What happens when an American journalist spends four years reporting from the front lines of Europe’s largest war since World War II?

In this episode of Peace and Power Ukraine, host Gary Marx is joined by JP Lindsley, editor of Under Fire News and one of the only American journalists to report daily from Ukraine throughout the full-scale war. Speaking shortly after leaving Ukraine for the first time since 2022, Lindsley reflects on the personal challenges of reporting from a war zone, the resilience of the Ukrainian people, and the lessons the West still has yet to learn from the conflict.

Drawing on years of firsthand experience in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and across Ukraine, Lindsley offers a unique perspective on the war, the information battle surrounding it, and the evolving relationship between Ukraine, Europe, and the United States.

The conversation covers:

• Leaving Ukraine after four years of wartime reporting
• The psychological impact of living under constant missile attacks
• Translating Ukraine’s experience for American audiences
• Russian propaganda and misconceptions about Ukraine in the United States
• The role of conservative media and political narratives surrounding the war
• Ukraine’s growing drone dominance and military innovation
• Russia’s vulnerabilities and the future of the conflict
• Crimea’s strategic importance and the changing battlefield
• NATO, Romania, and Russia’s testing of Western resolve
• Why Kharkiv remains one of Ukraine’s most important cities
• What Americans and Europeans can learn from Ukraine’s resilience

Lindsley also discusses how Ukrainian innovators are reshaping modern warfare through rapid adaptation, drone technology, and battlefield feedback loops that are increasingly influencing military thinking in Washington and across NATO.

The discussion explores the importance of language, messaging, and public understanding in wartime, including how narratives can shape support for Ukraine both in the United States and abroad.

Throughout the episode, Lindsley argues that Ukraine’s greatest strength is not simply its military capability, but the determination of its people to remain free despite years of relentless attacks.

The episode concludes with a powerful reflection on Kharkiv, a city located just miles from the Russian border that continues to embody the resilience, independence, and spirit of the Ukrainian people.

00:00 — The psychological cost of war
00:23 — Intro + JP Lindsley joins
01:18 — Leaving Ukraine after four years
04:01 — Processing life outside a war zone
08:05 — Translating Ukraine for American audiences
10:36 — Russian propaganda and American politics
13:34 — The Hunter Biden narrative and Ukraine skepticism
16:25 — Winning the information war
18:22 — Russia’s major attack on Kyiv
20:18 — Ukraine’s battlefield advantages
23:25 — Why Ukraine must avoid complacency
24:08 — “The cards” debate and political messaging
26:51 — Crimea, drones, and changing warfare
31:08 — Drone dominance and military innovation
37:12 — Russia, NATO, and the Romania incident
39:22 — Concerns about future Baltic threats
41:16 — Why Kharkiv matters
45:52 — What the West can learn from Ukraine
46:58 — Closing thoughts

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Is Vladimir Putin actually winning the war in Ukraine—or does the reality look very different from the headlines?

In this episode of Peace and Power Ukraine, host Gary Marx welcomes back Steven Moore, founder of the Ukraine Freedom Project and a leading advocate for Ukraine’s fight for freedom, for a wide-ranging discussion from Kyiv on the state of the war, Russia’s mounting challenges, and the resilience of the Ukrainian people.

Moore provides updates from the ground in Ukraine, discusses recent Russian attacks on Kyiv, and explains why he believes the war is increasingly exposing weaknesses within Russia despite the Kremlin’s efforts to project strength.

The conversation covers:

• Russia’s latest missile and drone attacks on Kyiv
• Ukraine’s growing ability to strike targets inside Russia
• Why Moore argues Putin is losing the war
• The economic and military costs Russia has incurred
• The role of drones in reshaping modern warfare
• Poland’s growing importance to European security
• NATO, European defense spending, and energy dependence on Russia
• The Ukraine Freedom Project and advocacy efforts
• The continuing success of the Faith Under Siege documentary series
• Russia’s persecution of religious communities in occupied Ukraine
• The destruction of churches and religious sites across Ukraine
• Life in Kyiv during wartime

The discussion also revisits Faith Under Siege, the documentary project that has reached millions of viewers by highlighting the experiences of Ukrainian Christians living under Russian occupation and documenting attacks on religious communities throughout the war.

