Battleground

In this instalment of our Special Forces series, Patrick Bishop and Saul David pivot from Allied triumphs to examine a daring operation from the "enemy" perspective: the 1943 rescue of Italian dictator Benito Mussolini.

Following the Allied invasion of Sicily and a vote of no confidence from his own council, Mussolini was arrested and whisked away to a remote ski resort 2,112 meters high in the Apennine Mountains. While the new Italian government hoped to use him as a bargaining chip, Adolf Hitler had other plans—ordering his "favourite commando," the scarred and imposing Otto Skorzeny, to spring his ol...

In this episode of the Battleground Podcast, Saul David and Roger Moorhouse analyse what appears to be a possible tipping point in the four-year-long Russo-Ukraine war.

The discussion centres on the overwhelming effectiveness of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces, led by Robert "Madyar" Brovdi, which is reportedly achieving a staggering kill ratio of 400 Russians for every one Ukrainian at a remarkably low material cost. This drone-led strategy has expanded the "kill zone" up to 93 miles behind the front lines, effectively breaking the rhythm of Russian offensive operations and forcing the Kremlin to face unsustainable casualty rates.

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If you would like to watch this podcast you can watch it on Spotify or you can find it on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@BattlegroundUkraine

In this special on-the-ground edition of Battleground Special Forces, Saul David and Julius Strauss travel to the outskirts of Kharkiv and Kyiv to examine the catastrophic opening hours of the 2022 Russian invasion.

Through eyewitness accounts and visits to the sites of intense urban combat, they reconstruct how Russia’s most elite units—the GRU-trained Spetsnaz and the VDV Airborne—faced fierce resistance that derailed the Kremlin’s "two-day" victory...

The Battleground team returns to Ukraine to witness how a whirlwind year of shifting geopolitics and a brutal winter have transformed the nation.

On our first day in Odesa, hosts Saul David and Julius Strauss explore a city that remains a stunning architectural gateway to the country, despite being a primary target for Russian drones and missiles.

In this episode, we sit down with friend of the podcast, Boldizsar Gyori, to discuss Odesa’s complex history and its critical role as the port that keeps the Ukrainian economy afloat through the grain corridor.

We...

As the war between America, Israel, and Iran escalates, the ripple effects are being felt acutely in Ukraine.

In this episode, Patrick and Saul analyse the "extraordinary diplomatic developments" emerging from the White House, where President Trump appears to be equating Western support for Ukraine with Russian support for a repressive Iranian theocracy.

Meanwhile, Saul provides a firsthand update following his recent trip to the front lines, and on the ground in Ukraine, we separate fact from fiction regarding General Gerasimov’s latest claims of Russian breakthroughs, contrasting them with the reality of "kill zones" an...

In this episode of Battleground, Saul David and Patrick Bishop dive into a packed mailbag to answer your thoughts and questions on the elite units and daring raids that defined 20th-century special operations.

Among the topics of discussion in today's episode are: operations by Norwegian SOFs during WW2, the daring Italian manned-torpedo raids on the British fleet at Alexandria in 1941, and Operation Jaywick - the audacious 1943 raid on Singapore Harbour.

Join the Conversation: If you have a question about the history of special forces or any of the conflicts we cover, email us at podbattleground...

Recording from an overnight train traveling across Ukraine, Saul David and Julius Strauss reflect on an intensive week-long journey from Odesa to Kyiv. In this episode, they bear witness to the jarring dualities of a country at war—reporting directly from the site of a devastating missile strike on a Kharkiv apartment block.

They also share insights from Odesa on the repair of the electrical grid and the ongoing struggle against infrastructure attacks. And do an analysis of the ongoing dispute with Hungary and Ukraine’s growing diplomatic influence in the Gulf.

Join Saul and Juli...

At 7:07 p.m. on May 5, 1980, the Metropolitan Police officially handed control of the Iranian Embassy siege to the SAS. What followed were seventeen minutes of high-stakes drama that would change the reputation of the Special Air Service forever.

In this episode, Patrick Bishop and Saul David break down the frantic tactical reality of Operation Nimrod. We explore the "Blue" and "Red" team assaults, the infamous moment an operative became entangled in his abseil rope, and the live television broadcast that captivated millions across the globe.

