Talk
This is Talk’s dedicated war and global security channel, covering conflicts from around the world.
From Ukraine and Russia to Israel and Hamas, and the latest conflict with Iran, Talk War brings together the sharpest conversations from across the network in one place.
Julia Hartley-Brewer, Jeremy Kyle, Ian Collins and Kevin O’Sullivan each bring their own approach — whether that’s on-the-ground reporting, geopolitical analysis or robust debate. You’ll hear from military voices, former intelligence figures, political heavyweights and people directly affected as events unfold.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Lord Richard Dannett tells Jeremy Kyle 'political leaders are playing politics with national defence'. Tim Collins speaks with Julia Hartley-Brewer, criticizing the MoD's bloated civil service and the presence of 92 internal diversity groups, suggesting that cutting these programs entirely would save money. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
General Sir Simon Mayall chats with Jeremy Kyle and strongly criticizes Prime Minister Keir Starmer's newly released defence strategy review. Julia Hartley-Brewer talks with Lord Dannett who also criticizes the Prime Minister's delay in publishing the review, stating that the inaction since last autumn contributed to high-profile political frustrations and resignations, including those of former Defence Secretary John Healey and Minister Al Carns. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
A retired British couple sailing to France have become centre of an international storm, after they received warning shots from ‘drifting’ frigate Admiral Grigorovich, which is believed to have feared a collision in fog. The incident has renewed questions about the UK's readiness to defend itself, and the threat Russia poses for the country. To discuss, Jeremy Kyle is joined by Sir Malcolm Rifkind, former Foreign & Defence Secretary, and Kevin O'Sullivan discusses the latest with Sir Gerald Howarth, Former Defence Minister. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In a developing story tonight, the Ministry of Defence is investigating reports that sailors on a Russian warship fired warning shots today at a yacht that came near it in the English Channel. It comes after Royal Marines seized a Russian shadow vessel as it was passing through the Channel on Sunday. To react to the news, Kevin O'Sullivan is joined Rear Admiral Chris Parry, former NATO & Royal Navy Commander, to discuss the latest on the story and the threat Russia poses the UK. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The threat Russia poses to the United Kingdom has been thrown back into the spotlight this week, after Royal Marine commandos seized a Russian shadow vessel as it passed through the English Channel on Sunday morning - a first for the UK since the invasion of Ukraine began. On Monday, a Ukrainian and a Romanian were found guilty of plotting arson attacks that targeted a car formerly owned by Keir Starmer, and his former family home, with investigations released after the verdict showing involvement from the Russian state. So how concerned should we be about Russia? On this episode of Talk War, Julia Hartley-Brewer is joined by Lord Dannatt, former Head of the British Army. They discuss the resignation of John Healey, the appointment of Dan Jarvis as Defence Secretary, why we will all feel the cost if Putin succeeds, our past issues with failing to deter invasion, and why we need to take action now - plus, what he makes of Trump's deal with Iran. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Peace is coming for the Middle East. After 15 weeks of conflict that has thrown global shipping and oil prices into chaos, Pakistan announced today that the USA and Iran have agreed to a deal to end the war. The agreement will be signed on Friday, and US President Donald Trump has teased that the deal will see Iran give up nuclear weapons, and will allow for the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices have dropped as a result, and stock markets in Europe and on Wall Street have skyrocketed. So what happens next? On this episode of Talk War, Julia Hartley-Brewer is joined by author Jake Wallis Simons, to discuss how this deal risks being a major defeat for Trump, and how Iran is trying to drive a wedge between Israel and USA. And Ian Collins is joined by Middle East expert Patrick Cockburn, to discuss how difficult things are for Israel after this deal, and how many in the Middle East don't want Iran as an enemy anymore after this conflict. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In a major blow for Keir Starmer's defence funding plans, Secretary of State for Defence John Healey and Armed Forces Minister Al Carns resigned yesterday in protest over Treasury's refusal to sign off the requested budget to fully fund the country's defence. It has put renewed pressure on the Prime Minister, who insisted today that the country's defence remains his top priority. To discuss, Ian Collins is joined by Bob Seely, former Conservative MP and military expert, who discusses how Labour’s priorities are not those of much of Britain, and how Starmer hasn’t got the power to overrule Rachel Reeves. And Kevin O'Sullivan is joined by former Head of MI6, Sir Richard Dearlove, to discuss how the Government has chosen welfare over safety of the nation, what sort of defence budget we should be aiming, the growing threat to our security, and the desperate state of our defences. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Government could be about to drop the long awaited defence spending plan, showing how Labour plans to improve a crisis that is leaving Britain at risk. However, rumours are abound that the plan could drop on Friday when Parliament isn't sitting, meaning the Government would not face questions on the plan. Speaker Lindsay Hoyle has weighed in, cautioning the Government against a Friday drop. And how will we pay for such a plan? Well, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has opened the door to more tax rises in order to fund the spending, saying that the money "has to come from somewhere". To discuss the news, Ian Collins is joined on this episode of Talk War by Mark Francois, Shadow Defence Minister, who says that this is causing a Parliamentary row, and dropping the plan on Friday prevents Opposition from holding the Government to account. And he calls for the money to come from a cut to welfare spending. And Anne Strickland, researcher at The Taxpayers' Alliance, echoes those calls, telling Ian that the country's defence capabilities are not up to scratch, but the answer isn't higher taxes - and our welfare bill at the end of this decade is going to be more than £400bn. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The world is still reeling from the sudden return of strikes between Israel and Iran over the weekend - and is waiting to see if alleged peace talks will pan out, or if they will fail once again. But the strikes have shown President Donald Trump taking a firmer stance with Israel, with the President reportedly pushing for Israel to pause hostilities. So what happens now that both sides have scaled back the fighting? To discuss, Ian Collins was joined by Emily Schrader, journalist and Middle East Expert, who discusses Iran's threat to continue fighting if Israel continues to fire on Lebanon, who the victims are in this scenario, and what weight Trump's comments have had. And Kevin O'Sullivan is joined by Jim Jatras, former U.S. Diplomat, Foreign Policy Adviser for the Republican Leadership In The U.S. Senate, on the 'pickle' that Trump has found himself in. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Gulf Crisis took another turn this weekend. As Israel continued to fire rockets towards southern Lebanon, aiming at Hezbollah targets despite an ongoing ceasefire, prompting Iran to strike at Israel for the first time since Israel. The two countries exchanged rockets across the weekend, prompting US President Donald Trump to tell the two countries to "stop shooting". The countries are reportedly negotiating a ceasefire, according to Trump, and Iran has said it is ending operations in Israel - but will escalate if the fighting continues in Lebanon. To discuss the latest developments, Jeremy Kyle is joined by Sean Bell, former fight pilot turned military analyst, to take stock of the wider conflict and is peace can actually be achieved. And Erol Morkoc, spokesman for Republicans Overseas UK, talks to Julia Hartley-Brewer about how Trump truly feels about the conflict. Former Israeli Government Spokesman Eylon Levy tells Julia that it’s crucial Israel can’t treat Lebanon as its backyard, and that while Israel and the US have convergent interests, they are two sovereign countries with their own concerns. And after news of the ceasefire Andrew Fox, Senior Associate Fellow at the Henry Jackson Society & Former Major in the Parachute Regiment, tells Julia how Iran's wants are dragging out the negotiations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The head of the military, Chief of the Defence Staff Sir Richard Knighton has warned that the threats to the UK are at their greatest since the Cold War, telling the BBC that "This is the most dangerous period that I have known", and Russia is "raising the stakes and risks crossing a line". On this episode of Talk War, Ian Collins is joined by Col. Simon Diggings, retired British Army Colonel and defence analyst, to discuss the growing frequency and danger of cyber attacks, the chaos they can cause, and why we need to build our resilience as a country. Plus, Keir Starmer, Rachel Reeves and John Healey are reportedly in a standoff over an extra £28 BILLION needed for the Government to meet their defence spending pledges. Ex-Minister Tobias Ellwood joins Duncan Barkes to discuss how this standoff is a dangerous distraction from the issues facing the UK. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
U.S. President Donald Trump has signalled that a deal with Iran is 'largely negotiated' and could be announced soon - a deal that would see the Strait of Hormuz reopened and Tehran surrenders its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. Iran and negotiators Pakistan have not confirmed the news though. On this episode of Talk War, Ian Collins is joined by Sean Bell, former fighter pilot and military analyst, and Michael Yaki, U.S. political analyst, to discuss what the end of the war would mean for global trade. And Petrie Hosken is joined by Colonel Simon Diggins, military and defence analyst, who analyses how the U.S. underestimated Iran and their resilience. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
