Episode Details

The Ukraine War Is Starting to Look Like Korea—in 5 Ways

Published 2 weeks, 2 days ago

Description

The Ukraine war is beginning to resemble the Korean conflict in five consequential ways: North Korean forces are now directly involved; escalation fears continue to restrain Ukraine’s partners; the war could end in an armistice rather than a peace treaty; the present front could harden into a permanent armed boundary; and Ukraine could become Europe’s long-term frontier between rival blocs.

I also examine Ukraine’s effort to secure Starlink access for strikes against Russian missile launchers, Mykhailo Fedorov’s post-government plans, Ukraine’s urgent need for Patriot interceptors, Europe’s preparations for another difficult winter, and growing evidence that Western governments are planning for a conflict—or confrontation—that could last years.

The Korean analogy is imperfect. Ukraine is an independent country resisting Russian occupation, not one half of a state divided by competing postwar powers. But the emerging military and geopolitical structure is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.

00:00 Ukraine Is Starting to Look Like Korea

00:28 What Fedorov May Do Next

03:12 Ukraine’s Anti-Corruption and Air-Defense Moves

04:29 Europe Prepares for Another Winter

05:40 Planning for a War That Could Last Years

07:02 Why the Korean Analogy Is Emerging

09:33 North Korean Missile and Drone Units

10:43 Russia’s Fuel Problems and Political Theater

13:20 Putin’s Bizarre Medieval Propaganda

14:14 Who Enforces the International Order?

14:45 Pressure on Iran and Trouble Around Trump

17:08 The Final Two Korean Parallels