INTERVIEW WITH LTG BEN HODGES, RETIRED COMMANDER OF THE U.S. ARMY IN EUROPE

"NATO REMAINS THE OVER-ARCHING SECURITY MECHANISM FOR EUROPE!"

Frederick Benjamin "Ben" Hodges is retired Commander of the U.S. Army in Europe. At the end of 2017 the lieutenant general ended his military career at the age of 60, after over 37 years of service. Hodges is currently working for the Center for European Policy Analysis as its Pershing chair in strategic studies and as a partner in Berlin Global Advisors. Sven Lilienström, founder of Faces of Democracy, spoke with Ben Hodges about democracy, NATO and Europe.

MR. HODGES, THE FACES OF DEMOCRACY INITIATIVE WANTS TO SUPPORT A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF DEMOCRACY IN GERMANY, EUROPE, AND AROUND THE WORLD. HOW SIGNIFICANT ARE DEMOCRACY AND DEMOCRATIC VALUES TO YOU PERSONALLY?

Ben Hodges: Democracy and democratic values are significant to me, as an American citizen, because they are the essence of our country and what we stand for. They are also what underpin the opportunities which unleash the talent and potential of Americans because they are able to pursue their dreams.

Democracy and democratic values are significant to me, as an American citizen, because they are the essence of our country and what we stand for!

I served as a soldier in the US Army for 37 and a half years and my oath was to support and defend the constitution of the United States - so protecting these values was at the core of my service as a soldier.

KEYWORD EUROPEAN SECURITY: IN YOUR OPINION, TO WHAT EXTENT WILL THE SECURITY MECHANISMS IN EUROPE CHANGE OVER THE COMING YEARS?

Ben Hodges: NATO remains the over-arching security mechanism for Europe. It has successfully protected European,...