Podcasts about bef

En Palabras más, palabras menos, Arturo Barba y Rodrigo Murray conversan con Bernardo Fernández (Bef), uno de los creadores más influyentes de la literatura y la novela gráfica en México; escritor, historietista y diseñador gráfico reconocido por su versatilidad narrativa y su mirada crítica sobre la cultura contemporánea, quien reflexiona sobre la literatura, las artes, la historia, el cómic y la ciencia ficción, además de repasar su trayectoria desde los años noventa como coeditor del fanzine Sub y director de arte de la revista Complot Internacional, los retos de crear historias en distintos lenguajes y el camino que lo llevó a escribir Tiempo de alacranes, novela policiaca galardonada con los premios Una vuelta de tuerca y Memorial Silverio Cañadas en la Semana Negra de Gijón, en un episodio imprescindible para quienes aman los libros, la narrativa gráfica y las ideas que dialogan con su tiempo. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

En Palabras más, palabras menos, Arturo Barba y Rodrigo Murray conversan con Bernardo Fernández (Bef), uno de los creadores más influyentes de la literatura y la novela gráfica en México; escritor, historietista y diseñador gráfico reconocido por su versatilidad narrativa y su mirada crítica sobre la cultura contemporánea, quien reflexiona sobre la literatura, las artes, la historia, el cómic y la ciencia ficción, además de repasar su trayectoria desde los años noventa como coeditor del fanzine Sub y director de arte de la revista Complot Internacional, los retos de crear historias en distintos lenguajes y el camino que lo llevó a escribir Tiempo de alacranes, novela policiaca galardonada con los premios Una vuelta de tuerca y Memorial Silverio Cañadas en la Semana Negra de Gijón, en un episodio imprescindible para quienes aman los libros, la narrativa gráfica y las ideas que dialogan con su tiempo. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mit dem früheren Berufspolitiker Kevin Kühnert schaut Yasmine M'Barek auf seine Karriere zurück. Und sie diskutieren, ob unser politisches System reformiert werden kann. Klima, Migration, Pandemien und autokratische Herrscher, die die internationale Ordnung infrage stellen. Sind die westlichen Demokratien wie Deutschland noch dafür gewappnet, den globalen Herausforderungen der Gegenwart zu begegnen? Kevin Kühnert ist skeptisch, dass Politiker, die alle vier Jahre für ihr innenpolitisches Programm geradestehen müssen, das leisten können.  "Ich glaube, es ist vielleicht auch der Punkt verpasst worden, dass das mal jemand gegenüber der Bevölkerung so feststellt", sagt er. "Ich habe ein bisschen die Befürchtung, dass ich Teil einer Generation gewesen bin, die Politik in vergleichsweise gemütlichen Zeiten gelernt hat und die heute Politik cosplayt zum Teil." Fragen, Kritik oder Anregungen? Schreiben Sie uns an: ehrlichjetzt@zeit.de. [ANZEIGE] Mehr über die Angebote unserer Werbepartnerinnen und -partner finden Sie HIER. [ANZEIGE] Mehr hören? Dann testen Sie unser Podcast-Abo mit Zugriff auf alle Dokupodcasts und unser Podcast-Archiv. Jetzt 4 Wochen kostenlos testen. Und falls Sie uns nicht nur hören, sondern auch lesen möchten, testen Sie jetzt 4 Wochen kostenlos DIE ZEIT. Hier geht's zum Angebot. 

Ho ho ho! Es weihnachtet sehr. Auch in der BUNDESLIGA. Gefühlt hat sich die Hälfte der Bundesligisten schon vor dem 15. Spieltag gedanklich in den Weihnachtsurlaub verabschiedet. Anders lassen sich diese grottenlangweiligen Spiele kaum erklären! Gleich dreimal gab es am Wochenende ein torloses Remis zu bestaunen. BOHNDESLIGA geht dahin, wo es wehtut, und redet trotzdem über jede Partie. Nils, Etienne, Tobi und Niko haben sich im Home Office eingefunden, um den Spieltag in Ruhe durchzukauen. Los geht es mit dem Bohndesliga-Derby. Etienne und Nils waren beim Spiel HAMBURGER SV gegen EINTRACHT FRANKFURT live im Stadion. Beide streiten sich nun darüber, welcher ihrer Lieblingsvereine den Sieg mehr verdient gehabt hätte. Richtig was los war am Wochenende in Wolfsburg. Der VfL hat nicht nur die Beförderung von Interimstrainer Daniel Bauer bekanntgegeben. Beim Spiel gegen den SC Freiburg fielen sogar sieben Tore. Eine große Debatte ruft indes BORUSSIA DORTMUND hervor. Nicht wegen der Ergebnisse - die stimmen nämlich erstmals seit Jahren wieder uneingeschränkt. Vielmehr ruft die Spielweise Fragen auf. Sollte der BVB attraktiveren Fußball spielen? Kann das NIKO KOVAC überhaupt? Bei Bayern München darf sich niemand über zu wenig attraktiven Fußball beschweren. Sie cruisen locker-flockig durch die Liga. Außerdem sprechen wir über den Abstiegsknaller zwischen Mainz und St. Pauli sowie den derzeitigen Überflieger der Liga: Union Berlin. Oops, they did it again! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welche Punkte beim Rahmenabkommen mit der EU sind besonders heikel? Wo malen die europhilen Befürworter ein Bild, das sich bei näherem Hinsehen als hässliche Fratze entpuppt? Darüber sprechen Markus Somm und Dominik Feusi mit SVP-Nationalrat Pascal Schmid. Das Gespräch wurde live im Rathaus in Weinfelden aufgezeichnet.

Send us a textZu einer letzten regulären Runde in diesem Jahr hat Jan seine Gäste im sechzger.de Talk Nummer 242 eingeladen. Gemeinsam mit drei weiteren Redaktionsmitgliedern bespricht er gewohnt ausführlich das vergangenen Heimspiel gegen den SC Verl. Da ein Ausblick auf die nächste Partie aktuell nicht erforderlich ist, geht es im zweiten Teil um zwei diskutable Themengebiete: die mögliche Einführung eines VAR in der 3.Liga und das Thema Stadion rund um den TSV 1860 München.Heimspiel gegen VerlNichts Zählbares gab es für die Löwen beim Duell mit dem SC Verl am zurückliegenden Samstag. Ein 0:2 zeigte die Anzeigetafel zum Jahresabschluss im Grünwalder Stadion an - wirklich Trübsal blasen ist deswegen aber rund um den TSV 1860 derzeit nicht angesagt. Mit der Momentaufnahme nach der Hinrunde können die meisten weiß-blauen Anhänger sicherlich leben, zumal man sich in Schlagdistanz zum Führungstrio in der 3.Liga befindet. Ob Stimmung, Geschehen auf dem Platz oder Schiedsrichterleistung - im aktuellen Talk wird wieder alles rund um das Heimspiel ausführlich beleuchtet.Diskussion um VAR in der 3.LigaAbgesehen von der Heimniederlage schaffen es zwei weitere Themen in den sechzger.de Talk Nummer 242. Der nächste Ausblick auf einen Gegner findet nämlich am Samstag, den 10.Januar live im Bamboleo statt. In der aktuellen Ausgabe geht es im zweiten Teil unter anderem um die mögliche Einführung eines VAR. Mit Thomas Spiesl hat sich in den letzten Wochen bereits ein Befürworter dieser Möglichkeit gefunden - allerdings unter gewissen Grundvoraussetzungen. Gegenstimmen gibt es im aktuellen Talk auch, sodass eine lebhafte Diskussion mit vielen Punkten entsteht.Die gute alte StadiondiskussionEine lebhafte Diskussion ist im Umfeld des TSV 1860 München auch garantiert, wenn man das Wort Stadion nur in den Mund nimmt. In den letzten Wochen und Monaten wurde wieder viel darüber beratschlagt, ob nun ein Verbleib in Giesing oder doch ein Neubau an einer anderen Stelle des Rätsels Lösung sein soll. Eine finale Entscheidung ist in dieser Thematik noch nicht abzusehen. In der aktuellen Runde jedenfalls fällt das Stimmungsbild ziemlich eindeutig aus.Das Team vom sechzger.de Talk wünscht allen Zuhörerinnen und Zuhörern Frohe Weihnachten und geruhsame Festtage. In der kommenden Woche ist dann noch die Aufnahme einer Jahresabschlussfolge geplant.Der sechzger.de Talk 242 als Video und PodcastOb Video oder Audio - den sechzger.de Talk gibts für Auge und/oder Ohr. Um keine Folge zu verpassen, könnt Ihr uns natürlich gerne auf YouTube bzw. diversen Podcast-Plattformen abonnieren:SpotifyApple PodcastsSelbstverständlich freuen wir uns auch über jede positive Bewertung, über Kommentare und über Eure Verbesserungsvorschläge.Vielen Dank für Zuhören! Wir freuen uns, wenn ihr uns abonniert und natürlich auf eure Bewertungen sowie Rückmeldungen :-)Hier gehts zur Homepage von sechzger.de! So könnt ihr unsere Arbeit unterstützen. Der sechzger.de Talk auf Youtube

Feuerwerk zu Silvester verbieten, den freien Verkauf von Pyrotechnik gleich mit. Das fordern Jahr für Jahr verschiedene Petitionen. Mit großer öffentlicher Wahrnehmung trommelte zuletzt auch die bundesweite Initiative „Böller Ciao“ für ein rigoroses Nein zu privat gezündetem Feuerwerk. Dieser haben sich zahlreiche Umwelt- und Tierschutzorganisationen, aber auch Vereine, Verbände und Institutionen des öffentlichen Lebens angeschlossen. Insgesamt sind es 55 unterzeichnende Organisationen, darunter die Bundesärztekammer und die Deutsche Polizeigewerkschaft. Das Ziel: Die erste Verordnung des Sprengstoffgesetzes zu überarbeiten. Dort „müssen lediglich zwei Sätze [...] gestrichen werden“, heißt es in einem Offenen Brief an Bundesinnenminister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU), dann könne nicht mehr geböllert werden. Feinstaub, Gewaltexzesse, verschreckte Menschen und Tiere, überlastete Notaufnahmen - die Probleme würden sich de facto in Luft auflösen. Das klingt ziemlich einfach, aber ganz so leicht, wie es scheint, ist es dann eben doch nicht. In der letzten Folge des Podcasts „Thema in Sachsen“ im Jahr 2025 gehen Sächsische Zeitung und Leipziger Volkszeitung der Sache auf den Grund - und hören sich die Argumente von Gegnern und Befürwortern eines Böllerverbots an. Es wird gefragt: Was sind eigentlich die Probleme? Ist wirklich jede Form von Feuerwerk gefährlich - oder wäre schon viel geholfen, wenn Verstöße gegen bestehende Regeln konsequent geahndet werden? Könnten Schwerverletzte oder sogar Tote, wie es sie vergangenes Silvester auch wieder in Sachsen gab, vermieden werden, wenn besser gegen den illegalen Vertrieb von Blitzknallern, Kugelbomben und Co. vorgegangen wird? Und ist ein Verbot wirklich der beste Weg zum Bekämpfen eines Problems? Dass man es sich bei der Suche nach einer Lösung in dieser Debatte nicht leichtmachen kann, wird in dem Podcast deutlich: Schließlich betrifft das Problem alle. Also alle, die Böllern ablehnen und alle, die es mögen. In dieser Folge kommen alle Positionen zu Wort. Angefangen bei einer nicht repräsentativen, aber eindrücklichen Straßenumfrage in Leipzig, wo sich die meisten zufällig befragten Passantinnen und Passanten für ein Böllerverbot aussprechen. Zu hören sind aber auch Ausschnitte einer Debatte im sächsischen Landtag zum Thema - mit Pro- und Kontra-Argumenten. Zudem erklären in drei ausführlichen Interviews die Vertreter von drei in der Debatte entscheidenden Bereichen ihre Positionen: - Cathleen Martin, Vorsitzende der Deutschen Polizeigewerkschaft in Sachsen, sie sagt: „Wir sind klar für ein Verkaufsverbot“. - Erik Bodendieck, Präsident der Landesärztekammer, der einen Vorschlag mit Sprengkraft in die Diskussion einbringt. Er sagt: „Wenn es eine Verletzung gibt, dann muss derjenige in der Notaufnahme [dafür] bezahlen.“ - Felix Martens vom Bundesverband für Pyrotechnik und Kunstfeuerwerk, der in der Debatte die Sachlichkeit vermisst und deutlich auf die Probleme mit illegalem Feuerwerk hinweist. Schließlich erklärt ein Spezialist der USBV-Gruppe (Unkonventionelle Spreng- und Brandvorrichtungen) aus dem sächsischen Landeskriminalamt die Risiken beim unerlaubten Verwenden von Kugelbomben und Blitzknallern. Und Investigativreporter Valentin Dreher von LVZ und SZ findet auf einem grenznahen Markt in Tschechien heraus, wie leicht es dort trotz Verkaufsverbots nach wie vor ist, gefährliche und nicht zulässige Böller zu bekommen.

Von Donald Trump über die AfD bis zur FPÖ wettern rechte Parteien gegen Windkraftanlagen. Die Rhetorik ist scharf, die Versprechen radikal: Neue Projekte verhindert werden, oder bestehende Anlagen gar abgerissen werden. Doch hinter der Empörung über Landschaftsverschandelung und Vogelsterben stecken oft ganz andere Motive. Benedikt Narodoslawsky und Lukas Kapeller vom STANDARD zeichnen nach, wie sich die FPÖ vom Befürworter erneuerbarer Energien zur schärfsten Kritikerin gewandelt hat. Sie erklären die Verbindungen zu Klimawandelleugnern und fossiler Industrie und analysieren am Fall Kärnten, wie eine Volksbefragung den Windkraftausbau praktisch zum Erliegen gebracht hat.

Zwölf Jahre lang hat die Wettbewerbskommission (WEKO) Manipulationen im internationalen Finanzmarkt untersucht. Insgesamt 20 Banken waren an diesen Manipulationen beteiligt, unter ihnen auch Schweizer Banken. Jetzt hat die Kommission Bussen von fast 240 Millionen Franken verhängt. Weitere Themen: Für Menschenrechte gab es innerhalb der UNO schon früher verhältnismässig wenig Geld. In Zukunft kommt von den Mitgliedstaaten noch weniger. Gleichzeitig erhalten Organisationen, die sich gegen Freiheitsrechte einsetzen, mehr Geld. 46 Männer wurden in diesem Jahr in den USA hingerichtet. Damit hat sich die Zahl zu letztem Jahr fast verdoppelt. Die meisten Hinrichtungen fanden dabei im Bundesstaat Florida statt; dessen republikanischer Gouverneur Ron DeSantis ein eifriger Befürworter der Todesstrafe ist.

