In this episode of The Security Podcast we examine the critical state of South Africa’s Air Force. It has been reported as reaching a critical low with only six fully operational and defence ready aircraft out of a fleet of 330. It is the latest revelation in a litany of failures for the country’s defence force and has raised serious concerns about the country’s ability to defend itself, protect its 3,000 km coastline, manage its land borders, and provide regional stability. Our guest is Kobus Marais, a defence analyst and the former opposition party Shadow Minister of Defence, who says that rebels groups like the M23 in the Democratic Republic have better equipment than the South African National Defence Force.

Transforming the British Army into a war winning machine will require a revolution not an evolution, according to Colonel (Retd) Harry Fullerton OBE.

The British Army's fighting Power has been allowed to erode over the past 35 years. The publication Government’s Strategic Defence Review 2025 (SDR 25) has been delayed, pending the production of a new National Security Strategy. In light of the delay, there is an opportunity to examine what the ideal Land Force of tomorrow should look like.

In this episode of the Security Podcast with Col Fullerton, former commanding officer of the Household Cavalry Regiment looks at what the Army needs to do to transform itself into a lethal, competent fighting force capable of meeting the challenges of a future conflict.

Lawfare - what it means for serving and former members of the British Armed forces - especially those serving in the SAS/SBS is the subject of the latest episode of The Security Podcast. Our guest is Brig (Retd) Phil McEvoy, the former head of Operational Law Army and the Deputy Head of the Service Prosecuting Authority. Recently, the coroner who presided over the inquest into the 1992 Clonoe Ambush, which resulted in the deaths of four IRA terrorists being shot dead by the SAS, submitted his findings of unjustified killings of the terrorist to the Director of Public Prosecutions. This effectively means that the four SAS veterans could face criminal charges. So, are these inquests into legacy killings an SAS witch-hunt or the correct application of the law? This, and other aspects of lawfare, are discussed in this episode of the Security Podcast.

In the second part of the podcast with Colonel Harry Fullerton, the former commander of the Household Cavalry regiment assesses what went wrong in Afghanistan and why. Harry explains that while he, and other commanders, achieved tactical success on the ground - defeating the Taliban wherever they met them - the overall mission was a strategic failure. He describes the campaign as Britain’s fourth Afghan War, adding that the previous three had all failed. He lists the many failings associated with the campaign but argues that the greatest mistake was the misguided belief that Western nations could deliver democracy to a country like Afghanistan in such a short period of time

Harry also talks about the loneliness of command, the fear of failure and the differences between commanding troops on combat operations compared to undertaking public duties back in the UK.

Africa has witnessed a significant surge in the recruitment of child soldiers across conflict zones, exacerbated by Islamic insurgencies advancing southward across the continent. The United Nations has highlighted a notably high increase in child recruitment, primarily by non-state armed groups, estimating that 8,655 children were recruited for conflicts in 2023. Disturbingly, children as young as five, were coerced into joining.

In an interview with The Security Podcast , Naomi Haupt, a researcher from the University of the Free State in South Africa, highlighted how the recruitment of child soldiers is driven by factors such as armed conflicts, political instability, poverty, weak governance, and ethnic tensions. Armed groups exploit children's vulnerability, sometimes forcing them into service, she said. Haupt recommends withholding aid to countries where the recruitment of children takes place to strengthen accountability.

Why is the British Army failing and what can be done about it ? In this episode of The Security Podcast, Colonel Harry Fullerton discusses the sequence of events which has led to the British Army become a force of just 72,000 soldiers and limited combat power at a time when geo-political uncertainty is at its highest level since the end of the Second Word War.In the podcast, Harry explains why the Army needs to undergo transformation change. And why the UK’s defence chiefs should embrace a culture of constructive criticism from within.

In the latest episode of The Security Podcast, Maj (Retd) Wayne Owers MBE, QGM, a former Army bomb disposal officer, explains how his Army career came to a shuddering halt after he was diagnosed with PTSD. Rather than getting help, Wayne, who had served for 27-years, was booted out of the Army. During his career, Wayne completed two tours of duty in Afghanistan firstly as a bomb disposal officers for which he was awarded the Queen's Gallantry Medal. In a second tour as a Weapons Intelligence Specialist, he received an MBE. In the podcast, Wayne talks about coping with losing colleagues, PTSD and why the Army still doesn't know how to properly treat troops with combat-related mental health issues.

In the latest episode of The Security Podcast, Guardian Journalist and best selling author Luke Harding reflects on his four year stint as the newspaper's bureau chief in Moscow. Almost from the moment Luke arrived in 2007 he was targeted by Russian secret police. His apartment was burgled, his emails were hacked, he was followed almost every day and his family were threatened. A hidden camera was even placed inside his bedroom by FSB operatives. The reason for the intimidation was because from the beginning of his four year Moscow assignment Luke wrote articles critical of the Putin regime. He was eventually expelled from the country on Putin's orders in 2011.

Luke now reports on Ukraine where he has been based since before the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022. During the podcast he describes how young Ukrainians were eager to fight on the front line in the early days of the war. Now, however, that enthusiasm has waned as, Luke explains, everyone now knows someone who has been killed or seriously wounded. He also describes how "brainwashed" Russian troops obediently followed orders and tortured and executed hundreds of civilians in Bucha and Mariupole. He also explains why the Ukrainians now want peace and why Russia is unlikely to change even with the death of Putin.

Western intervention in foreign conflicts has produced a mixed legacy—marked by both successes and failures. While efforts in Kosovo halted atrocities committed by Bosnian Serbs, interventions in Libya and Afghanistan were less successful. Nowhere is this clearer than in Afghanistan, where the chaotic withdrawal of NATO forces paved the way for the Taliban's return to power, silencing the voices of women.

As we enter a new year and anticipate President Donald Trump's return to the White House—known for his stance against prolonged foreign wars—The Security Podcast reflects on the legacy of Afghanistan. Major General Charlie Herbert shares his thoughts on Afghan refugees, the loss of British soldiers, and the impact on families that have been shattered, as well as those who have been left maimed and injured. He raises the important question: Was it worth it? General Herbert also expresses concern for Afghan women who were given hope only to have it taken away.

In this episode of The Security Podcast, Kim Hughes reflects on his journey to becoming the UK’s most decorated bomb disposal expert. Renowned for his extraordinary bravery, which earned him the George Cross, Hughes successfully defused over 120 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Afghanistan.

He shares how he developed his expertise, recounting the harrowing operations that defined his career, including the day he was awarded the George Cross. Hughes delves into the complex emotions tied to such life-and-death missions and the challenges soldiers face when shifting from life-threatening conditions to the mundane tasks of home life.

Since leaving the army, Hughes has continued his work in global counter-IED efforts, focusing on training and consultancy in various regions, including Africa. He also sheds light on the evolving nature of modern battlefields, from the rise of drones in Ukraine to the monumental task of clearing the IEDs left behind by Russian forces after the war.