Talk War

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.

Subscribe Listen in podnod RSS feed Show website

81 episodes
Updated July 1

Episodes81

Newest first

March 19 · 21 min
Trump Turns on Israel as Iran War Escalates and Energy Prices Surge
Isabel Oakeshott and Hamish de Bretton-Gordon unpack a dramatic shift in the Middle East conflict as Donald Trump publicly distances himself from Israel following strikes that have triggered retaliation across the Gulf. With missile alerts in Dubai, attacks on key energy infrastructure in Qatar and a 23% spike in gas prices, the global economic impact is already being felt. The episode explores whether Trump has lost control of the narrative, and what it means for the so called special relationship with Keir Starmer and Europe’s refusal to fully back US action. From tensions within NATO to fears over the Strait of Hormuz, the conversation dives into the risks of a fractured alliance, the reality of asymmetric warfare and whether this conflict is already beyond any quick resolution. Featuring analysis from both guests, this is a sharp, fast moving breakdown of a war that is rapidly reshaping global security and hitting wallets back home. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 18 · 21 min
Trump Attacks Starmer And The BBC As Iran War Splits NATO
On this episode of Talk War, former White House official Matthew Bryza and ex-US Army Europe commander Ben Hodges join the show as tensions escalate between Washington and London over the Iran conflict. With Donald Trump publicly attacking the BBC, comparing Keir Starmer unfavourably to Winston Churchill and accusing Britain of weakening the “special relationship”, the debate turns to whether the transatlantic alliance is entering dangerous territory. Matthew Bryza warns that Trump’s strategy in Iran appears increasingly chaotic, arguing the president expected a quick regime collapse but underestimated the complexity of Iran’s internal power structure and the likelihood of retaliation. He says the conflict is also fracturing Trump’s own political base in the United States, with many prominent MAGA figures opposing another foreign war. Retired Lieutenant General Ben Hodges offers a stark military assessment, saying Britain’s armed forces still have world-class quality but no longer have the scale to match it after decades of underinvestment. He also explains why NATO remains critical to US security despite Trump’s criticisms, and why European allies are reluctant to follow Washington into a war whose objectives remain unclear. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 17 · 22 min
Trump, Starmer And Iran: John Bolton Warns The West Must Finish The Job
On this episode of Talk War, former US National Security Adviser John Bolton and ex-NATO commander Chris Parry assess the latest from the Iran conflict, as Donald Trump turns up the pressure on Britain over its refusal to play a bigger role. With the Strait of Hormuz under threat and global oil supplies at risk, the question is no longer whether the war matters to the UK, but how much longer Britain can afford to stay on the sidelines. John Bolton argues the case for regime change in Iran is stronger than ever, warning that the Tehran regime remains the biggest source of instability, terrorism and nuclear threat in the Middle East. He says Trump was right to back military action, but wrong not to prepare allies and the American public properly in advance, leaving Washington scrambling for support after the fighting began and after the Strait of Hormuz crisis escalated. Chris Parry gives the military view, saying the West needs a clear plan before asking Britain to commit more force, but insisting the free flow of oil through the Gulf is a direct British interest. He explains why the closure of the Strait of Hormuz is a separate international security issue from the wider war itself, and why the long-term danger is that if Iran emerges unbroken, the consequences will not stay in the Middle East for long. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 17 · 37 min
Trump, Starmer And The Strait Of Hormuz Crisis
Is Britain looking weak on the world stage? On this episode of Talk War, Jeremy Kyle reacts as Donald Trump publicly criticises Sir Keir Starmer over Britain’s response to the Iran conflict, with Labour MP Karl Turner accusing the Prime Minister of damaging trust through “flip-flopping” over bases, ships and military support. Jeremy also speaks to Fleur Hassan Nahoum, Special Envoy for the Israeli Foreign Minister, who says Britain must face up to the Iranian threat after years of terror funding, regional destabilisation and attacks on Israel. She warns that Keir Starmer’s mixed messaging is angering allies on all sides, while Jeremy also tackles the growing row over anti-Israel protests in Britain and what they say about the country’s political and cultural direction. Plus, former Royal Navy commander Tom Sharpe and Rear Admiral Mike Hewitt examine the military reality behind the Strait of Hormuz crisis, the shrinking strength of Britain’s armed forces, the HMS Dragon delay, and whether the UK is now too underpowered to play a serious role in a fast-moving global security emergency. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 17 · 31 min
