Battleground

In this episode of Battleground Saul and Patrick discuss the big news of this week, that President Zelensky of Ukraine tried to sack his highly-regarded armed forces chief, General Valery Zaluzhny, but has been forced to reinstate him.

They also look at the significance of Hungary dropping its veto of 50 billion euros in EU loans and grants for Ukraine, and speak to old friend of the podcast - American journalist Joe Lindsey - from the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv.

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

Producer: James Hodgson

X (Twitter): @PodBattleground

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In this instalment of our Battleground '44 series, the subject of discussion is the epic 872 day long siege on Leningrad (present-day Saint Petersburg), where hundreds of thousands of civilians perished, and starvation led to some residents resorting to cannibalism. To delve deeper into the story of this horrific and bloody siege, Patrick speaks to Anna Reid, author of the book Leningrad: The Epic Siege of World War II: 1941-1944.

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

Producer: James Hodgson

X (Twitter): @PodBattleground

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In this episode of Battleground Saul and Patrick assess the headline story of the week - the downing of a Russian transport plane inside Russia north east of Belgorod. Which at first sight this looks like a tragic error by Ukraine because on board were 65 captured Ukrainian soldiers who were on their way to being exchanged for Russian prisoners of war.

They also discuss the growing nervousness surrounding a possible Trump presidency, and the growing tensions in the Middle East following more strikes ny US and UK forces on Houthi targets in Yemen.

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

Producer: James Hodgson

X (Twitter): @PodBattleground

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In this instalment of our Battleground '44 series, Saul speaks to Historian Matthew Parker - Author of the book "Monte Cassino: The Hardest Fought Battle of World War II". Together they go through the four stages of this extraordinary battle, between a vast array of multinational allies against the German army defending an ancient Monastery on the summit of Monte Cassino.

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

Producer: James Hodgson

X (Twitter): @PodBattleground

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In this episode of Battleground, Saul David and Patrick Bishop discuss the big event in Ukraine this week - the shooting down of a Russian surveillance aircraft by a Ukrainian missile with a Russian command and control plane being badly damaged in the same attack. They also delve into the encouraging announcement of two separate aid packages from Germany and the UK, as the future of U.S. funding for Ukraine is uncertain.

Iran's role in the growing tensions and hostilities in the Middle East is also focused on, as Saul and Patrick answer listeners questions.

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

Producer: James Hodgson

X (Twitter): @PodBattleground

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In this episode of Battleground 44 Saul David and Patrick Bishop are discussing the Battle of Berlin. The epic struggle by RAF’s Bomber Command and its ruthless and dynamic leader Air Marshal Arthur Harris to bring Germany to its knees by bombing Berlin flat, which was at its height when 1944 opened. It was the moment when Harris and the RAF establishment were given their chance to prove their contention that bombing alone could win the war. What followed was a terrible ordeal for the RAF aircrews and the population of Berlin alike.

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

Producer: James Hodgson

X (Twitter): @PodBattleground

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In the latest episode of Battleground, Patrick Bishop and Saul David, will be looking at how Ukraine sees the year ahead, with the help of some very revealing comments made in a recent interview by President Zelensky. They'll also be asking how it is that his arch enemy President Putin has been able to ride the political troubles that have come in the wake of his war and asking whether that is likely to change soon.

They also look at the latest from Gaza front, discussing whether the spate of flare ups outside the immediate battle zone are likely to lead to a wider regional conflict between Israel and Hizbollah and trying to figure out what role Iran is playing in the war.

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

Producer: James Hodgson

X (Twitter): @PodBattleground

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In the opening episode of our special Battleground ’44 series, Patrick Bishop and Saul David look at a character who cast a long shadow over the war in the west. The American general and later U.S. President - Dwight D. Eisenhower.

In this episode Saul and Patrick delve into Eisenhower's story: his background, his meteoric rise through the U.S. Military ranks, his personality and experiences, and why all that led to him and not others being selected for the top job.

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

Producer: James Hodgson

X (Twitter): @PodBattleground

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Today we have a fascinating interview where Patrick speaks to former Middle East correspondent Tim Butcher, who covered the 2006 Lebanon War. Tim provides some insightful analysis on the impact the 2006 War had on Israel and the IDF, and significantly how this has impacted on what is happening in Gaza today.

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

Producer: James Hodgson

Twitter: @PodBattleground

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In our second Battleground podcast of 2024 Saul and Patrick return to the war in Ukraine, as in the past week has seen a tit for tat of missile and drone strikes – the majority, needless to say, fired from Russia. They also discuss both the possibility and the feasibility of recent reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin is using backchannels and intermediaries to signal his interest in a ceasefire.

As ever we answer your listeners questions on both the conflict in Ukraine and in Gaza.

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

Producer: James Hodgson

Twitter: @PodBattleground

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