Generated by All in One SEO v5.0.0.1, this is an llms.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site.

# WestExec Advisors

Strategic Advisory Firm in DC

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://www.westexec.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [General David Goldfein Joins WestExec Advisors as a Principal](https://www.westexec.com/westexec-advisors-welcomes-general-david-goldfein-as-a-principal/) - Washington, DC – WestExec Advisors announced today that General David Goldfein, USAF (Ret.) has joined the firm’s team as a Principal.
- [WestExec Advisors Welcomes Newt McKissick as Senior Advisor](https://www.westexec.com/westexec-advisors-welcomes-mckissick/) - WASHINGTON, D.C. — August 12, 2026 — WestExec Advisors today announced that Newt McKissick, former Military Deputy to the Director at the Defense Innovation Unit, has joined the firm as a Senior Advisor, expanding the firm's ability to support innovative companies, investors, and government partners. Drawing on decades of military leadership and experience advancing emerging technologies across
- [WestExec Advisors Welcomes Lieutenant General Sean A. Gainey, USA (Ret.) as a Principal](https://www.westexec.com/sean-gainey-joins-as-principal/) - Former Commanding General of the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command brings deep expertise in autonomous systems, space, missile defense, and emerging military technologies. WASHINGTON, D.C. — July 8, 2026 — WestExec Advisors today announced that Lieutenant General Sean A. Gainey, USA, Ret., former Commanding General of the United States Army Space and Missile Defense
- [WestExec Advisors Announces Emma Doyle as Principal and Will Turner as Senior Advisor to its Growing Bipartisan Team](https://www.westexec.com/westexec-advisors-adds-doyle-turner-to-bipartisan-team/) - Senior leaders bring deep experience across the White House, Commerce Department, Congress, technology, trade, and national security policy WASHINGTON, D.C. — June 18 — WestExec Advisors, a leading strategic advisory firm, today announced that Emma Doyle, former White House Deputy Chief of Staff, has joined the firm as a Principal. The firm also announced that
- [WestExec Advisors Expands Asia Practice with Addition of Former U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper and Former U.S. Diplomat Brandon Possin](https://www.westexec.com/westexec-advisors-asia-practice-announcement/) - WASHINGTON, May 13, 2026 -- WestExec Advisors, a leading geopolitical, government affairs, and policy advisory firm, today announced the expansion of its Asia practice with the addition of Ambassador Marc Knapper, former U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam, as a Principal, and Brandon Possin, former U.S. diplomat in Japan, as a Senior Advisor. The additions come at a moment
- [WestExec Advisors Welcomes General (Ret.) Kenneth Frank McKenzie, Jr. and General (Ret.) James Hecker as Principals](https://www.westexec.com/westexec-advisors-mckenzie-hecker-principals/) - Washington, D.C. — WestExec Advisors announced today that General Kenneth Frank McKenzie, Jr., USMC (Ret.), former commander of U.S. Central Command, and General James Hecker, USAF (Ret.), former commander of U.S. Air Forces Europe, have joined the firm as Principals, bringing decades of operational leadership and strategic experience to bear for the firm’s clients. The
- [WestExec Advisors Names Former Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo as Principal](https://www.westexec.com/adeyemo-announcement/) - Washington, D.C. – March 25, 2025 – WestExec Advisors, a leading bipartisan strategic and geopolitical risk advisory firm, today announced that Wally Adeyemo, the former U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, has been named a Principal of the firm. A seasoned policymaker with expertise spanning national security, economic policy, and financial regulation, and experience in both the
- [WestExec Advisors Welcomes Johnnie Kaberle as Senior Vice President](https://www.westexec.com/kaberle-announcement/) - Washington, D.C. – March 12, 2025 – WestExec Advisors, a leading bipartisan strategic and geopolitical risk advisory firm, today announced that Johnnie Kaberle has joined the firm as Senior Vice President. A seasoned policymaker with deep expertise in congressional appropriations, national security, and government affairs, Kaberle will support WestExec's clients as they navigate the increasingly
- [WestExec Advisors Welcomes Generals Mark Kelly and Glen VanHerck as Principals](https://www.westexec.com/westexec-advisors-welcomes-generals-mark-kelly-and-glen-vanherck-as-principals/) - Washington, D.C. – January 16, 2025 – WestExec Advisors is pleased to announce that General Mark Kelly and General Glen VanHerck have been named Principals of the firm. With extensive leadership experience in the U.S. Air Force and a deep understanding of national security, defense strategy, and emerging technologies, they will provide invaluable counsel to
- [WestExec Advisors Welcomes JD Crouch as Principal](https://www.westexec.com/westexec-advisors-welcomes-jd-crouch-as-principal/) - Washington, D.C. – September 19, 2024 – WestExec Advisors today announced that former Deputy National Security Advisor Dr. J.D. Crouch II has joined the firm as a Principal. A distinguished public servant with decades of experience at the seniormost levels of government, he will advise clients working to address pressing national security concerns and navigate complex geopolitical challenges. J.D.
- [WestExec Advisors Welcomes New Senior Advisors](https://www.westexec.com/westexec-advisors-welcomes-new-senior-advisors/) - Washington, D.C. – August 13, 2024 – WestExec Advisors today announced that former Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force Shawn Barnes and former Deputy Assistant to the President and Coordinator in the National Security Council Katie Tobin have joined the firm as Senior Advisors. Distinguished public servants, they will advise clients on matters ranging from defense
- [Ambassador Erica Barks Ruggles Joins WestExec Advisors as a Senior Advisor](https://www.westexec.com/ambassador-erica-barksruggles-joins-westexec-advisors-as-a-senior-advisor/) - Washington, D.C. – June 13, 2024 – WestExec Advisors today announced that Ambassador Erica Barks Ruggles, former Head of the U.S. Mission to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), has joined the firm as a Senior Advisor. A highly respected diplomat and national security policymaker, she will advise clients on a variety of
- [Henry Haggard Joins WestExec Advisors as a Senior Advisor](https://www.westexec.com/henry-haggard-joins-westexec-advisors-as-a-senior-advisor/) - Washington, D.C. – June 5, 2024 – WestExec Advisors today announced that former State Department official Henry Haggard has joined the firm as a Senior Advisor. Henry brings the firm deep geopolitical expertise and an active global network, especially in the Republic of Korea. Following a distinguished 25-year career with the State Department, Henry retired in 2024 as
- [Deepening its Space Expertise, WestExec Advisors Welcomes Doctors Janet Kavandi and Sean Kirkpatrick as Senior Advisors](https://www.westexec.com/kavandi-kirkpatrick/) - Washington, D.C. – May 9, 2024 – WestExec Advisors today announced that former Director of NASA’s Glenn Research Center, Dr. Janet Kavandi, and former Director of the Defense Department’s All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), Dr. Sean Kirkpatrick, have joined the firm as Senior Advisors. With unrivaled understanding of both the technology and policy issues central to
- [WestExec Advisors Deepens Energy and Climate Expertise, Welcoming Daniel Poneman as Principal and Jonathan Elkind as Senior Advisor](https://www.westexec.com/westexec-advisors-welcomes-dan-poneman-and-jon-elkind/) - Washington, D.C. – April 10, 2024 – WestExec Advisors today announced that former Deputy Secretary of Energy Daniel Poneman has been named a Principal of the firm, and former Energy Department Assistant Secretary for International Affairs Jonathan Elkind has joined as a Senior Advisor. Drawing on their deep experience spanning government service, the private sector, and
- [WestExec Advisors Welcomes New Senior Advisors—Harry Broadman, Kevin Gallagher, and Kevin Merrigan](https://www.westexec.com/westexec-advisors-welcomes-new-senior-advisors-harry-broadman-kevin-gallagher-and-kevin-merrigan/) - Washington, D.C. – March 28, 2023 – WestExec Advisors today announced that former U.S. Assistant Trade Representative, Dr. Harry G. Broadman, former Commerce Department Senior Advisor, Kevin Gallagher, and former General Dynamics Vice President, Col. Kevin Merrigan, USA (Ret.), have joined the firm as Senior Advisors. With their deep expertise spanning a range of global economics,
- [WestExec Advisors Welcomes Dr. Christopher Smart as a Principal](https://www.westexec.com/westexec-advisors-welcomes-dr-christopher-smart-as-a-principal/) - Washington, D.C. – WestExec Advisors announced today that Dr. Christopher Smart, has joined the firm as a Principal. A respected economist, economic and national security policy advisor, and investment industry leader, Christopher will help clients navigate an increasingly complex geopolitical and security environment. Christopher served as Special Assistant to the President at the National Economic
- [WestExec Welcomes Ambassador Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley as a Senior Advisor](https://www.westexec.com/westexec-welcomes-ambassador-gina-abercrombie-winstanley-as-a-senior-advisor/) - Washington, D.C. – WestExec Advisors today announced that Ambassador Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley has joined the firm as a Senior Advisor. A veteran diplomat and policy advisor, Gina will assist clients as they navigate complex geopolitical situations, especially in the Middle East, build and leverage diverse and inclusive teams, and address concerns surrounding cybersecurity. Gina currently serves
- [WestExec Advisors Welcomes General Richard Clarke as a Principal](https://www.westexec.com/westexec-advisors-welcomes-general-richard-clarke-as-a-principal/) - Washington, DC – WestExec Advisors announced today that General David Goldfein, USAF (Ret.) has joined the firm’s team as a Principal.
- [WestExec Welcomes General Mike Holmes, USAF (Ret.), as a Principal](https://www.westexec.com/westexec-welcomes-general-mike-holmes-usaf-ret-as-a-principal/) - Washington, DC – WestExec Advisors announced today that General David Goldfein, USAF (Ret.) has joined the firm’s team as a Principal.
- [WestExec Names Kevin Higgins and Paul Farley Senior Advisors](https://www.westexec.com/westexec-names-kevin-higgins-and-paul-farley-senior-advisors/) - Washington, DC – WestExec Advisors announced today that General David Goldfein, USAF (Ret.) has joined the firm’s team as a Principal.
- [WestExec Welcomes Rear Admiral Lorin Selby, USN (Ret.) as a Principal and Eric Green as a Senior Advisor](https://www.westexec.com/westexec-welcomes-rear-admiral-lorin-selby-usn-ret-as-a-principal-and-eric-green-as-a-senior-advisor/) - Washington, DC – WestExec Advisors announced today that General David Goldfein, USAF (Ret.) has joined the firm’s team as a Principal.
- [WestExec Advisors Announces Rebecca Brocato and Christian Marrone as Senior Advisors](https://www.westexec.com/westexec-advisors-announces-rebecca-brocato-and-christian-marrone-as-senior-advisors/) - Washington, DC – WestExec Advisors, a Washington, DC-based global strategic advisory firm, is pleased to welcome Ambassador Dennis Ross to the team.
- [WestExec Advisors Announces John Costello as a Principal](https://www.westexec.com/westexec-advisors-announces-john-costello-as-a-principal/) - Washington, DC – WestExec Advisors, a Washington, DC-based global strategic advisory firm, is pleased to welcome Ambassador Dennis Ross to the team.
