Admiral James Stavridis - The State of Global Affairs

Admiral James Stavridis, a retired four-star U.S. naval officer and author of more than a dozen books, joins Scott to discuss the state of global affairs, the culture of the US’s armed forces, and how to approach national fragmentation.
Follow the Admiral on X, @stavridisj.
Timestamps:
00:00 In this episode
01:03 How would you rank the threats of current world conflicts?
02:50 How likely is China to engage with Taiwan and other conflicts?
05:07 What do Americans not understand about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine?
08:06 How would you approach a war differently given your experience?
11:21 How has the culture of the US Armed Forces shifted?
16:35 What long term investments should we be thinking about for our youth?
19:34 Should there be mandatory national service?
21:03 Israel and Hamas
25:18 What role do the carrier strike groups have?
27:44 How can we overcome polarization?
32:09 Is voter reform the solution?
33:41 How will AI impact the US?
35:27 Are you interested in pursuing a position in politics?
37:02 Algebra of Happiness: What advice would you give to your younger self?
Subscribe to The Prof G Pod on Spotify
open.spotify.com/show/5Ob5psT...
Got a question for Prof G? Get answers on TikTok:
/ profgalloway
Want more Prof G? Check out everything we're up to at
profgmedia.com/
#geopolitics #armedforces #conflicts #war #nationalservice #happiness #politics #AI #polarization #Russia #Ukraine #Israel #Hamas #China #profg #scottgalloway #profgconversations #AdmiralJamesStavridis

[@joshKozak]

Current active duty soldier here. Would love to shake this Admirals hand. He actually gets it. Love this show and I appreciate this I feel heard and it’s true. Thank you for this.

[@Joe44944]

Thank you for your service!

[@mastradamus1]

What a solid, eloquent, knowledgeable guy. Hats off to the Admiral. Thank yiu, Scott for bringing him on.

[@obijuan3004]

This has to be one of the most intelligent conversations about America that I have heard in a decade or more. The idea of an American foundation of service to our nation, physical fitness, and education can be the bonds that bind us beyond our political divisions. I was 9 years old when President Kennedy was assassinated, “ask not what your country can do for you.” I have seen our nation in a divisive situation before, the difference this time is we have media sources throwing gas on the fire of division under the claims of free speech. When the kids are fighting, you give them something to do, put them to work. We are quickly facing our own 1929 moment. Like it or not, modern society is facing a huge change in the economy, transportation, medicine, work, play, financial and educational opportunities. We need a foundation to hold us together, this intelligent Admiral just gave us the secret to success.

[@Udugirl]

Phenomenal! I learned so much from your conversation with Admiral Stavridis! It really opened my eyes. He laid it out &...provided solutions. Much needed. I have shared with many of my friends, younger and older. He gives me hope. Thank you @profg ! Grateful. ✨👏

[@shawnbunch4872]

Unexpectedly one of my favorite episodes on this channel

[@scottg2946]

I've always known Adm. Stavridis is a tour de force, but never have seen a discussion with him of this length and depth. This is the best so far on the channel. One nitpick, however...."the parties" isn't the problem; we already have a 60% consensus, more or less, depending on the issue. We have: 1) one party that has in large part morphed into a cult of personality (and as such we no longer have a credible opposition party), 2) significant anti-democratic barriers such as the electoral college, representation imbalances in the Senate, and gerrymandering in the House, and 3) way too much money driving all our elections. Scott you kind of addressed some of this. The overall discussion was absolutely fantastic, and the dominant focus rightly was international affairs and risks.

[@ThangNguyen-kk1wh]

Admiral Stavridis's voice sounds very similar to professor Steven Korkin !!! I admire both for theirs wits and knowledges🙏👍🙏

[@RyanDLiss]

While I thoroughly enjoy all of your conversations, this discussion stood out! Admiral Stavridis is an extremely intelligent, experienced and thoughtful patriot!

[@Traderbear]

President Stavridis has a great ring to it! He’s always been on of my favorite analysts. Your pod gave him a longer format to really shine.

[@douglaskaminski4703]

Do you think he could stand up to his current employer, private equity? If not nothing will change.

[@chicagofineart9546]

Not marketable. Plus when you have someone doing his job so well there’s no good reason to promote him to the level of his incompetence.

[@ph5915]

Sigh, we could use more leaders like Admiral Stavridis in office.

[@eyeofthetiger7]

Yes. Unfortunately he's too short, has a difficult last name, and doesn't have enough dementia. He's not electable.

[@willdon.1279]

@@eyeofthetiger7🤣🤣🤣Well put!

