Battleground

Introducing our new series - Battleground 44.

This year to mark the 80th anniversary of probably the most momentous year of the Second World War - 1944 - Patrick, Saul, and some special guests will be drawing on their vast knowledge and expertise on the subject to talk you through the big events and personalities that shaped the conflict and the world we live in today.

In this first episode they set the scene at the start of 1944 and look ahead at some of the most significant moments and personalities that they'll be covering as week by week 80 years on.

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

Producer: James Hodgson

Twitter: @PodBattleground

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Welcome to the last Battleground podcast of the year with Saul David and Patrick Bishop, who both think military historians will look back on 2023 as a very significant year with two major wars whose outcomes will have a significant effect on the future of world events. The conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza are far from over of course. But in this episode we’ll be revisiting the major events of the year in both theatres and trying to give some sense of where they might go in the year ahead. They’ll also, as usual be updating you on recent events in both places, and answering a host of listeners questions.

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.

On today's episode we focus on the issue of accountability for war crimes, what finding justice looks like for Ukraine, and the challenges Ukraine faces in this field. To discuss this Saul speaks to Dr Iva Vukusic - assistant professor in International History at Utrecht University and a research fellow at War Studies at Kings college London.

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.

This week President Zelensky confessed that the Ukrainian army has asked for an extra 450-500,000 people to be mobilised to fight the war, but he had yet to be convinced that such a huge call-up was necessary.

Discussing the implications of this Saul and Patrick, also take a look at the delay in US aid for Ukraine, as well as the growing criticism of the IDFs conduct in Gaza.

They also address some insightful listeners comments and questions- including on recent poling conducted inside Gaza.

Interested in donating to blind veterans - you can find their website here: https://www.blindveterans.org.uk/

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

Producer: James Hodgson

Twitter: @PodBattleground

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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

In a now annual Battleground tradition, for a special Christmas treat we've recorded a special festive episode discussing the standout history books of the year, and the wider stories that surround them. Patrick, Saul, and Roger are joined by friends of the podcast - fellow historian Jessie Childs and publicist and historical novelist Richard Foreman.

Producer: James Hodgson

Twitter: @PodBattleground

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

In this episode of Battleground Saul and Patrick report on the latest news from Ukraine, with things recently not going Kyiv’s way. The US Congress has blocked a $61 billion aid package for Ukraine and President Volodymyr Zelensky this week visited Washington in an attempt to persuade Republican politicians to change their mind. But will he succeed? Meanwhile Russia has hardened its bargaining position by demanding that Ukraine withdraws its troops from ‘Russian territory’ as a pre-requisite for any peace talks, and announcing that it will conduct voting for the 2024 presidential election in occupied Ukraine, likely in an attempt to legitimise the Russian occupation and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s rule.  

They also answer some excellent listener’s questions and if you to send a question to Saul and Patrick you can send it to [email protected] 

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In this episode of Battleground Saul and Patrick discuss the announcement from Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu that the beginning of the end of Hamas is in sight in Gaza and presumably victory for the Israelis is imminent. They’ll be asking whether he’s right and whether a military victory can actually produce circumstances that bring an end to the overall conflict.

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.

In this episode of Battleground Ukraine Saul speaks to independent Russian journalist Maria. She discusses the trails of Ukrainian prisoners of war being held in the occupied regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, the effect sanctions are having on the Russian population, and on the wider feeling among Russians about the war in Ukraine.

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.

In this episode of Battleground Saul and Patrick react to the news that the ceasefire in Gaza has collapsed, with Israel resuming its air and ground offensive and civilians continuing to die in large numbers.

They also discuss the mood inside Israel, with some criticism of the Israeli government strategy coming from inside Israel because of concerns over the risks a resumption of hostilities brings to the hostages that Hamas are still holding.

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

Producer: James Hodgson

Twitter: @PodBattleground

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In this episode of Battleground Ukraine, Saul David speaks to David Patrikarakos from our sister podcast Disorder. David has just returned from Ukraine where he has been reporting on and off since the initial Russian Invasion in 2014. He discusses what he's witnessed recently and over the whole of his time in Ukraine and how the nature of warfare is changing both on the battlefield and on the propaganda front.

If you're interested in listening to David's own podcast Disorder - you can find it here: https://linktr.ee/disorderpod

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

Producer: James Hodgson

Twitter: @PodBattleground

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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