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The General & The Journalist

The Times

How wars start, how they are won and what they leave behind them.


General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton Dunn first met in a war zone. Drawing on their real-life experience of armed conflict, they bring you the latest from Ukraine, Gaza and the dozens of other bitter struggles being fought across our increasingly divided planet.


From interviews with key people on the frontlines of modern warfare to discussing the future of nuclear weapons and where Russia will attack next, this podcast from The Times and The Sunday Times also faces up to the biggest question - how ready are we for war, right now, if we had to fight one?

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

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  • 66 episodes
  • Updated Wednesday

Episodes66

Newest first
  • Jun 18, 2025 · 49 min

    Iran and Israel - how does this end?

    During an unprecedented war between Iran and Israel, and ahead of the much anticipated Nato summit next week, Lord Robertson, former Secretary General of Nato, joins Tom and Patrick to assess what happens next in the conflict, and what it means for the rest of the world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Jun 11, 2025 · 39 min

    The shadowy world of targeted killings

    A pattern is seemingly emerging with a series of high profile targeted killings taking place inside Russian territory, blamed on Ukrainian forces. This week, an in depth look at those stories, who may be responsible for them, why they may be happening and what are rules when it comes to assessing wether they are legally and ethically justified. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Jun 4, 2025 · 44 min

    The Strategic Defence Review

    Britain unveils a new and ambitious Strategic Defence Review outlining ways to make Britain battle-ready in the years and decades ahead. But is time already running out? With global threats intensifying and much of the review’s ambitions earmarked for the 2030s, Patrick and Tom question whether the UK is truly going to be prepared for full scale war as a result of the review. This week, they break down what they think the review gets right — and what they think it leaves out. You can reach us at generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • May 28, 2025 · 45 min

    Can Ukraine survive if President Trump walks away?

    Last week, President Trump said in reference to the war in Ukraine: "I think something’s going to happen. And if it doesn’t, I just back away and they’re going to have to keep going". With that very real possibility looming large, General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton Dunn discuss in detail whether Ukraine can survive without the support of the US - and for how long. Do get in touch with the show: generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • May 21, 2025 · 1 hr 13 min

    Simon Case: If you want peace, prepare for war

    Simon Case, the former Cabinet Secretary examines how much Britain should be spending on defence “right now” to protect ourselves against spiralling global threats - including Russia and China. The former leading British civil servant warns the West now faces an axis of rival states that are cooperating ever more closely. Leading them is the technological and military powerhouse of China, which he describes as "the pace setting threat” that will dominate the next 20 years - especially as he says Beijing is now sharing its rapid advances with Russia, Iran and North Korea. Hosted by two extraordinary individuals with decades of experience in their respective fields, this podcast offers unparalleled insight into the dynamics of modern warfare through General Sir Patrick Sanders, a soldier with 40 years of military expertise. He is joined by Tom Newton Dunn, an award-winning journalist. Together they provide a unique perspective on global conflict. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • May 15, 2025 · 7 min

    Introducing - The General & the Journalist

    A new podcast on the intricacies of geopolitics in an age of uncertainty at a time when conflict is never far from the headlines. Patrick and Tom - the General and the Journalist - examine why wars begin, and how they end - and, crucially how they can be prevented. Unparalleled insights into the dynamics of modern warfare through General Sir Patrick Sanders, a decorated soldier with 40 years of military expertise, and from Tom Newton Dunn, an award-winning former defence correspondent and political editor. Together they provide a unique perspective on global conflict and diplomacy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.