Throughout the episode, Moore argues that many Western audiences remain unaware of Ukraine’s successes inside Russia, including strikes against military targets far beyond the front lines, and that these developments are changing the strategic balance of the conflict.

The episode concludes with reflections on Ukraine’s resilience, the importance of faith during wartime, and an unexpectedly spirited discussion about Ukraine’s surprisingly impressive gas station food culture.

00:00 — Putin’s costs after four years of war
00:32 — Intro + Steven Moore joins from Kyiv
01:26 — Life in Ukraine during wartime
03:03 — Updates on the Ukraine Freedom Project
03:59 — Faith Under Siege reaches millions
05:21 — Faith under Russian occupation
07:02 — Churches destroyed across Ukraine
09:13 — Russia’s weaponization of religion
10:10 — Massive attacks on Kyiv
13:07 — Ukraine strikes back inside Russia
15:08 — The drone war and Russia’s vulnerabilities
17:48 — Russia, Iran, and security concerns
20:00 — Why Moore says Putin is losing
23:05 — Poland’s growing strategic importance
25:03 — NATO, Europe, and Russian energy
27:44 — Ukraine’s famous gas station hot dogs
29:18 — Final thoughts and closing remarks

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What are the biggest threats facing democracy today—and what role should the United States play in confronting them?

In this episode of Peace and Power Ukraine, host Gary Marx is joined by Leon Panetta, former Director of the CIA, former U.S. Secretary of Defense, former White House Chief of Staff, and longtime member of Congress, for a wide-ranging discussion on Ukraine, China, NATO, Iran, and the future of American leadership in an increasingly dangerous world.

Drawing on more than five decades of public service, Panetta reflects on the global security challenges facing the United States and its allies, the lessons of history, and why democratic nations must remain united against authoritarian aggression.

The conversation covers:

• President Trump’s China summit and U.S.-China relations
• Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, and authoritarian partnerships
• Lessons from Ukraine’s resistance against Russia
• Why Panetta believes Putin cannot be trusted
• Taiwan and deterrence in the Indo-Pacific
• The future of NATO and allied cooperation
• U.S. support for Ukraine and bipartisan backing in Congress
• Drone warfare and the lessons of modern conflict
• Iran, nuclear negotiations, and the Strait of Hormuz
• Chernobyl, nuclear security, and international cooperation

Panetta also discusses the work of the Panetta Institute for Public Policy, his efforts to encourage young Americans to pursue public service, and why he believes compromise and effective governance remain essential to the health of American democracy.

Throughout the discussion, he argues that the United States must continue leading from a position of strength, maintain strong alliances, and remain engaged in world affairs if it hopes to preserve stability and security in the decades ahead.

The episode closes with a reflection on America’s 250th anniversary and why Panetta believes the nation’s greatest strength ultimately lies not in Washington, but in the resilience, character, and dedication of the American people.

00:00 — Leon Panetta on today’s global dangers
00:20 — Intro + Leon Panetta joins
04:42 — The Panetta Institute and public service
08:25 — Reflections on 50 years in government
09:57 — Trump’s China summit and Xi Jinping
12:45 — China, Russia, Iran, and global security threats
13:11 — Lessons from Ukraine’s resistance
16:25 — What the U.S. should learn from Ukraine
18:03 — Taiwan and deterrence in the Indo-Pacific
19:03 — Iran, nuclear negotiations, and the Strait of Hormuz
21:01 — U.S. aid to Ukraine and congressional support
22:07 — Drones and the future of warfare
24:04 — Chernobyl and nuclear security
25:59 — NATO’s future and allied cooperation
29:07 — America at 250 years: Panetta’s final message
30:31 — Closing thoughts

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