Talk War

Over the weekend, Donald Trump took to Truth Social with an expletive-laden post about the conflict in Iran, threatening to strike the country's bridge and energy infrastructure if a deal wasn't reached soon. Iran dismissed the latest threat as "helpless, nervous and stupid". So is he taking the right approach to trying to end the conflict? Rick Gates - former deputy campaign manager for Donald Trump - joins Alex Phillips to discuss the post and why the US President still has his support over the conflict and what Trump has got right with his strategy. And over the weekend, US forces rescued an airman who went missing after his jet was shot down over Iran. Defence analyst Simon Diggins speaks with Mark Dolan to discuss the significance of this rescue mission and how it will help with US morale. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Talk War brings together Republican strategist Amy Tarkanian, Democrat adviser Michael Yaki, and former British Army chief Richard Dannatt to dissect Donald Trump’s latest Iran war address — as he claims victory is near while ramping up military threats. With the Strait of Hormuz crisis driving global oil fears and UK fuel prices under pressure, this episode asks: is Trump ending the war, or losing control of it?The panel clashes over Trump’s shifting messaging, from promises of withdrawal to warnings of escalation, exposing deep divisions inside US politics. Tarkanian defends the need for strong leadership but admits the lack of a clear exit strategy, while Yaki argues Trump has ignored decades of war-gaming around the Strait of Hormuz — the key global oil choke point now impacting economies worldwide. The debate also explores whether Iran has outmanoeuvred the US, using النفط leverage to hold global markets hostage.Lord Dannatt delivers a hard-headed military assessment, warning that NATO was sidelined from the start and cannot be treated as an offensive tool at America’s command. He lays bare the uncomfortable truth about UK defence capability, the reliance on US military power, and the growing pressure on European nations to increase spending. From Trump’s foreign policy gamble to NATO tensions, oil price shocks and the risk of a wider Middle East war, this is a high-stakes, no-holds-barred analysis of the Iran conflict and what Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Julia Hartley-Brewer speaks to Iranian political strategist Marty Youssefiani as the Iran war intensifies, with global markets on edge over the Strait of Hormuz crisis and the threat of fuel shortages hitting the UK. With Donald Trump sending conflicting signals on US strategy, NATO involvement and whether the war is ending or escalating, this episode tackles the biggest question right now: where is the Iran conflict heading next?They break down the competing war aims driving the crisis — from US concerns over Iran’s nuclear threat, to Israel’s fight against Iranian-backed groups like Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis, and the growing pressure from inside Iran for regime change. Youssefiani warns that military action alone will not topple the Iranian regime, highlighting the lack of a clear political alternative, the role of the IRGC, and why protests have failed to reach a tipping point despite widespread anger and thousands killed.Drawing on his experience advising Reza Pahlavi, Youssefiani explains why Iran is fundamentally different to Iraq and Afghanistan — pointing to a highly educated, digitally connected population that could shape a post-regime future if properly supported. From the risk of a rushed US exit to the long-term challenge of nation-building, this is a must-listen deep dive into the Iran war, Strait of Hormuz disruption, Trump’s foreign policy, and the fight for Iran’s future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump’s latest address to the American people raises more questions than answers, with confusion over NATO, Iran and the future of global security dominating this explosive episode of Talk War. Donald Trump looms large as both allies and enemies struggle to interpret what he didn’t say as much as what he did.Special Correspondent David Patrikarakos warns Trump’s on-off threats to pull out of NATO are a deliberate pressure tactic designed to force Europe to “step up”, while exposing major weaknesses in Britain’s defence capability. The discussion drills into the reality of the Iran conflict, including the risks around the Strait of Hormuz, whether Western powers could realistically secure it, and why the true success of the war will only be clear once the fighting stops.Republican strategist Matt Terrill, former adviser to Marco Rubio, insists the US is winning and argues Trump’s rhetoric is about strength, not recklessness. He reveals why Washington expects NATO allies to do more, how the Iran war could reshape global alliances, and why decisions made in the coming weeks could redefine America’s role on the world stage. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Talk War tackles the deepening Iran conflict, the anti-Semitism row surrounding a major London march and the wider threat to Britain’s security. Fleur Hassan-Nahum argues Israel is making progress against Iran’s military infrastructure and says the regime remains a global danger, while Tobias Ellwood warns the war still lacks a clear endgame despite the damage already inflicted on Tehran. The episode also hears from Talk reporter Samara Gill after she went inside a huge central London protest that she says exposed open hostility to Israel and a refusal among many attendees to condemn Hamas.The discussion ranges from Donald Trump’s handling of the Iran war and whether regime change is realistic, to Britain’s response to Iranian terror threats and the risk of further escalation across the Middle East. Fleur Hassan-Nahum says the Iranian regime is a civilisational threat and insists there is a plan for what comes after the fighting, while Tobias Ellwood questions the absence of a coherent Western strategy and warns of economic fallout hitting the UK through fuel disruption. Samara Gill then details what she witnessed at the London march, including pro-Ayatollah imagery, confusion over Hamas, claims of anti-Semitism and an atmosphere she describes as threatening and deeply divisive. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former MI6 chief Sir Richard Dearlove joins Philip Ingram on Talk War for a hard-hitting conversation on the global security crises reshaping the world.From the escalating confrontation with Iran and Donald Trump’s response, to growing pressure on NATO, the threat from Russia and China, and serious questions over whether Britain is prepared for modern conflict, this episode tackles the biggest defence and intelligence issues facing the UK and the West.Philip Ingram, former senior British military intelligence officer, and Sir Richard Dearlove dig into:the latest tensions involving Iran, the US and the Strait of Hormuzwhether further American military action is likelythe reality of the UK’s military readinessdefence spending, missile defence and Britain’s vulnerabilitiesthe intelligence relationship between the UK and the USthe threat posed by the IRGCpolitical leadership, national resilience and the future of British securityIf you want sharp analysis on war, geopolitics, intelligence, defence policy and national security, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.Listen now to Talk War with Philip Ingram.Former MI6 chief Sir Richard Dearlove joins Philip Ingram on Talk War for a hard-hitting conversation on the global security crises reshaping the world.From the escalating confrontation with Iran and Donald Trump’s response, to growing pressure on NATO, the threat from Russia and China, and serious questions over whether Britain is prepared for modern conflict, this episode tackles the biggest defence and intelligence issues facing the UK and the West.Philip Ingram, former senior British military intelligence officer, and Sir Richard Dearlove dig into:the latest tensions involving Iran, the US and the Strait of Hormuzwhether further American military action is likelythe reality of the UK’s military readinessdefence spending, missile defence and Britain’s vulnerabilitiesthe intelligence relationship between the UK and the USthe threat posed by the IRGCpolitical leadership, national resilience and the future of British securityIf you want sharp analysis on war, geopolitics, intelligence, defence policy and national security, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.Listen now to Talk War with Philip Ingram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump issued his 15-point peace plan to Iran in order to end the conflict. Iran promptly said they weren't interested. On this episode, Ian Collins is joined by Hamish De Bretton Gordon OBE, former British Army Colonel, to dig into the latest around the conflict and who is holding all the cards in reaching a conclusion. And Hamish discusses his latest piece for The Telegraph and why he believes the mullahs of Iran have British blood on their hands. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Talk, Colonel James Sunderland, Greg Swenson, and Matthew Syed joined Kevin O'Sullivan to discuss the latest developments for the UK, U.S. and Iran as the Gulf Crisis continues. Three weeks after the RAF Akrotiri was hit by an Iranian missile, the HMS Dragon finally arrived in Cyprus. Col. James discusses the systemic failures that have contributed to the decline of a naval force, Keir Starmer's wobbly commitment to an increase in defence budget, and his reluctance to comment on the risk of a British strike from Iran. And after Donald Trump threatened Iran with a 48-hour deadline - and then delayed it - it looks increasingly like the U.S. President doesn't have control of the situation. Kevin debates Trump's handling of the crisis with Republicans Overseas UK chair Greg Swenson, and Times columnist Matthew Syed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jeremy Kyle and guests react to the alleged anti-Semitic firebombing of Jewish ambulances in Golders Green and the deepening Iran conflict. The episode centres on anti-Semitism in Britain, Keir Starmer’s response to national security threats, and the growing fear that the war with Iran could spiral into a much wider global crisis.Brendan O’Neill calls the ambulance attack an act of “fascist savagery”, while Zia Yusuf says Britain has become dangerously soft on extremism and failed the Jewish community. Amy Tarkanian gives the US view on Donald Trump, military pressure on Iran and America’s frustration with Starmer’s indecision. Former RAF pilot Sean Bell breaks down the reported missile strike near Diego Garcia, the threat posed by the Strait of Hormuz, and why any military endgame looks far messier than politicians suggest. Yosef Haddad, speaking from the Israeli-Lebanese border, delivers a stark warning about Iran, Hezbollah and the danger posed by the IRGC.This is a hard-hitting Talk War episode on anti-Semitism, Islamist extremism, Iran, Israel and the weakness of Western leadership. From domestic security failures in London to fears of a wider Middle East war, it is a furious, fast-moving listen packed with anger, analysis and major questions about whether Britain is prepared for the threats now in front of it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The world is burning – and Britain is not ready. In this explosive episode of Talk War, host Philip Ingram MBE (former senior military intelligence officer) sits down with Andrew Fox, ex-Para major and Henry Jackson Society senior fellow, to dissect the escalating 2026 Iran war.Three weeks in: US-Israel strikes decimate Iranian navy, missiles, and energy sites like South Pars, while Iran retaliates with barrages on Israel and Gulf states, spiking global oil prices and hitting UK petrol pumps hard. They reveal why interceptor stocks are draining, Russian components in Iranian drones threaten Cyprus bases, and Trump's shifting stance raises questions about US reliability.Philip and Andrew expose Britain's dire state: underfunded, undermanned armed forces, delayed defence plans, Treasury cuts since 2010, failed projects like AJAX, and politicians dipping into defence budgets for vote-winning priorities. Is NATO finished? Will Russian subversion and drone threats hit home next? And why might a major crisis be needed to force real change?This is your no-nonsense national security briefing – holding leaders to account when politicians won't. From Ukraine to Gaza to Iran, conflict anywhere affects us here.Subscribe to TalkTV for more Talk War episodes, expert analysis, and daily updates. Available on the Talk app or wherever you get podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Isabel Oakeshott and Hamish de Bretton-Gordon unpack a dramatic shift in the Middle East conflict as Donald Trump publicly distances himself from Israel following strikes that have triggered retaliation across the Gulf.With missile alerts in Dubai, attacks on key energy infrastructure in Qatar and a 23% spike in gas prices, the global economic impact is already being felt. The episode explores whether Trump has lost control of the narrative, and what it means for the so called special relationship with Keir Starmer and Europe’s refusal to fully back US action.From tensions within NATO to fears over the Strait of Hormuz, the conversation dives into the risks of a fractured alliance, the reality of asymmetric warfare and whether this conflict is already beyond any quick resolution. Featuring analysis from both guests, this is a sharp, fast moving breakdown of a war that is rapidly reshaping global security and hitting wallets back home. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Talk War, former White House official Matthew Bryza and ex-US Army Europe commander Ben Hodges join the show as tensions escalate between Washington and London over the Iran conflict. With Donald Trump publicly attacking the BBC, comparing Keir Starmer unfavourably to Winston Churchill and accusing Britain of weakening the “special relationship”, the debate turns to whether the transatlantic alliance is entering dangerous territory.Matthew Bryza warns that Trump’s strategy in Iran appears increasingly chaotic, arguing the president expected a quick regime collapse but underestimated the complexity of Iran’s internal power structure and the likelihood of retaliation. He says the conflict is also fracturing Trump’s own political base in the United States, with many prominent MAGA figures opposing another foreign war.Retired Lieutenant General Ben Hodges offers a stark military assessment, saying Britain’s armed forces still have world-class quality but no longer have the scale to match it after decades of underinvestment. He also explains why NATO remains critical to US security despite Trump’s criticisms, and why European allies are reluctant to follow Washington into a war whose objectives remain unclear. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Talk War, former US National Security Adviser John Bolton and ex-NATO commander Chris Parry assess the latest from the Iran conflict, as Donald Trump turns up the pressure on Britain over its refusal to play a bigger role. With the Strait of Hormuz under threat and global oil supplies at risk, the question is no longer whether the war matters to the UK, but how much longer Britain can afford to stay on the sidelines.John Bolton argues the case for regime change in Iran is stronger than ever, warning that the Tehran regime remains the biggest source of instability, terrorism and nuclear threat in the Middle East. He says Trump was right to back military action, but wrong not to prepare allies and the American public properly in advance, leaving Washington scrambling for support after the fighting began and after the Strait of Hormuz crisis escalated.Chris Parry gives the military view, saying the West needs a clear plan before asking Britain to commit more force, but insisting the free flow of oil through the Gulf is a direct British interest. He explains why the closure of the Strait of Hormuz is a separate international security issue from the wider war itself, and why the long-term danger is that if Iran emerges unbroken, the consequences will not stay in the Middle East for long. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Britain looking weak on the world stage? On this episode of Talk War, Jeremy Kyle reacts as Donald Trump publicly criticises Sir Keir Starmer over Britain’s response to the Iran conflict, with Labour MP Karl Turner accusing the Prime Minister of damaging trust through “flip-flopping” over bases, ships and military support.Jeremy also speaks to Fleur Hassan Nahoum, Special Envoy for the Israeli Foreign Minister, who says Britain must face up to the Iranian threat after years of terror funding, regional destabilisation and attacks on Israel. She warns that Keir Starmer’s mixed messaging is angering allies on all sides, while Jeremy also tackles the growing row over anti-Israel protests in Britain and what they say about the country’s political and cultural direction.Plus, former Royal Navy commander Tom Sharpe and Rear Admiral Mike Hewitt examine the military reality behind the Strait of Hormuz crisis, the shrinking strength of Britain’s armed forces, the HMS Dragon delay, and whether the UK is now too underpowered to play a serious role in a fast-moving global security emergency. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As tensions escalate in the Middle East, the Iran conflict threatens to spiral into a wider crisis — with the crucial Strait of Hormuz, through which around 20% of the world’s oil passes, at the centre of the global standoff. On Talk War, Republican strategist Amy Tarkanian discusses the growing concern in the United States that the conflict could drag on for years, with reports suggesting thousands of US Marines could soon be deployed.The episode also examines the political fallout between Washington and London, after Donald Trump criticised the UK for failing to step up militarily. With polls suggesting most Britons oppose joining the war, the debate intensifies over whether Britain should support its closest ally — or stay out of another long and costly conflict.Plus, political voices from Westminster weigh in on the UK’s military readiness, defence spending and Keir Starmer's leadership during an escalating global crisis. As war risks widening across the region, Talk War asks the key question: how far could this conflict spread — and what role should Britain play? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the Strait of Hormuz crisis deepens, Talk War examines the mounting pressure on Donald Trump, Keir Starmer and Britain’s allies as Iran’s blockade threatens global oil supplies and risks a wider economic shock. Former NATO Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe Sir Richard Shirreff warns Trump has “got himself in a hole”, while questioning whether the US ever had a clear endgame for the Iran conflict.Rear Admiral Chris Parry gives a hard-headed assessment of Britain’s response, arguing that the UK has looked hesitant, underprepared and strategically confused as HMS Dragon belatedly heads towards the region. The episode explores whether Britain should help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, what support NATO allies can realistically provide, and whether Starmer is right to resist being drawn further into a US-led war. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Talk War examines the fallout from the Al-Quds rally in London, where anti-Israel chants, pro-Iran placards and serious questions over policing sparked fury. Lord Marland, Trevor Kavanagh and Chris Phillips react to the scenes on Britain’s streets, the growing fears over extremism, free speech and anti-Semitism, and whether the UK is failing to confront threats at home.The podcast also looks at the deepening Iran crisis and Britain’s faltering response abroad. Mark Francois warns Keir Starmer is being driven by political survival rather than the national interest, while Tobias-style questions over defence readiness return as HMS Dragon sails late and Britain’s military posture comes under fresh scrutiny. With oil routes under threat and fears growing over the Strait of Hormuz, the panel asks whether the UK is prepared for the security and economic shock ahead.Across this episode, the debate turns to immigration, policing, defence cuts and the wider question of whether Britain has lost confidence in its own values. From the Middle East to Westminster to the streets of London, Talk War breaks down the national security risks, the political failures and the pressure now facing Britain at home and overseas. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Talk War, the focus turns from Tehran to London, as Samara Gill reports from the Al Quds rally where chants, placards and intimidation raise urgent questions about anti-Semitism, extremism and policing in Britain. Her account of being mobbed while reporting adds a chilling edge to a debate about whether hatred linked to the Iran regime is now being openly displayed on UK streets.Eylon Levy warns that Britain is facing a “Khomeinist fifth column”, as the discussion widens to the spread of anti-Israel activism, rising hostility towards Jewish people, and fears that universities, protests and public spaces are becoming more toxic. The episode also explores what these scenes say about Keir Starmer, the Met Police, free speech and Britain’s grip on national cohesion.Isabel Oakeshott and Peter Bleksley then weigh in on the wider fallout from the Iran crisis, including Britain’s response to the Strait of Hormuz threat, the debate over immigration, integration and security, and whether the UK is showing enough strength at home while conflict abroad fuels division on the streets. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the explosive launch episode of TALK WAR, host Philip Ingram — former senior British military intelligence officer and NATO planner, and a familiar voice on Times Radio, Sky News and the BBC — tackles the question everyone’s asking: what the hell is going on right now?Philip is joined by Tom Sharpe OBE, former Royal Navy Commander and Defence columnist at The Telegraph, plus Eliot Wilson — former Clerk of the House of Commons (2005–2016), former official to the House of Commons Defence Committee, Secretary to the UK Delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, and writer on politics, international affairs and security for City AM, The Spectator and The Hill (and Contributing Editor, Defence on the Brink).Together they connect the dots between Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, Gaza, Ukraine, the Red Sea and Bab-el-Mandeb, and why China is watching Taiwan. They dig into the real drivers — oil, energy security, global shipping, maritime choke points and sea power — and ask whether the West is stumbling towards World War Three.Plus: Trump’s strategy — “4D chess” or chaos? What the UK government really means by “defensive” support, the reality of the special relationship, the politics around Diego Garcia and RAF Fairford, and what the HMS Dragon saga says about British defence readiness. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former Defence Select Committee chair Tobias Ellwood delivers a stark warning about Britain’s military readiness as the Iran conflict escalates. Speaking on Talk War, the former soldier says “our defence posture is woefully inadequate for where the world is going”, arguing the crisis has exposed serious weaknesses in the UK’s armed forces.Ellwood explains the strategic messaging battle behind the White House’s war videos, saying they are designed to “keep your nation supporting your actions” while leaders manage domestic opinion during wartime. But he also warns the conflict risks becoming a missed opportunity to deal with Iran’s long-standing influence across the Middle East.The discussion also turns to Britain’s delayed response as HMS Dragon finally departs for Cyprus, raising questions about the state of the Royal Navy and the UK’s wider defence capability. Ellwood argues the crisis should be a wake-up call, urging politicians to put national security above party politics and increase defence spending as global tensions continue to rise. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.