In this STRAT episode, retired Marine Intelligence Officer LtCol. Hal Kempfer breaks down three global and domestic flashpoints shaping today’s strategic landscape. First, he analyzes the latest diplomatic rift between Washington and Moscow, as talks between the U.S. and Russia collapse and Ukraine presses forward with new missile capabilities that could shift the balance of power. Next, Kempfer examines the fragile Gaza ceasefire, marked by violations, humanitarian struggles, and competing political agendas that threaten to reignite conflict. Finally, he unpacks a major Ninth Circuit Court decision authorizing the federalization of Oregon National Guard troops amid civil unrest — a ruling with profound implications for federal versus state authority. From Eastern Europe to the Middle East to America’s own legal battlegrounds, this episode offers critical insight into how military, legal, and geopolitical dynamics intersect in today’s complex world.

·      Russia’s demands in Ukraine remain unchanged despite diplomatic outreach.

·      The canceled Trump-Putin summit reflects rising U.S.-Russia tensions.

·      Ukraine’s domestic missile production could shift the war’s dynamics.

·      Flamingo missiles offer a cost-effective alternative to Tomahawks.

·      Gaza’s fragile ceasefire faces violations and humanitarian setbacks.

·      Hamas and Israel remain locked in a volatile political struggle.

·      The Ninth Circuit Court ruling reaffirms federal control of National Guard.

·      Historical parallels emerge between current federalization and 1960s civil rights crises.

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