Economist Podcasts Fear on draft: Ukraine’s fraught mobilisation
May 13, 2024
Oliver Carroll, The Economist's Ukraine correspondent, discusses the mounting struggles of Ukraine's military, including recruitment challenges and weapon shortages in the face of intensified conflict. Meanwhile, Don Wineland, the China Business and Finance Editor, highlights the political hurdles stifling research on COVID-19's origins as experts face scrutiny from the Chinese government. The conversation also brushes upon the surprising persistence of CD sales in Japan's music market, revealing cultural dynamics amidst digital transformation.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Ukraine's Mobilization Challenges
- Ukraine needs more soldiers and ammunition, but recruitment is slowing.
- The government lowered the mobilization age and requires online registration for military-aged men.
Weapon Shortages and Russian Advances
- Ukraine faces a shortage of weapons, and Russia is exploiting this weakness by escalating attacks.
- A key stronghold, Chasivyar, is likely to fall to Russian forces, impacting Ukraine's defense.
Odessa Bar Anecdote
- In Odessa, a bar opened by philosophy students saw its male members gradually disappear due to conscription or fleeing.
- This anecdote highlights the difficult choices Ukrainian men face: stay and risk conscription or leave and face an uncertain future.