In this episode of The Focus, Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges joins us to unpack Europe’s growing defence dilemma. As U.S. support for NATO faces political headwinds and war rages in Ukraine, can Europe stand on its own? Or is it still relying too heavily on the American security umbrella?

We explore NATO’s credibility, European rearmament, and what’s needed to keep the continent safe in an age of rising threats.

Show Notes:

Contact Ben:

LinkedIn: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-hodges-1674b1172?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BsE89zn7ZQEaGKjLMT3r2PQ%3D%3D

The Alphen Group (TAG):

https://thealphengroup.com/ben-hodges/

Top 5 Articles by Ben:

📰 1. Business Insider – “A key NATO ally said it would be 'really big mistake' for Europe to break away from the US weapons industry”

Date: June 25, 2025
A detailed interview where Hodges cautions Europe against moving away from U.S. defence suppliers.

 

📰 2. Business Insider – “Most NATO armies likely 'could not meet Ukrainian standards' in combat effectiveness, retired US Army general says”

Date: June 18, 2025
Hodges argues NATO should learn from Ukrainian battlefield experience rather than the other way around 

 

📰 3. Cipher Brief – “Getting NATO to Be Able to 'Fight Tonight'” (Expert Q&A)

Date: July 1, 2025
Hodges examines NATO’s readiness following the Hague summit, focusing on rapid mobilisation and military preparedness.

 

📰 4. Cipher Brief – “Expert Q&A: Can Europe Defend Itself?”

Date: March 27, 2025
A deep dive into Europe’s defence capacity, allied cohesion, and whether the continent can maintain security without U.S. support.

 

📰 5. Swissinfo – “Former US general advises Switzerland to prepare for war”

Date: March 16, 2025
In this interview, Hodges urges Switzerland to ramp up defence — particularly drone defences and large-scale manoeuvres — as a precautionary measure.

In this episode of&nbsp;The Focus, Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges joins us to unpack Europe&rsquo;s growing defence dilemma. As U.S. support for NATO faces political headwinds and war rages in Ukraine, can Europe stand on its own? Or is it still relying too heavily on the American security umbrella?
We explore NATO&rsquo;s credibility, European rearmament, and what&rsquo;s needed to keep the continent safe in an age of rising threats.
Show Notes:
Contact Ben:
LinkedIn:&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-hodges-1674b1172?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BsE89zn7ZQEaGKjLMT3r2PQ%3D%3D">https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-hodges-1674b1172?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BsE89zn7ZQEaGKjLMT3r2PQ%3D%3D</a>
The Alphen Group (TAG):
https://thealphengroup.com/ben-hodges/
Top 5 Articles by Ben:
📰 1.&nbsp;Business Insider &ndash; &ldquo;A key NATO ally said it would be 'really big mistake' for Europe to break away from the US weapons industry&rdquo;
Date:&nbsp;June 25, 2025 A detailed interview where Hodges cautions Europe against moving away from U.S. defence suppliers.
&nbsp;
📰 2.&nbsp;Business Insider &ndash; &ldquo;Most NATO armies likely 'could not meet Ukrainian standards' in combat effectiveness, retired US Army general says&rdquo;
Date:&nbsp;June 18, 2025 Hodges argues NATO should&nbsp;learn from&nbsp;Ukrainian battlefield experience rather than the other way around&nbsp;
&nbsp;
📰 3.&nbsp;Cipher Brief &ndash; &ldquo;Getting NATO to Be Able to 'Fight Tonight'&rdquo; (Expert Q&amp;A)
Date:&nbsp;July 1, 2025 Hodges examines NATO&rsquo;s readiness following the Hague summit, focusing on rapid mobilisation and military preparedness.
&nbsp;
📰 4.&nbsp;Cipher Brief &ndash; &ldquo;Expert Q&amp;A: Can Europe Defend Itself?&rdquo;
Date:&nbsp;March 27, 2025 A deep dive into Europe&rsquo;s defence capacity, allied cohesion, and whether the continent can maintain security without U.S. support.
&nbsp;
📰 5.&nbsp;Swissinfo &ndash; &ldquo;Former US general advises Switzerland to prepare for war&rdquo;
Date:&nbsp;March 16, 2025 In this interview, Hodges urges Switzerland to ramp up defence &mdash; particularly drone defences and large-scale manoeuvres &mdash; as a precautionary measure.

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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