An Iraqi immigrant has been granted the right to stay in Britain because he could be killed by Shia militia in home country, as his his father was a captain in Saddam Hussein's army. And UK's defence weakness has been exposed once again, as a new report alleges that Britain only has enough drones to last ONE WEEK of a war against Russia! To discuss the story, Kevin O'Sullivan is joined by Colonel Simon Diggins, former Defence attache in Kabul.They discuss why we need a change of law to address our asylum system, why the area of Iraq where the immigrant comes from is not as dangerous as he makes it out to be, and why the drone story highlights the ongoing resourcing issues in our defence system. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Donald Trump’s faltering Iran strategy, the escalating Strait of Hormuz blockade and the growing threat to the global economy take centre stage in this high-stakes episode of Talk War. Former Defence Select Committee chair Tobias Ellwood delivers a brutal assessment of Washington’s handling of the conflict, branding it a textbook case of how not to wage war — with no clear objectives, shaky strategy, contradictory messaging and Iran’s regime still standing stronger than many expected. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Donald Trump’s escalating Iran conflict, the Strait of Hormuz blockade and the growing threat to global shipping dominate this explosive Talk War special as Isabel Oakeshott reports from Dubai after fresh missile alerts in the UAE, Sean Bell breaks down why America still cannot fully reopen one of the world’s most vital waterways, and former Royal Navy commander Tom Sharpe exposes how Iran’s decades-long military planning is outmanoeuvring Western strategy. From Project Freedom and Gulf state tensions to trapped cargo ships, oil prices, Royal Navy weakness and fears of a prolonged Middle East crisis, this gripping security deep dive unpacks how Trump, Tehran and the Hormuz choke point could reshape the global economy, regional alliances and Britain’s own defence vulnerabilities. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
A new report out today has revealed that the UK military is SKINT! The defence forces can't afford to buy any new weapons until 2030. Meanwhile, Iran has sent a new 14-point peace plan to the US asking them to withdraw forces from the region, as the war drags on into another week. On this episode of Talk War, Jeremy Kyle General Ben Hodges, former Commander U.S. Army Europe, joins to discuss the defence funding crisis in the UK, and if the US is likely to accept the new peace plan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Tensions in the Middle East surge after the US intercepts and seizes an Iranian cargo vessel, triggering fresh retaliation threats from Tehran and plunging the Strait of Hormuz back into chaos. With the vital shipping route flipping between open and closed, global markets and security hang in the balance as Washington and Tehran edge closer to direct confrontation. Featuring military analyst Sean Bell, journalist David Patrikarakos and US commentator Adam Coleman, the episode breaks down the escalating tit-for-tat, the fragility of multiple ceasefires, and why Iran may still hold the upper hand despite America’s military dominance. From nuclear negotiations to economic choke points, the discussion exposes the real leverage behind this conflict. As brinkmanship intensifies ahead of looming peace talks, the question is whether diplomacy can hold — or if this spirals into something far more dangerous. Talk War delivers the clearest picture yet of a conflict driven as much by strategy and messaging as it is by firepower. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Keir Starmer is facing mounting pressure over UK defence spending after former NATO chief Lord Robertson warned Britain is “not safe”, with retired General Sir Simon Mayall telling Talk War the country’s military capability has been dangerously eroded. As tensions escalate globally, the episode breaks down the high-stakes battle over the Strait of Hormuz, China’s influence over Iran, and Donald Trump’s unpredictable role in shaping the conflict’s outcome. With fresh scrutiny on Israel’s war with Hezbollah and the media narratives driving public perception, Talk War delivers a hard-hitting analysis of a world growing more unstable—and asks whether the UK is prepared for what comes next. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Lord George Robertson - who co-authored a spending review for the Government - has joined the chorus of voices criticising Keir Starmer and Labour for not investing enough in defence and how that is putting the UK at risk. He said that there should be cuts to welfare spending to better invest in defence. Keir Starmer said he does not agree with Lord's views, saying that defence spending is rising and that Labour is not complacent on the issue. On this episode of Talk War, Mark Dolan is joined by former Defence Minister Tobias Ellwood, who says that the Lord's comments are very bold but are based in reality. He also argues for a ringfenced increase in taxation to help with increasing the defence budget. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Talk War examines Britain’s growing security and economic crisis as Ian Collins is joined by Nigel Evans, former MI6 deputy director Nigel Inkster, Dan Hodges and Kevin Hollinrake to debate Lord Robertson’s warning that the UK is “not safe”, the pressure to cut welfare to fund defence, Donald Trump’s threat to rethink the US-UK trade deal, the IMF’s downgrade to Britain’s growth forecast, and the row over migrants being moved from hotels into HMOs and barracks, making this a punchy, search-friendly episode on UK defence spending, border security, Trump, Iran, Russia and whether Keir Starmer is prepared for a far more dangerous world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.