Europe Must Prepare for War | General Dominique Trinquand | Dictators v Democrats: Why We Fight

Send us Fan Mail This week on Dictators v Democrats: Why We Fight, We sit down with former French General Dominique Trinquand — one of Europe’s leading military voices on NATO, Russia, Ukraine and the future of European defence. Drawing on decades of experience in NATO, the United Nations, the Balkans and Lebanon, General Trinquand explains why Europe is rapidly rearming, whether NATO can survive a weakening American commitment, and why he believes Europeans must prepare to defend themselves independently.The conversation explores: Europe’s military weaknesses after decades of underinvestment  Lessons Western armies are learning from Ukraine  France’s long-standing push for strategic independence from the United States  The future of NATO and whether a “European army” is realistic  Germany’s evolving role in European defence  Drone warfare, AI and the transformation of modern combat  Putin, Trump and the pressure reshaping Europe  Democracy, national identity and what younger generations are losing faith in General Trinquand also reflects on his family’s history in the French Resistance, his lifelong military service, and why he still believes democracy will endure despite rising authoritarianism.Support the show