Ben Hodges
@general-ben.bsky.social
Former CG USArmyEurope, loves the Army Team, FSU football, and Braves baseball.
Stunningly poor understanding by POTUS of the actual state of the war in Ukraine, of why Soldiers “who don’t have the cards” fight (see Vietnam, Afghanistan, American Revolution), and why Ukrainian success is important to American strategic interests.
Trump reposted a message claiming that “Ukraine must be willing to give up part of its territory to Russia, otherwise the longer the war lasts, the more land it will lose.”
August 17, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Stunningly poor understanding by POTUS of the actual state of the war in Ukraine, of why Soldiers “who don’t have the cards” fight (see Vietnam, Afghanistan, American Revolution), and why Ukrainian success is important to American strategic interests.
What a disgusting, ignorant, arrogant statement by the Secretary of Defense of the United States. Nobody trusts anything he says or does. That’s very dangerous for the US…we depend so much on our Allies. I served in Afghanistan in RC South 2009-2010 where thousands of Allies fought and many died.
HEGSETH: We wore a patch on our shoulder that said ISAF -- International Security Assistance Force. And you know what the joke was? That is stood for 'I saw Americans fighting.'
COONS: Let's just make clear for the record that our military partners in Afghanistan included many who served and died
COONS: Let's just make clear for the record that our military partners in Afghanistan included many who served and died
June 11, 2025 at 8:21 PM
What a disgusting, ignorant, arrogant statement by the Secretary of Defense of the United States. Nobody trusts anything he says or does. That’s very dangerous for the US…we depend so much on our Allies. I served in Afghanistan in RC South 2009-2010 where thousands of Allies fought and many died.
Very disappointing. Senior retired Generals should be speaking out in mass against POTUS, SecDef, and SecArmy for this disgusting spectacle at Fort Bragg. Army leadership must take a hard look inward to ensure it doesn’t happen again. Mark Milley tried to warn us and we apparently did learn.
Senior officers of the United States military have an obligation to speak up and be leaders. Where is the Army chief of staff? Will he or others speak truth to the commander in chief and put a stop to the assault on the integrity of his troops? www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
The Silence of the Generals
As President Donald Trump crossed a dangerous line at Fort Bragg, the Army’s brass failed to speak out in its defense.
www.theatlantic.com
June 11, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Very disappointing. Senior retired Generals should be speaking out in mass against POTUS, SecDef, and SecArmy for this disgusting spectacle at Fort Bragg. Army leadership must take a hard look inward to ensure it doesn’t happen again. Mark Milley tried to warn us and we apparently did learn.
"A rich and increasingly powerful Poland, with the best and largest land army in Europe outside Ukraine, will need to assume a leadership role for which its history has not prepared it," writes @EliotACohen
June 2, 2025 at 1:56 PM
"A rich and increasingly powerful Poland, with the best and largest land army in Europe outside Ukraine, will need to assume a leadership role for which its history has not prepared it," writes @EliotACohen
Thoughts and prayers for the Voters of Alabama…
Tuberville: "Putin is to the point where he's making so much progress ... he's gonna want a lot from the Ukrainians. He's gonna want a lot in terms of land, possibly even Odessa, he's gonna want Crimea, but he's gonna want NATO to stay away from his borders, and I can't blame him for that."
May 19, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Thoughts and prayers for the Voters of Alabama…
Alex Finley is always sharp, quick to the point, and comes with feasible, achievable recommendations.
open.substack.com/pub/alexzfin...
open.substack.com/pub/alexzfin...
Greetings from the edge of Europe and NATO
My visit to the Russian-Estonian border coincided with lots of developments in Russia's hybrid war against Europe and the West
open.substack.com
May 17, 2025 at 6:19 AM
Alex Finley is always sharp, quick to the point, and comes with feasible, achievable recommendations.
open.substack.com/pub/alexzfin...
open.substack.com/pub/alexzfin...
@alexzfinley.bsky.social is always worth reading!
Russian Influence Operations and Victor in Trouble open.substack.com/pub/alexzfin...
Russian Influence Operations and Victor in Trouble open.substack.com/pub/alexzfin...
Russian Influence Operations and Victor in Trouble
Happy third anniversary to a book that hasn't aged a bit
open.substack.com
May 9, 2025 at 4:24 PM
@alexzfinley.bsky.social is always worth reading!
