In this engaging conversation, Eliot A. Cohen, former Counselor of the U.S. State Department, and Phillips O'Brien, a Strategic Studies expert at St Andrews, dissect vital failures in Western intelligence analysis regarding the Ukraine conflict. They argue that misjudging Ukrainian resilience led to flawed predictions of a quick Russian victory. The pair emphasize the need for diverse analytical perspectives to improve future military strategies. They also delve into the motivations of war leaders, particularly Putin, and discuss the broader implications of nuclear deterrence in modern warfare.