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Goalhanger

A history podcast that explores the narratives, turning points, and characters that shape conflicts, encompassing a blend of social and military history. Following on from the series on the Falklands War, best-selling military historians Patrick Bishop, Saul David, and Roger Moorhouse turn their attention every Friday to the war in Ukraine, and every Wednesday look back at the significant wars, events, and figures from conflicts around the world.Goalhanger Podcasts
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Battleground

In this episode of Battleground, Patrick Bishop and Saul David delve into high-stakes diplomacy and the gruelling realities of life on the front lines.

First, the hosts analyse the sudden, clandestine visit of CIA Director John Ratcliffe to Moscow. What brought a US military aircraft to Russia's capital for an eight-hour stay, and what does it mean for the future of Western support for Ukraine? Patrick and Saul debate whether the trip was a stern warning against Russian sabotage in NATO countries or an attempt by Washington to enlist Moscow’s help in resolving tensions with Iran.

They also look at Europe's shifting defence posture, including news of joint nuclear deterrence talks between Germany, Britain, and France.

Then, Patrick and Saul are joined by Hungarian journalist and filmmaker Emma Strauss, fresh off a reporting trip to the frontline city of Kherson. Emma delivers an extraordinary and harrowing eyewitness account of a civilian population living under constant terror. Located just three kilometres from Russian positions, Kherson is bombarded daily by FPV and fibre-optic drones targeting movement in the streets. Emma shares stories of local hospital workers walking to work in constant fear, the hidden danger of air-dropped mines, and her own heart-stopping experience coming under direct drone attack.

You can find Emma Strauss on Instagram by following her: @emastrauss

Finally, the hosts answer listener questions covering political rifts within Kyiv's top leadership, the strategic viability of Russian mobilisation efforts, and potential Ukrainian targets on Russian supply lines.

Join the Conversation: If you have a question about the war in Ukraine or any of the conflicts we cover, email us at podbattleground@gmail.com

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Producer: James Hodgson

A Goalhanger Podcast

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

431. Hell in Kherson – Life under the Drones & CIA's Secret Moscow Mission

In this instalment of Battleground: The Big Picture, host Julius Strauss takes a deep dive into Hungary’s seismic political shift following the April elections. After 16 years of rule, Viktor Orbán was swept aside by political newcomer Péter Magyar and his Tisza party. Now nearly 100 days into Magyar's mandate, we examine what this historic transition means for Hungary, the European Union, and the remnant of the old regime. 

Julius is joined by Nick Thorpe, the BBC’s long-standing Budapest correspondent with four decades of reporting experience across Eastern Europe. Together, they analyse Magyar’s energetic start, his aggressive strategy using Orbán’s own constitutional tools to dismantle the system, and early missteps like the "Polgár fiasco". 

Key Topics Covered:

The Fall of Orbán: • Why the long-serving strongman conceded quietly on election night and what became of his political apparatus. 
100 Days of Tisza: • How Péter Magyar’s inexperienced government is navigating parliamentary marathons, social media diplomacy, and high public expectations. 
Dismantling the Machine: • The controversial use of majoritarian powers to overhaul public broadcasting, oust key regime figures, and replace the presidency. 
Accountability vs. Retribution: • The delicate legal and political tightrope of prosecuting past corruption while avoiding a cycle of revenge. 
Immediate Crisis & Future Outlook: • Economic strains, energy challenges, and whether Tisza can deliver a true "civic Hungary"

Julius Strauss writes the blog Back from the Front and also owns and runs Wild Bear Lodge, a bear-viewing lodge, in Canada. Check out both in the links below:

Substack: https://backfromthefront.substack.com/

Wild Bear Lodge: https://wildbearlodge.ca/

Join the Conversation: If you have a question about the war in Ukraine or any of the conflicts we cover, email us at podbattleground@gmail.com

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Producer: James Hodgson

A Goalhanger Podcast

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

430. Hungary’s New Dawn: 100 Days of Péter Magyar

In this episode, Saul David and Patrick Bishop analyse the political shockwaves in Kyiv following former Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov's controversial call for wartime presidential elections. They examine the rising tension within the Ukrainian leadership, the removal of key officials, and the appointment of Yevhenii Humarra as the new Defence Minister. 

