In this episode, I sit down with Jennifer Kavanagh to unpack one of the most urgent and under-discussed dimensions of the Ukraine war: what happens next. Post-war Ukraine faces a looming demographic crisis that could make sustaining a viable military force nearly impossible—even if troop caps are set high. That reality alone should reshape how we think about long-term U.S. strategy.
Russia’s core security concerns aren’t vague—they’re specific and negotiable: combat aircraft, early-warning systems, long-range missiles, and deep-range air defense radars. A workable peace deal is possible—one that secures Ukraine and addresses Russia’s red lines. But what’s missing is political will.
If Trump returns to office, the advice is clear: don’t overestimate leverage. Sanctions and military threats won’t move Putin. The real power lies in the option to walk away—something Putin fears, because only the U.S. can grant certain strategic outcomes he seeks.
But there’s a catch: European leaders pushing maximalist demands—NATO membership, binding guarantees, zero territorial concessions—are making peace impossible. Their goal may be less about Ukraine and more about keeping the U.S. militarily tied to Europe.
Here’s the bottom line: the U.S. has limited stakes in Ukraine. Continued war drains our resources, risks escalation—including nuclear conflict—and offers no strategic upside. If no viable peace emerges, disengagement won’t damage U.S. credibility. Other nations judge our commitments based on context, not blind consistency.
Worst-case scenario if talks fail? A return to the status quo. But deeper U.S. entanglement would be far more dangerous—for our security, our credibility, and our future.
👉A must-watch that earns every second.
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