Is the Russia–Ukraine War a Failure of Strategy? With Lawrence Freedman
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Welcome to Intelligence Squared, where great minds meet. I'm producer Mia Sorrenti. When leaders choose war, what guides their decisions? At a time of rising tensions between the US and Iran and continued fighting in Ukraine and in the Middle East, should we understand today's conflicts as the result of clear strategic thinking, or The absence of it.
On today's episode, academic and author Lawrence Friedman joins us to shed light on the long history of thinking about strategy and what it reveals about how leaders weigh risk, power, and uncertainty in an increasingly unstable world. Let's join our host, Adam Macaulay, now with more. Welcome to Intelligence Squared. I'm your host, Adam McAuley. Our guest today needs little introduction.
His book on the evolution of nuclear strategy, published in 1981, has been called a Bible by scholars in the field. His later work on strategy, both its history and its modern implications, continues to shape the field. He served as an official historian for the United Kingdom, penned memos for prime ministers, was selected as a committee member on the UK's Iraq War Inquiry, and remains an esteemed Emeritus Professor of War Studies at King's College London. It is my great pleasure to welcome Sir Lawrence Friedman to Intelligence Square today to discuss his most recent book on strategists and strategies. Good to be with you.
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