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First Topic Poll of 2025

As promised, our first topic prioritisation poll of 2025 is here.

Next week we'll likely be talking about China's new prototype fighters and the next generation aircraft race (including some discussion with returning channel guest Justin Bronk), but from there things are more fluid and open to

I don't treat this as a directive on what order videos have to be done, but it does help me prioritise where I think more than one video might be ready for finalisation and release in the next few weeks.

Multi-vote is enabled and i've trimmed the list of options for now to about a third of the total work in progress list (barring videos driven by current events)

Comments

What happened to singapore?

Scott

AUKUS ?

Charles

I would be especially curious to know his opinion about AUKUS and especially the Australian submarines…

Charles

I might also add a suggestion. Don't know to what extent it is possible, but given the recent US Intelligence freeze, would it be possible to do some Intelligence 101 episode? Obviously it isn't possible to go in depth, but maybe an overview of what is possible, who are the key players generally (if that is shareable) and what are generally the effects countries get from well-set up intelligence agencies?

Daniel

Now that the UK has announced a significant funding rise, how would Perun advise the MOD to best use the money? Besides meat pies and declaring war on emus naturally.

DW18

Finland is waiting for F-35 fighters, but will it actually get these? Should it get these? Can we trust that we’ll actually get the equipment we’ve ordered? Will we get the spare parts and weapons later? Should Finland cancel this and order Swedish fighters?

InfinitePlayer

This please

GDwg

Hello Perun! This time, there was no "other suggestion" option, so I am gonna put this SUGGESTION here: EU VS Russian military - does Ukraine really "need-need" the US? It is often said in current reporting that the US is very important for Ukraine in its conflict against Russia, and that is very likekyl true. Recently the US is trying to kinda gain concessions from Ukraine while excluding EU. The logic appears to be that Ukraine will be OK with this and accept any economic concession US demands as EU can't or won't help enough. But is this true? Are the armies and the materials that are left in the arsenals of countries like Germany, France, Italy, Spain and newcomers like Poland truely that insignificant that the EU should "fear" Russia? Most data I find points towards EU being reasonably strong by numbers if adding up national militaries if it were acting in concert, still reporting seems so pro-Russia.

Cormigon

Depending on His clearance, it could be more work to avoid including sensitive and classified information. We all want it, if you are looking for an aussie unclass channel, HypoHystericalHistory is excellent as well. And he goes deep into the DSR and other australian strategic perspectives

Jasper Pendlebury

Trump is pushing the rest of NATO to spend 5% of GDP on defense, or the implied threat is that the US won't come to their aid. One of the big items the US brings to the table is the nuclear umbrella. For most NATO countries, building their own nukes would cost less than getting to 5% GDP spend on defense would. I would love a video exploring the viability, pros and cons of this approach

DMH

Where did he say this? all the information needed is in publicly released documents like the DSR, defence of Australia 1986, various white papers, national defence strategy, naval shipbuilding plan, surface fleet review ect. Of course it’s his prerogative at the end of the day. I have no idea what he does so perhaps not.

JP Farrell

We all would love to see this. However, Perun has made it clear he will not be speaking about Australia. I assume this is related to security clearance issues. My brother has to be obsessive compulsive about keeping his security clearance in the US. I cannot imagine Perun is about to put that at risk.

Laura Davis

I’d absolutely love to see an Australian defence strategy and rearmament video. There is a lot that has changed over the last 5 years in ADF planning and force structure, especially in the Navy and Army. It would make for a killer episode.

JP Farrell

Hi, I just found your content yesterday and I think I'm already ~10 hours deep... Don't tell my boss. I'd be interested in learning about Taiwan's strategic position, if it hasn't already been covered in depth. I run into their inability to be added to the US's DFARS list at work, and it makes me wonder things like what would happen if they were added into NATO, if they would even be interested, how a stable future for them could be ensured, etc.

Kent Coleslaw

I wonder how far China would get with that before some octogenarians in Congress bring up the domino theory.

Richard Dietzen

I would be interested in seeing some more EU topics. Are we working towards a serious defense force of our own. How depended are we really on US military support for defence of EU borders. What are our weakest links.

Mike Zitter

I am really interested in Iran, since the strategies, resources have been changed significantly recently. I would like to hear what changed and what is the projection. Especially regarding their proxies.

Benicstamas@hotmail.com

I would like a corruption report of the DOD and our procurement systems similar to the Russia and Chinese ones

Nina Mcmunn

I love the idea of voting to review voting systems.

