The Security Podcast

Why the British Army is failing - Colonel Harry Fullerton OBE

Why is the British Army failing and what can be done about it ? In this episode of  The Security Podcast, Colonel Harry Fullerton discusses the sequence of events which has led to the British Army become a force of just 72,000 soldiers and limited combat power at a time when geo-political uncertainty is at its highest level since the end of the Second Word War.In the podcast Harry explains why the Army needs to undergo transformation change. And why the UK’s defence chiefs should embrace a culture of  constructive criticism from within.

Maj (Retd) Wayne Owers - IEDs in Afghanistan and PTSD

In the latest episode of The Security Podcast, Maj (Retd) Wayne Owers MBE, QGM, a former Army bomb disposal officer, explains how his Army career came to a shuddering halt after he was diagnosed with PTSD. Rather than getting help, Wayne, who had served for 27-years, was booted out of the Army. During his career, Wayne completed two tours of duty in Afghanistan firstly as a bomb disposal officers for which he was awarded the Queen's Gallantry Medal. In a second tour as a Weapons Intelligence Specialist, he received an MBE. In the podcast, Wayne talks about coping with losing colleagues, PTSD and why the Army still doesn't know how to properly treat troops with combat-related mental health issues.

Author and Journalist Luke Harding: Why Putin went to war with Ukraine

In the latest episode of The Security Podcast, Guardian Journalist and best selling author Luke Harding reflects on his four year stint as the newspaper's bureau chief in Moscow. Almost from the moment Luke arrived in 2007 he was targeted by Russian secret police. His apartment was burgled, his emails were hacked, he was followed almost every day and his family were threatened. A hidden camera was even placed inside his bedroom by FSB operatives. The reason for the intimidation was because from the beginning of his four year Moscow assignment Luke wrote articles critical of the Putin regime. He was eventually expelled from the country on Putin's orders in 2011. Luke now reports  on Ukraine where he has been based since before the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022. During the podcast he describes how young Ukrainians were eager to fight on the front line in the early days of the war. Now, however, that enthusiasm has waned as, Luke explains, everyone now knows someone who has been killed or seriously wounded. He also describes how "brainwashed" Russian troops obediently followed orders and tortured and executed hundreds of civilians in Bucha and Mariupole. He also explains why the Ukrainians now want peace and why Russia is unlikely to change even with the death of Putin.

Western Intervention in Afghanistan: Was It Worth It? – Maj-Gen Charlie Herbert

Western intervention in foreign conflicts has produced a mixed legacy—marked by both successes and failures. While efforts in Kosovo halted atrocities committed by Bosnian Serbs, interventions in Libya and Afghanistan were less successful.  Nowhere is this clearer than in Afghanistan, where the chaotic withdrawal of NATO forces paved the way for the Taliban's return to power, silencing the voices of women.
As we enter a new year and anticipate President Donald Trump's return to the White House—known for his stance against prolonged foreign wars—The Security Podcast reflects on the legacy of Afghanistan. Major General Charlie Herbert shares his thoughts on Afghan refugees, the loss of British soldiers, and the impact on families that have been shattered, as well as those who have been left maimed and injured. He raises the important question: Was it worth it? General Herbert also expresses concern for Afghan women who were given hope only to have it taken away.

Kim Hughes: The life and legacy of the UK’s most decorated bomb disposal expert

 
In this episode of The Security Podcast, Kim Hughes reflects on his journey to becoming the UK’s most decorated bomb disposal expert. Renowned for his extraordinary bravery, which earned him the George Cross, Hughes successfully defused over 120 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Afghanistan.
He shares how he developed his expertise, recounting the harrowing operations that defined his career, including the day he was awarded the George Cross. Hughes delves into the complex emotions tied to such life-and-death missions and the challenges soldiers face when shifting from life-threatening conditions to the mundane tasks of home life.
Since leaving the army, Hughes has continued his work in global counter-IED efforts, focusing on training and consultancy in various regions, including Africa. He also sheds light on the evolving nature of modern battlefields, from the rise of drones in Ukraine to the monumental task of clearing the IEDs left behind by Russian forces after the war.

