Russia knows our weaknesses. But do you? A major five-part series from Sky News and Tortoise which imagines how a Russian attack on the UK could play out – and invites real-life former ministers, military chiefs and other experts to figure out how to defend the country. Written and presented by Sky News' security and defence editor, Deborah Haynes. This is Deborah's second podcast series for Sky News. In her first series, Into The Grey Zone, Deborah explores the murky evolution of warfare. What do assassinations, cyber hacks and disinformation have in common? They're all weapons used by states against each other in a grey zone of harm under the threshold of war, but could be just as dangerous if ignored.
What this show covers
UK securityRussiaNational securityUK defenceDefence secretariesCold War legacyexpert analysisdefencesubscription applive eventsCrisis decisionsDefence strategywar gamingcrisis responsenuclear deterrence
What listeners will find here
Why the UK ended up so poorly defended
This episode examines how the UK became so vulnerable, using candid interviews with nearly every real-life defence secretary since the end of the Cold War. It connects those decisions to the wider question at the heart of The Wargame: how prepared Britain really is for a crisis.
A brief update on Sky News’ new Defence Insider app
This short episode shares the launch of the Sky News Defence Insider app, aimed at people following defence as the UK rethinks its approach in a more uncertain world. It outlines subscriber perks, including expert analysis, audience questions and access to live events.
As ceasefire efforts fail, the wargame reaches its hardest decisions
Hostilities worsen in the final chapter of this five-part wargame imagining a Russian attack on the UK. With a ceasefire slipping away, the episode turns to the toughest choices yet and asks what the country would do when its weaknesses are exposed.
As Britain burns, a nuclear standoff pushes the crisis to its edge
A Russian attack on the UK escalates into a city on fire and a confrontation between two nuclear powers. This episode follows Britain’s response as former ministers, military chiefs, and other experts weigh what happens if the crisis reaches the point of ultimatum.
The finale asks whether the UK can rearm as the Russian threat returns
This final episode follows the return of the threat from Russia and the UK's attempt to rearm. Deborah Haynes closes the series by exploring how prepared Britain is for a crisis and what defending the country might demand.
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