Part 3/10:
The conversation emphasizes that when leadership is surrounded by individuals who are afraid to speak candidly, critical intelligence and honest assessments are lost. This dynamic is concerning, especially given the high-stakes nature of China’s foreign policy and military posture.
Russian Decision-Making and Its Flaws
The discussion then shifts to Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine and Vladimir Putin’s leadership. Hewitt notes that Putin has faced many difficulties since his second invasion, including military failures and significant losses. Despite purging members of his Ministry of Defense in theory to improve leadership, these actions appear to have the opposite effect—reducing the flow of truthful information and ultimately hampering strategic decision-making.