Iran War Escalation: Strait Of Hormuz Crisis, Trump’s Next Move And Britain’s Response
As tensions escalate in the Middle East, the Iran conflict threatens to spiral into a wider crisis — with the crucial Strait of Hormuz, through which around 20% of the world’s oil passes, at the centre of the global standoff. On Talk War, Republican strategist Amy Tarkanian discusses the growing concern in the United States that the conflict could drag on for years, with reports suggesting thousands of US Marines could soon be deployed. The episode also examines the political fallout between Washington and London, after Donald Trump criticised the UK for failing to step up militarily. With polls suggesting most Britons oppose joining the war, the debate intensifies over whether Britain should support its closest ally — or stay out of another long and costly conflict. Plus, political voices from Westminster weigh in on the UK’s military readiness, defence spending and Keir Starmer's leadership during an escalating global crisis. As war risks widening across the region, Talk War asks the key question: how far could this conflict spread — and what role should Britain play? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 16 · 21 min
Strait Of Hormuz Crisis, Donald Trump, Keir Starmer And Iran War Fallout
As the Strait of Hormuz crisis deepens, Talk War examines the mounting pressure on Donald Trump, Keir Starmer and Britain’s allies as Iran’s blockade threatens global oil supplies and risks a wider economic shock. Former NATO Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe Sir Richard Shirreff warns Trump has “got himself in a hole”, while questioning whether the US ever had a clear endgame for the Iran conflict. Rear Admiral Chris Parry gives a hard-headed assessment of Britain’s response, arguing that the UK has looked hesitant, underprepared and strategically confused as HMS Dragon belatedly heads towards the region. The episode explores whether Britain should help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, what support NATO allies can realistically provide, and whether Starmer is right to resist being drawn further into a US-led war. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 16 · 42 min
‘We Are At War’: Al-Quds Rally Outrage, Iran Threat And Britain’s Defence Crisis
Talk War examines the fallout from the Al-Quds rally in London, where anti-Israel chants, pro-Iran placards and serious questions over policing sparked fury. Lord Marland, Trevor Kavanagh and Chris Phillips react to the scenes on Britain’s streets, the growing fears over extremism, free speech and anti-Semitism, and whether the UK is failing to confront threats at home. The podcast also looks at the deepening Iran crisis and Britain’s faltering response abroad. Mark Francois warns Keir Starmer is being driven by political survival rather than the national interest, while Tobias-style questions over defence readiness return as HMS Dragon sails late and Britain’s military posture comes under fresh scrutiny. With oil routes under threat and fears growing over the Strait of Hormuz, the panel asks whether the UK is prepared for the security and economic shock ahead. Across this episode, the debate turns to immigration, policing, defence cuts and the wider question of whether Britain has lost confidence in its own values. From the Middle East to Westminster to the streets of London, Talk War breaks down the national security risks, the political failures and the pressure now facing Britain at home and overseas. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 16 · 41 min
Al Quds rally in London, anti-Semitism fears and Iran protest extremism on British streets
On this episode of Talk War, the focus turns from Tehran to London, as Samara Gill reports from the Al Quds rally where chants, placards and intimidation raise urgent questions about anti-Semitism, extremism and policing in Britain. Her account of being mobbed while reporting adds a chilling edge to a debate about whether hatred linked to the Iran regime is now being openly displayed on UK streets. Eylon Levy warns that Britain is facing a “Khomeinist fifth column”, as the discussion widens to the spread of anti-Israel activism, rising hostility towards Jewish people, and fears that universities, protests and public spaces are becoming more toxic. The episode also explores what these scenes say about Keir Starmer, the Met Police, free speech and Britain’s grip on national cohesion. Isabel Oakeshott and Peter Bleksley then weigh in on the wider fallout from the Iran crisis, including Britain’s response to the Strait of Hormuz threat, the debate over immigration, integration and security, and whether the UK is showing enough strength at home while conflict abroad fuels division on the streets. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 13 · 36 min
World War 3 Has Already Started? US-Iran crisis, Ukraine, China Watching Taiwan— Oil, Sea Lanes, defenceless Britain
US-Iran crisis, Strait of Hormuz oil risk, Ukraine war, Red Sea shipping choke points, China–Taiwan tensions, UK defence readiness and Trump’s strategy — with Philip Ingram, Tom Sharpe OBE and Eliot Wilson.
