Battleground

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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444 episodes
Updated Thursday

Episodes444

Newest first

Jan 20, 2023 · 53 min
24. Tanks, Missiles, and Generals
With Britain now sending Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine, Patrick and Saul discuss what impact this decision could have, and ask why other military equipment such as German made Leopard tanks have been held back. They also speak to Ukrainian historian and writer Dr Olesya Khromeychuk - author of The Death of a Soldier, Told by His Sister, who shares her experiences and gives her thoughts on the reaction of the western world to this conflict. Any questions? - send them to battleg
Jan 13, 2023 · 43 min
23. Sir Mike Jackson
This week, Saul and Patrick speak to perhaps the most high profile British Army officer since the Second World War - the former head of the British Army - Sir Mike Jackson. Sir Mike shared his views on the institutional weaknesses in the Russian Military, why he won't rule out Russia turning the tide, and his reaction to recent comments by Prince Harry about his time in Afghanistan. Saul and Patrick also discuss the big announcement by the US, France, and Germany that they are sending armoured f
Jan 6, 2023 · 45 min
22. The Cyber War
The unseen conflict happening in cyberspace is a key battleground in the war in Ukraine. So to tell us in detail about a relatively unknown area of the conflict, we spoke to one of Britain’s greatest experts, David Alexander - an academic who has worked at very senior level on the development of both national cyber policy and operational capability for both the UK Government and Ministry of Defence. Patrick and Saul also discuss Putin's New Year's speech, the Ukrainian HIMARS strike in Makiiv
Dec 30, 2022 · 50 min
21. Peace talks?
Are peace talks on the table? On this episode of Battleground: Ukraine, Saul and Patrick discuss the latest peace murmurings, the suspicious death of a Russian sausage magnate, and answer listeners questions. They also speak to the brilliant Mark MacKinnon, senior international correspondent for the Globe and Mail, Canada’s leading newspaper, who gave some fascinating insight into the early days of the conflict and China's stance on the war. Producer: James HodgsonTwitter: @PodB
Dec 23, 2022 · 59 min
20. Escalation dominance
On this latest episode of Battleground: Ukraine, Saul and Patrick speak to leading British Military Historian Sir Hew Strachan, who gives his expert analysis on the conflict, and discusses the need for diplomacy to bring this conflict to an end. There is also some interesting discussion around issues and questions raised by our listeners.Producer: James HodgsonTwitter: @PodBattleground <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a styl
Dec 20, 2022 · 50 min
Battleground: Christmas Special
As a special Christmas treat we've recorded a festive bonus episode discussing over a glass of wine (or two!), the standout military history books of the year, and the wider stories that surround them. Patrick and Saul are joined by two good friends of theirs - fellow historian Jessie Childs and publicist and historical novelist Richard Foreman.Producer: James HodgsonTwitter: @PodBattleground <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='c
Dec 16, 2022 · 59 min
19. The HALO Trust
On this week's Battleground: Ukraine, Saul and Patrick speak to James Cowan - a decorated former British Army General who is now the CEO of the HALO Trust, the charity which removes dangerous ordnance left by war. He tells us how the war has impacted on HALO’s ability to carry out its work in Ukraine, as well as the effect it’s having on humanitarian efforts elsewhere in the world. The latest big news stories are discussed including the news that the Pentagon has given Ukraine the green light
Dec 9, 2022 · 1 hr 6 min
18. Britain's contribution
On this week's Battleground: Ukraine, Saul and Patrick look at the British contribution to the war so far, speaking to veteran journalist and defence analyst Robert Fox. Robert is a member of the International Institute for Strategic Studies and with excellent contacts with the British military, gives an insightful interview. They also discuss the latest big developments coming out of the war, and discuss some fascinating listeners questions. Producer: James HodgsonTwitte
Dec 2, 2022 · 56 min
17. A Russian's perspective
This week on Battleground: Ukraine, our guest is Russian national Dr Ilya Yablokov - Lecturer in Digital Journalism and Disinformation at Sheffield University. Who gives a fascinating interview about his perspective on the how the situation is in Russia and how it is likely to unfold. Saul and Patrick also discuss the battlefield in Bakhmut and answer some of the listeners questions.Producer: James HodgsonTwitter: @PodBattleground <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.7
Nov 25, 2022 · 50 min
16. Frontline Reality