Reporting from the Frontline: The mindset of a war correspondent – Jerome Starkey

In the second part of The Security Podcast episode with Jerome Starkey, The Sun’s Defence Correspondent, he delves into what motivates war correspondents to report from the frontlines. Starkey recounts a vivid experience of cowering next to a flowerpot while coming under fire and discusses which conflict he found most challenging to cover. He observes that “your imagination is often worse than reality,” as waiting for events to unfold can lead to imagining everything that could go wrong. Starkey shares his journey into journalism and the logistics of reporting from war zones, noting that it takes three days to reach the Ukrainian frontlines from London. He also highlights the challenges of balancing personal life with the demands of his profession, including writing an “in case of my death” letter.

War in Ukraine – Jerome Starkey examines the human cost of the conflict

In the first part of this episode of the Security Podcast, Jerome Starkey, the Sun’s Defence Editor, shares his insights from the frontlines in Ukraine. As a seasoned war correspondent, Jerome has reported from conflict zones worldwide, including Kabul during the Taliban’s takeover, and is now covering the intense Russian offensive in Ukraine. He discusses the evolving mood among Ukrainians, noting a shift from initial resilience to weariness and exhaustion. He highlights a Ukrainian woman’s resentment towards men who do not fight and the women who love them. Starkey also warns of the broader implications if Russia emerges victorious, suggesting that leaders like Putin could be emboldened, with significant global consequences. He highlights the importance of January when Donald Trump is inaugurated, as there will be keen interest in whether he fulfils his promise to end the war within 24 hours and how he will see the US’s role in NATO. 
Tune for the second part of this podcast where Jerome talks about the mindset of a war correspondent.

Gen Charlie Herbert on polarising impact of Gaza War, paths to peace

The war in Gaza has polarised communities around the World leaving little room for progressive debate. Major General Charlie Herbert, a former senior Army officer and a veteran of multiple campaigns in Afghanistan, provides his views on the conduct of the war, whether Gaza has a future and the prospects for peace.

Trump will remain commited to NATO - Air Marshal Greg Bagwell

One of Britain’s most senior former defence chiefs has said that he believes Donald Trump will remain committed to Nato when he becomes the next US President. Former Air Marshal Greg Bagwell said he hoped Trump’s military advisers would tell the incoming president that leaving Nato would not be a sensible strategic policy.
During his first term as US president, Trump had an often difficult relationship with Nato suggesting that the US could pull out of the alliance unless partner nations started meeting spending targets. Earlier this year he said that the US would not come to the assistance of Nato countries attacked by Russia if they had failed to reach the two per cent of GDP on defence spending.
Speaking to National Security News’ Security Podcast, the retired air marshal said: “What does it (Trump’s election) mean for NATO?  He has said and done some things that I think he will follow through on this time."
During The Security Podcast Air Marshal Bagwell also spoke about the crisis in the Middle East and how the US’s relationship with China may develop over the next four years.

ADMIRAL MIKE HEWITT: How Trump will end Ukraine war and force Putin to negotiate

President-elect Donald Trump has claimed he would end the war in Ukraine "within days" of taking office, and President Volodymyr Zelensky has indicated that Trump's leadership could indeed expedite the end of the conflict. However, questions remain: What would Trump's peace plan for Ukraine involve? Would Ukraine need to cede territory, and how would a Trump presidency affect NATO and Ukraine’s aspirations of joining the bloc?This week on The Security Podcast, National Security News Editor, Sean Rayment and Deputy-Editor Linda van Tilburg were joined by Admiral Mike Hewitt, a U.S. Navy veteran who served for 31 years. Admiral Hewitt, also the co-founder and CEO of IP3, an international energy and security company, has extensive experience in Ukraine. He argues that Trump's election could fill a leadership vacuum in Western Europe and that Trump could bring an earlier end to the war in Ukraine.Admiral Hewitt also discusses the potential implications of Trump's presidency for NATO, what Trump’s peace strategy for Ukraine is likely to be, and how young Ukrainians might favour ceding territory in exchange for peace. He says a peace agreement is complex, because it is intertwined with larger geopolitical dynamics involving China, Iran and Noth Korea.