Battleground – Details, episodes & analysis

As the war in Ukraine enters its fourth year , Europe finds itself facing a monumental geopolitical shift. With the United States under an erratic presidency taking a highly transactional, unpredictable approach to its historic alliances , the transatlantic network that has guaranteed Western security for eighty years is under profound strain. Can Europe truly step up to secure its own future , or is the dream of "strategic autonomy" just a lot of hot air?

In this episode, hosts Patrick Bishop and Roger Moorhouse sit down with historian, author, and political commentator Dr. Helene von Bismarck. Together, they unpack the fragile state of European diplomacy, the erosion of international norms , and the rising tide of populism that threatens to derail Western resolve.

They also dive into Helene’s latest book, Fantastic Kingdom: A Foreigner's Portrait of the United Kingdom. Helene offers a sharp, constructive, yet brutally honest perspective on Britain’s current grand strategic blindness, its inward-looking political debate, and the dangerous intersection between the global security crisis and the domestic crisis of liberal democracy.

• The Transatlantic Rift: Why European governments—from Berlin to Paris to London—are terrified of a fracturing NATO and how they are struggling to prepare for an unpredictable White House.
• The Power of Historical Memory: How ancient rivalries are being rewritten in lockstep cooperation (such as Poland and Germany) , and how visiting a Latvian museum reveals the deep-seated trauma that still shapes European responses to Russia.
• The Danger of Stereotypes: How crises like Brexit revive lazy national clichés just when we can least afford them.
• The Inward-Looking Kingdom: Helene’s deep disappointment with the current Labor government's fear of bold reform, and why ignoring international affairs to appease domestic populism is a losing strategy for any government.
• Security vs. Welfare: Why the modern debate around cutting social spending to fund defence is fundamentally flawed, and why protecting democracy and protecting state security are two sides of the same coin.

Join the Conversation: If you have a question about the war in Ukraine or any of the conflicts we cover, email us at podbattleground@gmail.com

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Producer: James Hodgson

A Goalhanger Podcast

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In this episode, Patrick and Roger dive into what has officially become the new reality: Ukraine has gained the upper hand in the war against Russia.

We break down the stunning and deeply embarrassing Ukrainian drone strikes on St Petersburg and the Kronstadt naval base—timed perfectly to shatter Vladimir Putin's illusion of stability right as he hosted his flagship economic forum. Not only did these strikes degrade Russia's crucial energy sector, but they successfully sank a Russian Navy corvette, the Boikiy, right in the headquarters of the Baltic Fleet.

As Russia resorts to press-ganging occupied citizens and faces a widening budget deficit due to unsustainable military spending, we ask a critical question: With the US under Donald Trump seemingly losing interest and stepping back, can Europe fill the diplomatic and military vacuum to maintain this forward momentum?

To help answer this, we are joined by renowned historian, author, and political commentator Dr. Helene von Bismarck. We get her expert diplomatic perspective on a weakening Russia, a strengthening Ukraine, and what comes next for European security.

Join the Conversation: If you have a question about the war in Ukraine or any of the conflicts we cover, email us at podbattleground@gmail.com

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Producer: James Hodgson

A Goalhanger Podcast

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In the second part of our interview with Katya Ratushna, she recounts the harrowing final days of Avdiivka and shares her strategic vision for the future of the Ukrainian defence.

Following her account of Bakhmut in Part 1, Katya offers a raw perspective on the "fate" of being among the last to leave a city on its final night.

She offers an unfiltered look at:

• The Avdiivka Evacuation: A gripping account of a midnight escape where a loose piece of thermal gear saved her from a Russian drone grenade that hit her group.

  
  

• Leadership and Gender: How she earned authority over eight years to command men in the Special Operation Forces and why she believes women bring a unique, "idea-driven" motivation to the front lines.

  
  

• The UAV Revolution: The challenges of scaling drone units and why she believes the military must move beyond technical piloting to a comprehensive system of tactical education.

  
  

• The "Kill Zone" Reality: A candid discussion on manpower, revealing that only an estimated 15% of the army is physically holding the most dangerous front-line positions.

  
  

• A Divided Kharkiv: A deeply personal reflection on the pro-Russian sentiments within her own family and the enduring Ukrainian roots of her home city.

Join us for the conclusion of this powerful interview as Katya explores how rational thinking saves lives and why the time bought by defending these cities is Ukraine's most precious resource

Join the Conversation: If you have a question about the war in Ukraine or any of the conflicts we cover, email us at podbattleground@gmail.com

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Producer: James Hodgson

A Goalhanger Podcast

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A week after President Trump's stunning U-turn, Saul and Patrick discuss a surge of renewed Western support for Ukraine. With Europe announcing its 18th sanctions package, imposing a landmark oil price cap to cripple Russian revenues and targeting the shadow fleet used to evade them.

However, as Western aid floods in, a tide of protest is rising on the streets of Kyiv. President Zelensky has signed a controversial law bringing independent anti-corruption agencies under his control, sparking the largest public dissent since the full-scale invasion and drawing serious warnings from the EU about Ukraine's membership path.

Plus, we look at Putin's plan to create a "digital Gulag" with a new mandatory spy app, 'Max', designed to monitor all Russians.

And we speak to friend of the podcast Julius Strauss, who has just returned from a trip to the Baltics.

If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@gmail.com

Producer: James Hodgson

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On this episode of Battleground 45, Saul welcomes historian Jack Bowsher to delve into the climactic final months of the Burma Campaign, and the rest of British involvement in the final phases of the war against Japan.

Together they dissect the strategic importance and brutal fighting of the Battle of Meiktila, analyse the daring amphibious assaults of Operations Dracula and Zipper, and then shift focus to the highly secret and ambitious British involvement in the plans for the invasion of mainland Japan, exploring how the UK envisioned its role in the war's ultimate conclusion.

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Producer: James Hodgson

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Has the tide turned for Ukraine? In this episode Saul and Patrick unpack President Trump's bold new strategy, including substantial military supplies and a looming deadline for a peace settlement backed by unprecedented tariffs on Russia's trade partners.

Is this the long-awaited turning point, or are there hidden complexities? We dissect the motivations behind this policy pivot and discuss the internal shifts within the US administration. Furthermore, we examine the remarkable diplomatic progress between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and how their newfound pursuit of peace is challenging Russia's long-standing influence in the region.

If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@gmail.com

Producer: James Hodgson

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In this episode of Battleground '45 Saul David and Roger Moorhouse take a deep dive into a host of fascinating listeners questions on the Second World War.

These include a look at the Japanese in China, why Tito emerged victorious in Yugoslavia, and the weird and wonderful spy gadgets used and developed in World War 2.

If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@gmail.com

Producer: James Hodgson

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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" – Iran, China, and North Korea's collaboration in supplying Russia's deadly Shahed drones.

Plus, a bizarre UK arson attack linked to the Wagner Group exposes the varied nature of Russian influence.

If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@gmail.com

Producer: James Hodgson

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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 effectively capture the human experience of the conflict.

If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@gmail.com

Producer: James Hodgson

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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 Ukraine's defences vulnerable.

Additionally, we hear directly from Eddy Scott, a 28-year-old British volunteer who tragically lost an arm and a leg in a Russian drone attack while evacuating civilians from the front-line town of Pokrovsk. Eddy shares his harrowing experience and the circumstances that led him to volunteer in Ukraine.

To find out more about superhumans see here: https://rebuildukraine-health.in.ua/en/unp/superhumans

To find out more about The R. T. Weatherman Foundation see here: https://www.weathermanfoundation.org/

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