In this powerful episode of The Mike Litton Experience, Mike sits down with Colonel Rick Steinke (Ret.) — award-winning author, former U.S. Defense Attaché to France, senior diplomat, combat leader, and international security expert.
Rick opens up about decades of global service, from shaping post-Cold-War Europe to training Ukrainian forces, working alongside global intelligence services, serving in Afghanistan, and witnessing the long shadow of 9/11.
He also shares the inspiration behind his acclaimed Jake Fortina thriller series — including his newest release, Vital Mission — praised for its authenticity, moral depth, and real-world insight drawn from his extraordinary career.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
✔️ Why Ukraine became the “prize” in Europe — and how the Budapest Memorandum shaped everything
✔️ What NATO expansion really meant to Eastern Europe
✔️ The shocking reality of Russian child abductions during the war
✔️ How Afghanistan’s corruption and Pakistan’s border shaped a 20-year conflict
✔️ Rick’s personal accounts from 9/11, global intelligence failures, and the lessons learned
✔️ How he transitioned from military diplomat to award-winning novelist
✔️ What drives his writing, characters, and worldview
If you’re passionate about leadership, geopolitics, national security, military life, resilience, or behind-the-scenes intelligence stories, this episode delivers depth, honesty, and unforgettable perspective.
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