Behind The Lines with Arthur Snell

Follow Iona Craig on Bluesky here https://bsky.app/profile/ionacraig.com Her latest reporting on UK complicity in US war crimes is here: https://www.declassifieduk.org/starmer-complicit-in-trumps-yemen-massacre/ If you would like to support this podcast please consider taking out a paid subscription to my Substack arthursnell.substack.com or if you don't want the hassle of a subscription you can buy me a coffee! ko-fi.com/snellarthur If you want to buy any of the books talked about in this show, please support independent bookshops by using Bookshop.org with this link: ⁠https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/behindthelines⁠ Thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you would like to support this podcast please consider taking out a paid subscription to my Substack arthursnell.substack.com or if you don't want the hassle of a subscription you can buy me a coffee! ko-fi.com/snellarthur If you want to buy any of the books talked about in this show, please support independent bookshops by using Bookshop.org with this link: ⁠⁠https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/behindthelines⁠⁠ Thanks! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Steve Feldstein is a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment and an expert on how technology is transforming warfare. If you would like to support this podcast please consider taking out a paid subscription to my Substack arthursnell.substack.com or if you don't want the hassle of a subscription you can buy me a coffee! ko-fi.com/snellarthur If you want to buy any of the books talked about in this show, please support independent bookshops by using Bookshop.org with this link: ⁠⁠https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/behindthelines⁠⁠ Thanks! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 please consider taking out a paid subscription to my Substack arthursnell.substack.com or if you don't want the hassle of a subscription you can buy me a coffee! ko-fi.com/snellarthur If you want to buy any of the books talked about in this show, please support independent bookshops by using Bookshop.org with this link: ⁠⁠https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/behindthelines⁠⁠ Thanks! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 maritime affairs. If you would like to support this podcast please consider taking out a paid subscription to my Substack arthursnell.substack.com or if you don't want the hassle of a subscription you can buy me a coffee! ko-fi.com/snellarthur If you want to buy any of the books talked about in this show, please support independent bookshops by using Bookshop.org with this link: ⁠⁠https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/behindthelines⁠⁠ Thanks! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 like to support this podcast please consider taking out a paid subscription to my Substack arthursnell.substack.com or if you don't want the hassle of a subscription you can buy me a coffee! ko-fi.com/snellarthur If you want to buy any of the books talked about in this show, please support independent bookshops by using Bookshop.org with this link: ⁠https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/behindthelines⁠ Thanks! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 might rejoin the EU. We cover a lot of ground and we started with the impact of Brexit on science - Mike’s professional calling, before moving on to discuss the future and how Britain might think about reversing Brexit and rejoining the EU. You can follow Mike on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/mikegalsworthy.bsky.social The European Movement can be found here: https://www.europeanmovement.co.uk/ Check out our Bookshop.org affiliate site behindthelines and please sign up for my substack at arthursnell.substack.com and/or follow me on Bluesky @snellarthur.bsky.social. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It was my pleasure to speak to George Osborn, expert on video games, about how this artform, which is used by over 3 billion people worldwide, has been weaponised and exploited by extremists, populists and authoritarians. I confess to knowing nothing about video games, but found this whole subject fascinating and I hope you do too. If you would like to support this podcast please consider taking out a paid subscription to my Substack arthursnell.substack.com or if you don't want the hassle of a subscription you can buy me a coffee! ko-fi.com/snellarthur If you want to buy any of the books talked about in this show, please support independent bookshops by using Bookshop.org with this link: ⁠https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/behindthelines⁠ Thanks! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I spoke to Dr Frank Ledwidge, former serviceman and defence expert about the resignation of John Healey. Recorded on 11 June just after the announcement of Healey's resignation, we analysed the state of Britain's armed forces and what to make of this news. If you would like to support this podcast please consider taking out a paid subscription to my Substack arthursnell.substack.com or if you don't want the hassle of a subscription you can buy me a coffee! ko-fi.com/snellarthur If you want to buy any of the books talked about in this show, please support independent bookshops by using Bookshop.org with this link: ⁠https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/behindthelines⁠ Thanks! