Geopolitical Perspectives - WestExec Advisors

Danny Russel quoted in CNN article, “Trump Administration Draws Up Plans to Punish China Over Coronavirus Outbreak”

"'There is really nobody who does not want to see China held to account for the political coverup attempt, which slowed down international awareness and allowed the virus to spread. There is a resentment around the world,' said Danny Russel, an Obama-era State Department official in charge Asia Pacific policy. 'But I think you would be hard pressed to find a political leader in Asia or Europe who does not believe this anti-China push by the Trump administration is an entirely [...]

Rebecca Skoryanc2020-05-01T14:47:02-04:00April 30, 2020|Geopolitical Perspectives|

Ely Ratner quoted in The Washington Post article, “Matthew Pottinger Faced Communist China’s Intimidation as A Reporter. He’s Now at The White House Shaping Trump’s Hard Line Policy Toward Beijing.”

"'The problem is the distance between the strategy as [Pottinger] would conceive of it and what is actually coming out as U.S. policy,' said Ely Ratner, who is executive vice president at the Center for a New American Security and worked as an high-ranking adviser to Joe Biden when Biden was vice president. 'Acting in a confrontational, unilateral way is not going to be effective unless you’re coordinating with your allies, and making the necessary investments in the United States to [...]

Rebecca Skoryanc2020-05-01T14:51:36-04:00April 29, 2020|Geopolitical Perspectives|

Michael Camilleri quoted in Americas Quarterly article, “Behind Nayib Bukele’s ‘Shocking’ Turn”

"For many, that image changed in February when Bukele sent armed soldiers into Congress to demand they fund his security plan. The images evoked darker days from the past. "'February was a turning point,' Michael Camilleri, the director of the Peter D. Bell Rule of Law Program at the Inter-American Dialogue, told AQ..." Read the full article here: Full Article

Rebecca Skoryanc2020-05-01T14:54:06-04:00April 29, 2020|Geopolitical Perspectives|

Tony Blinken participates in Chatham House virtual roundtable, “US Foreign Policy in a Post COVID-19 World”

"The coronavirus crisis has accentuated the need for US leadership and international cooperation to address the global health emergency and economic crisis. The pandemic comes at a time of profound uncertainty over America's future role in the world, its commitments to transatlantic security, and its relationship with China. "As we face the 2020 US Presidential elections, America's European partners look ahead to the potential foreign policy priorities of the next US administration. "In this conversation, Tony Blinken, US Deputy Secretary of [...]

Rebecca Skoryanc2020-05-01T14:34:51-04:00April 29, 2020|Geopolitical Perspectives|

Meghan O’Sullivan writes in Bloomberg: “Oil’s Collapse Is a Geopolitical Reset In Disguise”

"The world is on the cusp of a geopolitical reset. The global pandemic could well undermine international institutions, reinforce nationalism and spur de-globalization. But far-sighted leadership could also rekindle cooperation, glimmers of which appeared in the G-20’s offer of debt relief for some of the world’s poorest countries, a joint plea from more than 200 former national leaders for a more coordinated pandemic response and an unprecedented multinational pact to arrest the crash in oil markets. "The remarkable effort to address [...]

Rebecca Skoryanc2020-05-01T14:36:09-04:00April 29, 2020|Economy & Trade, Geopolitical Perspectives|

Celeste Wallander participates in Council on Foreign Relations event, “Update on Russia: Policy, Power, and Public Health”

"Speakers discuss recent foreign and domestic policy developments in Russia, including the proposed changes to Russia’s constitution, oil tensions with Saudi Arabia, and the Russian response to COVID-19..." Listen to the full event here: Full Event

Rebecca Skoryanc2020-05-01T14:44:04-04:00April 28, 2020|Geopolitical Perspectives|

Danny Russel writes in the Los Angeles Times: “If Kim Jong Un Dies, Who’s Next in Line for His Seat? North Korea Has No Idea”

"The fog of rumors about Kim Jong Un’s health will clear up soon. But as of now, despite persistent rumors that the North Korean leader is seriously ill or even dead, the only two things we know with certainty are that Kim uncharacteristically missed the Day of the Sun public anniversary celebrations commemorating his grandfather Kim Il Sung’s birthday, and that his private train has been observed at the station in Wonsan, a fact the South Korean government cites to bolster [...]

Rebecca Skoryanc2020-05-01T14:41:04-04:00April 27, 2020|Geopolitical Perspectives|

Michèle Flournoy contributes to Der Spiegel article, “How the Coronavirus Is Changing the World”

"Coming out of this pandemic, the U.S. will be judged by two primary factors: First, how well did we handle the pandemic domestically, both in terms of public health outcomes and the economic impact? Secondly, what role did the U.S. play on the global stage orchestrating the international response to the pandemic? "If you look at the U.S. role historically, you can see that previous administrations stepped up to deal with the AIDS epidemic and led the international community in addressing [...]

Rebecca Skoryanc2020-04-24T10:48:52-04:00April 23, 2020|Cybersecurity & Defense, Geopolitical Perspectives|

Dan Shapiro writes in Haaretz: “Will the Coronavirus Crisis Accelerate Israel’s West Bank Annexation – or Derail It?”

"The Israeli coalition government agreed to by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the leader of a shrunken Blue and White party, Benny Gantz, will make its first priority addressing the health and economic challenges of the COVID-19 outbreak. In fact, for the first six months, at least according to its own declarations, it will deal with fallout from the pandemic almost exclusively, as an emergency government. "But one unrelated issue is carved out for potential consideration during this period: Israel’s unilateral [...]

Rebecca Skoryanc2020-04-24T10:47:42-04:00April 23, 2020|Geopolitical Perspectives|

Julie Smith writes with Garima Mohan in War on the Rocks: “In A Crisis, A Fumbling America Confirms Europe’s Worst Fears”

"Europeans have been watching America’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic with alarm. Last week’s news that the United States plans to freeze funding for the World Health Organization was seen as yet another piece of evidence that the United States is shedding its traditional, global leadership role. In over one hundred interviews, emails, and texts with policymakers, analysts, and colleagues across the European continent, we have found universal shock and disappointment over both America’s failure to lead in this crisis and [...]

Rebecca Skoryanc2020-04-24T10:45:45-04:00April 23, 2020|Geopolitical Perspectives|