Latest news with #VenetiaRainey
Yahoo
08-08-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Inside the rise of China's military
How significant is China's military buildup? What does Xi Jinping's ongoing purge mean for the People's Liberation Army? And how likely is an invasion of Taiwan in the next few years? Dive into the strengths and weaknesses of China's military and its remarkable transformation over the last few decades from obsolete to world-class in a three-part podcast series with Battle Lines host Venetia Rainey. As the US pivots to the Indo-Pacific and the threat of a truly global war looms, understanding the evolving role of China's military on the world stage has never been more important. Episode 1 - From obsolete to world-class Once little more than some rusting planes and ships, episode one looks at how the People's Liberation Army built itself up. Today, its strengths include a vastly modernised Navy, now the largest globally, and an Air Force equipped with stealth fighters and advanced drones. Plus, there is growing focus on China's potent non-conventional forces, such as its highly sophisticated cyber warfare units, its independent aerospace and counter-space capabilities, and the secretive Rocket Force, responsible for a fast-expanding nuclear arsenal. Episode 2 - The three major flaws For all its strengths, China's military is not a real army - it's the armed wing of the Chinese Communist Party. Ideology is paramount and corruption is endemic. Plus, the People's Liberation Army hasn't fought a war since 1979. Xi Jinping calls it 'the peace disease'. Episode two looks at the PLA's weaknesses and how the Chinese president is trying to fix them, from endless purges of top generals to a specially built training centre in Mongolia and live-fire drills around Taiwan. Episode 3 - Taiwan Will China invade Taiwan? If so, when and what signs should we look for that will show it is imminent? How exactly could Beijing seize the island? And what would the US do in response? These questions have been at the core of Indo-Pacific security concerns for decades, but in recent years, the threat has become more tangible - and the questions more urgent. Episode three considers different views on whether Beijing is getting ready to invade the self-ruled island it claims as its own. What are the different scenarios that could unfold and crucially, what that would mean for a conflict with the US? Listen to Battle Lines using the audio players in this article or on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favourite podcast app. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Solve the daily Crossword
Telegraph
30-07-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
The three major flaws in China's military
China's military is not a real army - it's the armed wing of the Chinese Communist Party. Ideology is paramount and corruption is endemic. Plus, the People's Liberation Army hasn't fought a war since 1979. Xi Jinping calls it 'the peace disease'. In episode two of this three-part series, Venetia Rainey looks at the PLA's weaknesses and how Chinese president Xi is trying to fix them, from endless purges of top generals to a specially built training centre in Mongolia and live-fire drills around Taiwan. Over three episodes, this special series dives into the strengths and weaknesses of China's military and its remarkable transformation over the last few decades from obsolete to world-class. How significant is China's military buildup? What does Xi Jinping's ongoing purge mean for the People's Liberation Army? And how likely is an invasion of Taiwan in the next few years? Episode one looked at how China's military went from obsolete to world-class. As the US pivots to the Indo-Pacific and the threat of a truly global war looms, understanding the evolving role of China's military on the world stage has never been more important.
Telegraph
29-07-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
How China's military went from obsolete to world-class
Dive into the strengths and weaknesses of China's military and its remarkable transformation over the last few decades from obsolete to world-class in a new special series on Battle Lines. How significant is China's military buildup? What does Xi Jinping's ongoing purge mean for the People's Liberation Army? And how likely is an invasion of Taiwan in the next few years? As the US pivots to the Indo-Pacific and the threat of a truly global war looms, understanding the evolving role of China's military on the world stage has never been more important. In episode one of this three-part series, Venetia Rainey uncovers the strengths that define the PLA today, from its vastly modernised Navy, now the largest globally, to its Air Force equipped with stealth fighters and advanced drones. Plus, a look at China's potent non-conventional forces, such as its highly sophisticated cyber warfare units, its independent aerospace and counter-space capabilities, and the secretive Rocket Force, responsible for a fast-expanding nuclear arsenal.
Yahoo
28-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
How China's military went from obsolete to world-class
Dive into the strengths and weaknesses of China's military and its remarkable transformation over the last few decades from obsolete to world-class in a new special series on Battle Lines. How significant is China's military buildup? What does Xi Jinping's ongoing purge mean for the People's Liberation Army? And how likely is an invasion of Taiwan in the next few years? As the US pivots to the Indo-Pacific and the threat of a truly global war looms, understanding the evolving role of China's military on the world stage has never been more important. In episode one of this three-part series, Venetia Rainey uncovers the strengths that define the PLA today, from its vastly modernised Navy, now the largest globally, to its Air Force equipped with stealth fighters and advanced drones. Plus, a look at China's potent non-conventional forces, such as its highly sophisticated cyber warfare units, its independent aerospace and counter-space capabilities, and the secretive Rocket Force, responsible for a fast-expanding nuclear arsenal. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Battle Lines: The Telegraph's foreign policy, geopolitics and global conflict podcast
Battle Lines is The Telegraph's foreign policy, geopolitics and global conflict podcast. It offers expert analysis and on-the-ground reporting from China and the United States to the Middle East and Europe. Twice a week, veteran foreign correspondents Roland Oliphant and Venetia Rainey bring you on-the-ground dispatches from the world's most volatile regions and informed analysis from world-class experts. Whether it's the Russia-Ukraine war, the Israel-Gaza conflict, Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific, tensions between India and Pakistan, or the civil war in Sudan, Battle Lines covers the world's most critical flashpoints with depth and clarity. When will China invade Taiwan? Can Trump bring peace to the Middle East? What should Europe do to help Ukraine beat Russia? Is Iran building a nuclear bomb? What is the point of NATO? Can the United Kingdom still defend itself? Created by David Knowles, Battle Lines answers all these questions and more, bringing together the best of The Telegraph's international, geopolitical, and conflict reporting in one place. Plus, every Friday, the podcast delves into the seismic impact US President Donald Trump is having on the world - from peace talks to tariffs to migration policy. Don't forget to follow and leave a review to stay updated on the latest in global conflict and foreign affairs. Telegraph subscribers get early access to bonus episodes of Battle Lines and its sister podcast, Ukraine: The Latest. You can subscribe within The Telegraph app or click here for more information. Battle Lines' hosts are: Roland Oliphant Roland Oliphant is Chief Foreign Analyst at the Telegraph. He was previously the paper's chief foreign correspondent and before that its Moscow correspondent, living in Russia for 10 years. He has reported from the frontline of the Ukraine-Russia war and Iran's capital Tehran during election time, as well as across Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Venetia Rainey Venetia is Planning Editor (Audio) at The Telegraph, and was previously the paper's Weekend Foreign Editor. Before that she worked as a foreign correspondent for over a decade, living and reporting across the Middle East, North Africa and Europe. She was the producer and writer behind Hong Kong Silenced and How To Become a Dictator - two limited series podcasts looking at the rise of China. On top of covering the week's news, Battle Lines also takes a step back to look at historical, social and cultural takes on conflict and foreign policy. Below are a selection of some of those episodes: Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
