The General & the Journalist

The Times
The General & the Journalist

Why do wars start? How do they end? In this brand new podcast from The Times and The Sunday Times, two hosts with decades of experience cover war, the journey to it, and what it leaves behind. Each week, General Sir Patrick Sanders ('the General') and Tom Newton Dunn ('the Journalist') will discuss politics, diplomacy, the arguments and agreements that surround the 100+ armed conflicts being waged across the world right now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodes

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    Andriy Yermak: The second most powerful man in Ukraine

    While in Ukraine, Tom and Patrick sit down with President Zelensky’s Head of Office, Andriy Yermak. A long-time friend and trusted advisor to Volodymyr Zelensky, Yermak is also one of the most controversial figures in the country - unelected, immensely influential, and central to Ukraine’s war effort and diplomatic strategy. In their conversation, Yermak discusses the state of the war, the morale of Ukraine’s exhausted population, and most strikingly, whether President Trump’s dramatic new push for peace could actually bring the fighting to an end. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    52 min

  2. 9 JUL

    Where will Russia attack next?

    Patrick and Tom have both been in countries where there is a very strong feeling that President Putin won’t stop with Ukraine: Tom in Poland and Patrick in Estonia. Nato’s Secretary General, Mark Rutte has gone so far as to say that Putin could launch an attack within the next five years, warning: “Let’s not kid ourselves, we are all on the eastern flank now.” So, they ask: Where will Russia attack next? And does Nato have the military and political strength to defend all its members? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    50 min

  3. 2 JUL

    A new age of nuclear weapons

    Patrick and Tom unpack a troubling question - are we entering a third nuclear age? With Iran’s nuclear programme back in the headlines and countries like Poland and South Korea considering building nuclear weapons of their own, the old global order is clearly shifting. Patrick and Tom explore what this means for global security, and whether nuclear proliferation is set to become the new normal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    39 min

  4. 25 JUN

    The Nato summit - waving or drowning?

    A behind the scenes look at the 2025 NATO Summit. The summit was billed as a turning point—Secretary General Mark Rutte even called it a “quantum leap” in collective defence. The Nato allies have now pledged to spend 5% of GDP on defence by 2035. But will that money come fast enough to meet the threat from Russia? And what does it mean for Ukraine? We break down the numbers, the timing—and the politics. And of course much of this summit was less about strategy and more about one man, President Trump and the ceasefire in the Israel-Iran War. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    35 min

  5. 18 JUN

    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.
    49 min

  6. 11 JUN

    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.
    39 min

  7. 4 JUN

    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 [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    45 min

  8. 28 MAY

    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: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    45 min

  9. 21 MAY

    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.
    1h 13m

  10. 15 MAY

    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.
    7 min

Trailer

About

Why do wars start? How do they end? In this brand new podcast from The Times and The Sunday Times, two hosts with decades of experience cover war, the journey to it, and what it leaves behind. Each week, General Sir Patrick Sanders ('the General') and Tom Newton Dunn ('the Journalist') will discuss politics, diplomacy, the arguments and agreements that surround the 100+ armed conflicts being waged across the world right now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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