Welcome back to Five Questions for a General, a production of the Modern War Institute at West Point. This series features specially selected cadet hosts who are given an incredible professional development opportunity—to sit down with senior military officers and ask carefully crafted questions about everything from leadership to their unique experiences while serving, to their expectations about the future of war.
General Xavier Brunson is the commander of United Nations Command, ROK/US Combined Forces Command, and United States Forces Korea. In this episode, he joins Cadet Olivia Hanson for a wide-ranging discussion about leadership, deterrence, alliances, and the strategic future of the Indo-Pacific. He explains the complex structure of US and allied military forces in Korea, the strategic significance of the Indo-Pacific region, and why alliances remain America’s greatest asymmetric advantage in an era of renewed great power competition. The conversation also explores multi-domain operations, emerging technologies, and the timeless fundamentals of warfare: protection, posture, and sustainment.
Throughout the interview, General Brunson also offers candid insights on command, mentorship, strategic thinking, and preparing young leaders for an increasingly volatile and uncertain world. Drawing heavily on lessons learned from his father, a retired Army sergeant major, he reflects on the enduring importance of caring for soldiers, consistency in leadership, and building trust at every echelon of command.
