The Ratlines

In this episode, I’m joined by William Clouston, leader of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). We dive into key foreign policy issues including the Russia-Ukraine war, the UK’s controversial Chagos Islands deal, Britain’s “special relationship” with the United States, and the legacy of the anti-war left in the UK. 

Why has Syria always been at the heart of western geopolitical struggles in the Middle East; how did the Syrian Civil War and the rise of Isis lead to a surprising coalition between the Americans and Assad; and what does the future hold for Syria in a increasingly unstable region.Tune in to Middle Eastern expert Professor Joshua Landis to find out more…

How did so many high-ranking Nazis evade justice after the war? Today, I’m joined by Danny Orbach to discuss his fantastic book Fugitives and how/why many of the countries, who helped defeat the Nazis, ended up providing them safe haven.Fugitives: A History of Nazi Mercenaries During the Cold War

How far can the west be blamed for the failed state that is Libya? Did the fall of Gaddafi lead to Europe’s refugee crisis? Are we living in a post humanitarian intervention world? Learn about all of this and more with author Rajan Menon. Book: The Conceit of Humanitarian Intervention, Rajan Menon

As Afghanistan drifts into its third year under the Taliban, we dive into the life of Ahmad Shah Massoud. Known to many as the Lion of Panjshir, Massoud led the Afghan resistance against the Soviets and later the Taliban. Just two days before 9/11 Massoud was assassinated by Al-Qaeda. We talk to Carlotta Gall about her and her fathers book ‘Afghan Napoleon’, focusing on his life, his legacy and Afghanistan's fate under the Taliban.Book: Afghan Napoleon: The Life of Ahmad Shah Massoud by Sandy Gall

Today we're discussing the lesser-known first Indochina war. How the world may have looked if only the Americans had learned from the mistakes made by the French just years before. To discuss France's disastrous war in Vietnam I'm joined by the author of the ‘Road to Vietnam’ Pablo De Orellana

As the Ukrainian war rumbles on is it time to examine whether NATO and the influence of America in Europe has contributed to the escalation in Eastern Europe? To answer this question, I'm joined by Benjamin Abelow to discuss his book How the West Brought War to Ukraine. 

Ever wondered what was at the root of the breakdown in relations between the west and Iran. Historian and Author Ali Ansari on the Iranian 1953 Coup and its wider ramifications.   

Did Blair knowingly mislead parliament? Was Saddam and Iraq really a threat to the West? All of these questions and more are answered in this latest podcast with Sir Lawrence Freedman, historian and co-author of the infamous Chilcot Report. Read more of Lawrence's work on his Substack: Lawrence Freedman