

War and Politics in the 21st Century, with Sir Lawrence Freedman
Oct 24, 2022
Sir Lawrence Freedman, an authority on military strategy and author of "Command: The Politics of Military Operations from Korea to Ukraine," speaks alongside Mark Galeotti, a modern Russia expert. They discuss the intertwining of military leadership and civilian priorities in conflicts from the Cuban Missile Crisis to Ukraine. The conversation reveals the evolution of warfare amid technological advancements and emphasizes the importance of strategy in governance. They shed light on the challenges of negotiation and the complex dynamics of modern military engagements.
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Politics in Military Operations
- Analyses of military operations often overlook political factors' influence.
- Politics significantly shapes military decisions, requiring civilian understanding.
Political Elites and Military Understanding
- Modern political elites often lack military experience, impacting their understanding of warfare.
- This gap can create tension between political goals and military realities.
Falklands War: Civilian vs. Military Understanding
- During the Falklands War, Margaret Thatcher's civilian cabinet grasped war's realities better than Argentina's military junta.
- This stemmed from UK deference to experienced military advisors and Argentina's internal power struggles.