The hosts also discuss the increasing impact of Ukraine’s long-range drone strikes on Russian infrastructure and oil refineries, which are creating widespread fuel shortages across Russia. Plus, they explore reports of British-manufactured drones being used in these deep-strike missions, recent front-line developments, new EU cybersecurity legislation, and answer questions from listeners. 

Fundraiser & Donation Details

Matt's Charity Cycle: • Listener Matt is cycling from the Ukrainian Embassy in London to Ukraine to raise funds. You can support his journey and help him reach his £22,500 target via his 
JustGiving Fundraising Page • . 
Pickups for Peace: • Special thanks to Pickups for Peace for donating the support vehicle for Matt's trip, which will be donated upon arrival in Lviv. Check out their social media channels for donation links and to support their ongoing efforts.

Join the Conversation: If you have a question about the war in Ukraine or any of the conflicts we cover, email us at podbattleground@gmail.com

Follow us on:

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Producer: James Hodgson

A Goalhanger Podcast

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

429. Fedorov's Challenge: A Governance Crisis in Kyiv?

In this episode of Battleground: The Big Picture, host Roger Moorhouse sits down with renowned historian and author Robert Service to dissect the historical threads connecting the fall of the Soviet Union to Vladimir Putin’s present-day Russia. 

Drawing from his recent work on the August 1991 coup, Bob reflects on his first-hand experiences in Moscow, the sudden collapse of Soviet institutions, and the complex legacies left behind by Mikhail Gorbachev and Boris Yeltsin. 

Together, they explore how the political and economic missteps of the 1990s shaped today’s authoritarian landscape, the mounting internal pressures on Putin’s regime amid the war in Ukraine, Russia's shifting geopolitical reliance on China, and whether historical parallels suggest a breaking point is near.

Join the Conversation: If you have a question about the war in Ukraine or any of the conflicts we cover, email us at podbattleground@gmail.com

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Producer: James Hodgson

A Goalhanger Podcast

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

428. Echoes of ’91: The Fall of the USSR and Putin’s Future

The war in Ukraine reaches a critical new phase as Patrick Bishop and Saul David analyse Ukraine’s unprecedented, deep-strike drone campaigns into major Russian cities—and the Kremlin's nervous crackdown on domestic anti-war opposition ahead of upcoming elections. 

Plus, long-time friend of the podcast Askold Krushelnycky joins the show after returning from a grueling trip to Sloviansk, Kramatorsk, and Kyiv. Askold gives a sobering update on the grim reality facing Ukrainian forces in the east, the strain on air defences, the political tension surrounding Volodymyr Zelenskyy and former minister Mykhailo Fedorov, and why a cornered Vladimir Putin presents a dangerous threat as the conflict wears on. 

Finally, Patrick and Saul unpack the rising threat of Russian cyber and disinformation programmes in Europe and answer listener questions on national resilience and defence spending.

Join the Conversation: If you have a question about the war in Ukraine or any of the conflicts we cover, email us at podbattleground@gmail.com

Follow us on:

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Producer: James Hodgson

A Goalhanger Podcast

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

427. Election Bans, Drone Offensives & National Resilience

In this episode of The Big Picture, Patrick speaks with leading religious and political journalist Catherine Pepinster to examine the soft power, geopolitics, and spiritual influence of Pope Leo XIV (Robert Prevost).

Episode Highlights

The Rise of Pope Leo XIV: • How the Augustinian friar and former missionary in Peru became leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, positioning him as a unique "American outsider" on the global stage.
Clashes with the White House: • An analysis of the high-profile disputes between Pope Leo, Donald Trump, and Vice-President J.D. Vance regarding foreign intervention, rhetoric on Iran, and controversial religious imagery.
Reinterpreting "Just War" & AI: • Discussion of the Pope's encyclical 
Magnifica Humanitas • , which tackles the ethics of artificial intelligence (developed with input from tech figures like Anthropic co-founder Chris Olah) and argues that traditional just war theory is outdated.
The Global Shift in Faith: • Examining religious trends across the globe, from youth curiosity in the UK to rapid church growth across the Global South and Pentecostal shifts in South America.
UK Politics & Vatican Diplomacy: • How new UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham's Catholic upbringing influences his social values, and an insider look at Vatican diplomacy—including Archbishop Sir Paul Gallagher's mission to Moscow.