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can Donald Trump find a way out of the mess he's made for himself in Iran? Is the Islamic Republic doomed? Who's in charge in Tehran? Charlie Gammell, Iran expert and historian answers these and many more questions in this fascinating interview recorded in the morning of 9 June 2026. If you would like to support this podcast please consider taking out a paid subscription to my Substack arthursnell.substack.com or if you don't want the hassle of a subscription you can buy me a coffee! ko-fi.com/snellarthur If you want to buy any of the books talked about in this show, please support independent bookshops by using Bookshop.org with this link: ⁠https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/behindthelines⁠ Thanks! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As Russia faces embarrassment and humiliation with the St Petersburg Economic Forum taking place against a backdrop of plumes of smoke from burning oil refineries, Ukraine has been bracing against huge Russian air-raids targeting Kyiv. Nonetheless, Ukraine seems to be gaining an upper hand, with Russia unable to make progress and struggling to mobilise troops in the face of enormous casualties. To discuss all of this it was my pleasure to speak to long-term Kyiv-based correspondent Euan MacDonald. Follow him here: https://bsky.app/profile/euanmacdonald.bsky.social If you would like to support this podcast please consider taking out a paid subscription to my Substack arthursnell.substack.com or if you don't want the hassle of a subscription you can buy me a coffee! ko-fi.com/snellarthur If you want to buy any of the books talked about in this show, please support independent bookshops by using Bookshop.org with this link: ⁠https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/behindthelines⁠ Thanks! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Long before Putin's invasion of Ukraine, conflict was simmering on Europe's borders. In overlooked territories in eastern Europe, the eastern Mediterranean and the Caucasus - from the Balkans and Cyprus to Abkhazia on the fringes of Georgia - local disputes spiral into regional crises, global alliances are forged and broken, and power is brokered while the West looks elsewhere. In Hinterlands, acclaimed correspondent Hannah Lucinda Smith draws on vivid first-hand encounters with politicians, spies and ordinary people caught in the crosshairs to paint a gripping portrait of Europe at its edges - and the struggles that will define its future. If you would like to support this podcast please consider taking out a paid subscription to my Substack arthursnell.substack.com or if you don't want the hassle of a subscription you can buy me a coffee! ko-fi.com/snellarthur If you want to buy any of the books talked about in this show, please support independent bookshops by using Bookshop.org with this link: ⁠https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/behindthelines⁠ Thanks! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Imagine, if you can, a king with two younger brothers. One of them, the youngest, is hardworking and loyal, a little dull, but always shows up when needed. The middle brother is flamboyant, egotistical, entitled, unreliable and capable of great cruelty and abusive behaviour. After putting up with this for perhaps longer than might be expected, eventually the Crown loses patience and the law takes its course. This is, of course, the story of George, Duke of Clarence, the wayward brother of Edward IV, who lived from 1448 to 1479 when he was executed by being drowned in a butt of Malmsey wine. His bones are stored in a vault in Tewkesbury Abbey in Gloucestershire. For a bank holiday special episode of this podcast I spoke to Professor James Clark of the University of Exeter about the Duke of Clarence and the strange resonances with the modern day. If you would like to support this podcast please consider taking out a paid subscription to my Substack arthursnell.substack.com or if you don't want the hassle of a subscription you can buy me a coffee! ko-fi.com/snellarthur If you want to buy any of the books talked about in this show, please support independent bookshops by using Bookshop.org with this link: ⁠https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/behindthelines⁠ Thanks! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The new government of Syria, led since last year by former Al-Qaida commander Ahmad Al-Shara'a is allegedly a pragmatic, multifaith movement righting the wrongs of the Assad era. But might it be a front for more extreme jihadist elements? The escape of thousands of Islamic State militants under the noses of Al-Shara'a's forces points to a lack of concern at the very least. To discuss this I was delighted to be joined by Syria expert Kelly Kassis. If you would like to support this podcast please consider taking out a paid subscription to my Substack arthursnell.substack.com or if you don't want the hassle of a subscription you can buy me a coffee! ko-fi.com/snellarthur If you want to buy any of the books talked about in this show, please support independent bookshops by using Bookshop.org with this link: ⁠https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/behindthelines⁠ Thanks! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why did the UAE announce its departure from OPEC? What does this have to do with the Iran war, relations with Saudi Arabia and Israel and the role of the United States? To answer these questions and more, I spoke to Michael Stephens, RUSI Middle East expert and Gulf affairs specialist. If you would like to support this podcast please consider taking out a paid subscription to my Substack arthursnell.substack.com or if you don't want the hassle of a subscription you can buy me a coffee! ko-fi.com/snellarthur If you want to buy any of the books talked about in this show, please support independent bookshops by using Bookshop.org with this link: ⁠https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/behindthelines⁠ Thanks! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As an ancient imperial civilisation, Iran (or, to use an earlier name, Persia) has had a complex relationship with the West from the Roman era to the present day. I spoke to historian James Barr about this long and winding road. You can find James on Bluesky and his website, with details of his books, is here: https://historythatmatters.org If you would like to support this podcast please consider taking out a paid subscription to my Substack arthursnell.substack.com or if you don't want the hassle of a subscription you can buy me a coffee! ko-fi.com/snellarthur If you want to buy any of the books talked about in this show, please support independent bookshops by using Bookshop.org with this link: ⁠https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/behindthelines⁠ Thanks! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Away from the war with Iran, Trump and many of his associates have been talking about bringing an end to the communist regime in Cuba. To discuss this further I spoke to Nicolas Forsans who is author of the excellent Substack sinfiltroya.substack.com which focuses on Latin America. If you would like to support this podcast please consider taking out a paid subscription to my Substack arthursnell.substack.com or if you don't want the hassle of a subscription you can buy me a coffee! ko-fi.com/snellarthur If you want to buy any of the books talked about in this show, please support independent bookshops by using Bookshop.org with this link: ⁠https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/behindthelines⁠ Thanks! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Please follow my guest Sian Norris's work at https://sianushka.substack.com⁠ and on Bluesky. She mentioned Save Ukraine and the Ukraine Solidarity Campaign. If you would like to support this podcast please consider taking out a paid subscription to my Substack arthursnell.substack.com or if you don't want the hassle of a subscription you can buy me a coffee! ko-fi.com/snellarthur If you want to buy any of the books talked about in this show, please support independent bookshops by using Bookshop.org with this link: ⁠https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/behindthelines⁠ Thanks! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Helene von Bismarck is a writer, historian and political commentator who has become a familiar face and voice for those that follow British politics. After an academic career as a historian of late British colonial history, she has now published Fantastic Kingdom: A Stranger's Notes on a Contrary Country. I spoke to her about her new book and what it tells us. You can pre-order Helen's book at this link which will help support both this podcast and independent bookshops. If you would like to support this podcast please consider taking out a paid subscription to my Substack arthursnell.substack.com or if you don't want the hassle of a subscription you can buy me a coffee! ko-fi.com/snellarthur If you want to buy any of the books talked about in this show, please support independent bookshops by using Bookshop.org with this link: ⁠https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/behindthelines⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I decided to talk to Thom Reilly, former head of UK govt international energy policy and also with experience from one of the world's largest energy firms about the realities of what the Iran crisis means for energy markets. No exaggeration: it's scary stuff. If you like what you hear, please order the full audiobook or you can by the a discounted copy of the physical book at this bookshop.org link. If you would like to support this podcast please consider taking out a paid subscription to my Substack arthursnell.substack.com or if you don't want the hassle of a subscription you can buy me a coffee! ko-fi.com/snellarthur Thank You! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices