Talk War

General Sir Simon Mayall chats with Jeremy Kyle and strongly criticizes Prime Minister Keir Starmer's newly released defence strategy review.Julia Hartley-Brewer talks with Lord Dannett who also criticizes the Prime Minister's delay in publishing the review, stating that the inaction since last autumn contributed to high-profile political frustrations and resignations, including those of former Defence Secretary John Healey and Minister Al Carns.

A retired British couple sailing to France have become centre of an international storm, after they received warning shots from ‘drifting’ frigate Admiral Grigorovich, which is believed to have feared a collision in fog. The incident has renewed questions about the UK's readiness to defend itself, and the threat Russia poses for the country. To discuss, Jeremy Kyle is joined by Sir Malcolm Rifkind, former Foreign & Defence Secretary, and Kevin O'Sullivan discusses the latest with Sir Gerald Howarth, Former Defence Minister.

In a developing story tonight, the Ministry of Defence is investigating reports that sailors on a Russian warship fired warning shots today at a yacht that came near it in the English Channel. It comes after Royal Marines seized a Russian shadow vessel as it was passing through the Channel on Sunday. To react to the news, Kevin O'Sullivan is joined Rear Admiral Chris Parry, former NATO & Royal Navy Commander, to discuss the latest on the story and the threat Russia poses the UK.

The threat Russia poses to the United Kingdom has been thrown back into the spotlight this week, after Royal Marine commandos seized a Russian shadow vessel as it passed through the English Channel on Sunday morning - a first for the UK since the invasion of Ukraine began.On Monday, a Ukrainian and a Romanian were found guilty of plotting arson attacks that targeted a car formerly owned by Keir Starmer, and his former family home, with investigations released after the verdict showing involvement from the Russian state.So how concerned should we be about Russia?On this episode of Talk War, Julia Hartley-Brewer is joined by Lord Dannatt, former Head of the British Army. They discuss the resignation of John Healey, the appointment of Dan Jarvis as Defence Secretary, why we will all feel the cost if Putin succeeds, our past issues with failing to deter invasion, and why we need to take action now - plus, what he makes of Trump's deal with Iran.

Peace is coming for the Middle East. After 15 weeks of conflict that has thrown global shipping and oil prices into chaos, Pakistan announced today that the USA and Iran have agreed to a deal to end the war. The agreement will be signed on Friday, and US President Donald Trump has teased that the deal will see Iran give up nuclear weapons, and will allow for the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices have dropped as a result, and stock markets in Europe and on Wall Street have skyrocketed. So what happens next?On this episode of Talk War, Julia Hartley-Brewer is joined by author Jake Wallis Simons, to discuss how this deal risks being a major defeat for Trump, and how Iran is trying to drive a wedge between Israel and USA.And Ian Collins is joined by Middle East expert Patrick Cockburn, to discuss how difficult things are for Israel after this deal, and how many in the Middle East don't want Iran as an enemy anymore after this conflict.

In a major blow for Keir Starmer's defence funding plans, Secretary of State for Defence John Healey and Armed Forces Minister Al Carns resigned yesterday in protest over Treasury's refusal to sign off the requested budget to fully fund the country's defence. It has put renewed pressure on the Prime Minister, who insisted today that the country's defence remains his top priority. To discuss, Ian Collins is joined by Bob Seely, former Conservative MP and military expert, who discusses how Labour’s priorities are not those of much of Britain, and how Starmer hasn’t got the power to overrule Rachel Reeves.And Kevin O'Sullivan is joined by former Head of MI6, Sir Richard Dearlove, to discuss how the Government has chosen welfare over safety of the nation, what sort of defence budget we should be aiming, the growing threat to our security, and the desperate state of our defences.

The Government could be about to drop the long awaited defence spending plan, showing how Labour plans to improve a crisis that is leaving Britain at risk. However, rumours are abound that the plan could drop on Friday when Parliament isn't sitting, meaning the Government would not face questions on the plan. Speaker Lindsay Hoyle has weighed in, cautioning the Government against a Friday drop. And how will we pay for such a plan? Well, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has opened the door to more tax rises in order to fund the spending, saying that the money "has to come from somewhere". To discuss the news, Ian Collins is joined on this episode of Talk War by Mark Francois, Shadow Defence Minister, who says that this is causing a Parliamentary row, and dropping the plan on Friday prevents Opposition from holding the Government to account. And he calls for the money to come from a cut to welfare spending. And Anne Strickland, researcher at The Taxpayers' Alliance, echoes those calls, telling Ian that the country's defence capabilities are not up to scratch, but the answer isn't higher taxes - and our welfare bill at the end of this decade is going to be more than £400bn.

The world is still reeling from the sudden return of strikes between Israel and Iran over the weekend - and is waiting to see if alleged peace talks will pan out, or if they will fail once again. But the strikes have shown President Donald Trump taking a firmer stance with Israel, with the President reportedly pushing for Israel to pause hostilities. So what happens now that both sides have scaled back the fighting? To discuss, Ian Collins was joined by Emily Schrader, journalist and Middle East Expert, who discusses Iran's threat to continue fighting if Israel continues to fire on Lebanon, who the victims are in this scenario, and what weight Trump's comments have had.And Kevin O'Sullivan is joined by Jim Jatras, former U.S. Diplomat, Foreign Policy Adviser for the Republican Leadership In The U.S. Senate, on the 'pickle' that Trump has found himself in.