Best Defence Journal Podcasts (2025)

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The Horizon Audiofiles - Ep 071 - AI In Cyber And The UN’s Role In Competitive Global Disorder 28:10

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10h ago28:10

28:10

AI systems have transformed cyber defence by enabling self-protecting, self-healing, and predictive defence systems, but they also transform cyberattacks by opening new attack vectors and supporting advanced cyber offensive capabilities. This article examines how AI is leveraged in cyberattacks and operations, with selected examples of the “big fou…

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Q&A: From rogue Nato states to British fighting power, your biggest questions answered 38:05

11h ago38:05

38:05

For their Christmas special, Tom and Patrick turn the entire show over to you. They answer as many listener questions as possible that have landed in the General & Journalist inbox since May. Among them: what to do about wayward NATO members who still help Russia, and the state of Britain’s fighting power, and plenty more. Vote for The General & th…

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The Matts’ cultural highlights of the year 36:22

2d ago36:22

36:22

2025 may have been an absolute skip fire for political progress but it was a cracker for culture. The Matts round off the year with their highlights - but what will be their joint top moment of 2025? Thank you for listening this year - the Matts return early January and wish all listeners a fabulous festive season and happy New Year! Head to nakedw…

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Techopia Live @ Tech Tuesday: AI Tinkering and the Future of Tech Innovation | Episode 293 6:05

3d ago6:05

6:05

AI is transforming industries and reshaping communities. This episode of Techopia Live takes viewers inside TechTuesday for a closer look at What AI Tinkering Reveals About the Future of Tech Innovation. Hosted by Riaz Sidi, the episode explores how a grassroots movement of builders and experimenters is influencing the trajectory of artificial inte…

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Nedum Onuoha on puntitry, Pep, Cherki, Nunes, O'Reilly & much more 49:06

4d ago49:06

49:06

Ian Cheeseman was the BBC's Manchester City correspondent for nearly 25 years and has been a fan all of his life. Here he hosts his weekly podcast, Forever Blue, where all things Man City are discussed. Sponsored by Counting King, experts in business finance.Ian talks to former City player Nedum Onuoha about punditry, Pep, Cherki, Nunes & O'Reilly …

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The Horizon Audiofiles - Ep 070 - Challenges And Opportunities In A Dynamic Cyber Hybrid Landscape 19:19

6d ago19:19

19:19

The article contends that security is now defined as much by protecting cognition as by defending machines or borders, with hybrid threats targeting both technological systems and human perception through advanced AI, deepfakes, and automated manipulation tools. As AI becomes integral to defence, the article emphasises the necessity of rigorous, et…

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Is the UK finally stepping up to the Russia threat? 26:34

8d ago26:34

26:34

This week, we heard two strikingly blunt speeches from the UK’s most senior defence and intelligence chiefs, both aimed at recalibrating how Britain thinks about the threat from Russia. The Chief of the Defence Staff warns that the country is no longer safely distant from conflict, while the new head of MI6 breaks with tradition in her first speech…

1
The Helsinki Brief: Inside Finnish Intelligence and Security 48:49

8d ago48:49

48:49

This episode introduces The Helsinki Brief, a podcast mini-series on Finnish intelligence and security. Hosted by Dr Paul McGarr of King’s College London, the discussion features Hannamiina Tanninen, an analyst at Finnish Security and Intelligence Service (SUPO), about the role and structure of civil intelligence in Finland. The discussion covers S…

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When are we going to take anti-semitism seriously (and actually do something about it?) 1:05:35

9d ago1:05:35

1:05:35

The Matts explore the issues thrown up by the dreadful massacre of Jews at Bondi Beach this week. When is a protest actually an act of violence? Why do we rush to talk of securing synagogues from attack rather than address the root problem of those attacks? How will our politicians get ahead of what is obviously a cycle of anti-Semitic violence aga…

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Les "Chappy" Chapman on Balotelli, Kolorov & Horlock - Rodri injury & Pep's a genius! 51:10

10d ago51:10

51:10

Ian Cheeseman was the BBC's Manchester City correspondent for nearly 25 years and has been a fan all of his life. Here he hosts his weekly podcast, Forever Blue, where all things Man City are discussed. Sponsored by Counting King, experts in business finance.Ian talks to former City physio Les "Chappy" Chapman about his time at the club and some of…

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The Two Matts Q&A: Should we hand US authorities our social media history? 40:54

12d ago40:54

40:54

Matthew d’Ancona and Matt Kelly again respond to your queries. They discuss the Trump administration’s demand for visitors to hand over five years’ worth of social media history, why political manifestos have got so long and whether Piers Morgan was right to give such lengthy exposure to Nick Fuertes. Plus they talk about whether the UK should be a…

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Techopia Live: Fidus gets new majority owner to pursue aggressive growth plan | Episode 292 14:58

