The Wargame

What would actually happen if the UK faced a direct, hostile act from Russia? The Wargame, a compelling five-part documentary series from Sky News in collaboration with Tortoise, moves beyond hypothetical headlines to stage a detailed, realistic scenario. Guided by Sky News security and defence editor Deborah Haynes, this podcast convenes a remarkable room of former government ministers, senior military commanders, and national security experts to pressure-test the nation's defences in real time. Listeners are brought into the tense, methodical discussions as these figures grapple with cascading crises, logistical nightmares, and stark political choices, revealing the complex machinery-and potential vulnerabilities-of the British state under threat. Haynes, who previously presented the series Into The Grey Zone, structures each episode like a gripping, high-stakes inquiry, blending narrative urgency with forensic analysis. The result is an immersive audio experience that illuminates the fragile intersections of policy, intelligence, and military capability. This isn't speculative fiction; it's a sobering, meticulously researched exploration of contemporary geopolitics, asking difficult questions about preparedness and resilience in an increasingly volatile world. Tune in for a rare, insider perspective on the decisions that would define a conflict, and the sobering realities behind the headlines.