Russian Influence Operations and Victor in Trouble open.substack.com/pub/alexzfin...
Russian Influence Operations and Victor in Trouble open.substack.com/pub/alexzfin...
Reposted by Ben Hodges
I actually agree with Trump that Europe ought to lead more. But his zigzagging between Russia and Ukraine has turned European leadership from a wish into an essential need. My friend @general-ben.bsky.social on Europe's role in securing the peace in Ukraine: thenextmove.substack.com/p/from-miner...
General Ben Hodges: For Ukraine and Europe, Peace Means More Than Just Minerals
How Europe can help secure a lasting peace deal.
thenextmove.substack.com
May 6, 2025 at 6:44 PM
I actually agree with Trump that Europe ought to lead more. But his zigzagging between Russia and Ukraine has turned European leadership from a wish into an essential need. My friend @general-ben.bsky.social on Europe's role in securing the peace in Ukraine: thenextmove.substack.com/p/from-miner...
More excellent analysis by @phillipspobrien.bsky.social
Weekend Update #131: Was This The Week Putin Miscalculated? open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
Weekend Update #131: Was This The Week Putin Miscalculated? open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
Weekend Update #131: Was This The Week Putin Miscalculated?
The Best Test Of Change; The Victory Day Russian Misfire
open.substack.com
May 4, 2025 at 12:13 PM
More excellent analysis by @phillipspobrien.bsky.social
Weekend Update #131: Was This The Week Putin Miscalculated? open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
Weekend Update #131: Was This The Week Putin Miscalculated? open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
As ever…sobering analysis by @phillipspobrien.
A Nothingburger Of Hope
open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
A Nothingburger Of Hope
open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
A Nothingburger Of Hope
With Some Potential Problems For Ukraine
open.substack.com
May 2, 2025 at 9:42 AM
As ever…sobering analysis by @phillipspobrien.
A Nothingburger Of Hope
open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
A Nothingburger Of Hope
open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
I agree with Minna…she’s smart and she’s right. Ukraine should not take a bad deal that doesnt meet their interests. They are actually winning on the battlefield, according to SACEUR Cavoli’s testimony in front of HASC and SASC…and the Russians will never live up to any agreement unless compelled.
Nobody can in good faith recommend Ukraine to take the ”deal” proposed by the US.
Simple as that
Simple as that
Trump’s peace deal is terrible. Ukraine should still accept it
Hard as it will be for President Zelensky to accept terms so generous to the invader, Russia may find it’s a tainted triumph
www.thetimes.com
April 27, 2025 at 10:53 AM
I agree with Minna…she’s smart and she’s right. Ukraine should not take a bad deal that doesnt meet their interests. They are actually winning on the battlefield, according to SACEUR Cavoli’s testimony in front of HASC and SASC…and the Russians will never live up to any agreement unless compelled.
Reposted by Ben Hodges
“Deterrence is the most humane policy of all. A well‑defended frontier prevents wars, while a porous one invites them.” @general-ben.bsky.social & Dan Rice
NATO and the End of Military Self-Indulgence
NATO’s founding treaty obliges members “to maintain and develop [the]...capacity to resist armed attack.” That has been weakened.
buff.ly
April 27, 2025 at 12:30 AM
“Deterrence is the most humane policy of all. A well‑defended frontier prevents wars, while a porous one invites them.” @general-ben.bsky.social & Dan Rice
Short yet compelling analysis by Alex Finley who knows what she's talking about.
As Trump Courts Putin, Russians Keep Trying to Kill Americans open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
As Trump Courts Putin, Russians Keep Trying to Kill Americans open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
As Trump Courts Putin, Russians Keep Trying to Kill Americans
The “gray zone” war on America and its allies isn’t going to stop.
open.substack.com
March 12, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Short yet compelling analysis by Alex Finley who knows what she's talking about.
As Trump Courts Putin, Russians Keep Trying to Kill Americans open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
As Trump Courts Putin, Russians Keep Trying to Kill Americans open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
Exceptional analysis and clarity, as usual, by @phillipspobrien.bsky.social obrien.bsky.social
The Trump/Putin Plan For Ukraine open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
The Trump/Putin Plan For Ukraine open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
The Trump/Putin Plan For Ukraine
Its Not Peace Plan, Its A Plan For A Weak And Divided Ukraine
open.substack.com
March 11, 2025 at 8:20 AM
Exceptional analysis and clarity, as usual, by @phillipspobrien.bsky.social obrien.bsky.social
The Trump/Putin Plan For Ukraine open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
The Trump/Putin Plan For Ukraine open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
Reposted by Ben Hodges
I’ve heard from a solid source that medical supplies from US to frontline medics in Ukraine are being withheld through USAID and military logistics. If true this is absolutely unacceptable.