- [WestExec Advisors Welcomes Emily Horne as Senior Advisor](https://www.westexec.com/westexec-advisors-welcomes-emily-horne-as-senior-advisor/) - Washington, DC – WestExec Advisors, a Washington, DC-based global strategic advisory firm, is pleased to welcome Ambassador Dennis Ross to the team.
- [WestExec Advisors Welcomes Linda Lourie and Richard Stengel](https://www.westexec.com/westexec-advisors-welcomes-linda-lourie-and-richard-stengel/) - Washington, DC – WestExec Advisors, a Washington, DC-based global strategic advisory firm, is pleased to welcome Ambassador Dennis Ross to the team.
- [John O. Brennan, former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, joins WestExec Advisors](https://www.westexec.com/john-brennan-joins-westexec-advisors/) - Washington, DC – WestExec Advisors, a Washington, DC-based global strategic advisory firm, is pleased to welcome Ambassador Dennis Ross to the team.
- [Charlie Bolden interviewed in Politico article, “The Billionaut Boys Club”](https://www.westexec.com/charlie-bolden-interviewed-in-politico-article-the-billionaut-boys-club/) - “First of all, we really need to help the public understand that while these two flights are really geared toward — I guess space tourism is the term that people like to use. These two flights [are the] evolution of civilian or nongovernment spaceflight. “We’ve already done the really, really hard thing, which is to
- [Meghan O’Sullivan quoted in Bloomberg article, “Aramco Becomes Latest Victim of Cyber Attacks”](https://www.westexec.com/meghan-osullivan-quoted-in-bloomberg-article-aramco-becomes-latest-victim-of-cyber-attacks/) - “Saudi Arabia and Russia clinched a deal for an OPEC+ production increase by partly submitting to the United Arab Emirates’ demands for a more generous quota. Still, the compromise leaves Riyadh and Moscow — the organization’s two biggest members — further on top. They made sure of that by awarding themselves the biggest increases. The
- [Michèle Flournoy quoted in The Economist article, “Why Joe Biden Is Ending America’s Combat Mission in Iraq”](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-quoted-in-the-economist-article-why-joe-biden-is-ending-americas-combat-mission-in-iraq/) - “Mr Biden’s moves represent the start of a larger transformation in America’s posture. ‘There’s a working hypothesis…that we’re probably overinvested in the Middle East,’ says Michèle Flournoy, a former Pentagon official. ‘Despite discussions of prioritising the Asia-Pacific, we haven’t actually shifted all that much of our weight in that direction,’ she adds. The vast Al-Udeid
- [Emily Harding quoted in Voice of America article, “Biden Accuses Russia of Already Interfering in 2022 Election”](https://www.westexec.com/emily-harding-quoted-in-voice-of-america-article-biden-accuses-russia-of-already-interfering-in-2022-election/) - "'I'm not sure it's going to be a shock to anybody that Russia is looking at disinformation for the 2022 election. I think it is a really good reminder, though, that Russia continues to do this and that nothing has dissuaded them yet,' [Harding] said…” Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Danny Russel quoted in The New York Times article, “China’s New U.S. Ambassador Is Likely to Reflect Beijing’s Confidence”](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-the-new-york-times-article-chinas-new-u-s-ambassador-is-likely-to-reflect-beijings-confidence/) - “Mr. Qin’s appointment may reflect that ‘the Chinese system seems to be in a phase of favoring unswerving loyalty to the party above diplomatic achievement,’ said Daniel Russel, a former American diplomat who is now a vice president at the Asia Society Policy Institute…” Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Charlie Bolden interviewed on CBS News](https://www.westexec.com/charlie-bolden-interviewed-on-cbs-news/) - “Former NASA administrator [Charlie Bolden] breaks down the differences between Jeff Bezos’ training for today’s Blue Origin launch and typical astronaut training…” Watch the full interview here: Full Interview
- [Michèle Flournoy featured in Hudson Institute event, "Transforming U.S. Defense"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-featured-in-hudson-institute-event-transforming-u-s-defense/) - "Representative Seth Moulton (D-MA), former Undersecretary for Defense Policy Michèle Flournoy, and Jay Dryer, the Defense Department’s Strategic Command Operations director, joined a virtual conversation on transforming U.S. defense capabilities. Discussed topics included competition with China, funding for future technologies, the importance of cyber software in winning wars of the future, and investment in innovation
- [Dennis Ross writes in Bloomberg: “To Deter Iran, Give Israel a Big Bomb”](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-writes-in-bloomberg-to-deter-iran-give-israel-a-big-bomb/) - “With negotiations paused until a new hardline administration takes office in Tehran, the chances of reviving the 2015 Iran nuclear deal anytime soon are not bright. Moreover, even successful talks might not stop Iran’s leaders from pursuing nuclear weapons. The Biden administration needs to find a better way to deter them. “It’s still possible, perhaps
- [Bridge Colby quoted in Lawfare article, "Water Wars: No One in the Mood for Compromise in the South China Sea"](https://www.westexec.com/bridge-colby-quoted-in-lawfare-article-water-wars-no-one-in-the-mood-for-compromise-in-the-south-china-sea/) - "The Pentagon is also considering establishing a permanent naval task force in the Pacific to counter China’s growing aggression, according to sources interviewed by Politico. Although not yet finalized, Politico notes that the initiative 'would add muscle to President Joe Biden’s tough talk on China and send a signal that the new U.S. administration is
- [Dennis Ross quoted in The Jerusalem Post article, "US President Joe Biden welcomes King Abdullah to the White House"](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-quoted-in-the-jerusalem-post-article-us-president-joe-biden-welcomes-king-abdullah-to-the-white-house/) - "Ambassador Dennis Ross, a Distinguished Fellow at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, told The Jerusalem Post that the visit doesn’t signal a higher priority for the Middle East, 'but does signal a recognition that even a management strategy requires not just active diplomacy but also visible involvement of the president and secretary of
- [Charlie Bolden interviewed on Yahoo News, "What This Morning's Historic Blue Origin Flight Means for the Future"](https://www.westexec.com/charlie-bolden-interviewed-on-yahoo-news-what-this-mornings-historic-blue-origin-flight-means-for-the-future/) - "Former NASA Astronaut Dr. Mae Jemison and former NASA Administrator and Astronaut Major General Charles Bolden join Geoff Bennett to discuss this morning's historic flight..." Watch the full interview here: Full Interview
- [Matt Waxman quoted in Defense One article, "Transfers Alone Won’t Close Guantanamo Bay"](https://www.westexec.com/matt-waxman-quoted-in-defense-one-article-transfers-alone-wont-close-guantanamo-bay/) - “'Many of the remaining cases are so hard. Reducing the population through individual transfers makes the remainder problem smaller, but not very much easier,' said Matthew Waxman, a professor at Columbia University Law School. 'Is the Biden administration prepared to move [Khalid Sheikh Mohammed] and other 9/11 plotters and al Qaeda leaders into the United
- [Jim Jeffrey writes in Foreign Affairs: "Can Biden Do Everything?"](https://www.westexec.com/jim-jeffrey-writes-in-foreign-affairs-can-biden-do-everything/) - "In his recent article 'Biden’s Everything Doctrine' (April 22), Jeremy Shapiro correctly identifies serious inconsistencies in the new U.S. administration’s foreign policy. Washington now promises both a 'foreign policy for the middle class' and engagement on seemingly every global problem. Many of Shapiro’s remedies—scaling back frantic interventions, making choices between values and allies, and withdrawing
- [John Conger quoted in Inside Climate News article, "How the Marine Corps Struck Gold in a Trash Heap as Part of the Pentagon’s Fight Against Climate Change"](https://www.westexec.com/john-conger-quoted-in-inside-climate-news-article-how-the-marine-corps-struck-gold-in-a-trash-heap-as-part-of-the-pentagons-fight-against-climate-change/) - "That sort of thinking—'Rather than talking about how to protect the environment, but how to protect yourself from the environment,' as Conger puts it—helped to shift the military’s approach to climate change. 'When you start talking about … "How can I ensure I can do my mission?" the enthusiasm level is significant,' Conger says..." Read
- [Bob Work quoted in Federal News Network article, "DoD Seeks to Develop New Career Paths to Stay Ahead of AI Competition"](https://www.westexec.com/bob-work-quoted-in-federal-news-network-article-dod-seeks-to-develop-new-career-paths-to-stay-ahead-of-ai-competition/) - “'[The National Security Commission's report on AI] is not primarily about national defense, or even national security in the traditional sense, and neither is the AI competition. At its core, the AI competition is a values competition,' Work said..." Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Matt Waxman quoted in Lawfare article, "Repealing the ‘Zombie’ Iraq AUMF(s): A Clear Win for Constitutional Hygiene but Unlikely to End Forever Wars"](https://www.westexec.com/matt-waxman-quoted-in-lawfare-article-repealing-the-zombie-iraq-aumfs-a-clear-win-for-constitutional-hygiene-but-unlikely-to-end-forever-wars/) - "Furthermore, from a constitutional hygiene perspective, it is discomforting to see decades-old force authorizations remain valid law. As Matthew Waxman has pointed out, there is even a 1957 AUMF on the books that is just now becoming the focus of possible repeal as well. For these reasons, the repeal of the Iraq AUMF(s) should not
- [Meghan O'Sullivan quoted in S&P Global article, "Global Renewable Energy Capacity Jumps in 2020, More Needed to Meet Climate Goals"](https://www.westexec.com/meghan-osullivan-quoted-in-sp-global-article-global-renewable-energy-capacity-jumps-in-2020-more-needed-to-meet-climate-goals/) - "'The 6.2% fall in global emissions the report lays out ... seems like a pretty paltry number given the dramatic decrease in global economic activity at the time,' Meghan O'Sullivan, professor of international affairs and director of the geopolitics of energy project at Harvard University's Kennedy School, said..." Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Jim Jeffrey quoted in Bloomberg article, "Biden, Putin Face Post-Summit Test Over Syria Cooperation"](https://www.westexec.com/jim-jeffrey-quoted-in-bloomberg-article-biden-putin-face-post-summit-test-over-syria-cooperation/) - “'The basic strategic question is what Russia will demand from the international community and the U.S. in return for saving these 3.5 million people,' said James Jeffrey, who recently served as the American envoy for Syria and negotiated cross-border aid with Moscow. 'The U.S. is putting a lot of emphasis on this and it’s getting
- [Matt Waxman quoted in Newsweek article, "Cybersecurity Firms Take the Offensive While Avoiding 'All-Out War'"](https://www.westexec.com/matt-waxman-quoted-in-newsweek-article-cybersecurity-firms-take-the-offensive-while-avoiding-all-out-war-2/) - "Without a cyberwar to set precedent, Waxman said nations must blaze their own trails when navigating this new territory. When interpreting what constitutes an offensive attack, Waxman said the intent to cause damage serves as one signal on an operational level. Beyond that, the line between espionage and warfare becomes blurred..." Read the full article
- [Larry Gumbiner interviewed in The Dialogue: "What Does the Future Hold for Peru’s Oil & Gas?"](https://www.westexec.com/larry-gumbiner-interviewed-in-the-dialogue-what-does-the-future-hold-for-perus-oil-gas/) - “Resource nationalism helped catapult Pedro Castillo to the verge of the presidency. He won handily in regions where mining and energy resources predominate. But Castillo is a political blank slate, with no governance experience and scant ideological formation beyond simple platitudes. His union with the Perú Libre Party of committed Marxist Vladimir Cerrón is a