Beyond the flashbangs and the smoke, they tackle the difficult...

If you are interested in reading more from Julius Strauss, you can find his substack here: https://backfromthefront.substack.com/

In a bonus edition of Battleground Ukraine, Saul David and Julius Strauss are joined by Boldizsar Gyori to discuss the recent surge in tensions between Hungary and Ukraine and assess why recent developments could be very significant for Ukraine going forward.

Additionally, they discuss the implications of the latest developments in the ongoing conflict in Iran and the wider Middle East region and weigh up the potential impact they might have on Ukraine.

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While the world’s gaze is fixed on the "mega-drama" unfolding across Iran and the Middle East, the tremors are being felt on the battlefields of Ukraine. In this episode, Roger Moorhouse and Patrick Bishop dive into the high-stakes geopolitical fallout of a widening Middle Eastern conflict and what it means for Kyiv.

As the U.S. and Israel burn through interceptor stocks, we ask the critical question: Is there enough room in the American arsenal for both the Middle East and Ukraine? With Donald Trump’s priorities shifting and production lines struggling to keep pace, Ukraine find...

In 1980, the SAS was a shadowy unit few had heard of. Six days at the Iranian Embassy changed that forever.

In the spring of that year, the eyes of the world turned to a quiet corner of South Kensington, London. Six armed gunmen had stormed the Iranian Embassy, taking 26 hostages and sparking a high-stakes standoff that would change the face of counter-terrorism forever.

In the first of a special two-part series, hosts Saul David and Patrick Bishop trace the origins of the crisis, exploring the geopolitical tinderbox that led the gunmen to 16 Princes Gate and...

As we pass the fourth anniversary of Putin’s full-scale invasion, Patrick Bishop and Saul David explore whether the tide of the war is finally turning in Ukraine's favour. Following a winter of stasis, Ukrainian forces have reclaimed 400 square kilometres in mere weeks—outpacing Russia’s entire December gains.

In this episode, we dive into the factors driving this sudden shift:

The Starlink Effect: How Elon Musk’s decision to block Russian access has been exploited to the maximum by Ukrainian forces.

The Personnel Crisis: With Russian casualties reaching a critical watershed, we discuss...

In the latest instalment of our Battleground: Special Forces series, Saul David and Patrick Bishop deconstruct one of the most ambitious and ill-fated missions in modern military history: Operation Eagle Claw.

In April 1980, with 53 American diplomats held captive in the US Embassy in Tehran and President Jimmy Carter’s political future hanging by a thread, the newly formed Delta Force was called upon for its first-ever mission. The plan was a daring, multi-stage rescue involving clandestine desert airstrips, sea-stallion helicopters, and CIA agents. But between the sandstorms of the Great Salt Desert and a series of mechanical fa...

In this episode of Battleground Ukraine, Saul David and Roger Moorhouse break down a week of high-stakes diplomacy and unexpected battlefield shifts as the war approaches its four-year anniversary.

The duo discusses the rapid collapse of the latest trilateral peace talks in Geneva, which ended in acrimony after just two hours as Russian negotiators refused to budge on territorial demands. Meanwhile, Kyiv sees a "gleam of sunshine" on the ground: Ukrainian forces have retaken 78 square miles of territory near Zaporizhzhia—the most significant gain in such a short window since 2023—thanks in part to a strategic communications blac...

In this gripping episode of Battleground, Patrick Bishop and Saul David explore one of World War II's most daring commando raids: Operation Frankton, better known as the Cockleshell Heroes mission. In December 1942, twelve Royal Marines volunteers led by Major "Blondie" Hasler embarked on a near-impossible mission to paddle canoes 60 miles up the Gironde estuary to sabotage German blockade runners in the port of Bordeaux.

Against brutal Atlantic conditions, freezing temperatures, and constant threat of discovery, these men demonstrated extraordinary courage and determination. But the mission came at a devastating cost—only two of the twelve would survive. Pa...

In our weekly round up of the latest news from Ukraine, Roger Moorhouse and Patrick Bishop examine a week of "salient moments" that may signal a turning point in the war.

