Battle Lines

Battle Lines is The Telegraph’s foreign policy, geopolitics and global conflict podcast. It offers expert analysis and on-the-ground reporting from China and the United States to the Middle East and Europe.


Twice a week, veteran foreign correspondents Roland Oliphant and Venetia Rainey bring you on-the-ground dispatches from the world’s most volatile regions and informed analysis from world-class experts.

Whether it’s the Russia-Ukraine war, the Israel-Gaza conflict, Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific, tensions between India and Pakistan, or the civil war in Sudan, Battle Lines covers the world’s most critical flashpoints with depth and clarity.


When will China invade Taiwan? Can Trump bring peace to the Middle East? What should Europe do to help Ukraine beat Russia? Is Iran building a nuclear bomb? What is the point of NATO? Can the United Kingdom still defend itself? 


Created by David Knowles, Battle Lines answers all these questions and more, bringing together the best of The Telegraph’s international, geopolitical, and conflict reporting in one place.


Plus, every Friday, the podcast delves into the seismic impact US President Donald Trump is having on the world - from peace talks to tariffs to migration policy. 


Don’t forget to follow and leave a review to stay updated on the latest in global conflict and foreign affairs.


Telegraph subscribers get early access to bonus episodes of Battle Lines and its sister podcast, Ukraine: The Latest. You can subscribe within The Telegraph app, or tap on ‘Already a subscriber’ at the top of this page to log in to link your existing subscription, for more information click here.