[@jameskinney4543]

I’m a big Scott fan and salute to our Admiral ❤ to all those who serve.

[@edwardb7811]

Work out, read and serve-a good mantra.

[@gzsprout]

It's the people that don't want to run for office that would best serve us there.

[@brainbrain542]

This admiral is one smart cool dude.

[@JFromAcc]

30:52 Scott's a "master of of polling"? 😂 Uh oh. We may have a Monday morning intro joke on our hands. I can just see Ed shaking his head now 😂

[@thomas6502]

Really enjoyed this. Thank you.

[@M0SA1C_]

I gobbled this up, great show. Thank you both.

[@oferzeira8125]

Excellent discussion. Thanks

[@MrJDiFrancesco]

Great person!

[@gsmarin1]

This man is a Master of Situational Awareness.

[@LAdog70]

What a great inspiration for our country in these times of need for true patriotism.

[@KeethSmart]

One of the best episodes and advice that I have ever heard! Bravo!

[@tractorpoodle]

Admiral Stavridis for President!

[@b5kinner]

Great Interview- if you could ever get Gen. Mattis would love to hear from Jim.

[@michaelknight8498]

Great guest!

[@BrentRichards-vp1cg]

Thank you for a very indepth understanding you impart to me. This was informative with logical priorities.

[@BipolarBoomer]

"Thank you for your service". How about: "What can I DO to thank you for your service?"

[@darth.mingdom]

What he said at the end about it running for office is a mark of true self knowledge and mastery

[@michaelblosser2455]

I'm 70 years old. I regret how I spent my younger years. I chased women, sex and drugs & alcohol. Today I so deeply honor and respect those in uniform. When I run into a man or woman in fatigues, I ask them if they are active duty. If they respond in the affirmative I say I am not former military so I cannot salute you, but I can put my hand over my heart, which I do. I sometimes weep.

[@MariodeFelipe]

Teue respect for admiral

[@arjonbushaj6634]

Interview John Mearsheimer ,Jeffrey Sachs or Colonel McGregor

[@user-pv8ri1nq1d]

If all the modern major conflicts prove one thing, economics is a big factor but does not determine when the war starts.

[@originalsinquirls1205]

I enjoy it when a professional makes their bias utterly clear within the first minute.

[@parkmannate4154]

Oh also, a first past the post system always leads to a 2 party system. However, he is right that that kind of voting is not in the Constitution. But also expand the House to 1 per 200k people and make it proportional representation by state with no districting. Strip back the power granted to the President by Congress so it more reflects the original scope of the office. All of that can be done without amending the Constitution.

[@esobed1]

Great analysis.

[@supersleepygrumpybear]

Add term limits on Federal judges, and mandate that federal judges are appointed rapidly. Eliminate the money power structure between Congress, the U.S. Treasury, and the Federal Reserve, especially when it comes to campaign financing. Things that do require a Constitutional Amendment, but something that would give me hope as an American is a united government that actually has the bull-moose to bully through a new Amendment. 1992 was a long time ago (to debate politicians salaries 🤣)

[@Grayfrog]

I grew up on a dairy farm and started to do some work probably at the age of 4. I’m 60 now and feel that I was lucky to have that experience. I learned common sense, was fiscally fit and have a over the top work ethic. I think more kids would benefit to grow up on small farms . But they need to feel good about that life. Back then I felt looked down on.

[@siddharthkapoor8310]

A real stoic

[@Jgarcia2320]

Great Interview!

[@stevefazekas9800]

The Admiral is well spoken and interesting. He did not address the enormous differential in Palestinian deaths.

[@ericwood3709]

I wish the military would offer to help potential recruits get physically fit. I was not when I was young enough and considering volunteering, so I simply did not have the option and was not motivated enough to change that on my own.

[@willpollard]

About 19 minutes in suggestion smart phone / cell phone should be available to learners aged about 10 and a half. On another video Prof G has suggested 16 ( as my memory serves ) What to think?

[@georgesands5254]

I met when he was SACEUR. What an impressive energy, intellect, and mindset. So, of course he has no interest in politics, but that's exactly the kind of people we need to save this burning dumpster scow.

[@esobed1]

Vice president? He needs to run for president. Wish he would convert his desire for service in that direction. We need a President like Ike was again.

[@douglaskaminski4703]

We are very good to the admirals current employer, private equity. The congress always takes care of its donors, citizens are there for private equity to exploit.

[@montpelier28]

ty Scott I call you Scott lol

[@paultighe7524]

prof g asks tough questions that the ass kissers on all in pod dont lol

[@jimyesjim6314]

President Stavridis plz...

