Today, I spoke with Dr Mike Martin and retired LTGEN Arne Dalhaug, who have both provided regular commentary on the Russian invasion of Ukraine in regular and social media.
Mike is a former British Army Officer who subsequently completed his PhD studying war and conflict. He has published a number of books, including ‘An Intimate War’, still one of the go-to books on understanding Afghanistan, as well as ‘Why We Fight’, a book that explores root causes of human conflict and war.
Arne is a retired three-star general who was previously the Deputy Chief of Norwegian Armed Forces, served as the Norwegian Military Representative to the NATO Military Committee, and was the Commandant of the NATO Defense College. After retiring from the military, Arne served in a senior position for the OSCE in the non-government-controlled area in eastern Donbas in Ukraine.
They join me today for an update on the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. Some of the topics we covered are:
Current operational situation on the ground
The potential deception of Sieverodonetsk
State of the Russian Army
The likelihood and ‘dangers’ of a peace deal
The risk of nuclear war
Ukrainian requirements to sustain combat operations
The role of Turkey
Chinese view of the war
Putin’s most-likely and most-dangerous courses of action

For previous discussions with Mike and Arne, check out these episodes:
Arne:
Arne Dalhaug and Wolfgang Sporrer - On the War in Ukraine
Special Release: Lieutenant General (Ret.) Arne Bård Dalhaug: On the current Russia/Ukraine crisis
Mike:
Dr Mike Martin - Update on unfolding situation in Afghanistan
Dr Mike Martin & Dr Christopher Ankersen - Afghanistan Update and Future
Dr Mike Martin - a Soldier-Philosopher
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