They discuss the Kremlin’s risky move to throttle Telegram, the deepening recession across 21 sectors of the Russian economy, and the high-profile assassination attempt on Lieutenant-general Vladimir Alexeyev.

The duo also breaks down the latest friction in the Abu Dhabi peace talks and the mounting pressure on President Zelensky to hold wartime elections.

If you have any thoughts or questions, you can se...

In this episode of Battleground: Special Forces, Saul David is joined by Julius Strauss to dive into the brutal history and mixed legacy of one of Russia’s elite units: Spetsnaz.

Julius provides a unique reporter’s perspective on the ground, reflecting on his own experiences embedded with these units during some of their most controversial deployments.

The episode focuses on two of the most infamous and tragic missions in Spetsnaz history, both of which Julius was present at: the 2002 Nord-Ost theatre siege in Moscow and the 2004 Beslan school siege. Together they examine the tactics, the...

This week Patrick Bishop and Saul David examine a the latest news in week of deadly limbo in Ukraine as Donald Trump’s promised "energy truce" is shattered by a record-breaking Russian bombardment in -20°C temperatures.

We analyse why Moscow’s advances are now slower than the Battle of the Somme and discuss Elon Musk’s latest move to block Starlink from Russian drones.

Later in the episode, we are joined by friend of the pod Julius Strauss, who discusses the crumbling of the post-imperial space in the South Caucasus's. Fresh from a recent trip to...

While the 1942 Dieppe Raid was a catastrophic failure for the Allies, one unit achieved a flawless tactical victory against the odds. In part one of this special series, Patrick Bishop and Saul David explore the origins of the British Commandos—Winston Churchill’s "hunter class" of soldiers.

From the brutal training bogs of the Scottish Highlands to the clifftops of Varengeville, we follow No. 4 Commando’s mission to silence the Hess Battery. Led by the legendary Lord Lovat, this operation became a masterclass in Special Forces planning, featuring daring cliff climbs, the first US Army Rangers in action...

In this episode of Battleground Ukraine, Saul David and Roger Moorhouse explore the terrifying reality of modern warfare and the unexpected heroes of the resistance.

Journalist and friend of the show Askold Krushelnycky recounts his harrowing experience surviving a drone strike in Odesa, describing the "screaming banshee" sound of a Shahed drone on its final approach.

We also hear from Boldizsár Győri about a "peculiar unit" in Zaporizhzhia—a Ukrainian "dad’s army" made up of men over the age of 60 who were turned away from the official draft but found their own way to...

In the dramatic conclusion of this two-part special, Saul David and Patrick Bishop deconstruct the chaotic 99 minutes on the ground at Entebbe. The episode tracks the high-stakes assault from the moment the first Hercules landed in a tropical storm to the black Mercedes decoy and the controversial firefight that followed.

Together they examine the tactical blunders and friendly fire tragedies that nearly jeopardised the mission, while featuring rare eyewitness accounts—including a startling claim that the German terrorists may have ultimately spared the hostages they were ordered to kill.

Beyond the military feat, we explore th...

In this episode, Patrick Bishop and Roger Moorhouse explore a week of geopolitical upheaval that marks a potential "1938 moment" for the modern world.

One year into Donald Trump’s imperial presidency, the duo discusses the stunning ultimatum issued to eight European NATO allies: accept a massive tariff hike or facilitate the American purchase of Greenland.

Roger weighs in on whether NATO can survive this direct threat to member sovereignty and the unprecedented refusal of the U.S. to rule out conflict with Denmark.

The conversation shifts to the "Donroe Doctrine" and the strategic im...

On June 27, 1976, Air France Flight 139 was diverted to Uganda, sparking a crisis that would redefine special operations forever. In the first of a two-part special, hosts Saul David and Patrick Bishop break down the lead-up to Operation Thunderbolt.

Saul provides a first-hand look at the "Unit"—the elite Sayeret Matkal—and the internal friction between legendary commanders like Yoni Netanyahu and Muki Betser. We dive into the chilling logistics of the hijacking, the "selektzia" that echoed the darkest days of WWII, and the secret intelligence gathered by a hostage who faked a miscarriage.

From the "Gold...

