Britain Debrief with Ben Judah

Given the unprecedented interventions British and American intelligence agencies have regularly made throughout the crisis in Ukraine, I interviewed Sir John Sawers, former Chief of MI6, for this week’s #BritainDebrief for the Atlantic Council.

Why are Western intelligence agencies making such stark interventions? Is the risk of a full scale invasion exaggerated? Is Putin aiming to manipulate NATO without actually invading?

How have Germany-Russia relations changed since Angela Merkel's departure? 

As concerns about Germany’s support for Ukraine continue to rise, especially in Britain, I interviewed Mathieu von Rohr, the foreign editor of Der Spiegel, for this week's #BritainDebrief for the Atlantic Council.

What does Chancellor Olaf Scholz want to change in Germany's relations with Russia, and does that match with what the SPD wants? How is Britain coordinating with Germany in aiding Ukraine?

If Russia invades Ukraine, what about the refugees?

As last minute negotiations between NATO and Russia continue, I interviewed Gerald Knaus, founding chairman of the European Stability Initiative, for this week's #BritainDebrief for the Atlantic Council.

If Russia invades, is it possible to predict how large the refugee wave may be? Can Germany and Poland handle a potential wave? How would Ukraine's existing 90-day visa free travel arrangement with the EU but not the UK impact a potential refugee crisis? How can London help?

What is going in Kyiv, and will there be war in Europe? As the crisis at the Ukrainian border continues to grow, I interviewed Tom Tugendhat, MP, Chairman of the UK Parliament's Foreign Affairs Select Committee, for this week's #BritanDebrief for the Atlantic Council. What role is the UK playing in this crisis? Is the UK playing enough of a role in supporting Ukraine? What warning does Tom Tugendhat, MP, have for the United States if it does not support Ukraine? If Russia invades, what will happen in Ukraine, Europe, and the rest of the world?

What role is the UK playing in this crisis? Is the UK playing enough of a role in supporting Ukraine? What warning does Tom Tugendhat, MP, have for the United States if it does not support Ukraine? If Russia invades, what will happen in Ukraine, Europe, and the rest of the world?

What should the UK Labour Party's policy towards the European Union be if it returns to power?

As polls continue to show a potential lead for Labour, I interviewed Luke Cooper, an LSE Associate Researcher, convenor of the Another Europe campaign, and author of the new book Authoritarian Contagion; The Global Threat to Democracy, for this week's #BritainDebrief for the Atlantic Council.

How has Labour Leader Keir Starmer's views on Brexit changed? What is the debate on Brexit in the Labour party? What Brexit priorities does Labour need to balance for its platform?

Why should the UK consider corruption a national security threat?

With an epidemic of fraud hitting the UK during the pandemic, and corruption a matter of daily concern in Westminster, I interviewed Helena Wood, a Senior Fellow at RUSI's Centre for Financial Crime and Security Studies, for this week's #BritainDebrief for the Atlantic Council.

How does fraud fall within the "crime–terror continuum"? What is Britain currently doing to address illicit finance more effectively? What does the UK government need to do to address corruption in Britain?

What is Macron's grand strategy?

As the 2022 French presidential election approaches, I interviewed Michel Duclos, Special Advisor for Geopolitics at the Institut Montaigne and former French Ambassador to Syria and Switzerland, for this week's #BritainDebrief for the Atlantic Council. The interview draws on his new book "France in Global Upheaval."

How is Macron a reaction to his predecessors? How has Macron approached the neo-authoritarians? Has their been a militarization of French foreign policy? How successful has Macron been on pushing for European strategic autonomy? How does Macron view Britain and the United States?

What can Britain do if Russia invades Ukraine?

As a major war scare between Russian and Ukraine develops, I interviewed Dr. Maryna Vorotnyuk, a Russia and Eurasia Research Fellow at RUSI for this week's #BritainDebrief for the Atlantic Council.

What does this crisis between Russia and Ukraine mean for Britain? What security relationship has Britain had with Ukraine since 2014?

Can Britain and France get on?

How does the French establishment feel about UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson? Which of France's main foreign policy objectives currently match those of the UK? Does Brexit still cast a shadow of UK-European relations?

To get a broader perspective, I interviewed Georgina Wright, a Senior Fellow and Director of the Paris-based Institut Montaigne's Europe Center for this week's #BritainDebrief for the Atlantic Council. 

Why did Boris Johnson and Emmanuel Macron's relationship deteriorate so much? Could track II negotiations between the UK and France be the first step in mending their relations?