The General & The Journalist

Space is becoming a new military frontline. The US has acknowledged having weapons in orbit, the UK has launched its first dedicated RAF space squadron to counter hostile threats to British satellites, while China and Russia are rapidly expanding their capabilities. But is Britain ready to defend itself in space?Air Marshal Paul Godfrey, a senior officer in the US Space Force, discusses the growing threat from China and Russia, the future of space warfare and the lessons of Starlink's role in Ukraine.Get in touch: generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk09:26 - China and Russia’s growing space threats16:19 - How space attacks disrupted Ukraine and Germany26:10 - Can Britain defend its satellites?32:15 - Starlink and the future of warfare30:22 - How much should Britain spend on space defence?Guest: Air Marshal Paul Godfrey, Assistant Chief of Space Operations for Future Concepts and Partnerships, United States Space ForceHosts: General Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton DunnPatrick brings his experience as a former head of the British Army to the podcast. He is also a Conservative peer and advises the party on defence.Producer: Julia WebsterExecutive producer: Priyanka DeladiaImage: GettyClips: CNN, NEWSNATIONHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Israel votes next week and Benjamin Netanyahu faces a defining election as former IDF chief Gadi Eisenkot challenges his grip on power. After three years of war, Israel faces mounting security threats, international isolation and deep political divisions. But even if Netanyahu loses, a new government may struggle to change course.Tom speaks to Alon Pinkas, a former Israeli diplomat and adviser to Prime Minister Ehud Barak, and Danny Citrinowicz, a former Israeli Defence Intelligence office to explore whether the election could end the Netanyahu era – and what a change of government might mean for Gaza, Iran and the wider Middle East.Get in touch: generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk04:57 Is Netanyahu heading for defeat?11:28 Will Arab voters decide Israel’s election?17:27 Is Israel safer after three years of war?25:02 What would change if Netanyahu loses?32:30 Could Netanyahu face prison if he loses power?Guests: Alon Pinkas, former Israeli diplomat and Danny Citrinowicz, a former Israeli Defence and Senior Researcher at the Institute for National Security StudiesHosts: General Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton DunnPatrick brings his experience as a former head of the British Army to the podcast. He is also a Conservative peer and advises the party on defence.Producer: Julia WebsterExecutive producer: Priyanka DeladiaImage: Dana Chan, Getty

In this month's Q&A, Patrick and Tom examine Donald Trump’s controversial deal to buy Russian diesel, the shifting world order, and the threats facing Western security. Plus, they consider a listener’s idea for bringing veterans closer to the public.Send your questions in to generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.ukHosts: General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton DunnPatrick brings his experience as a former head of the British Army to the podcast. He is also a Conservative peer and advises the party on defence.Producer: Julia WebsterExecutive producer: Priyanka Deladia Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For a decade, US spies and diplomats have reported mysterious symptoms including strange noises, sudden pressure and debilitating neurological symptoms… but no one has definitively explained why. Now, two investigative journalists say they have uncovered new evidence of a suspected microwave weapon, a Russian connection and a US government failure to confront the truth. Their new book, The Havana Syndrome: Secret Weapons, a Government Cover-Up, and the Greatest Spy Mystery of Our Time, raises fresh questions about intelligence failures, covert warfare and a mystery that may be far from over. Is Russia behind these mysterious events and has the US government been hiding what it knows?Get in touch: generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk04:00 The first mysterious attacks16:57 The alleged Russian microwave weapon26:29 The scientific evidence and scepticism29:24 Was there a government cover-up?35:23 Is the mystery still unfolding?Guests: Michael Rey and Oriana Zill de Granados, investigative producers for CBS’s 60 MinutesHosts: General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton DunnPatrick brings his experience as a former head of the British Army to the podcast. He is also a Conservative peer and advises the party on defence.Producer: Julia WebsterExecutive producer: Priyanka DeladiaImage: GettyClips: BBC, TODAY, 6 News AustraliaHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Houthis have advanced along Yemen’s Red Sea coast threatening one of the world’s most important shipping routes through Bab al-Mandab. Yemeni government forces are fighting back, but the Iran-backed group’s ability to disrupt global trade and strike across the region continues to grow.Yemen expert Nadwa Al-Dawsari joins Tom and Patrick to explain how the Houthis became a regional military power, how much control Iran really has over them, and whether Yemen is becoming another front in Tehran’s wider proxy war. So, how far can the Houthis expand, and can they be stopped?Get in touch: generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk00:49 — The Houthis fight to seize Yemen’s Red Sea coast02:58 — How Iran helped build Houthi military power07:01 — Why the Bab el-Mandeb threatens global shipping14:07 — Who are the Houthis and their enemies22:13 — Can the US stop the Houthi threat?Guest: Nadwa Al-Dawsari, Fellow at the Centre on Armed Groups and Associate Fellow at the Middle East InstituteHosts: General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton DunnPatrick brings his experience as a former head of the British Army to the podcast. He is also a Conservative peer and advises the party on defence.Producers: Julia Webster with help from Robert WallaceExecutive producer: Priyanka DeladiaImage: Denise Kelly, Getty

As Russia steps up sabotage, interference and intimidation across Europe, how far is Vladimir Putin prepared to go?Former MI6 chief Sir John Scarlett joins Tom and Patrick to explain what Putin wants in Ukraine, whether Russia could escalate into a direct confrontation with NATO, and why intelligence back channels may be crucial to preventing escalation.Get in touch: generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk05:28 - Did the West misjudge Putin?09:46 - Is Putin under pressure?15:04 - What does Putin want in Ukraine?17:30 - Russia’s hybrid war against NATO23:49 - Why the CIA Chief went to MoscowGuest: Sir John Scarlett, former MI6 Chief and co-founder of SC StrategyHosts: General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton DunnPatrick brings his experience as a former head of the British Army to the podcast. He is also a Conservative peer and advises the party on defence.Producer: Julia Webster, Shabnam GrewalExecutive producer: Priyanka DeladiaImage: Kathia Mestanza, Getty