Explore every episode of the podcast The Security Podcast

In this episode of The Security Podcast, Colonel Harry Fullerton, a former commanding officer of the Household Cavalry Regiment and Afghan War veteran, gives his view on 10 elements the forthcoming Strategic Defence Review must contain if it is to be fit for purpose.

Western intervention in foreign conflicts has produced a mixed legacy—marked by both successes and failures. While efforts in Kosovo halted atrocities committed by Bosnian Serbs, interventions in Libya and Afghanistan were less successful.  Nowhere is this clearer than in Afghanistan, where the chaotic withdrawal of NATO forces paved the way for the Taliban's return to power, silencing the voices of women.

As we enter a new year and anticipate President Donald Trump's return to the White House—known for his stance against prolonged foreign wars—The Security Podcast reflects on the legacy of Afghanistan. Major General Charlie Herbert shares his thoughts on Afghan refugees, the loss of British soldiers, and the impact on families that have been shattered, as well as those who have been left maimed and injured. He raises the important question: Was it worth it? General Herbert also expresses concern for Afghan women who were given hope only to have it taken away.

In this episode of The Security Podcast, Kim Hughes reflects on his journey to becoming the UK’s most decorated bomb disposal expert. Renowned for his extraordinary bravery, which earned him the George Cross, Hughes successfully defused over 120 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Afghanistan.

He shares how he developed his expertise, recounting the harrowing operations that defined his career, including the day he was awarded the George Cross. Hughes delves into the complex emotions tied to such life-and-death missions and the challenges soldiers face when shifting from life-threatening conditions to the mundane tasks of home life.

Since leaving the army, Hughes has continued his work in global counter-IED efforts, focusing on training and consultancy in various regions, including Africa. He also sheds light on the evolving nature of modern battlefields, from the rise of drones in Ukraine to the monumental task of clearing the IEDs left behind by Russian forces after the war.

In the second part of The Security Podcast episode with Jerome Starkey, The Sun’s Defence Correspondent, he delves into what motivates war correspondents to report from the frontlines. Starkey recounts a vivid experience of cowering next to a flowerpot while coming under fire and discusses which conflict he found most challenging to cover. He observes that “your imagination is often worse than reality,” as waiting for events to unfold can lead to imagining everything that could go wrong. Starkey shares his journey into journalism and the logistics of reporting from war zones, noting that it takes three days to reach the Ukrainian frontlines from London. He also highlights the challenges of balancing personal life with the demands of his profession, including writing an “in case of my death” letter.

In the first part of this episode of the Security Podcast, Jerome Starkey, the Sun’s Defence Editor, shares his insights from the frontlines in Ukraine. As a seasoned war correspondent, Jerome has reported from conflict zones worldwide, including Kabul during the Taliban’s takeover, and is now covering the intense Russian offensive in Ukraine. He discusses the evolving mood among Ukrainians, noting a shift from initial resilience to weariness and exhaustion. He highlights a Ukrainian woman’s resentment towards men who do not fight and the women who love them. Starkey also warns of the broader implications if Russia emerges victorious, suggesting that leaders like Putin could be emboldened, with significant global consequences. He highlights the importance of January when Donald Trump is inaugurated, as there will be keen interest in whether he fulfils his promise to end the war within 24 hours and how he will see the US’s role in NATO. 

Tune for the second part of this podcast where Jerome talks about the mindset of a war correspondent.

The war in Gaza has polarised communities around the World leaving little room for progressive debate. Major General Charlie Herbert, a former senior Army officer and a veteran of multiple campaigns in Afghanistan, provides his views on the conduct of the war, whether Gaza has a future and the prospects for peace.

One of Britain’s most senior former defence chiefs has said that he believes Donald Trump will remain committed to Nato when he becomes the next US President. Former Air Marshal Greg Bagwell said he hoped Trump’s military advisers would tell the incoming president that leaving Nato would not be a sensible strategic policy.

During his first term as US president, Trump had an often difficult relationship with Nato suggesting that the US could pull out of the alliance unless partner nations started meeting spending targets. Earlier this year he said that the US would not come to the assistance of Nato countries attacked by Russia if they had failed to reach the two per cent of GDP on defence spending.

Speaking to National Security News’ Security Podcast, the retired air marshal said: “What does it (Trump’s election) mean for NATO?  He has said and done some things that I think he will follow through on this time."

During The Security Podcast Air Marshal Bagwell also spoke about the crisis in the Middle East and how the US’s relationship with China may develop over the next four years.