Befähigen statt lähmen. Inspirieren statt erstarren. Das Projekt «CultureAlps: connect, share, act» bringt Organisationen aus den Bereichen Kunst, Kultur und Klimaschutz zusammen, um neue Formate zu entwerfen, die planetaren Krisen verständlicher und greifbarer zu machen. In dieser Folge besuchen wir die Gemeinschaftsakademie La Foresta, die inspirierende und auch unkonventionelle Wege geht, um gemeinsam das Leben im italienischen Vallagarinatal sozial- und umweltgerechter zu gestalten. Weitere Informationen zum Projekt: www.cipra.org/de/projekte/culturealps Moderation und Redaktion: Anna Planitzer Musik (cc) Blue dot Sessions - Lumber down Foto: CIPRA International

EU-Gipfel entscheidet über Reparationsdarlehen an die Ukraine │ Wie ist die Rechtslage, darf russisches Vermögen angetastet werden? │ Reaktion der Finanzmärkte ist ungewiss │ So wollen die Befürworter die Kritiker überzeugen

Wird die Freiheit der Wissenschaft in Frage gestellt, oder gar bedroht? Die aktuellen Konflikte in den USA geben ein Beispiel dafür, dass Befürchtungen in dieser Hinsicht durchaus ihre Berechtigung haben. Wissenschaftlicher Fortschritt hat über Jahrhunderte Öffentlichkeit und gesellschaftliche Strukturen beeinflusst, auch in Bezug darauf, wie Diskurse geführt und Entscheidungen prozessiert werden. Wissenschaftskommunikation hat Demokratie allererst ermöglicht und trägt sie mit. Was ist das „Prinzip Universität“? Und inwiefern gerät es unter Druck? Etwa durch den Impact populistischer Kommunikationsstrategien in den wissenschaftlichen Diskurs hinein. Die Idee der Universität, die Georg Mein Autor des Essays Das Prinzip Universität in der Carl-Auer Reihe update gesellschaft favorisiert, ruht auf drei Prinzipien: Reflexion, Rationalität und Selbstkorrektur. Dies ist für eine demokratische Organisation von Gesellschaft entscheidend. Und es ist etwas komplett anderes, als wenn marktwirtschafte Prinzipien die Forschung selbst dominieren. Die Universität der Zukunft ist – als Verbindung von Wissenschaft und Erziehung/Bildung/Lehre – als eine der unverzichtbaren Institutionen für ein funktionierendes Gemeinwesen zu verstehen; ein „Transmissionsriemen von Öffentlichkeit“. Georg Mein ist Professor für Neuere Deutsche Literaturwissenschaft und Theorie und Direktor des University of Luxembourg Institute for Digital Ethics (ULIDE). Seine Arbeitsschwerpunkte sind Literatur-, Kultur- und Medientheorie, Ethik des Digtalen und Kulturanthropologie. _____________ Folgt auch den anderen Podcasts von Carl-Auer: autobahnuniversität www.carl-auer.de/magazin/autobahnuniversitat Blackout, Bauchweh und kein` Bock www.carl-auer.de/magazin/blackout…eh-und-kein-bock Cybernetics of Cybernetics www.carl-auer.de/magazin/cybernet…s-of-cybernetics Genau Geschaut: www.carl-auer.de/magazin/genau-geschaut Frauen führen besser www.carl-auer.de/magazin/frauen-fuhren-besser Formen (reloaded) Podcast www.carl-auer.de/magazin/formen-reloaded-podcast Heidelberger Systemische Interviews www.carl-auer.de/magazin/heidelbe…ische-interviews Zum Wachstum inspirieren www.carl-auer.de/magazin/zum-wachstum-inspirieren Zusammen entscheiden www.carl-auer.de/magazin/zusammen-entscheiden-2

⭐️ Buchempfehlung: ⁠⁠Nie Wieder Sinnlos⁠

In die Gespräche über einen möglichen Waffenstillstand in der Ukraine kommt Bewegung. Doch nicht so, wie es sich viele Befürworter einer Friedenslösung erhofft hatten. Am Montag einigten sich die zwölf EU-Staaten auf eine sogenannte multinationale Truppe für die Ukraine. Diese soll dort auch militärisch operieren. Faktisch bedeutet das eine Ausweitung der EU-Militärallianz auf Kiew. Steuern wir damit auf einen großen Krieg zu? Erleben wir womöglich die letzten Weihnachten im Frieden? Ein Kommentar von AUF1-Nachrichtenleiter Martin Müller-Mertens.

Die sogenannte rollende Landstrasse zwischen Freiburg im Breisgau und Novara ist Geschichte. Der Lastwagen-Transport auf der Schiene lohnt sich nicht mehr. Im Kanton Uri sind die Befürchtungen vor noch mehr Verkehr nun gross. Ausserdem: (00:03:57) BS: «So lovely» - Mit amerikanischen Touristen auf dem Basler Weihnachtsmarkt Der Basler Weihnachtsmarkt hat sich in den letzten Jahren zu einem regelrechten Wirtschaftsfaktor entwickelt. 44 Millionen Franken Wertschätzung bringt er der Stadt – das hat eine Studie von Basel Tourismus ergeben. Ein Teil davon machen die amerikanischen Touristinnen und Touristen aus. Viele von ihnen reisen mit luxuriösen Fluss-Kreuzfahrtschiffen an und machen eine Art «christmas market hopping» von Basel über Strassburg, Baden-Baden bis nach Köln. Während die Flusskreuzfahrten vor 10 Jahren ausschliesslich im Sommer stattfanden («im Winter war hier tote Hose»), sind die Hafenplätze mittlerweile auch im Dezember voll. (00:06:58) AG: Wenig Wasser führt zu unangenehmen Gerüchen In der Aargauer Gemeinde Oftringen sorgte ein übler Gestank wochenlang für Unruhe. Nun ist klar, warum in Oftringen ein fauliger Geruch in der Luft liegt. Offenbar gibt es immer mehr wassersparende Spülungen. Dies führt dazu, dass die Kanalisationen weniger durchgespült werden. Nun haben sich in Oftringen also Schmutzreste abgelagert. Wenn nun der Luftdruck wegen der tiefen Temperaturen sinkt, dann führt das dazu, dass die Luft aus der Kanalisation gedrückt wird. Da es in den vergangenen Tagen wärmer wurde, nahm der Gestank ab. Die Kanalisation soll nun aufwendig durchgespült werden. (00:09:53) ZH: Der Name Sauber verschwindet – Hinwil im Zürcher Oberland bleibt F1-Standort Seit letztem Wochenende ist der Name Sauber in der Formel 1 Geschichte. Damit verschwindet der Schweizer, der Zürcher Bezug des Rennstalls. Dennoch bleibt Hinwil ein wichtiger Standort in der Formel-1-Welt. Der deutsche Autobauer Audi weiterhin im Zürcher Oberland bleiben. Das freut den Hinwiler Gemeindepräsident. (00:12:03) SG: Wunderkammer Stiftsbibliothek Wunderkammern aus dem 16-19 Jahrhundert sind die Vorgänger der heutigen Museen. Auch in der Stiftsbibliothek gab es eine solche. Nun werden die Schätze in der aktuellen Winterausstellung gezeigt. Was es mit Straussenpokalen, magischen Trinkbechern auf sich hat?

Könnte eingefrorenes Staatsvermögen aus Russland zur Ukrainehilfe der EU werden? Europa scheint einen Weg gefunden zu haben. Das Problem: Er könnte den Euro und Europas Rechtsstaatlichkeit zerstören. In Brüssel sind bei der Abwicklungsstelle Euroclear rund 193 Milliarden Euro russische Staatsgelder eingefroren, der Großteil davon Reserven der russischen Zentralbank. Die Europäische Union prüft derzeit ein Modell, bei dem diese Vermögen als Grundlage für einen zinslosen »Reparationskredit« für die Ukraine dienen sollen. Juristisch ist der Ansatz heikel. Staats- und Zentralbankvermögen genießen völkerrechtlich in der Regel Immunität. Kritiker sprechen von einer rechtlichen Grauzone und warnen vor einem möglichen Präzedenzfall. Befürworter verweisen dagegen auf Russlands Verantwortung für den Angriffskrieg. In dieser Ausgabe von »Acht Milliarden« spricht Host Juan Moreno mit Britta Sandberg, SPIEGEL-Korrespondentin in Brüssel. Sie beschreibt in der Episode das rechtliche Konstrukt, mit dem die EU die eingefrorenen russischen Staatsgelder zur Finanzierung der Ukraine nutzen will. Der Europäische Rat der Staats- und Regierungschefs werde am 18. und 19. Dezember eine Entscheidung treffen, so Sandberg, und obwohl sie anfangs skeptisch gewesen sei, hält sie es inzwischen für durchaus möglich, dass die EU das eingefrorene Geld für die Ukraine einsetzen wird. Mehr zum Thema: (S+) Russlands Angriffskrieg Ukraine legt USA aktualisierten Friedensplan vor: https://www.spiegel.de/ausland/us-friedensplan-fuer-die-ukraine-diesmal-ist-es-ernst-a-5af23c60-f434-4b53-8a9e-f39e36b2beca (S+) Wie Trump und Putin Europa angreifen: https://www.spiegel.de/ausland/wie-donald-trump-die-europaeer-an-wladimir-putin-verraet-a-2fb67045-1ab6-4caf-9467-fceeec9351c6 Abonniert »Acht Milliarden«, um die nächste Folge nicht zu verpassen. Wir freuen uns, wenn ihr den Podcast weiterempfehlt oder uns eine Bewertung hinterlasst.+++ Alle Infos zu unseren Werbepartnern finden Sie hier. Die SPIEGEL-Gruppe ist nicht für den Inhalt dieser Seite verantwortlich. +++ Den SPIEGEL-WhatsApp-Kanal finden Sie hier. Alle SPIEGEL Podcasts finden Sie hier. Mehr Hintergründe zum Thema erhalten Sie mit SPIEGEL+. Entdecken Sie die digitale Welt des SPIEGEL, unter spiegel.de/abonnieren finden Sie das passende Angebot. Informationen zu unserer Datenschutzerklärung.

Die EU will künftig den Verkauf von mit neuen Gentechnikverfahren veränderten Lebensmitteln ohne Kennzeichnung erlauben. Damit werde den Konsument:innen die Wahlfreiheit im Supermarkt genommen, sich gegen Produkte mit Gentechnik zu entscheiden, kritisieren sowohl ÖVP-Landwirtschaftsminister Norbert Totschnig als auch Verbraucherschützer scharf. NGOs befürchten, dass die großen Saatgutkonzerne durch neue Patente heimische Landwirte abhängen. Befürworter der Neuregelung sehen hingegen klimawandel-resistentere Sorten sowie ertragreichere Ernten als größte Vorteile in der neuen Gentechnik. Der Streit ums Essen endet nicht bei der Herstellung von Lebensmitteln, auch die Bezeichnung sorgt für Ärger. So sollen pflanzliche Alternativen in der EU nicht mehr “Schnitzel” und “Burger” heißen dürfen. Sind gentechnisch veränderte Lebensmittel unbedenklich? Was bedeutet die Neuregelung für heimische Landwirte? Und ist der Streit um den “Veggie-Burger” gerechtfertigt? Gäste: **Anna Stürgkh", EU-Abgeordnete, NEOS **Johannes Gutmann**, Gründer und Geschäftsführer von Sonnentor **Peter Schmiedlechner**, Bundesobmann der Freiheitlichen Bauernschaft Österreich und FPÖ-Nationalratsabgeordneter **Timo Küntzle**, Agrarjournalist und Buchautor **Franz Fischler**, ehemaliger EU-Kommissar für Landwirtschaft Moderation: **Manuela Raidl**

Die WM Auslosung samt Friedenspreis war ein Schmierentheater, welches trotz schlimmster Befürchtungen noch grotesker ablief, als erwartet. Der DFB-Pokal ist, vor allem aus Berliner sich weiterhin Spannend. Nach der Gala gegen den 1. FC Kaiserslautern gastiert nun der SC Freiburg im Olympiastadion. Im Tabellenkeller ist einiges passiert. Mainz und Augsburg trennen sich von ihren Cheftrainern, Heidenheim gewinnt zwei Spiele in Folge mit Last-Minute Toren und der HSV verschafft sich Luft in einem dramatischen Nordderby. In der zweiten Liga geht der Blick in Richtung Aufstiegsrennen. Schalke marschiert und scheint aktuell kaum zu stoppen zu sein. Bei Paderborn ist der gute Lauf mit drei Niederlagen in Serie jäh beendet worden. Die Hertha hat nach 5 Siegen in Folge zum ersten Mal eine Niederlage einstecken müssen, sind aber immer noch in der Verfolgergruppe vertreten.In der dritten Liga erwischt Energie Cottbus einen perfekten Spieltag. Nicht nur, dass das Topspiel gegen den MSV dramatisch gewonnen wird, auch die Konkurrenz lässt fast durch die Bank weg Federn.

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⭐️ Buchempfehlung: ⁠Nie Wieder Sinnlos

When we think of 1940, we picture Dunkirk, the fall of France and the BEF racing for the Channel. But behind the headlines were real officers making real decisions — the brigadiers. Too senior to ignore, not quite famous enough to be remembered. In this episode, my friend and part-time co-host Chris Brice talks to military historian Dr Phil McCarty about his new book Point of Failure: British Brigadiers in France and Norway, 1940. They explore who these men were, how they were selected, and why some rose to greatness while others quietly vanished after the débâcle of 1940. Expect discussion of staff college bottlenecks, Monty and Brooke's patronage, public school myths, territorials, and why the brigadiers of Normandy look both similar to — and subtly different from — their 1940 predecessors. Plus some cracking stories along the way. If you enjoy British Army history told through real people rather than map arrows, you'll enjoy this one. Purchase Phil's book here - https://www.helion.co.uk/military-history-books/point-of-failure-british-brigadiers-in-france-and-norway-1940.php  Discover Chris Brice's books here - https://www.helion.co.uk/people/christopher-brice.php  Join my mailing list for a free eBook about the Zulu War - https://redcoathistory.com/ 

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Tagesanbruch – die Diskussion Was bringt einen überzeugten Pazifisten dazu, zu sagen: So geht es nicht mehr? Darüber spricht Moderatorin Nicole Fuchs-Wiecha mit t-online-Chefredakteur Florian Harms und dem Journalisten und Autor Artur Weigandt. Weigandt, aufgewachsen in einer postsowjetischen Spätaussiedlerfamilie, war sicher: Er würde nie eine Waffe in die Hand nehmen. Dann erlebt er Bombennächte in der Ukraine, arbeitet als Übersetzer für Soldaten an Leopard-Panzern – und wird zum Befürworter einer neuen Wehrhaftigkeit, militärisch und im Kopf. Im Podcast geht es um die Frage, ob Pazifismus in Zeiten des Krieges noch ausreicht, was Wehrdienst und Pflichtjahr für unsere Gesellschaft bedeuten würden, und warum das friedliche Europa sich trotzdem rüsten muss, wenn es seine Freiheit bewahren will. Anmerkungen, Meinungen oder Fragen gern per Sprachnachricht an: podcasts@t-online.de Produktion und Schnitt: Nicole Fuchs-Wiecha Transkript: Alle Folgen der Diskussion am Wochenende finden Sie in einer Playlist auf Spotify hier: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1d0dXXtJNcYAF7jQ3oRPg9?si=0f24794f3fe14a27 Den „Tagesanbruch“-Podcast gibt es immer montags bis samstags gegen 6 Uhr zum Start in den Tag – am Wochenende in einer längeren Diskussion. Verpassen Sie keine Folge und abonnieren Sie uns bei Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/3v1HFmv3V3Zvp1R4BT3jlO?si=klrETGehSj2OZQ_dmB5Q9g), Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/de/podcast/t-online-tagesanbruch/id1374882499?mt=2), Amazon Music (https://music.amazon.de/podcasts/961bad79-b3ba-4a93-9071-42e0d3cdd87f/tagesanbruch-von-t-online) oder überall sonst, wo es Podcasts gibt. Wenn Ihnen der Podcast gefällt, lassen Sie gern eine Bewertung da.

Weil der Kalkofen irreparabel defekt ist, steht die Zuckerproduktion in Frauenfeld wohl noch länger still. Die Rüben werden nun durch die halbe Schweiz bis nach Aarberg ins Berner Seeland transportiert, zur zweiten Zuckerfabrik der Schweiz. Weitere Themen: (00:03:32) LU: Steht der Luzerner Hirschpark vor dem Aus? Seit knapp 120 Jahren gibt es in der Stadt Luzern in der Nähe des Kantonsspitals einen Hirschpark, der heute 65 Aren gross ist und in dem rund 30 Dam- und Rothirsche in zwei Rudeln leben. Betrieben wird er von einem Förderverein, der finanziell von der Stadt unterstützt wird. Doch mit dieser Unterstützung soll bald Schluss sein: Die Stadtregierung hält es nicht länger für eine staatliche Aufgabe, die Haltung von Hirschen zu unterstützen und möchte das Gelände lieber für einen Park nutzen. Widerstand aus der Bevölkerung ist vorprogrammiert. (00:06:12) SO: Ist Tierausstellungs-Finanzierung eine Stadtaufgabe? Einen Schritt weiter ist man in Olten: Die Volière im öffentlichen Park dürfte schon bald Geschichte sein. Der Volièren-Verein forderte von der Stadt jährlich 100'000 Franken für den Erhalt der Anlage. Die Bevölkerung hat eine Unterstützung an der Abstimmung am vergangenen Sonntag jedoch abgelehnt. Die Vereinsmitglieder sind frustriert. Damit gehe ein Stück Nostalgie und Tradition verloren, heisst es bei den Befürwortern. Entstanden sind sie Ende des 19. Jahrhunderts, als Vogelschutz und Vogelzucht in der Schweiz populär wurden. Sind solche Volièren noch zeitgemäss? (00:09:10) BS: Ein Bändeli für den ÖV Wer in Basel künftig im Tram oder im Bus unterwegs ist und jemanden sieht mit einem Sonnenblumen-Bändeli – dann heisst das: Diese Person hat eine sogenannt «unsichtbare Behinderung». Zum Beispiel Autismus oder eine Angststörung. Wer unter so einer Behinderung leidet, kann das Bändeli bei den Basler Verkehrsbetrieben holen und im ÖV tragen. Die Hoffnung ist, dass die anderen Fahrgäste dann Rücksicht nehmen oder zumindest wissen: Diese Person empfindet das Tramfahren oder das Busfahren als besonders stressig. Die BVB ist der erste städtische Verkehrsbetrieb, der das anbietet. Aber was halten Betroffene davon? (00:12:00) ZH: Verein macht Kinderopern in Spitälern und Heimen Oper gilt gemeinhin als elitär und schwer zugänglich – besonders für Kinder. Der Verein Kinderoper will das ändern: Mit liebevoll inszenierten Aufführungen bringt er die Welt der Oper in Spitäler, Schulen und soziale Einrichtungen. Ziel ist es, Kindern Mut, Selbstvertrauen und Freude zu schenken – auch jenen, die sonst kaum Zugang zu Kultur haben. Schon bald gibt es auch eine Aufführung im Kinderspital Zürich. Wie macht man Oper für Kinder? Insbesondere für jene in schwierigen Situationen? Wir waren bei der Aufführung von «Hänsel und Gretel dabei!»

