Can the Cold War past tell us where the war is going? A conversation with an historian Part 1

Can the Cold War past tell us where the war is going? A conversation with an historian Part 1

Author: Mark McNamee October 10, 2024 Duration: 31:32
How and when will the war in Ukraine end? Can history teach us any lessons where this war is going?  The clear answer to all of this is that we indeed can find useful analogies in the Cold War to understand where this current war is going and predict its future. US foreign policy towards Moscow during the Cold War proves to be highly instructive to understand how current US foreign policy will develop. To dive into this and understand the future of this war by looking at the past, I had the pleasure of speaking with my former professor from Johns Hopkins SAIS, John Harper, an expert on US Foreign Policy and the Cold War. We discuss the development of the US policy of containment of Soviet Union after World War II, comparing that political era to today, and finally predicting where US policy is going in the future. Professor Harper gives his thoughts of what US policy would look like under Trump or under Harris and what it will mean for support for Ukraine, Ukraine in NATO, and how the war ends.  Professor Harper is an expert on US Foreign Policy and the Cold War, having written 4 books related to the Cold War and teaches a course at SAIS titled American Foreign Policy Since World War II. Originally from the US, he lives and teaches in Bologna, Italy. To learn more, visit: https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

We are living through events that will define our century, and History in the Making: The War in Ukraine is an attempt to make sense of them as they unfold. Host Mark McNamee brings his deep knowledge of Eastern Europe to the fore, not just to recount headlines, but to untangle the complex historical, cultural, and political threads that led to this moment. This isn't a dry recitation of facts; it's a grounded exploration of how a conflict reshapes a nation's identity and the global order. Each episode moves between the sweeping strategic picture and the intimate, human stories of those living through the war, highlighting a profound resilience. You'll hear analysis that connects past empires to present-day battles, and conversations that reveal the personal cost and extraordinary fortitude within Ukraine. The goal of this podcast is to provide context and clarity, offering a nuanced perspective that goes beyond the news cycle. By focusing on the people, the history, and the on-the-ground reality, Mark creates a vital record of a world changing in real time. Tune in for a thoughtful, comprehensive guide to understanding not just what is happening, but why it matters for all of us.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 79

History in the Making: The War in Ukraine
Podcast Episodes
Can Trump's policy of "Peace Through Strength" work? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:20
Now that we know who the US president is and more about US policy towards Russia, I brought back on the show again my professor from graduate school, John Harper. Last time we spoke late in 2024, we didn't know who would…
Ukraine is Not a Part of Russia; It's a Part of Western Civilization [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:41
Did you know Kyiv is nearly 1,000 years older than Moscow? Did you know Ukrainian is far older than the Russian language? Did you know Russians can’t understand Ukrainian? Did you know Russia even stole its name “Russia”…
A Christmas Special: Stories from a Soldier of the Foreign Legion [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:52
This one is a bit of a Christmas special, recorded right before the holidays and touches on a number of remarkable – perhaps mystical – moments of a soldier at war. Listen to the story of Angel (his call sign, not reveal…