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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Professor Jeffrey Sachs joins The Focus to discuss the war in Ukraine, global power shifts, and the West’s role in the conflict. In a thought-provoking conversation, we challenge Sachs on his views, exploring the geopolitical landscape and what the future holds. Don’t miss this deep dive into one of the most pressing issues of our time. 🎙️ The Focus with John Bruni | Watch now!

Show notes

Prof. Jeffrey D. Sachs website: https://www.jeffsachs.org/

X: Center for Sustainable Development: @CSD_Columbia

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-d-sachs/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeffrey.sachs/

Top 5 Books:

Ethics in Action for Sustainable Development (2022)

The Ages of Globalization: Geography, Technology, and Institutions (2020)

A New Foreign Policy: Beyond American Exceptionalism (2018)

Building the New American Economy: Smart, Fair, and Sustainable (2017)

The Age of Sustainable Development (2015)

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With rapidly shifting global alliances, Germany now faces a critical security dilemma. Can Europe defend itself without unwavering U.S. support? In this episode of The Focus, Dr. Karl-Heinz Kamp, a leading expert in German and European security, joins John Bruni to discuss Germany’s strategic vulnerabilities, NATO’s uncertain future, and the broader implications for European defence.

Is Berlin prepared for a world where America looks inward? Tune in to find out.

Show Notes:

Dr. Karl-Heinz Kamp: https://europeanleadershipnetwork.org/person/karl-heinz-kamp/

German Council on Foreign Relations: https://dgap.org/en

University Roma Tre: https://www.uniroma3.it/en/

NATO Defence College: https://www.ndc.nato.int/

The Alphen Group: https://thealphengroup.com/

Written works:

"Nuclear NATO: How to Make it Credible and Efficient" (December 16, 2024) – In this analysis, Dr. Kamp examines the challenges facing NATO's nuclear posture and offers recommendations to enhance its credibility and efficiency.

"Das Ende der Wende? Eine Replik auf Benjamin Tallis" (September 11, 2024) – In this online commentary, Dr. Kamp responds to Benjamin Tallis's perspectives, providing his insights on the current state of European security dynamics.

"NATO at 75: Time to Deliver on Its Promises" (February 14, 2024) – This piece discusses the expectations and necessary actions for NATO as it approaches its 75th anniversary, emphasizing the importance of fulfilling its commitments.

"NATO's Coming Existential Challenge" (March 2019) – This working paper addresses the long-term strategic challenges NATO may face, particularly concerning its relevance to the United States amidst shifting geostrategic priorities. ​

"The Way to NATO's New Strategic Concept" (June 2009) – In this research paper, Dr. Kamp outlines the process and considerations involved in developing NATO's new strategic concept, reflecting on the alliance's evolution and future direction.

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What does the dawn of Trump’s second presidency mean for America and the world? In this hard-hitting episode of The Focus, host John Bruni sits down with Dr. Roy Casagranda to break down the first three weeks of the Trump 47 administration.

Show Notes:

Roy Casagranda LinksX: @RoyCasagranda Website: https://gov.casagranda.com/index.html

Books by Roy:The Blood Throne of Caria (Empire of the Nightingale Book 3), Sekhmet Liminal Press, LLC, 2018.

Articles by Roy:Nationalism and the Left: Liberation not Supremacy, IAI News, March 3, 2023, https://iai.tv/articles/nationalism-and-the-left-roy-casagranda-auid-2408.

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Can Ukraine’s security dilemma reshape the global nuclear order? Join us as we explore the chilling realities of nuclear escalation, broken international promises, and what it takes to secure lasting peace with expert Mariana Budjeryn.

