Battleground

• 309. Battleground '45: The Shadow of the Atom Bomb

  At Potsdam, the victorious Allies finalise the future of a shattered Europe while the terrifying secret of the atomic bomb forces a decision that will forever redefine warfare. In this episode of Battleground '45 Patrick and Saul discuss the momentous decisions of Summer 1945. Firstly they delve into the Potsdam conference with the uneasy alliance, already strained, are at odds over post-war Europe. Simultaneously, President Truman grapples with an unthinkable power: the atomic bomb. As Japan refuses to surrender, the brutal choice between a costly invasion and unleashing the ultimate weapon looms. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected] Producer: James Hodgson X (Twitter): @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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• 308. Is Kyiv Risking Western Support?

  A week after President Trump's stunning U-turn, Saul and Patrick discuss a surge of renewed Western support for Ukraine. With Europe announcing its 18th sanctions package, imposing a landmark oil price cap to cripple Russian revenues and targeting the shadow fleet used to evade them. However, as Western aid floods in, a tide of protest is rising on the streets of Kyiv. President Zelensky has signed a controversial law bringing independent anti-corruption agencies under his control, sparking the largest public dissent since the full-scale invasion and drawing serious warnings from the EU about Ukraine's membership path. Plus, we look at Putin's plan to create a "digital Gulag" with a new mandatory spy app, 'Max', designed to monitor all Russians. And we speak to friend of the podcast Julius Strauss, who has just returned from a trip to the Baltics. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected] Producer: James Hodgson X (Twitter): @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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• 307. Burma's End and the Road to Operation Downfall

  On this episode of Battleground 45, Saul welcomes historian Jack Bowsher to delve into the climactic final months of the Burma Campaign, and the rest of British involvement in the final phases of the war against Japan. Together they dissect the strategic importance and brutal fighting of the Battle of Meiktila, analyse the daring amphibious assaults of Operations Dracula and Zipper, and then shift focus to the highly secret and ambitious British involvement in the plans for the invasion of mainland Japan, exploring how the UK envisioned its role in the war's ultimate conclusion. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected] Producer: James Hodgson X (Twitter): @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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• 306. Ukraine's Unexpected Boost

  Has the tide turned for Ukraine? In this episode Saul and Patrick unpack President Trump's bold new strategy, including substantial military supplies and a looming deadline for a peace settlement backed by unprecedented tariffs on Russia's trade partners. Is this the long-awaited turning point, or are there hidden complexities? We dissect the motivations behind this policy pivot and discuss the internal shifts within the US administration. Furthermore, we examine the remarkable diplomatic progress between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and how their newfound pursuit of peace is challenging Russia's long-standing influence in the region. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected] Producer: James Hodgson X (Twitter): @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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• 305. Battleground '45 Your Questions Answered

  In this episode of Battleground '45 Saul David and Roger Moorhouse take a deep dive into a host of fascinating listeners questions on the Second World War. These include a look at the Japanese in China, why Tito emerged victorious in Yugoslavia, and the weird and wonderful spy gadgets used and developed in World War 2. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected] Producer: James Hodgson X (Twitter): @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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