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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
This weekend, I attended the Munich Security Conference—arguably the most important global gathering of politicians, defense and intelligence officials and experts. Think of it as Comic-Con for geopolitics nerds, but with snipers on rooftops and high-stakes diplomacy in every corridor.
What I saw was mostly - to put it mildly - not good. But there was some silver lining as well. Here’s what happened in Munich this year that really matters: stationzero.substack.com/p/a-storm-is-coming-what-…
China has been building a massive new wartime military command—one more piece of evidence that it’s preparing for a potential conflict over Taiwan.
Previously, satellite imagery has already exposed:
- A replica of Taiwan’s Presidential Palace for military training.
- A new fleet of invasion barges for amphibious landings.
Why does it matter? China’s leadership has set 2027 as a key deadline for military readiness. But does this mean an invasion is inevitable? Not necessarily. Taking Taiwan would be one of the hardest operations in modern military history—and the PLA hasn’t fought a war in over 50 years.
I had another conversation with the one and only General Ben Hodges. The entire ad-free conversation is already on my Patreon: www.patreon.com/DecodingGeopolitics
Next week, I'm speaking with a living YouTube legend, Ryan McBeth. As with any guest on the podcast, if you have a question for Ryan you can submit it via Patreon: www.patreon.com/DecodingGeopolitics
Decoding Geopolitics Podcast
Decoding Geopolitics Podcast
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…
1 month ago | [YT] | 117
View 16 replies
Decoding Geopolitics Podcast
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…
1 month ago | [YT] | 46
View 2 replies
Decoding Geopolitics Podcast
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
2 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 56
View 7 replies
Decoding Geopolitics Podcast
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…
2 months ago | [YT] | 65
View 2 replies
Decoding Geopolitics Podcast
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
2 months ago | [YT] | 23
View 2 replies
Decoding Geopolitics Podcast
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.
2 months ago | [YT] | 126
View 3 replies
Decoding Geopolitics Podcast
This weekend, I attended the Munich Security Conference—arguably the most important global gathering of politicians, defense and intelligence officials and experts. Think of it as Comic-Con for geopolitics nerds, but with snipers on rooftops and high-stakes diplomacy in every corridor.
What I saw was mostly - to put it mildly - not good. But there was some silver lining as well. Here’s what happened in Munich this year that really matters: stationzero.substack.com/p/a-storm-is-coming-what-…
2 months ago | [YT] | 97
View 11 replies
Decoding Geopolitics Podcast
China has been building a massive new wartime military command—one more piece of evidence that it’s preparing for a potential conflict over Taiwan.
Previously, satellite imagery has already exposed:
- A replica of Taiwan’s Presidential Palace for military training.
- A new fleet of invasion barges for amphibious landings.
Why does it matter? China’s leadership has set 2027 as a key deadline for military readiness. But does this mean an invasion is inevitable? Not necessarily. Taking Taiwan would be one of the hardest operations in modern military history—and the PLA hasn’t fought a war in over 50 years.
But the risk is growing. I break it all down in my latest newsletter:
stationzero.substack.com/p/ukraines-growing-infant…
2 months ago | [YT] | 57
View 13 replies
Decoding Geopolitics Podcast
I had another conversation with the one and only General Ben Hodges. The entire ad-free conversation is already on my Patreon: www.patreon.com/DecodingGeopolitics
4 months ago | [YT] | 53
View 1 reply
Decoding Geopolitics Podcast
Next week, I'm speaking with a living YouTube legend, Ryan McBeth. As with any guest on the podcast, if you have a question for Ryan you can submit it via Patreon: www.patreon.com/DecodingGeopolitics
6 months ago | [YT] | 24
View 1 reply
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