President-elect Donald Trump has claimed he would end the war in Ukraine "within days" of taking office, and President Volodymyr Zelensky has indicated that Trump's leadership could indeed expedite the end of the conflict. However, questions remain: What would Trump's peace plan for Ukraine involve? Would Ukraine need to cede territory, and how would a Trump presidency affect NATO and Ukraine’s aspirations of joining the bloc? This week on The Security Podcast, National Security News Editor, Sean Rayment and Deputy-Editor Linda van Tilburg were joined by Admiral Mike Hewitt, a U.S. Navy veteran who served for 31 years. Admiral Hewitt, also the co-founder and CEO of IP3, an international energy and security company, has extensive experience in Ukraine. He argues that Trump's election could fill a leadership vacuum in Western Europe and that Trump could bring an earlier end to the war in Ukraine. Admiral Hewitt also discusses the potential implications of Trump's presidency for NATO, what Trump’s peace strategy for Ukraine is likely to be, and how young Ukrainians might favour ceding territory in exchange for peace. He says a peace agreement is complex, because it is intertwined with larger geopolitical dynamics involving China, Iran and Noth Korea.

In this episode of The Security Podcast author and former diplomat Tim Willasey-Wilsey reveals how he uncovered the role of a largely unknown British spy, who had managed to infiltrate the highest levels of the Nazi party, met with Hitler and helped convince the British government of the need to rearm during an era of appeasement. The Spy and the Devil covers the role of Bill de Ropp, a multi-lingual British agent recruited by MI6 after the First World War and who went onto to provide his handlers with 70 percent of all intelligence on the Nazis.

Transforming the British Army into a war winning machine will require a revolution not an evolution, according to Colonel (Retd) Harry Fullerton OBE.

The British Army's fighting Power has been allowed to erode over the past 35 years. The publication Government’s Strategic Defence Review 2025 (SDR 25) has been delayed, pending the production of a new National Security Strategy. In light of the delay, there is an opportunity to examine what the ideal Land Force of tomorrow should look like.

In this episode of the Security Podcast with Col Fullerton, former commanding officer of the Household Cavalry Regiment looks at what the Army needs to do to transform itself into a lethal, competent fighting force capable of meeting the challenges of a future conflict.

Lawfare - what it means for serving and former members of the British Armed forces - especially those serving in the SAS/SBS is the subject of the latest episode of The Security Podcast.  Our guest is Brig (Retd) Phil McEvoy, the former head of Operational Law Army and the Deputy Head of the Service Prosecuting Authority. Recently, the coroner who presided over the inquest into the 1992 Clonoe Ambush, which resulted in the deaths of four IRA terrorists being shot dead by the SAS, submitted his findings of unjustified killings of the terrorist to the Director of Public Prosecutions. This effectively means that the four SAS veterans could face criminal charges. So, are these inquests into legacy killings an SAS witch-hunt or the correct application of the law? This, and other aspects of Lawfare, are discussed in this episode of the Security Podcast.  

Why did the British Army fail in Afghanistan? In this episode of The Security Podcast Colonel Harry Fullerton tells Sean Rayment why the British mission in Afghanistan was a strategic failure despite being a tactical success. Harry also discusses the loneliness of command, losing soldiers on the battlefield and what it was like being Prince Harry's commanding officer.

Africa has witnessed a significant surge in the recruitment of child soldiers across conflict zones, exacerbated by Islamic insurgencies advancing southward across the continent. The United Nations has highlighted a notably high increase in child recruitment, primarily by non-state armed groups, estimating that 8,655 children were recruited for conflicts in 2023. Disturbingly, children as young as five, were coerced into joining.  In an interview with The Security Podcast , Naomi Haupt, a researcher from the University of the Free State in South Africa, highlighted how the recruitment of child soldiers is driven by factors such as armed conflicts, political instability, poverty, weak governance, and ethnic tensions. Armed groups exploit children's vulnerability, sometimes forcing them into service, she said. Haupt recommends withholding aid to countries where the recruitment of children takes place to strengthen accountability.

Why is the British Army failing and what can be done about it ? In this episode of  The Security Podcast, Colonel Harry Fullerton discusses the sequence of events which has led to the British Army become a force of just 72,000 soldiers and limited combat power at a time when geo-political uncertainty is at its highest level since the end of the Second Word War.In the podcast Harry explains why the Army needs to undergo transformation change. And why the UK’s defence chiefs should embrace a culture of  constructive criticism from within.

