The Security Podcast

Has the West betrayed Ukraine?
That is one of the central questions raised by Guardian foreign correspondent and former Moscow correspondent Luke Harding in his new book, Betrayal: Trump, Putin and the New Age of Conquest.In the latest episode of The Security Podcast, I talk to Luke about Donald Trump's extraordinary relationship with Vladimir Putin, America's changing approach to Ukraine and why successive Western leaders have struggled to understand the man in the Kremlin.We discuss Trump's belief that his personal relationship with Putin could bring the war to an end, why the Russian leader has shown so little willingness to compromise, and what all of this means for Ukraine.And then there is perhaps the most provocative question in the book: could Donald Trump be a Russian asset?Is Trump's approach to Putin simply explained by his admiration for powerful authoritarian leaders, or could there be something more troubling behind it? Harding poses a striking question: if Trump were a Russian asset, what exactly would he be doing differently?We also discuss what Harding describes as a new age of conquest — a world in which powerful states increasingly believe that borders can once again be changed by force.

Is Donald Trump a Russian asset?It is one of the most provocative questions raised by Guardian foreign correspondent and former Moscow correspondent Luke Harding in his new book, Betrayal: Trump, Putin and the New Age of Conquest.In the latest episode of The Security Podcast, I talk to Luke about Donald Trump's extraordinary relationship with Vladimir Putin, America's changing approach to Ukraine and why successive Western leaders have struggled to understand the man in the Kremlin.We discuss whether Trump's attitude towards Putin can be explained by his admiration for powerful authoritarian leaders — or whether there could be something more troubling behind it.We also examine Putin's war in Ukraine, the enormous price being paid by both sides and what Luke describes as a new age of conquest in which powerful states increasingly believe borders can once again be changed by force.Has America betrayed Ukraine? What does Putin really want? Can Ukraine survive without unwavering US support? And if Trump were a Russian asset, what would he actually be doing differently?A fascinating and provocative conversation with one of Britain's most experienced Russia correspondents.

The United States entered the war with Iran confident that its overwhelming military superiority would deliver a rapid victory. Instead, Washington appears caught in a conflict it cannot easily win—or end.Iran has continued to launch drones and missiles, threaten shipping and widen the battlefield across the Gulf. By using relatively cheap weapons to stretch sophisticated Western air-defence systems, Tehran has imposed growing military, political and economic costs on the United States and its allies.Why did America go to war? What was President Trump’s original endgame? Why has Iran proved so difficult to defeat? And is there now any credible route out of the conflict?Sean Rayment discusses the war with Paul Cornish, Professor of Strategic Studies at the University of Exeter and founding Director of the Centre for the Public Understanding of Defence and Security.

Britain is preparing for a more dangerous world.The Defence Investment Plan is intended to transform the Armed Forces, strengthen the country’s ability to deter its enemies and ensure Britain is ready for a conflict ministers increasingly warn may no longer be unthinkable.But defence is about far more than buying new ships, aircraft, drones and armoured vehicles. It is about people, preparedness and whether the country as a whole has the resilience to withstand a major national crisis.In this episode of The Security Podcast, I am joined by Harry Fullerton for a wide-ranging discussion about Britain’s military readiness and the future of the Armed Forces.We examine whether national service could ever return, the impact of mental health on recruitment and retention, the need for greater national resilience, the future of Britain’s nuclear deterrent and the role the UK must continue to play within NATO.We also ask whether Britain has the manpower, industrial capacity and political resolve needed to turn the ambitions of the Defence Investment Plan into genuine military capability.As Harry explains, the plan will ultimately be judged on whether it produces Armed Forces that are properly equipped, sufficiently staffed and ready to fight.But there is a paradox at the heart of defence policy.The success of the Defence Investment Plan may never be measured on a battlefield. Its true value may only become apparent if the strength, readiness and credibility it creates persuade Britain’s enemies that a war is not worth starting.Because the greatest victory may not be winning the next war.It may be preventing it altogether.