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Recent Episodes
  • Can the UK afford to defend itself from Russia?
    Jun 6, 2025 – 42:09
  • Britain put on war footing
    Jun 2, 2025 – 37:55
  • 'Trump is enthralled by Putin' & farewell Elon Musk
    May 30, 2025 – 47:24
  • Gardening in war
    May 26, 2025 – 43:58
  • Inside Trump’s new Star Wars program, plus HIMARS dispatch
    May 23, 2025 – 29:30
  • Israel's new offensive to seize "all" of Gaza
    May 19, 2025 – 27:50
  • Has Trump brought peace to the Middle East?
    May 16, 2025 – 38:12
  • Who won India and Pakistan's four-day war?
    May 12, 2025 – 31:15
  • Trump edition: How MAGA Catholics won the White House
    May 8, 2025 – 39:52
  • ‘Russia is now but China is the long-term threat’ - reporter roundtable
    May 5, 2025 – 46:57
  • How Trump changed the world in 100 days
    May 2, 2025 – 1:05:10
  • Record global rearmament plus India-Pakistan war fears
    Apr 28, 2025 – 44:35
  • Trump edition: Breaking the Pentagon
    Apr 25, 2025 – 36:15
  • Who would win a war in space?
    Apr 21, 2025 – 32:05
  • Trump edition: ‘This is Trump unleashed and unfiltered’
    Apr 18, 2025 – 39:00
  • Spies, terrorists and state collusion: Investigating The Troubles
    Apr 16, 2025 – 37:22
  • Will Trump attack Iran's nuclear sites?
    Apr 14, 2025 – 33:47
  • Trump edition: Blowing up the global economy to take on China
    Apr 11, 2025 – 42:16
  • Emily Thornberry: Trump's positives, sanctioning Israel and working with China
    Apr 9, 2025 – 29:20
  • Khartoum recaptured plus inside the Gaza ambulance attack
    Apr 7, 2025 – 20:32
  • Trump Edition: Why a third term is possible and the Chagos Islands deal
    Apr 4, 2025 – 34:50
  • Australia boosts anti-China defences, plus inside Myanmar's rebel mountains
    Mar 31, 2025 – 36:17
  • Trump edition: Annexing Greenland, Signal-gate and inside the battle for America’s foreign policy
    Mar 28, 2025 – 51:40
  • How Erdogan broke Turkey's democracy
    Mar 24, 2025 – 31:14
  • Trump edition: The Canadians fighting back against annexation
    Mar 21, 2025 – 31:55
  • Why Israel has restarted the war with Hamas
    Mar 18, 2025 – 11:20
  • US bombs Houthi leaders and South Sudan on brink of civil war
    Mar 17, 2025 – 35:44
  • Trump Edition: Annexing Canada, negotiating with Russia and containing China
    Mar 14, 2025 – 39:25
  • Exiled Crown Prince: ‘Iran is on the brink of a revolution’
    Mar 12, 2025 – 52:44
  • Nukes, drones and aircraft carriers - inside Iran's military buildup
    Mar 10, 2025 – 34:37
  • Trump edition: Why he hates Zelensky and loves Putin
    Mar 7, 2025 – 32:49
  • Six steps for Britain to survive in Trump's new world order
    Mar 3, 2025 – 38:35
  • Trump edition: 'Woke' Pentagon chiefs in firing line
    Feb 28, 2025 – 32:43
  • What Britain learnt from the Ukraine war & Germany's east-west election divide
    Feb 24, 2025 – 36:44
  • Trump edition: America's embrace of Russia and how to end a war
    Feb 21, 2025 – 35:57
  • 500 days of war: what has Israel achieved?
    Feb 17, 2025 – 33:39
  • Trump Edition: Can Europe defend itself without America?
    Feb 14, 2025 – 38:06
  • Musk and Trump’s war on ‘Marxist’ foreign aid
    Feb 10, 2025 – 35:17
  • Trump Edition: US president unleashed on Gaza, tariffs and China
    Feb 7, 2025 – 39:02
  • Iran's underground missile city masks a regime 'on brink of collapse'
    Feb 3, 2025 – 46:23
  • Trump Edition: America's AI war with China & what his presidency means for Africa
    Jan 31, 2025 – 40:12
  • Hunting Assad's henchmen in Syria and Congo's war for blood minerals
    Jan 27, 2025 – 37:01
  • Trump Edition: American Emperor?
    Jan 24, 2025 – 45:39
  • Trump's mission for Ukraine and Taiwan & fragile Israel-Gaza ceasefire 'holding'
    Jan 20, 2025 – 41:27
  • Gaza ceasefire: How Hamas and Israel's worst war changed history
    Jan 17, 2025 – 37:39
  • Hamish de Bretton-Gordon on Syria’s new leader, Russia’s quick exit and chemical weapons
    Jan 13, 2025 – 42:53
  • The biggest threats to Western security in 2025
    Jan 10, 2025 – 21:11
  • Israel raids Gaza hospitals. Plus: inside a people-smuggling network
    Jan 6, 2025 – 32:29
  • The art of the war memoir
    Jan 3, 2025 – 40:57
  • The best war films of 2024
    Dec 30, 2024 – 48:18
Recent Reviews
  • Dr Freshness
    Great show
    Love this pod - been listening since David started it. Roland and Venetia do fantastic work, covering conflict across the globe as only they can.
  • Old decrepit and grey
    The way news should be
    I like the in depth discussion on Friday concerning the “would be king” of the United States. As far as I can tell the sycophantic press in the United States is too fearful to speak truth to power.
  • TribeTribe
    Another Fantastic Telegraph Product
    Started by the same team that produces Ukraine the Latest. Battle Lines explores other conflicts from around the world, in addition to Ukraine. The listener gets to hear from citizens, journalists, and historical experts.
  • Marsheagle
    Need Deeper Analysis &. More Accurate Understanding of US Politics