In the latest episode of The Security Podcast, Maj (Retd) Wayne Owers MBE, QGM, a former Army bomb disposal officer, explains how his Army career came to a shuddering halt after he was diagnosed with PTSD. Rather than getting help, Wayne, who had served for 27-years, was booted out of the Army. During his career, Wayne completed two tours of duty in Afghanistan firstly as a bomb disposal officers for which he was awarded the Queen's Gallantry Medal. In a second tour as a Weapons Intelligence Specialist, he received an MBE. In the podcast, Wayne talks about coping with losing colleagues, PTSD and why the Army still doesn't know how to properly treat troops with combat-related mental health issues.

In the latest episode of The Security Podcast, Guardian Journalist and best selling author Luke Harding reflects on his four year stint as the newspaper's bureau chief in Moscow. Almost from the moment Luke arrived in 2007 he was targeted by Russian secret police. His apartment was burgled, his emails were hacked, he was followed almost every day and his family were threatened. A hidden camera was even placed inside his bedroom by FSB operatives. The reason for the intimidation was because from the beginning of his four year Moscow assignment Luke wrote articles critical of the Putin regime. He was eventually expelled from the country on Putin's orders in 2011. Luke now reports  on Ukraine where he has been based since before the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022. During the podcast he describes how young Ukrainians were eager to fight on the front line in the early days of the war. Now, however, that enthusiasm has waned as, Luke explains, everyone now knows someone who has been killed or seriously wounded. He also describes how "brainwashed" Russian troops obediently followed orders and tortured and executed hundreds of civilians in Bucha and Mariupole. He also explains why the Ukrainians now want peace and why Russia is unlikely to change even with the death of Putin.

If you ever wanted to know more about the role of Army Padres then please listen to the latest episode of The Security Podcast. Padres have a unique role in the British Army. Padres of all faiths have rank but do not command and although they can deploy on operations, padres are non-combatants and are unarmed. My guest on the podcast is Father Stephen Sharkey, who has been a padre since 2008. Prior to becoming a priest he served as a territorial soldier for five years. Padres accompany British troops - including the special forces - wherever they are based. During his career, Stephen has served on numerous military operations around the world, including two tours in Afghanistan one of which was with the Rifles in 2009. During the podcast Stephen recalls giving services in the field in Afghanistan while wearing body armour and helmet, how he coped when soldiers were killed and wounded in battle and why the role of the padre is crucial to morale.

In the latest episode of The Security Podcast,  I discuss the Strategic Defence Review with Colonel Harry Fullerton, a former commanding officer of the Household Cavalry Regiment and an Afghanistan War veteran. Harry gives his views on what is both good and bad within the SDR and whether it should be more tactical and less strategic. We also discuss whether Russia is really a threat to the West and Nato and whether Putin has a plan to end the war.

In this episode of The Security Podcast, I am joined by Colonel Phil Ingram a former military intelligence officer and media commentator. We discuss why nations spy on one another, what they hope to achieve and the various strategies involved in developing agents and acquiring secret information. Phil also explains how he was once targeted by Chinese intelligence officers and how that experience is now used to help others avoid becoming assets for foreign powers.

In this episode of The Security Podcast, the acclaimed foreign correspondent and author Colin Freeman and I discuss his latest book: The Mad and The Brave - The Untold Story of Ukraine's Foreign Legion. Colin has been reporting from inside Ukraine since before the start of the 2022 Russian invasion. In the podcast we discuss the book's genesis, the characters who make up the foreign legion and how the war has impacted the lives of many Ukrainians. Colin has also reported on wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Middle East and Africa so it's fair to say that he knows his way around a conflict zone.

In this episode of The Security Podcast, Andres Andreu, the chief operating officer of the cyber security company Constella Intelligence, explains how Agentic AI is changing the  threat landscape in the world of cyber security.  Andres also reveals how talented teenagers in some of the world's poorest countries are being recruited to work as hackers on huge salaries and what action companies, individuals and states need to undertake to protect against the threat posed by hostile state, terrorists and criminal gangs.

In the latest episode of The Security Podcast, I take apart the £6.3bn procurement disaster that is Ajax. Billed as the vehicle that would transform the British Army into a force ready to take on the UK’s adversaries anywhere in the world, Ajax was surrounded by hype from the start. The reality is very different. The Army has been left with a dud — a vehicle that has injured soldiers during testing and is still not fit for purpose. My guest is Colonel Harry Fullerton, former commanding officer of the Household Cavalry Regiment and someone who spent much of his career in the reconnaissance vehicles Ajax was meant to replace. He was also involved in the programme years ago, when it was known as the Future Rapid Effects System. Few people are better placed to explain how this went so badly wrong — and why.

