On this episode of Battleground Ukraine - Saul and Patrick discuss the significant news from the front line this week that Ukrainian forces continue to expand their bridgehead on the east (left) bank of Dnipro river in Kherson oblast, southern Ukraine. Meanwhile Russia is trying to regain a theatre-wide initiative with several simultaneous offensive operations in eastern Ukraine.

They also address the issue of manpower shortages for both sides, the mixed diplomatic messages that have emerged over the past week, and answer a variety of listener's questions.

If you have any thoughts or questions on the conflicts in Ukraine or Gaza, you can send them to - [email protected]

Producer: James Hodgson

Twitter: @PodBattleground

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In this episode of Battleground: Gaza - Saul and Patrick take a look at the latest developments in this divisive conflict. The battle of Gaza seems to have settled down into an attritional struggle in the rubble of the Gaza city, with the Israelis making limited progress. Whilst the civilian population are firmly in the firing line with locations like the Shifa hospital in the thick of the fighting.

Discussing this, how the war is dividing societies outside of the Middle East, and the global diplomatic consequences, Saul and Patrick look at what those consequences might be and how they might figure in a possible eventual settlement.

If you have any thoughts or questions on the conflicts in Ukraine or Gaza, you can send them to - [email protected]

Producer: James Hodgson

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On this week's Battleground: Ukraine Saul and Patrick react to the big news this week – an article written for the Economist by General Zaluzhnyi, the head of the Ukrainian armed forces, that seemed to suggest the counter-offensive had run out of steam and that the war had moved from one of movement to one of deadlock. They also asses a potentially significant move, that Ukrainian forces have transferred a limited number of armoured vehicles to the east (left) bank of the Dnipro in Kherson Oblast where they had established a bridgehead.

If you have any thoughts or questions on the conflicts in Ukraine or Gaza, you can send them to - [email protected]

Producer: James Hodgson

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In this episode of Battleground: Gaza Patrick and Saul look at what the latest developments could mean for the future of the conflict, with the latest picture in Gaza getting ever more grim and apocalyptic. The Israeli operation to crush Hamas has intensified with the defence ministry claiming it has now effectively cut the strip in half and is now moving to occupy Gaza city. Whilst Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has just announced that when the fighting is over Israel intends to exercise security control over Gaza indefinitely.

They also address some challenging and thought provoking questions from listeners.

If you have any thoughts or questions on the conflicts in Ukraine or Gaza, you can send them to - [email protected]

Producer: James Hodgson

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In this week's Battleground: Ukraine with Patrick Bishop and Roger Moorhouse we look at, the rising casualty figures of the Russians. Both sides guard their casualty figures very closely, of course, but the Ukrainian General Staff has kept a running total of Russian losses, this week, their estimate for Russian losses – dead and injured – topped 300,000.

They also address some listeners questions including ones on Ukraines potential nuclear capability, and as ever questions on pronunciation.

If you have any thoughts or questions on the conflicts in Ukraine or Gaza, you can send them to - [email protected]

Producer: James Hodgson

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In the last few days we’ve seen the long announced incursion by Israeli ground forces into the northern part of the Gaza Strip, while at the same time the Israeli bombing campaign shows no signs of letting up, in pursuit of the Israeli governments declared intention to destroy Hamas as a military organisation.

Patrick and Roger Moorhouse (who is stepping in for Saul this week) will be discussing their chances of achieving that aim. But they also take a look at the Israeli military tradition, and trying to see how that will affect events in Gaza as they unfold in the days, and very possibly weeks and months to come.

They also address some challenging listeners questions.

If you have any thoughts or questions on the conflicts in Ukraine or Gaza, you can send them to - [email protected]

Producer: James Hodgson

Twitter: @PodBattleground

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In our 100th episode on this tragic conflict, we'll be bringing you all the latest news and we’ll be asking two big questions: has much changed in that time? And what happens next? The big news from the front line is that Russia continues its hugely costly, and frankly inexplicable, attack in eastern Ukraine to capture the town of Avdiivka.

Interested in donating to Saul David's SBS Charity Paddle? Follow the link here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/saul-david-1697547606357

If you have any thoughts or questions on the conflicts in Ukraine or Gaza, you can send them to - [email protected]

Producer: James Hodgson

Twitter: @PodBattleground

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This week we’re going to again use the midweek podcast to focus on Gaza. Events there are simply too important for us not to address and things are developing, the conflict there is likely to be every bit as significant for global politics as the war in Ukraine.

Saul and Patrick consider the options open to the Israeli Defence Forces in what can only be a fiendishly difficult operation before going on to look at the possibility of the Israel-Hamas conflict exploding into a regional war with all the dangers that will bring with it.

Interested in donating to Saul David's SBS Charity Paddle? Follow the link here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/saul-david-1697547606357

If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected]

Producer: James Hodgson

Twitter: @PodBattleground

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On this weeks Battleground: Ukraine Saul and Patrick discuss the big news that Ukraine has fired its first US long-range ATACMS missiles at two airports in Russian-occupied Ukraine with devastating results, which begs the question: why weren’t they supplied earlier?

They also take a look at some diplomatic developments, including Putin's arrival in Beijing for a meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, while Joe Biden travels to Israel to underline America’s support for Bibi Netanyahu’s government as it plans its response to Hamas’s savage attack on its citizens.

If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected]

Producer: James Hodgson

Twitter: @PodBattleground

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We'd like to introduce you to a new podcast we believe you would like to hear.

Disorder takes a look at the way the world makes decisions and why now it seems so disordered. From Climate Change to Tax Havens, to Unregulated Cyberspace, to the Wars in Ukraine, Syria, and Libya. Jason Pack, NATO Foundation Senior Analyst, and Alexandra Hall Hall, a former British Ambassador, discuss with world-leading experts, senior diplomats and cultural icons, the fundamental principles lurking behind today’s global issues.

Listen, follow and rate where you get your podcasts.

For more information on the show, and hosts, click here

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