Alas, if it takes N bashes-over-the-head by Trump to convince someone of the value of thinking on their own, I fear that Trump might bash them only N-1 times. He might be a stable genius in that way.
1. How vulnerable is Ukraine's military to interference from Elon Musk via Starlink (viz Musk's Crimean attack interference) & how likely do you think is such interference?
2. How dependent is Ukraine's military on US intelligence for using what's left at this point of US weapons systems?
3. Has a an organized US equity boycott/divestment by Democrat or other anti-Trump Americans (+ Canadians, Europeans ...) ever been considered, as a potential tool of resistance & would it be effective? (Perhaps this is a question for Paul Krugman & I'll pose it on his Substack as well)
1. I found the much-too-short discussion of Finland--esp. about outsourcing certain European tasks to that country--very interesting. My interest in Finland has been increasing over the years, but I still know too little about it to know where to go to learn more. Are there any authors you can recommend--in English--about the subjects you were talking about?
2. Prof. Krugman: Germany under Merkel was slow to react to Orbán because the German auto industry had a lot of investments in Hungary. That's a new piece for me to add to the big puzzle. It's not surprising, but from the beginning I've been thinking only in terms of Germany's business interests with Russia.
"How the War Was Won" is a good book. A very attrition-focused (Jomini-esque) assessment. A healthy way of thinking of conflicts between industrial powers. Great to hear something different than the predominantly "maneuver warfare/morale warfare" assessments so common in other writers.
These days there is a lot of talk about the European response to US abandonment, and formation of a European military. This does not seem likely to me. It would involve giving up sovereignty and other practical issues. However, would it not be more feasible that an organisation set up under a EU umbrella, to provide the capabilities Europe now really on the US for? So logistics, surveillance and intelligence and the like would be provided by EU, maintaining the national armies coordinated under NATO, or other coalitions such as expeditionary forces, Scandinavian cooperation?
Interesting to see that Krugman came to your commentary for the same reasons that I did. Shame he hasn't joined the dots and noted how massively lacking your Ukraine analysis has been in comparison to your Second World War work. As an economist you'd have thought he'd have an idea of balance sheets and noticed that you've literally never considered the AFU's losses in your work on this conflict. Sad.
Thanks for the excellent discussion. I need to correct an earlier statement I made about Senator John Kennedy. Although his Oxford first class degree from Magdalen College is called a Bachelor’s degree, it is actually a graduate degree. Sorry for any confusion. He’s still a rich man who knows better.
Yes make it a regularly occurring conversation, as with Adam Kinzinger - fascinating stuff! I think Paul inadvertently hinted at the end that he might be eyeing your perch of safety over there with an envious eye. Which ratchets up the personal fear level here just that one notch higher.
Interesting podcast. However, I found it odd that Paul Krugman doesn't introduce himself or what he does. It makes the beginning somewhat in media res.
"Right now Europe is a mess. Partly so afraid of thinking on their own."
1000% (sadly).
sad indeed
If indeed that is the problem, what is the way to overcome it?
looks like Trump bashing them over the head repeatedly is the only way
Alas, if it takes N bashes-over-the-head by Trump to convince someone of the value of thinking on their own, I fear that Trump might bash them only N-1 times. He might be a stable genius in that way.
I have 3 questions:
1. How vulnerable is Ukraine's military to interference from Elon Musk via Starlink (viz Musk's Crimean attack interference) & how likely do you think is such interference?
2. How dependent is Ukraine's military on US intelligence for using what's left at this point of US weapons systems?
3. Has a an organized US equity boycott/divestment by Democrat or other anti-Trump Americans (+ Canadians, Europeans ...) ever been considered, as a potential tool of resistance & would it be effective? (Perhaps this is a question for Paul Krugman & I'll pose it on his Substack as well)
Loss of starlink would be a big problem for Ukraine.
Loss of intelligence would hurt with ranged targetting alot
Dont know about a boycott--havent heard of one
thank you, not good
Excellent conversation. More of this please.
Was great fun (in a depressing way) Will definitely do it again.
1. I found the much-too-short discussion of Finland--esp. about outsourcing certain European tasks to that country--very interesting. My interest in Finland has been increasing over the years, but I still know too little about it to know where to go to learn more. Are there any authors you can recommend--in English--about the subjects you were talking about?
2. Prof. Krugman: Germany under Merkel was slow to react to Orbán because the German auto industry had a lot of investments in Hungary. That's a new piece for me to add to the big puzzle. It's not surprising, but from the beginning I've been thinking only in terms of Germany's business interests with Russia.
Yep--the Finns have been thinking seriously about securityt for well over a century,
Do you mind posting the transcript?
I thought I had made it available
apologies if you already have(!), I have no idea how to access it. :eek:
Fascinating discussion, thank you both! Wandel durch Handel indeed…😑
Yes, we coined the phrase Middelstand Hippies
"How the War Was Won" is a good book. A very attrition-focused (Jomini-esque) assessment. A healthy way of thinking of conflicts between industrial powers. Great to hear something different than the predominantly "maneuver warfare/morale warfare" assessments so common in other writers.
These days there is a lot of talk about the European response to US abandonment, and formation of a European military. This does not seem likely to me. It would involve giving up sovereignty and other practical issues. However, would it not be more feasible that an organisation set up under a EU umbrella, to provide the capabilities Europe now really on the US for? So logistics, surveillance and intelligence and the like would be provided by EU, maintaining the national armies coordinated under NATO, or other coalitions such as expeditionary forces, Scandinavian cooperation?
Terrific conversation if also terrifying. Glad to hear analysis from both of you.
Interesting to see that Krugman came to your commentary for the same reasons that I did. Shame he hasn't joined the dots and noted how massively lacking your Ukraine analysis has been in comparison to your Second World War work. As an economist you'd have thought he'd have an idea of balance sheets and noticed that you've literally never considered the AFU's losses in your work on this conflict. Sad.
Thanks for the excellent discussion. I need to correct an earlier statement I made about Senator John Kennedy. Although his Oxford first class degree from Magdalen College is called a Bachelor’s degree, it is actually a graduate degree. Sorry for any confusion. He’s still a rich man who knows better.
Yes make it a regularly occurring conversation, as with Adam Kinzinger - fascinating stuff! I think Paul inadvertently hinted at the end that he might be eyeing your perch of safety over there with an envious eye. Which ratchets up the personal fear level here just that one notch higher.
Interesting podcast. However, I found it odd that Paul Krugman doesn't introduce himself or what he does. It makes the beginning somewhat in media res.
Couldn’t play the podcast
It working for me--dont know what to say.
Worked for me, link in your email took me to your substack on Chrome which played it on my iPhone
Yes that link works fine. Great conversation and your perspective and insight is invaluable. Thank you.
Great!
I watched and listened via Krugman as I am a paid subscriber to both of you. Your podcast still doesn’t work for me
Ugh--did you try to watch it in this message? That might work,
https://open.substack.com/pub/phillipspobrien/p/the-us-has-taken-sides-against-democracy?r=1tgexa&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false