Basel-Stadt will zehn Prozent vom Einkommen automatisch dem Steueramt überweisen. Damit könnten Steuerschulden vermieden werden. Eine Lösung für die ganze Schweiz? Gemäss einer Erhebung des Bundes, waren 2020 fast zehn Prozent der Bevölkerung bei den Steuern in Verzug. Über 80% der Personen, welche sich 2024 bei der Schuldenberatung Schweiz gemeldet haben, hatten Steuerschulden. Allein die Basler Steuerverwaltung muss jährlich über 5000 Betreibungen einleiten. Damit soll nun Schluss sein. Der Grosse Rat des Kantons Basel-Stadt hat kürzlich einem Gegenvorschlag zu einer SP-Initiative zugestimmt. Vorgesehen ist ein pauschaler Lohnabzug von 10% (bzw. 5% in Riehen und Bettingen), der direkt dem Steueramt überwiesen wird. Der Lohnabzug ist für Unternehmen ab 50 Mitarbeitenden verpflichtend. Kleinere Unternehmen können freiwillig mitmachen. Mitarbeitende die den Direktabzug nicht wollen, müssen sich aktiv dagegen aussprechen (Opt-out-Lösung). Eine Steuererklärung muss weiterhin ausgefüllt werden. Der Arbeitgeberverband Region Basel, der Gewerbeverband Basel-Stadt und die Handelskammer beider Basel haben das Referendum ergriffen. Die Vorlage kommt damit voraussichtlich vors Volk. Bei einer Annahme könnte Basel-Stadt zum Vorbild für andere Kantone werden. Argumente der Gegner Der direkte Lohnabzug wird als Entmündigung der Bürger kritisiert, die für ihre Finanzen selbst verantwortlich sein sollten. Befürchtet wird zudem eine Schuldenverlagerung, da das Geld besonders bei knappen Budgets an anderer Stelle fehlen könnte. Da weiterhin eine Steuererklärung nötig ist, entfällt eine Entlastung für Steuerpflichtige. Für Unternehmen bedeutet der Direktabzug hingegen einen grossen bürokratischen Aufwand, obwohl nur rund ein Drittel der Arbeitnehmenden - die auch im Kanton wohnen - überhaupt betroffen wären. Argumente der Befürworter Die jährliche Steuerrechnung als hohe Einmalzahlung stellt für viele eine finanzielle Herausforderung dar und kann zu Verschuldung führen. Ein automatischer Direktabzug vom Lohn soll dieses Risiko senken. Eine Reduktion der Betreibungen ist auch im Interesse des Kantons, da sie hohen Aufwand und Steuerausfälle verursachen. Wie sinnvoll ist ein Lohnabzug für Steuern? Wer profitiert davon? Löst er das Schuldenproblem oder schafft er neue Probleme? Im FORUM diskutieren Gäste mit Hörerinnen und Hörern: · Ja zum Direktabzug: Pascal Pfister, Geschäftsleiter Schuldenberatung Schweiz / Grossrat SP/Basel-Stadt · Nein zum Direktabzug: Dominik Marbet, Direktor Arbeitgeberverband Region Basel Redaktion/Moderation: Stefan Flury Onlineredaktion: Angela Wagner

Hinweis: Das Urteil des BGH zum Wohnungseinbruchdiebstahl wurde am Samstag den 29.11.2025 hinzugefügt.OVG Lüneburg, Beschluss vom 19.11.2025 – 12 ME 92/25Wer die theoretische Fahrprüfung durch eine Stellvertreterin ablegen lässt, kann sich nicht auf jahrelange unfallfreie Fahrpraxis berufen. Der formelle Befähigungsnachweis ist tatbestandliche Erteilungs- und Behaltensvoraussetzung – kein bloßes Beweismittel.BVerwG, Urteil vom 13.08.2025 – 2 WD 27.24Oberfeldwebelin verbindet Krankschreibung mit DJ-Karriere als "B" (144.645 Abonnenten, Festival-Auftritte, Merchandise). Neun Befehle ignoriert, 23 öffentliche Auftritte trotz Verbots.VG Berlin, Urteil vom 26.11.2025 – VG 1 K 22/24Verbot des Mottos "From the river to the sea, you will get the hug you need" war unverhältnismäßig. Der konkrete Kontext mit dem Umarmungsangebot spreche gerade gegen Terrorismus-Nähe. Drei frühere Versammlungen derselben Veranstalterin verliefen friedlich.VG Berlin, Urteil vom 26.11.2025 – VG 1 K 187/24Polizei löste Kongress nach Abspielen einer Videobotschaft einer ausgeschlossenen Person auf und verbot Fortsetzung. VG: Jedenfalls unverhältnismäßig – mildere Mittel (Ausschluss einzelner Redner) wurden nicht ernsthaft erwogen.Thüringer Verfassungsgerichtshof, Urteil vom 26.11.2025 – VerfGH 9/25§ 8 Abs. 1 Nr. 3 ThürJAG ist mit der Thüringer Verfassung vereinbar. Wer gegen die freiheitlich-demokratische Grundordnung tätig war, kann vom juristischen Vorbereitungsdienst ausgeschlossen werden. BGH, Beschluss vom 04.11.2025 – 5 StR 483/25Wer in wohnlich eingerichtete Gartenlauben einbricht, begeht Wohnungseinbruchdiebstahl – auch wenn die Kleingartenverordnung das Übernachten verbietet und die Laube im Winter nicht genutzt wird. Entscheidend ist der Zweck der Stätte, nicht ihr tatsächlicher Gebrauch.Support the show

Manchmal spürst Du im Bewerbungsgespräch oder bei einer möglichen Beförderung diesen leisen Widerstand im Bauch: Irgendetwas passt nicht. Und trotzdem triffst Du die Entscheidung – aus Zeitdruck, aus Hoffnung oder weil das Team dringend jemanden braucht. In dieser Folge des LEITWOLF® Podcasts spricht Stefan darüber, warum genau das so gefährlich ist und warum Zweifel im Recruiting in den meisten Fällen schon die Antwort sind. Er teilt einen einfachen, klaren Leitsatz, den er bei seinem ersten Arbeitgeber gelernt und seitdem mit tausenden Führungskräften trainiert hat: „When there is doubt, there is no doubt.“ Anhand praktischer Beispiele zeigt Stefan, wie falsche Personalentscheidungen entstehen, warum der Wunsch, „endlich die Stelle zu besetzen“, so oft zu Fehlgriffen führt und wie viel Zeit, Vertrauen und Teamenergie dadurch verloren gehen. Du erfährst, wie Du Dein Bauchgefühl ernst nimmst, es rational prüfst, Verhalten statt schöne Worte bewertest und Dir im Zweifel bewusst eine zweite Perspektive holst. Und Du bekommst einen konkreten Impuls, wie Du allein und im Führungsteam systematisch bessere Recruiting-Entscheidungen triffst. ––– Nimm gerne an dieser anonymen Umfrage teil, damit wir diesen Podcast für Dich optimieren können: https://forms.gle/WTqCeutVXV2PsjBH9 Gefällt Dir dieser LEITWOLF® Leadership Podcast? Dann abonniere den Podcast und beurteile ihn bitte mit einer Sternebewertung und Rezension bei iTunes und/oder Spotify. Das hilft uns, diesen LEITWOLF® Podcast weiter zu verbessern und sichtbarer zu machen. ––– Buche Dir JETZT Deinen Zugang zur LEITWOLF® Academy: https://stefan-homeister-leadership.com/link/leitwolf-academy Möchtest Du konkrete Tipps oder Unterstützung, wie gutes Führen in Deinem Unternehmen definiert und umgesetzt werden kann, dann schreibe Stefan eine Mail an: homeister@stefan-homeister-leadership.com ODER Vereinbare hier direkt ein kostenloses Beratungsgespräch mit Stefan: https://stefan-homeister-leadership.com/link/calendly // LINKEDIN: https://stefan-homeister-leadership.com/link/linkedin // WEBSITE: https://stefan-homeister-leadership.com ® 2017 STEFAN HOMEISTER LEITWOLF® ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ____ LEITWOLF Podcast, Leadership, Führung, Management, Stefan Homeister, Podcast, Business Leadership, Erfolgreich führen, Unternehmensführung, Führungskompetenz, Leadership Development, Teammanagement, Leadership Skills, Selbstführung, Leadership Coaching, Leadership Training, Karriereentwicklung, Führungspersönlichkeit, Erfolgsstrategien, Unternehmenskultur, Motivation und Leadership, Leadership-Tipps, Leadership Insights, Change Management, Visionäre Führung, Leadership Interviews, Erfolgreiche Manager, Unternehmer-Tipps, Leadership-Best Practices, Leadership-Perspektiven, Business-Coaching

Wie grundlegend verändert Künstliche Intelligenz Unternehmen und Organisationen? Wie beeinflusst sie Entscheidungen auf Vorstands- und Aufsichtsratsebene? In dieser Episode des The Agenda Podcasts spricht Thomas Zimmerer, KI- und Digital-Board-Advisor sowie Mitglied in verschiedenen Aufsichtsräten, wie KI die Entscheidungsfindung auf oberster Managementebene beeinflusst und welche Herausforderungen und Chancen sich daraus ergeben. Zudem teilt er mit Sherpany-Podcast-Host Ingo Notthoff seine Erfahrungen aus Projekten, die er für global agierende Unternehmen in über 70 Ländern vorangetrieben hat und betont die Notwendigkeit, KI nicht nur zu diskutieren, sondern aktiv zu implementieren. Thomas Zimmerer sieht die Rolle von Vorständen und Aufsichtsräten als entscheidend für die Zukunftsfähigkeit von Unternehmen und betont die notwendige Befähigung aller Mitarbeitenden im Umgang mit KI.  Diese Impulse erhalten Sie in dieser Episode: KI ist wichtig für die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit der nächsten Jahre Vorstände müssen das Potenzial von KI verstehen und selbst nutzen Fachabteilungen sind oft die Treiber von KI-Initiativen Die Angst vor KI resultiert aus Unsicherheit und mangelndem Wissen KI sollte als neutraler Berater in Entscheidungsprozesse integriert werden Die Schulung der Mitarbeiter ist entscheidend für die Akzeptanz von KI Ein KI-Officer sollte die Rahmenbedingungen für KI-Projekte schaffen Thank you for listening! Visit us at Sherpany.com or follow us on LinkedIn for board, board committee, and executive meetings solutions.

Die Wall Street bleibt vor Thanksgiving freundlich: Dow +0,7 %, S&P 500 +0,7 %, Nasdaq +0,7 % – damit steuern die Indizes auf den vierten Gewinntag in Folge zu. Tech führt den Markt an: Oracle +4 %, Nvidia +1 %, Microsoft +1 %, während Alphabet nach dem Bericht über mögliche TPU-Deals mit Meta erneut ein Rekordhoch markiert. Der Markt erholt sich weiter vom moderaten 4-%-Pullback im November – Dip-Buyer bleiben aktiv. Gleichzeitig preisen die Futures eine über 80%ige Wahrscheinlichkeit für eine Fed-Zinssenkung im Dezember ein. Im politischen Fokus: Trump könnte vor Weihnachten den neuen Fed-Chef nominieren; Favorit laut Bloomberg ist Kevin Hassett, ein Befürworter niedrigerer Zinsen. Insgesamt bleibt November jedoch ein schwacher Monat, mit S&P 500 und Dow etwa 1 % im Minus und dem Nasdaq rund 3 % tiefer. Die US-Börsen bleiben am Donnerstag geschlossen, am Freitag wird nur verkürzt gehandelt. Abonniere den Podcast, um keine Folge zu verpassen! ____ Folge uns, um auf dem Laufenden zu bleiben: • X: http://fal.cn/SQtwitter • LinkedIn: http://fal.cn/SQlinkedin • Instagram: http://fal.cn/SQInstagram

In this episode we travel to Cambrai and tell the story of this tank attack through the eyes of the soldiers who were there, rather than the history books. We talk to historian Neal Russell about 2 soldiers he discovered in a military cemetery and discover a connection with the son of the British Prime Minister, Raymond Asquith. We follow the stories of 2 British soldiers who died in the battle and discover how a German spy allegedly tried to disrupt the BEF during the German counter offensive. We also discover a young German soldier whose body was found 90 years after his death.

Sigue a BEF aquí:https://www.instagram.com/beforama/Adquiere su nueva novela "El llanto del aire" aquí:https://a.co/d/f2o8cwc Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Urne statt Sarg, Flussbestattung statt Friedhof: Rheinland-Pfalz hat sein Bestattungsrecht stark liberalisiert. Befürworter argumentieren mit dem letzten Willen der Verstorbenen, Gegner empören sich über die Störung der Totenruhe. Röther, Christian www.deutschlandfunk.de, Hintergrund

Am 30. November kommt die Service-Citoyen-Initiative zur Abstimmung. Sie sieht vor, dass künftig alle Menschen mit Schweizer Pass einen Dienst «zugunsten der Allgemeinheit und der Umwelt» leisten müssten. Die Auswirkungen auf die Sicherheit, die Gleichstellung und die Wirtschaft sind umstritten. Am 30. November 2025 stimmt die Schweiz über die Volksinitiative «Für eine engagierte Schweiz» ab. Sie wurde vom Verein zur Förderung des Milizengagements eingereicht. Die sogenannte Service-Citoyen-Initiative fordert eine Dienstpflicht für alle jungen Erwachsenen. Künftig wären nebst allen Schweizern auch alle Schweizerinnen zu einem Dienst «zugunsten der Allgemeinheit und der Umwelt» verpflichtet. Fördert diese Initiative die Gleichstellung zwischen Frauen und Männern? Oder leisten die Frauen in Form von Care-Arbeit bereits genug für die Gesellschaft und würden mit einem Bürgerdienst zusätzlich belastet? Doppelt so viele Dienstpflichtige Der von den Initiantinnen und Initianten vorgesehene Bürgerdienst soll entweder im Militär oder in Form eines gleichwertigen und gesetzlich anerkannten Milizdienstes geleistet werden – etwa im Bereich Gesundheit, Bildung oder Umwelt- und Katastrophenschutz. Gemäss Initiativtext müssten die Bestände von Zivilschutz und Armee gesichert sein. Würde diese Initiative die Sicherheit der Schweiz stärken oder schwächen? Die Befürworter betonen, die Initiative stärke den gesellschaftlichen Zusammenhalt. Die Gegnerinnen warnen derweil vor hohen Kosten und wirtschaftlichen Schäden, die durch die Ausweitung der Dienstpflicht entstehen würden. Mit einem Bürgerdienst wären künftig rund doppelt so viele Menschen dienstpflichtig. Kann die Gesellschaft vom Engagement dieser Menschen profitieren oder gefährdet die Volksinitiative private Arbeitsplätze? Zu diesen Fragen begrüsst Mario Grossniklaus am 21. November 2025 in der «Abstimmungs-Arena» als Befürworterinnen und Befürworter der Vorlage: – Noémie Roten, Präsidentin Initiativkomitee; – Patrick Hässig, Nationalrat GLP/ZH; und – Marc Jost, Nationalrat EVP/BE. Gegen die Vorlage treten an: – Martin Pfister, Bundesrat und Vorsteher VBS; – Balthasar Glättli, Nationalrat Grüne/ZH; und – Michael Götte, Nationalrat SVP/SG.

