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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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes61Foundeda year ago
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NewsPoliticsNews Commentary

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Latest Episodes

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 ne... more

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 th... more

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 indi... more

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

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Recent Guests

Stephen Gibbs
The Times' Latin American correspondent
The Times
Episode: Trump’s Cuba Playbook
William Leogrande
Professor of Government, American University, Cuba expert
American University
Episode: Trump’s Cuba Playbook
Dr. Jack Watling
RUCI analyst and author
Royal United Services Institute (RUCI)
Episode: How AI drones are changing the war in Ukraine
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

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 213 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 Kingdom2 months 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
    Finland2 months 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 Kingdom3 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 Kingdom4 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
#40
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#76
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#176
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#209
Germany/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#28
Saudi Arabia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#33
South Africa/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Trump’s Cuba Playbook
Q: Why has Cuba been such a poisonous thorn in the U.S. side for so long?
The guests explain a long historical frame where Cuba has been treated as part of U.S. strategic interests since the 19th century, shaping repeated cycles of pressure, engagement, and rhetoric that have failed to produce lasting policy change.
Trump’s Cuba Playbook
Q: Can you give us a sense of what it's like on the ground now?
Stephen Gibbs describes severe shortages, hospital and school closures, and a city largely in darkness, with people adapting but awaiting relief or change as the regime endures.
How AI drones are changing the war in Ukraine
Q: What is the role of humans in the kill chain when autonomous systems are involved?
Humans are expected to remain responsible for the decision to employ a tool and for overseeing its use, with the most practical systems keeping humans in the loop or on the loop rather than fully out of the decision process.
How AI drones are changing the war in Ukraine
Q: Jack, how far away are we from fully autonomous drones that can track and kill on their own?
Autonomy is advancing, but operational use on the front line remains limited; most units still require human oversight, and even when autonomous capabilities exist, they are often limited and used in conjunction with human operators.
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.

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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Which podcasts are similar to The General & The Journalist?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The General & The Journalist:

1. The Rest Is Politics
2. The State of It
3. The Rest Is Politics: Leading
4. Politics Unpacked
5. Political Currency

How many episodes of The General & The Journalist are there?

The General & The Journalist launched a year ago and published 61 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. Stephen Gibbs
2. William Leogrande
3. Dr. Jack Watling
4. Ed Cartwright
5. Alex Vatanka
6. Margus Tsahkna
7. Chris Cavoli
8. Fiona Hill

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