Geopolitical Perspectives - WestExec Advisors

Bridge Colby writes with Dennis Blair in The Manila Standard: “For the Philippines, Sticking With America Is a Better, Safe Play”

"It is now clear to all that the major factor in international politics will be the US-China competition, in Asia more than anywhere else. The new Biden administration has signaled that it will pick up where the Trump administration left off and undertake an 'extreme competition' with China. Beijing, meanwhile, has made increasingly clear its aspirations to hegemony over Asia and its consequent opposition to US influence – the primary roadblock to that goal – in the region. "The question for countries [...]

Andrew Curtis2021-03-07T21:10:00-05:00March 7, 2021|Geopolitical Perspectives|

Michèle Flournoy featured on BBC Newsnight, “What’s the Plan for ‘Global Britain’?”

"As the UK government announces it will lift the cap on its nuclear stockpile and the foreign secretary says he will seek trade deals with countries that violate international standards on human rights in a leaked recording, what image is the UK projecting across the world?" Michèle Flournoy discusses with Foreign Officer minister James Cleverly, former International Development Secretary, Rory Stewart, and Professor of Global History at Oxford University, Peter Frankopan." Watch the full interview here: Full Interview

Andrew Curtis2021-03-06T00:00:54-05:00March 6, 2021|Geopolitical Perspectives|

Michèle Flournoy speaks at Duke University’s National Security Law conference, “A National Security Discussion with Ms. Michèle Flournoy”

In conversation with Maj. Gen. Charlie Dunlap, USAF (Ret.) and Executive Director of Duke University's Center on Law, Ethics, and National Security, Michèle Flournoy "offered insights on a range of topics including the recent exchange of air strikes between the U.S. and Iranian-backed militias in Syria, the Obama administration’s counterinsurgency strategy in Pakistan, the urgency of addressing climate change, Russia’s gray zone tactics against democracy, and the preparedness of the United States to compete with China…" Watch the full event here: [...]

Andrew Curtis2021-03-05T00:00:12-05:00March 5, 2021|Geopolitical Perspectives|

Danny Russel quoted in The Associated Press article, “Biden Brings No Relief to Tensions Between US and China”

"'They are restraining themselves from the normal syndrome of a new administration running into problem-solving with China,' said Danny Russel, who was assistant secretary of state for Asia during the Obama administration and is now vice president of the Asia Society Policy Institute. "Russel said Biden is 'sending out messages that have the effect of showing he’s not soft on China, that he’s not a patsy for China, that he isn’t so desperate for a breakthrough on climate change that he’s going [...]

Andrew Curtis2021-03-03T00:00:53-05:00March 3, 2021|Geopolitical Perspectives|

Michèle Flournoy featured in Hoover Institution podcast, “Are We Ready for War With China?”

"[Podcast hosts] John and Misha are joined by Tom Tugendhat MP, from London, for a discussion with Michèle Flournoy, Undersecretary of Defense for Policy in the Obama Administration, on the China challenge, whether the US is maintaining its edge in the Pacific, the role of allies, the impact of new technologies, and the threat of war..." Listen to the full episode here: Full Episode

Andrew Curtis2021-03-03T00:00:28-05:00March 3, 2021|Geopolitical Perspectives|

Danny Russel quoted in The Washington Post article, “As Biden Seeks to Restore Alliances, a Souring Japan-South Korea Relationship Presents a Challenge”

"The rocky relationship between two crucial Asian allies, Japan and South Korea, had deteriorated over the issue of wartime sex slaves. Later that year, with the help of the United States, the two countries reached a landmark agreement to resolve their historical dispute… "'When there’s a serious rift in the family, it’s hard to invite your friends over for dinner,' said Daniel Russel, an Asia Society expert who was a high-ranking foreign policy official in the Obama administration. "'Given the magnitude of [...]

Andrew Curtis2021-03-02T11:00:42-05:00March 2, 2021|Geopolitical Perspectives|

Meghan O’Sullivan writes in Bloomberg: “Saudi Arabia and the U.S. Still Need Each Other”

"The Joe Biden administration has been widely criticized for its response after declassifying an intelligence report that found Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman responsible for an operation to “kill or capture” the journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018. Secretary of State Antony Blinken acknowledged that the administration would not sanction the crown prince directly, despite the intelligence finding. This has led to predictable allegations that the desire to buy Saudi oil at least in part explains the administration’s actions, or lack thereof. "However, [...]

Andrew Curtis2021-03-02T09:00:15-05:00March 2, 2021|Geopolitical Perspectives|

Dennis Ross quoted in Fox News article, “Biden’s Release of Report on Khashoggi Killing Shows Difference From Trump’s Approach, Experts Say”

"Washington Institute experts Dennis Ross and Robert Satloff say an 'interests-oriented, not values-oriented, posture toward the kingdom' can no longer be the policy. The U.S. will continue its diplomatic alliance with Saudi Arabia, but this relationship will be different..." Read the full article here: Full Article

Andrew Curtis2021-03-02T00:00:33-05:00March 2, 2021|Geopolitical Perspectives|

Danny Russel quoted in The Wall Street Journal article, “Biden’s Plans to Rally Allies on China Are Put to the Test”

"Australia has been a target for U.S. reassurance after China drastically reduced purchases of Australian coal, wine and other goods following Canberra’s call for a global investigation into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic. "One idea, said Daniel Russel, a former top Asia official in the Bush and Obama administrations, would be to form an informal 'mutual aid society' to purchase Australian exports. 'They’re making an example of the Australians and for that reason alone the United States can’t afford to let [...]

Andrew Curtis2021-03-01T10:00:43-05:00March 1, 2021|Geopolitical Perspectives|

Meghan O’Sullivan quoted in The New York Times article, “How Biden’s Climate Ambitions Could Shift America’s Global Footprint”

"President Joseph R. Biden on Wednesday said climate change should be regarded as ‘an essential element of U.S. foreign policy and national security.’ That is likely to bring big changes for America’s role in the world. "'Addressing climate change can, and will be, a central pillar of the Biden administration’s foreign policy,' said Meghan O’Sullivan, who served as a deputy national security adviser under President George W. Bush and now leads the Geopolitics of Energy Project at the Harvard Kennedy School. 'It [...]

Rebecca Skoryanc2021-03-29T00:49:27-04:00February 2, 2021|Geopolitical Perspectives|