignty in a world where certain countries face existential risk? I spoke to Taukiei Kitara, a native of Tuvalu, about the case of low-lying Pacific Islands, including his native Tuvalu.
Check out our Bookshop.org affiliate site behindthelines and please sign up for my substack at arthursnell.substack.com and/or follow me on Bluesky
@snellarthur.bsky.socia
RUSI/Disorder Partnership: Ransomware in our Age of Disorder
Read RUSI piece The Rise of Ransomware as a National Security Threat: https://rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/commentary/organised-cybercrime-rise-ransomware-national-security-threat
Read RUSI piece Beyond the Bottom Line: The Societal Impact of Ransomware: https://rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/commentary/beyond-bottom-line-societal-impact-ransomware
Check out our Book
The Crisis in The Atlantic Alliance ep 2
The impact on Central and Eastern Europe, with Jonathan TerraCheck out our Bookshop.org affiliate site behindthelines and please sign up for my substack at arthursnell.substack.com and/or follow me on Bluesky
@snellarthur.bsky.social. You can sometimes find me on other podcasts - most often Disorder which I am involved with in partnership with RUSI, the Royal United Services Institute, the world's
The Crisis in the Atlantic Alliance
The Transatlantic Alliance is coming to an end. I discuss this with academic and journalist Jonathan Terra.
Check out our Bookshop.org affiliate site behindthelines and please sign up for my substack at arthursnell.substack.com and/or follow me on Bluesky
@snellarthur.bsky.social. You can sometimes find me on other podcasts - most often Disorder which I am involved with in partnership with RUSI, t
Blood, toil, tears, and sweat: the plight of migrant labourers in the Gulf
Every year, tens of thousands of labourers in the wealth countries of the Gulf, most of them migrants from South Asia, die in unsafe working conditions on construction sites. As the GCC states pour enormous resources into developing their infrastructure, little attention is paid to the plight of the people doing the actual building work. I spoke to James Lynch of FairSquare, a UK-based non-profit
Myanmar: the Unfolding Civil War
For the past 4 years, Myanmar has experienced an ever more serious civil war, which now threatens the ruling military junta in Naypyitaw. I spoke to Ronan Lee about this little-reported conflict.
You can find Ronan's work here: https://ronanlee.com/
And my writing here: arthursnell.substack.com
Check out our Bookshop.org affiliate site behindthelines and please sign up for my substack at arthursn
What does the collapsing global order mean for the world beyond the West?
Samir Puri of Chatham House is the author of Westlessness, a book about the post-Western world. The book came out last year but the geopolitical setting that he examines is one that is rapidly emerging in front of our eyes, as the chaotic actions of the Trump presidency bring an end to the Western Liberal Order.
Check out our Bookshop.org affiliate site behindthelines and please sign up for my sub
