Geopolitical Perspectives - WestExec Advisors

Dan Shapiro writes in The Atlantic: “Israel’s Massive Self-Own”

"You don’t expect logic and reason to rule the day when it comes to the Middle East. But every now and then, in a limited way, you get lucky. In July, an overwhelming bipartisan majority of the House of Representatives voted to affirm the traditional tenets of U.S. policy toward Israel: opposing attacks on Israel’s legitimacy, as articulated by the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement, and supporting a two-state solution to allow Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace, security, and [...]

Rebecca Skoryanc2019-08-26T16:01:38-04:00August 15, 2019|Geopolitical Perspectives, News|

Julie Smith writes with Torrey Taussig in Foreign Affairs: “The Old World and the Middle Kingdom”

"Europe is beginning to face up to the challenges posed by a rising China. From the political debates roiling European capitals over the Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei’s involvement in building 5G mobile networks to the tense EU-China summit earlier this year, recent events have shown that European leaders are growing uneasy in a relationship that until recently both sides saw as immensely beneficial. They worry about the political influence China has gained, especially over the EU’s smaller members, and its growing [...]

Rebecca Skoryanc2019-08-22T13:39:58-04:00August 12, 2019|Geopolitical Perspectives, News|

Danny Russel quoted in Bloomberg article, “Trump Should Court China Reformers, Ex-Obama Official Says”

“The Trump administration has prioritized 'undercutting' the world’s second-biggest economy instead of communicating properly and clouded the chances of China accommodating U.S. interests, Daniel Russel, vice president at the Asia Society Policy Institute who served as Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs under President Barack Obama, told Bloomberg Television. He emphasized a need for compromise from both sides. "'You can’t communicate with your negotiating partner through telepathy, you have to really talk,' he said from Sydney. "...Russel [...]

Rebecca Skoryanc2019-08-22T13:48:05-04:00August 8, 2019|Geopolitical Perspectives, News|

Liz Rosenberg cited in Reuters article, “China Continued Iran Oil Imports in July in Teeth of U.S. Sanctions”

“Elizabeth Rosenberg, an expert on sanctions with Center for a New American Security, a Washington-based think-tank, said if oil changes hands and even if it is then put in storage, the buyer would then be violating sanctions...” Read the full article here: Full Article

Rebecca Skoryanc2019-08-22T13:45:16-04:00August 8, 2019|Economy & Trade, Geopolitical Perspectives, News|

Meghan O’Sullivan writes in Bloomberg: “What to Look for in Any Deal Between the U.S. and the Taliban”

"For many, like me, who worked on policy toward Afghanistan for years, recent leaks about an impending agreement between the U.S. and the Taliban bring mixed emotions. It is impossible to separate any deal from President Donald Trump’s persistent declarations that he wants to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan now. Such assertions weakened the hand of America’s negotiators and inevitably color any agreement – whatever its merits – with 'America First' and the sense that the U.S. is cutting and running. [...]

Rebecca Skoryanc2019-08-22T13:38:20-04:00August 8, 2019|Geopolitical Perspectives, News|

Dan Shapiro quoted in The Jerusalem Post article, “Bucking Omar, Tlaib, Democrats in Israel Show Support of Jewish State”

"'This is significant,' said former US ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro. 'There is no question that this trip has a certain symbolic importance. And the fact that Hoyer is leading it, is an indicator of where the Democratic leaders are – and that the vast majority of freshman are of a like mind, and are not in any way dissuaded from participating.' "Shapiro, who served as ambassador from 2011 through 2017, said that this trip tells him that the 'mainstream position [...]

Rebecca Skoryanc2019-08-22T12:32:55-04:00August 5, 2019|Geopolitical Perspectives, News|

Danny Russel quoted in The Sydney Morning Herald article, “‘Far More Than a Trade War:’ Obama’s Asia Adviser Sounds Ominous Warning to Australia on China”

"'It behoves each of our governments to avail themselves of all the tools at our disposal in an effort to positively influence the conduct of the Chinese government,' Mr. Russel said. 'One of the essential components is a collaborative effort among like-minded countries, and linking arms to ensure that we are presenting a coherent and united front ... pushing for adherence to a clear set of rules and principles.' "While tariffs could be a part of that mix, 'you don't use [...]

Rebecca Skoryanc2019-08-22T12:33:16-04:00August 3, 2019|Economy & Trade, Geopolitical Perspectives, News|

Dennis Ross on NPR’s Morning Edition: “U.S. Sanctions Iranian Foreign Minister”

"The U.S. Treasury Department announced it's imposing sanctions on Iran's foreign minister. NPR's Steve Inskeep discusses the move with Dennis Ross, a former special assistant to President Obama..." Listen to the full interview here: Full Interview

Rebecca Skoryanc2019-08-22T12:32:31-04:00August 1, 2019|Economy & Trade, Geopolitical Perspectives, News|

Dennis Ross quoted in The Washington Post article, “Trump’s Faulty Claim That Iran Has Changed Its Regional Behavior”

"Reports do indicate Hezbollah has seen its funding reduced in recent months, but, according to Dennis Ross, a former U.S. ambassador and a fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, there is 'no indication whatsoever that Hezbollah is stopping any of its bad behavior.' This reduction in funding also coincides with a downturn in the Lebanese economy and, therefore, may not solely be a result of sanctions..." Read the full article here: Full Article

Rebecca Skoryanc2019-08-22T12:33:31-04:00July 30, 2019|Geopolitical Perspectives, News|

Julie Smith quoted in POLITICO article, “Trump’s New EU Foil: Another ‘Strong Female German Leader’”

"'That job was going to be tough for anyone, especially since Trump has called the EU a "foe,"’ said Julie Smith, a former Obama administration official who closely follows the transatlantic relationship. 'But putting a strong female German leader at the head of the commission will likely make it all the more difficult for the EU to strengthen ties with the Trump administration.'" Read the full article here: Full Article

Rebecca Skoryanc2019-08-22T12:37:14-04:00July 17, 2019|Geopolitical Perspectives, News|