History in the Making: The War in Ukraine

Vladimir Putin is likely approaching one of the most consequential decisions of the war and in fact of his entire reign: escalate further through another major mobilization, or accept some form of ceasefire. Or can he continue delaying that choice? In this episode, I spoke with Russian foreign policy expert Dr. Olena Snigyr about what Putin is likely to do in the coming months and what could actually force him to change course. They discuss why Putin has maintained his maximalist war aims after more than four years of fighting, whether the Russian political system now depends on continued war, what another mobilization would mean for Russian society, and the circumstances under which Putin might accept a ceasefire. They also examine the risks of nuclear escalation, how Russians are responding to increasingly frequent Ukrainian attacks deep inside the country, what could come after Putin, and a fundamental question for Ukraine and Europe: what would it actually take to make Moscow conclude that continuing the war is more dangerous than stopping it?About the Dr. Olena SnigyrDr. Olena Snigyr is a political scientist and expert on Russian foreign policy, European security, and Russian strategic narratives. She is a Senior Fellow at the Delphi Global Research Center and a Jean Monnet Fellow at the European University Institute. Previously, she spent more than 15 years at Ukraine’s National Institute for Strategic Studies, including as Head of its Foreign Policy Department. To connect and message with Mark on LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcnamee-58950910 To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/ If you found this episode valuable, follow the podcast and share it with someone who wants to better understand the war in Ukraine.

Today's guest is someone who has helped shape how thousands of people around the world understand this war on a daily basis. Francis Dearnley is Executive Editor at The Telegraph and one of the co-hosts of the award-winning podcast Ukraine: The Latest, which has become one of the most respected and widely followed sources of analysis on the conflict since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. One of the things I've always appreciated about Francis' work is that it combines rigorous journalism with a deep appreciation for history. As I also try to do with my podcast, rather than simply asking what happened today, he's constantly exploring the bigger questions and how these events fit within their historical context. So today, rather than focusing solely on the latest battlefield developments, I want to take a step back. We'll get Francis’ personal views on the war, what Ukraine has taught him after years of reporting from the country, and ultimately how history may judge this conflict. Link to Francis' podcast Ukraine: The Latest - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLO-F29HDAmtnKk7p0LMLqc5Xb4lpeqU5TAbout Francis DearnleyFrancis Dearnley is a British journalist, writer and podcast host who has spent years closely following Ukraine and the war with Russia. He is the host of Ukraine: The Latest, the leading English-language podcasts covering the war, and brings a rare combination of on-the-ground reporting, historical context and deep knowledge of Ukrainian affairs. To connect and message with Mark on LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcnamee-58950910 To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/ If you found this episode valuable, follow the podcast and share it with someone who wants to better understand the war in Ukraine.

If you've ever wondered why the US seems so divided, this conversation offers one of the most compelling explanations you'll hear. For many outside the US (and for many it in too), American politics can seem increasingly incomprehensible. Polarization is intensifying, compromise has become elusive, and debates over America's role in the world—from NATO to Ukraine—often appear deeply divided. In this episode, I spoke with award-winning journalist and historian Colin Woodard, author of American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America. Woodard argues that the US is not one unified nation in the cultural sense, but a collection of distinct regional cultures, each founded by different groups of settlers with their own values, institutions, and competing visions of society. More than four centuries later, the sharp differences of these founding cultures persist and continue to shape elections, political identities, public policy, and even America's approach to the world. We explore the origins of Woodard's fascinating framework, how it builds upon David Hackett Fischer's classic Albion's Seed, why political compromise has become so much harder in recent decades, the rise of populism, competing visions of American identity, and whether U.S. democracy is facing its greatest test since the Civil War. Finally, we examine what these deep historical divisions reveal about America's support for Ukraine, its future as a global leader, and whether the American experiment can continue to hold together in the decades ahead.About Colin Woodard:Colin Woodard is an award-winning journalist, historian, and New York Times bestselling author. He is the Director of the Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy at Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island, where he leads research on American identity, democracy, and the historical forces shaping public life. He is the author of American Nations, American Character, Union, and The Republic of Pirates.You can find his book American Nations here: https://colinwoodard.com/books/american-nations/ To connect and message with Mark on LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcnamee-58950910 To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/ If you found this episode valuable, follow the podcast and share it with someone who wants to better understand the war in Ukraine.

Did something a little bit different for this one. I was the one interviewed this time. Thanks to Scott Jacobson for joining the show and asking the questions. Covered alot in this episode to give an update on where things are at with the economy, investment environment, attacks on energy infrastructure, and what's going on in Russia. Feel like we just came out of winter and now looking ahead to the next one - what will it be like for Ukraine? And what about what's happening in Russia? Also touched a bit upon the latest regarding the firing of the Minister of Defense Fedorov... Enjoy! To connect and message with Mark on LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcnamee-58950910 To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/ If you found this episode valuable, follow the podcast and share it with someone who wants to better understand the war in Ukraine.

In this episode, I was happy to host by far the youngest guest I've had on my show. This episode is about Ukraine’s future. Not what’s happening today in the war, or the war outlook, or looking at historical drivers and context of the situation here as most of my shows do, but instead looking ahead. As we all know, Ukraine has a severe demographic problem, only worsened by the war, leaving its future precarious. For that reason, I spoke with Nikol Makhovka, who is 16 years old, a representative of Ukraine at the Genius Olympiad in the US, and currently residing in the UK, to talk about her vision and her feelings regarding Ukraine’s future. Nikol is among the ‘best and brightest’ of her generation and her thoughts give an idea of what lies ahead for this country after the war. And gives us reason to be hopeful for Ukraine's future.About the Guest:Nikol is a 16-year old student currently residing in the UK, where she fled to after the full-scale invasion, and is attending school there. She also periodically comes back home to Ukraine and plans to return to Ukraine after her studies and rebuild her country. To connect and message with Mark on LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcnamee-58950910 To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/ If you found this episode valuable, follow the podcast and share it with someone who wants to better understand the war in Ukraine.

It was an absolute pleasure to do this podcast - the first one I have done live, in person at my guests' office in the center of Kyiv. (Hence some of the side comments and background noise!) I had the honor of speaking with the Co-Founders of RePower NGO, Sebastian Lindstrom and Maryna Sadikova - such inspired and inspirational people who you can't help but feel the warmth, drive, and energy flowing from them. And they're doing awesome work. This episode follows upon my podcast in June with the press officer of the 37th Marine Brigade regarding The Lanterns, a documentary they filmed with United24 covering their program of providing psychological rehabilitation for frontline medics and doctors in the forests of Sweden. Listen in for more details on Sebastian and Maryna's personal journey, their motivation for serving the frontline medics, most emotionally compelling experience in supporting the medics, and what they want Westerners to take away from watching the documentary.To watch The Lanterns, check the link here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JHK6RMhK1ITo see the before and after rehabilitation of the frontline medics, check out "Through Their Eyes" here - https://www.repower.ngo/projects/through-their-eyesAnd here is RePower's work on IG and LI (please share and follow!)https://www.instagram.com/p/DZP_PLCDDXJ/https://www.linkedin.com/posts/repowerngo_is-it-truly-possible-to-leave-the-war-behind-activity-7469762440860237825-GU8e To connect and message with Mark on LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcnamee-58950910 To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/ If you found this episode valuable, follow the podcast and share it with someone who wants to better understand the war in Ukraine.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Ryan Hendrickson, a former US Army Green Beret who spent years in Afghanistan, lost a leg, and has now devoted the last several years of his life to helping Ukraine. As so many veterans struggle with life after service, Ryan found meaning and purpose again in Ukraine. Devoting his life to helping others who are struggling and protecting those from being harmed has been therapeutic, and serves as a critical lesson for veterans back in the US and elsewhere but also the Ukrainian veterans now and in the future. Please consider supporting Ryan's work, and find out more information about Tip of the Spear, at: https://landmineremoval.org/ To connect and message with Mark on LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcnamee-58950910 To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/ If you found this episode valuable, follow the podcast and share it with someone who wants to better understand the war in Ukraine.

