Battleground - Goalhanger - TopPodcast.com

Latest Episodes:

321. Tunisgrad: Part I - The Desert War Sep 03, 2025

Show notes

In the first our four-part Tunisgrad series, Saul sets the scene by covering the North African campaign from September 1940 to November 1942. Beginning with the Italian invasion of Egypt, the initial British successes, and the arrival of Rommel's Afrika Korps.

We then track the brutal back-and-forth struggle across the desert, culminating in the Axis high-water mark of mid-1942. The episode climaxes with the decisive Second Battle of El Alamein, a turning point that forced Rommel's retreat and set the stage for the Anglo-American invasion of French North Africa, known as Operation Torch.

Join us as we explore the campaign that reshaped the course of World War II.

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

Producer: James Hodgson

X (Twitter): @PodBattleground

You can pre-order Saul’s new book Tunisgrad online at https://www.waterstones.com/book/tunisgrad/saul-david/9780008653811 and receive 25% off with discount code TUNISGRAD25. Offer available online only and valid until 10/09/25.

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320. Peace Falters, Tariffs Bite, and Ukraine's New Weapon Aug 29, 2025

Show notes

This week on Battleground, Saul David and Patrick Bishop analyse why recent diplomatic summits have failed to move the needle on peace in Ukraine.

They also discuss two surprising developments: new details about a potential US security commitment to a post-war Ukraine, and the US imposition of heavy tariffs on India to punish it for buying Russian oil. With the tariffs already devastating key Indian industries.

On the ground, a Russian breakthrough near Dobropillya has been contained, but new reports confirm a Russian advance into the Dnipropetrovsk region. Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to hit Russian targets with long-range drone strikes and has unveiled a new, powerful cruise missile, the "Flamingo FP-5," with a 3,000 km range.

Finally, in a new segment with the Centre for Information Resilience, the hosts report that Russian drone activity has effectively cut off a key highway, raising fears of a "drone siege" on the city of Kherson.

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

Producer: James Hodgson

X (Twitter): @PodBattleground

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319. Battleground '45 - your questions answered Aug 27, 2025

Show notes

In the final episode of our Battleground '45 series Saul and Patrick tie up some loose ends by answering listeners' questions on all things Second World War-related.

Together they discuss why Spain remained neutral, the role of Latin American countries in the war, and why the Luftwaffe was nowhere to be seen when 617 Squadron of the RAF sank the Tirpitz in November 1944.

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

Producer: James Hodgson

X (Twitter): @PodBattleground

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318. The Summits That Changed Nothing Aug 21, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, host Patrick Bishop welcomes back friend of the show and veteran journalist, Julius Strauss. Just back from the Donbas in Eastern Ukraine, Julius shares his account of the current situation on the ground and the mood

They also dissect the recent geopolitical manoeuvres, breaking down the implications of the controversial Trump-Putin summit, and analysing the results, if any, of the widely covered meeting in The White House on Monday.

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

Producer: James Hodgson

X (Twitter): @PodBattleground

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317. The Ratline: Nazi Fugitives and Their Evasion of Justice Aug 21, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Battleground 45, Saul and Patrick delve into the dark history of the ratlines, a system of escape routes used by high-ranking Nazi officials and collaborators to flee Europe after World War II.

We explore how these fugitives, including infamous figures like Adolf Eichmann and Klaus Barbie, evaded justice by traveling through a network that stretched from Germany to safe havens in South America and the Middle East.

Together they uncover the organisations and individuals, from sympathetic clergy to intelligence agencies, that aided their escape and the enduring legacy of their unpunished crimes.

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

Producer: James Hodgson

X (Twitter): @PodBattleground

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316. Is a Putin-Zelenskyy Meeting Now Possible? Aug 19, 2025

Show notes

In this special reaction episode, we break down the key takeaways from the White House meeting, including the surprising possibility of a Putin-Zelenskyy face-to-face, Trump's sudden openness to security guarantees for Ukraine.

We also explore the fascinating diplomatic charm offensive launched by Zelenskyy to win over his American hosts. Is this a real breakthrough or simply "smoke and mirrors"?

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

Producer: James Hodgson

X (Twitter): @PodBattleground

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315: Humiliation in Anchorage: Why Putin Won, and What it Means for the West Aug 17, 2025

Show notes

Welcome to Battleground! In this special episode, Patrick Bishop and Saul David unpack the stunning outcome of the Alaska summit between President Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.

After waiting for details to emerge, the hosts react to what was quickly dubbed "the anticlimax in Anchorage." While there was no ceasefire, the meeting was hugely important—and not in a good way. Together they discuss how the stage was set for a Putin victory, starting with DT's "baffling" decision to welcome him as an equal.

They analyse the bizarre post-summit silence from Trump, contrast it with Putin's historical narrative, and dissect the disturbing details that have since come to light. They also cover Russia's demand for all of Donetsk, Trump's alleged pressure on Zelenskyy to accept a deal, and the implications for Zelenskyy's upcoming visit to Washington.

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

Producer: James Hodgson

X (Twitter): @PodBattleground

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314. The Fate of Donetsk: Trump, Putin, and the "Fortress Belt". Aug 14, 2025

Show notes

As Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin prepare to meet, Patrick and Saul dissect the unsettling details of a proposed peace deal for Ukraine, including Trump's suggested "land-swapping," which could force Ukraine to cede critical territory, including the heavily fortified "fortress belt" in Donetsk.

They also discuss a controversial proposal to model the deal after Israel's occupation of the West Bank and analyse what this would mean for President Zelenskyy, Ukraine's constitution, and the future of the war

Also on the podcast is a fascinating report from the frontline Donbas city of Kramatorsk by friends of the Podcast Julius Strauss, Boldi Gyori, and Kimberley Reczek.

Keep an eye out for our special reaction show to the Trump Putin talks on Saturday.

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

Producer: James Hodgson

X (Twitter): @PodBattleground

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313. The Nuremberg Trials Aug 13, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Battleground 45, Saul and Patrick explore the Nuremberg Trials, examining their significance in delivering justice after World War II.

Join us as we delve into the courtroom proceedings, the key figures involved, and the lasting impact of these landmark trials on international law and human rights.

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

Producer: James Hodgson

X (Twitter): @PodBattleground

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312. The Trump-Putin Standoff: Will Sanctions End the War? Aug 07, 2025

Show notes

Join Saul and Patrick as they recap the latest news from Ukraine in what was a rather chaotic week that saw Trump deploy US nuclear submarines after a tense online spat with former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.

They’ll also analyse why Trump is targeting India with new tariffs, while seemingly avoiding China, and the surprising diplomatic progress made between his envoy and Putin.

Plus, we'll cover the latest battlefield developments, including a successful Ukrainian special forces raid and the fall of Chasiv Yar. Finally, we'll be joined by Hungarian war reporter Boldi Gyori, who will share his firsthand accounts from the frontlines.

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

Producer: James Hodgson

X (Twitter): @PodBattleground

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