Shows / Behind The Lines with Arthur Snell
Behind The Lines with Arthur Snell
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 https://arthursnell.substack.com/ If you enjoyed this podcast please spread the word and give us a positive review - it makes all the difference! I don't have a special subscriber tier…
Episodes
- Behind The Lines with Arthur Snell
The Cockroach Revolution: the Gen Z political movement upending Indian politics
As huge protests that began with high school students sweep through France and a student-led movement takes over the government of Serbia, another…
- Behind The Lines with Arthur Snell
Iran, the Middle East and Trump: chaos continues, with Charlie Gammell
An update on the situation in Iran and the Gulf region with Charlie Gammell. If you would like to support this podcast please consider taking out a paid…
- Behind The Lines with Arthur Snell
Luke Harding on Trump's Betrayal of the West
Listen to Luke Harding describe the depths of Trump's betrayal of Ukraine, of the West and of the rules-based international order. If you would like to support…
Behind The Lines with Arthur SnellDeep Connections: Kaja Bego on the undersea cables that underpin the global economy.
Katja Bego is a researcher at Chatham House and an expert on undersea cables. https://www.chathamhouse.org/about-us/our-people/katja-bego f you would like to…
Behind The Lines with Arthur SnellBanned from Britain: One Man's Migration Story
Garth St Clair is a military veteran, former drug addict and - for the past few decades - a tireless worker and campaigner in the field of drug demand…
- Behind The Lines with Arthur Snell
The Houthis Strike Back - Iona Craig on the Red Sea and the Crisis in World Energy Markets
Follow Iona Craig on Bluesky here https://bsky.app/profile/ionacraig.com Her latest reporting on UK complicity in US war crimes is here…
- Behind The Lines with Arthur Snell
When the bad guys start using AI: David Wells on counter terrorism and AI
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…
Behind The Lines with Arthur SnellBytes and Bullets: Steve Feldstein on how tech is reshaping modern warfare
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…
- Behind The Lines with Arthur Snell
Ukraine update: deep strikes on Russian oil and a shifting US position
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…
- Behind The Lines with Arthur Snell
International maritime policy: how far can a country control the seas?
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…
- Behind The Lines with Arthur Snell
Geopolitical Panel Discussion in Aid of Syrian Refugees
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…
Behind The Lines with Arthur Snell10-year anniversary: an optimistic take - The UK's Long March back to Europe?
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…
- Behind The Lines with Arthur Snell
BTL Exclusive: George Osborn on how authoritarians are exploiting the world of video games to geopolitical advantage.
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…
- Behind The Lines with Arthur Snell
EMERGENCY EPISODE: the resignation of John Healey
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…
- Behind The Lines with Arthur Snell
Iran Special: Is a deal about to be signed? Charlie Gammell on the future for the Islamic Republic and the Region
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…
Behind The Lines with Arthur SnellThe Latest from Ukraine - is the tide turning?
As Russia faces embarrassment and humiliation with the St Petersburg Economic Forum taking place against a backdrop of plumes of smoke from burning oil…
Behind The Lines with Arthur SnellHinterlands: Europe's Unfinished Frontiers, with Hannah Lucinda Smith
Long before Putin's invasion of Ukraine, conflict was simmering on Europe's borders. In overlooked territories in eastern Europe, the eastern Mediterranean and…
Behind The Lines with Arthur SnellBANK HOLIDAY SPECIAL: the King's troublesome younger brother
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…
- Behind The Lines with Arthur Snell
Syria: Is the new government in league with Jihadists?
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…
- Behind The Lines with Arthur Snell
The Iran War - the Impact on the Gulf Countries
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…
- Behind The Lines with Arthur Snell
Iran and the West - from Crassus to crass US
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…
- Behind The Lines with Arthur Snell
Cuba - will Trump have the "honor" of taking it?
