The General & The Journalist

President Volodymyr Zelensky has sacked his defence minister and army chief after a bitter struggle over Ukraine’s military strategy triggered widespread street protests.

Natia Seskuria of RUSI examines the clash between reformers and the old guard, and the consequences for Zelensky’s democratic reputation. Could this upheaval at the top change the course of the war with Russia?

Should Zelensky reinstate Mykhailo Fedorov as minister of defence? Get in touch: generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk

Chapters:
00:00 – Zelensky's Political Crisis
01:42 – Why Zelensky Fired Mykhailo Fedorov and Oleksandr Syrskyi
08:56 – Civilian Control vs. Military Command in Ukraine
14:37 – RUSI Expert Natia Seskuria on Kyiv's Power Struggle
32:13 – Listener Q&A: The Red Sea Crisis and China's Role in Djibouti

Guest: Natia Seskuria, Head of Russia and Eurasia Programme at RUSI
Hosts: General Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton Dunn
Patrick brings his experience as a former head of the British Army to the podcast. He is also a Conservative peer and advises the party on defence.
Producer: Julia Webster
Executive producer: Priyanka Deladia
Image: Kathia Mestanza, Getty
Clips: Getty, Reuters

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The collapse of the Iran ceasefire has pushed oil prices higher and left Tehran using the Strait of Hormuz as its most powerful leverage. With American casualties rising and roughly a fifth of the world's oil supply at risk, Washington faces a stark choice – keep bombing, attempt to force the strait open or start looking for a way out.

Kirsten Fontenrose, former White House national security advisor, joins The General & The Journalist to assess Trump’s options. Can the US reopen the strait without triggering a wider war? And can Trump pull back before Iran becomes America’s next forever war?

Is a military showdown in the Gulf inevitable? Send in your thoughts to generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk

Chapters:
00:00 – Is Iran Trump’s Forever War?
05:22 – Why Iran wants to control the Strait of Hormuz
09:41 – US Troop deaths and growing political pressure on Trump
13:23 – Trump’s Iran Options: Diplomacy, Naval Blockade or Escalation
27:14 – Can the US reopen the Strait? Kirsten Fontenrose’s Six-Month Forecast

Guest: Kirsten Fontenrose, former Senior Director for Gulf Affairs at the National Security Council
Hosts: Tom Newton Dunn
Producer: Julia Webster
Executive producer: Priyanka Deladia
Image: Shaun Parkinson, Getty
Clips: C-SPAN, US Central Command, Getty

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The pressure is mounting on the Kremlin, both militarily and economically. With Ukraine keeping a stranglehold on Putin's crown jewel, Crimea, the chances of a Russian escalation are growing. Could it become the beginning of the end for Vladimir Putin?

Russia expert Mark Galeotti joins The General & The Journalist to analyse Russia's capacity to lash out, the likelihood of a new mobilisation wave, and critically, when it might happen.

Is an escalation by Putin inevitable? Send in your thoughts to generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk

Guest: Mark Galeotti, expert on on transnational crime and Russian security affairs
Hosts: General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton Dunn
Producer: Julia Webster
Executive producer: Priyanka Deladia
Image: John Silva, Getty
Clips: Reuters, Getty

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

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Following the NATO summit in Ankara, American allies face an uncomfortable question – can they still rely on Washington to lead?

Donald Trump is demanding more from Europe, NATO is trying to adapt and countries like Britain must decide whether to step up or become spectators in a world shaped by others.

This week, John Bew joins The General & The Journalist to discuss NATO, Donald Trump, Britain's defence strategy and the future of transatlantic security. Drawing on his experience advising four UK prime ministers, he explains what the summit means for UK national security, military spending, foreign policy, and Britain's role in a changing world.

Should NATO be trying to keep the US on board or should they plan for a future without their support? Get in touch: generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk

Guest: John Bew, Professor of History and Foreign Policy at the Department of War Studies, King's College London
Hosts: General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton Dunn
Producer: Julia Webster
Executive producer: Priyanka Deladia
Image: Getty
Clips: Reuters, CBS News, Simon Walker/No 10 Downing Street

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Britain says its long-awaited Defence Investment Plan will strengthen its role in NATO. But after months of delays, funding rows and warnings from allies, does the money go far enough?

Admiral Sir Keith Blount, the former Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe at NATO, joins Tom and Patrick to assess what the plan gets right, where it falls short and why Britain risks losing influence in the alliance if it fails to deliver.

As NATO leaders prepare to gather in Ankara next week – with Russia threatening Europe, Donald Trump demanding more from the alliance, and countries such as Poland, Denmark and Germany moving faster on defence – is Britain still leading NATO or falling behind?

Do you think the government has sufficiently funded UK defence? Get in touch: generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk

Guest: Admiral Sir Keith Blount, former Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe to NATO
Hosts: General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton Dunn
Producer: Julia Webster
Executive producer: Priyanka Deladia
Image: Getty, Dana Chan
Clips: Reuters, Forbes, Sky

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

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