Shield of the Republic Russia is Openly Attacking NATO
Sep 21, 2025
The hosts delve into the shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk and its implications for political violence and online radicalization. They explore the alarming Russian drone incursions testing NATO’s defenses. Eliot provides firsthand insights on Israel's controversial strike in Qatar and the internal debates surrounding it. Additionally, the discussion turns to leaked National Defense Strategy documents suggesting a shift in focus back to the homeland. Throughout, they reflect on the challenges facing liberal democracy while maintaining a sense of hope.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Russia Testing NATO Resolve
- Russian drone incursions into Poland and Romania look like calculated probes of NATO defenses, not accidents.
- Eric Edelman warns inaction and mixed signals from the U.S. embolden Putin and invite further escalation.
Exploit Russia's Economic Vulnerabilities
- Use economic tools to hit Russia's Achilles heel rather than only talk of tariffs.
- Seize frozen assets, enforce the price cap, and expand ghost-fleet sanctions to cut Russian oil revenue.
Putin May Be Misreading His Strength
- Putin likely believes he's winning and is emboldened by perceived US weakness and foreign support for drones.
- Eliot Cohen suggests overt military responses, like intercepting drones over Ukraine, would deter escalation.
