The General & The Journalist

H.R. McMaster served as Donald Trump’s National Security Adviser and saw firsthand how he makes decisions about war, peace and American power.As his former boss is tested by crises from Iran to Ukraine, China, NATO and Venezuela, he explains how the president really thinks. Does Trump have a grand strategy, or is he driven by instincts, deals and the search for a quick win? And will fragile US-Iran peace deal force a lasting peace or end in disaster?  Guest: LTG HR McMaster, former US National Security Advisor (2017-2018)Hosts: General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton DunnProducer: Julia WebsterExecutive producer: Priyanka Deladia Image: Dana Chan and GettyClips: PBS, WPLG, Reuters, GettyWhat are your thoughts on the US/Iran deal? Get in touch: generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.ukHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cuba is running out of power, fuel and patience. As blackouts spread and anger grows, Donald Trump is turning up the pressure on Havana, blaming the regime for the island’s collapse while Cuba points to decades of US sanctions. The historic US indictment of former president Raúl Castro has raised the stakes and a bigger question – is Trump trying to use his Venezuela playbook on Cuba? With US military power visible in the Caribbean, can Washington force change in Havana or would intervention in America’s Caribbean neighbour could end in catastrophe?Guest: Stephen Gibbs, Latin America correspondent for The Times & The Sunday TimesWilliam LeoGrande, professor of Government at American UniversityHosts: Tom Newton DunnProducer: Julia WebsterExecutive producer: Priyanka Deladia Image: Paul Brookbanks and GettyClip: USA TODAY, Getty

Nearly four years into Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine is trying to change the course of the war with drones, AI and battlefield innovation. What began as improvised technology has become central to Kyiv’s strategy, helping Ukraine defend the front line and strike deeper into Russia. But can drones really help Ukraine break the deadlock? And what does this mean for the future of war? Patrick and Tom speak to leading military analyst Dr Jack Watling about the reality on the front line, the rise of AI-enabled warfare and the ethical questions it raises.Hosts: General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton DunnGuest: Dr Jack Watling, Senior Research Fellow at the Royal United Services InstituteProducer: Shabnam Grewal and Julia WebsterExecutive producer: Priyanka DeladiaImage: Dinesh Mehta and GettyClip: CNNCan drones and AI help Ukraine break the deadlock or make the war more dangerous? Get in touch: generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk

Two weeks after British paratroopers landed on Tristan da Cunha, one of the world’s most remote inhabited islands, the rescue team are finally heading home.Their mission was extraordinary – reach a critically ill Briton on a tiny British Overseas Territory with no runway, no quick route by sea, and no easy way in. Within hours, 16 Air Assault Brigade was mobilised, sending paratroopers, military medics and vital supplies into the South Atlantic.Brigadier Ed Cartwright, who planned the operation, tells General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton Dunn how the daring rescue unfolded and what it says about Britain’s duty to protect its citizens and remote territories. But could the UK really defend these far-flung outposts from disaster or attack?Hosts: General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton DunnGuest: Brigadier Ed Cartwright, Commander, 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat TeamProducer: Shabnam GrewalExecutive producer: Priyanka DeladiaImage: GettyGet in touch: generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk

Nearly three months after the Iran war began, there is a ceasefire, but no settlement. The Strait of Hormuz remains a global pressure point, Iran’s nuclear programme is unresolved, and Donald Trump is still demanding progress.But the biggest question may be inside Tehran. After war, assassinations and stalled diplomacy, power appears to be shifting away from the clerics and towards the Revolutionary Guards. Has the West weakened the Islamic Republic or helped make it harder to deal with?Patrick and Tom speak to Iran analyst Alex Vatanka about the rise of the IRGC, the myth of division inside Tehran, and what comes next.Hosts: General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton DunnGuest: Alex Vatanka, Senior Fellow at the Middle East InstituteProducer: Shabnam GrewalExecutive producer: Fiona Leach, Priyanka Deladia Image: GettyWho holds the upper hand in the Iran war? Get in touch: generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk

As President Trump lands in Beijing for his summit with Xi, Patrick and Tom are joined by China analyst, Sam Olsen, to discuss whether Iran has flipped the balance of power between the rivals.Sam argues the war has degraded America's weapons stockpile, recast China as the reliable global partner, and given Beijing a ringside seat on the US military playbook - gifting China with the strategic edge.And, if Trump needs Xi's help to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, will he be willing to sell-out Taiwan in return, with potentially even greater consequences for the balance of power?Hosts: General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton DunnGuest: Sam OlsenProducer: Shabnam GrewalExecutive producer: Fiona LeachImage: GettyGet in touch: generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk

Estonia's foreign minister, Margus Tsahkna, says Putin will flood Europe with the criminals he recruited to fight in Ukraine once the war ends.With Russia unable to reintegrate thousands of 'psychologically crazy' ex-combatants, they will be used for Wagner-style sabotage operations on a scale European governments have yet to grapple with.In Patrick's words, 'the moment of maximum danger could be when the fighting ends.'Hosts: General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton DunnGuest: Foreign Minister of Estonia, Margus TsahknaProducer: Shabnam GrewalExecutive producer: Fiona LeachImage: GettyGet in touch: generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk

General Christopher Cavoli was NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) until July 2025. He was responsible for the defence and security of 981 million people across 32 countries. Ooph. While on a flying visit to London, he dropped into the General and the Journalist studio to see his old friend Patrick and get grilled by Tom on the UK's parlous defence expenditure.But, mostly, he was here to talk about NATO and why, as a proud and patriotic American, he sees the Alliance as critical to America's own defence and security. Hosts: General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton DunnGuest: General Christopher CavoliProducer: Shabnam GrewalExecutive producer: Fiona LeachImage: GettyClips: Fox newsGet in touch: generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk

Dr Fiona Hill is a former deputy assistant to President Trump and served as director for Russian Affairs on the US National Security Council from 2017-19. She joins Tom and Patrick to chew over the lessons from the Iran war - that the US is no longer a reliable partner, other alliances must urgently be formed, and the world economy can be held to ransom at will. But it's in her capacity as one of the authors of last year's UK strategic defence review that Fiona's lessons from the Iran conflict most hit home.'It's time to level with the population that the UK is under siege, it just doesn't know it'. The Government must prepare now for attacks on critical infrastructure and supply lines, and ensure the NHS could respond to a mass casualty event.Hosts: General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton DunnGuest: Dr Fiona HillProducer: Shabnam GrewalExecutive producer: Fiona LeachImage: Getty