Eric and Eliot mark the third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine with a shout out to the brave Ukrainians who are resisting Russian tyranny. They discuss the Friday night massacre at the Pentagon, noting the remarkable personal qualities of General C. Q. Brown and his role as Chief of Staff of the Air Force and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. They touch on the role of the JAGS and the dangers to good order and discipline that will result from having pliant lawyers. They also discuss the very troubling U.S. vote in the UN General Assembly against the resolution condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine putting us in the company of Russia, Belarus, Nicaragua and North Korea. They consider what kind of negotiators Trump and Steve Witkoff will be and how international negotiations differ from real estate transactions. Finally, they consider some of the intellectual currents swirling around Trumpism and agree that they merit careful consideration.
Eliot on the Pentagon's Friday Night Massacre:
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2025/02/lawful-enormously-destructive/681809/
Eric on PBS News Weekend:
Gen. C. Q. Brown Amidst the Death of George Floyd (2020): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nw4MI1v8I0k
Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast cosponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
I’m sorry if you both have commented on this before but how do you react to Dr. John Mearsheimer’s analysis of the war? It seems like he’d rather be right about his thesis - that the West caused this war - than to see the Ukrainians defend themselves.
It doesn't get more disgraceful than the meeting today in the oval office between Zelensky, Trump and VP henchman JD Vance. This was nothing short of an ambush, designed to browbeat Zelensky into submission. And force a disastrous "peace deal" down his throat. To his credit, he refused to accept the protection racket/ minerals arrangement that would have sold his country short on every important level. And guaranteed NOTHING Ukraine needs to remain a sovereign country. No guarantees of anything. After the conclusion of Russia's war of aggression.
The press conference and luncheon to follow was abruptly cancelled, when Rubio and Waltz kicked Zelensky out on his ass. The WH states that Zelensky will not be invited back until he is ready to deal. I have never in my long life seen anything so disgusting and humiliating for our country on the diplomatic world stage. I do know the Kremlin is doing Vodka shots by the dozen, and laughing with uncontainable joy. We have lost our place in the world. This was an unmitigated disaster.
Trump claims to be a deal maker, but in reality he does not understand the art of negotiation at all. He thinks he can browbeat Zelensky into giving up his country's mineral wealth for nothing, while preemptively surrendering to all of Putin's demands before he even asks for anything. It's becoming clear why Trump was never able to make money in business.
I am so ashamed to be an American.
get used to it because its all downhill from here
I never thought that in the final days of the republic I would find solace in listening to greybeard Republicans explaining things to me. Thanks from a flaming liberal. (FYI, if I could grow a beard it would be grey as well. ☺️)
I hope things get better, too. Quickly.
Wonder what they think of JVLs take that this will lead to nuclear proliferation in Europe.
Our perfidy causes these feelings in my gut: Disgust, Disbelief, Despair, Despondence, Shame.
This is absolutely THE best podcast The Bulwark has on offer. I could listen to these guys talk all day. Such a wealth of knowledge, experience, and wisdom. Even when it’s gloom and doom, the information and the insight is invaluable. Please bring on whatever guest(s) you have in mind to further enrich the conversation. And I totally agree that Vance is the Satan in waiting.
Ann, I agree with you on all points. Eliot and Eric are my go to guys for all things foreign affairs. Slava Ukraine!
I donated to Ukraine last night after convincing my bank that the website was legit. It’s https://u24.gov.ua/
I do not believe that Zelensky misplayed his interjections w Trump around these so-called negotiations.
It is clear to anyone paying attention to Trump and how he approaches everything (“what’s in it for me, and make a deal that makes me look good, or else!”), Trump was never going to support Ukraine as an ally and NATO member should.
He will maybe release some aid, if he gets to mine the shit out of Ukraine’s resources, but he was never going to take a stance against Putin.
Trump has abandoned Ukraine, and is sucking up to the vile Putin for whatever he personally, Trump, might get out of some under the table deal.
He has abandoned Article Five, clearly.
He’ll cosplay around being a member of NATO, bc he wants everyone to watch his NATO/or not dance on the world stage, but he’s pulled us out of NATO, effectively.
It’s a a fascist totalitarian coup happening. Say it.
Lots of gloom in doom happening now. Thank you for shedding your light on it.
We tried to tell you Eliot. You kept trying to believe the most positive spin on the administration possible because they are republicans. You would never ever have given a dem this type of benefit of the doubt. You should recognize it and judge both parties equally
Eliot has such obvious blind spots and biases I can barely put any credibility into what he says. I wonder if he ever followed up on this gem.
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2024/07/cancel-foreign-policy-apocalypse-donald-trump-ukraine/679038/
Anyone that wrote that at that point in time was not able to accurately assess what going on.
I know. What is even more crazy he still thinks that Iraq wasn’t that bad for America and wasn’t the direct cause of Trumpism. His blindspots are soooo large it is hard to take anything seriously
The people who have taken over the US government are a bunch of psychotic, rabid dogs. They are consumed by their power to destroy anyone and everything. There are now some signs that the apathetic American public is beginning to notice.