[@persuasivebarrier2419]

with movies like oppenheimer and relived messages (like, "the bomb will outlive the nazis"), nuclear bombs feels less and less a concern with things like "AI" introduced (i don't think we're there yet to call it ai but whatever). automation feels like it's the next big "bomb" waiting to go off, race between countries. things like deterrence theory around nukes start to feel more reliable in the face of cyber warfare. unlike bombs, the physical-visible damage of cyber war won't come with the "attack" per se, but everything societies rely on resulting in a break down for crimes and a collapse to occur (power and internet out... infrastructure compromised around banks, wall street, e-commerce, shipping tech, in store credit purchases, etc). it's going to be a really strange next few decades and the west need to prepare better for it. i'm not sure it's going to come from big tech bros trying to plant their "AI" flag to encourage government contracts. we need independent, government funded, projects for it.

[@kevdaag2523]

Stavritis is optimistic for the possibility of creating more centrist third party that can capture 60% support. From where I sit, the Democratic party is a Central party and should be able to Garner 60% support. We do not have an extremist Left wing party in this country. Sure, there may be on occasion. A few loud kooky voices from the left overemphasizing niche points of view, but frankly I'm not worried about those people at all.

[@esobed1]

According to a great video from Robert Reich, the Left hasn't moved at all from its position ideology from the mid 1960's. It is the Right, the Republicans that have skewed over to neo-fascism. To the point that the Republicans are in a political civil war as we speak. The world as a whole is actually more social democrat than anything else. It is the system, so far, that does the best good for the most people. That is why the ultra rich and the old power holders hate it so much.

[@ericdane7769]

So true. Wise and diplomatic people always feel the need to stay neutral and "both sides" the polarisation. But let's be honest, there is no "deep blue" obstructing a bi-partisan government. Let Galloway give me 1 example where Biden has been held back from making a deal these 3 years by left wing democrats. At the moment, one party has an interest in getting things done, and the other is just there to make everything fail so they can whine about it. The Harvard students do NOT determine (or even influence) politics, but MAGA does.

[@andybaldman]

Good to heat that the current generation of youth are seeing the pointlessness of enlisting. It’s turned into a sucker’s game.

[@underbelly69]

Chna - 2nd largest still? someone needs to recalculate their sums

[@gergarfritz3442]

Gen Z/Millennial here. Prof G I love your show, but there is no way in hell I am taking care of senior citizens that aren't my parents/family.

[@Traderbear]

A value you can be proud of

[@mbg9650]

Reps vs Dems is a dead end confrontation. Time to move on.

[@overhealtv]

Ballot reform is 100% the prerequisite step to breaking a two party entrenched plurality voting system. It literally becomes a tautology when spelled out.

[@stevechance150]

I don't see the tictok generation signing up for a service tour, even if it is the Peace Corps.

[@mmm-cake]

America 🇺🇸Fuck Yeaaaaaah 📈📈📈

[@mmm-cake]

PS - Thank you for your service - That guy is incredibly smart. Everyone should aspire his level of professionalism, clarity, honesty, integrity, and all-around excellence that he embodies as a true American Bad Ass.

[@jameslong4511]

I want the Bull Moose party back!

[@masonm600]

Frankly, this was strange watching someone so accomplished yet so naive. Charismatic? Ideas? Money? He described Ross Perot. Last I checked, he didn't usher in a revolution. Even if he did, we'd just have a new 2-party system. The rules of the game ensure how it is played. I'm shocked he doesn't know this.

[@lqpbq]

What about China's demographics? Where are they going to be in a generation? Are they still really big a threat as we think

[@cpdukes1]

Israel has some hard work to do indeed. They have avoided any movement to do that work. They continually make matters worse for their future. matters worse..

[@Virtual-Media]

It's time for the 18 - 40 year olds who choose not to work and live off the system to do a mandatory 4 years in the service. if they don't want to support our country we should no longer support them..

[@kiswindsidaguigma9261]

I have been a huge fan of Admiral Stavridis; however, I dont agree with him in what's going on in the Israeli- Palestinians conflits. I think that our support for Israel carnage in Gaza will badly hurt our moral standing, and our soft power in the world. We are becoming a pariah state in a world order that we have created after world war 2. I think that we should use our power to impose a 2 states solution.

[@user-xq1wz3tp5z]

"cautionary fiction" ... 'prophecy'.

[@timothytendick1550]

The military's recruiting problem isn't attributable to a booming economy! First, I would hesitate to characterize the economy as booming. Secondly, when was the last time a "booming economy" produced a significant recruitment problem? May I suggest considering what many find blatantly apparent to be the problem? Politicization of the military and military industrial complex. Woke, critical race theory, diversity equity and inclusion, LGBTQi+ and cancel culture, too. Traditionally, the military meets recruitment goals in large part to a demographic that categorically reject those views.

