Analyzing Putin's Miscalculations and the Western Response – A Discussion with Lt. Gen. (retired) Ben Hodges

In this episode, former Lieutenant General Ben Hodges joins the host to discuss Vladimir Putin's belief in the inevitability of Russia's triumph over Europe and the flaws in that thinking. They dive deep into the current state of the Russian military, its geopolitical strategies, and the significance of the West's response. Hodges outlines the importance of economic measures and political will to help Ukraine defend itself. The discussion also covers the influence of Trump’s policies, the misjudgment of Russia’s mass by historical tyrants, and potential strategic moves by Ukraine. The talk wraps up with insights into the weakening of U.S. military institutions and the need for retired military leadership to speak out.
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CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction and Current State of Western Resolve
00:27 Putin's Misconceptions and European Defense
01:06 Guest Introduction: Lt. General Ben Hodges
02:13 Strategic Implications of Putin's Beliefs
05:21 Economic and Military Strategies Against Russia
10:10 Ukraine's Resilience and Future Strategies
16:02 The Role of Western Support and Sanctions
19:14 Potential Outcomes and Historical Comparisons
22:51 Putin's Escalation Tactics and Western Response
26:25 Challenges in Western Unity and Action
30:46 Concerns About US Military and Political Integrity
33:25 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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Putin in a recent rambling speech seems surprised the West has not collapsed yet. According to his mythologised version of history, the West is decadent and ripe for implosion, it is an inevitability in his mind. So why is Europe raising defence spending to 5% of GDP and why are Russian armies failing to deliver victories in Ukraine. His finances are catastrophic, his resources are stretched, his military capability weakening, and his regime getting more brittle. But he clings to the inevitability of triumph.
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Ben Hodges is a retired United States Army officer, who became commander of United States Army Europe in November 2014, and held that position for three years until retiring from the United States Army in January 2018. Until recently he was the Pershing Chair in Strategic Studies, at the Center for European Policy Analysis, specializing in NATO, Transatlantic relationship and international security.
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LINKS:
twitter.com/general_ben
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Hodges
cepa.org/author/ben-hodges/
warsawsecurityforum.org/speaker/hodges-ben-lt-gen/

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Car for Ukraine has once again joined forces with a group of influencers, creators, and news observers during this summer. Sunshine here serves as a metaphor, the trucks are a sunshine for our warriors to bring them to where they need to be and out from the place they don't.
car4ukraine.com/campaigns/summer-sunshine-silicon-…

This time, we focus on the 6th Detachment of HUR, 93rd Alcatraz, 3rd Brigade, MLRS systems and more.
car4ukraine.com/campaigns/summer-sunshine-silicon-…

bring soldiers to the positions
protect them with armor
deploy troops with drones to the positions
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TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:
Save Ukraine
www.saveukraineua.org/

Superhumans - Hospital for war traumas
superhumans.com/en/

UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukraine
unbroken.org.ua/

Come Back Alive
savelife.in.ua/en/

Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchen
wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraine

UNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyy
u24.gov.ua/

Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation
prytulafoundation.org/

NGO “Herojam Slava”
heroiamslava.org/

kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyśl
kharpp.com/

NOR DOG Animal Rescue
www.nor-dog.org/home/
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