The Security Podcast

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 Has military parachuting become an outdated concept?Regimental tradition and history remain vital components of any fighting force.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 Has military parachuting become an outdated concept?Regimental tradition and history remain vital components of any fighting force.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.

In the latest episode of The Security Podcast, Paul Cornish, Professor of Strategic Studies at the University of Exeter, and I examine how the United States has become trapped in a conflict with Iran. As Trump posts messianic images of himself on social media and clashes with the Pope, the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, peace talks have stalled, and the global economy is teetering on the brink of recession. Is there a way out of the conflict, and can the US extricate itself from yet another Middle Eastern quagmire? Listen in to find out.

In this episode of The Security Podcast, I’m joined by strategic studies professor Paul Cornish to examine one of the most pressing questions in global security today: has Donald Trump lost the initiative in the war with Iran?We explore how this conflict may be reshaping the nature of modern warfare and consider whether the United States remains the military superpower it once was.We also turn to the UK, where the war has exposed weaknesses in Britain’s defensive posture, and ask what this means for the future of its armed forces.

As the war with Iran enters its third week, I speak with Major General Charlie Herbert about the reasons behind the decision by the United States and Israel to attack Iran.US President Donald Trump has declared that the war against Iran has been won. Yet the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz — the shipping lane through which around 20 percent of the world’s oil passes — remains closed. Although the US and Israel have eliminated much of Iran’s senior military leadership, the regime itself endures, and Trump’s ambition of regime change now appears a distant prospect.So how might this conflict end? Who could realistically emerge victorious , and how will victory even be defined? Trump has suggested that victory would mean Iran’s unconditional surrender. But Tehran may well claim victory simply by surviving, if the current regime remains in power.

In another emergency edition of The Security Podcast, I’m once again joined by former Army Colonel and Military Intelligence Officer Philip Ingram MBE to examine the ongoing conflict in Iran.Together, we reassess President Trump’s strategy and the “strategic ambiguity” surrounding the United States’ military objectives. Is the goal regime change, the destruction of Iran’s ballistic missile capability, or some combination of the two?We also explore the wider regional and global implications,  from the impact on the Gulf states to a looming global oil crisis, and ask whether there is a realistic endgame that could satisfy the Trump administration.

In this emergency edition of The Security Podcast, I’m joined by former Army Colonel and Military Intelligence Officer Phil Ingram to unpack the escalating conflict in Iran. Together, we examine President Trump’s strategic objectives, the legal questions surrounding U.S. involvement, what a credible “win” would look like for Washington, and, perhaps most critically, how this conflict could ultimately unfold and come to an end.

In the latest episode of The Security Podcast, I sit down with Paul Cornish, a former Army officer and current Professor of Strategic Studies. We delve into President Donald Trump's objectives regarding Iran and whether the US military have been given a clear mission,  and explore Greenland's significance to US security. The episode wraps up with a discussion on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, now entering its fourth year. Paul shares his insights on why he believes the war could persist until Putin's death.

In this thought-provoking episode of The Security Podcast, we tackle three pressing questions:
Can the British Army double its lethality in the next two years?
What does the future hold for veterans facing legacy investigations in Northern Ireland?
Does Gaza have a viable future?
Join me as I engage with Major General Charlie Herbert to explore these contentious topics and gain insights into the challenges and opportunities ahead.

In the latest episode of The Security Podcast, I’m joined by former Army Colonel and Intelligence Officer Phil Ingram. We delve into President Donald Trump’s controversial remarks regarding NATO troops on the frontline in Afghanistan, as well as the situation in Russia and ongoing peace talks. Additionally, we address Iran, the tragic number of protesters killed by the regime, and the potential for a U.S. military attack.