This week, President-elect Donald Trump made key appointments to his diplomatic and security cabinet. What do his picks for Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, and Director of National Intelligence reveal about the direction of his foreign policy? In this episode, we take a closer look at the backgrounds and ideologies of these key figures and explore the potential impact on global issues, from the war in Ukraine to the conflict in Gaza and the US-China relationship. Plus: who might the British government choose to send as its next ambassador to Washington?

Contributors

Roland Oliphant

Tony Diver

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Israel has said there is progress in talks about a ceasefire and indicated Russia could play a part. On today’s episode of Battle Lines, Venetia and Roland look at what this means and go over the latest news updates from around the region, including a voicenote from an aid worker fleeing northern Gaza and meetings between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

They also chat to Reuters’ Beirut Bureau Chief Maya Gebeily about how Lebanese politicians and citizens are coping with the fighting, what is behind Israel’s increasing attacks on Syria, and why the conflict in Lebanon is her most difficult reporting assignment yet.

Contributors

Venetia Rainey

Roland Oliphant

Maya Gebeily (Reuters Beirut bureau chief)

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What will Trump's second term look like? On today's episode of Battle Lines we discuss Donald Trump's re-election and its implications for both the US and the wider world.

Contributors

Roland Oliphant (Host)

Robert Mendick (Chief Reporter)

Edward Arnold (Senior Research Fellow at RUSI)

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Is Iran preparing another attack on Israel? On today's episode of Battle Lines we discuss what's next for Iran as they look to retaliate for recent strikes from Israel. Plus we hear from Kamal Mouzawak, a Lebanese social entrepreneur who runs a community kitchen to help displaced Lebanese.

Contributors

Venetia Rainey

Roland Oliphant

Kamal Mouzawak

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On today's episode of Battle Lines we speak to Deputy US Editor Rozina Sabur to find out what the mood is like on the ground before the US election. Then we talk to the directors of a new documentary, War Game, which had former US government officials simulate a contested election that led to insurgents taking the capital.

Contributors

Venetia Rainey (Host)

Rozina Sabur (Deputy US Editor)

Tony Gerber (director of War Games)

Jesse Moss (director of War Games)

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How will Iran respond to Israel's attack? On today's episode of Battle Lines we'll update you on everything you need to know about Israel's retaliatory strike on Iran. We'll also be chatting to Karin Huster, a Médecins Sans Frontières doctor in Gaza to get an in depth look at what's really going on in the north of the Strip amidst Israel's ongoing siege.

Contributors

Venetia Rainey

Roland Oliphant

Karin Huster

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On today's episode of Battle Lines we check in with Russia correspondent James Kilner about why dozens of world leaders are meeting in Russia and what it says about Vladimir Putin's plans for a new world order. Then we chat to East Asia correspondent Nicola Smith about how North Korean troops in Ukraine could have major implications in the Western Pacific. 

Contributors

Roland Oliphant

James Kilner

Nicola Smith

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Who will lead Hamas now that Yahya Sinwar has been killed? On today's episode we get the latest from the Middle East including the significance of the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and Hezbollah's attempted assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. We also talk to our veteran defense and foreign affairs editor, Con Coughlin, about his time in Beirut reporting on the war with Israel back in 1984. 

Contributors

Venetia Rainey

Ben Farmer

Con Coughlin

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Is China threatening to take action in Taiwan? On today's episode of Battle Lines we'll be looking at China's aggressive war games around Taiwan and what it tells us about their plans to 'reunify' the island with the mainland. Plus, a behind the scenes look at a British royal's trip to the Sudanese-Chad border.

Contributors

Venetia Rainey (Host)

Nicola Smith (Asia correspondent)

Henry Bodkin (Senior reporter)

Just 10 miles from a war zone, the Duchess of Edinburgh finds a ‘complete atrocity’ by Henry Bodkin

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Why does Netanyahu want UN peacekeepers removed from Lebanon and what does the strengthening of ties between Russia and Iran mean for the war in Gaza? On today's special bonus episode of Battle Lines we update you on the latest from the Middle East with our hosts Venetia Rainey and Roland Oliphant.

Contributors

Venetia Rainey

Roland Oliphant

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Will Israel's conflict with Iran go nuclear? On today's episode, we speak to foreign correspondent Ben Farmer for the latest updates from Lebanon, where Israel is expanding its ground offensive against Hezbollah. Then we speak to US academic Henry Sokolski about fears a direct conflict between Israel and Iran could escalate to a nuclear war. 

Contributors

Roland Oliphant (Host)

Ben Farmer (Telegraph contributor)

Henry Sokolski (Executive Director of the Nonproliferation Policy Education Center

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