If you want a fascinating look into the stories of why those in the West gave up their lives and came to Ukraine to fight, then have a listen to this episode. I had the pleasure of speaking with the British journalist Colin Freeman who did extensive interviews, trips, and research into the stories of foreign fighters who joined Ukraine's foreign legion. Who are these guys? Why did they join? What do the American fighters think about Trump's policy towards Ukraine?About the GuestColin Freeman is a former chief foreign correspondent of The Sunday Telegraph, now a freelance foreign affairs journalist. He writes features, comment and book reviews for The Daily Telegraph, as well as for The Spectator, The Economist, and The National in Abu Dhabi. He contributes regularly to BBC Radio Four. He is the author of The Mad and the Brave: The Untold Story of Ukraine's Foreign LegionYou can find his book on Amazon here:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mad-Brave-Untold-Ukraines-Foreign/dp/0008722463 To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ To connect and message with Mark on LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcnamee-58950910 Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

I had the pleasure of meeting Denys and other members of his brigade at the showing of a documentary The Lanterns in Kyiv the weekend before the recording of this podcast. The documentary highlighted the heroic efforts of frontline medics in saving lives, while of course putting their own lives in danger. Their story is worth telling and listening to in order to get a better feel for life at the front and the extreme brutality of this war. Thanks to Denys and the heroes of the 37th Marine Brigade for their daily courageous work which never ends.About the GuestDenys Bobkov is the Press officer of the 37th Marine Brigade. To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ To connect and message with Mark on LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcnamee-58950910 Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

Not exactly a spoiler alert, but you can likely imagine the answer provided to this question in the podcast here today.In Part 2 of this discussion, I continue my conversation with Dr. Taras Kuzio, who was on earlier this year in a great show where we discussed whether Ukraine has a Nazi problem. He is joined by Dr. Ian Garner, prominent British-born historian and specialist in Russian war propaganda and military culture, with a focus on the indoctrination of Russia’s youth.Denazification of Ukraine has been used as a justification of this war in Ukraine by Putin since the start of the full-scale invasion in Feb 2022. Critically, this was a masterful move as Russians quickly got behind this war in strong support. Putin tapped into Russia’s sense of heroism and glory in defeating the original German Nazis and by successfully – though falsely – castigating Ukrainians in the same light as Russia’s greatest enemy in living memory in the Germans, Putin succeeded in getting high popular support for this war and for himself.However, in reality, we should be looking at Putin’s Russia to see if we can find the true Nazis and real fascism.Dr Kuzio and Dr Garner co-authored the piece from 2025 - Russia and Modern Fascism: New Perspectives on the Kremlin's War Against Ukraine.About the Guests:Dr. Kuzio is a British professor of Political Science Kyiv Mohyla University. His area of study is Russian and Ukrainian political, economic and security affairs, and he has contributed pieces to the Atlantic Council and Foreign Affairs.Dr. Ian Garner is British-born historian and specialist in Russian war propaganda and military culture, with a focus on the indoctrination of Russia’s youth. Teaches Totalitarian Studies at the Pilecki Institute in Warsaw, Poland. He is the author of Z Generation: Into the Heart of Russia's Fascist Youth (2023) and has been featured prominently in media. To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

Not exactly a spoiler alert, but you can likely imagine the answer provided to this question in the podcast here today. To answer the question of this podcast, I had back on the show Dr. Taras Kuzio, who was on earlier this year in a great show where we discussed whether Ukraine has a Nazi problem. He is joined by Dr. Ian Garner, prominent British-born historian and specialist in Russian war propaganda and military culture, with a focus on the indoctrination of Russia’s youth. Denazification of Ukraine has been used as a justification of this war in Ukraine by Putin since the start of the full-scale invasion in Feb 2022. Critically, this was a masterful move as Russians quickly got behind this war in strong support. Putin tapped into Russia’s sense of heroism and glory in defeating the original German Nazis and by successfully – though falsely – castigating Ukrainians in the same light as Russia’s greatest enemy in living memory in the Germans, Putin succeeded in getting high popular support for this war and for himself. However, in reality, we should be looking at Putin’s Russia to see if we can find the true Nazis and real fascism. Dr Kuzio and Dr Garner co-authored the piece from 2025 - Russia and Modern Fascism: New Perspectives on the Kremlin's War Against Ukraine.About the Guests:Dr. Kuzio is a British professor of Political Science Kyiv Mohyla University. His area of study is Russian and Ukrainian political, economic and security affairs, and he has contributed pieces to the Atlantic Council and Foreign Affairs.Dr. Ian Garner is British-born historian and specialist in Russian war propaganda and military culture, with a focus on the indoctrination of Russia’s youth. Teaches Totalitarian Studies at the Pilecki Institute in Warsaw, Poland. He is the author of Z Generation: Into the Heart of Russia's Fascist Youth (2023) and has been featured prominently in media. To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ To connect and message with Mark on LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcnamee-58950910 Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

Always honored to have back on the show my professor from graduate school, John Harper. I was fortunate to have his class - one of the best classes I've ever taken - American Foreign Policy since 1945. Considering the historic events going on globally, I wanted to take a step back and take the historical view of things. We discuss Ukraine but more broadly the current state of the international order, US foreign policy, and where things are heading.What does the failed policy in Iran mean in terms of US global influence looking ahead?How does the US seem to keep getting over its foreign policy failures as in Vietnam and Iraq and maintain an assertive foreign policy?Where is US foreign policy is heading: isolationism/unilateralism/return to western leadership?How will things in Europe develop in the next generation?Is the world moving into a multipolar/spheres of influence direction or continuation of the Western dominant order or something else?About the GuestProfessor John 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 titled American Foreign Policy Since World War II at my graduate school, Johns Hopkins SAIS. He Originally from the US, he lives and teaches in Bologna, Italy. To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ To connect and message with Mark on LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcnamee-58950910 Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

One of the most underreported stories of the horrific crimes Russia has committed relates to what Russia has done to children. Aside from killing hundreds of children in attacks deep within Ukraine, including intentionally targeting maternity wards and kindergartens, what we’ll focus on today is the kidnapping, forced deportation, and re-education of Ukrainian children stolen from Ukrainian territory into Russia. This is why the ICC issued arrest warrants for Vladimir Putin. Please listen in as this story has been terribly underreported and this war crime has gone far too little noticed outside of Ukraine.About the GuestDr. Thom Reilly is a Professor in Public Affairs at Arizona State University, author of the forthcoming book, Child Abduction in the War in Ukraine: Erasing Ukrainian Identity as a Tool of War (scheduled for late 2026). He has done extensive research in Ukraine speaking with the recovered children themselves, state officials, charities dedicated to these kidnapped children, the UN and other international organizations likewise working on this, among numerous others. To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ To connect and message with Mark on LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcnamee-58950910 Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

I for one became super encouraged for Ukraine after doing this interview. The last few months, and specifically the past few weeks, things have taken a turn for Ukraine on the battlefield. Ukraine has taken back more land than Russia has gained lately. Ukraine is eliminating more men than Russia can recruit. Ukraine has taken back the technological edge. And Ukraine is now winning. Tune in to this one for some optimism regarding Ukraine's fight on the battlefield. I had the pleasure to have back on the show my friend and great war correspondent, Giorgio Provinciali, who has see it all across the entire front the last 4 years. We talked about the fight underground, above ground, in the air, middle range, and long range for a comprehensive picture of what has developed at the front and why we should expect good things ahead for Ukraine.About the Guest:Giorgio Provinciali, War Correspondent, Writes from the trenches of democracy in Ukraine. Engineer, journalist, war reporter. Medium writer since November 2023.Read more from Giorgio:https://medium.com/@giorgioprovincialiThe article referred to in the podcast regarding Ukraine's technological advantage:https://medium.com/@giorgioprovinciali/ukraine-is-setting-the-pace-6e468483c5d8 To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ To connect and message with Mark on LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcnamee-58950910 Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

We all read in history books the horrors of World War II, and collectively said "never again". Yet here we are in Europe, and it's happening again. Far too often I speak with those outside of Ukraine who have either forgotten about what Russia has done to innocent civilians in Ukraine or who are entirely unaware of what has happened. To help correct that, I was motivated to do this podcast with the head of the UN Human Rights Mission in Ukraine, Danielle Bell. The sharp rise in indiscriminate attacks on civilians lately, the kidnapped children, the torture of Ukrainian POWs, the "dire" situation for Ukrainians in Russian-occupied territory, and much more - we cover as much as possible to remind the world of the horrors of what Russia has done in Ukraine. Please do share this episode to help keep up awareness. It's concerning how many people outside Ukraine are unaware of the severity of what Russia has done here. Reports cited in the show:UN report on "human safari" - https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2025/05/un-commission-concludes-russian-armed-forces-drone-attacks-against-civiliansUN report on forced displacement - https://ukraine.ohchr.org/en/Forced-displacement-from-territory-of-Ukraine-occupied-by-the-Russian-FederationUN report on impact on children - https://ukraine.ohchr.org/en/The-impact-of-the-armed-conflict-and-occupation-on-childrens-rights-in-Ukraine-24-February-2022-31-December-2024About the GuestDanielle Bell is the Head of Mission, UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU). She has led UN human rights programs for more than 25 years, working mainly in conflict and post-conflict contexts. Prior to coming to Ukraine, Ms. Bell served as the Chief of the Human Rights Office in the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) and the representative in Iraq of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), a position she held since 2018, after leading the UN human rights component in Afghanistan at the same level 2015 to 2018. Since 2001, Ms. Bell has also led human rights teams within UN peace missions in South Sudan, Central African Republic, Sudan (Darfur) and Timor-Leste. To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ To connect and message with Mark on LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcnamee-58950910 Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

I was honored to have back on the show Dr. Sergey Radchenko - though this time the focus of the conversation was not about history or negotiations, but instead on his own inspiring and thought-provoking personal journey. Recently he published in the British paper The Guardian his personal journey in renouncing his Russian citizenship due to the disgust he felt at being associated as a Russian with the atrocities and war crimes of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. In that powerful piece, Dr. Radchenko reflects on his own identity, internal struggle, and sense of collective guilt he felt due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. We also had time at the end to discuss the state of affairs of the War in Ukraine and the War in Iran, and Dr. Radchenko's view of negotiations and where they sit in their historical context. Given the lack of progress in talks with Russia, what does Trump not understand about dealing with the Russians?Is the War in Iran as positive for Russia as it seems?Is the War in Iran the US's Suez Crisis (the end of the British empire)? Read the full article in The Guardian here - https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/09/i-had-poked-the-bear-right-in-the-eye-my-fight-to-renounce-my-russian-citizenship The Foreign Policy article - https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/03/30/trump-putin-iran-war-hormuz-oil-israel-sanctions/About the GuestDr. Sergey Radchenko is a leading historian of Soviet/Russian foreign policy and Sino-Russian relations at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ To connect and message with Mark on LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcnamee-58950910 Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

If you're looking for some inspiration, listen in to this conversation with Superhumans CEO Olga Rudnieva. This one will hit your emotions. Having helped thousands of amputees from the war, the stories of resilience and strength of Ukraine's heroes are overwhelming. How do amputees recover both physically and mentally? What keeps them going? This show isn't about trauma - its about the dreams that keep people going after having suffered immensely. The dream to hold your child once again. To walk again. To simply be able to stand up to pee. That's how you go from losing a leg at the front to running a marathon. The dreams keep you alive. Understand why most of the amputees say losing their limb was the best thing that ever happened to them. Special thanks to Olga for taking the time from her critical work to speak with me and get the message out about Superhumans - Ukraine's heroes. Prosthetics and mental recovery from war are yet just additional areas where Ukraine will lead the Western world in the future. The Superhumans Center is a specialist clinic for the treatment and rehabilitation of war victims with specialist in orthopedic trauma, reconstructive and Plastics Surgery, Facial Surgery and Ear Nose and Throat Surgery as well as rehabilitation specialists and prostheticians.About the GuestOlga is the co-founder and CEO of the Superhumans Center in Ukraine which has treated over 4,000 wounded amputees from the Russia-Ukraine conflict since 2022. In December 2024, she was named in BBC's 100 women for her work inspiring others.Website: http://superhumans.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rudnieva_olga/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olgarudneva/ To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

We recorded this episode on April 4th, the International Mine Awareness Day, to highlight the situation Ukraine is in as the most heavily mined country in the world.I had the pleasure of speaking with the head of the UN's Mine Action program here in Ukraine, Paul Heslop, on this important day. We discussed the scale of the mine problem in Ukraine, how de-mining is done, innovations in de-mining developed in Ukraine, and the outlook ahead. To connect and message with Mark on LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcnamee-58950910 To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/ If you found this episode valuable, follow the podcast and share it with someone who wants to better understand the war in Ukraine.