As Ukraine slips from the international headlines in favour of turmoil in Venezuela and Iran, Roger Moorhouse and Saul David examine a week of "curious" developments and renewed escalation. With temperatures plunging to -14°C, Russia has intensified its campaign against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, launching a rare Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile at Lviv—a strike less than 50 miles from the Polish border that the Kremlin frames as a "false flag" retaliation.

The hosts also dive into the escalating maritime war, discussing the capture of the Russian shadow fleet tanker Bella-1 and recent Ukrainian drone strikes on four...

In the premiere of a new series from Battleground, Patrick Bishop and Saul David dive into the high-stakes world of Special Forces to explore why these small bands of elite warriors have captured the global imagination.

From the SAS and Delta Force to Sayeret Matkal, the duo strips away the Hollywood veneer to define the "SF type," debating whether it is superior fitness, a specific mental edge, or a carefully cultivated mystique that sets these operators apart. They also examine the massive literary obsession with units like the SAS, questioning what our fascination with "supermen" reveals about...

In this momentous episode, Patrick Bishop and Saul David analyze the global shockwaves following the US capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and its profound implications for the war in Ukraine. 

They explore the rise of the "Donroe Doctrine"—a new American focus on the Western Hemisphere—and how the seizure of the Russian-flagged tanker Marinera marks a direct humiliation for Vladimir Putin. 

The duo also discusses the groundbreaking commitment from Britain and France to deploy troops for a Ukrainian peace deal, alongside President Zelensky’s high-stakes decision to place spy chief Kyrylo Budanov and drone...

In our final episode of our Hero or Villain series Patrick and Roger go all the way back to the first part of the twentieth century and take a look at perhaps Britain's most famous soldier from the First World War - Field Marshall Douglas Haig.

They take a dive into the arguments for and against Haig and give their judgement.

They also take a look at the results from the listener votes on our previously discussed characters of the series.

What do you think? Is he a hero or a villain?

In the first episode of 2026, Roger Moorhouse and Patrick Bishop look back on a bizarre and momentous year of conflict. The hosts begin by reflecting on the breakdown of international cooperation, noting how Russia has moved from sensitive joint enterprises, like decommissioning nuclear power submarines, to living on the "dark side of the moon" diplomatically and economically.

The centre of this week’s discussion is the surreal meeting between President Zelensky and Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago. Patrick and Roger dissect the "Olympic levels of restraint" shown by Zelensky as Trump claimed Putin was "generous" in his feelings to...

In this episode of Hero or Villain, Roger Moorhouse and Patrick Bishop evaluate the military career of Josip Broz Tito, the "titan of Central Europe" who led the Yugoslav partisans during World War II and served as President until 1980.

The discussion traces his journey from a decorated Austro-Hungarian sergeant major to a revolutionary swayed by communism while a POW in Russia.

The hosts highlight his strategic brilliance in liberating Yugoslavia largely through indigenous guerrilla efforts and his notable "independent streak" in defying Stalin to pursue a "Third Way" during the Cold War. While acknowledging the...

With the Battleground: Ukraine team taking a Christmas break, we have a special interview for you this episode.

Saul is joined by Journalist, writer and pacifist turned volunteer soldier Artem Chapeye, who tells his story plus his thoughts and reflections on the war in Ukraine.

Artem recently wrote the book: Ordinary People Don't Carry Machine Guns.

Join us next week for an update on the latest news from Ukraine.

If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@gmail.com

Producer: James Hodgson

In this episode of Hero or Villain, Roger Moorhouse and Patrick Bishop examine the polarising military legacy of Tony Blair. They debate whether the former Prime Minister was a noble champion of "liberal interventionism" or a reckless architect of regional chaos.

The discussion moves from the early humanitarian successes in Kosovo and Sierra Leone to the strategic overreach of Afghanistan and the catastrophic intelligence failures of the Iraq War.

By weighing Blair’s initial moral imperatives against the long-term destabilisation of the Middle East, Roger and Patrick attempt to settle the ledger on one of mo...

In a now annual Battleground tradition, for a special Christmas treat we've recorded a special festive episode discussing the standout history books of the year, and the wider stories that surround them.

Patrick, Saul and Roger are joined by friends of the podcast - publicist and historical novelist Richard Foreman and book critic, writer and journalist Antonia Senior.