- [John Conger quoted in Bloomberg Law article, "Biden Climate Promises Bump Against Bureaucracy’s Grinding Gears"](https://www.westexec.com/john-conger-quoted-in-bloomberg-law-article-biden-climate-promises-bump-against-bureaucracys-grinding-gears/) - "The Senate also has yet to confirm a slew of the president’s top political appointees at the Defense Department, including officials who manage acquisition, personnel and readiness, and research and engineering. The tight deadline means that career officials are likely being asked to develop a plan that political appointees will need to implement once they’re
- [Danny Russel interviewed in Nikkei Asia: "US Must Outcompete China for A Stable Relationship"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-interviewed-in-nikkei-asia-us-must-outcompete-china-for-a-stable-relationship/) - "If we took a step back and looked broadly at the historical record, we see that the United States deliberately chose a policy of engaging China and supporting its development, first back in 1972 under President Richard Nixon, where this was part of the strategy for containment of the Soviet Union, but then again in
- [Sergio Aguirre writes with William Wagner in Global Politics and Strategy: “What’s the UN Security Council For?”](https://www.westexec.com/sergio-aguirre-writes-with-william-wagner-in-global-politics-and-strategy-whats-the-un-security-council-for/) - "To be worthy of its name, the Security Council will need to engage more deliberately and resolutely on new threats involving cyber and emerging technology, climate and the environment, and global health…" Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Joe Gagnon cited in Bloomberg article, “New Economy Daily: Changing Drivers”](https://www.westexec.com/joe-gagnon-cited-in-bloomberg-article-new-economy-daily-changing-drivers/) - "Where inflation is headed is perhaps the biggest question in global economics at the moment. Will the recent surge prove transitory as central bankers hope or linger for longer? "So who out there are the best forecasters? According to a new study by Joseph Gagnon and Madi Sarsenbayev it depends on the timeframe…" Read the
- [John Conger quoted in Bloomberg article, “Biden Climate Promises Bump Against Bureaucracy’s Grinding Gears”](https://www.westexec.com/john-conger-quoted-in-bloomberg-article-biden-climate-promises-bump-against-bureaucracys-grinding-gears/) - "The Senate also has yet to confirm a slew of the president’s top political appointees at the Defense Department, including officials who manage acquisition, personnel and readiness, and research and engineering. The tight deadline means that career officials are likely being asked to develop a plan that political appointees will need to implement once they’re
- [Matt Waxman quoted in Newsweek article, “Cybersecurity Firms Take the Offensive While Avoiding 'All-Out War'”](https://www.westexec.com/matt-waxman-quoted-in-newsweek-article-cybersecurity-firms-take-the-offensive-while-avoiding-all-out-war/) - "Cyberattacks on public and private entities in the U.S. occur every 39 seconds. The Microsoft Digital Defense Report for 2020 found that most attacks by nation states come from China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran. "But lack of transparency is a major challenge when it comes to holding these nations accountable through international law. "'It's
- [Michèle Flournoy interviewed in Modern War Institute podcast, “Back to the Future: Resetting Special Operations Forces for Great Power Competition”](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-interviewed-in-modern-war-institute-podcast-back-to-the-future-resetting-special-operations-forces-for-great-power-competition/) - "Special operations forces have been a favorite national security tool in the post-9/11 era; wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have consumed their attention and kept the special operations community focused on counterterrorism and counterinsurgency missions. However, the release of the 2017 National Security Strategy pivoted the United States’ strategic focus from terrorism to near-peer competitors
- [Jim Jeffrey and Dennis Ross write in The Atlantic: “The Iran Nuclear Deal Isn’t the Problem. Iran Is.”](https://www.westexec.com/jim-jeffrey-and-dennis-ross-write-in-the-atlantic-the-iran-nuclear-deal-isnt-the-problem-iran-is/) - "Ebrahim Raisi’s election as president of Iran came as no surprise. All those who might have been a threat to him were disqualified. He was the choice of the supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, and small wonder: Few people better embody the ideology of the Islamic Republic. He will not open Iran up to the outside
- [Dennis Ross quoted in The Jerusalem Post article, “US: Election of Raisi Unlikely to Change Dynamics of Nukes Talks”](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-quoted-in-the-jerusalem-post-article-us-election-of-raisi-unlikely-to-change-dynamics-of-nukes-talks/) - "Ambassador Dennis Ross, a distinguished fellow at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, told the Post that 'the issue is not whether the JCPOA will change; the point is working with the administration on what is going to happen between now and 2030 when the real sunset provisions and limitations on the size of
- [Jim Jeffrey interviewed in NPR's All Things Considered, “Countries Seem to Be Normalizing Relations With the Syrian Regime”](https://www.westexec.com/jim-jeffrey-interviewed-in-nprs-all-things-considered-countries-seem-to-be-normalizing-relations-with-the-syrian-regime/) - "For years, the U.S., along with other Western and Arab countries, have sought to replace or isolate the Syrian regime. Many supported the rebels fighting the government of President Bashar al-Assad. But now that his government is prevailing in the long civil war there, countries are turning towards the regime again. NPR's Ruth Sherlock reports…"
- [Michael Singh quoted in Politico article, “Iran’s Next President Gives Biden a New Nuclear Headache”](https://www.westexec.com/michael-singh-quoted-in-politico-article-irans-next-president-gives-biden-a-new-nuclear-headache/) - "'You look at Raisi’s record and the sanctions are warranted,' said Michael Singh, who served in former President George W. Bush’s National Security Council. 'If you’re serious about targeting human rights abusers, then Raisi falls in that category…'" Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Bridge Colby quoted in Nikkei Asia article, “Pacific Deterrence Budget Creates Rift Between Biden and Congress”](https://www.westexec.com/bridge-colby-quoted-in-nikkei-asia-article-pacific-deterrence-budget-creates-rift-between-biden-and-congress/) - "The confusion over the PDI shows that there is still debate over 'how to deal with the China military challenge,' even as the question of whether Beijing is a priority has been settled, said Elbridge Colby, who served as deputy assistant secretary of defense for strategy and force development under Trump…" Read the full article
- [Danny Russel quoted in The Wall Street Journal article, “North Korea Gives the U.S. the Cold Shoulder on Nuclear Talks”](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-the-wall-street-journal-article-north-korea-gives-the-u-s-the-cold-shoulder-on-nuclear-talks/) - "Now it is the Kim regime holding out. It is a well-established tactic for the North Koreans, at times treating even low-level engagement as a reward, said Daniel Russel, the top State Department official for Asia during the Obama administration. "'They make you work for it, sweat for it, and ultimately beg for it, so
- [Vince Brooks quoted in Time Magazine article, “'This Is a Window of Opportunity.' Ret. General Vincent K. Brooks on Why Things Might Be Moving Again With North Korea”](https://www.westexec.com/vince-brooks-quoted-in-time-magazine-article-this-is-a-window-of-opportunity-ret-general-vincent-k-brooks-on-why-things-might-be-moving-again-with-north-korea/) - "Now a Senior Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, General Brooks spoke to TIME about opportunities for a breakthrough with North Korea during the Biden Administration…" Read the full article here: Full Article
- [John Conger interviewed in Government Matters](https://www.westexec.com/john-conger-interviewed-in-government-matters/) - "The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Mark Milley, says the climate crisis will drive instability in some global regions. The Defense Department has several climate initiatives underway. John Conger, former principal deputy under secretary of defense (comptroller) and director of the Center for Climate and Security, said one should think of climate
- [Dennis Ross interviewed in CBS News podcast, “Israel's Political Future”](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-interviewed-in-cbs-news-podcast-israels-political-future/) - "In this episode of 'Intelligence Matters,' host Michael Morell speaks with Ambassador Dennis Ross, a leading expert on the Middle East, former senior U.S. diplomat and currently counselor and distinguished fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Ross and Morell discuss recent political changes in Israel, including the outlook for the governing coalition
- [Rachel Ellehuus interviewed in Foreign Policy Research Institute podcast, “Biden's Visit to NATO”](https://www.westexec.com/rachel-ellehuus-interviewed-in-foreign-policy-research-institute-podcast-bidens-visit-to-nato/) - "President Biden just finished a three-country trip, where he met with world leaders in the United Kingdom, Belgium, and in Switzerland. The main focus of the trip was to reinvigorate U.S. alliances in Europe and with NATO. To discuss the trip, Aaron spoke this week with Rachel Ellehuus, the deputy director and a senior fellow
- [Andrea Kendall-Taylor interviewed in Voice of America podcast, “Biden Abroad: G7, NATO, Putin Summits”](https://www.westexec.com/andrea-kendall-taylor-interviewed-in-voice-of-america-podcast-biden-abroad-g7-nato-putin-summits/) - "Ian Lesser, Vice President at the German Marshall Fund of the United States and director of GMF Brussels office, and Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Senior Fellow and Director of the Transatlantic Security Program at the Center for a New American Security, discuss with host Carol Castiel the ramifications of US President Joe Biden’s first overseas trip as
- [Michèle Flournoy quoted in The Washington Post article, “He Spent Years at War in Afghanistan. Now He Commands the U.S. Withdrawal.”](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-quoted-in-the-washington-post-article-he-spent-years-at-war-in-afghanistan-now-he-commands-the-u-s-withdrawal/) - "Michèle Flournoy, a senior defense official during the Obama administration, said military literature suggests that 'one of the most dangerous moments in any campaign is during a retrograde or a withdrawal under fire…'" Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Vince Brooks quoted in U.S. Army article, “‘Week of the Warrior’ Puts 'People First' Into Motion”](https://www.westexec.com/vince-brooks-quoted-in-u-s-army-article-week-of-the-warrior-puts-people-first-into-motion/) - "'It’s evident we still have a disease,' said [Vince] Brooks, when asked about his perspective on today’s challenge with diversity. 'We are not what we want to be and maybe not even what we think we are. The expectation is that [the military] will figure this out before anyone else in society. So, you have
- [Charlie Bolden quoted in CNN article, “Meet the Space Trailblazers of Color Who Empowered Others to Dream”](https://www.westexec.com/charlie-bolden-quoted-in-cnn-article-meet-the-space-trailblazers-of-color-who-empowered-others-to-dream/) - "Eventually, NASA selected [Charlie Bolden] in 1980 for the second group of space shuttle astronauts. Around 10 minutes into his first space flight, which he piloted, the crew was orbiting Earth when he saw a big island — which turned out to be Africa, he said. 'Being of African descent, I had spent a lot