The US has an outsized influence on world events. So much here in Ukraine and elsewhere hinges on the policies of Trump.For that reason, I did this episode to help non-Americans (but I think will be informative for Americans as well) understand the mindset of the Trump voter.In Part 1, we explored domestic issues and general perceptions. In this second part, we shift to foreign policy and global conflicts.In short, I have been asked the last decade living in Europe by European friends and colleagues: Who votes for Trump and what are they thinking? Instead of again trying to answer this on my own, I got questions from several of my European friends and posed them to a Trump supporter – and my oldest brother, Dave McNamee. He in turn sent the questions to 6 of his friends, likewise all Trump voters the past ten years, to get a more comprehensive view of the motivations and mindset of the Trump voter.US involvement in foreign wars, relations with Russia and China, war in Ukraine, Iran…How does the Trump voter view all these things?And above all, the ultimate question in my opinion: “Is there a red line? What would Trump have to do to lose your support?”—this time in the context of foreign policy and potential military involvement.Please note that this episode has nothing to do with my views, as that’s not the point of this episode. Some of what Dave says I agree with, other points I completely disagree with, but that’s irrelevant. I’m trying to communicate the view of tens of millions of voters to people outside the US who are truly bewildered.And lastly, while anecdotal and just the thoughts of a few citizens in a nation of 335 mn people, I do think the views shared here are highly representative of tens of millions of Trump voters: these are all middle-aged, white, Christian, males, college educated, and professionally successful (in the top 10% of income earners), residing in suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio, a mid-sized Midwestern city.About the GuestDave McNamee, President at DMC Benefits General Agency, Resident of Cleveland, Ohio and oldest brother of the podcast host Mark. To connect and message with Mark on LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcnamee-58950910 To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/ If you found this episode valuable, follow the podcast and share it with someone who wants to better understand the war in Ukraine.

The US has an outsized influence on world events. So much here in Ukraine and elsewhere hinges on the policies of Trump.For that reason, I did this episode to help non-Americans (but I think will be informative for Americans as well) understand the mindset of the Trump voter.In short, I have been asked the last decade living in Europe by European friends and colleagues: Who votes for Trump and what are they thinking? Instead of again trying to answer this on my own, I got questions from several of my European friends and posed them to a Trump supporter - and my oldest brother, Dave McNamee. He in turn sent the questions to 6 of his friends, likewise all Trump voters the past ten years, to get a more comprehensive view of the motivations and mindset of the Trump voter.January 6th, erosion of rule of law, ICE, Epstein files, war in Ukraine, war in Iran….How does the Trump voter view all these things?And above all, the ultimate question in my opinion: “Is there a red line? What would Trump have to do to lose your support?”Please note that this episode has nothing to do with my views, as that’s not the point of this episode. Some of what Dave says I agree with, other points I completely disagree with, but that’s irrelevant. I’m trying to communicate the view of tens of millions of voters to people outside the US who are truly bewildered.And lastly, while anecdotal and just the thoughts of a few citizens in a nation of 335 mn people, I do think the views shared here are highly representative of tens of millions of Trump voters: these are all middle-aged, white, Christian, males, college educated, and professionally successful (in the top 10% of incomes earners), residing in suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio a mid-sized Midwestern city.Enjoy the show!About the GuestDave McNamee, President at DMC Benefits General Agency, Resident of Cleveland, Ohio and oldest brother of the podcast host Mark. To connect and message with Mark on LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcnamee-58950910 To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/ If you found this episode valuable, follow the podcast and share it with someone who wants to better understand the war in Ukraine.

I had the great pleasure in this episode in speaking with a world-renowned expert on Iran and militant Shia groups in the Middle East - and also an old friend from my Washington DC days - Phillip Smyth, to discuss the War in Iran and where it is heading. We covered it all - what does Trump do next? What does Iran do next? Will the Houthis soon cause problems for global trade on the other side of the Arabian peninsula? What will Israel do if Trump backs off? And how do the Gulf states respond? etc. etc.We also touched upon the impact on the global economy, the impact on Ukraine from this war, and the Iranian-Russian partnership. Tune in for truly a fascinating episode.About the GuestPhillip Smyth, world-renowned expert on Shia militant groups in the Middle East, former fellow at the Washington Institute of the Near East as well as at the Atlantic Council, and currently serves on the Counterterrorism Advisory Board of Homeland Security Today. Phillip has testified at numerous Congressional Hearings related to the Middle East. To connect and message with Mark on LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcnamee-58950910 To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/ If you found this episode valuable, follow the podcast and share it with someone who wants to better understand the war in Ukraine.

What is the front like these days in this new era of drones?What is the situation around Pokrovsk?Is Ukraine's biggest issue manpower or actually weapons?And did America actually support Russia to defeat the Ukrainians in Kursk?Tune in to this episode to hear the answers to this and much more from a war correspondent who has been living and reporting from the front since the start of the full-scale invasion in early 2022. Close brushes with death, chased by Russian drones, witness to numerous Russian war crimes, years spent with Ukrainian soldiers - this episode has it all for those interested in understanding what's really going on at the front. About the GuestGiorgio Provinciali, War Correspondent, Writes from the trenches of democracy in Ukraine. Engineer, journalist, war reporter. Medium writer since November 2023.Read more from Giorgio:https://medium.com/@giorgioprovinciali To connect and message with Mark on LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcnamee-58950910 To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/ If you found this episode valuable, follow the podcast and share it with someone who wants to better understand the war in Ukraine.

Last week marked the 4-year anniversary of Russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. To mark this date, I had the great pleasure to speak with Gen. David Petraeus to do an overview of where the war is today and where it’s heading. Among other topics discussed, we focused on:Why Americans should consider Ukraine vital to US national securityHow the West/Ukraine can stop PutinThe current state of the battlefield and outlook this yearThe primary lessons Western militaries can learn from UkraineAnd lastly, are Ukrainians currently "The Greatest Generation" of America's past?About the GuestGeneral David Petraeus, served over 37 years in the U.S. military, including command of the Surge in Iraq, command of U.S. Central Command, and command of coalition forces in Afghanistan. Following retirement from the military, Gen. Petraeus served as Director of the CIA under President Obama. He is currently a Partner at KKR.Articles by Gen. PetraeusForeign Affairs: https://www.foreignaffairs.com/middle-east/autonomous-battlefieldNational Interest: https://nationalinterest.org/feature/for-china-the-ukraine-war-is-a-laboratory  To connect and message with Mark on LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcnamee-58950910 To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/ If you found this episode valuable, follow the podcast and share it with someone who wants to better understand the war in Ukraine.

Does Ukraine have a Nazi problem?How pervasive is far-right nationalism in Ukraine?What is the history of the Kremlin's propaganda campaign about Ukrainian Nazis?Why does Moscow insist on calling Ukrainians all Nazis?And what about Nazism in Russia?We touch upon all of this in this very illuminating episode with Dr. Taras Kuzio, who has researched and written extensively on the topic for years.I admit that this is not an area of specialty of mine but am of course familiar with the issue. As usual with Kremlin propaganda, there is a kernel of truth to all of this as there exists of course far-right nationalist groups in Ukraine. The question is how pervasive and influential are they, and where this Kremlin propaganda comes from. Dr. Kuzio helped me better understand this and will be highly informative to listeners. And enjoy the voice of Start Wars' Mark Hamill announcing the end of an air raid alert in the middle of the podcast:)About the GuestTaras Kuzio, British Professor of Political Science at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. His area of study is Russian and Ukrainian political, economic and security affairs, and he has contributed pieces to the Atlantic Council and Foreign Affairs. To connect and message with Mark on LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcnamee-58950910 To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/ If you found this episode valuable, follow the podcast and share it with someone who wants to better understand the war in Ukraine.

