Matt Chorley's Urgent Questions Who is the world's strongest man?
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Jan 6, 2026 Cindy Yu, an economist and former podcast host, joins Mike Shear, a political journalist, Sam Green, a Russian politics expert, and Jim Murphy, a former Labour minister. They dive into the dynamics of strongman politics, analyzing Trump, Putin, and Xi. The panel evaluates military capabilities and willpower, ranking leaders on their resolve. Jim shares insider insights from Cabinet meetings, while the group also tackles listeners' petty grievances, making for a lively discussion on politics and everyday annoyances.
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Power Is Hardware Plus Political Constraints
- Military power depends on both hardware and the leader's ability to use it under constraints.
- Mike Shear warns US arsenal size is huge but democratic checks limit unilateral use.
Sustained Warfare Through Domestic Sacrifice
- Putin combines a large nuclear arsenal with willingness to accept domestic costs to wage war.
- Sam Green says Russia's military has been sustained despite huge casualties and economic pain.
China's Military: Size Without Recent Combat Test
- China's PLA is large but lags the US in defence spending and experience.
- Cindy Yu notes the PLA hasn't fought since 1979, making actual combat effectiveness uncertain.