Westminster has been shaken by the resignations of Defence Secretary John Healey and Armed Forces Minister Al Carns over claims the government has failed to properly fund the Defence Investment Plan, known as the DIP, intended to pay for the ambitions set out in the defence review. Both politicians  warned that underfunding the plan risks making Britain less safe.In the latest episode of The Security Podcast, I discuss the DIP with Harry Fullerton, a defence consultant and strategist, who once commanded the Household Cavalry Regiment.We ask: what is the Defence Investment Plan, why does it matter, and what happens if it is not properly funded?We also examine a harder question: in an era of drones, missiles, cyber warfare and constrained budgets, are some legacy platforms, including tanks, attack helicopters and even warships, still essential, or are they becoming too expensive to justify?At its heart, this is a debate about priorities. If Britain wants credible defence, someone has to pay for it. The question is who, and what should be sacrificed to make it possible?

This episode of The Security Podcast looks at one of the most urgent security challenges facing governments, industry and critical national infrastructure: how to defend against the combined threat of cyber attacks, drones and rapidly evolving hostile technologies.I spoke with Arno Robbertse from Collective Defence about how AI, cybersecurity and counter-drone technology are changing the way we protect essential services, infrastructure and national resilience. From power networks and transport systems to ports, airports and other high-value sites, the threat landscape is no longer purely physical or purely digital. It is increasingly blended, fast-moving and asymmetric.What stood out from the conversation was the importance of using AI as a practical defensive tool: helping identify threats earlier, connect data across domains, speed up decision-making and support operators when seconds matter. Combined with cyber expertise and counter-drone capability, this kind of approach could play a vital role in protecting the systems societies depend on every day.

In this episode of The Security Podcast, Sean Rayment speaks to Phil Ingram, former Colonel in the Intelligence Corps, about the vital role of intelligence in modern security.They discuss what intelligence really means, how information is gathered and assessed, and why good intelligence is essential for effective decision-making. Phil draws on his military experience to explain the challenges of filtering huge amounts of data, the risks of political influence, and the lessons learned from historic intelligence failures.
The conversation also explores the continuing threat of terrorism, the role AI could play in intelligence gathering, Russia’s gray zone warfare, and the growing risk of global conflict in an increasingly unstable world.

In March 2026, the Russian Army sustained more than 35,000 casualties in Ukraine  - 96 per cent of them either killed or wounded by drones. This year, Ukraine is expected to produce around seven million attack and reconnaissance drones. Russia is expected to produce even more.In the latest episode of The Security Podcast, I’m joined by Harry Fullerton, a defence consultant, strategist and transformation expert who once commanded the Household Cavalry Regiment. Together, we examine how drone technology is reshaping the modern battlefield, whether the British Army is psychologically prepared for war, and whether the British public is ready for the profound sacrifices a future conflict may demand.

It is now widely accepted that the British Army requires radical reform if it is to survive, let alone prevail, in a future conflict. But how radical does that reform need to be? Has the time come to challenge sacred cows and think the unthinkable?Are brigades, battalions, companies, platoons and sections still the right force structures for the modern battlefield? Is the RAF Regiment still relevant? Should the Royal Marines continue to exist as a separate entity? Has military parachuting become an outdated concept?Regimental tradition and history remain vital components of any fighting force. But the drone units that may fight — and possibly win — the next war have yet to be created.In this episode, I discuss these questions with Harry Fullerton, a former commanding officer of the Household Cavalry Regiment, who served in Afghanistan at the height of the Taliban insurgency in 2009.You may not agree with all our views, but I’m sure you will find the podcast fascinating.

It is now widely accepted that the British Army requires radical reform if it is to survive, let alone prevail, in a future conflict. But how radical does that reform need to be? Has the time come to challenge sacred cows and think the unthinkable?Are brigades, battalions, companies, platoons and sections still the right force structures for the modern battlefield? Is the RAF Regiment still relevant? Should the Royal Marines continue to exist as a separate entity? Has military parachuting become an outdated concept?Regimental tradition and history remain vital components of any fighting force. But the drone units that may fight — and possibly win — the next war have yet to be created.In this episode, I discuss these questions with Harry Fullerton, a former commanding officer of the Household Cavalry Regiment, who served in Afghanistan at the height of the Taliban insurgency in 2009.You may not agree with all our views, but I’m sure you will find the podcast fascinating.