We delved into yet another Kremlin lie, this one a recurring theme literally for the past 60 years going back to the Soviet era - US biolabs around the word out to attack Russia. To reveal this lie, I spoke with Dr. Dmytro Stepanskyi, the head of Microbiology at the Dnipro State University. In short, this is an interesting propaganda tool by the Kremlin because they are directly accusing the US of what the Kremlin does - possesses covert biolabs which have been used to kill individuals outside of Russia. Some important links regarding to the topic:https://thebulletin.org/2025/12/a-decade-of-chemical-and-biological-disinformation-mapped/https://thebulletin.org/2022/10/the-russian-biological-weapons-program-in-2022/?fbclid=IwY2xjawPjB29leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFZVTRPcGxweXM5Vk1xQnpxc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHokiKQtnstu7X9ZIH-8WzwdAP96ak5bF6Hw1-0IenpQVbY756nPYq6H_5oPF_aem_MzAbLH28nKKxOoOtS5rCkQhttps://www.lawfaremedia.org/contributors/dreganhttps://councilonstrategicrisks.org/2025/04/04/biological-threats-in-the-us-annual-threat-assessment-a-consistent-view-reinforces-the-need-for-continued-action/About the GuestDr. Dmytro Stepanskyi, MD, PhD, Professor, Head of department of Microbiology, Virology, Immunology and Epidemiology – Dnipro State Medical  University, American Society for Microbiology Ambassador to Ukraine To connect and message with Mark on LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcnamee-58950910 To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/ If you found this episode valuable, follow the podcast and share it with someone who wants to better understand the war in Ukraine.

With peace talks ongoing for the past year Trump has been in office, it's worth asking: where are we with the peace process and where will things go from here?We've hit another inflection point it seems. Trump's White House is eager to claim 90% of work is done with the peace talks. The West seems to have largely aligned around their position and the US seems to believe a deal could be coming. However, the experts I spoke with in this episode are far more skeptical. And as am I. Are these talks credible and leading somewhere?Is Putin interested in reaching a deal?Could Zelenskyi agree to what's on the table?Is Europe's Coalition of the Willing a serious proposal?Where do we go from here?Listen in to get the answers to this and many other questions from two of the leading political scientists focused on Ukraine: Taras Kuzio and Paul D'Anieri. About the GuestsTaras Kuzio, British Professor of Political Science at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. His area of study is Russian and Ukrainian political, economic and security affairs, and he has contributed pieces to the Atlantic Council and Foreign Affairs.Paul D'Anieri, Professor of Political Science and former Provost of University of California, Riverside, specializing politics and international relations in the former Soviet Union, focusing on Ukraine and Russia. He has been called “one of the leading scholars of the study of contemporary Ukraine” To connect and message with Mark on LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcnamee-58950910 To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/ If you found this episode valuable, follow the podcast and share it with someone who wants to better understand the war in Ukraine.

It's always nice to meet and speak with like-minded, passionate, empathetic people who dedicate their lives to something bigger than themselves.And that's what this podcast was all about. I had the great pleasure of speaking with a proud Ukraine supporter, who also comes from my hometown of Cleveland! Brandon Chrostowski has travelled multiple times to Ukraine to help, not because of his heritage (he's not Ukrainian) but just because it's the right thing to do and he has a skill that can contribute to some good. Listen in for some inspiration from a guy who is doing great stuff for the people of Ukraine, those in other conflict zones, as well as those in Cleveland. About the GuestBrandon Chrostowski, Chef, Restaurateur, and Politician residing in Cleveland, Ohio. He is the founder, president, and CEO of EDWINS Leadership and Restaurant Institute, an NGO that acts as both a French restaurant and culinary institute training former prison inmates. Chrostowski is also a certified sommelier and a fromager, and ran for mayor of Cleveland in 2017. He has visited Ukraine (and other conflict zones) multiple times, bringing food, conducting cooking classes,  and rebuilding a children's hospital, while also providing financial support to those suffering from the war. To connect and message with Mark on LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcnamee-58950910 To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/ If you found this episode valuable, follow the podcast and share it with someone who wants to better understand the war in Ukraine.

I admit I departed from my usual more detached analytical style, and spoke a bit more from the heart in this one. Too much has happened and for too long to not do a podcast like this. Most of my adult life I have spent in Europe and so have gained a solid perspective on how Europeans and other non-Americans view the US and how these views have developed. I'm also asked routinely by friends and family back in the US how non-Americans view the US. So in this episode, motivated by Trump's threats to European and NATO democratic allies, I felt compelled to dive into these perceptions and touched upon what it means to be American. Who are we as Americans if we don't have principles and beliefs that we ascribe to? To connect and message with Mark on LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcnamee-58950910 To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/ If you found this episode valuable, follow the podcast and share it with someone who wants to better understand the war in Ukraine.

With so much disinformation about the war particularly at this moment, I felt it would be good to do a show on some of these lies. Although I was hoping we could delve into the many myths of this war, we ended up speaking primarily about the central myth of this war: the Russian lie that this is a defensive war in retaliation against the last 30 years of NATO expansion. Listen in to understand the numerous reasons why this is clearly a lie. I had the great pleasure speaking with Dr. Branislav Slantchev, a professor of Political Science at UC San Diego, who helped provide extensive evidence and quotes by Russian leaders themselves clearly setting the record straight and proving this is a war of Russian imperial aggression, not a defensive war against NATO. His Foreign Affairs article  - https://www.foreignaffairs.com/ukraine/obstacles-diplomacy-ukraineAnd I highly recommend you follow him on X at https://x.com/slantchevAbout the GuestDr. Branislav Slantchev is a Professor of Political Science at the University of California San Diego. Slantchev teaches courses in international relations, national security, and game theory. To connect and message with Mark on LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcnamee-58950910 To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/ If you found this episode valuable, follow the podcast and share it with someone who wants to better understand the war in Ukraine.

So what now in Venezuela? Trump has put himself in dangerous territory by removing a foreign leader and now vowing to "run" the country, precisely what he has promised his MAGA support base the US under him would no longer do. What happens next? Why did he do it?And above all, how will it impact Ukraine?If history is any indicator, I'm not optimistic for how this plays out for Trump, which ironically may work to Ukraine's favor. Tune in to find out why. To connect and message with Mark on LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcnamee-58950910 To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/ If you found this episode valuable, follow the podcast and share it with someone who wants to better understand the war in Ukraine.