What is the reality of the situation on the frontline and in Kyiv? This week's guest is Colin Freeman, who is expertly placed to tell us, as he has recently returned from near the frontlines in Kherson. He gave us some valuable insight into what has actually been happening on the ground, the reality of life for Ukrainians, and the motivations of foreign volunteers fighting in Ukraine.Producer: James HodgsonTwitter: @PodBattleground <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.
Nov 18, 2022 · 54 min
15. A storm in a teacup
It has been an eventful past week in the war in Ukraine, following the recapture of Kherson by Ukrainian forces, as well as a missile strike killing two in neighbouring NATO member state Poland. Joining Patrick and Saul to discuss all this and more is one of the most incisive commentators on the war - Professor Phillips O’Brien, head of the School of International Relations at the University of St Andrews. Producer: James HodgsonTwitter: @PodBattleground <hr><p style='c
Nov 11, 2022 · 48 min
14. President Zelensky
This week on Battleground: Ukraine, our guest Iuliia Mendel - the former Press Secretary of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, gives some fascinating insight about the mindset of the Ukrainian leader. She travelled everywhere with him, and was present in his meetings with Vladimir Putin. Her book just out is: The Fight of Our Lives, which sheds light on where Ukraine was going before the war intervened Producer: James Hodgson Twitter: @PodBattleground<br
Nov 4, 2022 · 57 min
13. How did we get here?
With information about what is happening in the eastern and southern fronts getting harder to come by, Saul and Patrick speak to guest Owen Matthews. Owen is half Russian himself and has reported on and lived in Russia at key moments in its recent history, including since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, and he gives a brilliant analysis of how we got to where we are, and what is likely to happen next. Producer: James Hodgson Twitter: @PodBattleground <hr><p s
Oct 28, 2022 · 46 min
12. Max Hastings
As developments on the battlefield have slowed down in the past week, Saul and Patrick speak to the esteemed military historian, war reporter, and former newspaper editor Sir Max Hastings, who gives his perspective on the conflict and discusses worrying historical parallels. They also discuss and answer questions sent in by listeners. Want to send a question? Send it to battlegroundukraine@gmail.comproducer: James Hodgson Twitter: @PodBattleground <hr><p style='color:gr
Oct 21, 2022 · 34 min
11. German Rearmament
Earlier this year after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz committed over 100 billion Euros to modernise the German Military. Joining Saul and Patrick to discuss this, and Germany's support for Ukraine so far, is Professor Matthias Strohn.  Producer: James Hodgson Twitter: @PodBattleground <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener norefer
Oct 14, 2022 · 43 min
10. Will Putin go nuclear?
This week on Battleground, Lieutenant Colonel Pavlo Khazan took a break from frontline action to discuss the latest Russian missile attacks, the possibility of a nuclear warhead being deployed, and what he thinks Ukraine's western allies should do. Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/PodBattleground" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@PodBattleground</a> <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='
Oct 7, 2022 · 52 min
9. The Russian Army
The continuing success of Ukrainian forces has led to speculation that a complete collapse of the Russian Army could be forthcoming. This week Saul speaks to legendary Military Historian Anthony Beevor, about where the Russian Military is today.  Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/PodBattleground" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@PodBattleground</a> <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blan
Sep 30, 2022 · 42 min
8. Shaping perceptions
This week legendary war reporter Anthony Lloyd, discusses the media coverage that has surrounded the War in Ukraine and how this conflict has differed to others when reporting from the ground. Plus the latest developments this past week are discussed, including the Nord stream gas pipeline "sabotage' and Russians fleeing the draft.  <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com
Sep 23, 2022 · 46 min
7. Russian desperation?
In light of Putin's call up of reservists, Patrick speaks to friend of the show Askold Krushelnycky, who's been in the recently recaptured areas of Ukraine around Kherson in the past week.  Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/PodBattleground" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@PodBattleground</a> <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https:/
Sep 16, 2022 · 1 hr 6 min
6. Ukraine Strikes Back
In the wake of the massive Ukrainian breakthrough in the Kharkiv area, and the recapturing of vast swathes of Ukrainian territory, we hear from the former head of the British Army General Lord Dannatt, who has been closely following events in Ukraine. Saul and Patrick also discuss what this all means going forward, as well as the alleged attempt on Putin's life.  Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/PodBattleground" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@PodBatt