In this gripping episode of STRAT, retired Marine Intelligence Officer and geopolitical analyst Hal Kempfer examines what could be the unraveling of the Russian military and the Putin regime. Kempfer walks through how a failed summer offensive may signal not just battlefield defeat but a cascading collapse driven by military overreach, economic implosion, internal dissent, and mounting casualties. From wooden armor strapped to outdated tanks to the strategic impact of $400 drones disabling million-dollar assets, this is modern warfare in stark reality. Kempfer also explores the growing instability within Russia—gang-controlled towns, vigilante justice, and signs of a failing state. He dives into how Putin’s autocratic system—rooted in cronyism and Soviet-style control—may be the very cause of Russia's undoing. Listen for a sobering but sharp breakdown of how history, strategy, and current events are aligning to define what could be the final act of Putin’s rule.

Takeaways:

• Russia's 2025 summer offensive could be its last major push.
• The Russian military's outdated equipment and corruption cripple operational capability.
• Ukraine’s national mobilization and Western support have stalled Russia's advances.
• Russia’s economy is nearing collapse, with signs of recession or depression.
• Over 1 million Russian casualties mark staggering human costs.
• Makeshift wooden armor highlights desperate battlefield tactics.
• Internal dissent, mysterious deaths, and vigilante-run towns signal state breakdown.
• Putin’s autocratic model is repeating Soviet-era systemic failures.

#STRATPodcast #HalKempfer #MutualBroadcastingSystem #StrategicRiskAnalysis #RussiaUkraineWar #PutinRegime #MilitaryCollapse #UkraineResistance #GeopoliticalAnalysis #RussianEconomy #DroneWarfare #WagnerGroup #ModernWarfare #EasternEuropeConflict #Navalny #RussianDissent #BlackSeaConflict #StrategicForecasting #DefenseIntel #WarAnalysis

This episode of STRAT delivers a critical wake-up call: our current emergency preparedness planning process isn't enough for higher levels of government. Retired Marine Intelligence Officer Hal Kempfer discusses how military-style decision support, operational planning, and intelligence integration can be better adapted for civilian use—before another catastrophe strikes. Citing real-world failures like the Palisades Fire, Guadalupe River flood, and Montecito mudslides, Kempfer illustrates how a lack of holistic planning and intelligence preparation results in unnecessarily devastation. He illustrates how concepts in military planning processes can be adapted to better enable the Incident Planning Process used by first responders and emergency managers to get far better results in mitigation and preparedness, and minimize deadly failures. It's time to demand more robust, proactive planning at state and local levels—and to ensure those plans are understood and executed, not just filed away. If preparedness is the key to saving lives, this episode is your roadmap to doing it right.

Takeaways:

• Military decision support templates offer critical planning clarity.
• Civilian emergency systems often lack depth and proactive detail.
• Operational planning must include evaluating multiple courses of action.
• First responders often operate tactically, not strategically.
• Intelligence Preparation of the Environment (IPOE) is vital.
• FEMA’s past efforts at deeper planning were derailed by politics.
• Plans without training, exercises, and understanding are ineffective.
• Enforcement against waste and misuse of preparedness funding is essential.

#STRATPodcast #HalKempfer #MutualBroadcastingSystem #StrategicRiskAnalysis #EmergencyPreparedness #DisasterPlanning #IntelligenceSupport #IPOE #MilitaryPlanning #CrisisManagement #FirstResponders #FEMA #HomelandSecurity #RiskMitigation #PublicSafety #FloodPreparedness #WildfireResponse #OperationalReadiness #ContingencyPlanning #DecisionSupport

In this STRAT with Hal Kempfer episode, we examine Ukraine’s bold new military and strategic initiatives that could reshape global warfare. President Zelensky has proposed two groundbreaking moves: a “Drone Megadeal” with the United States and an open invitation to Western defense companies to test cutting-edge weapons on Ukraine’s battlefields. Hal Kempfer breaks down why Ukraine’s inexpensive, battle-proven FPV drones are so critical—and why the U.S. needs them. We also explore how Ukraine’s innovative tactics like Operation Spiderweb and gamified drone operations are redefining the modern battlefield. With Russia now deploying thermobaric warheads and retrofitted drones, the stakes are only getting higher. What are the implications for Taiwan, the Pacific, and future U.S. military readiness? Tune in to find out how Ukraine’s tactical know-how might soon train American operators—and how this evolving partnership could redefine warfare across the globe.

Takeaways:

· Ukraine and the U.S. are negotiating a groundbreaking “Drone Megadeal.”

· FPV drones have caused up to 70% of battlefield damage in Ukraine.

· Operation Spiderweb demonstrates Ukraine’s use of massive drone swarms for deep strikes inside Russia.

· Ukraine is gamifying drone warfare to incentivize frontline effectiveness.

· Russia is using retrofitted drones with thermobaric warheads, posing new threats.

· Ukraine proposes opening its battlefield for Western weapons testing.

· The U.S. lacks domestic capacity for low-cost, battle-tested drones—Ukraine can fill the gap.

· These initiatives have serious implications for Taiwan and future U.S. military readiness.

#Ukraine #Drones #DefenseTech #MilitaryInnovation #FPVDrones #ThermobaricWeapons #USUkraineAlliance #EasternEuropeConflict #FutureWarfare #GeoStrategy #BattlefieldTech #DroneWar #RussiaUkraine #GlobalSecurity #DefenseDeals #ModernWarfare #STRATPodcast #HalKempfer #MutualBroadcastingSystem #StrategicRiskAnalysis