- [Rachel Ellehuus quoted in AP News article, “Erdogan and Biden Meet at a Tense Moment for Turkish-US Ties”](https://www.westexec.com/rachel-ellehuus-quoted-in-ap-news-article-erdogan-and-biden-meet-at-a-tense-moment-for-turkish-us-ties/) - "However, besides blasting the decision in speeches, Erdogan didn’t immediately hit back at Washington. The muted response suggests he wants a good relationship with Biden, said Rachel Ellehuus, an analyst at the Washington think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies…" Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Dennis Ross quoted in Reuters article, “Biden Names Ambassadors to Sensitive Posts in Israel, Mexico”](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-quoted-in-reuters-article-biden-names-ambassadors-to-sensitive-posts-in-israel-mexico/) - "Dennis Ross, a former Middle East negotiator under Republican and Democratic administrations, described Nides as having close ties to Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and national security adviser Jake Sullivan…" Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Jim Jeffrey interviewed on CBS News](https://www.westexec.com/jim-jeffrey-interviewed-on-cbs-news/) - "President Biden held his first face-to-face talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan since Mr. Biden formally recognized Turkey's role in perpetuating the Armenian genocide. Former U.S. Ambassador to Turkey James Jeffrey spoke with CBSN's Tanya Rivero about the state of the relationship between Washington and Ankara…" Watch the full interview here: Full Interview
- [Dennis Ross quoted in The Jerusalem Post article, “What Will the Biden-Bennett Relationship Look Like?”](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-quoted-in-the-jerusalem-post-article-what-will-the-biden-bennett-relationship-look-like/) - "'The point to recognize is that Biden and Bennett are problem-solvers,' ambassador Dennis Ross, a distinguished fellow at the Washington Institute, told The Jerusalem Post…" Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Michèle Flournoy interviewed in Project Syndicate podcast, “Is the US Ready For War?”](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-interviewed-in-project-syndicate-podcast-is-the-us-ready-for-war/) - Michèle Flournoy discusses U.S. readiness in a renewed era of great power competition. Listen to the full podcast here: Full Podcast
- [Andrea Kendall-Taylor quoted in Foreign Policy article, “What to Expect From the Biden-Putin Geneva Summit”](https://www.westexec.com/andrea-kendall-taylor-quoted-in-foreign-policy-article-what-to-expect-from-the-biden-putin-geneva-summit/) - "'Where cyber can gain traction is under the strategic stability umbrella,' said Andrea Kendall-Taylor, director of the transatlantic security program at the Center for a New American Security, to prevent misunderstandings over cyber-espionage or hacking from escalating to the point of armed or nuclear conflict…" Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Andrea Kendall-Taylor quoted in NPR article, “Biden and the EU Call a Truce in a 17-Year Trade Fight to Focus On Threats From China”](https://www.westexec.com/andrea-kendall-taylor-quoted-in-npr-article-biden-and-the-eu-call-a-truce-in-a-17-year-trade-fight-to-focus-on-threats-from-china/) - "And despite the 'positive veneer' and goodwill on Biden's initial tour, allies wonder what they'll see in the next administration, or the one after that, said Andrea Kendall-Taylor, who advised the Biden team during the transition to the White House…" Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Rachel Ellehuus quoted in Voice of America article, “Biden to Reassure NATO Allies of US Commitment to Mutual Defense Clause”](https://www.westexec.com/rachel-ellehuus-quoted-in-voice-of-america-article-biden-to-reassure-nato-allies-of-us-commitment-to-mutual-defense-clause/) - "'They see what’s going on here domestically, and they worry about the future of the Republican Party. They worry about what happens after Biden,' according to Rachel Ellehuus, deputy director and senior fellow with the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. 'They worry that some of the negative
- [Bridge Colby quoted in Politico article, “Pentagon Considering Permanent Naval Task Force to Counter China in the Pacific”](https://www.westexec.com/bridge-colby-quoted-in-politico-article-pentagon-considering-permanent-naval-task-force-to-counter-china-in-the-pacific/) - "While the initiatives would not be a silver bullet to solve the China problem, the efforts are an encouraging sign that the Pentagon is committed to moving resources away from the Middle East and elevating the needs of the Pacific, said Elbridge Colby, a former Trump Pentagon official who is now a principal at The
- [Danny Russel quoted in Nikkei Asia article, “Blinken Briefs Chinese Counterpart on North Korea Policy”](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-nikkei-asia-article-blinken-briefs-chinese-counterpart-on-north-korea-policy/) - "Daniel Russel, who served as assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs in the Obama administration, told Nikkei Asia that 'providing a readout of the U.S. policy review on North Korea seems to be one reason for the call…'" Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Michèle Flournoy interviewed on This Week](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-interviewed-on-this-week/) - Michèle Flournoy, former U.S. Representative Will Hurd, and ABC News Political Director Rick Klein discuss President Biden's meeting with Vladimir Putin in This Week round table. Watch the full interview here: Full Interview
- [Bridge Colby writes in Nikkei Asia: “Japan Must Disavow Pacifism and Embrace Collective Defense”](https://www.westexec.com/bridge-colby-writes-in-nikkei-asia-japan-must-disavow-pacifism-and-embrace-collective-defense/) - "The question of how to respond to China's enormous growth and increasing assertiveness is leading countries across the Indo-Pacific to grapple with uncomfortable -- even previously unimaginable -- policy changes…" Read the full article here: Full Article
- [John Conger writes in Defense One: “Is Climate Change America’s Greatest Security Threat?”](https://www.westexec.com/john-conger-writes-in-defense-one-is-climate-change-americas-greatest-security-threat/) - "President Biden tells a story from early in his tenure as vice president when he and then-President Obama visited the Pentagon and met with the Joint Chiefs of Staff. During the meeting, Biden says, the Joint Chiefs told him that climate change was the greatest threat to American security. He invoked this story again during
- [Joe Gagnon cited in The Wall Street Journal article, “What Does the Bond Market Know about Inflation?”](https://www.westexec.com/joe-gagnon-cited-in-the-wall-street-journal-article-what-does-the-bond-market-know-about-inflation/) - "How good is the bond market at predicting inflation? Joseph Gagnon, senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, suggests that yields are far more closely correlated with past inflation than future inflation, though much of the data used predates the existence of inflation-protected bonds…" Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Mike Singh quoted in Politico article, “The Never-Ending, Ever-Frustrating Hunt for the ‘Biden Doctrine’”](https://www.westexec.com/mike-singh-quoted-in-politico-article-the-never-ending-ever-frustrating-hunt-for-the-biden-doctrine/) - "It seems fair to ask, then: Why is it necessary to define a president’s foreign policy 'doctrine' at all? Isn’t dealing with some 200 countries, not to mention transnational threats like climate change and terrorism, complicated enough to defy easy summarization? Why do pundits try so hard to impose order on the messy reality of
- [Mike Singh quoted in The National article, “Pentagon Chief Voices Concern over Iranian Ships in Atlantic”](https://www.westexec.com/mike-singh-quoted-in-the-national-article-pentagon-chief-voices-concern-over-iranian-ships-in-atlantic/) - "Michael Singh, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said that Iranian naval vessels crossing the Atlantic Ocean 'is in itself not very concerning, much less threatening' but the transfer of weapons is… "Asked about US options, Mr Singh said that 'certainly, the US can threaten Venezuela and Cuba with sanctions
- [Jim Jeffrey quoted in Foreign Policy article, “Biden to Prod Putin on Syria Relief”](https://www.westexec.com/jim-jeffrey-quoted-in-foreign-policy-article-biden-to-prod-putin-on-syria-relief/) - "'The rest of Syria’s problems are not going to go away,' said James Jeffrey, a former career foreign service officer who served as Trump’s point person on Syria. Putin won’t open the lifelines for free, Jeffrey warned… "Jeffrey recalled Russian negotiators attending previous bilateral talks with the United States over Syria with a long list
- [Bridge Colby quoted in The Wall Street Journal article, “Pentagon to Speed up Efforts to Counter China”](https://www.westexec.com/bridge-colby-quoted-in-the-wall-street-journal-article-pentagon-to-speed-up-efforts-to-counter-china/) - "'At this point, the say-do gap is the problem,' said Elbridge Colby, a former Pentagon official who played a key role in developing the national defense strategy during the Trump administration. 'We have had prioritization of China for several years. But not enough has been done to translate that into reality, and the problem is
- [Rachel Ellehuus quoted in Foreign Policy article, “NATO Summit Key Test for Biden's Efforts to Woo Europe”](https://www.westexec.com/rachel-ellehuus-quoted-in-foreign-policy-article-nato-summit-key-test-for-bidens-efforts-to-woo-europe/) - "'Whether that’s in economics or trade or foreign policy or defense, there is a sense that, "well, you’ve been gone for a while, so you can’t just come back and assume your seat at the head of the table. Things have moved on, and we have to create space for European leadership,"' said Rachel Ellehuus,
- [John Conger writes for Climate and Security: “Climate Security: A Tale of Two Defense Hearings”](https://www.westexec.com/john-conger-writes-for-climate-and-security-climate-security-a-tale-of-two-defense-hearings/) - "Sometimes you want to hear from the very top, and sometimes you want to get into the details. In the last couple of weeks, the U.S. Congress has done both, and each one teaches us something important about the way the Department of Defense (DoD) is planning to deal with climate change early in this
- [Rachel Ellehuus writes with Pierre Morcos in War on the Rocks: “NATO Should Finally Take Its Values Seriously”](https://www.westexec.com/rachel-ellehuus-writes-with-pierre-morcos-in-war-on-the-rocks-nato-should-finally-take-its-values-seriously/) - "Several NATO allies may be shifting nervously in their seats when President Joe Biden takes the floor at the alliance’s upcoming June 14 summit. Rather than deliver the usual lecture on the importance of equitable burden sharing and increased defense spending, the new U.S. president is more likely to reflect on NATO’s founding principles. As
- [Bob Work quoted in Bloomberg Government article, “AI Experts Needed to Lead ‘Project Maven’ Move Within DOD”](https://www.westexec.com/bob-work-quoted-in-bloomberg-government-article-ai-experts-needed-to-lead-project-maven-move-within-dod/) - "The Defense Department’s (DOD) secretive artificial intelligence task force called Project Maven is moving to a new home within the Pentagon’s intelligence and security apparatus. Now Defense officials are looking for an industry partner to manage the transition and provide ongoing support for the program… "Project Maven, formally known as the Algorithmic Warfare Cross-Functional Team
- [Nick Zimmerman interviewed in CNN Brasil](https://www.westexec.com/nick-zimmerman-interviewed-in-cnn-brasil/) - WestExec Senior Advisor and former White House National Security Council Director for Brazil and Southern Cone Affairs Nick Zimmerman interviewed in the May 5th, 2021 Jornal Da CNN program. Watch the full interview here: Full Interview
