The General & The Journalist

Following the NATO summit in Ankara, American allies face an uncomfortable question – can they still rely on Washington to lead?

Donald Trump is demanding more from Europe, NATO is trying to adapt and countries like Britain must decide whether to step up or become spectators in a world shaped by others.

This week, John Bew joins The General & The Journalist to discuss NATO, Donald Trump, Britain's defence strategy and the future of transatlantic security. Drawing on his experience advising four UK prime ministers, he explains what the summit means for UK national security, military spending, foreign policy, and Britain's role in a changing world.

Should NATO be trying to keep the US on board or should they plan for a future without their support? Get in touch: generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk

Guest: John Bew, Professor of History and Foreign Policy at the Department of War Studies, King's College London
Hosts: General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton Dunn
Producer: Julia Webster
Executive producer: Priyanka Deladia
Image: Getty
Clips: Reuters, CBS News, Simon Walker/No 10 Downing Street

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Britain says its long-awaited Defence Investment Plan will strengthen its role in NATO. But after months of delays, funding rows and warnings from allies, does the money go far enough?

Admiral Sir Keith Blount, the former Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe at NATO, joins Tom and Patrick to assess what the plan gets right, where it falls short and why Britain risks losing influence in the alliance if it fails to deliver.

As NATO leaders prepare to gather in Ankara next week – with Russia threatening Europe, Donald Trump demanding more from the alliance, and countries such as Poland, Denmark and Germany moving faster on defence – is Britain still leading NATO or falling behind?

Do you think the government has sufficiently funded UK defence? Get in touch: generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk

Guest: Admiral Sir Keith Blount, former Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe to NATO
Hosts: General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton Dunn
Producer: Julia Webster
Executive producer: Priyanka Deladia
Image: Getty, Dana Chan
Clips: Reuters, Forbes, Sky

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For The General & The Journalist’s first anniversary, Tom and Patrick return to the question at the heart of the podcast – is the world becoming more dangerous?

Recorded live at the Nevill Holt Festival, they look at Ukraine’s fightback, Putin’s next moves, the Iran ceasefire, China’s advantage, the threat to Taiwan and the crisis in Britain’s defences. Patrick warns that we may be entering a new Cold War and Tom asks whether Britain is moving fast enough to protect itself.

Hosts: General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton Dunn
Producer: Julia Webster
Executive producer: Priyanka Deladia
Image: William Blakesley-Herbert

What are your thoughts on the state of British defence spending? Get in touch: generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk

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H.R. McMaster served as Donald Trump’s National Security Adviser and saw firsthand how he makes decisions about war, peace and American power.

As his former boss is tested by crises from Iran to Ukraine, China, NATO and Venezuela, he explains how the president really thinks. Does Trump have a grand strategy, or is he driven by instincts, deals and the search for a quick win? And will fragile US-Iran peace deal force a lasting peace or end in disaster?

Guest: LTG HR McMaster, former US National Security Advisor (2017-2018)
Hosts: General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton Dunn
Producer: Julia Webster
Executive producer: Priyanka Deladia
Image: Dana Chan and Getty
Clips: PBS, WPLG, Reuters, Getty

What are your thoughts on the US/Iran deal? Get in touch: generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk

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Cuba is running out of power, fuel and patience. As blackouts spread and anger grows, Donald Trump is turning up the pressure on Havana, blaming the regime for the island’s collapse while Cuba points to decades of US sanctions.

The historic US indictment of former president Raúl Castro has raised the stakes and a bigger question – is Trump trying to use his Venezuela playbook on Cuba? With US military power visible in the Caribbean, can Washington force change in Havana or would intervention in America’s Caribbean neighbour could end in catastrophe?

Guest:
Stephen Gibbs, Latin America correspondent for The Times & The Sunday Times
William LeoGrande, professor of Government at American University
Hosts: Tom Newton Dunn
Producer: Julia Webster
Executive producer: Priyanka Deladia
Image: Paul Brookbanks and Getty
Clip: USA TODAY, Getty
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