Join the Conversation: If you have a question about the war in Ukraine or any of the conflicts we cover, email us at podbattleground@gmail.com

Follow us on:

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Producer: James Hodgson

A Goalhanger Podcast

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

426. The American Pope: Leo XIV, Trump, and the New Vatican Soft Power

We are currently on a very short summer break, so instead of our regular news update, hosts Roger Moorhouse and Patrick Bishop are diving into listener questions for a special long-form Q&A episode. 

Don't worry—we will be back next week with all the latest news and updates from the ground. 

In this episode: 

Zelenskyy’s Post-War Legacy: • Drawing parallels to Winston Churchill’s defeat in the summer 1945 general election, the hosts explore whether President Volodymyr Zelenskyy should announce he won't stand for re-election post-war—and discuss Ukrainian adaptability in missile production. 
The Falklands Conflict War-Gamed: • Inspired by recent Argentine football celebrations and an analysis by military historian Mark Felton, Patrick reflects on his own time in Port Stanley in 1982. They examine Argentina's military rearmament plans and evaluate how modern drone and missile technology could alter a present-day conflict. 
Iran, Russia, and the 'Axis of Evil': • Is Iran seeking nuclear weapons as a security guarantee amidst attacks from Israel and the US? Roger and Patrick evaluate the likelihood of Russia or North Korea supplying nuclear tech and discuss the broader implications of this growing alliance. 
Crimean Strategy & The Kerch Bridge: • A listener asks why the Kerch Bridge remains open. The team discusses whether leaving an escape route for Russian civilians and troops might be a deliberate, ingenious strategy to help liberate the peninsula. 
Old Kit vs New Tech: • Are the 49 Abrams tanks donated by Australia actually useful, or are they obsolete in the age of drone warfare? 
Morality in the Caspian Sea: • The hosts tackle the ethical grey areas surrounding Ukraine's recent strike on an Iranian ship carrying arms in the Caspian Sea and discuss the rapid expansion of Ukraine's long-range strike capabilities. 
Is Russia Still a Threat to NATO? • As Western nations ramp up defence spending, Roger and Patrick examine whether Russia remains a credible military threat to NATO or if Western rearmament is strictly about deterrence. 

We'll be back next week with all the latest!

Join the Conversation: If you have a question about the war in Ukraine or any of the conflicts we cover, email us at podbattleground@gmail.com

Follow us on:

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Producer: James Hodgson

A Goalhanger Podcast

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

425. Summer Special: The Caspian Strike, Falklands 2.0 & Deterring Russia

In this episode of The Big Picture, host Roger Moorhouse is joined by Polish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Radek Sikorski for an in-depth discussion on European security, the ongoing war in Ukraine, and the evolving threat posed by Moscow. 

Minister Sikorski assesses how the conflict has reshaped NATO’s eastern flank and forced Europe to confront years of strategic complacency, he addresses the realities of Russia’s military capabilities and hybrid warfare tactics, the challenges facing Ukrainian refugees, and the delicate path towards EU integration. 

Sikorski also offers a frank perspective on historical memory between Poland and Ukraine, the credibility of NATO’s Article 5 under a changing political landscape in Washington, and why Europe must urgently build its own core defence capacity.

Join the Conversation: If you have a question about the war in Ukraine or any of the conflicts we cover, email us at podbattleground@gmail.com

Follow us on:

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Producer: James Hodgson

A Goalhanger Podcast

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

424. Radek Sikorski on Russia’s Evolving Threat, European Defence, and the War in Ukraine

Hosts Patrick Bishop and Roger Moorhouse take a look at the latest shifting political dynamics surrounding US-Ukraine relations. They unpack the recent White House meeting between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the potential transactional nature of future US support, and the growing role of Ukraine’s defence industry.

Then, Belgian journalist Arnaud De Decker joins the show for an extended interview to share his eyewitness perspective on the war. Returning from an embed with an FPV drone unit in the Donbas, Arnaud offers a vivid account of the reality inside the "kill zone", the rapid integration of ground drones and fibre-optic tech, and a harrowing close encounter with a Russian drone. He also breaks down the domestic fallout from high-level Ukrainian military shake-ups, the stark realities facing soldiers on the front lines, and briefly discusses his recent reporting on the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Sudan.