Wir schauen heute noch mal genauer auf die Gründe für die Beförderung von Eugen Polanski (nicht zu verwechseln mit Daniel Brosinski) und arbeiten uns in unserer Lieblingsform, nämlich natürlich als Ranking, durch die Gerüchteküche der Länderspielpause. Silas zu Werder, oder doch lieber zum HSV? Wind nach Leverkusen, Timber zum BVB und viele mehr. Euer Digitalpädagoge des Vertrauens empfiehlt parallel zur Folge Arc Raiders zu spielen und nebenbei noch auf dem Tablet Welcome to Derry zu gucken. Viel Spaß!

Zu viel Disney? Doch sympathisch? Keine Zeit zu bluten? Wir klopfen PREDATOR: BADLANDS noch einmal ganz genau ab. Und haben uns dafür noch Unterstützung ins Studio geholt. Nadja alias Nerdzika hat sich André und Schröck angeschlossen, um noch einmal auf die Jagd zu gehen. Was macht PREDATOR: BADLANDS? Worum geht's? Wie hat es uns gefallen? Und vor allem: wie sehr oder wie wenig gelungen ist es im Vergleich zu all den anderen Filmen. Zum Beispiel zu THE PREDATOR alias PREDATOR: UPGRADE, den Nadja und Schröck dann auch zuletzt gesehen haben. Oder zu ALIENS VS. PREDATOR 2 alias ALIENS VS. PREDATOR - REQUIEM, in dem alles so übel dunkel ist. Und wo wir schon dabei sind: zu ALIEN VS. PREDATOR, der so alles andere als das ist, was sich alle Anwesenden erhofft haben. Darüber hinaus wird es aber auch um die Welt von PREDATOR: BADLANDS gehen oder die Härte, die Gadgets, die deutsche Synchro, die Befürchtungen der Fans, die eigene Skepsis oder die Musik. Und natürlich auch um all die anderen Filme. Mit viel Liebe für PREY, für PREDATOR 2 und natürlich für den originalen PREDATOR mit Arnold Schwarzenegger. Mit etwas weniger Liebe für PREDATOR: KILLER OF KILLERS. Und mit ein wenig Gegenliebe für PREDATORS oder eben PREDATOR: UPGRADE. Deswegen auch noch mal ein Hinweis: es wird einige SPOILER über die alten Filme geben, bei dem allerneusten haben wir uns in Grenzen gehalten. Wir hoffen aber, Ihr habt trotzdem viel Spaß mit dieser Folge oder dann vielleicht auch mit PREDATOR: BADLANDS, falls Ihr ihn denn sehen wollt. Bleibt so gesund wie gut drauf und habt ein schönes Wochenende. Bis bald. Rocket Beans wird unterstützt von fritz-kola. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Am 30. November entscheidet die Schweizer Stimmbevölkerung über die Erbschaftssteuer-Initiative der Juso: Auf Erbschaften und Schenkungen soll künftig ab einem Freibetrag von 50 Millionen Franken eine Steuer von 50 Prozent erhoben werden. Die Einnahmen sollen in den Klimaschutz investiert werden. Kaum ein Volksbegehren hat bereits vor dem eigentlichen Abstimmungskampf derart für Aufsehen gesorgt wie die Erbschaftssteuer-Initiative der Juso. Befürworterinnen und Gegner streiten über die Folgen der Initiative, welche eine Erbschaftssteuer von 50 Prozent ab einem Freibetrag von 50 Millionen Franken verlangt. Zur Einordnung: Über ein Vermögen von mehr als 50 Millionen Franken verfügen gemäss Botschaft des Bundesrats in der Schweiz etwa 2500 Personen. Die Einnahmen aus der neuen Steuer sollen für die «sozial gerechte Bekämpfung der Klimakrise» verwendet werden. Gerecht oder gefährlich? Die Befürworter betonen, dass mit den reichen Personen die Verantwortlichen zur Kasse gebeten würden: Sie belasteten das Klima stärker als der Durchschnitt, deshalb sei es nur gerecht, wenn diese einen grösseren Beitrag an den Klimaschutz leisten würden. Die Gegnerinnen warnen: Die Initiative würde die stärksten Steuerzahler vertreiben und Familienunternehmen zerstören. Das führe zu Steuerausfällen, die der Mittelstand tragen müsste. Sorgt die Initiative für eine faire und ausreichend finanzierte Klimapolitik? Oder gefährdet sie Schweizer Unternehmen und zerstört Arbeitsplätze? Zu diesen Fragen begrüsst Sandro Brotz am 5. November 2025 als Befürworterinnen und Befürworter der Vorlage: – Mirjam Hostetmann, Präsidentin Juso; – Katharina Prelicz-Huber, Nationalrätin Grüne/ZH; und – David Roth, Vize-Präsident SP. Gegen die Vorlage treten an: – Karin Keller-Sutter, Bundespräsidentin und Vorsteherin EFD; – Peter Spuhler, Verwaltungsratspräsident Stadler Rail; und – Jürg Grossen, Präsident GLP. Politabend mit «Rundschau» und «Arena» SRF macht den Mittwoch ein weiteres Mal zum Politabend. Am 5. November 2025 sendet SRF 1 eine «Abstimmungs-Arena» im Anschluss an die «Rundschau», die sich ebenfalls mit der Erbschaftssteuer-Initiative der Juso befasst. SRF möchte mit diesem Format der Abstimmung noch mehr Sichtbarkeit verschaffen. «Rundschau»: Angriff auf Superreiche – Reportage zur Erbschaftssteuer Selten hat eine Abstimmungsvorlage so polarisiert: die Zukunftsinitiative der Juso. Die «Rundschau» ist unterwegs mit vermögenden Unternehmern und Jungsozialisten. Milliardär Urs Wietlisbach äussert sich erstmals zur Erbschaftssteuer-Initiative der Juso.

Sollen künftig alle jungen Menschen einen Dienst für die Allgemeinheit leisten – Männer wie auch Frauen? GLP-Nationalrat und Befürworter Beat Flach und Mitte-Ständerätin und Gegnerin Andrea Gmür diskutieren über die Service-citoyen-Initiative, über die wir am 30. November abstimmen. Die Service-citoyen-Initiative verlangt, dass das heutige Wehrpflichtsystem abgelöst wird von einem Dienst für die Allgemeinheit. Alle, Männer und Frauen, sollen künftig einen Dienst für die Sicherheit, die Umwelt oder die Gemeinschaft leisten. Dieser Dienst kann in der Armee, im Zivilschutz oder in anderen Bereichen wie Umwelt- und Katastrophenschutz geleistet werden. Die Bestände von Armee und Zivilschutz sollen in der Verfassung garantiert werden. Die Gegnerinnen und Gegner befürchten eine Schwächung der Armee, weil die Wehrpflicht abgeschafft würde. Zudem widerspreche die Initiative dem Zwangsarbeitsverbot nach UNO-Konvention hätte hohe Kosten für den Staat und die Wirtschaft zur Folge. Auch wird eingewendet, dass Frauen heute bereits viel Care-Arbeit leisten und es unfair wäre, ihnen weitere Pflichten aufzuerlegen. Die Abstimmungskontroverse leitet Livia Middendorp.

A long-awaited Aged Care Act is coming into force, four years after a Royal Commission recommended major reforms to the sector. But there are concerns many people will end up paying more for care... - In Australien ist am vergangenen Samstag ein lang erwartetes Gesetz zur Altenpflege in Kraft getreten. Vier Jahre hat es gedauert, bis die Bundesregierung die Reformen, die eine Royal Commission damals empfohlen hatte, endlich umsetzen konnte. Doch in der Bevölkerung herrscht die Befürchtung, dass auf Betroffene am Ende auch höhere Pflegekosten zukommen.

Timothy Schuster hat es nicht leicht: er verliert seinen Job und seine Frau lässt sich von ihm scheiden. Als seine Brieftasche, seine Schlüssel und sein Handy in seinem Zuhause gefunden werden und auch sein Auto noch dort steht, vermuten seine Freunde das Schlimmste. Fünf Tage später bestätigen sich diese Befürchtungen, als Tim gefunden wird. Doch womit niemand gerechnet hat, ist, WIE er gefunden wird. Oder wo. Und Sebastian und Tommy vom Podcast ok.kult erzählen eine Geschichte von einem möglicherweise verfluchten Bild, das zahlreiche Häuser in Flammen aufgehen lässt...Werde Komplizi und unterstütze diese Arbeit! ** Hier findest du alle Rabatte und Promocodes "Darf's ein bisserl Mord sein?" ist der #1 True Crime Podcast aus Österreich. Egal ob deutsche, österreichische oder internationale Fälle: mit Flair, Charme und Wiener Schmäh spricht Franziska Singer über kuriose, ungelöste und längst vergessene Kriminalfälle aus der ganzen Welt. Ob Serienmörder, Entführungen, ein Bankraub oder Femizide - bei Darf's ein bisserl Mord sein? wird jeden Montag je ein Kriminalfall ausführlich behandelt und durchleutet. Von diesen Verbrechen habt ihr bestimmt noch nie gehört! Darf's ein bisserl Mord sein? ist eine Produktion der Wake Word Studios. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

+++ Alle Rabattcodes und Infos zu unseren Sponsoren findet ihr hier: https://linktr.ee/SoBinIchEben_Podcast+++ Wichtige Info: So bin ich eben hört ihr ab jetzt zuerst und kostenfrei bei RTL+ So bin ich eben! - Stefanie Stahls Psychologie-Podcast | Podcast online hören | RTL+. Hier gibt`s die neuen Folgen bereits eine Woche früher. Alle Folgen sind dann aber auch weiterhin auf allen anderen Plattformen verfügbar! ++++++ Lade SAILY in deinem App-Store herunter und verwende beim Bezahlen unseren Code "sobinicheben", um einen exklusiven Rabatt von 15% auf deinen ersten Einkauf zu erhalten

Die neue SRG-Chefin Susanne Wille steht unter Druck: Anfang Jahr hat die SRG mit dem UKW-Ausstieg hunderttausende Radiohörerinnen und -hörer verloren. Der Spardruck wirkt sich aufs Angebot aus. Und die Abstimmung über die 200-Franken-Initiative steht vor der Tür. Der Einbruch bei den Radios der SRG sind markant: Hundertausende Menschen haben nach dem Ende der UKW-Übertragung zu privaten oder ausländische Radiostationen gewechselt. War der vorzeitige Ausstieg ein Fehler? Und wie reagiert die SRG, wenn das Parlament UKW noch einmal verlängert? Kritische Fragen an Susanne Wille. Ohnehin hatte die neue Generaldirektorin kein geruhsames erstes Amtsjahr. Gleich am ersten Tag als oberste SRG-Chefin stimmte sie Personal und Öffentlichkeit auf ein umfangreiches Sparprogramm ein. Hintergrund sind sinkende Werbeeinnahmen aber vor allem die bevorstehende Senkung der Radio- und Fernseh-Abgabe von 335 auf 300 Franken pro Haushalt und Jahr. Kritiker allerdings nehmen der SRG den Sparwillen immer noch nicht ab – was ist da dran? Und: Wie einschneidend wird der kommende Abbau beim Angebot? Die für die SRG wohl grösste Bedrohung ist die SRG-Initiative «200 Franken sind genug», auch Halbierungsinitiative genannt. In wenigen Monaten stimmen wir ab. Wie kontert Susanne Wille die Argumente der Befürworterinnen und Befürworter? Vor wenigen Monaten hat die SRG – auch im Hinblick auf die Abstimmung – mit den Verlegern eine Vereinbarung getroffen: Sie sieht zahlreiche Zugeständnisse an die privaten Verlage vor. Hat sich die SRG erpressen lassen, wie Kritiker sagen? SRG-Generaldirektorin Susanne Wille ist Gast bei Dominik Meier. Ergänzend zum Tagesgespräch finden Sie jeden Samstag in unserem Kanal die aktuelle Samstagsrundschau.

Seit Jahren will die EU die Verfolgung sexueller Gewalt gegen Kinder erleichtern. Nun wurde erneut ein Kompromiss verworfen. Befürworter wollten Messengerdienste zu Kontrollen verpflichten. Kritiker sprechen von „anlassloser Chatkontrolle“. Loll, Anna www.deutschlandfunk.de, Hintergrund

