The General & The Journalist

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 [email protected]: General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton DunnPatrick 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 WebsterExecutive producer: Priyanka Deladia Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected]:49 — The Houthis fight to seize Yemen’s Red Sea coast02:58 — How Iran helped build Houthi military power07:01 — Why the Bab el-Mandeb threatens global shipping14:07 — Who are the Houthis and their enemies22:13 — 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 InstituteHosts: General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton DunnPatrick 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.Producers: Julia Webster with help from Robert WallaceExecutive producer: Priyanka DeladiaImage: Denise Kelly, Getty Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 problem00:53 – Delayed ships and ageing carriers02:24 – Trump’s proposed carrier redesign03:25 – Longer deployments, greater strain04:50 – The carrier gap in the Pacific06:09 – The $25 billion carrier group at risk07:30 – The cost to the wider fleet08:38 – Shipyard decline and military powerGet in touch: [email protected]: Yasmin Butt Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected]:55 – Nina Khrushcheva on Putin’s Russia07:50 – Inside Russia’s rigged election16:37 – Putin’s mobilisation gamble23:04 – Russia’s war economy and breaking point30:04 – Putin’s escalating threat to NATOGuest: Nina Khrushcheva, professor of International Affairs at The New School in New York CityHosts: General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton DunnPatrick 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 GrewalExecutive producer: Dan Box, Tim Walklate Image: Dana Chan, Getty Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 [email protected]: Mark Galeotti, expert on on transnational crime and Russian security affairsHosts: General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton DunnProducer: Julia WebsterExecutive producer: Priyanka Deladia Image: John Silva, GettyClips: Reuters, GettyHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected]: Admiral Sir Keith Blount, former Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe to NATOHosts: General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton DunnProducer: Julia WebsterExecutive producer: Priyanka Deladia Image: Getty, Dana ChanClips: Reuters, Forbes, SkyHosted 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 DunnProducer: Julia WebsterExecutive producer: Priyanka Deladia Image: Dana Chan and GettyClips: PBS, WPLG, Reuters, GettyWhat are your thoughts on the US/Iran deal? Get in touch: [email protected] on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. 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 DunnGuest: Dr Jack Watling, Senior Research Fellow at the Royal United Services InstituteProducer: Shabnam Grewal and Julia WebsterExecutive producer: Priyanka DeladiaImage: Dinesh Mehta and GettyClip: CNNCan drones and AI help Ukraine break the deadlock or make the war more dangerous? Get in touch: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.