434. Who Was Actually Behind the Nord Stream Bombing?

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1. 

   16 Sep 2026 · 42 min

   437. The Human Element of War: Iain MacGregor on Morale, Tech, and Ukraine

   In this episode of Battleground: The Big Picture , host Patrick Bishop is joined by publisher and military historian Iain MacGregor to explore how the past illuminates the present and future of warfare. Drawing from his book Battle: The Moments That Transformed Warfare From Ancient Greece to Ukraine , MacGregor discusses the enduring principles of war—morale, leadership, innovation, subterfuge, and numbers—across history's pivotal conflicts. Key Highlights The Human Element & Family History: MacGregor shares how his family's military lineage inspired his focus on the lived experiences of…

2. 

   12 Sep 2026 · 27 min

   436. Walking into the Grey Zone: A Frontline Report with Boldizsár Győri

   In this special standalone edition, host Roger Moorhouse and co-host Patrick Bishop speak with intrepid war reporter Boldizsár "Boldi" Győri following his latest trip to Ukraine. Boldi provides a vivid look into the current atmosphere in Kyiv, where residents face modified S-300 and S-400 Russian missile strikes with minimal warning and a shortage of Patriot interceptor missiles. Despite the air campaign, he highlights that civilian morale remains intact, supported by local preparations for the coming winter and a deep connection to those serving at the front. Boldi recounts his experiences…

3. 

   11 Sep 2026 · 50 min

   435. Diplomatic Amateurs

   Hosts Patrick Bishop and Roger Moorhouse examine the latest US-led diplomatic efforts following meetings between Donald Trump's envoys—Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff—and leaders in Moscow and Kyiv. They unpack the lack of concrete diplomatic breakthroughs, Witkoff's controversial comments to Vladimir Putin, and Volodymyr Zelensky's calls for winter air defence support. The hosts also analyse Owen Matthews’ bleak assessment of Ukraine's war efforts in The Spectator , contrasting his pessimistic outlook with tactical Ukrainian successes around Lyman, where forces liberated 200 square…

4. 

   4 Sep 2026 · 54 min

   433. Can NATO Fight Back Against Russia’s Shadow War?

   In this episode, Saul David and Roger Moorhouse analyze the recent escalation in long-range aerial strikes, including Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian logistics sites, as well as severe Russian missile raids on Kyiv and Odesa's power infrastructure. They discuss Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s direct comments to Vladimir Putin at the BRICS summit, Germany's official findings on the Russian hybrid drone attack at Leipzig/Halle airport, and the complex legal parallel of the upcoming Nord Stream trial in Hamburg. They also examine Ukraine's significant counterattack near Lyman and…

5. 

   2 Sep 2026 · 38 min

   432. Saving the SAS & The Management of Fear

   In this episode of The Big Picture , host Patrick Bishop is joined by former soldier, military entrepreneur, and author Tim Spicer. Patrick and Tim discuss Tim’s latest book, An Axe and Four Balloons , which tells the story of Brian Franks—the former Etonian and hotel manager who became a wartime commando and is credited with saving the SAS from extinction after the Second World War. Tim explores Franks’s military career, from his early days in the Middlesex Yeomanry and commando raids in the desert, to leading 2 SAS during the perilous Operation Loyton in the Vosges Mountains and his…

6. 

   27 Aug 2026 · 57 min

   431. Hell in Kherson – Life under the Drones & CIA's Secret Moscow Mission

   In this episode of Battleground , Patrick Bishop and Saul David delve into high-stakes diplomacy and the gruelling realities of life on the front lines. First, the hosts analyse the sudden, clandestine visit of CIA Director John Ratcliffe to Moscow. What brought a US military aircraft to Russia's capital for an eight-hour stay, and what does it mean for the future of Western support for Ukraine? Patrick and Saul debate whether the trip was a stern warning against Russian sabotage in NATO countries or an attempt by Washington to enlist Moscow’s help in resolving tensions with Iran. They also…

7. 

   9 Oct 2026 · 41 min

   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

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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…

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