There's an information war going on related to the War in Ukraine, and unfortunately Russia has been very successful in spreading its propaganda into the West and influencing popular perceptions and also policy-makers themselves. I thought it would be informative to have on the show a Ukrainian who recently moved to the US and what she has seen on the ground related to Americans' perspectives on the war and what has been alarming to her. In our discussion we touched upon the war itself, what Americans believe and understand, views on the Russian opposition and Navalny himself, as well as issues like language and religion in Ukraine. Please listen in to better understand and expose this information war. About the GuestOlga Usenko, Strategic Communications and Legal Market Analyst with nearly 20 years of experience leading high-impact research and media projects in Ukraine’s legal sector. Olga holda a PhD in International Economics and is currently a Fellow at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University, focusing on strategic communications and global partnerships for Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction and investment growth. To connect and message with Mark on LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcnamee-58950910 To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/ If you found this episode valuable, follow the podcast and share it with someone who wants to better understand the war in Ukraine.

Over 6 mn Ukrainians fled their homeland after the full-scale invasion and have since settled abroad, mostly in Europe. In country after country, Ukrainians economic and financial contribution far outpaces the social support provided to them by those countries. To delve into this story, specifically as it pertains to the US, I had a very informative discussion with Oleksandr Romanishyn, a former Deputy Minister of Economy and current head of the think tank ISE group. He launched an Impact Study into Ukrainians' contribution to the US economy, which is far more substantial than I possibly could have imagined. Oleksandr Romanyshin is a policymaker and economist, having served as Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine (2020-2021). He is currently a Board Member of ISE Group and an Advisor to the Ukrainian American Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UACCI). With over 15 years of experience spanning government, IFIs, and corporate finance, he has contributed to Ukraine’s post-war recovery strategy, including inputs to the European Commission’s €50 billion Ukraine Facility. He was engaged in M&A and corporate finance in such companies as EY, Volwest Group, and Midland Group. He was the head of the World Bank's private sector development project in Ukraine. Beyond that, Oleksandr has published critical work on disinformation, the state of Ukraine's energy infrastructure, and local governance - all of which we discussed in the podcast. Links as noted in the podcast:Impact Study: https://ise-group.org/impact-studyPlatform UA2USA: https://ua2usa.org/ ISE's work on disinformation: https://ise-group.org/disinformationAI and disinformation policy paper: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/artificial-intelligence/articles/10.3389/frai.2025.1569115 To connect and message with Mark on LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcnamee-58950910 To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/ If you found this episode valuable, follow the podcast and share it with someone who wants to better understand the war in Ukraine.

How do so many Russians either outright support this war or at least passively approve it? And what about Russians in Moscow and St. Petersburg? Do they have a more Western political culture?Can Russia ever drop its imperialistic mentality and make the country less violent abroad?To answer these questions and more, I spoke with Dr. Botakoz Kassymbekova, an expert on Russia imperialism, to discuss the concept of Russia's Imperial Innocence. Dr. Botakoz Kassymbekova is a professor of Eastern European History at the University of Zurich. Earlier, she received her BA and MA in Bishkek and Essex, respectively. Dr. Kassymbekova completed her doctorate at Humboldt University Berlin and worked as a postdoc in Berlin, Liverpool and Basel, as well as a guest scholar at Columbia University, New York. Her research focuses are Soviet history, Stalinism/post-Stalinism, and Russian imperial history.Listen in to understand the drivers behind Russian political culture and how Putin can sustain popular support for this war despite the extreme casualties and destruction of Russia's economy and demographics for the next generation.Her article noted in the podcast can be found here: https://www.ponarseurasia.org/time-to-question-russias-imperial-innocence/ To connect and message with Mark on LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcnamee-58950910 To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/ If you found this episode valuable, follow the podcast and share it with someone who wants to better understand the war in Ukraine.

What is electronic warfare (EW), and how important is it to protecting Ukraine?How does EW work to detect and jam drones?How has EW evolved during the war, and how will it develop in the future?Serhii Skoryk, Commercial Director, Kvertus, former soldier in the Ukrainian military who now leads Ukraine's top electronic warfare (EW) company. Listen in to understand the vital role EW is playing in this war, saving lives at the front and across all of Ukraine. And if you want some much-needed positivity about Ukraine in this war at this difficult time, definitely listen in and hear Serhii's optimistic expectations for the war. And he knows - he's at the front all the time and has extensive military experience. About the GuestSerhii Skoryk, Commercial Director, Kvertus, former soldier in the Ukrainian military who now leads Ukraine's top electronic warfare (EW) company.  To connect and message with Mark on LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcnamee-58950910 To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/ If you found this episode valuable, follow the podcast and share it with someone who wants to better understand the war in Ukraine.

*Note that this was recorded the evening of Tuesday November 25 (Kyiv time), for publication the evening of Thursday November 27 (Kyiv time)Will we have a ceasefire/peace deal soon?How did they create this 28 point plan, and why now all of a sudden?Is the revised 19 point plan better?What is Russia's view of things?And if we get no deal soon, then what?I did my best in an almost stream of consciousness way to answer the above questions. Alot of unknowables, and alot to be frustrated about but also alot to be encouraged about.  To connect and message with Mark on LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcnamee-58950910 To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/ If you found this episode valuable, follow the podcast and share it with someone who wants to better understand the war in Ukraine.

*Apologies for the minor disruptions in the podcast as we were cut off by power outages in Kyiv. In light of the annual commemoration of the Holodomor on November 22, 2025 (always the 4th Saturday of November), I spoke with Dr. Iryna Skubii, the Senior Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne. Her work focuses on the social history of the 1932–1933 famine, the Holodomor.Listen in to hear:Why should we consider the Holodomor a genocide?What was it like to live through the Holodomor? How did people survive?How did the world find out about the Holodomor from inside Stalin's oppressive Soviet Union?Dr. Iryna Skubii, is the inaugural Mykola Zerov Fellow in Ukrainian Studies and the Senior Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne. She is also a researcher with the Ukrainian Global History Initiative, where her work focuses on the social history of the 1932–1933 famine, the Holodomor. She is a historian of Ukraine and the Soviet Union, specialiazing in environmental history, material culture, and history of famine.She obtained her PhD in History from Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario (Canada) and a Candidate of Science Degree in History from V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University (Ukraine). She has taught and held research positions in Ukraine, Germany, Poland, Austria, and Canada. Recognized by the American Association for Ukrainian Studies for the best article in Ukrainian studies, she is working on two books on the famines in the Soviet Union.You can find her website here: https://irynaskubii.com/Dr. Skubii's Publications:https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/00220094231186089https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/oa-edit/10.4324/9781003205364-13/shrink-eating-carrion-rebecca-manley-iryna-skubiiAnd useful and scholarly-verified online resources on the history of the Holodomor: https://holodomor.ca/I find it ironic in the US we have Thanksgiving in the same week, on the 4th Thursday of November, though in the US case marking a holiday of abundance and freedom. In Ukraine’s case, they commemorate the millions of victims of starvation and repression at the hands of Russia, in hopes of finally gaining their freedom.Please listen to this podcast to remember that this current genocidal war is not the first time Russia has conducted a genocidal campaign against Ukraine. And Ukrainians know it won’t be the last unless the West wakes up and stops Moscow.It’s a tragedy itself that this tragedy is not well-known in the Western world.Please reshare to keep up awareness of this tragedy and the suffering and strength of the Ukrainian people amid this ongoing war. To connect and message with Mark on LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcnamee-58950910 To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/ If you found this episode valuable, follow the podcast and share it with someone who wants to better understand the war in Ukraine.

