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Behind The Lines with Arthur Snell

Arthur Snell
Ukraine
Russia
Iran
United States
Israel
NATO
Brexit
Syria
Migration
European Union
Climate Change
France
Donald Trump
Hezbollah
Saudi Arabia
China
European Parliament
Assad Regime
Gaza
Yemen

Behind the Lines with Arthur Snell is a geopolitics podcast. Every week we give the listener access to the best informed people to help you understand this turbulent world and get a feel for the things that will matter in the future. I am on Bluesky here and you can read some of my thoughts on world affairs here arthursnell.substack.com/ If you enjoyed this podcast please spread the word a... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes152Founded3 years ago
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Latest Episodes

I caught up with Kyiv-based correspondent Jimmy Rushton to discuss the latest in Ukraine and Russia as the NATO summit met and Trump appeared to have moderated his anti-Ukrainian stance (for now, at least).

If you would like to support this podcast ... more

Most of the times, the control of the seas empowers countries, logistically and economically, as well demontrated from Iran which now controls the strait of Hormuz. To discuss this further I spoke to Dr Ian Ralby, an American lawyer specialised in ma... more

I was delighted to be invited by Will Wintercross of the Syrian Refugee Relief Fund to participate in a panel on geopolitics with Hannah Lucinda Smith, a distinguished foreign correspondent and author of the recent book, Hinterlands.

If you would li... more

On the 10th anniversary of the UK's fateful Brexit vote, I wanted to re-issue a conversation I recorded back in November 2023 with the leader of the European Movement, Dr Mike Galsworthy - a scientist, campaigner and passionate European about how we ... more

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Recent Guests

Jimmy Rushton
British security analyst and journalist based in Kyiv
Kyiv Independent
Episode: Ukraine update: deep strikes on Russian oil and a shifting US position
Ian Ralby
Operational maritime lawyer focused on security and law in the maritime space
Independent maritime lawyer with work on pirates, oil spills, illegal fishing, etc.
Episode: International maritime policy: how far can a country control the seas?
Mike Galsworthy
Head of the European Movement UK; scientist-turned-campaigner
European Movement UK
Episode: 10-year anniversary: an optimistic take - The UK's Long March back to Europe?
George Osborn
Expert on video games and geopolitics
Author, Power Play
Episode: BTL Exclusive: George Osborn on how authoritarians are exploiting the world of video games to geopolitical advantage.
Frank Ledwidge
Defense expert, academic, former serviceman
Portsmouth University
Episode: EMERGENCY EPISODE: the resignation of John Healey
Euan MacDonald
BBC journalist and Ukraine expert
BBC
Episode: The Latest from Ukraine - is the tide turning?
Hannah Lucinda Smith
Journalist and author who spent 13 years living in Istanbul and reporting around Europe and the Middle East
Freelance journalist, author of Hinterlands
Episode: Hinterlands: Europe's Unfinished Frontiers, with Hannah Lucinda Smith
James Clark
Professor of History, University of Exeter
University of Exeter
Episode: BANK HOLIDAY SPECIAL: the King's troublesome younger brother
Kelly Kassis
Geopolitical analyst covering the Middle East and Russia; Director of International Relations at the Center of Political and Foreign Affairs
Episode: Syria: Is the new government in league with Jihadists?

Host

Dr. Arthur Snell
Host of the program, renowned for guiding nuanced geopolitical discussions with expert guests.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 450 ratings
  • The ‘experts’

    Why are you interviewing a British person on what’s going in Ukraine? Are there no Ukrainians you could have asked?

    This is a bugbear of mine that in the anglosphere there is this belief that no one else can give an opinion other than someone else from the anglosphere and then a lot of context of the issue being discussed gets lost in this filter.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Takievi
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Great episode on the “in-between States”

    Hannah Lucinda Smith is first class, another brilliant episode. Keep it up Arthur!Gammell.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    OlivierMP
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Latest episode on Iran!

