Welcome back to Five Questions for a General, a production of the Modern War Institute at West Point. This series features specially selected cadet hosts who are given an incredible professional development opportunity—to sit down with senior military officers and ask carefully crafted questions about everything from leadership to their unique experiences while serving, to their expectations about the future of war.

In this episode, Cadet Zach Olson speaks with US Lieutenant General Curtis Buzzard and Ukrainian Major General Volodymyr Horbatiuk about how the war in Ukraine is reshaping modern warfare through rapid innovation, widespread use of drones, and data-driven operations, making the battlefield more transparent, decentralized, and lethal. They emphasize that while the nature of war remains constant, its character is evolving quickly, driven by necessity, technology, and the integration of civilian expertise. The conversation also highlights leadership lessons, including the importance of mission command, adaptability, humility, and learning from failure, alongside the immense resilience of Ukrainian forces and society. Ultimately, they stress that Ukraine serves as a real-world laboratory for future conflict, and that militaries must learn from it faster than their adversaries to avoid paying a higher cost in future wars.

Welcome back to Five Questions for a General, a production of the Modern War Institute at West Point. This series features specially selected cadet hosts who are given an incredible professional development opportunity—to sit down with senior military officers and ask carefully crafted questions about everything from leadership to their unique experiences while serving, to their expectations about the future of war.

In this episode, Cadet Zach Olson sits down with General Joseph Ryan to explore his thirty-five-year Army career, highlighting how early influences, strong mentorship, and a relentless team spirit guided his path in service to the nation. Now commanding the newly established US Army Western Hemisphere Command, General Ryan explains his organization's role as a theater army responsible for providing trained and ready forces across North and South America. He highlights the strategic importance of the region, citing evolving threats such as transnational criminal organizations, great power competition—particularly with China—and the need for deeper partnerships across Latin America. General Ryan explains that the creation of the command represents a broader Army transformation aligned with national defense priorities, shifting focus toward defending the homeland and strengthening regional security cooperation.

Welcome back to Five Questions for a General, a production of the Modern War Institute at West Point. This series features specially selected cadet hosts who are given an incredible professional development opportunity—to sit down with senior military officers and ask carefully crafted questions about everything from leadership to their unique experiences while serving, to their expectations about the future of war.

In this episode, Cadet Orion Van Buskirk is joined by retired Lt. Gen. Leslie Smith, whose career began in the field artillery and culminated in his service as inspector general of the Army. He covers a range of subjects during the discussion, including leadership in moments of crisis, the vital role of standards in the profession of arms, and the emerging challenges of large-scale combat operations.