14d ago14:58

14:58

Kanata-based Fidus Systems is poised for aggressive expansion after agreeing to sell a majority stake to New York private equity firm Catchment Capital. While financial terms remain undisclosed, the company says the deal provides the “rocket fuel” needed to pursue strategic acquisitions and accelerate R&D.Fidus, a designer of complex embedded compo…

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Fludemic, Zack Polanski, and a (rare) big-up to Keir 38:44

14d ago38:44

38:44

The Matts wonder what we’ve learned since Covid … and if the reaction to the current flu outbreak is anything to go by, the answer is not much. The conversation segways into Zack Polanski and political energy. Then in part two, both Matts are united - for once - in praise for Keir Starmer’s attempt to reinterpret the European Convention on Human Ri…

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The Horizon Audiofiles - Ep 069 - Cybersecurity, Ethical Governance, And The Risks Of AI Integration 11:09

15d ago11:09

11:09

The article contends that security is now defined as much by protecting cognition as by defending machines or borders, with hybrid threats targeting both technological systems and human perception through advanced AI, deepfakes, and automated manipulation tools. As AI becomes integral to defence, the article emphasises the necessity of rigorous, et…

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How do you prepare a continent for war? 38:12

15d ago38:12

38:12

Europe is rearming at a pace not seen in decades, from the Baltics to France, where President Macron has called for a new era of “mobilisation,” short of conscription but aimed at readying the nation for darker horizons. This week, Tom and Patrick ask what the UK should do in response, and whether our volunteer army can meet the moment. They’re joi…

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In defence of a new Europe - with Paul Mason 1:13:06

17d ago1:13:06

1:13:06

The Trump administration’s National Security Strategy document released this week is an astonishing affront to what many of us believe to be the liberal world order. The Matts are joined by New World contributing editor and columnist Paul Mason to understand just how far reaching its consequences are - and how Europe must find new purpose if it is …

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Lee Crooks on Rayan Cherki, City's defence & much more 48:49

18d ago48:49

48:49

Ian Cheeseman was the BBC's Manchester City correspondent for nearly 25 years and has been a fan all of his life. Here he hosts his weekly podcast, Forever Blue, where all things Man City are discussed. Sponsored by Counting King, experts in business finance.Ian talks to former City player Lee Croft about City's recent results, the form and quality…

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Is Richard Tice as nasty as he seems? 40:31

19d ago40:31

40:31

Today on The Two Matts podcast, Matt Kelly and Matt d’Ancona again respond to your queries. They discuss whether Richard Tice is as nasty as he appears to be, and if there is a world where Labour and the Conservatives form a German-style grand coalition to keep Reform from forming the next government. They also talk about whether calling out Brexit…

1
Hillsborough justice delayed is no justice at all 47:15

21d ago47:15

47:15

The Matts examine the conclusion of the Independent Office for Police Conduct 14 YEAR (!) investigation into the Hillsborough disaster and reflect on the ghastly sequence of events that has consumed so many lives, literally and otherwise. And to add insult to the closure of a process that has taken 36 years to produce zero accountability for the 97…

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The Horizon Audiofiles - Ep 068 - The Future Challenges And Solutions Of Cybersecurity 19:02

22d ago19:02

19:02

Critical communication faces new challenges in terms of cybersecurity in the future. Lessons from Ukraine need to be understood and incorporated to better prepare modern societies. The rapid advancement of technology provides new solutions but also introduces more challenges. Being able to upgrade or adapt old systems to new technology rather than …

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On the frontline of Nato's cyber war with Russia 26:43

23d ago26:43

26:43

Cyber warfare is played out in the shadows, never declared and never attributed. But, as the General in charge of Nato's cyber operations tells Tom, the west is fighting what amounts to a war on a daily basis. Patrick agrees, recalling his time as Commander of UK Cyber operations, an experience he likens to living under a 'digital Blitz.' Host: Gen…

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Journalism’s race to the bottom 58:08

23d ago58:08

58:08

The Matts discuss the central role journalism has played in fostering racism in Britain over the decades, and which now looks like it is entering a new, more dangerous phase. The chat is based on an article Matt Kelly wrote for The New World - the link is below. But before that - why did Rachel Reeves mislead the public about the state of the natio…

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Mike Sheron on Leverkusen defeat and Leeds win, physicality & his playing days 49:47

25d ago49:47

49:47

Ian Cheeseman was the BBC's Manchester City correspondent for nearly 25 years and has been a fan all of his life. Here he hosts his weekly podcast, Forever Blue, where all things Man City are discussed. Sponsored by Counting King, experts in business finance.Ian talks to former City player Mike Sheron plus Mark and Tony from the Forever Blue squad …

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The Two Matts Q&A: Should Farage’s schoolboy racism count against him? 31:20

