In this episode of The Winston Marshall Show, I sit down with former Judge Advocate General and Royal Navy veteran Jeff Blackett for a wide-ranging conversation on the Iran war, international law, and the growing weakness of Britain’s armed forces.

We examine the case that the United States and Israel have militarily defeated Iran, from the destruction of its military capabilities to the ongoing threat of its nuclear programme. Blackett explains the legal justification for the war under Article 51, the limits of regime change, and why ideology, not just military power, determines long-term outcomes.

The conversation explores the global consequences of the conflict, from rising energy prices and instability in the Strait of Hormuz to the future of NATO and American hegemony. We discuss the fragility of the Western alliance, the role of the United Nations, and whether the rules-based international order can survive in an increasingly multipolar world.

We also turn to Britain, where Blackett warns that the armed forces have been hollowed out after decades of cuts. From declining naval capacity to overstretched personnel and reduced readiness, he argues the UK is no longer capable of defending its interests against serious threats.

A sobering conversation about war, law, power, and whether Britain and the West are prepared for the conflicts of the future.

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WATCH THE EXTENDED CONVERSATION HERE: https://open.substack.com/pub/winstonmarshall/p/the-truth-about-the-iran-war-nobodys?r=18lfab&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction

02:56 Has Iran’s Military Actually Been Degraded?

03:53 US War Objectives: Military, Nuclear, and Regime Change

04:53 Can You Ever Truly Defeat an Ideology?

08:50 Iran’s Nuclear Enrichment: What Still Remains?

12:02 The $1 Billion-a-Day Cost of War

13:10 UN Resolution 2817 & Legality of the War

16:18 UK vs US: Starmer, NATO & Strategic Tensions

18:21 Britain’s Military Weakness & NATO Dependence

19:15 The State of the Royal Navy & Defence Cuts

22:33 Global Economic Fallout: Oil, Fertiliser & Food Prices

26:37 American Hegemony & the Future of NATO

30:00 Decline of Western Military Power Since the Cold War

33:12 Could Britain Defend the Falklands Today?

37:10 What Does “Winning a War” Actually Mean?

38:49 The Role (and Failure) of the United Nations

40:23 Could This Become Another Endless War?

44:07 NATO Fragility & UK-US Relations

45:31 Veteran Immunity Controversy Explained

47:17 The Overseas Operations Act & Legal Debate

49:56 Endless Investigations Into Soldiers — The Real Issue

51:11 The Blackman Case & Battlefield Ethics

53:57 Rules of War & the Geneva Conventions

55:55 Do Rules-Based Systems Still Work?

57:12 “Might Is Right” vs International Law Debate

59:31 Is Global Order Just Backed by Power?

1:00:44 Final Thoughts: UN Failure & UK Military Decline

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

In this episode of The Winston Marshall Show, I sit down with former prisoner and author Steve Gallant for a remarkable conversation on crime, redemption, and the realities of life inside Britain’s prison system, where he gives insight into the Islamist takeover of prisons and why it has become a dominant force in the UK.

The conversation explores the rise of Islamist gangs inside prisons, the role of conversion, power structures among inmates, and why authorities have struggled to maintain control. We discuss how ideology, identity, and group dynamics shape prison life, and why some inmates are drawn into extremist networks.

We also examine rehabilitation, the failures and successes of the prison system, and the possibility of genuine change. We discuss education behind bars, restorative justice, and why some prisoners find a path towards redemption, while others remain trapped in cycles of violence.

We also revisit Steve’s role in helping to stop the Fishmongers’ Hall terror attack, the public reaction to his actions, and the debate over early release, forgiveness, and second chances.

A powerful and deeply human conversation about accountability, extremism, redemption, and whether people can truly change.

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To see more exclusive content and interviews consider subscribing to my substack here: https://www.winstonmarshall.co.uk/

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FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

Substack: https://www.winstonmarshall.co.uk/

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Linktree: https://linktr.ee/winstonmarshall

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction

04:30 The Day Of The Fishmongers’ Hall Attack

06:50 Confronting The Attacker

09:20 Fighting Back: What Actually Happened

12:00 Chaos Inside The Hall

17:00 The Moments After

19:30 Police Response & Immediate Aftermath

22:00 Public Reaction & Media Narrative

27:30 Reflection On The Attack & What It Means

29:58 Sentenced To Life: Steve’s Original Crime

33:04 Entering Prison: First Experiences

36:00 Violence, Survival & Prison Culture

39:03 The Rise Of Islamist Gangs Inside Prison

42:00 How Islamist Groups Organise & Recruit

48:11 Why Guards Struggle To Maintain Authority

54:00 Radicalisation Inside The Prison System

57:43 Why Some Prisoners Convert In Jail

01:00:00 Can The System Actually Control This?

01:06:00 Why Some Prisoners Never Change

01:18:00 Final Reflections

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

In this episode of The Winston Marshall Show, I sit down with economist Liam Halligan for a conversation on Britain’s economic decline, government failure, and the policies driving stagnation.

We examine why the UK economy has struggled to grow, from high taxes and overregulation to the long-term consequences of energy policy and Net Zero. Liam explains how weak productivity, rising public spending, and political short-termism have left Britain falling behind its global competitors.

The conversation explores inflation, debt, housing, and the cost-of-living crisis, alongside the structural problems facing the British economy. We discuss the role of the Bank of England, monetary policy, and why economic decision-making has become increasingly detached from the realities facing ordinary households.

We also discuss immigration, labour markets, and whether Britain’s political class is willing to confront the scale of reform needed to restore growth and prosperity.

A hard-headed conversation about economics, policy, and whether Britain can reverse its long-term decline.

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To see more exclusive content, ad-free watching and more...consider subscribing to my substack here: https://open.substack.com/pub/winstonmarshall/p/were-on-the-brink-of-a-crisis-liam?r=18lfab&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

Substack: https://www.winstonmarshall.co.uk/

X: https://twitter.com/mrwinmarshall

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/winstonmarshall

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/winstonmarshall

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:18 Are we heading for financial meltdown?

05:11 The Collapse of Trust in Mainstream Politics

10:02 Why Politicians Avoid the Real Issues

15:21 Class, Culture and the New Political Divide

18:07 Media Bias and Narrative Control

21:10 Crime, Policing and Public Safety

27:42 Economic Decline and Cost of Living Crisis

31:15 Why Britain Feels Like It’s Getting Worse

38:22 Elites vs Ordinary Voters

45:44 The Role of Institutions and Bureaucracy

49:18 Britain vs Other Western Countries

57:10 What Needs to Change in Britain

1:01:42 Is There a Way Back for the UK?

1:06:18 Cultural Confidence and National Identity

1:14:12 Final Reflections

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