Nick Lloyd's "The Western Front: The History of the Great War, Volume 1" provides a comprehensive narrative of the Great War in Belgium and France from 1914 to 1918. As the first volume of a planned trilogy, this work aims to offer a nuanced understanding of this pivotal theater, moving beyond common myths and focusing on the operational perspective of senior commanders across all involved powers. 1918 JOHN MONASH Here's a summary of the key aspects, figures, and events covered: Lloyd's Ambition and Approach Comprehensive Narrative: Lloyd, a reader in military and imperial history at King's College London, undertook this "big project" to create a grand narrative of the entire Western Front, encompassing the French sector, American sector, and the German story, alongside the often-emphasized British perspective. Focus on Senior Commanders: A primary goal was to view the war from the lens of senior commanders, challenging the traditional portrayal of them as "donkeys or butchers and bunglers." Lloyd aims to help readers appreciate the immense pressures and difficulties these individuals faced, offering a "cooler perspective" on their successes and errors. Trilogy: This book is the first of three volumes; future volumes will cover the Eastern Front and global warfare in the Middle East and Africa. Lloyd emphasizes that while other fronts are mentioned, the Western Front remained the decisive theater where Germany, France, Britain, and America determined the war's outcome. British Involvement and Leadership Initial Reluctance: Britain initially entered the conflict with a limited commitment, deploying only four infantry divisions and one cavalry division as the British Expeditionary Force (BEF), a "small army" compared to the French (80 divisions) and Germans (over 100 divisions). This reflected a desire for "limited liability" to the Western Front, contrasting sharply with French demands for more manpower. Early Leaders: H.H. Asquith (Prime Minister) was reportedly distracted by personal affairs at the war's outset. Lord Kitchener (Minister of War) was a professional soldier and hero of the empire, wary of deep British involvement but committed to supporting the French. Field Marshal Sir John French (Commander-in-Chief, BEF) was a Boer War hero who found himself "out of his depth" by 1914, struggling with the war's scale and intensity. During the August 1914 retreat, French considered pulling the BEF out of the line due to immense losses and pressure, a move Kitchener personally intervened to prevent, ordering French to stay and fight. Frencheventually "breaks down" due to losses and pressure and is sent home at the end of 1915. Later Leadership and Strategy: David Lloyd George (Prime Minister from late 1916) is credited as "the prime minister that wins the war" in Britain. He showed great energy in revitalizing British industry and re-equipping the army, despite having poor relations with his top generals. Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig replaced French as Commander-in-Chief of the BEF. Haig and Lloyd George had fundamentally different strategic outlooks, leading to "constant arguments and backstabbing". At the Battle of the Somme (1916), Haig favored a breakthrough strategy, aiming for maneuver and cavalry deployment to defeat the German army. However, his army commander, Rawlinson, advocated a "bite and hold" strategy, focusing on concentrated artillery to smash enemy lines, take ground, then consolidate before repeating, acknowledging that a grand breakthrough was not yet feasible for the largely "green" British army. German Strategy and Commanders Initial Invasion: The German invasion of France and Belgium in 1914 was based on the ambitious Schlieffen Plan, which aimed for a massive attack through Belgium to outflank French defenses and destroy their army in a grand battle of envelopment. Helmuth von Moltke the Younger (Chief of the General Staff) was under immense pressure and altered the Schlieffen Plan, weakening its critical right wing, and ultimately suffered a nervous breakdown by mid-September 1914. Moltke's controversial decision to order General Kluck's First Army to turn southeast instead of enveloping Paris contributed to the failure of the Schlieffen Plan, despite Kluck initially ignoring the order. Kaiser Wilhelm: His character was inconsistent, often described as a "weather vane," and he gradually became a less central figure as Hindenburg and Ludendorff gained influence from 1916. Erich von Falkenhayn (replaces Moltke in 1914) was the architect of the Verdun Offensive (1916). His vision was unique, aiming not for territorial gains but for attrition: to "kill Frenchmen" and exhaust them. Political Interference: Chancellor Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg often opposed Falkenhayn's desire for unrestricted submarine warfare due to diplomatic concerns (e.g., fear of American entry), illustrating the German military's tendency to prioritize tactical effectiveness over political and strategic issues, which was ultimately "fatal". French Efforts and Leadership Joseph Joffre (Commander of French Forces): Described as a "great hero" of the French army, Joffrepossessed remarkable calmness and an ability to absorb punishment and react quickly. His leadership was crucial in defeating the Schlieffen Plan and counterattacking at the Battle of the Marne in September 1914, preventing a German victory. Raymond Poincaré (President of the French Republic): A nationalist deeply involved in military analysis, Poincaré was central to the political efforts to reassert civilian primacy over the army and secure British manpower commitments. General Castelnau (Joffre's chief of staff): A deeply religious man who personally lost three sons in the war, Castelnau exemplifies the human cost and personal horror experienced by some senior commanders, helping to humanize these figures in Lloyd's narrative. Robert Nivelle: An artillery officer who rose rapidly due to his successes at Verdun, Nivelle replaced Joffrein December 1916. He attempted a decisive breakthrough in his Nivelle Offensive in April 1917 with a "formula" for success, but it failed catastrophically due to his being "out of his depth" at the command-in-chief level, leading to French army issues including mutiny. Philippe Pétain: Replaced Nivelle, Pétain became a "savior of France." He was renowned for his deep understanding of battlefield realities and a strong connection with his troops. At Verdun, he innovated by rotating divisions out of the line for rest and recuperation, contrasting with the German practice of fighting units "until basically there's not a lot left". Ferdinand Foch (Supreme Allied Commander from April 1918): Foch is widely regarded as one of the most important generals of the war. He was an energetic and charismatic leader who successfully coordinated the American, British, and French forces in 1918, leading them to victory in the multinational war. His reputation continues to strengthen over time. American Involvement Entry into War: The United States declared war on Germany and Austria in April 1917. General John J. Pershing arrived in Paris in June 1917 to lead the American Expeditionary Force (AEF), despite having only 113,000 men in the army at the time. Rejection of Amalgamation: Pershing steadfastly resisted French and British desires to "amalgamate" American manpower into their existing divisions, insisting that American soldiers fight as an independent army. He argued that the Allies had a poor record of "not killing your own troops". German Miscalculation: Germany severely underestimated how quickly the United States could build and deploy an army, believing it would take years. This misjudgment ultimately contributed to their defeat once the Americans demonstrated their seriousness in 1918. American involvement became "crucial" by 1917, changing the atmosphere. Evolution of Warfare on the Western Front From Movement to Stalemate: The initial German invasion failed to achieve a decisive victory, leading to the establishment of trench warfare after the Battle of the Marne. Realization of No Breakthrough: After the Second Battle of Champagne (1915), Allied and Germancommanders like Joffre and Falkenhayn began to recognize that a "grand shattering breakthrough" was not achievable in the foreseeable future. Constant Adaptation: This realization led to a continuous arms race. As Allied artillery and tactics improved, German defenses evolved from single lines to complex "zones of pill boxes," making progress difficult and bloody. The war became an intense exercise in violence where commanders constantly adapted to a "cauldron of war". Key Battles and Their Significance Battle of the Marne (September 1914): Joffre's successful counterattack forced the Germans to retreat, effectively ending the Schlieffen Plan and leading to the beginning of trench warfare. Second Battle of Champagne (September-October 1915): A major French offensive that, despite immense effort and casualties, failed to achieve a decisive breakthrough, solidifying the understanding that trench deadlock could not be easily broken. Verdun (1916): Falkenhayn's attrition battle, designed to "kill Frenchmen," concentrated immense firepower in a small area, creating a "moonscape effect." While not decisive in destroying the French, it was a moment where "things start to go wrong for Germany," from which she never truly recovers. Somme (1916): A British and French offensive intended to relieve pressure on Verdun, but also driven by Haig's ambition for a breakthrough. The debate between breakthrough and Rawlinson's "bite and hold" strategy highlighted the dilemmas of Western Front warfare. Nivelle Offensive (April 1917): A disastrous French attempt at a breakthrough, which highlighted Nivelle'soverreach and led to significant disillusionment and mutiny within the French army. End of the War and its Legacy German Defeat: Lloyd's book argues that the German army was "falling apart" and "defeated rapidly in 1918" despite the persistent "stab in the back" myth that claimed they were betrayed at home. Armistice Decision: The decision by the Allies not to invade Germany was primarily political, as the British and French were "totally exhausted," while the Americans were "much fresher" and more keen to continue. Lloyd considers the armistice "fair on all sides". Lloyd's work underscores that the Western Front was a complex, multinational struggle marked by evolving strategies, immense pressures on commanders, and profound human costs, which ultimately determined the course of the Great War and cast a long shadow over the 20th century.

Nick Lloyd's "The Western Front: The History of the Great War, Volume 1" provides a comprehensive narrative of the Great War in Belgium and France from 1914 to 1918. As the first volume of a planned trilogy, this work aims to offer a nuanced understanding of this pivotal theater, moving beyond common myths and focusing on the operational perspective of senior commanders across all involved powers. 1914 ROYAL FLYING CORPS Here's a summary of the key aspects, figures, and events covered: Lloyd's Ambition and Approach Comprehensive Narrative: Lloyd, a reader in military and imperial history at King's College London, undertook this "big project" to create a grand narrative of the entire Western Front, encompassing the French sector, American sector, and the German story, alongside the often-emphasized British perspective. Focus on Senior Commanders: A primary goal was to view the war from the lens of senior commanders, challenging the traditional portrayal of them as "donkeys or butchers and bunglers." Lloyd aims to help readers appreciate the immense pressures and difficulties these individuals faced, offering a "cooler perspective" on their successes and errors. Trilogy: This book is the first of three volumes; future volumes will cover the Eastern Front and global warfare in the Middle East and Africa. Lloyd emphasizes that while other fronts are mentioned, the Western Front remained the decisive theater where Germany, France, Britain, and America determined the war's outcome. British Involvement and Leadership Initial Reluctance: Britain initially entered the conflict with a limited commitment, deploying only four infantry divisions and one cavalry division as the British Expeditionary Force (BEF), a "small army" compared to the French (80 divisions) and Germans (over 100 divisions). This reflected a desire for "limited liability" to the Western Front, contrasting sharply with French demands for more manpower. Early Leaders: H.H. Asquith (Prime Minister) was reportedly distracted by personal affairs at the war's outset. Lord Kitchener (Minister of War) was a professional soldier and hero of the empire, wary of deep British involvement but committed to supporting the French. Field Marshal Sir John French (Commander-in-Chief, BEF) was a Boer War hero who found himself "out of his depth" by 1914, struggling with the war's scale and intensity. During the August 1914 retreat, French considered pulling the BEF out of the line due to immense losses and pressure, a move Kitchener personally intervened to prevent, ordering French to stay and fight. Frencheventually "breaks down" due to losses and pressure and is sent home at the end of 1915. Later Leadership and Strategy: David Lloyd George (Prime Minister from late 1916) is credited as "the prime minister that wins the war" in Britain. He showed great energy in revitalizing British industry and re-equipping the army, despite having poor relations with his top generals. Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig replaced French as Commander-in-Chief of the BEF. Haig and Lloyd George had fundamentally different strategic outlooks, leading to "constant arguments and backstabbing". At the Battle of the Somme (1916), Haig favored a breakthrough strategy, aiming for maneuver and cavalry deployment to defeat the German army. However, his army commander, Rawlinson, advocated a "bite and hold" strategy, focusing on concentrated artillery to smash enemy lines, take ground, then consolidate before repeating, acknowledging that a grand breakthrough was not yet feasible for the largely "green" British army. German Strategy and Commanders Initial Invasion: The German invasion of France and Belgium in 1914 was based on the ambitious Schlieffen Plan, which aimed for a massive attack through Belgium to outflank French defenses and destroy their army in a grand battle of envelopment. Helmuth von Moltke the Younger (Chief of the General Staff) was under immense pressure and altered the Schlieffen Plan, weakening its critical right wing, and ultimately suffered a nervous breakdown by mid-September 1914. Moltke's controversial decision to order General Kluck's First Army to turn southeast instead of enveloping Paris contributed to the failure of the Schlieffen Plan, despite Kluck initially ignoring the order. Kaiser Wilhelm: His character was inconsistent, often described as a "weather vane," and he gradually became a less central figure as Hindenburg and Ludendorff gained influence from 1916. Erich von Falkenhayn (replaces Moltke in 1914) was the architect of the Verdun Offensive (1916). His vision was unique, aiming not for territorial gains but for attrition: to "kill Frenchmen" and exhaust them. Political Interference: Chancellor Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg often opposed Falkenhayn's desire for unrestricted submarine warfare due to diplomatic concerns (e.g., fear of American entry), illustrating the German military's tendency to prioritize tactical effectiveness over political and strategic issues, which was ultimately "fatal". French Efforts and Leadership Joseph Joffre (Commander of French Forces): Described as a "great hero" of the French army, Joffrepossessed remarkable calmness and an ability to absorb punishment and react quickly. His leadership was crucial in defeating the Schlieffen Plan and counterattacking at the Battle of the Marne in September 1914, preventing a German victory. Raymond Poincaré (President of the French Republic): A nationalist deeply involved in military analysis, Poincaré was central to the political efforts to reassert civilian primacy over the army and secure British manpower commitments. General Castelnau (Joffre's chief of staff): A deeply religious man who personally lost three sons in the war, Castelnau exemplifies the human cost and personal horror experienced by some senior commanders, helping to humanize these figures in Lloyd's narrative. Robert Nivelle: An artillery officer who rose rapidly due to his successes at Verdun, Nivelle replaced Joffrein December 1916. He attempted a decisive breakthrough in his Nivelle Offensive in April 1917 with a "formula" for success, but it failed catastrophically due to his being "out of his depth" at the command-in-chief level, leading to French army issues including mutiny. Philippe Pétain: Replaced Nivelle, Pétain became a "savior of France." He was renowned for his deep understanding of battlefield realities and a strong connection with his troops. At Verdun, he innovated by rotating divisions out of the line for rest and recuperation, contrasting with the German practice of fighting units "until basically there's not a lot left". Ferdinand Foch (Supreme Allied Commander from April 1918): Foch is widely regarded as one of the most important generals of the war. He was an energetic and charismatic leader who successfully coordinated the American, British, and French forces in 1918, leading them to victory in the multinational war. His reputation continues to strengthen over time. American Involvement Entry into War: The United States declared war on Germany and Austria in April 1917. General John J. Pershing arrived in Paris in June 1917 to lead the American Expeditionary Force (AEF), despite having only 113,000 men in the army at the time. Rejection of Amalgamation: Pershing steadfastly resisted French and British desires to "amalgamate" American manpower into their existing divisions, insisting that American soldiers fight as an independent army. He argued that the Allies had a poor record of "not killing your own troops". German Miscalculation: Germany severely underestimated how quickly the United States could build and deploy an army, believing it would take years. This misjudgment ultimately contributed to their defeat once the Americans demonstrated their seriousness in 1918. American involvement became "crucial" by 1917, changing the atmosphere. Evolution of Warfare on the Western Front From Movement to Stalemate: The initial German invasion failed to achieve a decisive victory, leading to the establishment of trench warfare after the Battle of the Marne. Realization of No Breakthrough: After the Second Battle of Champagne (1915), Allied and Germancommanders like Joffre and Falkenhayn began to recognize that a "grand shattering breakthrough" was not achievable in the foreseeable future. Constant Adaptation: This realization led to a continuous arms race. As Allied artillery and tactics improved, German defenses evolved from single lines to complex "zones of pill boxes," making progress difficult and bloody. The war became an intense exercise in violence where commanders constantly adapted to a "cauldron of war". Key Battles and Their Significance Battle of the Marne (September 1914): Joffre's successful counterattack forced the Germans to retreat, effectively ending the Schlieffen Plan and leading to the beginning of trench warfare. Second Battle of Champagne (September-October 1915): A major French offensive that, despite immense effort and casualties, failed to achieve a decisive breakthrough, solidifying the understanding that trench deadlock could not be easily broken. Verdun (1916): Falkenhayn's attrition battle, designed to "kill Frenchmen," concentrated immense firepower in a small area, creating a "moonscape effect." While not decisive in destroying the French, it was a moment where "things start to go wrong for Germany," from which she never truly recovers. Somme (1916): A British and French offensive intended to relieve pressure on Verdun, but also driven by Haig's ambition for a breakthrough. The debate between breakthrough and Rawlinson's "bite and hold" strategy highlighted the dilemmas of Western Front warfare. Nivelle Offensive (April 1917): A disastrous French attempt at a breakthrough, which highlighted Nivelle'soverreach and led to significant disillusionment and mutiny within the French army. End of the War and its Legacy German Defeat: Lloyd's book argues that the German army was "falling apart" and "defeated rapidly in 1918" despite the persistent "stab in the back" myth that claimed they were betrayed at home. Armistice Decision: The decision by the Allies not to invade Germany was primarily political, as the British and French were "totally exhausted," while the Americans were "much fresher" and more keen to continue. Lloyd considers the armistice "fair on all sides". Lloyd's work underscores that the Western Front was a complex, multinational struggle marked by evolving strategies, immense pressures on commanders, and profound human costs, which ultimately determined the course of the Great War and cast a long shadow over the 20th century.

