Shield of the Republic

Eric and Eliot discuss appeasement and the striking similarities between Putin’s recent demands and Hitler’s insistence that the Czechs surrender the heavily fortified Sudetenland. They then turn to the latest idiocy coming from the administration, including Trump’s demolition of the East Wing, the Pentagon’s new exclusively right-wing press corps, and the live-fire Marine exercise that sent ordnance onto I-5 in California during a salute to Pete Hegseth and JD Vance. They also examine Putin’s phone call with Trump and the situation in Ukraine, along with Trump’s accelerating campaign of regime change in Venezuela. They end the week’s conversation with thoughts on the No Kings protests and the daunting prospects for a sustained ceasefire in Gaza. Show Notes: - Appeasement: Chamberlain, Hitler, Churchill, and the Road to War: https://a.co/d/awNtPTM - Eric & David Kramer’s latest on Ukraine: https://thedispatch.com/article/trump-putin-budapest-ukraine-tomahawks/ Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.

Bill Galston, a Senior Fellow at Brookings and author of 'Anger, Fear, Domination', dives into the dark passions driving politics today. He explains how liberal democrats often underestimate these forces and discusses the historical roots of illiberalism. The conversation touches on whether the left or right displays more illiberal tendencies, assessing the vulnerabilities of US democracy in a global context. Galston advocates for transformative rhetoric to restore public confidence and highlights potential threats to institutions and elections.

In this enlightening discussion, Barry Strauss, a military historian and author of *Jews vs. Rome*, delves into the Jewish revolts against Roman rule during 67-70 AD. He explores the geostrategic significance of Judea, the complex ethnic landscape, and the motivations behind the rebellions, including messianic beliefs. Strauss highlights the challenges Romans faced in governing the region and how archaeological findings, particularly from Masada, reshape our understanding of these historical events. He also discusses the revolts' impact on early Christianity and modern interpretations of ancient narratives.

Tim Bouverie, a historian and author of 'Allies at War', dives into the complex web of WWII diplomacy. He reveals the nuances of Churchill's leadership flaws and the evolution of the Churchill-Roosevelt dynamic. Bouverie discusses the impact of France's rapid defeat on Allied relations and the significance of smaller players like Turkey and Vichy France. He also critiques the myth surrounding Yalta and highlights essential lessons for modern alliance management, underscoring the need to understand adversaries and cherish alliances.

The hosts dissect Trump and Hegseth's troubling speeches to military leaders. They criticize Hegseth's insecure approach and Trump's incoherent, dangerous rhetoric. Topics include civil-military relations, leadership failures, and the risks of militarizing domestic issues. The discussion touches on historical misconceptions about military success and the implications of using 'wokeness' as a scapegoat. They highlight ongoing tensions within the military and warn against harmful policies while recognizing some reforms.

Eliot and Eric welcome Anne Neuberger, former Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber Affairs and currently the Payne Lecturer at Stanford's Freeman Spogli Center, to discuss her latest article in Foreign Affairs. They discuss Salt Typhoon, the Chinese hack of U.S. computer systems, and the fact that the Chinese sit astride key nodes of U.S. domestic infrastructure in the cyber realm and could inflict enormous damage on Americans in their everyday lives in the event of a crisis or conflict. China is Winning the Cyberwar: America Needs a New Strategy of Deterrence: https://www.foreignaffairs.com/china/china-winning-cyberwar-artificial-intelligence Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.

The hosts delve into the shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk and its implications for political violence and online radicalization. They explore the alarming Russian drone incursions testing NATO’s defenses. Eliot provides firsthand insights on Israel's controversial strike in Qatar and the internal debates surrounding it. Additionally, the discussion turns to leaked National Defense Strategy documents suggesting a shift in focus back to the homeland. Throughout, they reflect on the challenges facing liberal democracy while maintaining a sense of hope.

Eric and Eliot welcome Yaakov Katz, former Editor-in-Chief of the Jerusalem Post and co-author of While Israel Slept: How Hamas Surprised the Most Powerful Military in the Middle East. They discuss Israel's persistent misjudgments of Hamas and lack of preparedness for October 7, highlighting the impact of Israel's 2005 withdrawal from Gaza and the absence of on-the-ground intelligence that blinded Israel to Hamas’s plans. They also note the ongoing traumatic impact on the IDF, the danger of overlearning lessons from October 7, Israel's shortcomings in telling its own story, and the contrast between Israel's failures in Gaza and its successes in Lebanon and in the 12-Day War with Iran. While Israel Slept: How Hamas Surprised the Most Powerful Military in the Middle East: https://a.co/d/iT0D7QD Shadow Strike: Inside Israel's Secret Mission to Eliminate Syrian Nuclear Power: https://a.co/d/62dAcdi Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.

Stephan Kieninger, a fellow at the American German Institute and author, joins the discussion to uncover Strobe Talbott's pivotal role in NATO's enlargement post-Cold War. They dive into Talbott's strategic negotiations, striking a balance between U.S. interests and Russia's voice in European security. The conversation touches on the Budapest Memorandum regarding Ukraine’s nuclear weapons, the impact of Kosovo on NATO-Russia relations, and the Clinton Administration's approach to Russian reforms during tumultuous events in the late 90s.

Eliot and Eric welcome John Spencer, Chair of Urban Warfare Studies with the Madison Policy Forum and Co-Director of the Urban Warfare Project and author of numerous articles and studies of urban and subterranean warfare. They discuss the unique characteristics of urban warfare, the traditional U.S. military approach to urban warfare as well as historical examples from the U.S.-Mexican War in the 19th Century to more recent examples like the Battle of Aachen in World War II and the Battles of Baghdad, Fallujah, and Sadr City during the Iraq War. Based on Spencer's multiple trips to Israel and Gaza, they also discuss how the Israeli Defense Forces have attempted to deal with the even more difficult urban warfare conditions in Gaza including the more than 400 miles of tunnels that created enormously complicated problems for Israeli forces attempting to destroy Hamas's 24 battalions of some 30 to 40 thousand fighters and the inevitable impact that has on civilian populations. They also discuss the information or cognitive warfare dimension of fighting on urban terrain and the difficulties Israel has had in that regard. Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.