Fmr. Marine Elliot Ackerman: Ukraine Has a Three-to-One Advantage | Amanpour and Company

Elliot Ackerman is following the crisis in Ukraine closely. The author and former U.S. marine served five tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan and has just spent two weeks in Kyiv. Ackerman joins Walter Isaacson to discuss Russia's new tactics and the role of moral resolve in war.

Originally aired on March 30, 2022

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Amanpour and Company features wide-ranging, in-depth conversations with global thought leaders and cultural influencers on the issues and trends impacting the world each day, from politics, business and technology to arts, science and sports. Christiane Amanpour leads the conversation on global and domestic news from London with contributions by prominent journalists Walter Isaacson, Michel Martin, Alicia Menendez and Hari Sreenivasan from the Tisch WNET Studios at Lincoln Center in New York City.

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[Emlizardo]

This interview yielded a dazzling amount of information and insight. Mr. Ackerman is not only well-informed, he is laser-focused and articulate in his answers to these excellent questions.

[dalelittlefield]

Well done Amanpour and Company. Ackerman was a great guest, well informed and credible. In this age of misinformation we need more of this kind of reporting.

[viktorzaritskyi]

I'm Ukrainian, and I can tell you this man is 100℅ correct about situation on battlefield, the way Ukrainian thinking about the war, victory and negotiations.

[chrisfreeman]

what a great nice to hear from an American who understands what's actually happening on the ground in

[immortalis]

Top notch interview. Clearly, this is a well informed and intelligent guest who speaks with a confidence of an expert.

[mariaanamarcelo]

Love Walter Isaacson's interview style. It speaks to a learned historian who is not in an ivory tower. He is plain speaking, not married to dogma and has a great capacity to listen. His interviews are organic. This explains why Isaason's interviews are accessible and very instructive regardless of your political affiliation.

[juanitalilley]

How utterly refreshing to listen to a straight-talking man questioning a straight-talking man. just explanation without scaremonger and conjecture. More please.

[alexchernavsky]

The interviewed guy has a real deep understanding of the situation. His every word is true and he got the idea of our fight against the Russians.

[gomey]

Great interview. Agree with every word. People like Ackerman give me hope that there are still people in the US who care about democracy and understand that it's worth fighting for.

[patrickwilson]

I agree. With everything he said. The Afghanistan people don't know what freedom is. Corruption was so rampant. The Ukraine people have that taste of freedom.

[shiteetah]

I’m not surprised that a Marine doesn’t um and ah when questioned but instead gives clear, precise answers painting one of the clearest pictures of this conflict I’ve heard thus far.

[andrewgusakua]

Truly great interview. You can immediately tell that the guy has been in Ukraine recently. As ukrainian myself, I support every single statement of this man in this interview.

[kierbaudy]

Ackerman is an amazing guest. Every single point he made was thought provoking and on point. Arguments were cohesive and intelligent. It was worth my 20 min.

[mikeholloway]

One thing is for sure... the Ukrainians are writing a whole new chapter in the art of war book. A very impressive army. The kind of army all Generals want but very few know how to create. A big hats off to them all and their leadership. -Q

[davejohnson]

Wow! Elliot Ackerman is very articulate and logical. Hope he will consider getting involved in our political system. God knows we need more like him in our government!!!

[LordOfLight]

Wow. How often do you get an interview with someone so clear-minded, so articulate? For once I feel so much better informed.

[janiekcarney]

Ukraine needs to insist on getting all land back. This is the time to restore Ukraine.

[Molzik]

As a person from Ukraine I appreciate all points brought by Mr. Ackerman, especially needing to fully support Ukraine if we don't want authoritarian regimes taking over other countries. And the West's misunderstanding Russia by thinking it's only Putin's war - this war has massive support among regular Russians.

[nunaubzness]

This soldier should run for office. Very articulate and knowledgeable. Pleasant to listen too.

[gregorioeduardo]

That's our man! Ackerman studied literature and history at Tufts University, graduating summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa in 2003, completing a special program in which he earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in five years, rather than the usual six. He holds a master's degree in International Affairs from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.