Is Europe prepared for war? In this episode of The Focus, John Bruni speaks with former NATO commander General Sir Richard Shirreff on Ukraine, NATO’s weaknesses, and the growing threat from Russia. A hard-hitting, unfiltered look at what may lie ahead.

🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube.

🔗 Connect with Sir Richard Shirreff

X: @RichardShirreff

LinkedIn: Richard Shirreff

Strategia Worldwide

Top Five Publications:

What Would Cause the Next Nuclear Strike? (The Naked Scientists, 2023)

Interview: The Daunting Challenges of Ukraine's Counteroffensive (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 2023)

Interview: The Daunting Challenges of Ukraine's Counteroffensive (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 2023)

Arming for Deterrence (Atlantic Council, 2016)

2017: War with Russia – An Urgent Warning from Senior Military Command (2016)

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In this special panel edition of The Focus, we bring together three of the world’s most seasoned strategic thinkers—Andrew Michta, Ben Hodges, and Anders Puck Nielsen—to unpack the war in Ukraine and its far-reaching consequences. From the battlefield to NATO's frontlines and the shifting dynamics of global power, this is a timely conversation that goes well beyond Eastern Europe.

Show Notes:

🔗 Connect with Andrew, Ben & Anders:

Andrew Michta X @andrewmichta LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-a-michta-39116934/Web https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/expert/andrew-michta/

Ben Hodges X @general_ben

Anders Puck Nielsen Bluesky @anderspucknielsen.dk

Most recent media spots:

Andrew Michta

https://www.19fortyfive.com/2025/03/donald-trumps-russia-strategy-could-end-nato-as-we-know-it/?_gl=1*glo16n*_ga*NDI0ODc0NTIyLjE3NDUwNDQ1OTg.*_up*MQ

Ben Hodges

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fppBGSVOoBQ

Anders Puck Nielsen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZL1KzV54Cw

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Donald Trump is back in the White House—and the shockwaves are global. In this episode, Professor Scott Lucas joins John Bruni to unpack the trade wars, the constitutional controversy, and the chaos that’s redefining America’s role in the world.

Is Trump a misunderstood reformer—or a genuine threat to democratic institutions? What do the tariffs mean for allies like Australia and the UK? And how much power does Elon Musk really have in shaping this administration?

Tune in for a sharp, no-nonsense analysis of Liberation Day, rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific, and whether the world is ready—or willing—to follow America’s lead.

🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube.

Show Notes:

🔗 Connect with Scott Lucas

• X (formerly Twitter): @ScottLucas_EA
• Bluesky: scottlucas.bsky.social
• LinkedIn: Scott Lucas
• EA WorldView: https://eaworldview.com/

TOP FIVE PUBLICATIONS -

"The Iraq War and Democratic Politics" (2006) – An examination of the democratic implications of the Iraq War.

"The New American Century: Ideology and Power in the Bush Era" (2005) – An exploration of the ideological underpinnings of U.S. foreign policy in the early 21st century.

"The Betrayal of Dissent: Beyond Orwell, Hitchens and the New American Century" (2004) – A critique of contemporary political discourse and dissent.

"Freedom's War: The American Crusade Against the Soviet Union" (1999) – A study of America's ideological campaign during the early Cold War.

"Divided We Stand: Britain, the US and the Suez Crisis" (1991) – An analysis of the Suez Crisis and its impact on Anglo-American relations.

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