Skip to content
Melo Podcasts Home
CategoriesLanguagesFollowing

Episode notes

Hosts Patrick Bishop and Roger Moorhouse take a look at the latest shifting political dynamics surrounding US-Ukraine relations. They unpack the recent White House meeting between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the potential transactional nature of future US support, and the growing role of Ukraine’s defence industry. Then, Belgian journalist Arnaud De Decker joins the show for an extended interview to share his eyewitness perspective on the war. Returning from an embed with an FPV drone unit in the Donbas, Arnaud offers a vivid account of the reality inside the "kill zone", the rapid…

Battleground

by Goalhanger · English · History

A history podcast that explores the narratives, turning points, and characters that shape conflicts, encompassing a blend of social and military history. Following on from the series on the Falklands War, best-selling military historians Patrick Bishop, Saul David, and Roger Moorhouse turn their att

More from Battleground

  1. 12 Aug 2026 · 35 min

    426. The American Pope: Leo XIV, Trump, and the New Vatican Soft Power

    In this episode of The Big Picture , Patrick speaks with leading religious and political journalist Catherine Pepinster to examine the soft power, geopolitics, and spiritual influence of Pope Leo XIV (Robert Prevost). Episode Highlights The Rise of Pope Leo XIV: How the Augustinian friar and former missionary in Peru became leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, positioning him as a unique "American outsider" on the global stage. Clashes with the White House: An analysis of the high-profile disputes between Pope Leo, Donald Trump, and Vice-President J.D. Vance regarding foreign…

  2. 6 Aug 2026 · 36 min

    425. Summer Special: The Caspian Strike, Falklands 2.0 & Deterring Russia

    We are currently on a very short summer break, so instead of our regular news update, hosts Roger Moorhouse and Patrick Bishop are diving into listener questions for a special long-form Q&A episode. Don't worry—we will be back next week with all the latest news and updates from the ground. In this episode: Zelenskyy’s Post-War Legacy: Drawing parallels to Winston Churchill’s defeat in the summer 1945 general election, the hosts explore whether President Volodymyr Zelenskyy should announce he won't stand for re-election post-war—and discuss Ukrainian adaptability in missile production. The…

  3. 4 Aug 2026 · 25 min

    424. Radek Sikorski on Russia’s Evolving Threat, European Defence, and the War in Ukraine

    In this episode of The Big Picture , host Roger Moorhouse is joined by Polish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Radek Sikorski for an in-depth discussion on European security, the ongoing war in Ukraine, and the evolving threat posed by Moscow. Minister Sikorski assesses how the conflict has reshaped NATO’s eastern flank and forced Europe to confront years of strategic complacency, he addresses the realities of Russia’s military capabilities and hybrid warfare tactics, the challenges facing Ukrainian refugees, and the delicate path towards EU integration. Sikorski also offers a…

  4. 28 Jul 2026 · 41 min

    422. Al Carns MP on Why Western Defence Policy Must Evolve

    In this installment of Battleground: The Big Picture , host Saul David sits down with Al Carns—Labour MP for Birmingham Selly Oak, former Royal Marines colonel, SBS veteran awarded the Military Cross and Distinguished Service Order, and former Minister for the Armed Forces. Carns opens up about his transition from a stellar 24-year military career into politics, driven by the realization that modern technology—specifically AI, low-cost drones, and data integration—has fundamentally transformed the character of warfare. Drawing direct lessons from the battlefield in Ukraine, the former…

  5. 23 Jul 2026 · 44 min

    421. Retail Under Fire: Drone Strikes, Oligarch Warnings, and a New Ukrainian Commander

    Hosts Roger Moorhouse and Patrick Bishop return to discuss the latest critical developments in the war, starting with a major strategic shift in Ukraine's drone targeting. The hosts break down Ukraine's long-range strikes against distribution centres belonging to Wildberries—Russia’s largest online retailer—which have left facilities destroyed, killed nine people, and caused widespread economic disruption. While Russian sources denounce the strikes as terrorism, Ukrainian sources and President Zelenskyy maintain that the retailer forms a key part of Russia's military supply chain,…

  6. 21 Jul 2026 · 42 min

    420. 40% of the World by 2100: Why Is Everyone Ignoring Africa?

    Despite holding vast mineral wealth and being on track to represent 40% of the global population by the end of the century, Africa remains largely overlooked in global political and economic discussions. Why does a continent with such massive potential continue to be sidelined on the world stage? In this episode of Battleground: The Big Picture , host Patrick Bishop is joined by author, journalist, and former foreign correspondent Michela Wrong . Drawing on over 30 years of reporting on the continent, Michela breaks down the complex geopolitical forces shaping modern Africa: Economic…

  7. 9 Oct 2026 · 41 minNew

    444. Putin Continues to Test NATO

    Ukraine’s war with Russia continues to evolve. Roger Moorhouse and Saul David examine Ukraine’s latest gains around Lyman, Russia’s increasingly aggressive “grey-zone” tactics, and the growing threat of the conflict spreading beyond Ukraine. They also discuss a major German spy scandal, the possibility of a new front in the Baltics, Russia’s costly “meat assaults”, Ukraine’s rapidly developing drone warfare, and whether the war could continue beyond Trump’s presidency. Join the Conversation: If you have a question about the war in Ukraine or any of the conflicts we cover, email us at…

  8. 7 Oct 2026 · 38 min

    443. Moscow, Washington, and the New World Order

    In this episode of Battleground: The Big Picture , host Patrick Bishop sits down with veteran international affairs journalist and Economist editor-at-large Xan Smiley to reflect on the shifting geopolitical landscape between Europe, Moscow, and Washington. Drawing on his years as a former Moscow and Washington bureau chief, Xan reflects on: The Fall of the Soviet Order: What life was like inside late-1980s Moscow during the eras of glasnost and perestroika , the sudden collapse of the USSR, and how ordinary Russians fared through the turbulent 1990s privatisation. The Evolution of US-Russia…

  9. 2 Oct 2026 · 1 hr 2 min

    442. Operation Vivaldi & The Rise of the Unmanned Forces: Inside Ukraine's Drone Revolution

    Want to support Matt's charity cycle raising money for SuperHumans? You can find his donation page here. www.justgiving.com/page/u2u In this episode of Battleground , hosts Patrick Bishop and Roger Moorhouse dive into the latest developments from the front lines in Ukraine, featuring a deep dive into the successful "Operation Vivaldi" counteroffensive in the Donbas. Later, Belgian war correspondent Arnaud De Decker joins to share insights from his exclusive, behind-the-scenes interview with Robert Brovdi (aka "Magyar"), head of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces. Key Topics Covered: Operation…

  10. 30 Sep 2026 · 41 min

    441. Can Canada Take On the US? Mark Carney, Trade Wars, and the Battle for Sovereignty

    In this episode of Battleground: The Big Picture , host Julius Strauss is joined by prominent Canadian political columnist and author Andrew Coyne to analyse the escalating trade tensions and unprecedented strain on Canada–US relations. The discussion covers the political shift in Canada following Mark Carney's election, the collapse of recent trade negotiations, the impact of US tariffs, and the broader threat posed to Canadian economic sovereignty. Julius Strauss writes the blog Back from the Front and also owns and runs Wild Bear Lodge, a bear-viewing lodge, in Canada. Check out both in…

Every episode of Battleground →

Take it with you

The Melo app keeps playing with the screen off, works in the car and on your watch, wakes you to your station, and browses the whole catalogue offline. Free, no ads, no account.

Get it on Google Play