Fafhrd 002

'Redacted' choices? Elbonia Kiwiland Emutopia

Cap'n Dan Doherty

Nation Study - *redacted* <- did NAFO already occupy the territory of królewiec?

Theo Keizers

A conflict that gets very much forgotten. Would love a Perun take on it.

Ray Purchase

Always been a big fan of the nation studies. I've watched/ listened to some of them multiple times, the US most recently. Any addition to that series, no matter the nation, will be most welcome.

Ray Purchase

These are all so good. To be honest, I'd prefer more of these and less of the Ukraine updates as it settles into an attrition grinder.

Anon Viewer

So, you have topics for the next 15 weeks sorted out I see.

Andrew Maltby

Ohh too many good subjects. Like I want all of them! I picked some of my top pick, but I am looking forward to every single one of them.

Rune

They’re all good. I ticked almost every one, which is kind of pointless but truthful. Can you design the Peakon surveys at my work? I can’t bring myself to read to the end of the questions but these surveys always so much more compelling.

Martin Rogan

well I'm not quite sure what is going wrong but I seem to be unable to post my vote .... anyway I reckon the first on the list is probably the most likely so it probably doesn't matter ;)

John Vissenga

My votes are with those topics in the middle-range of expressed interest but i'm making sone special pleading here:

Beth

Been watching your videos for ever. Thought it's about time to support you and your videos.

Aram Hummerston

I would love an angle on strategic resources. There are wonderful talks about procurement to high end electronics but there are special metals that certain countries have majorities of. Specifically more military purposes, not just how EV cars need some metal for batteries but what limit a country’s ability to develop their military industrial capacity because of scarce strategic metals or other resources.

ReysDad

1. "US military shipbuilding" - it would be interesting to hear your reaction when getting to submarine construction on the Great Lakes and movement down the Mississippi... but the larger portion would be the populace who facilitated the rapid construction of everything from Higgins boats to Victory ships. 2. "How budgets destroy armies" - the "Acquisitions" video was... interesting... and most folks don't think of that aspect... 3. "What Great Powers get wrong about strategy - From Russia's "NATO expansion" worries &...American Greenland?"

vicious optimist

Would love a myanmar video

Falling5tar

I was thinking of it more as a play on reduplication for emphasis with a twist but almost-tautology works. Though the number of uninformed and uninformative sources of information on the internet is rather depressing.

Alastair Cranston

I think this needs some merch

Tobi

I’d be really interested to hear your view about Sino-American tensions and the buildup in the western pacific. Obviously there is another Aussie YouTuber who has talked extensively about this issue and I’m curious how your views compare to his.

Leo Stanek

Kiwiland and Emutopia nation studies!

Paul Haynes

If you were given the budget of XX nation (using last year's publicly available numbers), how would you divide it up? What–in a perfect world–would you change about the way defense economics are done; either in general or for a specific nation(s)?

Katana Del Nacht

Wish I could vote for all of them, but to stay on topic and within the spirit of things, I only voted for a few. Though I'd love to see your work on all of these in the future!

Nick Johnson

Informative and informed information is my new favourite almost-tautology

Darren

I do see a *redacted* and it's got me thinking that emutopia might be protecting its secrets...

Darren

everything, as long as there is aussie shitposting in my powerpoint simulator

Maximus Thane

It’s nowhere near the top, but I do hope you get to covering Myanmar some time. Sudan and Haiti too.

Whit Johnstone

Love your work

Helscreama

You should do a video on climate as a factor in geo politics. Clowns will complain that it has some woke mind virus dei whatever other stupid shit they say these days. However bronze age collapse, the huns and other migrations of people leading to the fall of Rome, year of revolts preceded by year without a summer, little ice age and 536 volcanic eruption preceded famine and Yersinia pestis outbreaks with a lot of debate about the changes which occurred due to these events. Regardless of what people believe causes climate change, there have been multiple instances of political upheaval due to climate pressures, or at the very least they play a part in ratcheting up tension. Might be interesting to see how this pressure will affect global affairs in the modern day. For example China seems to be going through that drought/flood craziness, islands are disappearing, wild fires in winter, concerns about the gulf stream and the beauford gyre leading to semi permanent winter in northern Europe, parts of Russia and North America.

Chel

Would love a nation study for the UK. It would be especially interesting as there is a new 'root and branch' defence strategic review ongoing at the moment

Cameron Caine

I love your nation study stuff. Some of the best content you have done and when I revisit your videos it's usually them

Oscar

Hmmmm. No dedicated Kiwiland or Emutopia videos.

