Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges

Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges (Ret.), former Commanding General of the U.S. Army Europe, shares insights on the NATO Summit's significance regarding Ukraine and Russia. He discusses President Zelensky's aspirations for support and emphasizes Europe's urgent need for unity to confront threats effectively. Hodges warns that Putin's true power lies in his ability to instill fear in the West, impacting decisions on military actions. The conversation also touches on the interconnected risks posed by China and the importance of a strong NATO presence in Eastern Europe.

Two conflicts present two challenges: a Ukrainian counteroffensive turned stalemate; and Israel’s survival as it confronts Hamas (and possibly Hezbollah and Iran). Russ Roberts, Hoover’s John and Jean De Nault Research Fellow and president of Jerusalem’s Shalem College, joins Hoover senior fellows Niall Ferguson. H.R. McMaster, and John Cochrane to discuss Israel’s morale and strategic choices amid a month-long wartime crisis. Then Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, former commanding general of US Army Europe, makes the case for anticipating a positive outcome—Ukraine expelling Russian forces, winning back its land—in a war nearing its 21-month mark.

Join Edward Lucas, a Times columnist and expert on Russia, and Lt Gen Ben Hodges, former Commander of U.S. Army forces in Europe, as they dissect alarming shifts in nuclear strategy following U.S. military support for Ukraine. The Kremlin's threats heighten fears of potential Cold War-like confrontations. They discuss the implications for NATO, the psychological tactics employed by Russia, and the fragile state of European security. Insights into past military movements and the strategic landscape provide a sobering view of the current geopolitical tensions.