Is Pokrovsk going to fall, and if so what does it mean for Ukraine?There have been lots of doomsday scenarios arising about the loss of Pokrovsk and how it could lead to a collapse of the front for Ukraine. But is that true?Pavlo Narozhnyi, Founder of Reactive Post, an NGO that provides lethal and humanitarian support to the front since the war began in 2014, with a focus on long-range artillery brigades. Pavlo also provides timely insights and advice to political and military leaders in Kyiv based on his understanding of dynamics at the front. He is often interviewed in Western media, including by the Financial Times, Wall Street Journal, and Bloomberg, as well as by Ukrainian media on a nearly daily basis.To discuss this - and help dispel some myths - we had back on the show my friend and renowned military analyst Pavlo Narozhnyi, who can provide the latest from the front and offer his prediction about what the pending loss of Pokrovsk means in the months ahead.  To connect and message with Mark on LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcnamee-58950910 To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/ If you found this episode valuable, follow the podcast and share it with someone who wants to better understand the war in Ukraine.

In this episode, my business partner Andrew Pryma and I felt like we had to break alot of the misconceptions of the economy and business environment in Ukraine and delve into what's really happening on the ground. We speak everyday with the top Western investors in the country so have strong insight into what is actually happening, what they're seeing, how they're feeling, and how they view the future. Please have a listen to understand better what's happening on the ground in Ukraine - which companies are investing, which sectors are thriving, which are struggling, what are the long-term opportunities, and what's holding back businesses from investing. Andrew Pryma, Founder of Ukraine Business News (UBN) and UBN Network, Andrew is a former investment banker with over 20 years of investment management experience, specializing in energy and real estate development. His previous roles were as a financial analyst at Goldman Sachs (NYC) and as a project manager for the largest real estate development firms in the US, including Ryan Homes, Prestige Homes, and Tishman Speyer.As founder of Ukrtrade Capital, he leads a Ukraine-based team currently working on construction and energy projects. Our plans include the construction of two precast concrete plants, production facilities for construction materials, affordable housing development, and commercial initiatives that use internal energy resources.Andrew can be contacted at [email protected] for any investment inquiries. To connect and message with Mark on LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcnamee-58950910 To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/ If you found this episode valuable, follow the podcast and share it with someone who wants to better understand the war in Ukraine.

Yes its extremely annoying, but we'll be ok. Trump was supposed to give the Tomahawks, but then Putin calls, and Trump again believes his friend in the Kremlin is interested in peace. And then he pushes harshly on Zelenskyi, again...And now we're waiting another few weeks, again...Yes we should be concerned, but don't worry too much. Listen in to my quick thoughts on what happened and where things are going.  To connect and message with Mark on LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcnamee-58950910 To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/ If you found this episode valuable, follow the podcast and share it with someone who wants to better understand the war in Ukraine.

How do we help those suffering near the frontlines in Ukraine?People need to be fed, windows need to be repaired, pets need to be saved, environments have to be protected - how to go about doing all this?Listen in to hear the stories of Greater Good Charities and their critical work in helping the most vulnerable people and animals at the front. This podcast is particularly timely considering the expected brutal winter ahead of us - Greater Good Charities has their work cut out for them and they know it. That's why they are already preparing, working hand in hand with larger organizations to feed and clothe the victims of this war. Listen in to understand what they do and how they help those struggling under such tough circumstances.Greater Good Charities is an independent 501(c)(3) charitable organization devoted to improving the health and well-being of people, pets, and the planet. In addition to creating and operating a suite of Signature Programs, Greater Good Charities has invested over $575 million in cash grants, in-kind supplies, and programmatic support globally. They have been doing critical work aiding frontline communities in Ukraine. To donate, please follow the link here: https://greatergood.org/crisis-in-ukraine-send-aid-now To connect and message with Mark on LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcnamee-58950910 To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/ If you found this episode valuable, follow the podcast and share it with someone who wants to better understand the war in Ukraine.

“Ukrainians are producing hardware at speed of software”"We are seeing something remarkable develop in Ukraine: soldier-entrepreneurs""What they're doing in procurement is like Amazon!"Nick Hawtin, Defense Tech Denmark, Nick's work has focused on technology and innovation - and especially on leveraging the interplay between researchers, startups, investors, and corporates in the Nordics for over ten years. He has brought his expertise to Ukraine more recently. He earlier was in the Danish military. Listen in to hear how Ukraine is truly revolutionizing warfare and military technology - and not just the products themselves, but the innovation process as well as government procurement. Truly fascinating times here in Ukraine and the center of innovation in the defense tech sphere is occurring here right before our eyes. No one better to speak to about these developments than my guest this week Nick Hawtin, an expert in dual-use technology, hailing from the great nation of Denmark which is the most supportive nation of Ukraine in the world.  To connect and message with Mark on LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcnamee-58950910 To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/ If you found this episode valuable, follow the podcast and share it with someone who wants to better understand the war in Ukraine.

Alot has happened in recent weeks so I figured to give a quick overview of things and my view as to where things are going. In brief, lots of reasons to be optimistic. But prepared for a brutal winter here in Ukraine... To connect and message with Mark on LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcnamee-58950910 To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/ If you found this episode valuable, follow the podcast and share it with someone who wants to better understand the war in Ukraine.

Listen to the 2nd part of this episode.Perry Boyle, Co-founder & CEO of MITS Capital, the no.1 private investor in Ukraine's defense. Following a 35-year career in investment banking and asset management, Perry set up MITS Capital to drive capital into Ukraine's domestic defense sector. Perry serves on several boards and advisory boards in the fields of affordable housing, renewable energy, education, and innovation. Denys Gurak, Co-founder & CEO of MITS Capital. In 2014 Denys joined the Ukrainian Defense Industry (a state defense conglomerate) as the Deputy Director-General for foreign economic activity. Denys represented Ukraine as the Head of Ukraine’s delegation to the NATO Industrial Advisory Group (NIAG). He is a CEO and Co-Founder at A.D.A.M., a 3d bioprinting company with a primary focus on 3D-printed bones. Besides business matters, Denys is a key member in a number of think tanks and NGOs.MITS Capital is an investment bank that invests in Ukraine's defense industry. MITS Capital owns the only full-service defense technology accelerator in Ukraine and directly invests in advanced drone technology companies. MITS Lab creates new companies with military technology in Ukraine. To connect and message with Mark on LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcnamee-58950910 To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/ If you found this episode valuable, follow the podcast and share it with someone who wants to better understand the war in Ukraine.