Kiwiruna

The US's medium/large USV programs have been flying under the radar the past few years, but they have done some pretty interesting things, like stand up USV Squadrons (https://www.surfpac.navy.mil/usvron1/), shoot a missile from a containerized launcher off one (https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2021/october/ghost-fleet-fires-real-missile), and send 4 prototypes on a deployment to Japan and Australia with a Carrier Strike Group (https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/IBP). Now the Navy and Senate Armed Services committees are discussing killing the Large USV program to replace it with something like the Overlord USVs (https://breakingdefense.com/2024/12/exclusive-top-2-senators-urge-navy-to-change-course-on-large-usv-program/ , https://www.twz.com/air/navy-to-simplify-drone-ship-plans-focus-on-containerized-payloads-that-look-alike)

xcte

Really excited for voting systems

Tetaredon

Italy is still a weapons and ship manufacturer, however I guess being analised with Spain and other nations that need to make a group to create weapons systems would also provide great context

iagola

Hasn't he made this exact video 2 months ago?

Nor Adrenalin

For the APAC focused one, I'd like to see an evaluation of the risks China invades a non-Taiwan country (e.g. Vietnam, Laos). They've been pretty open that their original plan was to go after Taiwan around the mid-2030s, and I don't think their Navy (PLAN) will be ready before then to take on the US. In the interim, though, I think they are feeling increasing pressure to act. 1. Given the Russian misadventure in Ukraine, they probably feel the need to 'blood' their Army before going against the US in a 'relatively safe' war. 2. Taking either country will greatly increase their ability to control the South China Sea and Straights of Malacca. 3. While they do have friends, none of the the SE Asian countries can count on the kind of support a country on the doorstep of Europe can, except maybe Myanmar from India. 4. Given China's deteriorating demographics, the SE Asian countries have substantial populations the Chinese could 'Uighurize' into an involuntary workforce. 5. Growing desperation to distract the Chinese population from the upcoming economic challenges.

Stargazer

Not a priority, but at some point, a look at what happened to Canada would be interesting. From its significant military contributions to the World Wars, to it basically toothless military today. What up with that?

Kristin

Any and all of these in the pipeline have me excited about the upcoming content of the channel

Owen Lee

I do hope you finish the space series anyway. I have struggled to find informative and informed information on my own domain on YouTube and it’s been fascinating.

Alastair Cranston

NATO/EU response to DT needs some serious treatment soon. The clock is ticking.

Neil O'Matic

For US building, no other better guest than sal mercogliano of https://www.youtube.com/@wgowshipping . A generous, gracious, and extremely knowledgeable guy.

K G

Türkiye and Greece together. Now there’s an interesting pair. Though most of the past century there has been no war they are always preparing to fight each other. 😅

Chariton Iosifides

Yes please. Jokes aside, I am quite partial to the "nation analysis" series or adjacent subjects

ElAyVee

Feels like being in a candy shop and only allowed to choose 1

Sebastien

Any and everyone please. As a Brit, I’d dread that one but needs doing.

Steven-Jackson-re6qm

already know about how great powers get it wrong, political bias, bad thinking. The rest all great topics

Janus_past

The answer, as always, is "Yes Please", though i would asterisk more Elbonian content. Way out of your wheelhouse. Every one of the "Destroys Armies" series has been awesome, and YouTube doesn't offer alternatives that are as cogent and well reasoned. Still, I would be happy with anything on the list.

William Comars

I would love to see a nation study about some Asian Countries (including Australia) like the Philippines, Pakistan etc. And maybe an episode about Germany with where u have to have focus on the good things about the Bundeswehr.. idk they got pretty good housing or something like that :D But imo there are some great options already to choose from and with Trump getting ready to turn everything upside down I think youll have an easy time finding new topics

Marley

So many good options

Brian Fane

I voted for my top 5 topics. As a public sector budget analyst myself, I'm very interested to see the "How Budgets Destroy Armies" treatment...

Jessica Fields

I am not sure if you are aware but Jonny Harris made a video about the US military industrial complex and Ryan McBeth is debunking the the thesis that there is no such thing as "military industrial complex". I would like to hear your view on the topic.

Ivan Dimitrov

Great to get Prof Justin Bronk again. please also bring the Chieftain back or my favorite guy for Russia longterm - Prof Kotkin

Daniel K

Some of those like the next gen tank programs I think would probably be better in the second half of the year, when there may be more data.

Christopher Lockner

The redacted nation study ... a must!