If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@gmail.com

Producer: James Hodgson

X (Twitter): @PodBattleground

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...

In this pivotal episode of Battleground: Ukraine, Patrick Bishop and Saul David discuss the high-stakes EU summit in Brussels that could decide the financial future of the conflict.

With Kyiv facing potential bankruptcy by the spring, the hosts break down the urgent debate over seizing €210 billion in frozen Russian assets to fund a "reparations loan."

We also look at the latest from the front lines and are joined by the Public Affairs Officer at the Khartiia Corps of the National Guard of Ukraine - Volodymyr Dehtyarov for an exclusive update on their recent successful counteroffensive in...

In the latest episode of our Hero or Villain series hosts Patrick Bishop and Roger Morehouse ask the ultimate question about one of the 20th century's most controversial figures: Was Charles de Gaulle a hero or a villain?

De Gaulle remains a giant of French and world history, looming over his nation's political landscape and physical fabric, with over 3,600 public spaces named after him. He is regularly polled as the most important figure in French history, even surpassing Napoleon.

Join the debate as Patrick and Roger delve into the General's life and legacy, exploring the...

Join us as Saul David and Roger Moorhouse digest the latest news from Ukraine, including the intense pressure mounting on Kyiv as the Trump administration reportedly issues an ultimatum to Zelensky to concede territory—likely the Donbas—to end the war.

Despite this, they look at analysis that shows that Ukraine can win a protracted war of attrition against Russia's exaggerated claims of victory.

We are also delighted to be joined by friend of the show Boldi Gyori, who updates us on the latest developments on the ground in Ukraine and also discusses his recent expe...

In the second episode of our Hero or Villain series, Patrick Bishop and Roger Moorhouse examine Air Marshal Sir Arthur Harris, the controversial chief of RAF Bomber Command, known as "Butcher Harris" due to the staggering losses suffered by his crews .

Harris vigorously pursued the necessary policy of area bombing German cities , a campaign he justified as crucial for shortening the war and preserving Allied lives. While his blunt, unapologetic zeal made him a target for post-war criticism.

Whilst Patrick and Roger deliver their verdict on Harris' legacy. What do you think? Is he a...

Patrick Bishop and Roger Moorhouse discuss a familiar feeling of "deja vu" as the latest US peace mission to Moscow—led by envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner—ends with no substantial progress. They argue that Russian President Putin is deliberately "stringing Trump along" to keep the outside world waiting while Russia continues to make incremental gains on the ground.

The hosts also dive into a revealing Wall Street Journal article suggesting a "chilling" motivation behind the American peace efforts: charting a path to bring Russia's $2 trillion economy "in from the cold," positioning American businesses to beat Europ...

In the first of our latest Battleground history series Patrick Bishop and Roger Morehouse tackle Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, the Nazi Germany commander revered by enemies for his "war without hate".

Together they peel back the decades of mythology, challenging the image of Rommel as the "good German".

How much did Rommel, who served as Hitler’s personal security commander , know about the regime’s atrocities?

Was the positive postwar Western image of Rommel merely a convenient tool for rehabilitating Germany during the Cold War?

Whilst Patrick and Roger deliver their verd...

Join Saul David and Patrick Bishop as they dissect the latest surrounding the war in Ukraine, including the extraordinary collapse and revision of the US 'peace plan' for Ukraine.

What started as a controversial 28-point proposal—heavily suspected to have been drafted by Russia and passed on by US envoy Steve Witkoff (as revealed in leaked calls)—has now been reduced to a 19-point framework that Ukraine can accept, but which the Kremlin is actively rejecting despite President Trump's optimistic claims of "tremendous progress."

The hosts explore the initial pro-Russian demands, the damning evidence of Mosc...

In this final episode of our Korean War series, hosts Saul, David, and Roger Morehouse examine the enduring legacy of the 1953 Armistice, exploring the human cost of the conflict and the profound ways it continues to shape modern geopolitics.

Joining them to discuss this is political analyst Robert Kelly, who helps detail why the lack of a formal peace treaty defines the high-risk security situation, the peninsula's extreme militarisation, and the chilling role of North Korea's nuclear arsenal and its current support for Russia in the Ukraine conflict.

If you have any thoughts or questions...