In this episode of The Security Podcast I am joined by Lord West of Spithead, a former Chief of the Naval Staff and Security Minister and who now sits on the Intelligence and Security Committee. During the podcast, we examine the claim that the West is involved in a Grey Zone war with Russia and how Nato needs to prepare for a potential attack by Putin. We also look at the current state of the Royal Navy, discuss whether the aircraft carriers are white elephants and whether the UK's submarine based nuclear deterrent is still relevant.      

In this episode of The Security Podcast, I am joined by Colonel Phil Ingram a former military intelligence officer and media commentator. We discuss why nations spy on one another, what they hope to achieve and the various strategies involved in developing agents and acquiring secret information. Phil also explains how he was once targeted by Chinese intelligence officers and how that experience is now used to help others avoid becoming assets for foreign powers.

In this episode of The Security Podcast, the acclaimed foreign correspondent and author Colin Freeman and I discuss his latest book: The Mad and The Brave - The Untold Story of Ukraine's Foreign Legion. Colin has been reporting from inside Ukraine since before the start of the 2022 Russian invasion. In the podcast we discuss the book's genesis, the characters who make up the foreign legion and how the war has impacted the lives of many Ukrainians. Colin has also reported on wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Middle East and Africa so it's fair to say that he knows his way around a conflict zone.  

In this episode of The Security Podcast, Andres Andreu, the chief operating officer of the cyber security company Constella Intelligence, explains how Agentic AI is changing the  threat landscape in the world of cyber security.  Andres also reveals how talented teenagers in some of the world's poorest countries are being recruited to work as hackers on huge salaries and what action companies, individuals and states need to undertake to protect against the threat posed by hostile state, terrorists and criminal gangs.

If you ever wanted to know more about the role of Army Padres then please listen to the latest episode of The Security Podcast. Padres have a unique role in the British Army. Padres of all faiths have rank but do not command and although they can deploy on operations, padres are non-combatants and are unarmed. My guest on the podcast is Father Stephen Sharkey, who has been a padre since 2008. Prior to becoming a priest he served as a territorial soldier for five years. Padres accompany British troops - including the special forces - wherever they are based. During his career, Stephen has served on numerous military operations around the world, including two tours in Afghanistan one of which was with the Rifles in 2009. During the podcast Stephen recalls giving services in the field in Afghanistan while wearing body armour and helmet, how he coped when soldiers were killed and wounded in battle and why the role of the padre is crucial to morale.

In the latest episode of The Security Podcast,  I discuss the Strategic Defence Review with Colonel Harry Fullerton, a former commanding officer of the Household Cavalry Regiment and an Afghanistan War veteran. Harry gives his views on what is both good and bad within the SDR and whether it should be more tactical and less strategic. We also discuss whether Russia is really a threat to the West and Nato and whether Putin has a plan to end the war.

<p>In this episode of The Security Podcast, Colonel Harry Fullerton, a former commanding officer of the Household Cavalry Regiment and Afghan War veteran, gives his view on 10 elements the forthcoming Strategic Defence Review must contain if it is to be fit for purpose.</p>

<p>In this episode of The Security Podcast author and former diplomat Tim Willasey-Wilsey reveals how he uncovered the role of a largely unknown British spy, who had managed to infiltrate the highest levels of the Nazi party, met with Hitler and helped convince the British government of the need to rearm during an era of appeasement. The Spy and the Devil covers the role of Bill de Ropp, a multi-lingual British agent recruited by MI6 after the First World War and who went onto to provide his handlers with 70 percent of all intelligence on the Nazis.</p>

<p>Transforming the British Army into a war winning machine will require a revolution not an evolution, according to Colonel (Retd) Harry Fullerton OBE.</p><p>The British Army&#39;s fighting Power has been allowed to erode over the past 35 years. The publication Government’s Strategic Defence Review 2025 (SDR 25) has been delayed, pending the production of a new National Security Strategy. In light of the delay, there is an opportunity to examine what the ideal Land Force of tomorrow should look like.</p><p>In this episode of the Security Podcast with Col Fullerton, former commanding officer of the Household Cavalry Regiment looks at what the Army needs to do to transform itself into a lethal, competent fighting force capable of meeting the challenges of a future conflict. </p><p><br></p><p><br></p>

<p>Lawfare - what it means for serving and former members of the British Armed forces - especially those serving in the SAS/SBS is the subject of the latest episode of The Security Podcast.  Our guest is Brig (Retd) Phil McEvoy, the former head of Operational Law Army and the Deputy Head of the Service Prosecuting Authority. Recently, the coroner who presided over the inquest into the 1992 Clonoe Ambush, which resulted in the deaths of four IRA terrorists being shot dead by the SAS, submitted his findings of unjustified killings of the terrorist to the Director of Public Prosecutions. This effectively means that the four SAS veterans could face criminal charges. So, are these inquests into legacy killings an SAS witch-hunt or the correct application of the law? This, and other aspects of Lawfare, are discussed in this episode of the Security Podcast.  <br /></p>

<p>Why did the British Army fail in Afghanistan? In this episode of The Security Podcast Colonel Harry Fullerton tells Sean Rayment why the British mission in Afghanistan was a strategic failure despite being a tactical success. Harry also discusses the loneliness of command, losing soldiers on the battlefield and what it was like being Prince Harry's commanding officer. </p>

<p><br>Africa has witnessed a significant surge in the recruitment of child soldiers across conflict zones, exacerbated by Islamic insurgencies advancing southward across the continent. The United Nations has highlighted a notably high increase in child recruitment, primarily by non-state armed groups, estimating that 8,655 children were recruited for conflicts in 2023. Disturbingly, children as young as five, were coerced into joining. <br>In an interview with The Security Podcast , Naomi Haupt, a researcher from the University of the Free State in South Africa, highlighted how the recruitment of child soldiers is driven by factors such as armed conflicts, political instability, poverty, weak governance, and ethnic tensions. Armed groups exploit children&#39;s vulnerability, sometimes forcing them into service, she said. Haupt recommends withholding aid to countries where the recruitment of children takes place to strengthen accountability.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p> <p>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.</p>

<p> </p> <p>In this episode of <em>The Security Podcast</em>, 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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.  </p> <p>Tune for the second part of this podcast where Jerome talks about the mindset of a war correspondent. </p>

<p>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.</p>