Nick Lloyd's "The Western Front: The History of the Great War, Volume 1" provides a comprehensive narrative of the Great War in Belgium and France from 1914 to 1918. As the first volume of a planned trilogy, this work aims to offer a nuanced understanding of this pivotal theater, moving beyond common myths and focusing on the operational perspective of senior commanders across all involved powers. 1914 BELGIUM Here's a summary of the key aspects, figures, and events covered: Lloyd's Ambition and Approach Comprehensive Narrative: Lloyd, a reader in military and imperial history at King's College London, undertook this "big project" to create a grand narrative of the entire Western Front, encompassing the French sector, American sector, and the German story, alongside the often-emphasized British perspective. Focus on Senior Commanders: A primary goal was to view the war from the lens of senior commanders, challenging the traditional portrayal of them as "donkeys or butchers and bunglers." Lloyd aims to help readers appreciate the immense pressures and difficulties these individuals faced, offering a "cooler perspective" on their successes and errors. Trilogy: This book is the first of three volumes; future volumes will cover the Eastern Front and global warfare in the Middle East and Africa. Lloyd emphasizes that while other fronts are mentioned, the Western Front remained the decisive theater where Germany, France, Britain, and America determined the war's outcome. British Involvement and Leadership Initial Reluctance: Britain initially entered the conflict with a limited commitment, deploying only four infantry divisions and one cavalry division as the British Expeditionary Force (BEF), a "small army" compared to the French (80 divisions) and Germans (over 100 divisions). This reflected a desire for "limited liability" to the Western Front, contrasting sharply with French demands for more manpower. Early Leaders: H.H. Asquith (Prime Minister) was reportedly distracted by personal affairs at the war's outset. Lord Kitchener (Minister of War) was a professional soldier and hero of the empire, wary of deep British involvement but committed to supporting the French. Field Marshal Sir John French (Commander-in-Chief, BEF) was a Boer War hero who found himself "out of his depth" by 1914, struggling with the war's scale and intensity. During the August 1914 retreat, French considered pulling the BEF out of the line due to immense losses and pressure, a move Kitchener personally intervened to prevent, ordering French to stay and fight. Frencheventually "breaks down" due to losses and pressure and is sent home at the end of 1915. Later Leadership and Strategy: David Lloyd George (Prime Minister from late 1916) is credited as "the prime minister that wins the war" in Britain. He showed great energy in revitalizing British industry and re-equipping the army, despite having poor relations with his top generals. Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig replaced French as Commander-in-Chief of the BEF. Haig and Lloyd George had fundamentally different strategic outlooks, leading to "constant arguments and backstabbing". At the Battle of the Somme (1916), Haig favored a breakthrough strategy, aiming for maneuver and cavalry deployment to defeat the German army. However, his army commander, Rawlinson, advocated a "bite and hold" strategy, focusing on concentrated artillery to smash enemy lines, take ground, then consolidate before repeating, acknowledging that a grand breakthrough was not yet feasible for the largely "green" British army. German Strategy and Commanders Initial Invasion: The German invasion of France and Belgium in 1914 was based on the ambitious Schlieffen Plan, which aimed for a massive attack through Belgium to outflank French defenses and destroy their army in a grand battle of envelopment. Helmuth von Moltke the Younger (Chief of the General Staff) was under immense pressure and altered the Schlieffen Plan, weakening its critical right wing, and ultimately suffered a nervous breakdown by mid-September 1914. Moltke's controversial decision to order General Kluck's First Army to turn southeast instead of enveloping Paris contributed to the failure of the Schlieffen Plan, despite Kluck initially ignoring the order. Kaiser Wilhelm: His character was inconsistent, often described as a "weather vane," and he gradually became a less central figure as Hindenburg and Ludendorff gained influence from 1916. Erich von Falkenhayn (replaces Moltke in 1914) was the architect of the Verdun Offensive (1916). His vision was unique, aiming not for territorial gains but for attrition: to "kill Frenchmen" and exhaust them. Political Interference: Chancellor Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg often opposed Falkenhayn's desire for unrestricted submarine warfare due to diplomatic concerns (e.g., fear of American entry), illustrating the German military's tendency to prioritize tactical effectiveness over political and strategic issues, which was ultimately "fatal". French Efforts and Leadership Joseph Joffre (Commander of French Forces): Described as a "great hero" of the French army, Joffrepossessed remarkable calmness and an ability to absorb punishment and react quickly. His leadership was crucial in defeating the Schlieffen Plan and counterattacking at the Battle of the Marne in September 1914, preventing a German victory. Raymond Poincaré (President of the French Republic): A nationalist deeply involved in military analysis, Poincaré was central to the political efforts to reassert civilian primacy over the army and secure British manpower commitments. General Castelnau (Joffre's chief of staff): A deeply religious man who personally lost three sons in the war, Castelnau exemplifies the human cost and personal horror experienced by some senior commanders, helping to humanize these figures in Lloyd's narrative. Robert Nivelle: An artillery officer who rose rapidly due to his successes at Verdun, Nivelle replaced Joffrein December 1916. He attempted a decisive breakthrough in his Nivelle Offensive in April 1917 with a "formula" for success, but it failed catastrophically due to his being "out of his depth" at the command-in-chief level, leading to French army issues including mutiny. Philippe Pétain: Replaced Nivelle, Pétain became a "savior of France." He was renowned for his deep understanding of battlefield realities and a strong connection with his troops. At Verdun, he innovated by rotating divisions out of the line for rest and recuperation, contrasting with the German practice of fighting units "until basically there's not a lot left". Ferdinand Foch (Supreme Allied Commander from April 1918): Foch is widely regarded as one of the most important generals of the war. He was an energetic and charismatic leader who successfully coordinated the American, British, and French forces in 1918, leading them to victory in the multinational war. His reputation continues to strengthen over time. American Involvement Entry into War: The United States declared war on Germany and Austria in April 1917. General John J. Pershing arrived in Paris in June 1917 to lead the American Expeditionary Force (AEF), despite having only 113,000 men in the army at the time. Rejection of Amalgamation: Pershing steadfastly resisted French and British desires to "amalgamate" American manpower into their existing divisions, insisting that American soldiers fight as an independent army. He argued that the Allies had a poor record of "not killing your own troops". German Miscalculation: Germany severely underestimated how quickly the United States could build and deploy an army, believing it would take years. This misjudgment ultimately contributed to their defeat once the Americans demonstrated their seriousness in 1918. American involvement became "crucial" by 1917, changing the atmosphere. Evolution of Warfare on the Western Front From Movement to Stalemate: The initial German invasion failed to achieve a decisive victory, leading to the establishment of trench warfare after the Battle of the Marne. Realization of No Breakthrough: After the Second Battle of Champagne (1915), Allied and Germancommanders like Joffre and Falkenhayn began to recognize that a "grand shattering breakthrough" was not achievable in the foreseeable future. Constant Adaptation: This realization led to a continuous arms race. As Allied artillery and tactics improved, German defenses evolved from single lines to complex "zones of pill boxes," making progress difficult and bloody. The war became an intense exercise in violence where commanders constantly adapted to a "cauldron of war". Key Battles and Their Significance Battle of the Marne (September 1914): Joffre's successful counterattack forced the Germans to retreat, effectively ending the Schlieffen Plan and leading to the beginning of trench warfare. Second Battle of Champagne (September-October 1915): A major French offensive that, despite immense effort and casualties, failed to achieve a decisive breakthrough, solidifying the understanding that trench deadlock could not be easily broken. Verdun (1916): Falkenhayn's attrition battle, designed to "kill Frenchmen," concentrated immense firepower in a small area, creating a "moonscape effect." While not decisive in destroying the French, it was a moment where "things start to go wrong for Germany," from which she never truly recovers. Somme (1916): A British and French offensive intended to relieve pressure on Verdun, but also driven by Haig's ambition for a breakthrough. The debate between breakthrough and Rawlinson's "bite and hold" strategy highlighted the dilemmas of Western Front warfare. Nivelle Offensive (April 1917): A disastrous French attempt at a breakthrough, which highlighted Nivelle'soverreach and led to significant disillusionment and mutiny within the French army. End of the War and its Legacy German Defeat: Lloyd's book argues that the German army was "falling apart" and "defeated rapidly in 1918" despite the persistent "stab in the back" myth that claimed they were betrayed at home. Armistice Decision: The decision by the Allies not to invade Germany was primarily political, as the British and French were "totally exhausted," while the Americans were "much fresher" and more keen to continue. Lloyd considers the armistice "fair on all sides". Lloyd's work underscores that the Western Front was a complex, multinational struggle marked by evolving strategies, immense pressures on commanders, and profound human costs, which ultimately determined the course of the Great War and cast a long shadow over the 20th century.

Nick Lloyd's "The Western Front: The History of the Great War, Volume 1" provides a comprehensive narrative of the Great War in Belgium and France from 1914 to 1918. As the first volume of a planned trilogy, this work aims to offer a nuanced understanding of this pivotal theater, moving beyond common myths and focusing on the operational perspective of senior commanders across all involved powers. 1914 HINDENBERG Here's a summary of the key aspects, figures, and events covered: Lloyd's Ambition and Approach Comprehensive Narrative: Lloyd, a reader in military and imperial history at King's College London, undertook this "big project" to create a grand narrative of the entire Western Front, encompassing the French sector, American sector, and the German story, alongside the often-emphasized British perspective. Focus on Senior Commanders: A primary goal was to view the war from the lens of senior commanders, challenging the traditional portrayal of them as "donkeys or butchers and bunglers." Lloyd aims to help readers appreciate the immense pressures and difficulties these individuals faced, offering a "cooler perspective" on their successes and errors. Trilogy: This book is the first of three volumes; future volumes will cover the Eastern Front and global warfare in the Middle East and Africa. Lloyd emphasizes that while other fronts are mentioned, the Western Front remained the decisive theater where Germany, France, Britain, and America determined the war's outcome. British Involvement and Leadership Initial Reluctance: Britain initially entered the conflict with a limited commitment, deploying only four infantry divisions and one cavalry division as the British Expeditionary Force (BEF), a "small army" compared to the French (80 divisions) and Germans (over 100 divisions). This reflected a desire for "limited liability" to the Western Front, contrasting sharply with French demands for more manpower. Early Leaders: H.H. Asquith (Prime Minister) was reportedly distracted by personal affairs at the war's outset. Lord Kitchener (Minister of War) was a professional soldier and hero of the empire, wary of deep British involvement but committed to supporting the French. Field Marshal Sir John French (Commander-in-Chief, BEF) was a Boer War hero who found himself "out of his depth" by 1914, struggling with the war's scale and intensity. During the August 1914 retreat, French considered pulling the BEF out of the line due to immense losses and pressure, a move Kitchener personally intervened to prevent, ordering French to stay and fight. Frencheventually "breaks down" due to losses and pressure and is sent home at the end of 1915. Later Leadership and Strategy: David Lloyd George (Prime Minister from late 1916) is credited as "the prime minister that wins the war" in Britain. He showed great energy in revitalizing British industry and re-equipping the army, despite having poor relations with his top generals. Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig replaced French as Commander-in-Chief of the BEF. Haig and Lloyd George had fundamentally different strategic outlooks, leading to "constant arguments and backstabbing". At the Battle of the Somme (1916), Haig favored a breakthrough strategy, aiming for maneuver and cavalry deployment to defeat the German army. However, his army commander, Rawlinson, advocated a "bite and hold" strategy, focusing on concentrated artillery to smash enemy lines, take ground, then consolidate before repeating, acknowledging that a grand breakthrough was not yet feasible for the largely "green" British army. German Strategy and Commanders Initial Invasion: The German invasion of France and Belgium in 1914 was based on the ambitious Schlieffen Plan, which aimed for a massive attack through Belgium to outflank French defenses and destroy their army in a grand battle of envelopment. Helmuth von Moltke the Younger (Chief of the General Staff) was under immense pressure and altered the Schlieffen Plan, weakening its critical right wing, and ultimately suffered a nervous breakdown by mid-September 1914. Moltke's controversial decision to order General Kluck's First Army to turn southeast instead of enveloping Paris contributed to the failure of the Schlieffen Plan, despite Kluck initially ignoring the order. Kaiser Wilhelm: His character was inconsistent, often described as a "weather vane," and he gradually became a less central figure as Hindenburg and Ludendorff gained influence from 1916. Erich von Falkenhayn (replaces Moltke in 1914) was the architect of the Verdun Offensive (1916). His vision was unique, aiming not for territorial gains but for attrition: to "kill Frenchmen" and exhaust them. Political Interference: Chancellor Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg often opposed Falkenhayn's desire for unrestricted submarine warfare due to diplomatic concerns (e.g., fear of American entry), illustrating the German military's tendency to prioritize tactical effectiveness over political and strategic issues, which was ultimately "fatal". French Efforts and Leadership Joseph Joffre (Commander of French Forces): Described as a "great hero" of the French army, Joffrepossessed remarkable calmness and an ability to absorb punishment and react quickly. His leadership was crucial in defeating the Schlieffen Plan and counterattacking at the Battle of the Marne in September 1914, preventing a German victory. Raymond Poincaré (President of the French Republic): A nationalist deeply involved in military analysis, Poincaré was central to the political efforts to reassert civilian primacy over the army and secure British manpower commitments. General Castelnau (Joffre's chief of staff): A deeply religious man who personally lost three sons in the war, Castelnau exemplifies the human cost and personal horror experienced by some senior commanders, helping to humanize these figures in Lloyd's narrative. Robert Nivelle: An artillery officer who rose rapidly due to his successes at Verdun, Nivelle replaced Joffrein December 1916. He attempted a decisive breakthrough in his Nivelle Offensive in April 1917 with a "formula" for success, but it failed catastrophically due to his being "out of his depth" at the command-in-chief level, leading to French army issues including mutiny. Philippe Pétain: Replaced Nivelle, Pétain became a "savior of France." He was renowned for his deep understanding of battlefield realities and a strong connection with his troops. At Verdun, he innovated by rotating divisions out of the line for rest and recuperation, contrasting with the German practice of fighting units "until basically there's not a lot left". Ferdinand Foch (Supreme Allied Commander from April 1918): Foch is widely regarded as one of the most important generals of the war. He was an energetic and charismatic leader who successfully coordinated the American, British, and French forces in 1918, leading them to victory in the multinational war. His reputation continues to strengthen over time. American Involvement Entry into War: The United States declared war on Germany and Austria in April 1917. General John J. Pershing arrived in Paris in June 1917 to lead the American Expeditionary Force (AEF), despite having only 113,000 men in the army at the time. Rejection of Amalgamation: Pershing steadfastly resisted French and British desires to "amalgamate" American manpower into their existing divisions, insisting that American soldiers fight as an independent army. He argued that the Allies had a poor record of "not killing your own troops". German Miscalculation: Germany severely underestimated how quickly the United States could build and deploy an army, believing it would take years. This misjudgment ultimately contributed to their defeat once the Americans demonstrated their seriousness in 1918. American involvement became "crucial" by 1917, changing the atmosphere. Evolution of Warfare on the Western Front From Movement to Stalemate: The initial German invasion failed to achieve a decisive victory, leading to the establishment of trench warfare after the Battle of the Marne. Realization of No Breakthrough: After the Second Battle of Champagne (1915), Allied and Germancommanders like Joffre and Falkenhayn began to recognize that a "grand shattering breakthrough" was not achievable in the foreseeable future. Constant Adaptation: This realization led to a continuous arms race. As Allied artillery and tactics improved, German defenses evolved from single lines to complex "zones of pill boxes," making progress difficult and bloody. The war became an intense exercise in violence where commanders constantly adapted to a "cauldron of war". Key Battles and Their Significance Battle of the Marne (September 1914): Joffre's successful counterattack forced the Germans to retreat, effectively ending the Schlieffen Plan and leading to the beginning of trench warfare. Second Battle of Champagne (September-October 1915): A major French offensive that, despite immense effort and casualties, failed to achieve a decisive breakthrough, solidifying the understanding that trench deadlock could not be easily broken. Verdun (1916): Falkenhayn's attrition battle, designed to "kill Frenchmen," concentrated immense firepower in a small area, creating a "moonscape effect." While not decisive in destroying the French, it was a moment where "things start to go wrong for Germany," from which she never truly recovers. Somme (1916): A British and French offensive intended to relieve pressure on Verdun, but also driven by Haig's ambition for a breakthrough. The debate between breakthrough and Rawlinson's "bite and hold" strategy highlighted the dilemmas of Western Front warfare. Nivelle Offensive (April 1917): A disastrous French attempt at a breakthrough, which highlighted Nivelle'soverreach and led to significant disillusionment and mutiny within the French army. End of the War and its Legacy German Defeat: Lloyd's book argues that the German army was "falling apart" and "defeated rapidly in 1918" despite the persistent "stab in the back" myth that claimed they were betrayed at home. Armistice Decision: The decision by the Allies not to invade Germany was primarily political, as the British and French were "totally exhausted," while the Americans were "much fresher" and more keen to continue. Lloyd considers the armistice "fair on all sides". Lloyd's work underscores that the Western Front was a complex, multinational struggle marked by evolving strategies, immense pressures on commanders, and profound human costs, which ultimately determined the course of the Great War and cast a long shadow over the 20th century.

