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The General & The Journalist

The Times
Russia
Ukraine
NATO
China
Iran
Donald Trump
United States
United Kingdom
Vladimir Putin
Gaza
Israel
North Korea
Taiwan
Ukrainian Children Abducted By Russia
People's Liberation Army
Undersea Cables
European Union
Hamas
Benjamin Netanyahu
War In Ukraine

How wars start, how they are won and what they leave behind them.

General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton Dunn first met in a war zone. Drawing on their real-life experience of armed conflict, they bring you the latest from Ukraine, Gaza and the dozens of other bitter struggles being fought across our increasingly divided planet.

From interviews with key people on the frontlines of modern warfa... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes58Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsNews CommentaryNews

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Artwork for The General & The Journalist

Latest Episodes

Nearly four years into Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine is trying to change the course of the war with drones, AI and battlefield innovation. What began as improvised technology has become central to Kyiv’s strategy, helping Ukraine defend the f... more

Two weeks after British paratroopers landed on Tristan da Cunha, one of the world’s most remote inhabited islands, the rescue team are finally heading home.

Their mission was extraordinary – reach a critically ill Briton on a tiny British Overseas T... more

YouTube

Nearly three months after the Iran war began, there is a ceasefire, but no settlement. The Strait of Hormuz remains a global pressure point, Iran’s nuclear programme is unresolved, and Donald Trump is still demanding progress.

But the biggest questi... more

As President Trump lands in Beijing for his summit with Xi, Patrick and Tom are joined by China analyst, Sam Olsen, to discuss whether Iran has flipped the balance of power between the rivals.

Sam argues the war has degraded America's weapons stockp... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Ed Cartwright
Brigadier, commander of 16 Air Assault Brigade
British Army
Episode: Inside the 8,000ft rescue jump onto Tristan da Cunha
Alex Vatanka
Senior Fellow at the Middle East Institute
Middle East Institute
Episode: Who is really running Iran now?
Margus Tsahkna
Estonia's foreign minister
Estonian government
Episode: Putin ‘will flood Europe with criminals and fighters after the war’
Chris Cavoli
Former Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR)
NATO, US Army
Episode: Why America needs NATO - US's Supreme Allied Commander
Fiona Hill
Former Deputy Assistant to the President for National Security; Brookings Institution Senior Fellow; Chancellor of Durham University
Brookings Institution; Durham University
Episode: What Trump’s mistakes in Iran teach all of us
Steve Whiting
US General, Commander of US Space Command
United States Space Command
Episode: Russia’s nuclear bomb threat in space
John Nichol
Former RAF Tornado navigator, author
Retired Royal Air Force
Episode: A rescue mission behind enemy lines, f-bomb tweets and 'a whole civilisation will die'
Mark Galeotti
Russia Watcher Extraordinaire, Kremlinologist
The Times; Moscow Shadows (blog and podcast)
Episode: Fear and loathing in Moscow - ⁠Putin, Iran and a coup?
Peter Frankopan
Historian and author of Silk Roads, expert on history and geopolitics
Historian, Oxford/academic circles
Episode: 'As big as the Berlin Wall and 9/11', Peter Frankopan on the Iran war

Hosts

Tom Newton Dunn
Host of The General & the Journalist, Times / Sunday Times journalist and commentator with extensive experience in defense and security analysis.
Patrick Sanders
Co-host and former British Army General, bringing frontline military leadership and strategic perspective to discussions.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 202 ratings
  • Interesting

    As with every podcast and opinion we do not have to agree with everything that is said but this one is pretty balanced and thought provoking with some really interesting guests. The addition of the journalist allows them to ask more challenging questions which is a healthy dynamic while General Patrick’s experience and network gives a depth to the conversations. I enjoy it and it always makes me think, giving a perspective I might not have considered otherwise.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Holly the Mutt
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • One Of My Favourite Podcasts.

    A absolute joy to listen to Patrick & Tom. Incredibly interesting, informative & wonderful guests. I look forward to every new episode. Give it a try…you won’t be disappointed!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RedFin99
    Finlanda month ago
  • Only ‘can’t miss’ podcast

    Superb discussions about the most critical issues of the age.

    Please offer a paid for ad free version.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cato_46
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Great insight, great guests

    Outstanding guests offer already interesting insight into current geopolitics, and the great rapport between Tom and Patrick makes for great listening. Particularly enjoyed the recent discussion with Peter Frankopan, and would love to see more guests like him on the show.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    deckley
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • The show

    Brilliant at last some sense and straight talking at the moment the lunatics are running the asylum

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Morphine!’
    United Kingdom3 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate clear, practical analysis of complex security issues, with high production quality and credible sourcing.
The duo's rapport and guest lineup consistently deliver insightful, thoughtful discussions on current geopolitics and defense.
Balanced and thought-provoking with strong guests and challenging questions.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#27
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#53
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#195
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#117
Italy/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#157
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#214
Germany/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Who is really running Iran now?
Q: Who's running Iran now?
Vatanka explains that while the Supreme Leader and the IRGC hold substantial power, a civilian layer exists to run basic services, with the IRGC effectively controlling strategic decisions and the leadership around Mojtaba Khamenei still navigating internal dynamics.
Inside the 8,000ft rescue jump onto Tristan da Cunha
Q: Wonderful. So Ed, take us back to the moment then you first received the call on this. What day, where were you, what happened?
Ed describes being summoned to a Crisis Management Group meeting in Colchester, outlining the urgency due to a hantavirus patient on Tristan da Cunha and the tight oxygen timeline, which set the operation in motion.
Why America needs NATO - US's Supreme Allied Commander
Q: Article 5: do you think it remains rock solid in today's geopolitical climate?
The guest emphasizes that while Article 5 obligations have historically held, Europe must strengthen its own defense and readiness to preserve credibility and deterrence if the US stance evolves.
Why America needs NATO - US's Supreme Allied Commander
Q: Chris, I want to begin, I guess, by talking about the threat, the reason that NATO exists.
Cavoli describes the threat as evolving, with Russia's capabilities and the need for NATO to restore and sustain deterrence, while highlighting the alliance's shift toward regionally focused defense plans and interoperable forces.
Putin ‘will flood Europe with criminals and fighters after the war’
Q: Would America come true to its word and respond to an Article 5 NATO situation, attack one is an attack on all and come to a halt, or would they not?
The discussion suggests that the U.S. remains committed to Article 5 in principle, but political turbulence could affect decision-making; the broader point is about credibility and the need for Western unity to deter Russian aggression.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About The General & The Journalist

What is The General & The Journalist about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A hard-hitting geopolitics and defense-focused program led by two veteran insiders who bring frontline context to global flashpoints. Topics commonly revolve around great-power competition, military strategy, alliance dynamics, and the evolving nature of warfare—from drones and space to nuclear strategy and deterrence. Guests range from former generals and diplomats to leading analysts, historians, and journalists, producing a rigorous, no-nonsense conversation that helps listeners understand what's at stake and why decisions in Washington, London, and elsewhere matter for security and policy. A standout aspect is the blend of battlefield experience with high-level analysis, making complex geopolitics accessible and practically relevant for... more

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1. The Rest Is Politics: Leading
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How many episodes of The General & The Journalist are there?

The General & The Journalist launched a year ago and published 58 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 The General & The Journalist?

Recent guests on The General & The Journalist include:

1. Ed Cartwright
2. Alex Vatanka
3. Margus Tsahkna
4. Chris Cavoli
5. Fiona Hill
6. Steve Whiting
7. John Nichol
8. Mark Galeotti

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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