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…
- Behind The Lines with Arthur Snell
Ukraine, solidarity and the war to stop Europe from burning
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…
Behind The Lines with Arthur SnellFantastic Kingdom: Dr Helene von Bismarck on her latest book, and Britain
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…
Behind The Lines with Arthur SnellFILL YOUR TANK! PREPAY YOUR GAS BILL! IT REALLY IS AN ENERGY EMERGENCY
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…
Behind The Lines with Arthur SnellTHE SANCTUARY SCHOLARS Meet the displaced academics rewriting the future
As a special partnership with Somerville College Oxford, it was my huge pleasure to be able to interview three of their Sanctuary Scholars - young academics…
Behind The Lines with Arthur SnellElemental: The New Geography of Climate Change
Exclusive audiobook clip: this week's episode is a chapter from the Audiobook of Elemental, my book which came out last week. If you like what you hear, please…
- Behind The Lines with Arthur Snell
Back by popular demand: Charlie Gammell on the latest in Iran
Once again and back by popular demand - I have Charlie Gammell, Iran expert, former diplomat and historian and now author of the brilliant…
- Behind The Lines with Arthur Snell
IRAN EMERGENCY EPISODE WITH CHARLIE GAMMELL
I spoke to Iran expert Charlie Gammell about the extraordinary events unfolding. If you would like to support this podcast please consider taking out a paid…
Behind The Lines with Arthur SnellUkraine Special Episode: John Sweeney on four years of war and heroism
John Sweeney, veteran war correspondent - the man in the orange hat - spoke to me about four years of Russia's war on Ukraine, the heroism, the tragedy and the…
Behind The Lines with Arthur SnellSouth Yemen and the reshaping of the Middle East
With the dramatic events in Yemen leading to a breakdown in relations between the UAE and Saudi Arabia, I took the chance to speak to Amr Al-Beidh of the STC -…
- Behind The Lines with Arthur Snell
Cryptocurrency and Political Money Laundering - the threat to the UK with Neil Barnett
I spoke to Neil Barnett about his recent work researching political money laundering and the role played by cryptocurrency. You can find his report here…
Behind The Lines with Arthur SnellConflict in the Arctic: the reality
Professor Klaus Dodds has been studying Arctic security for decades, long before it had addled the mind of Donald Trump. He is the author of Unfrozen - the…
- Behind The Lines with Arthur Snell
The Post Western World and the Trump Regime
Dr Samir Puri works at Chatham House and has written a brilliant book called Westlessness. If you would like to support this podcast please consider taking out…
- Behind The Lines with Arthur Snell
Everything, everywhere all at once: what 2026 might hold, with Dan Kaszeta
I spoke to Dan about many things. Better to have a listen. If you are looking for the chart about AI financing that he mentioned, it's here. You can find Dan…
- Behind The Lines with Arthur Snell
Iran in Crisis: Charlie Gammell on the protests
Charlie Gammell is one of Britain's leading Iran experts and he joined me in a conversation recorded on 13 January about the rapidly evolving situation in…
- Behind The Lines with Arthur Snell
EMERGENCY EPISODE: Maduro, Chavez, Delcy Rodriguez and where we're going in Venezuela
Catherine Royle was Britain's Ambassador to Venezuela, making one of very few people to have met and worked with all of Nicolas Maduro, his predecessor Hugo…
Behind The Lines with Arthur SnellA Storm of Princes: Saudi Arabia and the UAE fight over South Yemen
A struggle over who controls South Yemen might not seem particularly important, but it's a proxy for a far bigger conflict that has been bubbling for years…
Behind The Lines with Arthur SnellThe New Total War: Bob Seely on Russia's Strategy
From the revolutionary use of drones to staged coups, child abduction and psychological warfare, the war in Ukraine is like no other. It is a new form of total…
- Behind The Lines with Arthur Snell
America First: A New Era in Foreign Policy with Jonathan Terra
In this episode, Arthur Snell and Dr. Jonathan Terra delve into the Trump administration's National Security Strategy, exploring its ideological underpinnings…
Behind The Lines with Arthur SnellCrisis in the Sahel: the end of Western intervention and the collapse of Mali
Mali, a vast country larger than most of Western Europe added together is a country whose central authority has largely collapsed and whose capital city Bamako…
Behind The Lines with Arthur SnellUkraine Crisis: Will Trump Force Moscow's Deal on Zelenskyy?
