Most discussions about Western support to Ukraine and its defense against Russia centers on materiel—artillery shells, F-16s, and a wide range of equipment. While these weapons and systems are crucial for Ukraine to continue its war effort, there is an additional consideration that often gets overlooked: defense reform, particularly how the West can help. Dr. Alexandra Chinchilla hosts this episode, and she is joined by Dr. Polina Beliakova and Donald Bowser. Each guest brings deep expertise on both Ukraine and governance. They explain how defense reform would address corruption in procurement and military recruitment that are inhibiting its military effectiveness today—and why it is crucial to Ukraine’s long-term defense.
The US military and those of its allies are faced with the challenges of shifting focus toward great power competition while still maintaining the...
Are current trends in civil-military relations antithetical to healthy democratic norms? What can be done to ensure the civil-military relationship is a healthy one?...
In the previous episode of the Social Science of War, our guests explored the strategic and political dynamics of NATO. This episode continues the...