- [Michèle Flournoy interviewed in Hopkins Podcast on Foreign Affairs, “Rebuilding America’s Military Edge”](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-interviewed-in-hopkins-podcast-on-foreign-affairs-rebuilding-americas-military-edge/) - "During the first decade of the 21st century, the U.S. defense department prioritized counterterrorism and counterinsurgency measures the Middle East and across the globe. A major shift in strategy began slowly but surely in 2012, driven partly by China’s more aggressive behavior and new military capabilities, including cyber and electronic weapons and precision missiles developed
- [Dennis Ross writes in The National Interest: “Biden Must Manage the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict”](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-writes-in-the-national-interest-biden-must-manage-the-israeli-palestinian-conflict/) - "The Middle East has a way of imposing itself on American presidents and their administrations. Just ask President Joe Biden. With six phone calls to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and calls with Mahmoud Abbas, the President of the Palestinian Authority, and President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi of Egypt, he understood, whatever his hopes, that his personal
- [Michele Flournoy quoted in Vox article, “How China Could Force Biden’s Hand on Defending Taiwan”](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-quoted-in-vox-article-how-china-could-force-bidens-hand-on-defending-taiwan/) - "Procurement is not the only metric that counts, but perhaps this looming milestone explains recent warnings from civilian and military experts. Michèle Flournoy, former undersecretary of Defense, says that the U.S. military is at an 'inflection point' and 'risks losing … [its] edge within a decade…'" Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Dennis Ross quoted in Vox article, “Why Biden’s Team Didn’t Go All-in on Israel-Gaza”](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-quoted-in-vox-article-why-bidens-team-didnt-go-all-in-on-israel-gaza/) - "Biden’s team felt keeping to the European itinerary was better for the administration’s agenda in the long run and for the conflict in the short run. "'If Blinken had gone [to the region], it actually would’ve slowed things down,' said Dennis Ross, a distinguished fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, because neither
- [Joe Gagnon quoted in The Hill article, “Biden Faces Dilemma on Trump Steel Tariffs”](https://www.westexec.com/joe-gagnon-quoted-in-the-hill-article-biden-faces-dilemma-on-trump-steel-tariffs/) - "Joe Gagnon, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics in Washington, says that even though tariffs can drive up some prices, they have little to do with widespread inflation. "'The economy basically wants to keep the same trade balance, which is driven by other forces,' he said. 'Tariffs tend to make the
- [Bob Work quoted in National Defense article, “Semiconductor Shortage Shines Light on Weak Supply Chain”](https://www.westexec.com/bob-work-quoted-in-national-defense-article-semiconductor-shortage-shines-light-on-weak-supply-chain/) - "Bob Work, former deputy secretary of defense and the current co-chair of the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence, said the United States currently has a two-generation lead on China in advanced hardware such as semiconductors. "However, 'we’re 110 miles away from going two generations ahead to maybe two generations behind,' he said during the
- [Michèle Flournoy quoted in The New York Times article, “Pentagon Accelerates Withdrawal From Afghanistan”](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-quoted-in-the-new-york-times-article-pentagon-accelerates-withdrawal-from-afghanistan/) - "United States troops and their NATO allies intend to be out of Afghanistan by early to mid-July, well ahead of President Biden’s Sept. 11 withdrawal deadline, military officials said, in what has turned into an accelerated ending to America’s longest war… "'Withdrawing forces is actually a really delicate kind of operation that has risks associated
- [Andrea Kendall-Taylor quoted in Foreign Policy article, “Sanctions Deadline Looms Ahead of Biden's Summit With Putin”](https://www.westexec.com/andrea-kendall-taylor-quoted-in-foreign-policy-article-sanctions-deadline-looms-ahead-of-bidens-summit-with-putin/) - "Andrea Kendall-Taylor, director of the transatlantic security program at the Center for a New American Security, said she expected the administration to continue to toe a firm line with Moscow. 'I don’t think they’re going to back down just because of an upcoming meeting,' said Kendall-Taylor, who briefly served as senior director for Russia and
- [Bob Work writes in War on the Rocks: “AI and Synthetic Biology Are Critical to Future U.S. Competitiveness”](https://www.westexec.com/bob-work-writes-in-war-on-the-rocks-ai-and-synthetic-biology-are-critical-to-future-u-s-competitiveness/) - "On Jan. 11, 2020, Chinese authorities shared the genetic sequence of the virus that causes COVID-19 for the first time. By Jan. 13, the biotechnology firm Moderna had used this information to finalize the design of its vaccine. "This miracle of modern science — shortening to a matter of hours a process that had previously
- [Dennis Ross quoted in NPR article, “What Will Shape Biden's View of Gaza Violence Most? Hamas Attacks, Says Dennis Ross”](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-quoted-in-npr-article-what-will-shape-bidens-view-of-gaza-violence-most-hamas-attacks-says-dennis-ross/) - "President Biden has now said he would welcome a cease fire in this week-long war. But for the moment, there appears no clear path to a pause in the violence, and the long-term outlook for the region may be even murkier. "'Right now, the sense of possibility on both sides is probably at its low
- [Dennis Ross quoted in The Hill article, “Biden's Quiet Diplomacy Under Pressure as Israel-Hamas Fighting Intensifies”](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-quoted-in-the-hill-article-bidens-quiet-diplomacy-under-pressure-as-israel-hamas-fighting-intensifies/) - "Dennis Ross, a veteran Middle East peace negotiator who served on the National Security Council during the Obama administration, said the developments 'no doubt' add to pressure on Israel. "But he said the decision to greenlight the strike likely represented a calculated Israeli message to Hamas and other terror groups 'that Israel will do what
- [Nick Zimmerman featured in IREE event, “The Future of the Brazil - USA Relationship in the Biden Government”](https://www.westexec.com/nick-zimmerman-featured-in-iree-event-the-future-of-the-brazil-usa-relationship-in-the-biden-government/) - "To discuss this topic, we have participants Rubens Barbosa, Former Ambassador to the U.S. and President of the Institute of International Relations and Foreign Trade (IRICE); Nicholas Zimmerman, Former Director of the National Security Council of the White House for Brazilian Affairs and from the Southern Cone; Fernanda Magnotta, Senior Fellow of CEBRI - Núcleo
- [Mike Singh quoted in Politico article, “Biden Wants ‘Calm’ in the Mideast. So Much for Peace.”](https://www.westexec.com/mike-singh-quoted-in-politico-article-biden-wants-calm-in-the-mideast-so-much-for-peace/) - "Michael Singh, a former George W. Bush administration now with the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said Biden may sympathize with Israel’s goal of degrading Hamas. He noted, however, that every few years, Israel engages in a violent showdown with the Palestinian militant group. "'Generally, part of U.S. policy has been to help Israel
- [Miriam Vogel quoted in The Financial Times article, “Silicon Valley Reboots Its Relationship With the US Military”](https://www.westexec.com/miriam-vogel-quoted-in-the-financial-times-article-silicon-valley-reboots-its-relationship-with-the-us-military/) - "Tech groups Microsoft and Amazon have taken a similar stand on the controversial software, after pressure from employees. They said they would refuse to sell it to police forces and asked Congress to regulate the emerging technology… "'I see these battle lines being drawn, where companies are saying in their mission statements what [policies] they
- [Vincent Brooks featured in Center for Strategic and International Studies event, “Future of Northeast Asia and Korea-U.S. Alliance”](https://www.westexec.com/vincent-brooks-featured-in-center-for-strategic-and-international-studies-event-future-of-northeast-asia-and-korea-u-s-alliance/) - "This pre-recorded event commemorates the launching of the Joint Report by the Commission on Northeast Asia and the Korean Peninsula…" Watch the full event here: Full Event
- [Dennis Ross quoted in The New York Times article, “Violence Shakes Trump’s Boast of ‘New Middle East’”](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-quoted-in-the-new-york-times-article-violence-shakes-trumps-boast-of-new-middle-east/) - "Dennis Ross, a former Middle East peace negotiator who served under three presidents, called the accords an important step for the region, but said the violence in Israel’s cities and Gaza illustrated how 'the Palestinian issue can still cast a cloud' over Israel’s relations with its Arab neighbors. "'The notion that this was "peace in
- [Michèle Flournoy interviewed in DefAero Report Daily podcast, “Flournoy on Keeping DoD’s Competitive Edge”](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-interviewed-in-defaero-report-daily-podcast-flournoy-on-keeping-dods-competitive-edge/) - "On this episode of the DefAero Report Daily Podcast, sponsored by Bell, Michèle Flournoy, the former undersecretary of defense for policy who is the co-founder of the WestExec Advisors consultancy, discusses her article in the May/June 2021 issue of Foreign Affairs — 'America’s Military Risks Losing Its Edge: How to Transform the Pentagon for a
- [Charlie Bolden interviewed in Spectrum News podcast, “The Role of the NASA Administrator”](https://www.westexec.com/charlie-bolden-interviewed-in-spectrum-news-podcast-the-role-of-the-nasa-administrator/) - Spectrum News podcast hosts "talk exclusively with the former head of NASA Charles Bolden on this week’s Central Florida: Beyond the Soundbite and he shares what his role was like, what it was like flying the space shuttle and much more…" Listen to the full episode here: Full Episode
- [Dennis Ross quoted in The Washington Post article, “Biden Wants to Avoid Another Israeli-Palestinian War. It Will Be Even Harder This Time.”](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-quoted-in-the-washington-post-article-biden-wants-to-avoid-another-israeli-palestinian-war-it-will-be-even-harder-this-time/) - "As veteran Middle East negotiator Dennis Ross recently told me, Hamas has 'an opportunity to upstage' Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas by firing rockets at Jerusalem, becoming 'the symbol of resistance' among Palestinians. But 'with more than 360,000 Palestinians in East Jerusalem,' Ross notes, 'firing rockets at the city has as much of a chance to
- [Jim Jeffrey quoted in The Wall Street Journal article, “Biden Faces Russian Test Over Aid in Syria”](https://www.westexec.com/jim-jeffrey-quoted-in-the-wall-street-journal-article-biden-faces-russian-test-over-aid-in-syria/) - "The U.N.’s use of border crossings dates to 2014 when the Security Council approved a plan to send aid to Syrians through four crossings, with Turkey, Iraq and Jordan, to reach civilians on both sides of the battle lines. Under Russian pressure, the Security Council later shrank the number of crossings the U.N. is authorized
- [Vince Brooks quoted in The Diplomat article, “Upgrading South Korean THAAD”](https://www.westexec.com/vince-brooks-quoted-in-the-diplomat-article-upgrading-south-korean-thaad/) - "The deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system on the Korean Peninsula is a contentious issue between China and South Korea, with China concerned that THAAD is aimed at its ICBM installations. South Korea and the United States argue that THAAD is purely defensive, aimed against the threat of North Korean missiles.