I spoke to Quiet Riot regular Alex Andreou as well as Iuliia Osmolowska, former senior Ukrainian diplomat now running the GLOBSEC think tank office in Kyiv…
- Behind The Lines with Arthur Snell
From Abu Ghraib to the White House - How Ahmad Al-Shara'a is Ruling Syria
I spoke to Orwa Ajjoub about the remarkable rise of Syria's new ruler, Ahmad Al-Shara'a, from wanted terrorist to White House visitor. His ruthless pragmatism…
- Behind The Lines with Arthur Snell
Are we living in an age of competitive authoritarianism?
Sara Dorman of Edinburgh University spoke to me about the rising tide of authoritarianism around the world, and particularly the form of competitive…
- Behind The Lines with Arthur Snell
Emily Thornberry on British Foreign Policy
As Behind the Lines formally announces joining the Cooler Heads podcast family, making us now the little brother to the massive success that is Quiet Riot -…
- Behind The Lines with Arthur Snell
Classic Behind the Lines: Disinformation in the Trump Era with Nina Jankowicz
Back in January I spoke to Nina Jankowicz, a disinformation expert, about what the Trump era would portend. Her views proved remarkably prescient and I thought…
- Behind The Lines with Arthur Snell
Gaza - where are we now? with Michael Stephens
The Trump deal for Gaza, announced with great pomp and ceremony appeared to lead very quickly to a resumption of hostilities. Has Trump or even his…
- Behind The Lines with Arthur Snell
Emma Briant on the Age of Disinformation
Professor Emma Briant is a prolific and important researcher on disinformation and information warfare, some of the most things in our age. She has frequent…
- Behind The Lines with Arthur Snell
Crossing the Line: an Israeli - Palestinian love story
Two years on from the devastating events of October 7, 2023, Gaza lies in ruins and numerous hostages are still held by Hamas. The destruction and losses, both…
Behind The Lines with Arthur SnellMigration - the real facts in an age of alarmism
As countries all over the world, but particularly liberal democracies in the West, turn themselves inside out over the issue of migration and in the process…
Behind The Lines with Arthur SnellCan Ukraine Arm Europe?
Check out Olena's work at https://ukrainesarmsmonitor.substack.com/ Check out our Bookshop.org affiliate site behindthelines and please sign up for my substack…
Behind The Lines with Arthur SnellWhatever happened to the Tories?
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…
Behind The Lines with Arthur SnellThe War in Sudan, and role of the UAE
I speak to Jan Pospisil of Coventry University about the war in Sudan, its roots and its current trajectory. Check out our Bookshop.org affiliate site…
Behind The Lines with Arthur SnellThe Baltic States in the Twentieth Century and their security now
Dan Kaszeta is the author of two books on the Baltic States, as well as being world renowned expert on chemical, biological and nuclear weapons. He talked to…
Behind The Lines with Arthur SnellUnderstanding Trump's authoritarianism
Professor Christina Pagel is responsible for the excellent website https://www.trumpactiontracker.info/? in addition to her work in public health and public…
Behind The Lines with Arthur SnellHow Technology is Transforming Warfare, with Matthew Savill
Joint Episode with Disorder and RUSI, Check out our Bookshop.org affiliate site behindthelines and please sign up for my substack at arthursnell.substack.com…
Behind The Lines with Arthur SnellThe Spy and the Devil
Professor Tim Willasey-Wilsey is author of The Spy and the Devil. We spoke about the remarkable subject of his book, Baron Bill de Ropp and the story of…
Behind The Lines with Arthur SnellUkraine, its occupied territories and its future
with Jade McGlynn Check out our Bookshop.org affiliate site behindthelines and please sign up for my substack at arthursnell.substack.com and/or follow me on…
Behind The Lines with Arthur SnellA Moment of Change? France recognises the State of Palestine
With Michael Stephens Check out our Bookshop.org affiliate site behindthelines and please sign up for my substack at arthursnell.substack.com and/or follow me…
Behind The Lines with Arthur SnellIs the Islamic regime in Iran fatally wounded?
with Charlie Gammell Check out our Bookshop.org affiliate site behindthelines and please sign up for my substack at arthursnell.substack.com and/or follow me…