Nick Lloyd's "The Western Front: The History of the Great War, Volume 1" provides a comprehensive narrative of the Great War in Belgium and France from 1914 to 1918. As the first volume of a planned trilogy, this work aims to offer a nuanced understanding of this pivotal theater, moving beyond common myths and focusing on the operational perspective of senior commanders across all involved powers. 1914-1918 US MERCHANT NAVY Here's a summary of the key aspects, figures, and events covered: Lloyd's Ambition and Approach Comprehensive Narrative: Lloyd, a reader in military and imperial history at King's College London, undertook this "big project" to create a grand narrative of the entire Western Front, encompassing the French sector, American sector, and the German story, alongside the often-emphasized British perspective. Focus on Senior Commanders: A primary goal was to view the war from the lens of senior commanders, challenging the traditional portrayal of them as "donkeys or butchers and bunglers." Lloyd aims to help readers appreciate the immense pressures and difficulties these individuals faced, offering a "cooler perspective" on their successes and errors. Trilogy: This book is the first of three volumes; future volumes will cover the Eastern Front and global warfare in the Middle East and Africa. Lloyd emphasizes that while other fronts are mentioned, the Western Front remained the decisive theater where Germany, France, Britain, and America determined the war's outcome. British Involvement and Leadership Initial Reluctance: Britain initially entered the conflict with a limited commitment, deploying only four infantry divisions and one cavalry division as the British Expeditionary Force (BEF), a "small army" compared to the French (80 divisions) and Germans (over 100 divisions). This reflected a desire for "limited liability" to the Western Front, contrasting sharply with French demands for more manpower. Early Leaders: H.H. Asquith (Prime Minister) was reportedly distracted by personal affairs at the war's outset. Lord Kitchener (Minister of War) was a professional soldier and hero of the empire, wary of deep British involvement but committed to supporting the French. Field Marshal Sir John French (Commander-in-Chief, BEF) was a Boer War hero who found himself "out of his depth" by 1914, struggling with the war's scale and intensity. During the August 1914 retreat, French considered pulling the BEF out of the line due to immense losses and pressure, a move Kitchener personally intervened to prevent, ordering French to stay and fight. Frencheventually "breaks down" due to losses and pressure and is sent home at the end of 1915. Later Leadership and Strategy: David Lloyd George (Prime Minister from late 1916) is credited as "the prime minister that wins the war" in Britain. He showed great energy in revitalizing British industry and re-equipping the army, despite having poor relations with his top generals. Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig replaced French as Commander-in-Chief of the BEF. Haig and Lloyd George had fundamentally different strategic outlooks, leading to "constant arguments and backstabbing". At the Battle of the Somme (1916), Haig favored a breakthrough strategy, aiming for maneuver and cavalry deployment to defeat the German army. However, his army commander, Rawlinson, advocated a "bite and hold" strategy, focusing on concentrated artillery to smash enemy lines, take ground, then consolidate before repeating, acknowledging that a grand breakthrough was not yet feasible for the largely "green" British army. German Strategy and Commanders Initial Invasion: The German invasion of France and Belgium in 1914 was based on the ambitious Schlieffen Plan, which aimed for a massive attack through Belgium to outflank French defenses and destroy their army in a grand battle of envelopment. Helmuth von Moltke the Younger (Chief of the General Staff) was under immense pressure and altered the Schlieffen Plan, weakening its critical right wing, and ultimately suffered a nervous breakdown by mid-September 1914. Moltke's controversial decision to order General Kluck's First Army to turn southeast instead of enveloping Paris contributed to the failure of the Schlieffen Plan, despite Kluck initially ignoring the order. Kaiser Wilhelm: His character was inconsistent, often described as a "weather vane," and he gradually became a less central figure as Hindenburg and Ludendorff gained influence from 1916. Erich von Falkenhayn (replaces Moltke in 1914) was the architect of the Verdun Offensive (1916). His vision was unique, aiming not for territorial gains but for attrition: to "kill Frenchmen" and exhaust them. Political Interference: Chancellor Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg often opposed Falkenhayn's desire for unrestricted submarine warfare due to diplomatic concerns (e.g., fear of American entry), illustrating the German military's tendency to prioritize tactical effectiveness over political and strategic issues, which was ultimately "fatal". French Efforts and Leadership Joseph Joffre (Commander of French Forces): Described as a "great hero" of the French army, Joffrepossessed remarkable calmness and an ability to absorb punishment and react quickly. His leadership was crucial in defeating the Schlieffen Plan and counterattacking at the Battle of the Marne in September 1914, preventing a German victory. Raymond Poincaré (President of the French Republic): A nationalist deeply involved in military analysis, Poincaré was central to the political efforts to reassert civilian primacy over the army and secure British manpower commitments. General Castelnau (Joffre's chief of staff): A deeply religious man who personally lost three sons in the war, Castelnau exemplifies the human cost and personal horror experienced by some senior commanders, helping to humanize these figures in Lloyd's narrative. Robert Nivelle: An artillery officer who rose rapidly due to his successes at Verdun, Nivelle replaced Joffrein December 1916. He attempted a decisive breakthrough in his Nivelle Offensive in April 1917 with a "formula" for success, but it failed catastrophically due to his being "out of his depth" at the command-in-chief level, leading to French army issues including mutiny. Philippe Pétain: Replaced Nivelle, Pétain became a "savior of France." He was renowned for his deep understanding of battlefield realities and a strong connection with his troops. At Verdun, he innovated by rotating divisions out of the line for rest and recuperation, contrasting with the German practice of fighting units "until basically there's not a lot left". Ferdinand Foch (Supreme Allied Commander from April 1918): Foch is widely regarded as one of the most important generals of the war. He was an energetic and charismatic leader who successfully coordinated the American, British, and French forces in 1918, leading them to victory in the multinational war. His reputation continues to strengthen over time. American Involvement Entry into War: The United States declared war on Germany and Austria in April 1917. General John J. Pershing arrived in Paris in June 1917 to lead the American Expeditionary Force (AEF), despite having only 113,000 men in the army at the time. Rejection of Amalgamation: Pershing steadfastly resisted French and British desires to "amalgamate" American manpower into their existing divisions, insisting that American soldiers fight as an independent army. He argued that the Allies had a poor record of "not killing your own troops". German Miscalculation: Germany severely underestimated how quickly the United States could build and deploy an army, believing it would take years. This misjudgment ultimately contributed to their defeat once the Americans demonstrated their seriousness in 1918. American involvement became "crucial" by 1917, changing the atmosphere. Evolution of Warfare on the Western Front From Movement to Stalemate: The initial German invasion failed to achieve a decisive victory, leading to the establishment of trench warfare after the Battle of the Marne. Realization of No Breakthrough: After the Second Battle of Champagne (1915), Allied and Germancommanders like Joffre and Falkenhayn began to recognize that a "grand shattering breakthrough" was not achievable in the foreseeable future. Constant Adaptation: This realization led to a continuous arms race. As Allied artillery and tactics improved, German defenses evolved from single lines to complex "zones of pill boxes," making progress difficult and bloody. The war became an intense exercise in violence where commanders constantly adapted to a "cauldron of war". Key Battles and Their Significance Battle of the Marne (September 1914): Joffre's successful counterattack forced the Germans to retreat, effectively ending the Schlieffen Plan and leading to the beginning of trench warfare. Second Battle of Champagne (September-October 1915): A major French offensive that, despite immense effort and casualties, failed to achieve a decisive breakthrough, solidifying the understanding that trench deadlock could not be easily broken. Verdun (1916): Falkenhayn's attrition battle, designed to "kill Frenchmen," concentrated immense firepower in a small area, creating a "moonscape effect." While not decisive in destroying the French, it was a moment where "things start to go wrong for Germany," from which she never truly recovers. Somme (1916): A British and French offensive intended to relieve pressure on Verdun, but also driven by Haig's ambition for a breakthrough. The debate between breakthrough and Rawlinson's "bite and hold" strategy highlighted the dilemmas of Western Front warfare. Nivelle Offensive (April 1917): A disastrous French attempt at a breakthrough, which highlighted Nivelle'soverreach and led to significant disillusionment and mutiny within the French army. End of the War and its Legacy German Defeat: Lloyd's book argues that the German army was "falling apart" and "defeated rapidly in 1918" despite the persistent "stab in the back" myth that claimed they were betrayed at home. Armistice Decision: The decision by the Allies not to invade Germany was primarily political, as the British and French were "totally exhausted," while the Americans were "much fresher" and more keen to continue. Lloyd considers the armistice "fair on all sides". Lloyd's work underscores that the Western Front was a complex, multinational struggle marked by evolving strategies, immense pressures on commanders, and profound human costs, which ultimately determined the course of the Great War and cast a long shadow over the 20th century.

Nick Lloyd's "The Western Front: The History of the Great War, Volume 1" provides a comprehensive narrative of the Great War in Belgium and France from 1914 to 1918. As the first volume of a planned trilogy, this work aims to offer a nuanced understanding of this pivotal theater, moving beyond common myths and focusing on the operational perspective of senior commanders across all involved powers. 1916 VERDUN Here's a summary of the key aspects, figures, and events covered: Lloyd's Ambition and Approach Comprehensive Narrative: Lloyd, a reader in military and imperial history at King's College London, undertook this "big project" to create a grand narrative of the entire Western Front, encompassing the French sector, American sector, and the German story, alongside the often-emphasized British perspective. Focus on Senior Commanders: A primary goal was to view the war from the lens of senior commanders, challenging the traditional portrayal of them as "donkeys or butchers and bunglers." Lloyd aims to help readers appreciate the immense pressures and difficulties these individuals faced, offering a "cooler perspective" on their successes and errors. Trilogy: This book is the first of three volumes; future volumes will cover the Eastern Front and global warfare in the Middle East and Africa. Lloyd emphasizes that while other fronts are mentioned, the Western Front remained the decisive theater where Germany, France, Britain, and America determined the war's outcome. British Involvement and Leadership Initial Reluctance: Britain initially entered the conflict with a limited commitment, deploying only four infantry divisions and one cavalry division as the British Expeditionary Force (BEF), a "small army" compared to the French (80 divisions) and Germans (over 100 divisions). This reflected a desire for "limited liability" to the Western Front, contrasting sharply with French demands for more manpower. Early Leaders: H.H. Asquith (Prime Minister) was reportedly distracted by personal affairs at the war's outset. Lord Kitchener (Minister of War) was a professional soldier and hero of the empire, wary of deep British involvement but committed to supporting the French. Field Marshal Sir John French (Commander-in-Chief, BEF) was a Boer War hero who found himself "out of his depth" by 1914, struggling with the war's scale and intensity. During the August 1914 retreat, French considered pulling the BEF out of the line due to immense losses and pressure, a move Kitchener personally intervened to prevent, ordering French to stay and fight. Frencheventually "breaks down" due to losses and pressure and is sent home at the end of 1915. Later Leadership and Strategy: David Lloyd George (Prime Minister from late 1916) is credited as "the prime minister that wins the war" in Britain. He showed great energy in revitalizing British industry and re-equipping the army, despite having poor relations with his top generals. Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig replaced French as Commander-in-Chief of the BEF. Haig and Lloyd George had fundamentally different strategic outlooks, leading to "constant arguments and backstabbing". At the Battle of the Somme (1916), Haig favored a breakthrough strategy, aiming for maneuver and cavalry deployment to defeat the German army. However, his army commander, Rawlinson, advocated a "bite and hold" strategy, focusing on concentrated artillery to smash enemy lines, take ground, then consolidate before repeating, acknowledging that a grand breakthrough was not yet feasible for the largely "green" British army. German Strategy and Commanders Initial Invasion: The German invasion of France and Belgium in 1914 was based on the ambitious Schlieffen Plan, which aimed for a massive attack through Belgium to outflank French defenses and destroy their army in a grand battle of envelopment. Helmuth von Moltke the Younger (Chief of the General Staff) was under immense pressure and altered the Schlieffen Plan, weakening its critical right wing, and ultimately suffered a nervous breakdown by mid-September 1914. Moltke's controversial decision to order General Kluck's First Army to turn southeast instead of enveloping Paris contributed to the failure of the Schlieffen Plan, despite Kluck initially ignoring the order. Kaiser Wilhelm: His character was inconsistent, often described as a "weather vane," and he gradually became a less central figure as Hindenburg and Ludendorff gained influence from 1916. Erich von Falkenhayn (replaces Moltke in 1914) was the architect of the Verdun Offensive (1916). His vision was unique, aiming not for territorial gains but for attrition: to "kill Frenchmen" and exhaust them. Political Interference: Chancellor Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg often opposed Falkenhayn's desire for unrestricted submarine warfare due to diplomatic concerns (e.g., fear of American entry), illustrating the German military's tendency to prioritize tactical effectiveness over political and strategic issues, which was ultimately "fatal". French Efforts and Leadership Joseph Joffre (Commander of French Forces): Described as a "great hero" of the French army, Joffrepossessed remarkable calmness and an ability to absorb punishment and react quickly. His leadership was crucial in defeating the Schlieffen Plan and counterattacking at the Battle of the Marne in September 1914, preventing a German victory. Raymond Poincaré (President of the French Republic): A nationalist deeply involved in military analysis, Poincaré was central to the political efforts to reassert civilian primacy over the army and secure British manpower commitments. General Castelnau (Joffre's chief of staff): A deeply religious man who personally lost three sons in the war, Castelnau exemplifies the human cost and personal horror experienced by some senior commanders, helping to humanize these figures in Lloyd's narrative. Robert Nivelle: An artillery officer who rose rapidly due to his successes at Verdun, Nivelle replaced Joffrein December 1916. He attempted a decisive breakthrough in his Nivelle Offensive in April 1917 with a "formula" for success, but it failed catastrophically due to his being "out of his depth" at the command-in-chief level, leading to French army issues including mutiny. Philippe Pétain: Replaced Nivelle, Pétain became a "savior of France." He was renowned for his deep understanding of battlefield realities and a strong connection with his troops. At Verdun, he innovated by rotating divisions out of the line for rest and recuperation, contrasting with the German practice of fighting units "until basically there's not a lot left". Ferdinand Foch (Supreme Allied Commander from April 1918): Foch is widely regarded as one of the most important generals of the war. He was an energetic and charismatic leader who successfully coordinated the American, British, and French forces in 1918, leading them to victory in the multinational war. His reputation continues to strengthen over time. American Involvement Entry into War: The United States declared war on Germany and Austria in April 1917. General John J. Pershing arrived in Paris in June 1917 to lead the American Expeditionary Force (AEF), despite having only 113,000 men in the army at the time. Rejection of Amalgamation: Pershing steadfastly resisted French and British desires to "amalgamate" American manpower into their existing divisions, insisting that American soldiers fight as an independent army. He argued that the Allies had a poor record of "not killing your own troops". German Miscalculation: Germany severely underestimated how quickly the United States could build and deploy an army, believing it would take years. This misjudgment ultimately contributed to their defeat once the Americans demonstrated their seriousness in 1918. American involvement became "crucial" by 1917, changing the atmosphere. Evolution of Warfare on the Western Front From Movement to Stalemate: The initial German invasion failed to achieve a decisive victory, leading to the establishment of trench warfare after the Battle of the Marne. Realization of No Breakthrough: After the Second Battle of Champagne (1915), Allied and Germancommanders like Joffre and Falkenhayn began to recognize that a "grand shattering breakthrough" was not achievable in the foreseeable future. Constant Adaptation: This realization led to a continuous arms race. As Allied artillery and tactics improved, German defenses evolved from single lines to complex "zones of pill boxes," making progress difficult and bloody. The war became an intense exercise in violence where commanders constantly adapted to a "cauldron of war". Key Battles and Their Significance Battle of the Marne (September 1914): Joffre's successful counterattack forced the Germans to retreat, effectively ending the Schlieffen Plan and leading to the beginning of trench warfare. Second Battle of Champagne (September-October 1915): A major French offensive that, despite immense effort and casualties, failed to achieve a decisive breakthrough, solidifying the understanding that trench deadlock could not be easily broken. Verdun (1916): Falkenhayn's attrition battle, designed to "kill Frenchmen," concentrated immense firepower in a small area, creating a "moonscape effect." While not decisive in destroying the French, it was a moment where "things start to go wrong for Germany," from which she never truly recovers. Somme (1916): A British and French offensive intended to relieve pressure on Verdun, but also driven by Haig's ambition for a breakthrough. The debate between breakthrough and Rawlinson's "bite and hold" strategy highlighted the dilemmas of Western Front warfare. Nivelle Offensive (April 1917): A disastrous French attempt at a breakthrough, which highlighted Nivelle'soverreach and led to significant disillusionment and mutiny within the French army. End of the War and its Legacy German Defeat: Lloyd's book argues that the German army was "falling apart" and "defeated rapidly in 1918" despite the persistent "stab in the back" myth that claimed they were betrayed at home. Armistice Decision: The decision by the Allies not to invade Germany was primarily political, as the British and French were "totally exhausted," while the Americans were "much fresher" and more keen to continue. Lloyd considers the armistice "fair on all sides". Lloyd's work underscores that the Western Front was a complex, multinational struggle marked by evolving strategies, immense pressures on commanders, and profound human costs, which ultimately determined the course of the Great War and cast a long shadow over the 20th century.