- [Jim Jeffrey interviewed on Fox News, “Biden Admin Looks to Revive Iran Nuclear Deal”](https://www.westexec.com/jim-jeffrey-interviewed-on-fox-news-biden-admin-looks-to-revive-iran-nuclear-deal/) - "Former U.S. Ambassador to Iraq James Jeffrey reacts to Biden's plans of re-entering the Iran nuclear deal…" Watch the full interview here: Full Interview
- [Lincoln Bloomfield writes in 1945: “Questioning Assumptions on Iran: Five Ways Team Biden Can Deal from Strength”](https://www.westexec.com/lincoln-bloomfield-1945-question-iran/) - "As the US is recommitting to upholding a rules-based international order, Iran daily expresses its revolutionary raison d’etre by destabilizing actions that serially target American interests. With or without the JCPOA, President Biden needs a strategy to address these non-nuclear concerns, one that will find favor on both sides of the political aisle and unite
- [Andrea Kendall-Taylor quoted in The New York Times article, “For Biden, Ukraine Is a ‘Déjà Vu’ Problem That’s Hard to Fix”](https://www.westexec.com/andrea-kendall-taylor-quoted-in-the-new-york-times-article-for-biden-ukraine-is-a-deja-vu-problem-thats-hard-to-fix/) - "While Mr. Blinken’s trip was a demonstration of renewed American commitment to an independent, democratic and Western-leaning Ukraine, for many longtime watchers of U.S.-Ukraine policy, it was a depressing reminder of how little has changed in a country that has become ground zero for a renewed power struggle between Washington and Moscow. "'It is very
- [John Conger quoted in Newsweek article, “U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin Calls Climate Change 'an Existential Threat'”](https://www.westexec.com/john-conger-newsweek-secdef-climate-change/) - "With the U.S. Department of Defense officially recognizing climate change as an 'existential threat,' adaptive changes to military bases with climate-related vulnerabilities will require location- and objective-based assessments, experts with The Center for Climate and Security (CCS), a nonpartisan institute, and the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), a nonprofit, told Newsweek. "'For them, it is
- [Dennis Ross interviewed in The Guardian podcast, “What Is Biden’s Policy in the Middle East?: Politics Weekly Extra”](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-guardian-biden-policy/) - "Jonathan Freedland asks ambassador Dennis Ross, the special envoy to the Middle East under Bill Clinton, who worked with several administrations to secure a peace deal in the region. He recently featured in a documentary, The Human Factor, about US involvement in talks between Arab and Israeli leaders…" Listen to the full episode here: Full
- [Michèle Flournoy interviewed on MSNBC, “Michèle Flournoy on Afghanistan, Pipeline Shutdown, U.S. Security Infrastructure”](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-msnbc-afghanistan-pipeline/) - "Michèle Flournoy, former U.S. Undersecretary of Defense for Policy in the Obama Administration joins Ayman to discuss withdrawal from Afghanistan, cybersecurity, and more…" Watch the full interview here: Full Interview
- [Michèle Flournoy co-authors report with Avril Haines and Gabrielle Chefitz, "Building Trust through Testing"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-co-authors-report-with-avril-haines-and-gabrielle-chefitz-building-trust-through-testing/) - “The United States is at an inflection point in an age of mounting transnational threats, unprecedented global interdependence, and resurgent great power competition. This moment is taking place in the context of a technological revolution that exacerbates the challenges we face while simultaneously offering potential solutions, providing breakthroughs in climate, medicine, communications, transportation, intelligence, and
- [WestExec Advisors and Schmidt Futures partner on a new publication, “A Playbook for the Department of Defense: Recruiting and Hiring Tech Talent”](https://www.westexec.com/westexec-advisors-and-schmidt-futures-partner-on-a-new-publication-a-playbook-for-the-department-of-defense-recruiting-and-hiring-tech-talent/) - “This playbook is a blueprint for organizational leaders and human resource professionals at the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) on how to recruit and hire an exceptional technical workforce.” “The task of leading Department of Defense organizations to be more forward leaning on recruiting and hiring technical talent involves navigating among three main constituency groups:
- [WestExec Welcomes John Conger, Lawrence J. Gumbiner, and Nick Zimmerman](https://www.westexec.com/westexec-welcomes-conger-gumbiner-zimmerman/) - WestExec Advisors, LLC helps business leaders make the best decisions by advising on geopolitical risk and emerging opportunities. Washington, D.C. – WestExec Advisors is pleased to announce John Conger, Lawrence J. Gumbiner, and Nick Zimmerman have joined its distinguished and growing team. John Conger most recently served as Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller)
- [John Costello interviewed in Mondaq United States podcast, “Cybersecurity Issues on the Congressional Agenda”](https://www.westexec.com/john-costello-mondaq-cybersecurity/) - "[This] interview is with Mark Montgomery and John Costello, both staff to the Cyberspace Solarium Commission. The Commission, which issued its main report more than a year ago, is swinging through the pitch, following up with new white papers, draft legislative language, and enthusiastic advocacy for its recommendations in Congress, many of which were adopted
- [Danny Russel quoted in Vox article, “How China Could Force Biden’s Hand on Defending Taiwan”](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-vox-china-biden-taiwan/) - "The Taiwan Relations Act (or TRA, as the law is more commonly known) remains the basis of the US-Taiwan relationship to this day… "'It’s a fairly convoluted political Band-Aid over an irreconcilable problem,' said Daniel Russel, the top State Department official for East Asian affairs from 2013 to 2017. 'We don’t have a new policy
- [Andrea Kendall-Taylor quoted in The Washington Post article, “Strongmen Who Got Cozy With Trump Get the Cold Shoulder From Biden”](https://www.westexec.com/andrea-kendall-taylor-wapo-strongmen-trump-biden/) - "As president, Biden has called Putin a killer, applied further punitive sanctions and defended Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. His administration pulled back, however, on an assertion Biden made as a candidate that Russia had put bounties on the heads of American troops serving in Afghanistan and that Trump had refused to confront Putin over
- [Andrea Kendall-Taylor quoted in The New York Times article, “80,000 Russian Troops Remain at Ukraine Border as U.S. and NATO Hold Exercises”](https://www.westexec.com/andrea-kendall-taylor-nyt-russian-troops-ukraine/) - "The supply of water for Crimea remains a key friction point. If Russia makes an incursion into more Ukrainian-controlled territory, it could be to loosen sharp controls over the Crimean water supply that Ukraine put in after the 2014 annexation… "Andrea Kendall-Taylor, a scholar at the Center for a New American Security and a former
- [Jim Jeffrey interviewed in 60 Minutes, “Blinken Meeting With G7 Allies Amid Growing Challenges From China, Russia”](https://www.westexec.com/jim-jeffrey-60-minutes-blinken-g7/) - "Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in London for talks with G7 allies after speaking out about countering China and Russia during an interview on '60 Minutes,' Former U.S. Ambassador to Iraq and Turkey, James Jeffrey, joins CBSN to weigh in on the latest developments…" Watch the full interview here: Full Interview
- [Dennis Ross quoted in The Associated Press article, “‘Human Factor’ Gets Personal About Mideast Peace”](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-ap-human-factor-review/) - "[T]here’s a reason 'The Human Factor,' by Israeli filmmaker Dror Moreh, escapes what would seem a likely fate of being interesting only to policy wonks and those with a direct stake in the issue, and it has something to do with the title. It’s a reference to a line from Dennis Ross, the best-known negotiator
- [Michèle Flournoy writes in Foreign Affairs: “America’s Military Risks Losing Its Edge”](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-foreign-affairs-america-military-edge/) - "For almost a decade, U.S. defense officials have deemed the return of great-power competition to be the most consequential challenge to U.S. national security. In 2012, during the Obama administration, the Defense Department announced that 'U.S. forces will no longer be sized to conduct large-scale, prolonged stability operations,' such as those in Afghanistan and Iraq,
- [Jim Jeffrey quoted in RUSI article, “Turkey–US Relations: Where Now?”](https://www.westexec.com/jim-jeffrey-rusi-turkey-us/) - "Turkey’s relations with the US have suffered a blow, but the US needs to understand that in a changing world, regional stability cannot be achieved without Turkish cooperation… "James Jeffrey, a former US Ambassador to Turkey who knows the ins and outs of the relationship very well, recently stated that 'If the Biden administration, so
- [Mike Singh quoted in Politico article, “Biden’s First 100 Days in Foreign Policy Are Hamstrung By Trump’s Last 100”](https://www.westexec.com/mike-singh-politico-biden-100-days/) - "Trump is hardly the first president to try to cement his legacy with a flurry of last-minute actions. Still, when a president tries to handcuff his successor, that can feed into the notion that U.S. foreign policy is inherently unstable, damaging America’s global reputation in the long run, former U.S. officials and analysts say. "'This
- [Jim Jeffrey quoted in The Christian Science Monitor article, “To Tell the Truth? From Armenia to Afghanistan, A New US Diplomacy.”](https://www.westexec.com/jim-jeffrey-cs-monitor-armenia-afghanistan/) - "'In the post-Cold War years the U.S. could just dance around a lot of these little things and never make decisions,' says the Wilson Center’s James Jeffrey, a longtime diplomat. 'But with both Trump and now Biden there is a shift to recognize the reality of a situation, end the debate with a decision, and
- [Charlie Bolden quoted in NewScientist article, “China Is About To Start Building a Space Station in Orbit”](https://www.westexec.com/charlie-bolden-newscientist-china-space-station/) - "'China, in a sense, is trying to catch up with capabilities that other space powers that have already done,' says space analyst Laura Forczyk. 'One of the things that helps China here is that their government is not democratic, so there isn’t the infighting that we have in the US about what the priorities are
- [Dennis Ross writes in The Washington Post: “For Diplomacy to Work, Iran Must Understand That It Cannot Overplay Its Hand”](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-wapo-diplomacy-iran/) - "If there was any doubt that Iran wants and needs sanctions relief, it was removed on April 11. Rather than using what seemed like Israeli sabotage at Natanz, Iran’s largest uranium enrichment site, as pretext to walk away from the talks in Vienna — as many argued they would — the Iranians remain engaged with
- [Michèle Flournoy quoted in The Sydney Morning Herald article, “‘Very Courageous’: Former Obama Official Backs Australia’s Hardline Stance Against China”](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-smh-australia-hardline-china/) - "A senior defence official under former United States president Barack Obama says the Five Eyes spy network should be used as a diplomatic grouping to pressure China, in a direct contrast to New Zealand’s attempt to narrow its remit… "Asked about New Zealand’s position, Ms Flournoy, who was under secretary of defense for policy between
- [John Costello quoted in Vox article, “Biden Is Using His Economic Plan To Challenge China”](https://www.westexec.com/john-costello-vox-biden-economic-china/) - "Instead of working with allies to box China in, the US would make a series of moves to derail Beijing’s economic future. 'Trump looked to reduce China’s ability to compete, whether it was in cyber, tech, or economics,' said John Costello, who served as a top Commerce Department official for intelligence and security in the
- [Jim Jeffrey quoted in The Wall Street Journal article, “Biden Recognizes Massacres of Armenians as Genocide”](https://www.westexec.com/jim-jeffrey-wsj-biden-armenian-genocide/) - "James Jeffrey, a former U.S. ambassador to Turkey and senior official in the Obama and Trump administrations, said the question of genocide recognition has long been the subject of a debate within the U.S. government. "'Those of us who always argued that for geopolitical reasons we shouldn’t do it knew that sooner or later a
- [Joe Gagnon cited in The Wall Street Journal article, “History Offers Only Rough Guide to the Coming Economic Boom”](https://www.westexec.com/joe-gagnon-wsj-history-rough-guide/) - "[W]ith forecasters looking for the economy to grow an additional 3.3% next year, by the end of 2022 GDP could be 2.7% above the Congressional Budget Office’s estimate of its 'potential,' or the level it can sustain without running too hot. The last time GDP got that far above potential was 1973, when the U.S.
