Battlegrounds With H.R. McMaster: International Perspectives

In this episode of Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Vladimir Milov discuss the war in Ukraine, the status of the Russian opposition, and prospects for the restoration of peace, Wednesday, April 10, 2024. Vladimir Milov, Russian opposition politician, publicist, economist, and former advisor to the late Russian opposition leaders Boris Nemtsov and Alexei Navalny, joins Hoover senior fellow H.R. McMaster to share insights on Russia’s recent presidential election, the state of political opposition in Russia, and the country’s war against Ukraine. A vocal critic of Vladimir Putin and the hypernationalist group of leaders who dominate the government, Milov reflects on the significance of Navalny’s recent murder, his own vision and the prospects for the opposition movement, and the effects of Russia’s war against Ukraine on the Russian people, its economy, and on Putin’s grip on power. ABOUT THE SPEAKERS Vladimir Milov is a Russian opposition politician, publicist, economist, and former advisor to the late Russian opposition leaders Boris Nemtsov and Alexei Navalny. Milov served as Russia’s deputy minister of energy in 2002. In 2003, he founded the Institute of Energy Policy, a think tank. Milov is a vocal critic of Vladimir Putin and the hypernationalist group of leaders who dominate the government. H.R. McMaster is the Fouad and Michelle Ajami Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. He is also the Bernard and Susan Liautaud Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute and lecturer at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business. He was the 25th assistant to the president for National Security Affairs. Upon graduation from the United States Military Academy in 1984, McMaster served as a commissioned officer in the United States Army for thirty-four years before retiring as a Lieutenant General in June 2018.

H.R. McMaster and Pål Jonson discuss European security concerns, Sweden's transition from partner to NATO ally, and the importance of technological innovation and supply chain resilience in defense. They also explore the significance of NATO and building resilience in the face of great power competition.

Sebastian Junger, award-winning journalist and bestselling author, joins H.R. McMaster to discuss the necessity of unity, the importance of the tribe, and the future of American democracy. They delve into the significance of bonds and solidarity in combat, rediscovering human relationships in no man's land, and exploration of freedom through historical examples. They also address problems in American society and offer suggestions for improvement.

In this episode of Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Richie McCaw discuss the state of rugby and the lessons the sport offers for developing leaders, fostering teamwork, strengthening communities, and building a better future, Wednesday, September 6, 2023. Widely regarded as one of the greatest rugby captains in history, Richie McCaw, former captain of New Zealand’s national rugby team, joins Hoover senior fellow H.R. McMaster to discuss New Zealand as a multicultural society and the significant role that rugby plays in the life of the country. Drawing on his 15-year rugby career, McCaw reflects on lessons the sport offers for developing leaders and strengthening communities and how to apply the values it teaches—respect, teamwork, perseverance, vision—to today’s society to build a better future.

H.R. McMaster and Kai Sauer discuss Finland's defense priorities, security concerns including Russian aggression, and the war in Ukraine. They also touch on topics such as European security, NATO membership, countering hybrid warfare and disinformation, and challenges to energy security. The podcast explores the importance of economic and social stability, addresses security concerns, and highlights Finland's culture and inviting opportunities.

In this episode of Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Ambassador John Sullivan discuss Russia's aggression, its impact on the US and NATO, and the future of Ukraine on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. Reflecting on Russia’s history of aggression and Putin’s imperial ambitions, former US ambassador to Russia John Sullivan joins Hoover senior fellow H.R. McMaster to discuss the 2022 reinvasion of Ukraine and its impact on the US and NATO. Drawing on his experience under the Biden administration in the lead-up to the reinvasion, Ambassador Sullivan assesses the current state of the war, its historical similarities with Hitler’s invasion of Poland in 1939, the uncertain future facing Putin, and how the war in Ukraine may come to an end.   ABOUT THE SPEAKERS Ambassador John J. Sullivan served as US ambassador to Russia from December 2019 to October 2022 under presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden. During his tenure, he led the US embassy in Moscow through Russia’s 2022 reinvasion of Ukraine. Sullivan completed his law degree at Columbia University and has held senior positions in the Departments of Justice, Defense, and Commerce from the George W. Bush to Obama administrations. He served as deputy secretary of commerce from 2008 to 2009 and chaired the US-Iraq Business Dialogue from 2010 to 2016. Sullivan served as deputy secretary of state from 2017 to 2019. He is a distinguished fellow of the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. Sullivan is currently a partner in Mayer Brown’s Washington, DC, and New York offices. H.R. McMaster is the Fouad and Michelle Ajami Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. He is also the Bernard and Susan Liautaud Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute and lecturer at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business. He was the 25th assistant to the president for National Security Affairs. Upon graduation from the United States Military Academy in 1984, McMaster served as a commissioned officer in the United States Army for thirty-four years before retiring as a Lieutenant General in June 2018.

In this episode of Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Tong Yi discuss the history of the Chinese Communist Party, competition with China, and prospects for human freedom on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. Insights from a Chinese human rights advocate and Chinese labor camp survivor shed light on the history and current state of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and People’s Republic of China. Drawing on her experiences as assistant and interpreter to prominent Chinese democracy advocate and dissident Wei Jingsheng and as a political activist during the 1989 pro-democracy movement in Beijing, Tong Yi joins Hoover senior fellow H.R. McMaster to discuss what motivates the CCP, the influence of Chinese imperial culture on the party's authoritarianism, current conditions of those under CCP rule, and why competition with the CCP matters to Americans. ​ABOUT THE SPEAKERS Ms. Tong Yi is a Chinese human rights advocate. She became a political activist during the 1989 pro-democracy movement in Beijing and witnessed killings of civilians by the People’s Liberation Army on June 3–4, 1989. After the massacre, she moved in dissident circles in Beijing. She helped to locate bereaved families and connect them with the Tiananmen Mothers, a group led by Professor Ding Zilin. H.R. McMaster is the Fouad and Michelle Ajami Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. He is also the Bernard and Susan Liautaud Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute and lecturer at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business. He was the 25th assistant to the president for National Security Affairs. Upon graduation from the United States Military Academy in 1984, McMaster served as a commissioned officer in the United States Army for thirty-four years before retiring as a Lieutenant General in June 2018.

In this episode of Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Clarence Moniba, Liberian Presidential Candidate, Head of Liberian National Union (LINU), discuss Liberia’s future and political and economic trends in West Africa on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. This perspective from a Liberian presidential candidate sheds light on challenges facing West Africa. Hoover senior fellow H.R. McMaster hosts Dr. Clarence Moniba to discuss pressing issues of governance and security on the African continent.

In this episode of Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Julio Guzmán discuss Peruvian politics, increasing Chinese influence in Latin America, and political, security, and economic trends in the region. Insights from a Peruvian policy scholar and practitioner shed light on political and economic trends in Latin America. Drawing on his experiences in the Peruvian government and as a presidential candidate, Dr. Julio Guzmán joins Hoover senior fellow H.R. McMaster to discuss Peruvian politics and instability, trends in Latin American politics and leadership, and the benefits and drawbacks to foreign investment in the region. H.R. McMaster in conversation with Julio Guzmán, Former Secretary General of the Office of the Prime Minister, on Wednesday, May 17, 2023.

In this episode of Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and General Carter discuss his experiences in the British military, the war in Ukraine, the implications of the US and Coalition withdrawal from Afghanistan, and the future of warfare. H. R. McMaster in conversation with General Sir Nick Carter, Former Chief of UK Defense Force, on Wednesday, May 3, 2023.