Show Notes:

https://www.belfercenter.org/person/mariana-budjeryn

https://www.belfercenter.org/publication/mariana-budjeryn-personal-perspective-war-ukraine

https://thebulletin.org/2024/11/biden-allowing-ukraine-to-strike-into-russia-is-much-ado-for-little-consequence/#post-heading

https://thebulletin.org/2024/10/why-russia-is-more-likely-to-go-nuclear-in-ukraine-if-its-winning/#post-heading

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/russia-fsu/2022-04-08/was-ukraine-wrong-give-its-nukes

https://carnegieendowment.org/events/2024/02/should-ukraine-have-kept-nuclear-weapons-deconstructing-the-decision-to-disarm?lang=en

Books -

Inheriting the Bomb: The Collapse of the USSR and the Nuclear Disarmament of Ukraine (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2023)

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🔥 What Will Trump 47 Mean for America and the World? 🚨 From immigration crackdowns to a potential ceasefire in Ukraine, we're diving deep with Dr. Roy Casagranda into the policies, global impacts, and controversies that could define Donald Trump’s second term. 🌍 Don’t miss this eye-opening discussion on how his leadership might reshape domestic politics, the economy, education, and America’s role on the world stage. 🎙️ Tune in now for insights you won’t hear anywhere else!

Show Notes:

Roy Casagranda Links

X: @RoyCasagranda

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.roy.casagranda?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

Website: https://gov.casagranda.com/index.html

Books by Roy:

The Blood Throne of Caria (Empire of the Nightingale Book 3), Sekhmet Liminal Press, LLC, 2018.

Articles by Roy:

Nationalism and the Left: Liberation not Supremacy, IAI News, March 3, 2023, https://iai.tv/articles/nationalism-and-the-left-roy-casagranda-auid-2408.

Glossary of Terms:

Affluenza is a term that combines "affluence" and "influenza" to describe the negative psychological, social, and ethical consequences of excessive wealth or materialism. It often refers to a condition where individuals, particularly in affluent societies, prioritize material gain and consumerism over meaningful relationships, personal fulfillment, or social responsibility.

Key characteristics of affluenza include:

1. Entitlement Mentality: A belief that one deserves special treatment or privileges due to wealth or social status.

2. Lack of Accountability: Difficulty in understanding or facing the consequences of one's actions, often attributed to a sheltered or overly privileged upbringing.

3. Emotional Detachment: Feelings of emptiness, dissatisfaction, or unhappiness despite material abundance.

4. Consumer Culture: A compulsion to acquire more possessions, equating them with happiness or success, often leading to financial strain or debt.

The term is often used in both psychological discussions and cultural critiques to highlight the downsides of material wealth and unchecked consumerism. It gained broader recognition after being used in legal contexts to describe the behavior of individuals whose privilege was cited as a factor in poor decision-making or lack of moral responsibility.

Filibuster is a parliamentary tactic used primarily in the U.S. Senate to delay or block legislative action by extending debate on a proposed bill or other matters.

World War I, Battle of Jutland The Battle of Jutland, fought from May 31 to June 1, 1916, was the largest naval battle of World War I and a pivotal clash between the British Royal Navy’s Grand Fleet and the Imperial German Navy’s High Seas Fleet. It took place in the North Sea, near Denmark’s Jutland Peninsula.

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In our latest episode of The Focus, we sit down with Dr. Roy Casagranda to delve into the high-stakes landscape of the 2024 U.S. presidential election. With democracy, alliances, and the global order on the line, Dr. Casagranda unpacks the complexities surrounding Trump AND Harris as presidential candidates, exploring how their policies and political manoeuvres could reshape America and its role on the world stage. Join us for this in-depth analysis of an election that could redefine the future.

Show Notes:

Roy Casagranda Links

X: @RoyCasagranda

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.roy.casagranda?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

Website: https://gov.casagranda.com/index.html

Books by Roy:

The Blood Throne of Caria (Empire of the Nightingale Book 3), Sekhmet Liminal Press, LLC, 2018.

Articles by Roy:

Nationalism and the Left: Liberation not Supremacy, IAI News, March 3, 2023, https://iai.tv/articles/nationalism-and-the-left-roy-casagranda-auid-2408.

Glossary of Terms:

NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) was replaced by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), 1 July 2020.

FDR (Franklin Delano Roosevelt), 32nd President of the United States.

Jill Stein from Pennsylvania is an American physician, activist & politician associated with the Green Party. Her political campaigns primary revolve around the Green New Deal.

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