Britain says its long-awaited Defence Investment Plan will strengthen its role in NATO. But after months of delays, funding rows and warnings from allies, does the money go far enough?

Admiral Sir Keith Blount, the former Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe at NATO, joins Tom and Patrick to assess what the plan gets right, where it falls short and why Britain risks losing influence in the alliance if it fails to deliver.

As NATO leaders prepare to gather in Ankara next week – with Russia threatening Europe, Donald Trump demanding more from the alliance, and countries such as Poland, Denmark and Germany moving faster on defence – is Britain still leading NATO or falling behind?

Do you think the government has sufficiently funded UK defence? Get in touch: generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk

Guest: Admiral Sir Keith Blount, former Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe to NATO

Hosts: General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton Dunn

Producer: Julia Webster

Executive producer: Priyanka Deladia

Image: Getty, Dana Chan

Clips: Reuters, Forbes, Sky

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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 next moves, the Iran ceasefire, China’s advantage, the threat to Taiwan and the crisis in Britain’s defences. Patrick warns that we may be entering a new Cold War and Tom asks whether Britain is moving fast enough to protect itself.

Hosts: General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton Dunn

Producer: Julia Webster

Executive producer: Priyanka Deladia

Image: William Blakesley-Herbert

What are your thoughts on the state of British defence spending? Get in touch: generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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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 the president really thinks. Does Trump have a grand strategy, or is he driven by instincts, deals and the search for a quick win? And will fragile US-Iran peace deal force a lasting peace or end in disaster?

Guest: LTG HR McMaster, former US National Security Advisor (2017-2018)

Hosts: General Sir Patrick Sanders and Tom Newton Dunn

Producer: Julia Webster

Executive producer: Priyanka Deladia

Image: Dana Chan and Getty

Clips: PBS, WPLG, Reuters, Getty

What are your thoughts on the US/Iran deal? Get in touch: generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.