Cybersecurity & Defense - WestExec Advisors

Mike Singh writes with Dana Stroul in The Hill: “Withdrawal of Troops Must Not End U.S. Involvement with Syria”

"The hasty withdrawal of most U.S. forces from Syria not only has immediate and grave implications for the safety of America’s erstwhile Kurdish partners and the fight against ISIS, but the United States also has ceded its single greatest source of leverage to broker an end to the conflict: the remaining one-third of Syrian territory not under the control of President Bashar al-Assad and Russia. "With American forces withdrawing under pressure — from a NATO ally, no less — the instinct [...]

Rebecca Skoryanc2019-10-25T12:13:42-04:00October 24, 2019|Cybersecurity & Defense|

Dennis Ross writes in The Hill: “Trump’s Aversion to Alliances Is Making the World A More Dangerous Place”

"Donald Trump does not like alliances. Inevitably, they require obligation and commitments and don’t fit his idea of narrow transactions that serve our interests temporarily. Like Sen. William Borah (R-Idaho) and the 'belligerent isolationists' of the 1920s and 1930s, President Trump sees no need for allies and does not want the burden of having to fulfill commitments. "In his worldview, others should take care of themselves. And that applies even to those like the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces who served our [...]

Rebecca Skoryanc2019-10-25T12:24:00-04:00October 20, 2019|Cybersecurity & Defense, Geopolitical Perspectives|

Dan Shapiro quoted in The Washington Post article, “Israelis See Trump’s Syria Pullout as A Betrayal That Could Help Unravel the Region”

“'He ran his campaign as a man in another league who had mastered the delicate diplomacy of this moment,' said Dan Shapiro, former U.S. ambassador to Israel and research fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv. 'This definitely weakens the argument.' "Israel would have objected to the withdrawal of U.S. troops under any circumstances, Shapiro said. But to have such a major policy shift dropped without notice — catching even Pentagon and State Department officials unaware — [...]

Rebecca Skoryanc2019-10-18T14:18:33-04:00October 11, 2019|Cybersecurity & Defense, Geopolitical Perspectives|

Michèle Flournoy delivers Drell Lecture at Stanford University: “U.S. National Security in an Era of Great Power Competition and Technological Disruption”

"The world is experiencing an unprecedented period of geopolitical change and technological disruption. How should we rethink U.S. national security and defense in an era of intensifying great power competition? What principles should guide US policy and presidents in the future?" Watch the full lecture here: Full Lecture

Rebecca Skoryanc2019-10-18T13:46:07-04:00October 3, 2019|Cybersecurity & Defense|

Lisa Monaco quoted in AXIOS exclusive, “Aspen Report Finds U.S. Losing Innovation Edge”

"‘Will America lead the technology that secures Americans?’ asked Lisa Monaco, co-chair of the Aspen group, in an interview with Axios. ‘Will American values be reflected in the technologies of the future?’ “The Aspen Cybersecurity Group is co-chaired by Monaco, Rep. Will Hurd (R-Texas) and IBM CEO Ginni Rometty…” Read the full article here: Full Article

Rebecca Skoryanc2019-10-10T18:34:11-04:00October 1, 2019|Cybersecurity & Defense|

Michèle Flournoy quoted in Defense News article, “The Pentagon Has Created a New Office Solely Focused on China. Is That A Good Idea?”

“… While Michèle Flournoy, who served as undersecretary of defense for policy from 2009 to 2012, sees a greater focus on China as a wise move, she worries about the unexpected effects of creating a new office. “‘I’ve found, in general, that whenever it has a problem, the first tool DoD reaches for is “let’s reorganize the boxes on the chart.” Every time you do that, you create new seams, and then you have to compensate,’ she said. As an alternative, [...]

Rebecca Skoryanc2019-10-10T18:48:30-04:00October 1, 2019|Cybersecurity & Defense|

Michèle Flournoy interviewed at The Atlantic Festival: “Defense in the U.S.: Where Politics and Innovation Collide”

Michèle Flournoy speaks with John Donovan about Mattis' departure from the Department of Defense, previous administrations' approaches to AI in defense, and, with new technologies, how the U.S. military will evolve in the coming years…" Watch the full interview here: Full Invterview

Rebecca Skoryanc2019-10-10T18:31:55-04:00September 30, 2019|Cybersecurity & Defense|

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|

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|

Lisa Monaco on Stay Tuned with Preet podcast, “Russian Asset & The 1st Female Firefighter”

"On this episode of Stay Tuned, 'Russian Asset & The 1st Female Firefighter,' Lisa Monaco, who served as Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism in the Obama Administration, joins host Preet Bharara to help answer some of your questions on: reports of an extracted Russian Spy who allegedly provided critical information about the Kremlin’s interference in the 2016 American election; the sudden departure of John Bolton as President Trump’s national security adviser; and President Trump’s cancelled negotiations with [...]

Rebecca Skoryanc2019-09-19T14:28:12-04:00September 12, 2019|Cybersecurity & Defense|