27d ago31:20

31:20

Today on The Two Matts podcast, Matthew d’Ancona and Matt Kelly again respond to your queries. They discuss whether Nigel Farage’s schoolboy racism should count against him 45 years later and, after The New World’s Kent council cover story, how the media can continue to hold the Reform party to account. They also talk about the best outcome for Ukr…

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Inside the Information War: Journalism on Europe’s Frontline 28:03

27d ago28:03

28:03

In today’s conflicts, some of the fiercest battles are not fought with weapons, but with information. In this episode, MEP Reinis Pozņaks and MEP Petras Auštrevičius are joined by Sarah Wheaton, Chief Policy Correspondent at Politico Europe, to explore the role of journalism in times of crisis and the growing pressure on independent media. Together…

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Victim-centred peacemaking: How victim inclusion shaped Colombia’s Santos-FARC peace process 45:26

27d ago45:26

45:26

In this episode, Professor Roddy Brett, Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies and Director of the Global Insecurities Centre at the University of Bristol, joins Dr Nafees Hamid, Co-PI of the XCEPT research programme, to discuss his new book, ‘Victim-Centred Peacemaking: Colombia's Santos-FARC-EP Peace Process’. Professor Brett reveals how the vic…

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Has the Budget sealed Starmer’s fate? 50:17

29d ago50:17

50:17

Did Rachel Reeves turn a corner this week with her Budget … and drive this Labour government straight off a cliff? The Matts reflect on her performance yesterday and how she fared in the media round this morning. It’s not great news for those of us clinging to the hope that Starmer can reinvigorate his government and begin to climb the polls. In fa…

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The Horizon Audiofiles - Ep 067 - Defining Cognitive Warfare: Maximalist versus Minimalist Approach 30:27

29d ago30:27

30:27

Given the relevance, evolution, and proliferation of cognitive warfare in the modern age, it is necessary to delve deeper into the concept to gain an empirical understanding that can inform future policies and practices. Accordingly, a systematic literature review was carried out to define the concept in relation to six key aspects, namely its dema…

1
What's Trump really doing in Venezuela? 54:35

30d ago54:35

54:35

The largest deployment of US naval assets since the Cold War has been sent steaming across the Atlantic to the Venezuelan coast. The CIA has reportedly been given the green light to operate inside the country. And now the Cartel de los Soles has been designated a Foreign Terrorist Organisation, potentially paving the way for strikes against the man…

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BONUS: Is peace coming to Ukraine? 11:26

1M ago11:26

11:26

The former chief of MI6, Sir Alex Younger, tells Tom that this is the moment Europe needs to “regain its relationship with hard power”, having been caught on the back foot by an American peace plan widely regarded to have been made in Moscow. As we recorded this bonus episode, Ukraine had just accepted America's modified plan, but Moscow had yet to…

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PRE-BUDGET SPECIAL - with Tom Baldwin 56:43

1M ago56:43

56:43

The Matts are joined by Labour insider and New World contributing editor Tom Baldwin - fresh from his in depth interview with the woman of the hour, Chancellor Rachel Reeves. Tom explains what’s going on in Reeves’ head (lots) and how she faces an unprecedented challenge - calming a febrile electorate while delivering enough visible progress to kee…

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Techopia Live @ Tech Tuesday: Building a Global Tech Hub | Episode 291 7:28

1M ago7:28

7:28

In this episode of Techopia Live, OBJ brought viewers to the November TechTuesday for an inside look at Kanata North, Canada’s largest tech park, and its role in making Ottawa a global tech hub. Hosted by Veronica Farmer, the discussion highlighted key investments, innovation, and partnerships that have driven Ottawa’s leadership in technology, def…

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Kit Symons: Refereeing at Newcastle, Conspiracy Theories, title race 47:33

1M ago47:33

47:33

Ian Cheeseman was the BBC's Manchester City correspondent for nearly 25 years and has been a fan all of his life. Here he hosts his weekly podcast, Forever Blue, where all things Man City are discussed. Sponsored by Counting King, experts in business finance.Ian talks to former City player Kit Symons plus Andy and Harlan from the Forever Blue podca…

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This week's Two Matts Q&A: Do we need a public inquiry into the BBC? 34:20

1M ago34:20

34:20

Matthew d’Ancona and Matt Kelly again respond to your queries. They discuss whether we need a public inquiry into the BBC’s remit in British life, if we would all be better informed if we listened to experts and - in the light of allegations about Nigel Farage’s school years - whether leopards ever change their spots. Plus they talk about Mohammed …

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BRACE! BRACE! Trump goes into emergency mode as Epstein crisis gets real 50:29

1M ago50:29

50:29

The Matts dig into the unfolding drama in Washington as Trump performs the reversal of his career and signs off on the release of the Epstein files. How much trouble is he in? Also - what should we make of Labour’s new crackdown on immigration? The Matts may disagree about the messaging but are fairly aligned about the merits (or otherwise) of the …