    This weeks episode on the straits of Hormuz and its closure makes for the most sobering listening possible! The fact that this analysis isn’t across the media worldwide just underlines how unprepared and myopic we have become! Horrendous times ahead

    Thanks again Arthur for your analysis and guest choice

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    agah1971
    United Kingdom4 months ago
  • Consistently first class

    Another brilliant episode with the v impressive Charlie Gammell. If there is a word that’s the exact opposite of glib, Arthur Snell’s podcast would be it.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    OlivierMP
    United Kingdom6 months ago
  • Brilliant

    Essential listening, Arthur Snell is excellent

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    dandavidsculpt
    United Kingdom7 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Shows consistently feature expert guests and calm, informed discussion.
High-quality production and thoughtful questioning are frequently praised.
Guests are well-chosen and contribute strong historical and analytical context.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#99
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#244
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#219
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#25
Poland/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#75
Poland/News
Apple Podcasts
#123
Saudi Arabia/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

10-year anniversary: an optimistic take - The UK's Long March back to Europe?
Q: What does a realistic timeline look like for rejoining the EU, given current political realities?
He describes a multi-year, step-by-step approach, emphasizing public demand, gradual policy alignment (Horizon, mobility, CE marks), and broad societal buy-in before any formal reentry, aiming for progress over a decade.
10-year anniversary: an optimistic take - The UK's Long March back to Europe?
Q: Could you tell our listeners a bit about your background and how Brexit turned you into a political campaigner?
Mike explains his switch from science policy to political campaigning, driven by the belief that Brexit would harm UK science and by the effectiveness of organized advocacy, such as Scientists for EU and Scientists for Labour, to push for stronger ties with Europe.
BTL Exclusive: George Osborn on how authoritarians are exploiting the world of video games to geopolitical advantage.
Q: Tell listeners about your book and how it connects video games with geopolitics.
The book explains how video games moved from a niche pastime to a global platform through smartphones and social media, creating vast communities that can be influenced, mobilized, and exploited by various state and non-state actors for political ends.
THE SANCTUARY SCHOLARS Meet the displaced academics rewriting the future
Q: What is your understanding of how young people in Russia view the authorities under an authoritarian regime?
Nikita explains that many young Russians choose silence due to limited options, with a trend toward internal migration in thought and research as a form of dissociation from the regime, while acknowledging diverse and non-uniform views.
Back by popular demand: Charlie Gammell on the latest in Iran
Q: Would Iran pause or de-escalate if external pressure receded, and could a third party broker a ceasefire?
The guest suggests that a de-escalation path is possible but fraught: it would likely require concessions from the regime and could risk backlash from protesters and hardliners; substantial mediation would be needed, possibly from a political insider rather than a hardline faction.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Behind The Lines

What is Behind The Lines about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This geopolitics program curates conversations with highly informed guests to illuminate global affairs, power dynamics, and the implications of policy decisions on international stability. Episodes cover topics such as regional conflicts, historical Western–Middle Eastern relations, energy security, and the humanitarian dimensions of upheaval, with a focus on nuanced analysis and credible sourcing. A standout trait is consistently high-caliber guest selection from academia, journalism, and policy circles, often including firsthand voices and former diplomats. Listeners can expect thoughtful, evidence-driven discussions that help translate complex geopolitics into practical implications for business, diplomacy, and strategy.

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Which podcasts are similar to Behind The Lines?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Behind The Lines:

1. Quiet Riot
2. This Is Not A Drill with Gavin Esler
3. The Bunker – News without the nonsense
4. Oh God, What Now?
5. Origin Story

How many episodes of Behind The Lines are there?

Behind The Lines launched 3 years ago and published 152 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Behind The Lines?

Recent guests on Behind The Lines include:

1. Jimmy Rushton
2. Ian Ralby
3. Mike Galsworthy
4. George Osborn
5. Frank Ledwidge
6. Euan MacDonald
7. Hannah Lucinda Smith
8. James Clark

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