In this episode of The Larry Arnn Show, Hillsdale College President Larry P. Arnn interviews Erik Prince, businessman, former U.S. Navy SEAL officer, and founder of Blackwater. The two discuss Prince’s career, strategic failures in the wars in Gaza and Ukraine, and how the United States military can prepare for the wars of tomorrow. You can find Prince’s Unplugged Phone here.This interview was conducted on February 2, 2025.Discover more at podcast.hillsdale.edu.00:00 – Introduction to Iraq and Afghanistan Conflict00:20 – CIA vs. Pentagon: The Initial Response Post-9/1101:34 – Guest Introduction and Book Promotion01:54 – Early Life and Upbringing02:29 – Naval Academy Experience and Transition to Hillsdale03:22 – Military Career and Becoming a Navy SEAL04:03 – Founding of Blackwater and Private Military Training05:22 – Lean Manufacturing Influence on Blackwater07:05 – Churchill’s Philosophy on War and Its Misinterpretations07:50 – U.S. Strategy for Defending Taiwan10:58 – Military-Industrial Complex and Defense Spending12:02 – Historical Military Leadership and Tactical Efficiency16:01 – The Importance of Special Operations in Modern Warfare17:22 – U.S.-China Geopolitical Competition20:36 – The Evolution of the Chinese Communist Party22:47 – U.S. vs. China: Innovation, AI, and Industrial Strength26:08 – Pentagon Inefficiencies and the Need for Reform30:24 – Life as a Navy SEAL and the Rigors of Training32:40 – The War in Ukraine: A Strategic Analysis36:01 – The Role of Modern Warfare Technology38:46 – Aircraft Carriers and Their Vulnerability42:44 – Government Overspending and Military Budget Reform46:06 – The Failure of U.S. Strategy in Afghanistan47:52 – Lessons from Churchill on Military Strategy50:30 – The British Navy and Historical Parallels to U.S. Decline52:28 – Critique of Israel’s Gaza Military Strategy55:46 – Innovation in Warfare: The Case for Alternative Tactics59:50 – The Role of Private Military Contractors1:02:34 – The Importance of Citizen Soldiers and Military Accountability1:07:12 – Private Sector Innovation in National Security1:10:17 – The Unplugged Phone: Privacy in the Digital Age1:14:02 – Closing Thoughts and Final Remarks