March 11 · 10 min
“Our Defence Posture is Woefully Inadequate” – Tobias Ellwood Warns Britain is Unprepared for War
Former Defence Select Committee chair Tobias Ellwood delivers a stark warning about Britain’s military readiness as the Iran conflict escalates. Speaking on Talk War, the former soldier says “our defence posture is woefully inadequate for where the world is going”, arguing the crisis has exposed serious weaknesses in the UK’s armed forces. Ellwood explains the strategic messaging battle behind the White House’s war videos, saying they are designed to “keep your nation supporting your actions” while leaders manage domestic opinion during wartime. But he also warns the conflict risks becoming a missed opportunity to deal with Iran’s long-standing influence across the Middle East. The discussion also turns to Britain’s delayed response as HMS Dragon finally departs for Cyprus, raising questions about the state of the Royal Navy and the UK’s wider defence capability. Ellwood argues the crisis should be a wake-up call, urging politicians to put national security above party politics and increase defence spending as global tensions continue to rise. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 10 · 21 min
“You Are Grossly Distorting the Evidence” – Explosive Clash Between Julia Hartley-Brewer And Former Ambassador Over Iran War
A fiery debate erupts on Talk War as former British ambassador to Iran Sir Richard Dalton clashes with Julia Hartley-Brewer over the legality of the US-Israeli strikes on Iran. Dalton insists the conflict is “an illegal war” and accuses Western leaders of escalating tensions, while the discussion turns heated over whether Iran was truly on the verge of developing nuclear weapons. The episode explores the global fallout from the strikes — including Donald Trump’s claim the war could end “very soon”, the destruction of key Iranian military capabilities, and growing pressure for de-escalation. Dalton argues diplomacy and international law should be leading the response, warning the conflict could destabilise Iran and the wider region. Later, defence analyst Simon Diggins examines what the next phase of the conflict might look like, explaining why eliminating Iran’s military capabilities is very different from achieving regime change. With questions over how long the war could last and whether Britain’s delayed deployment of HMS Dragon will make any difference, this episode breaks down the strategic stakes as the Middle East crisis continues to unfold. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 10 · 38 min
“I'm embarrassed” – Isabel Oakeshott on Britain's ‘humiliation’ in the Iran war
As the Iran conflict intensifies, Talk War brings together some of the sharpest voices in geopolitics and intelligence to unpack what happens next. Talk’s International Editor Isabel Oakeshott reacts to Britain’s slow military response, admitting “I’m embarrassed” as HMS Dragon finally heads toward the region while allies move faster. With the Strait of Hormuz under threat and global shipping disrupted, the stakes for the world economy and Western security are rising fast. Former NATO commander Rear Admiral Chris Parry explains why Iran’s military power has been “very much diminished” after devastating strikes, while Jake Wallis Simons argues the regime’s capabilities have been shattered but warns the war may not truly be over until the threat itself is destroyed. Meanwhile, former MI6 chief Sir Richard Dearlove raises serious questions about the political endgame — warning that military victory does not necessarily guarantee a stable outcome. With analysis from across the military, intelligence and political worlds, this episode examines whether the war is really “very complete” — or if the most dangerous phase is still ahead. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 9 · 19 min
Iran Strait Of Hormuz Crisis: Andrew Fox And Tom Sharpe On UK Defence, Oil Prices And Military Decline
As tensions in the Middle East escalate, this episode examines what the Iran crisis means for Britain at home and abroad. Andrew Fox argues the UK has little to add militarily to the US and Israel, but says Britain should be showing firmer diplomatic support, including proscribing the IRGC. He also warns that the current moment has exposed a deeper problem: Britain’s armed forces are badly managed despite having one of the biggest defence budgets in the world. The discussion also turns to Keir Starmer’s handling of the crisis, the strain on the UK-US relationship, and growing questions over military priorities after reports of culture-war reviews inside the armed forces while naval readiness is under fire. Andrew Fox says the Ministry of Defence looks “fundamentally unserious” at a time when global instability is rising and British defence capability is being tested. Former Royal Navy commander Tom Sharpe then explains why the Strait of Hormuz blockade could hit the UK hard, with oil, gas and shipping disruption feeding directly into higher bills and wider economic pain. He warns that Britain remains dangerously dependent on global sea lanes while decades of underinvestment, bad procurement and shrinking naval strength have left the country exposed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 9 · 15 min
