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The Secrets of Statecraft

Radek Sikorski Unleashed | Secrets of Statecraft | Andrew Roberts | Hoover Institution

Nov 20, 2024
Radek Sikorski, Poland's foreign minister and former war correspondent, provides candid insights into global geopolitics. He discusses the precarious situation in Ukraine, highlighting the threat of nuclear escalation and examining unexpected military successes. Sikorski reflects on Poland's defense strategies amid growing threats from Russia and Belarus, while also addressing the implications of frozen Russian assets on Ukraine’s recovery. He further critiques the diminishing bipartisanship affecting U.S. support for Ukraine and emphasizes the resilience required to maintain democratic integrity in Eastern Europe.
42:27

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Radek Sikorski emphasizes the urgency for Poland to enhance its military capabilities, planning to allocate up to 5% of GDP for defense.
  • The podcast highlights the strategic implications of North Korea's potential military collaboration with Russia amidst the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War.

Deep dives

The Scale and Intensity of the Russo-Ukrainian War

The Russo-Ukrainian War has been characterized as exceptionally violent, with more than a million people involved across a vast frontline. The conflict has led to significant casualties, comparable to World War I, with towns changing hands at enormous human cost. The ongoing war has resulted in high troop losses on both sides, with small battles often leading to tens of thousands of troops being lost. Furthermore, Ukraine has made substantial territorial gains, regaining approximately 50% of previously lost land while managing to win critical battles, such as the Battle of the Black Sea despite lacking a navy.

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