Nick Lloyd's "The Western Front: The History of the Great War, Volume 1" provides a comprehensive narrative of the Great War in Belgium and France from 1914 to 1918. As the first volume of a planned trilogy, this work aims to offer a nuanced understanding of this pivotal theater, moving beyond common myths and focusing on the operational perspective of senior commanders across all involved powers. Here's a summary of the key aspects, figures, and events covered: Lloyd's Ambition and Approach Comprehensive Narrative: Lloyd, a reader in military and imperial history at King's College London, undertook this "big project" to create a grand narrative of the entire Western Front, encompassing the French sector, American sector, and the German story, alongside the often-emphasized British perspective. Focus on Senior Commanders: A primary goal was to view the war from the lens of senior commanders, challenging the traditional portrayal of them as "donkeys or butchers and bunglers." Lloyd aims to help readers appreciate the immense pressures and difficulties these individuals faced, offering a "cooler perspective" on their successes and errors. Trilogy: This book is the first of three volumes; future volumes will cover the Eastern Front and global warfare in the Middle East and Africa. Lloyd emphasizes that while other fronts are mentioned, the Western Front remained the decisive theater where Germany, France, Britain, and America determined the war's outcome. British Involvement and Leadership Initial Reluctance: Britain initially entered the conflict with a limited commitment, deploying only four infantry divisions and one cavalry division as the British Expeditionary Force (BEF), a "small army" compared to the French (80 divisions) and Germans (over 100 divisions). This reflected a desire for "limited liability" to the Western Front, contrasting sharply with French demands for more manpower. Early Leaders: H.H. Asquith (Prime Minister) was reportedly distracted by personal affairs at the war's outset. Lord Kitchener (Minister of War) was a professional soldier and hero of the empire, wary of deep British involvement but committed to supporting the French. Field Marshal Sir John French (Commander-in-Chief, BEF) was a Boer War hero who found himself "out of his depth" by 1914, struggling with the war's scale and intensity. During the August 1914 retreat, French considered pulling the BEF out of the line due to immense losses and pressure, a move Kitchener personally intervened to prevent, ordering French to stay and fight. Frencheventually "breaks down" due to losses and pressure and is sent home at the end of 1915. Later Leadership and Strategy: David Lloyd George (Prime Minister from late 1916) is credited as "the prime minister that wins the war" in Britain. He showed great energy in revitalizing British industry and re-equipping the army, despite having poor relations with his top generals. Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig replaced French as Commander-in-Chief of the BEF. Haig and Lloyd George had fundamentally different strategic outlooks, leading to "constant arguments and backstabbing". At the Battle of the Somme (1916), Haig favored a breakthrough strategy, aiming for maneuver and cavalry deployment to defeat the German army. However, his army commander, Rawlinson, advocated a "bite and hold" strategy, focusing on concentrated artillery to smash enemy lines, take ground, then consolidate before repeating, acknowledging that a grand breakthrough was not yet feasible for the largely "green" British army. German Strategy and Commanders Initial Invasion: The German invasion of France and Belgium in 1914 was based on the ambitious Schlieffen Plan, which aimed for a massive attack through Belgium to outflank French defenses and destroy their army in a grand battle of envelopment. Helmuth von Moltke the Younger (Chief of the General Staff) was under immense pressure and altered the Schlieffen Plan, weakening its critical right wing, and ultimately suffered a nervous breakdown by mid-September 1914. Moltke's controversial decision to order General Kluck's First Army to turn southeast instead of enveloping Paris contributed to the failure of the Schlieffen Plan, despite Kluck initially ignoring the order. Kaiser Wilhelm: His character was inconsistent, often described as a "weather vane," and he gradually became a less central figure as Hindenburg and Ludendorff gained influence from 1916. Erich von Falkenhayn (replaces Moltke in 1914) was the architect of the Verdun Offensive (1916). His vision was unique, aiming not for territorial gains but for attrition: to "kill Frenchmen" and exhaust them. Political Interference: Chancellor Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg often opposed Falkenhayn's desire for unrestricted submarine warfare due to diplomatic concerns (e.g., fear of American entry), illustrating the German military's tendency to prioritize tactical effectiveness over political and strategic issues, which was ultimately "fatal". French Efforts and Leadership Joseph Joffre (Commander of French Forces): Described as a "great hero" of the French army, Joffrepossessed remarkable calmness and an ability to absorb punishment and react quickly. His leadership was crucial in defeating the Schlieffen Plan and counterattacking at the Battle of the Marne in September 1914, preventing a German victory. Raymond Poincaré (President of the French Republic): A nationalist deeply involved in military analysis, Poincaré was central to the political efforts to reassert civilian primacy over the army and secure British manpower commitments. General Castelnau (Joffre's chief of staff): A deeply religious man who personally lost three sons in the war, Castelnau exemplifies the human cost and personal horror experienced by some senior commanders, helping to humanize these figures in Lloyd's narrative. Robert Nivelle: An artillery officer who rose rapidly due to his successes at Verdun, Nivelle replaced Joffrein December 1916. He attempted a decisive breakthrough in his Nivelle Offensive in April 1917 with a "formula" for success, but it failed catastrophically due to his being "out of his depth" at the command-in-chief level, leading to French army issues including mutiny. Philippe Pétain: Replaced Nivelle, Pétain became a "savior of France." He was renowned for his deep understanding of battlefield realities and a strong connection with his troops. At Verdun, he innovated by rotating divisions out of the line for rest and recuperation, contrasting with the German practice of fighting units "until basically there's not a lot left". Ferdinand Foch (Supreme Allied Commander from April 1918): Foch is widely regarded as one of the most important generals of the war. He was an energetic and charismatic leader who successfully coordinated the American, British, and French forces in 1918, leading them to victory in the multinational war. His reputation continues to strengthen over time. American Involvement Entry into War: The United States declared war on Germany and Austria in April 1917. General John J. Pershing arrived in Paris in June 1917 to lead the American Expeditionary Force (AEF), despite having only 113,000 men in the army at the time. Rejection of Amalgamation: Pershing steadfastly resisted French and British desires to "amalgamate" American manpower into their existing divisions, insisting that American soldiers fight as an independent army. He argued that the Allies had a poor record of "not killing your own troops". German Miscalculation: Germany severely underestimated how quickly the United States could build and deploy an army, believing it would take years. This misjudgment ultimately contributed to their defeat once the Americans demonstrated their seriousness in 1918. American involvement became "crucial" by 1917, changing the atmosphere. Evolution of Warfare on the Western Front From Movement to Stalemate: The initial German invasion failed to achieve a decisive victory, leading to the establishment of trench warfare after the Battle of the Marne. Realization of No Breakthrough: After the Second Battle of Champagne (1915), Allied and Germancommanders like Joffre and Falkenhayn began to recognize that a "grand shattering breakthrough" was not achievable in the foreseeable future. Constant Adaptation: This realization led to a continuous arms race. As Allied artillery and tactics improved, German defenses evolved from single lines to complex "zones of pill boxes," making progress difficult and bloody. The war became an intense exercise in violence where commanders constantly adapted to a "cauldron of war". Key Battles and Their Significance Battle of the Marne (September 1914): Joffre's successful counterattack forced the Germans to retreat, effectively ending the Schlieffen Plan and leading to the beginning of trench warfare. Second Battle of Champagne (September-October 1915): A major French offensive that, despite immense effort and casualties, failed to achieve a decisive breakthrough, solidifying the understanding that trench deadlock could not be easily broken. Verdun (1916): Falkenhayn's attrition battle, designed to "kill Frenchmen," concentrated immense firepower in a small area, creating a "moonscape effect." While not decisive in destroying the French, it was a moment where "things start to go wrong for Germany," from which she never truly recovers. Somme (1916): A British and French offensive intended to relieve pressure on Verdun, but also driven by Haig's ambition for a breakthrough. The debate between breakthrough and Rawlinson's "bite and hold" strategy highlighted the dilemmas of Western Front warfare. Nivelle Offensive (April 1917): A disastrous French attempt at a breakthrough, which highlighted Nivelle'soverreach and led to significant disillusionment and mutiny within the French army. End of the War and its Legacy German Defeat: Lloyd's book argues that the German army was "falling apart" and "defeated rapidly in 1918" despite the persistent "stab in the back" myth that claimed they were betrayed at home. Armistice Decision: The decision by the Allies not to invade Germany was primarily political, as the British and French were "totally exhausted," while the Americans were "much fresher" and more keen to continue. Lloyd considers the armistice "fair on all sides". Lloyd's work underscores that the Western Front was a complex, multinational struggle marked by evolving strategies, immense pressures on commanders, and profound human costs, which ultimately determined the course of the Great War and cast a long shadow over the 20th century.

Nick Lloyd's "The Western Front: The History of the Great War, Volume 1" provides a comprehensive narrative of the Great War in Belgium and France from 1914 to 1918. As the first volume of a planned trilogy, this work aims to offer a nuanced understanding of this pivotal theater, moving beyond common myths and focusing on the operational perspective of senior commanders across all involved powers. 1919 LONDON CHURCHILL Z PERSHING Here's a summary of the key aspects, figures, and events covered: Lloyd's Ambition and Approach Comprehensive Narrative: Lloyd, a reader in military and imperial history at King's College London, undertook this "big project" to create a grand narrative of the entire Western Front, encompassing the French sector, American sector, and the German story, alongside the often-emphasized British perspective. Focus on Senior Commanders: A primary goal was to view the war from the lens of senior commanders, challenging the traditional portrayal of them as "donkeys or butchers and bunglers." Lloyd aims to help readers appreciate the immense pressures and difficulties these individuals faced, offering a "cooler perspective" on their successes and errors. Trilogy: This book is the first of three volumes; future volumes will cover the Eastern Front and global warfare in the Middle East and Africa. Lloyd emphasizes that while other fronts are mentioned, the Western Front remained the decisive theater where Germany, France, Britain, and America determined the war's outcome. British Involvement and Leadership Initial Reluctance: Britain initially entered the conflict with a limited commitment, deploying only four infantry divisions and one cavalry division as the British Expeditionary Force (BEF), a "small army" compared to the French (80 divisions) and Germans (over 100 divisions). This reflected a desire for "limited liability" to the Western Front, contrasting sharply with French demands for more manpower. Early Leaders: H.H. Asquith (Prime Minister) was reportedly distracted by personal affairs at the war's outset. Lord Kitchener (Minister of War) was a professional soldier and hero of the empire, wary of deep British involvement but committed to supporting the French. Field Marshal Sir John French (Commander-in-Chief, BEF) was a Boer War hero who found himself "out of his depth" by 1914, struggling with the war's scale and intensity. During the August 1914 retreat, French considered pulling the BEF out of the line due to immense losses and pressure, a move Kitchener personally intervened to prevent, ordering French to stay and fight. Frencheventually "breaks down" due to losses and pressure and is sent home at the end of 1915. Later Leadership and Strategy: David Lloyd George (Prime Minister from late 1916) is credited as "the prime minister that wins the war" in Britain. He showed great energy in revitalizing British industry and re-equipping the army, despite having poor relations with his top generals. Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig replaced French as Commander-in-Chief of the BEF. Haig and Lloyd George had fundamentally different strategic outlooks, leading to "constant arguments and backstabbing". At the Battle of the Somme (1916), Haig favored a breakthrough strategy, aiming for maneuver and cavalry deployment to defeat the German army. However, his army commander, Rawlinson, advocated a "bite and hold" strategy, focusing on concentrated artillery to smash enemy lines, take ground, then consolidate before repeating, acknowledging that a grand breakthrough was not yet feasible for the largely "green" British army. German Strategy and Commanders Initial Invasion: The German invasion of France and Belgium in 1914 was based on the ambitious Schlieffen Plan, which aimed for a massive attack through Belgium to outflank French defenses and destroy their army in a grand battle of envelopment. Helmuth von Moltke the Younger (Chief of the General Staff) was under immense pressure and altered the Schlieffen Plan, weakening its critical right wing, and ultimately suffered a nervous breakdown by mid-September 1914. Moltke's controversial decision to order General Kluck's First Army to turn southeast instead of enveloping Paris contributed to the failure of the Schlieffen Plan, despite Kluck initially ignoring the order. Kaiser Wilhelm: His character was inconsistent, often described as a "weather vane," and he gradually became a less central figure as Hindenburg and Ludendorff gained influence from 1916. Erich von Falkenhayn (replaces Moltke in 1914) was the architect of the Verdun Offensive (1916). His vision was unique, aiming not for territorial gains but for attrition: to "kill Frenchmen" and exhaust them. Political Interference: Chancellor Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg often opposed Falkenhayn's desire for unrestricted submarine warfare due to diplomatic concerns (e.g., fear of American entry), illustrating the German military's tendency to prioritize tactical effectiveness over political and strategic issues, which was ultimately "fatal". French Efforts and Leadership Joseph Joffre (Commander of French Forces): Described as a "great hero" of the French army, Joffrepossessed remarkable calmness and an ability to absorb punishment and react quickly. His leadership was crucial in defeating the Schlieffen Plan and counterattacking at the Battle of the Marne in September 1914, preventing a German victory. Raymond Poincaré (President of the French Republic): A nationalist deeply involved in military analysis, Poincaré was central to the political efforts to reassert civilian primacy over the army and secure British manpower commitments. General Castelnau (Joffre's chief of staff): A deeply religious man who personally lost three sons in the war, Castelnau exemplifies the human cost and personal horror experienced by some senior commanders, helping to humanize these figures in Lloyd's narrative. Robert Nivelle: An artillery officer who rose rapidly due to his successes at Verdun, Nivelle replaced Joffrein December 1916. He attempted a decisive breakthrough in his Nivelle Offensive in April 1917 with a "formula" for success, but it failed catastrophically due to his being "out of his depth" at the command-in-chief level, leading to French army issues including mutiny. Philippe Pétain: Replaced Nivelle, Pétain became a "savior of France." He was renowned for his deep understanding of battlefield realities and a strong connection with his troops. At Verdun, he innovated by rotating divisions out of the line for rest and recuperation, contrasting with the German practice of fighting units "until basically there's not a lot left". Ferdinand Foch (Supreme Allied Commander from April 1918): Foch is widely regarded as one of the most important generals of the war. He was an energetic and charismatic leader who successfully coordinated the American, British, and French forces in 1918, leading them to victory in the multinational war. His reputation continues to strengthen over time. American Involvement Entry into War: The United States declared war on Germany and Austria in April 1917. General John J. Pershing arrived in Paris in June 1917 to lead the American Expeditionary Force (AEF), despite having only 113,000 men in the army at the time. Rejection of Amalgamation: Pershing steadfastly resisted French and British desires to "amalgamate" American manpower into their existing divisions, insisting that American soldiers fight as an independent army. He argued that the Allies had a poor record of "not killing your own troops". German Miscalculation: Germany severely underestimated how quickly the United States could build and deploy an army, believing it would take years. This misjudgment ultimately contributed to their defeat once the Americans demonstrated their seriousness in 1918. American involvement became "crucial" by 1917, changing the atmosphere. Evolution of Warfare on the Western Front From Movement to Stalemate: The initial German invasion failed to achieve a decisive victory, leading to the establishment of trench warfare after the Battle of the Marne. Realization of No Breakthrough: After the Second Battle of Champagne (1915), Allied and Germancommanders like Joffre and Falkenhayn began to recognize that a "grand shattering breakthrough" was not achievable in the foreseeable future. Constant Adaptation: This realization led to a continuous arms race. As Allied artillery and tactics improved, German defenses evolved from single lines to complex "zones of pill boxes," making progress difficult and bloody. The war became an intense exercise in violence where commanders constantly adapted to a "cauldron of war". Key Battles and Their Significance Battle of the Marne (September 1914): Joffre's successful counterattack forced the Germans to retreat, effectively ending the Schlieffen Plan and leading to the beginning of trench warfare. Second Battle of Champagne (September-October 1915): A major French offensive that, despite immense effort and casualties, failed to achieve a decisive breakthrough, solidifying the understanding that trench deadlock could not be easily broken. Verdun (1916): Falkenhayn's attrition battle, designed to "kill Frenchmen," concentrated immense firepower in a small area, creating a "moonscape effect." While not decisive in destroying the French, it was a moment where "things start to go wrong for Germany," from which she never truly recovers. Somme (1916): A British and French offensive intended to relieve pressure on Verdun, but also driven by Haig's ambition for a breakthrough. The debate between breakthrough and Rawlinson's "bite and hold" strategy highlighted the dilemmas of Western Front warfare. Nivelle Offensive (April 1917): A disastrous French attempt at a breakthrough, which highlighted Nivelle'soverreach and led to significant disillusionment and mutiny within the French army. End of the War and its Legacy German Defeat: Lloyd's book argues that the German army was "falling apart" and "defeated rapidly in 1918" despite the persistent "stab in the back" myth that claimed they were betrayed at home. Armistice Decision: The decision by the Allies not to invade Germany was primarily political, as the British and French were "totally exhausted," while the Americans were "much fresher" and more keen to continue. Lloyd considers the armistice "fair on all sides". Lloyd's work underscores that the Western Front was a complex, multinational struggle marked by evolving strategies, immense pressures on commanders, and profound human costs, which ultimately determined the course of the Great War and cast a long shadow over the 20th century.