Iran Supreme Leader Replaced: Ayatollah's son Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran Regime Change And Nuclear Threat
Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Supreme Leader, has emerged as the regime’s new hardline figurehead. Former Iranian political prisoner Sheeva Maboudi says the move changes nothing for ordinary Iranians, describing it as an internal show of strength for the regime, the IRGC and its regional proxies rather than a genuine shift in power. She argues the Iranian people are united first and foremost around one goal: toppling the regime. Ian also hears from Jason Brodsky of United Against Nuclear Iran, who warns that Mojtaba Khamenei represents continuity, not reform. He says the new Supreme Leader is deeply tied to repression, secrecy, extremism and the IRGC, and suggests the regime rushed to install him to prevent fractures inside its military and security apparatus. The discussion also examines why some in Britain are mourning the old regime, despite its record of executions, crackdowns and terror. The episode explores the wider questions now hanging over the Iran crisis: what regime change could actually look like, whether a political vacuum is inevitable, and how much of Iran’s nuclear capability still remains. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 9 · 23 min
Iran War Explained: Lord Dannatt And Sir Malcolm Rifkind On Trump, Starmer And Middle East Crisis
Jeremy Kyle speaks to former head of the British Army Lord Richard Dannatt about the escalating Iran conflict, the role of Donald Trump and whether the war could spiral further across the Middle East. Dannatt explains the likely military objectives — weakening Iran’s missile capability and stopping a nuclear weapon — but warns regime change is far less likely and the conflict could drag on as energy prices surge and tensions spread across the Gulf. Jeremy also asks whether the crisis began with an Israeli intelligence opportunity rather than a carefully timed US strategy, and what that means for how long the conflict could last. With flights disrupted, oil prices rising and British citizens caught up in regional chaos, the episode looks at the wider impact of the Iran war on the UK and the global economy. Former foreign and defence secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind also joins the programme to discuss Keir Starmer’s handling of the crisis, the strain on the UK-US special relationship and whether Britain should have moved military assets earlier to protect its Cyprus base. Talk War from Talk. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 9 · 37 min
Iran War, Keir Starmer Under Fire And UK Defence Failures Exposed
Julia Hartley-Brewer examines the fallout from the Iran conflict as Sir Keir Starmer comes under pressure over Britain’s response, the fraying US relationship and serious questions about UK military readiness. Speaking to former security minister Tom Tugendhat, Julia hears that while Britain is entitled to make its own decisions, Starmer has somehow alienated Washington, Tehran and his own backbenches all at once. Tugendhat says the US and Israel may have a lawful case for striking Iran, but warns the bigger issue is Britain’s failure to protect its own interests, with too few ships, too little kit and no clear sense of preparedness. Israeli Foreign Ministry special envoy Fleur Hassan-Nahoum tells Julia that Israel and the wider region are paying a far higher price than rising fuel bills, with civilians repeatedly forced into shelters while Iranian missiles target Israel, the Gulf and beyond. She argues the Islamic Republic remains a threat not just to Israel but to the wider West, warning that Iran’s regime, the IRGC and its terror network have destabilised the Middle East for decades. The episode also looks at the appointment of a new supreme leader in Iran, the long-term aim of removing the regime’s military threat, and whether the Iranian people could eventually rise up against their rulers. Former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith rounds out the debate with a blunt warning that Britain has been caught flat-footed militarily and politically. He says the UK should already have had assets in the region, argues the failure to proscribe the IRGC is indefensible, and blames years of underinvestment in defence for leaving Britain exposed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 9 · 45 min
Keir Starmer, Trump And Britain’s Iran Crisis | Isabel Oakeshott says Britain is “not a reliable ally”
