Mark Urban

Why is the US attacking Iran? Trump’s ‘huge gamble’ explained The American president appealed to the people of Iran to embrace their ‘hour of freedom’ and be rid of the regime in Tehran. It could go one of two ways

The US and Israel have attacked Iran - here’s my first take on the shape of this onslaught and the gamble it represents Why is the US attacking Iran? Trump’s ‘huge gamble’ explained

www.thetimes.com/article/1d36...

Reporting from Tehran Why dispatches from 'the other side' are so vital

Recent criticism of BBC dispatches from Tehran reminds us that reporting from 'the other side' in conflict remains vital, but is increasingly under fire. My latest blog markurban.substack.com/p/reporting-...

Did the Lobby Misread the Starmer Story? Our political press can be an asset or liability

A great analysis of the dysfunctional lobby system from @markurban.bsky.social
Definitely worth a read ⤵️
open.substack.com/pub/markurba...

Thoughtful piece. Political coverage is often little more than the excitable promotion of rumour in the absence of verifiable truth.
Yes we’re all hungry, but smells coming out of the kitchen can be a very poor guide to the meal we’re eventually served. Funny sort of ‘journalism’.

OTD in 2022 George Galloway released one of the absolute, all-time classics.

He has yet to delete it, show humility, or confirm/deny if this means he in fact being paid to act like an idiot, or if he just does it free.

#JustAskingQuestions

interesting the different modes of deposing a leader, I think. I well remember the murmur that went up in the newsroom during Howe's speech. And Labour doesn't have that equivalent of 'papers going in to the 22'

if he goes after an electoral wipeout in May, that's the people speaking which is how it should be

I'm not suggesting it was a nothing-burger - the jeopardy for a PM when the pack scents blood can be real. And they can blend disparate factors - Starmer's unpopularity in the polls, Mandleson's vetting, resentment of McSweeney into a bigger crisis. But was the PLP moving against the PM?

Did the Lobby Misread the Starmer Story? Our political press can be an asset or liability

Did our feral political press pack call time on Starmer prematurely? Accusations are flying . markurban.substack.com/p/did-the-lo...

How did an American fleet dispatched as popular protests against Ayatollah Khamenei's regime were being crushed end up being used as leverage in a negotiation which, by offering sanctions relief to Iran could make it stronger? My latest Sunday Times column (£) t.co/P1eFxu8e3P

YouTube video by Times Originals Trump v Iran: A Tactical Warning Or A Prelude To War?

WATCH: the US Middle East build up is at an advanced stage - so what are its possible objectives and does Trump have an off ramp? My latest Times video youtu.be/eD2IHuut9ec youtu.be/eD2IHuut9ec

The Myth Exploded What Trump's words did to the 'special relationship'

When Trump dissed allied troops’ contribution in Afghanistan, he touched an open wound in Britain over the ‘blood price’ paid for our relationship with the US markurban.substack.com/p/the-myth-e...

“It’s a little fiery”

In the final episode of The Crisis Room, Amber, @markurban.bsky.social and @mpolymer1.bsky.social unpack a wild year in geopolitics — and Marc P can't resist one more dig at Steve Witkoff 🔥

Listen to The Crisis Room on @globalplayer.com 🎧

#SteveWitkoff #podcast #podcastclips

YouTube video by Times Originals Is Britain's New High-Tech Tank Ready For War?

WATCH: the British Army's new Ajax fighting vehicle faces a fight for survival youtu.be/-qFIh7b4M-g?...

They have a similar system in Switzerland though I’m not sure the fines it produces are quite that high!

The defence secretary will soon have to make a ‘back or scrap’ decision on Ajax. Here’s my latest on the troubled project www.thetimes.com/video/origin...

It’s a big challenge for sure. Two points: modern vehicles with composite armours are more likely to survive hits and the race to develop better protection systems (including laser ones) for AFVs is ongoing

Stand by! Ajax - £6bn turkey or the answer to the British Army’s needs? A deep dive from me based on a factory visit and interviews with believers and detractors. Reports in print in this week’s Sunday Times and on video …

your support is appreciated! we co-hosts will try to find a new home and of course I will update here on that

🔥 Sad to say that the @CrisisRoomPod podcast is coming to a close on Global. To all the listeners in UK and around the world – thanks for a wild ride! We pulled no punches+made news on occasion. To my cohosts @markurban.bsky.social and Amber Rudd-you made me smarter, our friendship means a ton. 🫡🙏🇺🇸🇬🇧

thank you for being a loyal listener Oliver. We are looking at ways of podcasting elsewhere and will of course let people know when we have an answer

Alas the Crisis Room is coming to and end after 8 months - so in this episode we take stock of a momentous period in global security

Do you have a burning question you’d like Amber, @markurban.bsky.social & @mpolymer1.bsky.social to answer in the next Q&A episode? 🤔

Drop your suggestions below 👇🏻 or email us at thecrisisroom@global.com ✉️

#QnA #questions #podcast

“The world has changed quite dramatically”

Former NATO Secretary General George Robertson reflects on triggering Article 5 after 9/11, and addresses whether today’s world is more divided than ever

Listen to The Crisis Room on @globalplayer.com 🎧

#NATO #Article5 #Trump

“It’s a unique style"

After Trump’s Davos speech, former NATO Secretary General George Robertson shares an anecdote that reveals how Trump approaches the presidency like a business deal

Listen to The Crisis Room on @globalplayer.com 🎧

#Trump #Davos #NATO

🚨 New episode alert!

After a wild week in Davos, is the Western alliance cracking? @markurban.bsky.social & Amber unpack Trump, Macron and Carney, and ask if a new world order is emerging

Listen to The Crisis Room on @globalplayer.com 🎧

#Trump #Davos2026 #NATO

Former Nato boss & Labour minister Lord George Robertson tells us he is "very frustrated" that the government has not set out a clear path for increasing defence spending. He also reacts on the Crisis Room podcast to claims Trump is destroying Nato t.co/NHhPTvr03N

Do you have a burning question you’d like Amber, @markurban.bsky.social & @mpolymer1.bsky.social to answer in the next Q&A episode? 🤔

Drop your suggestions below 👇🏻 or email us at thecrisisroom@global.com ✉️

#QnA #Questions #Podcast

Magisterial, as ever, from @markurban.bsky.social who always tells the lay reader something she has not heard elsewhere. How foolish the BBC were to let him go.
@bbcnewsnight.bsky.social should invite him back as a regular guest to discuss #defence+#diplomacy. It wd add so much for their audience.

Trump Is Triggering Too Many People And that is constraining his foreign policies almost everywhere

After a dizzying week of presidential bombshells, I look at the signs of others combining against Trump and how that plays out across the globe open.substack.com/pub/markurba...