The path out of chaos

In just two years, we have experienced two events that shook the entire world. First, a pandemic accompanied by unprecedented disruptions to our lives, and then an unprovoked open conflict just a few hundred kilometers from our borders. How did we end up in these crises, and why were they not prevented?

What will you learn during the episode?

• What finally gave the West the green light for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – 27:08
• Why NATO so often brings chaos to the countries where it intervenes – 1:06:45
• Whether General Pavel supports the return of compulsory military service and why – 1:24:47
• What he considers the biggest current security threat – 1:41:17

Who is Petr Pavel?

Petr Pavel is a retired army general who reached the highest military positions both in the Czech Army – chief of the General Staff (2012–2015) – and in the North Atlantic Alliance – chairman of the NATO Military Committee (2015–2018). Since retiring at the end of 2018, he has focused on lectures and promoting issues of security, defense, and foreign policy with the aim of further helping to strengthen Czech society so that it remains cohesive and not divided by internal conflicts. He founded the association Pro bezpečnou budoucnost and the initiative Spolu silnější, which helps manage the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic. He is a candidate for president of the Czech Republic.