War on the Rocks Is Strategy Possible Now? Ever?
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Nov 14, 2025 Frank Hoffman, an experienced strategist, joins Rebecca Friedman Lissner, a Council on Foreign Relations fellow, and Justin Logan, a Cato Institute commentator, to dive deep into contemporary U.S. strategy. They discuss the evolving American military stance in Venezuela and the implications of limited strikes in the Middle East. The guests dissect the Monroe Doctrine's relevance and explore the risks of current policies eroding the U.S. strategic capacity. With spicy takes on China, transatlantic relations, and national security documents, it's a thought-provoking conversation!
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Venezuela Pressure, Not Full Regime Change
- The Venezuela pressure campaign looks aimed at inducing change rather than full regime change, according to multiple guests.
- Military buildup provides optionality but risks incentivizing Venezuelan ties to Russia and others.
Words vs. Budgetary Reality
- Rhetoric about prioritizing the Western Hemisphere may not match budgetary reality.
- Pacing threats and money will still favor the real strategic adversaries like China.
Tie Strategy To Money When Selling It
- Sell strategy to Congress by linking clear priorities to programs and costs.
- Persuasive, specific language helped secure large increases in past defense budgets.
