Ukraine

Rick Wilson calls out the craven political opportunism of the GOP as they immediately focused on how they could benefit from Hamas' attack on Israel, including using it to defund Ukraine and hand it to Putin.

Will democracy and pluralism win?

Stuart Stevens on a powerful approach to put pressure on the House GOP to step up, do what's right, and fund the defense of democracy by funding Ukraine.

Joe explains why walking away from Ukraine is an invitation to Putin to continue with criminal invasions of other nations.

Are we buying Putin's latest con job? Why Joe and Alex think the proposed "ceasefire" in Ukraine might be broken before it's even agreed to. And returning home, Joe and Alex finish their look at the state of our union. What's going on with the economy - and why has Trump seemingly already broken one of his signature promises? How much pain are Trump supporters willing to take? And Joe lays out what Democrats can fight for - rather than just rolling over.

Brian Daitzman writes, "For years, U.S. allies privately acknowledged what had been taboo to say outright: that the United States, under Trump, was falling into autocracy and was no longer a defender of democracy, but an enemy of it." Now, it's all out in public.

Did Assad's ouster from Syria reveal the weakness of Putin and Russia? How will Putin react to the humiliation - and are Russians growing weary of him yet? Is the Trump-Putin strategic bromance on the rocks? Julia Davis, creator of Russian Media Monitor, joined Rick, Joe, and Stuart for a fascinating discussion of all that and much more. Catch up now!

US Citizen and member of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Sarah Ashton-Cirillo exposes the brutal and inhumane ongoing practice of using vulnerable, mentally disabled children to build weapons for Putin's senseless slaughter of Ukrainians in his illegal war of aggression.

Trump loves dictators. For today's episode, Rick discusses Bob Woodward's new book War, which highlights Donald Trump's admiration for dictators, particularly Vladimir Putin. He argues that Trump's transactional nature and attraction to power make him susceptible to autocratic influences. He warns that if re-elected, Trump would likely cut U.S. support for Ukraine, leading to a Russian victory and weakening NATO. Trump's worldview aligns more with authoritarianism than democracy, posing a serious threat to global stability and American values.

Simon Rosenberg writes, "The splintering of the GOP and the open rebellion against Trump by prominent party leaders - former VPs, former nominee, former VP nominee, former Speaker, etc - remains to me one of the most consequential stories of the 2024 election. "

Brian Daitzman examines the tensions between democratic nations and authoritarian regimes, as the global landscape resembles the prelude to World War II. He writes, "These two opposing blocs—the new Axis and Allies— are poised on the brink of global conflict. The critical question remains: what will ignite this confrontation?"

Rick Wilson and Joe Trippi were joined by special guest Gevin Reynolds to talk gag orders, criminal trials, Ukraine aid, RFK Jr's current spoiler effect, and a diminishing GOP. The calculus of the most consequential election of our lifetimes is changing. Catch up now on this fascinating episode!

How does Putin benefit from a horrific terrorist event in Russia? Brian Daitzman examines the aftermath of the Moscow concert hall attack, Putin's dismissiveness of U.S warnings, and his history of using tragedy for personal gain.

Sarah Ashton-Cirillo shines a light on the resistance efforts of anti-Putin groups and individuals in Russia, ranging from the Black Bridge partisan group to anarcho-communists. Following Navalny's passing, a shift in media attention and the renewed determination of Russian patriots aim to cripple and upend the Kremlin.

Despite baseless accusations of espionage and foreign influence, Kyle Parker, a dedicated civil servant involved in Ukraine's fight against Russian aggression, remains steadfast in his support. As Sarah Ashton-Cirillo highlights, those who sacrifice and contribute to Ukraine's cause often face scrutiny, yet their heroic actions cannot be overshadowed by the J.D Vances of the world.

This week on ZeroLine from Ukraine, Sarah passionately calls for focus and solidarity in the face of misinformation and political intrigue, underscoring the global implications of Ukraine's struggle for democracy. Joined as always by Resolute Square executive editor Lisa Senecal, they give a critical update on the state of the conflict.

Romeo Kokriatski writes from Ukraine: "So many of our countrymen have lost everything. If we allow our morale to flag, if we allow ourselves to consider any answer other than “liberation,” then we consign ourselves to lose everything too, to lose that which makes us fundamentally Ukrainian – our freedom."

Ukraine at Two Years: What Leadership Truly Means

Watch a very special episode of the Strategy Session  marking two years since Vladimir Putin's criminal invasion of Ukraine and the Ukrainian unwavering fight for freedom, independence, and democracy. Rick Wilson and Stuart Stevens are joined by special guests Sarah Ashton-Cirillo, American journalist turned volunteer fighter in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and Olexandr Musiienko, head of the Kyiv-based Center for Military and Legal Studies. This important conversation will touch on the state of the war, the imperative of America's leadership in the West, PSYOPs and information warfare, and what the state of freedom and democracy looks like as Ukraine faces a third year of genocide at the hands of Vladimir Putin.

Sarah Ashton-Cirillo writes: "The operation ended with a US Senator accusing me of being an American intelligence officer embedded in Ukraine, a presentation of our work as a case study to NATO, and Russia financially sanctioning me and naming me to their terrorists and extremists list."

Returning special guest Oleksandr Musiienko, head of the Kiev-based Center for Military and Legal Studies, joins Sarah Ashton-Cirillo and Lisa Senecal to dive deep into Ukraine's defense strategy, European support, and the outcomes of the Munich Security Conference. Oleksandr shares expert insights on the critical role of timely military aid, the strategic importance of specific weapons systems, and the impact of European solidarity with Ukraine. Additionally, they explore the challenges and successes of Ukraine's military leadership, the morale of its forces, and strategic decisions on the battlefield, including maritime operations against the Russian Black Sea Fleet.

Special guest Romeo Kokriatski, Managing Editor of New Voice Ukraine, joins Sarah Ashton-Cirillo and Lisa Senecal to discuss the underrepresentation of Ukrainian voices in Western media's coverage of the war. Romeo highlights the critical importance of authentic Ukrainian perspectives in understanding the ongoing conflict and its global implications for democracy. The conversation addresses the challenges faced by Ukrainian journalists, critiques Western media's narrative shortcomings, and underscores the resilience of the Ukrainian people.

Joe explains why walking away from Ukraine is an invitation to Putin to continue with criminal invasions of other nations.

Special guest Tom Nichols, Atlantic staff writer, author, and self-described "Curmudgeon. Cat guy. Democracy enthusiast, defender of experts," joined the Strategy Session for an essential conversation on the GOP, Trump, and Putin - and what that toxic brew means for the future of Ukraine, liberal democracies, and the risk of WWIII.