Gloria B Renner

There’s a report to Congress on the Connie frigates. If I’m reading it correctly, it alleges everything from scope creep through flawed decisions right through to outright law breaking, specifically the Navy’s refusal to construct the on shore engineering test site. When you do the episode on US Navy shipbuilding, I would appreciate hearing your thoughts on the matter. As an American I’m beginning to wonder if the Navy learned anything at all from the LCS program, and I’m starting to worry that the Connies will simply be more of the same, albeit a bit better armed. Thanks for all you do, and I’m very much looking forward to hearing your take on the topics on this list. Finally, I know you’re not much into merchandise, but I’d proudly wear a Perun t-shirt if such a thing were available.

Thomas Brendel

Could be but things are changing, in Italy as in Europe to increase military spending.. and there is a lot to be said of our DIB regarding export especially shipbuilding … But i digress …

Luigi Martusciello

Look, I'm going to be entirely honest here. I could NOT decide on any one topic that I liked the most. That said, it would be easier to list the topics I didn't pick. Sorry.

Treebeard1224

I've long been interested in what Perun makes of the UK military, although perhaps this is just me being a bit self-centred as a Brit. In principle it should be quite a powerful force - it has 2 aircraft carriers, nuclear-powered submarines, a strong history as a military power, and a $75 bn budget according to SIPRI 2023. The UK should have a strong industrial base as well, given its good universities companies like BAE systems, Rolls Royce etc. Yet the British military seems to be beset by problem after problem - looking for senior naval officers on LinkedIn, Ajax, scrapping ships due to a lack of sailors, unable to put together significant land forces.

Chris Page

I really am hoping on the voting systems episode to get some more votes. Even though it's not what I came too the channel for, I am very keen to see peruns take on this, might even be worth two episodes of a few big countries are discussed. Also would fit in well just after German elections in February.

Björn Ramaswamy

You will have lots of great topic this year!

Peter Armstrong

An assessment of the potential of China and a gray zone approach using their merchant fleet as launch platforms for unmanned air and sea vehicles to launch a surprise ‘bolt from the blue’.

John Allison

I hope all of these topics are discussed this year.

alexander gaitan

Ciao Luigi, to be fair our governments have cut down military spending to silly amounts, making us nearly irrelevant in the only strategic area that concerns us which would be the extended Mediterranean. We contribute to military missions but we have very little power projection for what our role should be. I’m sure there is a lot to say if one wanted, but I’m not sure it would be very interesting - unfortunately.

aggro

Have you done anything with Tom Cooper and does that have any interest? Historical Middle Eastern airforces might not be the main thing right now, but maybe a more thorough analysis of the past-present-future of the VKS, mainly in relation to platforms, hull numbers, and replenishment rates. It is one thing that Russia can puke out thousands of gliding bombs, but are they using up their delivery platforms? And considering the inability to produce SU-57 (in numbers? or at all?) then is Russia going for a quantitative approach with lower tech platforms? And what will all this mean for their ability to sustain operations capabilities? Because it could look like the VKS is being bleed for manpower and hulls, while their might be an inability to build new planes, and a NATO-Russia theoretical war is actually much further away than this decade (which intel. agencies have suggested we should prepare for), since VKS will need at least a full decade to replenish numbers and upgrade to the relevant quality. Anyway you and Tom Cooper talking about VKS might have so much sarcasm that it could break the internet 🤔 (Sorry if I missed something that was already done - got divorced and moved back to my home country, so I am a bit behind on many things...)

Alec Pearson

collab with Sal Mercogliano on the US military ship building

Dave

I'm tempted to vote for all of them, but I managed to restrain myself to my favourites.

cruisey1987

Redacted?

matt

Worst Air Force, Part 2 feels like an excellent "Year-end, time for some silliness", or, any other time, "Animarchy and I're bored, so here we go" option.

Jazzlovr

Myanmar is great because it can lead into exploring China's foreign strategy

iagola

Russian economy and could they rearm, just about flow from one to the other. I'd like to see Myanmar. My business is interpretation and we have a very significant population of Burmese minorities (Mizo and Karen especially) here. The conflict is horrific and largely ignored in the West. The strategic blunders of the great powers is certainly interesting. Though to me at least, it is fairly obvious. Do we really know if the Chinese fighter works as described and can they build them? The moves that the new US President makes probably will cause a "current events" update as the effects take shape.

John Bryant

I think its abit early to talk about Greenland.

j ong

Possible Q/A video ?

Cody Nunn

I would love to see you do a collab with Habitual Linecrosser about Chinese next-gen” fighters 😅

Johan Molendijk

How about a country analysis on Italy? It’s often left out … but I’m sure there’s a lot to say

Luigi Martusciello


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