Key Topics Covered:

US-Ukraine Political Thaw: • Analysing Trump and Zelenskyy’s recent meeting, potential visits by US envoys, and the transactional framework of prospective peace and reconstruction deals.
Kyiv Military Shake-Up: • The public backlash and protests following the dismissal of Defence Minister Fedorov, the replacement of Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi with General Drapaty, and how leadership rivalries impact frontline operations.
Inside the Kill Zone: • Arnaud De Decker's firsthand experience embedded with the "Signum" drone unit in the Donbas, dodging fibre-optic Russian FPV drones, and relying on ground drones for logistical supplies.
The "Uber" for Drone Pilots: • A look inside the operations of the "Birds of Magyar" unit and how long-range, low-cost B2 strike drones are targeting multi-million-dollar Russian air defence systems.
Frontline Reality vs Strategy: • The widening gap between high-level strategic/mid-range strike successes and the deteriorating, high-pressure situation for ground troops and civilians near Kramatorsk and Sloviansk.
Spotlight on Sudan: • Arnaud shares insights from his reporting in Khartoum and Darfur, detailing the immense destruction, geopolitical influence, and the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

Join the Conversation: If you have a question about the war in Ukraine or any of the conflicts we cover, email us at podbattleground@gmail.com

Follow us on:

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Instagram - podbattleground

Producer: James Hodgson

A Goalhanger Podcast

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

423. On the Front Line with Ukraine's Drone Units with Arnaud De Decker

In this installment of Battleground: The Big Picture, host Saul David sits down with Al Carns—Labour MP for Birmingham Selly Oak, former Royal Marines colonel, SBS veteran awarded the Military Cross and Distinguished Service Order, and former Minister for the Armed Forces. 

Carns opens up about his transition from a stellar 24-year military career into politics, driven by the realization that modern technology—specifically AI, low-cost drones, and data integration—has fundamentally transformed the character of warfare. 

Drawing direct lessons from the battlefield in Ukraine, the former Defence Minister makes a compelling case for why Western defence forces must pivot away from slow, expensive, traditional hardware procurement and towards scalable, tech-enabled mass. 

The discussion also dives deep into:

The Defence Funding Gap: • Why Carns resigned from his post as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces over budget shortfalls and the urgent need for military transformation. 
Reforming Veterans' Policy: • His perspective on the Northern Ireland Legacy Bill and why a single, empowered truth-and-reconciliation body is required. 
National Resilience: • Why true national defence relies on industrial capacity, supply chain security, and societal unity rather than just frontline troop numbers. 
Hybrid Threats & Propaganda: • How foreign adversaries use social media and asymmetric tactics to sow division within Western democracies. 
The Trajectory of the Ukraine Conflict: • Insights into recent leadership reshuffles in Kyiv, the tactical reality of drone saturation on the front lines, and the strategic dilemmas facing Putin’s war-driven economy. 

Tune in for an unvarnished, highly knowledgeable perspective on modern warfare and the hard choices facing defence policy today. 

Coming up next: Look out for Friday's extended interview with Belgian war correspondent Arnaud De Decker on modern drone units in Ukraine, followed by Roger Moorhouse interviewing Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski next week!

Join the Conversation: If you have a question about the war in Ukraine or any of the conflicts we cover, email us at podbattleground@gmail.com

Follow us on:

X - @PodBattleground

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Producer: James Hodgson

A Goalhanger Podcast

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

422. Al Carns MP on Why Western Defence Policy Must Evolve

This week Saul and Patrick speak to Dmytro Plieshakov - a Ukrainian tech entrepreneur, who currently runs a startup focused on countering disinformation, called Osavul. They work closely with the Ukrainian government providing them with AI technology that can identify Russian influence operations online and better counter them. Dmytro describes examples of Russian disinformation campaigns and what impact they are designed to have, as well as the very real impact they can have.

If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - battlegroundukraine@gmail.com

Producer: James Hodgson

Twitter: @PodBattleground

 

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70. Countering Disinformation

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