America is burning through its soft power at an alarming rate and it's now been overtaken by China in popularity for the first time ever. How did we end up here and what will be the consequences?
I wrote about it on my Substack: stationzero.substack.com/p/america-is-burning-down…
35 - 13
🚨NEW EPISODE🚨
Patreon-only deep dive on how long can Russia (and Ukraine) keep fighting the war & what might break first.
Access the member-only episode via the link below👇
www.patreon.com/DecodingGeopolitics
24 - 2
🚨NEW EPISODE🚨
Interview with legendary British historian Lawrence Freedman on How the Ukraine War Will End
Access the full ad-free interview via the link below👇
www.patreon.com/DecodingGeopolitics
31 - 0
I just got back home from this year's NATO Summit - a slightly bizarre experience that left me with a lot of questions about NATO's future. You can read about the behind the scenes and my impressions in my latest Substack: stationzero.substack.com/p/a-firefighters-conferen…
55 - 3
You've probably heard the rumors about a US "kill-switch" and European countries suddenly reconsidering their F-35 purchases. But how real is the ability of the US government to disable the weapons its allies have already bought and paid for?
Turns out, it's very real - and it gives America enormous leverage. If Washington wanted, it could effectively shut down or limit the use of nearly any sophisticated American-made system in Europe - from Patriots to HIMARS, and yes, even the F-35.
Read my full analysis here: stationzero.substack.com/p/europes-military-nightm…
117 - 16
The Biggest Threat to Russian Economy Yet
Since Trump launched his global trade war, oil prices have plunged and so far failed to recover. And that’s a major problem for Moscow - in fact it might be the most serious threat to its economy since the beginning of the war in Ukraine.
The Russian budget for 2025 was based on much higher prices than the current levels and even then, it expected a deficit. Now, revenues are falling, expenses are rising, and the Kremlin is burning through its rainy day fund.
If prices don’t recover, this could hit Russia’s war effort harder than any Western sanction to date.
I break this down in detail in my latest newsletter. Read it here: stationzero.substack.com/p/the-biggest-threat-to-r…
46 - 2
Yes, Europe Can Survive Without the U.S. - Here's How
I recorded my take on why Europe can defend itself even without the U.S. - and what it needs to do to make it happen. It's already available for my Patreon members: www.patreon.com/DecodingGeopolitics
56 - 7
Europe’s Defense Spending Surge: A Turning Point?
Big changes are brewing in Europe’s defense budgets.
Ursula von der Leyen just proposed letting EU countries exclude military spending from budget deficit limits—a move that could allow France, Italy, and Spain to dramatically increase defense spending.
Germany is considering a similar shift. If these policies go through, Europe’s military spending could rise well beyond 2% of GDP, reshaping the continent’s security posture.
📩 Full breakdown in Station Zero newsletter: stationzero.substack.com/p/europes-defense-spendin…
65 - 2
I recorded a Patreon-only Q&A about the Munich Security Conference and about what happens now. You can listen to it (and support the podcast at the same time) here: www.patreon.com/DecodingGeopolitics
23 - 2
While in Munich, I had the chance to sit down for a podcast with Anne Applebaum. The episode is already live on Patreon—where my members help cover travel costs (flights, hotels, etc.), making interviews like this possible: www.patreon.com/DecodingGeopolitics
I’ll be uploading the interview here soon as well, but if you’d like to support my work, consider joining Patreon. And if not—no worries at all, I appreciate you being here.
126 - 3
Do you have a question? You can reach me at: geopolitics.decoding@gmail.com