General Sir Patrick Sanders
The Navigator
Judgement in the fog, money, risk and the call others cannot make.
General Sir Patrick Sanders demonstrates Navigator leadership throughout this interview, charting complex geopolitical terrain with methodical clarity and long-horizon thinking. Sanders maps the Ukraine conflict, Iran's nuclear calculus, China's strategic ambitions, and the ESG defense investment paradox as interconnected systems requiring careful course-correction rather than reactive decision-making. He consistently situates current crises within deep historical patterns, framing peace as the exception and urging the West to change trajectory rather than simply extend timelines. His counsel on China, recommending strategic ambiguity and patience through a dangerous 2027-2040 window, reflects a seasoned navigator who understands when not to force confrontation. Sanders applies the same orientation to investment, identifying gaps vacated by US withdrawal as navigable opportunities for European sovereign actors.
“What we've effectively been doing is extending the timeline of this conflict, but extending the timeline of an inevitable outcome, which is some form of Ukrainian defeat and Russian victory. What we need to do instead is to change the trajectory of the conflict.”
“I think it's absolutely immoral that a fund the scale of the Norwegian sovereign wealth fund does not invest in the things that will keep us safe because we are a defensive alliance.”
“Taking the long view, not creating flashpoints and confrontations, adopting a process of strategic ambiguity over issues like Taiwan is the best course to navigate through what is approaching to be a very, very dangerous period between about 2027 and 2040.”
Money Maze Podcast: “Should Your Investment Portfolio Have the Right to Bear Arms? With General Sir Patrick Sanders”
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