For the next generation minimum, we will be looking back at these months and years to see how the new world of defense and security developed. And it's all happening in Ukraine - the center of Western defense.Meet the men at the forefront of this generational development in this podcast. Hear how they got inspired to develop Ukraine's no. 1 private defense investment fund, projects they are working on, their thoughts on current developments with drones and interceptor drones, and where the air war is heading in the near future. Perry Boyle, Co-founder & CEO of MITS Capital, the no.1 private investor in Ukraine's defense. Following a 35-year career in investment banking and asset management, Perry set up MITS Capital to drive capital into Ukraine's domestic defense sector. Perry serves on several boards and advisory boards in the fields of affordable housing, renewable energy, education, and innovation. Denys Gurak, Co-founder & CEO of MITS Capital. In 2014 Denys joined the Ukrainian Defense Industry (a state defense conglomerate) as the Deputy Director-General for foreign economic activity. Denys represented Ukraine as the Head of Ukraine’s delegation to the NATO Industrial Advisory Group (NIAG). He is a CEO and Co-Founder at A.D.A.M., a 3d bioprinting company with a primary focus on 3D-printed bones. Besides business matters, Denys is a key member in a number of think tanks and NGOs.MITS Capital is an investment bank that invests in Ukraine's defense industry. MITS Capital owns the only full-service defense technology accelerator in Ukraine and directly invests in advanced drone technology companies. MITS Lab creates new companies with military technology in Ukraine. To connect and message with Mark on LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcnamee-58950910 To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/ If you found this episode valuable, follow the podcast and share it with someone who wants to better understand the war in Ukraine.

An absolute pleasure to do this podcast with my good friend and like-minded individual with a passion for Ukraine, the Greek ambassador to Ukraine, Alexandros (Alex) Dimitrakopoulos. Pantelis Alexandros Dimitrakopoulos is the Greek Ambassador to Ukraine. He was appointed to the position and presented his credentials in September 2024. Prior to his appointment in Ukraine, he served in various diplomatic roles, including positions at the Greek embassy in London, the Greek consulate in Istanbul, and with the Greek Chairmanship of the OSCE in Vienna. He also worked at NATO headquarters in Brussels and the NATO Secretary General's office. Alex made a very laudable decision to volunteer to come work in war-time Ukraine, understanding the significance of Ukraine and this war to Western civilization at this critical moment. And who better to talk to then a state representative of the very nation where Western civilization began.Beyond that, we had an insightful discussion on the unique nature of diplomacy in Ukraine amid the war, these turbulent historic times amid the Trump presidency, a resurgent China, and the need to consolidate and strengthen European partnerships. Likewise, listen in to understand Greece's several thousand year history with Ukraine and the pivotal role Greeks in Ukraine have played in Greek history.And hear why Alex believes Ukraine is "the land of opportunity"! To connect and message with Mark on LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcnamee-58950910 To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/ If you found this episode valuable, follow the podcast and share it with someone who wants to better understand the war in Ukraine.

Why did Putin invade Ukraine?Typically the answer to this question relates to geopolitical or historical reasons. However, in this episode, we delve into Putin's psychology and fundamental personal motivations to understand his preoccupation with Ukraine and willingness to unleash horrific levels of violence, sending hundreds of thousands to their deaths (and counting).To do this, I had the immense pleasure of speaking with Professor Sheldon Solomon, an existential psychologist and philosopher known for his work related to humans' management of the awareness of their mortality. Professor Sheldon Solomon is an American social psychologist. He is a professor of psychology and existential philosophy at Skidmore College in New York. His studies of the effects of the uniquely human awareness of death on behavior were featured in the award winning documentary film Flight from Death: The Quest for Immortality. He is co-author of The Worm at the Core: On the Role of Death in Life. Please do listen in to hear one of the most fascinating discussions I've had in doing this podcast.   To connect and message with Mark on LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcnamee-58950910 To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/ If you found this episode valuable, follow the podcast and share it with someone who wants to better understand the war in Ukraine.

A very eventful past few days - historic summits in Alaska and DC - and felt the need to give my brief analysis of what it means and where things stand. In short, not bad and could have been alot worse. Not to mention a shocking promise by Trump. Now let's see how Russia responds (can't imagine well!) To connect and message with Mark on LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcnamee-58950910 To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/ If you found this episode valuable, follow the podcast and share it with someone who wants to better understand the war in Ukraine.

Listen in to an informal chat on all things Ukraine - from the upcoming Trump-Putin summit in Alaska to China to Russian imperialism to the importance of Ukraine to US national security to helping frontline communities devastated by the war - with Yuri Boyechko, a Ukrainian native running an NGO since 2016.Yuri Boyechko, Founder & CEO at Hope For Ukraine, a leading nonprofit organization focused on delivering humanitarian aid to communities impacted by the war in Ukraine. Since 2016, and especially in response to the full-scale invasion in 2022, Yuri has led efforts to provide life-saving support—including food, medical supplies, shelter, clean water, and power solutions—to some of the hardest-hit regions in the country.Please consider donating to Hope for Ukraine here: https://hfu.org/ To connect and message with Mark on LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcnamee-58950910 To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/ If you found this episode valuable, follow the podcast and share it with someone who wants to better understand the war in Ukraine.

Can Trump get China to stop supporting Russia?How will the trade war with the US develop? Will China lead an axis of authoritarian regimes against the West?Has Beijing become more supportive of Russia lately?Will China be emboldened or deterred from invading Taiwan from the War in Ukraine?To answer these questions and more I spoke with former colleague Thomas Zhang, long-time China expert and Head of the China department at FrontierView. Thomas Zhang, China expert based in Singapore who leads the China team at FrontierView, a political and economic risk consultancy. Earlier, Thomas was on the China desk at the BBC and Financial Times in London. China's role in today's world and related to the war are central. On top of the War in Ukraine - the most critical moment in the international security order since 1945 - the US has grafted upon this a global trade war, with China at the center of it. Trump has now turned his sights to China, correctly recognizing that without Beijing's solid support for Russia's war machine, Russia would never have been able to sustain this war these past 3.5 years. So what happens now? Tune in to find out the view from a China expert. To connect and message with Mark on LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcnamee-58950910 To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/ If you found this episode valuable, follow the podcast and share it with someone who wants to better understand the war in Ukraine.

How will Trump's trade wars impact the War in Ukraine?What does the trade deal between the US and Europe mean for Ukraine?What about US-China trade relations and potential US secondary sanctions?And what happens to the dollar and euro?To answer these questions, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Michael Strain, a globally renowned macroeconomics and trade expert at the American Enterprise Institute. Mike often writes in the Financial Times, New York Times, Washington Post, Bloomberg, and other media. Dr. Michael Strain, Director of Economic Policy Studies and the Arthur F. Burns Scholar in Political Economy at the American Enterprise Institute. His research and writing span a wide range of areas, including labor markets, public finance, social policy, and macroeconomics. He holds a PhD in economics from Cornell University.Dr. Strain writes frequently for the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, the Financial Times, Bloomberg Opinion, and National Review, among other outlets. He is a columnist for Project Syndicate.Dr. Strain has testified before Congress and is a frequent guest on radio and television, regularly interviewed by CNBC, MSNBC, NPR, and others.Listen in to hear Mike's "cautiously optimistic" view of Trump's trade and security policies and how they will help Ukraine. Also be sure to catch his unconventional outlook for the end of the war!Please also see Mike's article earlier this year on why the US should support Ukraine: https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/u-s-support-for-ukraine-advances-americas-interests/  To connect and message with Mark on LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcnamee-58950910 To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/ If you found this episode valuable, follow the podcast and share it with someone who wants to better understand the war in Ukraine.