Battleground

In this episode of Battleground Patrick Bishop and Saul David discuss the welcome pause in the fighting in Gaza as the hostage for prisoner exchange process continues. They also turn their attention to what comes next, asking whether the refocussing of the world’s attention on the Israel-Palestine problem will bring any realistic expectation of progress on establishing a lasting peace. Helping them tackle that question is guest Jason Pack, a veteran Middle East analyst who has his own thoughts on how a start could be made by handing over Gaza to joint administration by a coalition of Arab states.

If you're interested in listening to Jason'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

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

In this episode of Battleground Ukraine - Saul David and Patrick Bishop assess what has been a week of mostly depressing news for Ukraine, with only the occasional shaft of light dispelling the gloom. They look at signs that President Zelensky’s government is losing patience with his military commanders, reports that Iran could soon send ballistic missiles to Russia, and frontline Ukrainian soldiers have spoken about the fear that they cannot win a ‘war of exhaustion’.

They also address some fascinating listeners questions covering a wide variety of topics.

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 week's episode of Battleground Gaza, Saul and Patrick discuss the news that Israel and Hamas appear to be on the verge of agreeing a deal to bring about at least a temporary ceasefire in the war in Gaza. Coming at a crucial moment in the conflict when the world was beginning to wonder how long the IDF could continue the campaign in its current form.

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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