Rebecca Skoryanc, Author at WestExec Advisors

McCain Institute Announces Inaugural Class of their National Security and Counterterrorism Fellowship, designed and led by Nick Rasmussen

“‘We have selected women and men of extraordinary achievement and promise who in the mold of Senator John McCain have demonstrated their commitment to national security and public service,' said Rasmussen, who joined the McCain Institute as a senior director last year. 'Simply put, investing in the personal and professional development of the most promising emerging leaders engaged in national security and counterterrorism is vital for our future...’” Learn more about the fellowship here: Learn More

Rebecca Skoryanc2019-10-04T18:51:15-04:00September 26, 2019|Press Releases|

Danny Russel quoted in The New York Times article, “China Wants the World to Stay Silent on Muslim Camps. It’s Succeeding.”

“‘Many, many governments are looking the other way and self-censoring on the issue of Xinjiang,' said Daniel R. Russel, the Obama administration’s assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs. 'Beijing is notoriously prickly about its self-declared 'core interests,' and few countries are willing to put the economic benefits of good relations with China at risk — let alone find themselves on the receiving end of Chinese retaliation...’" Read the full article here: Full Article

Rebecca Skoryanc2019-10-04T18:43:13-04:00September 25, 2019|Geopolitical Perspectives|

Michèle Flournoy writes with Stephen Hadley in The Washington Post: “Don’t Leave The Afghan Peace Talks For Dead”

"President Trump’s decision this month to call off peace talks with the Taliban should not obscure the fundamental fact that a political settlement of the Afghanistan conflict remains the best way to protect U.S. national security interests and prevent terrorist attacks from originating in the region. "The U.S.-Taliban talks conducted on the U.S. side by Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. special representative for Afghanistan, made some progress. Although the draft deal has not been made public, it reportedly established conditions under which [...]

Rebecca Skoryanc2019-10-04T18:29:07-04:00September 25, 2019|Geopolitical Perspectives|

Bridge Colby writes in The Wall Street Journal: “Don’t Let Iran Distract from China”

“The Trump administration is right to respond cautiously to last week’s Iranian attack on Saudi Arabia. As the U.S. protects its interests in the Middle East, it must not allow its military focus to be wrested away from Asia. "The threat from Iran pales in comparison to that from China. Iran’s economy is less than 1/20th the size of China’s. The leadership in Tehran may be especially hostile to the U.S., but it’s increasingly evident that their counterparts in Beijing are [...]

Rebecca Skoryanc2019-10-04T18:33:29-04:00September 24, 2019|Cybersecurity & Defense|

Dennis Ross writes in Foreign Affairs: “Iran is Testing the Trump Administration”

"On September 14, drones and cruise missiles struck Saudi Arabia’s most important oil-processing facility, at Abqaiq. The attacks don’t just threaten the global oil supply, of which Abqaiq accounts for roughly five percent. They pose a critical test for the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump. "Iran has chosen to act very brazenly with these strikes. If there is no consequence for that choice, the Islamic Republic will be even more emboldened. Worse, an ineffectual response will send a message internationally [...]

Rebecca Skoryanc2019-10-04T18:30:54-04:00September 24, 2019|Geopolitical Perspectives|

Michèle Flournoy on PRI’s The World: “Trump Gets His Military Options on Iran”

"Trump met Friday with his National Security Council to discuss military options against Iran. Military action is being considered as a possible response to a massive attack on Saudi Arabia's oil facilities last weekend. Saudi Arabia says Iran was 'unquestionably' responsible for the attack, even though it's not yet clear from where the attack was launched. Host Carol Hills speaks with Michèle Flournoy, who was Under Secretary of Defense for Policy under Barack Obama..." Listen to the full interview here: Full [...]

Rebecca Skoryanc2019-10-04T18:57:19-04:00September 20, 2019|Cybersecurity & Defense|

Dan Shapiro writes in The Washington Post: “Netanyahu Has Dominated the U.S.-Israel Relationship. What Happens If He’s Gone?”

“There are votes yet to be counted. A fraught coalition negotiation awaits. And if he clears those hurdles, indictments for corruption might lie around the corner. "It’s not over yet, and Israel’s Houdini may pull off another great escape. But after his decade in power, it’s possible to imagine the end of the Netanyahu era. It has been quite a ride. "The U.S.-Israel relationship is deep, broad and multifaceted. It comprises security, economic, technological and societal components. It is more than [...]

Rebecca Skoryanc2019-10-04T18:05:07-04:00September 20, 2019|Geopolitical Perspectives|

Mike Singh quoted in POLITICO article, “Ghosts of Iraq Hang Over Trump’s Chest-Thumping on Iran”

“‘From my experience, there is always skepticism in this type of scenario, when you’re announcing a conclusion based on intelligence you can’t share,' said Michael Singh, managing director at the Washington Institute, who worked in the George W. Bush White House. 'And it’s something that really bedevils policymakers...’" Read the full article here: Full Article

Rebecca Skoryanc2020-03-06T11:47:02-05:00September 18, 2019|Geopolitical Perspectives|

Dan Shapiro quoted in The Washington Post article, “Israel’s Two Main Parties Locked in Dead Heat as Negotiations Begin Over New Government”

"'It will take some time, but this increases the probability of Likud moving Netanyahu aside and joining a unity government with Blue and White,' said Dan Shapiro, former U.S. ambassador to Israel and research fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv. 'Of all the possible scenarios, I think that’s now the most likely...'” Read the full article here: Full Article

Rebecca Skoryanc2019-10-04T18:21:24-04:00September 18, 2019|Geopolitical Perspectives|

Meghan O’Sullivan quoted in The New York Times article, “Trump’s Challenge: Can His Word on Iran Be Trusted?”

“Americans may wonder, too, whether it is worth it, noted Meghan L. O’Sullivan, Mr. Bush’s Iraq coordinator and the author of ‘Windfall: How the New Energy Abundance Upends Global Politics and Strengthens America’s Power.’ "‘Many Americans think U.S. interests in protecting Middle Eastern oil supplies have dramatically declined,' she said on Tuesday. “‘They are largely wrong about this,' she said, 'but certainly, most Americans think the days of going to war over oil are in the past...’” Read the full article [...]

Rebecca Skoryanc2019-10-04T19:01:22-04:00September 17, 2019|Economy & Trade|

About Rebecca Skoryanc