In this episode of The Focus, Dr. John Bruni speaks with leading strategist Professor Andrew A. Michta about whether the West is in decline or on the cusp of renewal, exploring the fractures inside the transatlantic alliance, America’s fading primacy, Europe’s struggle for strategic agency, China’s growing economic fragility, and the deeper civilisational crisis undermining Western confidence. Drawing on Michta’s recent RealClearDefense essays, we discuss Europe’s defence readiness, U.S. strategic miscalculations, the risks of misreading history, and what the West must believe again to survive the 21st century. A sharp, sweeping conversation on power, purpose, and the future of the liberal order. 

Show Notes:

Connect with Andrew

X: @andrewmichta 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-a-michta-39116934/ 

OpEds:

RealClearDefense—“The West Needs to Come Together” 27 October 2025 https://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2025/10/27/the_west_needs_to_come_together_1143377.html 

RealClearDefense—“The Next U.S. National Security Strategy Risks Misreading History Again” 22 September 2025 https://www.realcleardefense.com/2025/09/22/the_next_us_national_security_strategy_risks_misreading_history_again_1136224.html 

Books by Andrew: 

The Future of NATO: Regional Defense and Global Security
June 23, 2014 — University of Michigan Press, Ann Arbor, Michigan.

The Limits of Alliance: The United States, NATO, and the EU in North and Central Europe
2006 — Rowman & Littlefield, Lanham, Maryland.

The Soldier-Citizen: The Politics of the Polish Army after Communism
1997 — St. Martin’s Press, New York.

In&nbsp;this episode of&nbsp;The Focus, Dr. John Bruni speaks with leading strategist&nbsp;Professor Andrew A. Michta&nbsp;about whether the West is in decline or on the cusp of renewal, exploring the fractures inside the transatlantic alliance, America&rsquo;s fading primacy, Europe&rsquo;s struggle for strategic agency, China&rsquo;s growing economic fragility, and the deeper civilisational crisis undermining Western confidence. Drawing on Michta&rsquo;s recent&nbsp;RealClearDefense essays, we discuss Europe&rsquo;s defence readiness, U.S. strategic miscalculations, the risks of misreading history, and what the West must believe again to survive the 21st century. A sharp, sweeping conversation on power, purpose, and the future of the liberal order.&nbsp;
Show Notes:
Connect with Andrew
X: @andrewmichta&nbsp;
LinkedIn:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-a-michta-39116934/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-a-michta-39116934/</a>&nbsp;
OpEds:
RealClearDefense&mdash;&ldquo;The West Needs to Come Together&rdquo; 27 October 2025&nbsp;<a href="https://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2025/10/27/the_west_needs_to_come_together_1143377.html">https://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2025/10/27/the_west_needs_to_come_together_1143377.html</a>&nbsp;
RealClearDefense&mdash;&ldquo;The Next U.S. National Security Strategy Risks Misreading History Again&rdquo; 22 September 2025&nbsp;<a href="https://www.realcleardefense.com/2025/09/22/the_next_us_national_security_strategy_risks_misreading_history_again_1136224.html">https://www.realcleardefense.com/2025/09/22/the_next_us_national_security_strategy_risks_misreading_history_again_1136224.html</a>&nbsp;
Books by Andrew:&nbsp;
The Future of NATO: Regional Defense and Global Security June 23, 2014 &mdash; University of Michigan Press, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
The Limits of Alliance: The United States, NATO, and the EU in North and Central Europe 2006 &mdash; Rowman &amp; Littlefield, Lanham, Maryland.
The Soldier-Citizen: The Politics of the Polish Army after Communism 1997 &mdash; St. Martin&rsquo;s Press, New York.

The Focus is the flagship current affairs podcast of SAGE International, an independent, Adelaide-based geopolitical  think tank.

Hosted by Dr. John Bruni—a veteran geopolitical commentator with over 24 years in the Australian media—The Focus brings a critical edge to global affairs. John's expertise is built on decades of experience, including time with the Royal United Services Institute of Australia, work as a university lecturer, senatorial foreign affairs adviser, analyst for Jane’s Intelligence Review, and Gulf-based military analyst.

Produced by Neil Smart, The Focus cuts through the noise of biased media to deliver sharp, informed insights into the major issues shaping Australia and the world. In an age of global disruption and complexity, knowing which questions to ask is more vital than ever.

The Focus&nbsp;is the flagship current affairs podcast of&nbsp;SAGE International, an independent, Adelaide-based geopolitical &nbsp;think tank.
Hosted by&nbsp;Dr. John Bruni&mdash;a veteran geopolitical commentator with over 24 years in the Australian media&mdash;The Focus&nbsp;brings a critical edge to global affairs. John's expertise is built on decades of experience, including time with the&nbsp;Royal United Services Institute of Australia, work as a university lecturer, senatorial foreign affairs adviser, analyst for&nbsp;Jane&rsquo;s Intelligence Review, and Gulf-based military analyst.
Produced by&nbsp;Neil Smart,&nbsp;The Focus&nbsp;cuts through the noise of biased media to deliver sharp, informed insights into the major issues shaping Australia and the world. In an age of global disruption and complexity, knowing which questions to ask is more vital than ever.

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