On The Line: America will be effin' back — but maybe not for a while

About this episode

Matt Gurney speaks with retired U.S. Army lieutenant general Mark Hertling about America's role in the world and the future of Western alliances.

In this episode of On The Line , Matt Gurney speaks with Mark Hertling, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant general, former commander of U.S. Army Europe, and a longtime commentator on military affairs and leadership. The conversation begins with an unusual connection. Hertling had referenced one of Matt’s columns in a recent speech, which a Line reader flagged and sent along. That led to an invitation — and a wide-ranging discussion about the United States’ role in the world, the strain on Western alliances, and what comes next. Hertling is, at heart, an optimist. He believes American leadership in the Western alliance can recover, even after years of damage, but cautions that rebuilding trust with allies will take time — likely a generation. Matt is a bit less optimistic, but confesses he believes that America, a country he loves, will at least try. The two discuss what went wrong, what can realistically be repaired, and why the long-term trajectory may still bend back toward stability. The conversation also turns personal. Hertling speaks about his latest book, If I Don’t Return , which reflects on the life lessons he wanted to leave behind for his sons in case he didn’t return…

People in this episode

Host: Matt Gurney

Guest: Mark Hertling

Topics covered

• American leadership
• Western alliances
• military affairs
• trust rebuilding
• legacy
• personal reflection

Keywords

• America
• leadership
• Western alliance
• military
• trust
• legacy
• Hertling
• Gurney

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: U.S. Army, U.S. Army Europe

Books & works: If I Don’t Return

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