3. The Russian mindset

This week Patrick and Saul analyse Donald Trump's sudden policy reversal on Ukraine, pledging defensive weapons after a concerning pause. They question if it's a true change of heart or a tactical move amidst escalating Russian attacks. They also discuss a "new axis of evil" – Ir ... Show More

This week on Battleground, Saul and Patrick are stepping away from the tactics and into the narrative, discussing their picks for the best fiction books born out of the Second World War. They delve into the literary legacy of WWII, debating and dissecting the novels that most eff ... Show More

This week on Battleground, Saul David and Patrick Bishop delve into the disappointing turn in US support. Whilst meetings last week at the NATO summit offered a glimmer of hope, the White House's abrupt decision to halt key weapons supplies, including Patriot missiles, has left U ... Show More

Six months into Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine, host Jon Fasman asks historian Orlando Figes how Russian history can help make sense of the conflict. The bestselling author explains how past myths and ideologies continue to shape Russia’s attitude to its neighbours and the West– ... Show More

We thought the Russians were masters of the information war; that they’d sweep Ukraine aside. It's not turning out that way. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. 

Serving continuously as either Prime Minister or President since 1999, Vladimir Putin's leadership of Russia has always dominated the geopolitical stage and made headlines. Enforcing extreme policies, engaging with dangerous allies, and hiring deadly mercenaries - it seems he isn ... Show More

Suzi talks to professor Michael Cox about what is behind Putin’s bluster at the Ukrainian border and the hawkish, confrontational response from the US, UK, and NATO. Is the threat of war with Ukraine Putin’s way of pressing Russia’s case for revamping the post-Cold War order? Wha ... Show More

While the attention has recently been on Russia's shift of focus to Eastern Ukraine, in what could be an old fashioned land-grab operation, the Russian military hasn't stopped attacking ALL of Ukraine. That point was driven home again today after several Russian missile strikes d ... Show More

In the West, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin is always seen as one of two things: KGB spy or judo master. But to anyone who’s ever lived in the Soviet Union, Putin is something else entirely: a street kid. Join journalist Julia Ioffe as she explores how Putin’s childhood taught h ... Show More

Russia has confirmed what western powers had long predicted and invaded Ukraine. On the eve of war, Gideon spoke to Sabine Fischer of the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, a Russian specialist recently back from Moscow, and to Polina Ivanova, FT corresponde ... Show More

America's top diplomat outlines scenarios Putin could use to justify war including a mass grave, a staged drone strike, or an attack using chemical weapons. Plus, the CEO of one of the largest tech companies in Ukraine discusses the war over money crushing Ukraine’s economy. You’ ... Show More