March 7, 2025 at 4:40 PM
I’ve heard from a solid source that medical supplies from US to frontline medics in Ukraine are being withheld through USAID and military logistics. If true this is absolutely unacceptable.
Reposted by Ben Hodges
This is a great piece on how Europe needs to get ahead of the power dynamics in Ukraine by @general-ben.bsky.social @jaharamatisek.bsky.social and Alex Crowther. cepa.org/article/ukra...
Ukraine Needs European Forces Immediately
The continent’s leaders must act decisively to prevent a bad peace that could undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty and embolden Russia.
cepa.org
March 4, 2025 at 11:17 AM
This is a great piece on how Europe needs to get ahead of the power dynamics in Ukraine by @general-ben.bsky.social @jaharamatisek.bsky.social and Alex Crowther. cepa.org/article/ukra...
Reposted by Ben Hodges
I had a great conversation with @gilduran.com on the truly dystopian philosophy behind Elon Musk’s dismantling of our government. This will open your eyes. New ‘On Democracy with FPwellman’ exclusivly on MeidasTouch now! youtu.be/hnTBzgjme20?...
New BOMBSHELL Exposé Reveals Trump-Musk Plan | On Democracy
YouTube video by MeidasTouch
youtu.be
February 8, 2025 at 2:52 PM
I had a great conversation with @gilduran.com on the truly dystopian philosophy behind Elon Musk’s dismantling of our government. This will open your eyes. New ‘On Democracy with FPwellman’ exclusivly on MeidasTouch now! youtu.be/hnTBzgjme20?...
Superb analysis and well-written as always. Trump Administration parroting Kremlin talking points. Ukraine should decide if and when it has elections, not the US or Russia. Otherwise why don’t we demand Russia holds a free and fair election as a condition for a settlement? Hahahahaha
Just sent out my weekend update, free as always. An ominous week for democracies in general and Ukraine in particular, as not just Trump, but also Rubio and Kellogg start spreading the Russian narrative. They are now talking up Russian power and undermining Ukraine. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
Weekend Update #118: The Trump Administration’s Talking Points are Straight from Moscow
Also: Ukrainian attacks on Russian Refineries; Ukrainian Collapse Continues (In the Press)
open.substack.com
February 2, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Superb analysis and well-written as always. Trump Administration parroting Kremlin talking points. Ukraine should decide if and when it has elections, not the US or Russia. Otherwise why don’t we demand Russia holds a free and fair election as a condition for a settlement? Hahahahaha
Reposted by Ben Hodges
I hope the Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania will reverse their similar bad decisions of last week canceling courses about Black Soldiers and Women in Combat.
Thank goodness: after an outpouring of public dissent, Lackland reversed its terrible decision and will thankfully be teaching recruits about the Tuskegee airmen and the Women Airforce Service Pilots again. A reminder that we must always push back: www.expressnews.com/news/article...
Air Force says new recruits will again learn about Tuskegee Airmen
The head of the service's San Antonio-based training command said a video about the pioneering Black aviators would remain in the basic training curriculum.
www.expressnews.com
January 27, 2025 at 9:09 AM
I hope the Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania will reverse their similar bad decisions of last week canceling courses about Black Soldiers and Women in Combat.
I hope the Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania will reverse their similar bad decisions of last week canceling courses about Black Soldiers and Women in Combat.
Thank goodness: after an outpouring of public dissent, Lackland reversed its terrible decision and will thankfully be teaching recruits about the Tuskegee airmen and the Women Airforce Service Pilots again. A reminder that we must always push back: www.expressnews.com/news/article...
Air Force says new recruits will again learn about Tuskegee Airmen
The head of the service's San Antonio-based training command said a video about the pioneering Black aviators would remain in the basic training curriculum.
www.expressnews.com
January 27, 2025 at 9:09 AM
I hope the Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania will reverse their similar bad decisions of last week canceling courses about Black Soldiers and Women in Combat.