Jeremy Kyle speaks to Talk International Editor Isabel Oakeshott from Dubai as the Iran conflict deepens and Donald Trump turns on Sir Keir Starmer. Oakeshott says Britain’s response has looked “woefully lacking”, with HMS Dragon still in Portsmouth and the UK appearing unable to match the pace of allies in the Middle East. The episode asks whether Starmer’s handling of Iran has weakened Britain’s standing with Washington and damaged the special relationship. Oakeshott argues Starmer has landed in “the worst of all worlds” by trying to please everyone while showing no real strength. She says he is “completely insufficiently robust on every level” and warns the US now sees Britain as “not a reliable ally”. Jeremy and Isabel discuss Trump’s criticism, the pressure on UK diplomacy, and why Britain’s military capability is now being exposed in full view. The conversation also widens into a row about British identity and national priorities, from defence readiness to culture war flashpoints at home. Oakeshott says Britain must rediscover confidence in its values and stop looking weak while the world becomes more dangerous. For listeners searching for Iran war, Keir Starmer, Donald Trump, UK defence, HMS Dragon and the UK-US special relationship, this episode is a sharp analysis of a government under fire. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 5 · 40 min
Iran-Israel Conflict: UK Defence ‘Not Ready’, Hormuz Risk And Starmer Under Fire
Alex Phillips speaks to Brendan O’Neill (Spiked), Rear Admiral Chris Parry (former NATO and Royal Navy commander) and Sir Liam Fox (former UK Defence Secretary) as the Iran conflict intensifies and Britain’s role comes under fierce scrutiny. O’Neill argues the UK should be “shoulder to shoulder” with allies, saying the Iranian regime and its proxies have targeted British citizens and that government hesitation is being dressed up as “legalism” instead of leadership. Rear Admiral Parry warns the crisis has exposed the UK’s hollowed-out readiness, calling it “ludicrous” that Britain cannot rapidly deploy an air-defence destroyer to the Eastern Mediterranean. He says politicians too often disregard professional military advice, and argues the real strategic risks include disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, threats to global energy supply, and the wider consequences of a prolonged conflict — from economic shock to pressure points elsewhere, including the Indo-Pacific. Sir Liam Fox says allies in Washington are alarmed by Britain’s direction of travel, accusing the government of reaching for lawyers instead of putting national security first. He raises fresh questions over the UK’s stance on Iran, the IRGC and the Chagos/Diego Garcia issue, warning that failure to project capability and clarity damages credibility abroad — and leaves the UK more vulnerable at home as security threats escalate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 5 · 18 min
Iran War And UK Security: Tom Tugendhat Warns Britain Must ‘Lead, Not Lecture’
Jeremy Kyle speaks to Dr Dan Diker, President of the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs, and Tom Tugendhat MP, former UK Security Minister, about the escalating Iran crisis and Britain’s response. Dr Diker says Israel sees the current confrontation with Iran as a defining moment for the Western alliance, warning the Iranian regime has threatened both Israel and the United States since 1979 and was close to obtaining nuclear weapons. He tells Talk the conflict represents a broader struggle for Western security and values. Discussing the UK’s response, Diker says there is growing disappointment in Israel and across Europe at what he describes as hesitation from Western governments. He argues the Iranian regime has long sponsored terrorism across the region and beyond, insisting the threat posed by Tehran extends far beyond the Middle East. Former Security Minister Tom Tugendhat also criticises the UK government’s preparedness, questioning why British naval assets were not deployed earlier to help protect UK bases and allies in the region. Tugendhat warns Britain risks appearing weak to partners and adversaries alike, arguing that leadership in times of crisis requires decisive action rather than legal hesitation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 5 · 15 min
Iran War, UK Evacuation Chaos And ‘International Law’: Steve Baker Says Labour’s Approach Is ‘Naive’
Jeremy Kyle speaks to former Conservative minister Steve Baker as criticism grows over the UK government’s handling of the escalating Iran crisis. The discussion comes after a British evacuation flight from Oman was delayed due to a technical fault, fuelling anger about what Jeremy calls a “terrible narrative of decline” in Britain’s ability to respond during international emergencies. Baker argues that the government’s reliance on interpretations of international law risks leaving democracies exposed to hostile regimes. Discussing the US and Israel strikes on Iran, he says Donald Trump acted largely out of fears that Tehran could eventually use nuclear weapons against Israel. “You can’t be too squeamish or idealistic when your own people are under threat,” Baker says, warning that Western countries must prioritise defending their citizens. The former MP also criticises what he sees as a wider breakdown in the international system, arguing treaty law created after the Second World War is no longer functioning as intended. Baker tells Talk that Britain risks appearing weak if it continues to rely on legal arguments rather than strategic realities, saying democracies must sometimes decide “what the right thing to do is” when confronting regimes like Iran. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.