- [Michèle Flournoy interviewed in Rusi's The Western Way of War podcast, “The Enemy Went to School”](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-rusi-enemy-went-to-school/) - "Former US Under Secretary for Defence for Policy Michèle Flournoy talks to Peter Roberts about technology, concepts, young minds and competitive spaces in warfare. The conversation is predicated on the idea of obeying the just war principles until deterrence fails. Thereafter, we (the West) want a distinctly unfair fight…" Listen to the full episode here:
- [Michèle Flournoy interviewed in The Director's Chair podcast, “Michèle Flournoy on Her Life and Career, China’s Rise and America’s Resilience”](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-directors-chair-michele-flournoy/) - "In this episode of The Director’s Chair, Michael Fullilove speaks with the distinguished policymaker and policy entrepreneur Michèle Flournoy. Michèle is a former senior Pentagon official, managing partner of WestExec Advisors, and chair of the Center for a New American Security…” Listen to the full episode here: Full Episode
- [Celeste Wallander in PBS Newshour, “Why Navalny Poses a Special Challenge to Putin’s Leadership”](https://www.westexec.com/celeste-wallander-pbs-navalny-putin-leadership/) - "Across Russia Wednesday, protesters took to the streets in support of the jailed — and critically ill — opposition leader Alexei Navalny. They denounced the man they blame for his imprisonment, President Vladimir Putin. Amna Nawaz discusses the latest with Celeste Wallander, who was the senior director for Russia and Eurasia on the National Security
- [John Costello interviewed in Lawfare's The Cyberlaw Podcast podcast, “Cybersecurity Issues on the Congressional Agenda”](https://www.westexec.com/john-costello-lawfare-cybersecurity-congressional/) - "Our interview is with Mark Montgomery and John Costello, both staff to the Cyberspace Solarium Commission. The commission, which issued its main report more than a year ago, is swinging through the pitch, following up with new white papers, draft legislative language and enthusiastic advocacy for its recommendations in Congress, many of which were adopted
- [Bridge Colby and Andrea Kendall-Taylor quoted in Foreign Policy article, “China and Russia Turn Deeper Ties Into a Military Challenge for Biden”](https://www.westexec.com/bridge-colby-andrea-kendall-taylor-fp-china-russia/) - "'You face a two-front war where we don’t have a two-front military,' said Elbridge Colby, a former deputy assistant secretary of defense during the Trump administration. 'If NATO is expecting U.S. forces to bail it out simultaneously with a fight over Taiwan, we can’t do them both. We don’t have the assets. That can create
- [Celeste Wallander interviewed on CNN, “Encountering Putin From a Position of Strength”](https://www.westexec.com/celeste-wallander-cnn-putin-position-strength/) - "Celeste Wallander, former Special Assistant to President Obama on Russia, says the White House is preparing for a productive relationship with the Kremlin…" Watch the full interview here: Full Interview
- [Meghan O'Sullivan interviewed on MSNBC, “O'Sullivan and Haass Argue It's 'Wrong' to Withdraw From Afghanistan”](https://www.westexec.com/meghan-osullivan-msnbc-withdraw-afghanistan/) - "Meghan O'Sullivan and Richard Haass join Andrea Mitchell to discuss why they argue that it's wrong to pull troops out of Afghanistan. Haass believes that 'the risk of leaving is that you will see the country descend into civil war at a high level.' O'Sullivan says that the withdrawal will jeopardize the gains she believes
- [Michèle Flournoy quoted in The Wall Street Journal article, “Biden Rebuffed Commanders’ Advice in Decision to Leave Afghanistan”](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-wsj-biden-commanders/) - "'I totally understand and support the notion that U.S. involvement in this war has to end at some point,' said Michèle Flournoy, who served as a senior Defense official under Mr. Obama and was a candidate to serve as defense secretary for Mr. Biden. 'But we are in a position where our forces are like
- [Andrea Kendall-Taylor quoted in The Financial Times article, “Biden Shows He Will Wield US Financial System as Foreign Policy Weapon”](https://www.westexec.com/andrea-kendall-taylor-ft-biden-financial-system/) - "At stake, said Andrea Kendall-Taylor, who was appointed Biden’s NSC Russia director before declining for personal reasons, is the dominance of the US dollar and America’s unassailed lead in the global financial system, which relies on New York as international dollar clearing house…" Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Meghan O'Sullivan writes with Richard Haass in The Washington Post: “It’s Wrong to Pull Troops Out of Afghanistan. But We Can Minimize the Damage.”](https://www.westexec.com/meghan-osullivan-wapo-troops-afghanistan/) - "President Biden announced Wednesday his intention to complete the withdrawal of all American military forces from Afghanistan by September, 20 years after the terrorist attacks that led to American armed forces first going there. He based his decision on three considerations: that the United States has other priorities at home and abroad — above all,
- [Joe Gagnon interviewed in Marketplace Morning Report, “How Will Inflation Move In Post-COVID Recovery?”](https://www.westexec.com/joe-gagnon-marketplace-inflation-post-covid/) - "The federal reserve and the Biden administration have been trying to prepare the country for temporary, modest inflation this year, around 2.3% or so, as the economy recovers. But some are worried we might see more significant and durable rises in prices. "Joseph Gagnon, senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, is somewhere
- [Andrea Kendall-Taylor quoted in The Washington Post article, “Biden Administration Imposes Significant Economic Sanctions on Russia Over Cyberspying, Efforts to Influence Presidential Election”](https://www.westexec.com/andrea-kendall-taylor-wapo-biden-sanctions-russia/) - "'It’s good to clearly message our priorities to Russia,' said Andrea Kendall-Taylor, a senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security. 'By packaging a response to several things at once, the administration can get off the back foot and move on its agenda. What we don’t want is to always be in response
- [Joe Gagnon quoted in Voice of America article, “Does US Economic Stimulus Boost the Global Economy?”](https://www.westexec.com/joe-gagnon-voa-economic-stimulus-global/) - "'The government is sending out checks to everybody,' said Joseph Gagnon, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics. 'Households and state and local governments are buying all kinds of supplies for education and health care — we haven't had a government budget deficit this big since World War II…'" Read the full
- [Andrea Kendall-Taylor quoted in Voice of America article, “US Further Punishes Russia for Cyberattacks, Election Meddling”](https://www.westexec.com/andrea-kendall-taylor-voa-us-punish-russia/) - "According to Andrea Kendall-Taylor, senior fellow and director of the Transatlantic Security Program at the Center for a New American Security, this package of sanctions does not really relate to what is going on with Ukraine. She terms it the Biden administration's way of wrapping up unfinished business with other issues, allowing a pivot 'to
- [Joe Maguire quoted in The New York Times article, “How the U.S. Plans to Fight From Afar After Troops Exit Afghanistan”](https://www.westexec.com/joe-maguire-nyt-us-fight-afghanistan/) - "'As good as our intelligence and over-the-horizon capabilities are, there is no substitute for being there,' Joseph Maguire, a former top Navy SEAL commander who served as acting director of national intelligence in the Trump administration, said in an interview. 'Our effectiveness in protecting our homeland will be significantly diminished…'" Read the full article here:
- [Dennis Ross quoted in The Jerusalem Post article, “How Will the Natanz Incident Affect Iran's Vienna Negotiations?”](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-jp-natanz-incident-iran-vienna/) - "Ambassador Dennis Ross, a distinguished fellow at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, told the Post that the incident in Natanz won’t change the Iranian desire to get sanctions lifted. 'It may reduce the sense of urgency on the part of the Biden administration to restore the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) lest
- [Jim Jeffrey writes in The Washington Post: “The Biden Administration’s Wrong Move on Iran”](https://www.westexec.com/jim-jeffrey-wapo-biden-iran/) - "The Biden administration has suddenly abandoned its tough position on a return to the nuclear deal with Iran (the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA), for a breathtakingly broad interpretation of which post-2016 U.S. sanctions Iran can insist be lifted to include not just, reasonably, sanctions inconsistent with the JCPOA, but also those 'inconsistent
- [Danny Russel quoted in The New York Times article, “Xi’s Gambit: China Plans for a World Without American Technology”](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-nyt-xi-china-world/) - "China is freeing up tens of billions of dollars for its tech industry to borrow. It is cataloging the sectors where the United States or others could cut off access to crucial technologies. And when its leaders released their most important economic plans last week, they laid out their ambitions to become an innovation superpower
- [Danny Russel quoted in The Wall Street Journal article, “China’s Message to America: We’re an Equal Now”](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-wsj-china-message-america/) - "China retaliated against the EU sanctions by blacklisting European lawmakers and think tanks, although that might make the EU parliament’s ratification of a pending investment treaty with China more difficult. "'It’s a high-stakes gamble for the Chinese,' says Daniel Russel, a former Obama China official, now a vice president at the Asia Society Policy Institute,
- [Charlie Bolden quoted in Space article, “60 Years of Human Spaceflight Brings In Tech Changes and Emphasis on Diversity”](https://www.westexec.com/charlie-bolden-space-60-years-diversity/) - "In an exclusive interview with Space.com in 2020, Charles 'Charlie' Bolden — a former astronaut who served as NASA administrator from 2009 to 2017 — reflected on his experiences as a Black man and leader of space exploration, along with his feelings about racism and violence against people of color today, which he said are
- [Danny Russel quoted in The Washington Post article, “Kerry Expected to Travel to China in First Visit by Top Biden Official”](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-wapo-kerry-travel-china/) - "Following the contentious meeting between U.S. and Chinese officials in Anchorage in March, China's official Xinhua News Agency reported that the two sides had decided to set up a working group on climate change among other modest but specific joint initiatives. But U.S. officials told The Washington Post that no such agreements were made —
- [Jim Jeffrey quoted in Asia Times article, “US Needs Turkey for Its Al-Qaeda and ISIS Links”](https://www.westexec.com/jim-jeffrey-asia-times-us-turkey-al-qaeda/) - "This year, in an interview on March 8, James Jeffrey, who served as US ambassador under both Republican and Democrat administrations and most recently as special representative for Syria during the Donald Trump administration, was quoted as saying that HTS has been 'an asset' to America’s strategy in Idlib, the northwestern province of Syria bordering
- [Danny Russel quoted in The Economist article, "China Thinks It Can Avoid Middle Eastern Traps That Caught America"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-economist-china-middle-eastern/) - "Some Chinese experts talk of America leaving a vacuum in the Middle East. Danny Russel, America’s assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs in 2013-17, agrees that China senses a demand for a Chinese presence in the Middle East, amid talk of American unreliability. Chinese companies have been told to go out
- [Andrea Kendall-Taylor quoted in Foreign Policy article, “Is Russia Preparing to Go to War in Ukraine?”](https://www.westexec.com/andrea-kendall-taylor-fp-russia-war-ukraine/) - "'I think everyone is in a similar place where we’re watching closely. I still think it’s more signaling and demonstration, but obviously no one is willing to exclude the fact that it could turn into something more serious,' said Andrea Kendall-Taylor, director of the transatlantic security program at the Center for a New American Security,
- [Mike Singh quoted in NPR All Things Considered segment, “Returning to the Iran Nuclear Deal Is Essential For Biden's Foreign Policy Agenda”](https://www.westexec.com/mike-singh-npr-iran-deal-biden/) - "There is a clear desire to make a shift in strategy away from the Middle East and toward competition with rivals like China and Russia. But Michael Singh, who is former President George W. Bush's top Middle East adviser in the White House, he told me, you know, quote, 'The enemy gets a vote.' And
- [Bob Work quoted in Department of Defense article, “Artificial Intelligence Key to Maintaining Military, Economic Advantages, Say Leaders”](https://www.westexec.com/bob-work-dod-ai-key-military/) - "Officials today discussed the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence's recent report and the progress for the adoption and implementation of AI across the Defense Department. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Michael S. Groen, director of the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center, and Robert O. Work, vice chair of the NSCAI, spoke to reporters at the Pentagon…"
- [Michèle Flournoy interviewed on The Financial Times podcast, “Are the US and China Entering a Cold War?”](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-ft-us-china-cold-war/) - "The US president has promised that, after four years of retreat from the global stage, 'America is back'. Over the past few years, China has continued to expand its economic and political influence and matched its growing clout on the world stage with a bigger military that is flexing its might in the Pacific. In
- [Andrea Kendall-Taylor quoted in RadioFreeEurope article, “Beijing Continues Its Steady but Uneven Rise in the World”](https://www.westexec.com/andrea-kendall-taylor-radiofreeeurope-beijing-uneven-rise/) - "'There are real fissures between Russia and China, but the persistence of the factors driving their partnership mean they will challenge the United States and Europe for the foreseeable future. Their alignment increases the risks that both countries pose. Together, they are a more potent force that can oppose both the United States and Europe.'
