Vladimir Putin's role as supreme commander has been center stage, offering a floundering and frightful performance. To understand the present, we reach back to the past. In the first of a multi-part series of episodes, Lawrence Freedman and Michael Kofman walk us through the post-Cold War history of the Kremlin and especially Putin as commander, starting with the First Chechen War through the short Russo-Georgian War (2008). In doing so, Freedman draws on his new book, Command: The Politics of Military Operations from Korea to Ukraine (https://amzn.to/3qYxPEF).   

Gideon interviews historian and writer Lawrence Freedman about Israel's challenges in dealing with Hamas and finding a viable alternative government. They explore the recent security lapse on the Gaza border, compare the conflict to global crises, and discuss the potential consequences of Biden's lack of diplomatic victory.

In this insightful discussion, guest Sharone Lifschitz shares a deeply personal account of her parents' abduction by Hamas, reflecting on the devastating impact on families amid the ongoing conflict. Alongside Lawrence Freedman, an Emeritus Professor of War Studies, they analyze the drastic escalation of violence in the Middle East and the emotional toll on civilians. The conversation also explores the complexities of peace negotiations and the growing humanitarian crisis, emphasizing the urgent need for understanding and resolution in this tumultuous region.