In the latest episode of The Security Podcast, I take apart the £6.3bn procurement disaster that is Ajax. Billed as the vehicle that would transform the British Army into a force ready to take on the UK’s adversaries anywhere in the world, Ajax was surrounded by hype from the start. The reality is very different. The Army has been left with a dud — a vehicle that has injured soldiers during testing and is still not fit for purpose. My guest is Colonel Harry Fullerton, former commanding officer of the Life Guards and a man who spent much of his career in the reconnaissance vehicles Ajax was meant to replace. He was also involved in the programme years ago, when it was known as the Future Rapid Effects System. Few people are better placed to explain how this went so badly wrong — and why.

In this episode of The Security Podcast I am joined by Lord West of Spithead, a former Chief of the Naval Staff and Security Minister and who now sits on the Intelligence and Security Committee. During the podcast, we examine the claim that the West is involved in a Grey Zone war with Russia and how Nato needs to prepare for a potential attack by Putin. We also look at the current state of the Royal Navy, discuss whether the aircraft carriers are white elephants and whether the UK's submarine based nuclear deterrent is still relevant.

In the latest episode of The Security Podcast, I’m joined by former Army Colonel and Intelligence Officer Phil Ingram. We delve into President Donald Trump’s controversial remarks regarding NATO troops on the frontline in Afghanistan, as well as the situation in Russia and ongoing peace talks. Additionally, we address Iran, the tragic number of protesters killed by the regime, and the potential for a U.S. military attack.

In this thought-provoking episode of The Security Podcast, we tackle three pressing questions:

Can the British Army double its lethality in the next two years?

What does the future hold for veterans facing legacy investigations in Northern Ireland?

Does Gaza have a viable future?

Join me as I engage with Major General Charlie Herbert to explore these contentious topics and gain insights into the challenges and opportunities ahead.

In the latest episode of The Security Podcast, I sit down with Paul Cornish, a former Army officer and current Professor of Strategic Studies. We delve into President Donald Trump's objectives regarding Iran and whether the US military have been given a clear mission,  and explore Greenland's significance to US security. The episode wraps up with a discussion on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, now entering its fourth year. Paul shares his insights on why he believes the war could persist until Putin's death.

In this emergency edition of The Security Podcast, I’m joined by former Army Colonel and Military Intelligence Officer Phil Ingram to unpack the escalating conflict in Iran. Together, we examine President Trump’s strategic objectives, the legal questions surrounding U.S. involvement, what a credible “win” would look like for Washington, and, perhaps most critically, how this conflict could ultimately unfold and come to an end.

In this episode of The Security Podcast, I’m joined by strategic studies professor Paul Cornish to examine one of the most pressing questions in global security today: has Donald Trump lost the initiative in the war with Iran? We explore how this conflict may be reshaping the nature of modern warfare and consider whether the United States remains the military superpower it once was. We also turn to the UK, where the war has exposed weaknesses in Britain’s defensive posture, and ask what this means for the future of its armed forces.

As the war with Iran enters its third week, I speak with Major General Charlie Herbert about the reasons behind the decision by the United States and Israel to attack Iran. US President Donald Trump has declared that the war against Iran has been won. Yet the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz — the shipping lane through which around 20 percent of the world’s oil passes — remains closed. Although the US and Israel have eliminated much of Iran’s senior military leadership, the regime itself endures, and Trump’s ambition of regime change now appears a distant prospect. So how might this conflict end? Who could realistically emerge victorious , and how will victory even be defined? Trump has suggested that victory would mean Iran’s unconditional surrender. But Tehran may well claim victory simply by surviving, if the current regime remains in power.

In another emergency edition of The Security Podcast, I’m once again joined by former Army Colonel and Military Intelligence Officer Philip Ingram MBE to examine the ongoing conflict in Iran. Together, we reassess President Trump’s strategy and the “strategic ambiguity” surrounding the United States’ military objectives. Is the goal regime change, the destruction of Iran’s ballistic missile capability, or some combination of the two? We also explore the wider regional and global implications,  from the impact on the Gulf states to a looming global oil crisis, and ask whether there is a realistic endgame that could satisfy the Trump administration.

In the latest episode of The Security Podcast, Paul Cornish, Professor of Strategic Studies at the University of Exeter, and I examine how the United States has become trapped in a conflict with Iran. As Trump posts messianic images of himself on social media and clashes with the Pope, the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, peace talks have stalled, and the global economy is teetering on the brink of recession. Is there a way out of the conflict, and can the US extricate itself from yet another Middle Eastern quagmire? Listen in to find out.