    This week's Battlelines displayed a profound ignorance of US politics, the republicans, and trump/musk. They are decimating our democracy, upending the rules based post-WWII world order and you treat it like a regular reporting bc assignment. There are amazing analysts this side of the pond who can help you be more Frances Dernedly than Fox News. You have work to do. Dr. Edward Marshall, Chapel Hill, NC
  • The other Yank
    Very Good
    Content and insights are very good
  • markbythefigtree
    On Israel
    I’ve been listening to your podcast since day 1. And Ronald, your anti-Israel bias is just to difficult to tolerate. So, with regret, I’m unsubscribing.
  • Artsarr
    Not “Ukraine the Latest” by a long shot.
    It’s unfortunate that The Telegraph chose to endorse such a bias production.
  • s37erasmus
    Rather shocked…
    The Ukraine coverage has been so outstanding I was shocked how sympathetic to Hezbollah this series is.
  • Jimoajgdn
    Solid analysis and good guests
    I only wish it came out more frequently.
  • Showers Dig
    Much needed
    Love the shows, love the hosts, love the insight. If you want to stay informed, follow every pod this group hosts.
  • Kev1580
    Anti-Semitic and pro terrorist
    Anti-Semitic and pro terrorist. No thanks.
  • blau1202
    Great podcast
    I am really enjoying the broadened scope of reporting on conflicts around the world. This and its sister podcast, Ukraine, the Latest, are compelling and thoughtful. Many thanks to David Knowles and the Telegraph for providing these wonderful resources.
  • hyardeny
    Might as well watch Russian Tv or Al jazeera So disappointing
    This is so different then the Ukraine coverage by the telegraph or the newspaper coverage of the war in Gaza. Disappointing
  • Djidmmx
    Garbage
    Liberal garbage. Pretending like Israel is somehow the problem and the UN is actually a worthwhile organization. Don’t waste your time with this crap.
  • ForgetUserName
    Episode Frequency is inconsistent
    Great podcast - and you’ll eagerly await the next episode only for it not to arrive
  • Dexember
    Anti-Semitic Reporters, Anti-Semitic Focus
    The Telegraph is so good about the Ukraine War but they only seem to have contempt for Israel. Israel is attacked and suddenly we need a ceasefire! How much of Hamas’s propaganda is being repeated here? Only good to know what British anti-semites think. There is no anti-Hamas voices here. Just Anti-Israeli bias and racism to Jews. They talk to doctors complaining about gun shot victims with no context that these are Hamas fighters who raped young girls. They should be shot and doctors complaining that Israel isn’t giving them medical supplies is morally reprehensible. The Telegraph isn’t admonishing the West and Ukraine for sanctioning Russia and not sending them supplies! The explanation seems to be racism against Jews. Hamas needs to be destroyed, including bomb engineers and accountants.
  • eblkesl
    Moral double standard
    I listened to Ukraine the latest every day and started subscribing to the Telegraph because of your excellent reporting. I have been heartbroken to see moral hypocrisy when it comes to Gaza. All military occupation is wrong. All targeting of civilians is wrong. All detention without cause is wrong. The torture and humiliation of civilians is wrong. Not just in Ukraine. Natalya, I know you to be a moral person - please speak out. David, I know your heart broke for Ukrainians - please be equally impacted by the atrocities in Gaza and the West Bank
  • Artbellfan1
    Liberal propaganda
    Liberal propaganda. Nothing more
  • Th_Music_Critic
    Israel wants to exterminate Arabs
    Muslim Christian or otherwise, the Israeli government which is a Theocratic Fascist state use programs like this to normalize their atrocities by completely sidestepping the ongoing war crimes in the West Bank and Jerusalem committed by the Israeli occupation forces.
  • Jared Herbert
    Another Great Podcast from The Telegraph
    Another great internationally-focused podcast from The Telegraph!
  • Masami Kojima
    Same outstanding quality as Ukraine the latest
    As an avid daily listener of Ukraine the Latest, I am happy to report that this new podcast reflects the same high journalistic standards that we have come to expect from Telegraph podcasts. “Watching unedited footage” in particular is a must listen for anyone who cares about humanity. I am grateful to all journalists for their tireless work and efforts in keeping us informed. I encourage others to subscribe to The Telegraph to support their journalism.
  • joshmcx
    Watch the equivocation
    I love the Ukraine: The Latest podcast, but thus far, the equivocation on Battle Lines between Hamas terrorists who slaughtered Israelis and the attacks on Hamas in Gaza as they hide behind civilians is disturbing. I can’t imagine you doing the same in regard to the Ukraine war. Remember who the terrorists are here.
  • CheckpointC
    Battle Lines
    Thank you!! The Telegraph ROCKS!! San Antonio, TX.
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