On October 30, Mr Ben Hodges, a retired Lieutenant General of the US Army, former commander of the US Army in Europe, and Senior Advisor to 'Human Rights First', delivered the fifth lecture at the National University of Ostroh Academy. The topic is "Issues and Challenges to Global Security."
The meeting was moderated by Eduard Balashov, Doctor of Science (Psychology), Full Professor, and Assistant Rector for International Cooperation and Fundraising of the NaUOA.
The most important quotes from Mr Ben Hodges' lecture are as follows:
- "It is obvious that we face a whole range of threats right now:
- Iran's support of different terrorist organisations that threaten countries in the region;
- Iran's desire to prevent any sort of increasing closeness between Israel and the Arab countries;
- Iran's relationships with russia;
- North Korea continues to threaten South Korea;
- China is maybe 2-4 years from being prepared to invade Taiwan, but they are watching us; they are watching what the West's response to these conflicts is."
"The most obvious is the russian invasion of Ukraine. We see the need for the West to get organised. We know from history that you cannot defeat terrorism unless you are isolated from external support."
- "So, what we will see is the West being more organised, building up a defence industry, recognising that the key to addressing all these problems is to help Ukraine defeat russia. Then Iran will be much less capable of helping HAMAS and Hezbollah because of much less support from russia, the Chinese will recognise that the West, led by the US, has the possibility and the will to help Ukraine win, to deter Iran, to help Israel defeat HAMAS, and let China understand that it will be a big mistake to invade Taiwan."
- "The part of a resilient society is us working together to ensure things that are necessary for a successful liberal democratic society: the court system, media, elections, legislators, and us doing civic duties."