It is now widely accepted that the British Army requires radical reform if it is to survive, let alone prevail, in a future conflict. But how radical does that reform need to be? Has the time come to challenge sacred cows and think the unthinkable? Are brigades, battalions, companies, platoons and sections still the right force structures for the modern battlefield? Is the RAF Regiment still relevant? Should the Royal Marines continue to exist as a separate entity? Has military parachuting become an outdated concept? Regimental tradition and history remain vital components of any fighting force. But the drone units that may fight — and possibly win — the next war have yet to be created. In this episode, I discuss these questions with Harry Fullerton, a former commanding officer of the Household Cavalry Regiment, who served in Afghanistan at the height of the Taliban insurgency in 2009. You may not agree with all our views, but I’m sure you will find the podcast fascinating.

It is now widely accepted that the British Army requires radical reform if it is to survive, let alone prevail, in a future conflict. But how radical does that reform need to be? Has the time come to challenge sacred cows and think the unthinkable? Are brigades, battalions, companies, platoons and sections still the right force structures for the modern battlefield? Is the RAF Regiment still relevant? Should the Royal Marines continue to exist as a separate entity? Has military parachuting become an outdated concept? Regimental tradition and history remain vital components of any fighting force. But the drone units that may fight — and possibly win — the next war have yet to be created. In this episode, I discuss these questions with Harry Fullerton, a former commanding officer of the Household Cavalry Regiment, who served in Afghanistan at the height of the Taliban insurgency in 2009. You may not agree with all our views, but I’m sure you will find the podcast fascinating.

In this episode of The Security Podcast, Sean Rayment speaks to Phil Ingram, former Colonel in the Intelligence Corps, about the vital role of intelligence in modern security. They discuss what intelligence really means, how information is gathered and assessed, and why good intelligence is essential for effective decision-making. Phil draws on his military experience to explain the challenges of filtering huge amounts of data, the risks of political influence, and the lessons learned from historic intelligence failures.

The conversation also explores the continuing threat of terrorism, the role AI could play in intelligence gathering, Russia’s gray zone warfare, and the growing risk of global conflict in an increasingly unstable world.

In March 2026, the Russian Army sustained more than 35,000 casualties in Ukraine  - 96 per cent of them either killed or wounded by drones. This year, Ukraine is expected to produce around seven million attack and reconnaissance drones. Russia is expected to produce even more. In the latest episode of The Security Podcast, I’m joined by Harry Fullerton, a defence consultant, strategist and transformation expert who once commanded the Household Cavalry Regiment. Together, we examine how drone technology is reshaping the modern battlefield, whether the British Army is psychologically prepared for war, and whether the British public is ready for the profound sacrifices a future conflict may demand.

Westminster has been shaken by the resignations of Defence Secretary John Healey and Armed Forces Minister Al Carns over claims the government has failed to properly fund the Defence Investment Plan, known as the DIP, intended to pay for the ambitions set out in the defence review. Both politicians  warned that underfunding the plan risks making Britain less safe. In the latest episode of The Security Podcast, I discuss the DIP with Harry Fullerton, a defence consultant and strategist, who once commanded the Household Cavalry Regiment. We ask: what is the Defence Investment Plan, why does it matter, and what happens if it is not properly funded? We also examine a harder question: in an era of drones, missiles, cyber warfare and constrained budgets, are some legacy platforms, including tanks, attack helicopters and even warships, still essential, or are they becoming too expensive to justify? At its heart, this is a debate about priorities. If Britain wants credible defence, someone has to pay for it. The question is who, and what should be sacrificed to make it possible?

This episode of The Security Podcast looks at one of the most urgent security challenges facing governments, industry and critical national infrastructure: how to defend against the combined threat of cyber attacks, drones and rapidly evolving hostile technologies. I spoke with Arno Robbertse from Collective Defence about how AI, cybersecurity and counter-drone technology are changing the way we protect essential services, infrastructure and national resilience. From power networks and transport systems to ports, airports and other high-value sites, the threat landscape is no longer purely physical or purely digital. It is increasingly blended, fast-moving and asymmetric. What stood out from the conversation was the importance of using AI as a practical defensive tool: helping identify threats earlier, connect data across domains, speed up decision-making and support operators when seconds matter. Combined with cyber expertise and counter-drone capability, this kind of approach could play a vital role in protecting the systems societies depend on every day.