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.

Lawrence Freedman, Emeritus Professor of War Studies, and David Gauke, former Justice Secretary, delve into pressing global and domestic issues. Freedman discusses the fracturing Western alliance and the geopolitical tensions surrounding Ukraine and Russia, emphasizing Europe's defense challenges. Gauke contrasts this with the UK prison system's pressing need for reform, advocating for smarter crime reduction and rehabilitation over incarceration. Together, they explore how political dynamics shape national security and justice.