NatSec Matters The Russian Time Bomb: Peter Rough
Jul 10, 2025
Peter Rough, the Director of the Hudson Institute’s Center on Europe and Eurasia, discusses the urgent challenges facing Russia in its conflict with Ukraine. He highlights the impact of tighter international sanctions and increased U.S. military support, suggesting these could significantly affect the Kremlin by year’s end. The conversation also examines Russia’s costly military tactics and the economic strains from the ongoing war, along with insights into the evolving geopolitical dynamics influenced by U.S. responses and global alliances.
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Russian Offensive Challenges
- Recent Russian operations like the Sumy offensive have been costly with minimal gains and likely failed.
- Increased Russian drone and missile strikes target Ukraine’s civilians and defenses, with reports of North Korean forces possibly joining the fight.
Uncoordinated Arms Freeze Explained
- The Department of Defense initiated a weapons freeze for Ukraine without White House or congressional coordination.
- President Trump’s management style allows such agency actions to occur but also empowers him to override them.
NATO Summit's Defense Spending Focus
- NATO summit success hinged on securing a 5% defense investment pledge from allies, especially Germany.
- President Trump embraced this and leveraged the Iran strikes event to focus attention away from usual NATO disagreements.