[@Espacemtl]

And I'm out...more mainstream propaganda.

[@1973HST]

So I take it you like your propaganda served more properly to your level of intellect? Tucker Carlson has some great stuff aimed squarely at you.

[@iguana1677]

Community college is mostly free? That statement is factually untrue.

[@charliez7130]

The Roman empire was spread too thin, was involved in too many conflicts on too many fronts.....

[@atg1962]

Poor Americans wont join the military when we have low unemployment. Shocking.

[@sebastienloyer9471]

😅. Is this your call to fight for the Rome ! Is this All you got to offer 😭. Sad days to come.

[@Jgarcia2320]

A standard greg has no reason to want to fight for this nation. Imagine what would need to be done to get a well educated youth to join. The internet basically paints the picture of the services being fat camp. We could be better, we could actually inspire, Imagine us investing in our own people rather than just talking about arming them.

[@hedgehog_fox]

Nothing new, just the same old talking points. What's the point of interviewing some random bureaucrats when we can hear the same talking points on CNN?

[@persuasivebarrier2419]

ah, another person who ultimately rants about CNN. glad i got to read it for a millionth time.

[@-Gramps]

But, you seem to be watching this and CNN anyway?

[@1973HST]

Written like the dimmest of wits. I bet you’re fascinating in real life. If you like watching paint dry. 😑

[@Sam-ne9ns]

It's called propaganda!

[@user-hn6cu8ds9v]

New illegal immigrants could be new military recruits. Citizenship for military service. Trump's idea = Space Force. Give credit.

[@Vicky-Blue]

What is This guy is smoking? Ukraine already lost a few months back. And he is calling it a stalemate.😅😅😅

[@themakerofmagic]

How can anyone who watched the Putin interview say he is impulsive.

[@bozolito108]

You even read bro?😂

[@BrentRichards-vp1cg]

☎☢👁Fiesty👁 States of America🇺🇸💣💥💀🔥

[@BrentRichards-vp1cg]

We're good until the economic collapse that will happen either in 2 weeks or 2 years

[@BrentRichards-vp1cg]

However we are by the year 2036 is how we're going to be it's The New Normal

[@BrentRichards-vp1cg]

The United States military is a cleaner group that does not make them tougher it makes them not stink up a big area

[@concretejungle9608]

He’s no more informed or insightful than an average Joe . If Ukraine had been given the ammunition and military equipment if needed this war would had been won by Ukraine and over

[@hdaviator9181]

"South Korea like miracle for Ukraine." What a load of nonsense.

[@persuasivebarrier2419]

can you elaborate. why. say more.

[@hdaviator9181]

​@@persuasivebarrier2419 Ukraine's population has been decimated and will never reverse, their infrastructure is destroyed, and unlike in 1950s South Korea, globalization isn't increasing, its declining. There is simply no opportunity for Ukraine to ever turn into an advanced tech hub like South Korea. There is also no desire in the west to spend money to reconstruct a country while our own countries continue to decay. This will empower the populists that will make sure Ukraine will not receive the money that it would need.

[@persuasivebarrier2419]

​@@hdaviator9181 20% of russia doesn't even have indoor plumbing. what makes russia "structural power" is thousands of nukes. that's it. thousands of nukes and other missiles were removed from ukraine and returned to russia in exchange for ukraine's independence on the condition they wouldn't invade. that turned out to be a terrible move. we saw russians invading (which by the way, their populations are being decimated with putin asking women to 8 kids or whatever) and seeing how ukrainian people were living better off than them while looting. there's definitely potential for ukraine to turn to tech hub as their farming land is being confiscated, that's a silly argument to throw away so casually. especially as they're becoming the frontier for non-manned military combat. I don't know what to make of your last two sentences.... it reads like right wing propaganda turned into concern trolling. the reason why funding has stopped is because of one man: donald j. trump. he torpedoed the border compromise after demanding it be attached for foreign aid (which employs americans). it was probably another delay tactic like we've seen in the courts to begin with.

[@Sam-ne9ns]

Do you really take these two propagandists seriously?

[@persuasivebarrier2419]

@@Sam-ne9ns as opposed to whom? professional Kremlin propagandists-gaslighters-straight up liars?

[@sillybilly121212]

Wishful thinking.

[@jron20r51]

I uses to think this guy was one of the smart ones, I was mistaken..He reads the company line..He a adds nothing, a waste of my time

[@allenghaida4261]

James G. Stavridis is a bonified liar