- [Jim Jeffrey interviewed in Andolu Agency article, “US-Turkey Ties to Improve in 6 Months: Ex-US Ambassador”](https://www.westexec.com/jim-jeffrey-andolu-us-turkey-ties/) - "Though Turkish-US ties are not 'very close' at the moment, six months from now they should improve, according to a former US ambassador to Ankara. "The two countries will maintain extensive ties, James Jeffrey told Anadolu Agency, explaining: 'Right now the relationship is not very close ... I would say, let's look at this relationship
- [Dennis Ross quoted in Politico article, "Joe Biden Is Not Planning to Solve the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict"](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-politico-biden-israeli-palestinian/) - "But the Trump administration did help orchestrate one breakthrough that some Mideast hands say could help salvage the two-state ideal: agreements between Israel and some Arab states to normalize their diplomatic relations. The so-called Abraham Accords could be expanded to cover other Arab countries currently at odds with Israel, said Dennis Ross, a longtime Mideast
- [Dennis Ross quoted in The Jerusalem Post article, “Were Reports of a Jordanian Coup a Wake-up Call For Israel?”](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-jp-reports-jordanian-coup/) - "'We should always be concerned about what happens in Jordan,' said former US negotiator Dennis Ross, who served during the Obama, Clinton and Bush administrations. 'Jordan’s position has been pivotal and its stability is essential.' "If Israel can’t count on Jordan to maintain security along that border, then that changes the country’s entire military strategy,
- [Michèle Flournoy interviewed on ChinaTalk podcast, "Michèle Flournoy on The US-China Strategic Calculus"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-chinatalk-us-china/) - "Michèle Flournoy recently joined [host Jordan Schneider] on an episode of the ChinaTalk podcast. Eric Lofgren of the fantastic Acquisition Talk blog and podcast cohosted. "Jordan: How would you apply a social-psychological approach to US-China relations? "Michèle: That's a great question. We have a lot of work to do to understand how Chinese leaders think:
- [Michèle Flournoy quoted in Politico article, "Electric Vehicles and Biofuel: Pentagon Poised to Go Greener Under Biden"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-politico-ev-biofuel/) - "Michèle Flournoy, who served as Obama’s Pentagon policy chief, agreed that the department has a significant role to play in reducing America’s carbon footprint. In particular, the Pentagon could use its vast budget for research and development to accelerate the development of new technologies to fight climate change. "'If you were to make [DoD] a
- [Danny Russel interviewed in The Diplomat, “Danny Russel on US Asia Policy Under Biden”](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-the-diplomat-us-asia-policy/) - "The Biden administration has placed the Indo-Pacific front and center during the past two months. From the virtual Quad summit – bringing together the leaders of Australia, Japan, India, and the U.S. for the first time – earlier this month to the overseas trips by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin,
- [Michèle Flournoy interviewed in The Future of Defense, “Michèle Flournoy on China, NATO, and Strategic Defense Spending”](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-future-of-defense-china-nato/) - "Hon. Michèle Flournoy (former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy; Co-Founder & Managing Partner, WestExec Advisors) interviewed by The Hill's Steve Clemons on competing and cooperating with China, cybersecurity threats and disinformation campaigns as areas for NATO improvement, and adjusting Pentagon's defense spending to address evolving technological concerns…" Watch the full interview here: Full Article
- [Bob Work writes in War on the Rocks: “Storm Clouds Ahead: Musings About the 2022 Defense Budget”](https://www.westexec.com/bob-work-war-on-the-rocks-2022-defense-budget/) - "It’s that time of year when the president’s annual budget is due to Congress, and with it, the annual update to the Pentagon’s future years defense program. The program is a projection of the forces, resources, and capabilities needed to support Department of Defense operations over a five-year period. The future years defense program covers
- [Dennis Ross quoted in The Jerusalem Post article, “Netanyahu: Peace with UAE Won’t Be Harmed by F-35 Freeze”](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-quoted-in-the-jerusalem-post/) - "Ambassador Dennis Ross, William Davidson Distinguished Fellow at The Washington Institute, told The Jerusalem Post that 'it is fairly typical of new administrations to review big arms sales that its predecessors have committed to doing.' "'Reagan, for example, reviewed the Carter administration decision to provide AWACS to Saudi Arabia, and then proceeded to make the
- [Meghan O’Sullivan quoted in CNBC article, “Renewables Chief Hails ‘Crucial’ Biden Climate Agenda as Administration Plans Massive Energy Overhaul”](https://www.westexec.com/meghan-osullivan-quoted-in-cnbc-article/) - "'The Biden administration and Secretary Kerry are talking about infusing climate into every foreign-policy interaction,' Meghan O’Sullivan, Director of the Harvard Kennedy School’s Geopolitics of Energy project, told an Atlantic Council panel session. "'It means asking the different agencies that conduct foreign policy and national security, like the Pentagon, USAID, and the State Department, to make
- [Charlie Bolden quoted in Aviation Week article, “Removing Blindfolds is Key to Building More Diverse Workforce”](https://www.westexec.com/charlie-bolden-quoted-in-aviation-week-article/) - "Born in 1946 and raised in segregated South Carolina, Bolden, an African American, set his sights on the U.S. Naval Academy, despite legislators from his district withholding their recommendations. "Bolden finally made it to the Naval Academy—and hated it. 'I thought it was tough. I thought it was unfair. I faced discrimination,' Bolden recalls. 'I cried
- [Dennis Ross interviewed on Fresh Air program, “New Documentary Offers an Inside Look at ‘90s Middle East Peace Negotiations”](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-interviewed-on-fresh-air/) - "One of the most interesting things about Yitzhak Rabin is that he evolves as a person. He evolves as someone who sees what Israel needs. And one of the things that always characterized him was his complete commitment and devotion to the IDF. He built it, the Israeli Defense Forces. He built it as an
- [Jamie Fly quoted in The New York Times article, “Russia Pushes U.S.-Funded News Outlet Toward Exit”](https://www.westexec.com/jamie-fly-quoted-in-the-new-york-times/) - "'The Kremlin appears to be exploiting the chaos at U.S. international broadcasting,' said Jamie Fly, a former head of RFE/RL, who was fired by the Trump administration last summer. 'It may just be a tactical move to create issues to barter with a new administration, but this is going to be an administration much more
- [Michèle Flournoy quoted in Military.com article, “Taiwan Now the ‘Flashpoint’ for Biden Administration’s China Policy, Flournoy Says”](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-quoted-in-military/) - "When the Navy carrier Roosevelt entered the South China Sea on the same day Chinese bombers and fighters flew into Taiwan's airspace, it signaled how difficult it will be for the Biden administration to craft a new China policy, former Pentagon policy chief Michèle Flournoy said Monday. "'Taiwan has really become the flashpoint’ of U.S.
- [Robert Work quoted in Reuters article, “U.S. Commission Cites ‘Moral Imperative’ to Explore AI Weapons”](https://www.westexec.com/robert-work-quoted-in-reuters/) - "The United States should not agree to ban the use or development of autonomous weapons powered by artificial intelligence (AI) software, a government-appointed panel said in a draft report for Congress. "The panel, led by former Google Chief Executive Eric Schmidt, on Tuesday concluded two days of public discussion about how the world’s biggest military
- [Meghan O’Sullivan quoted in The New York Times article, “How Biden’s Climate Ambitions Could Shift America’s Global Footprint”](https://www.westexec.com/meghan-osullivan-quoted-in-the-new-york-times/) - "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
- [Bridge Colby quoted in Foreign Policy article, “Biden Administration Looks to Contain China With Allies' Help, Despite No Asian NATO”](https://www.westexec.com/bridge-colby-foreign-policy-biden-contain-china/) - "The Biden administration has found a receptive ear in Asian capitals for pushing back on China’s territorial expansion. It is getting increased buy-in for the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue from Japan, as well as from long-wary partners India and Australia, which recently began military exercises together again after a long pause. And the new team is
- [Meghan O'Sullivan writes in Bloomberg: “There’s No Hurry for Biden to Re-Enter the Iran Nuclear Deal”](https://www.westexec.com/meghan-osullivan-bloomberg-reenter-iran-deal/) - "What sounded so simple during last year's presidential campaign has turned out, like everything related to Iran, to be quite complicated. President Joe Biden's administration would like to return to the Iran nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, as it was negotiated and signed in 2015…" Read the full article here:
- [Bob Work quoted in The Nation article, “National Security AI Commission Recommends Ramping up a Military Tech Race With China”](https://www.westexec.com/bob-work-the-nation-ai-commission/) - "Concern over China’s rise is already widespread among members of both parties, as is a sense that the United States is not doing enough to compete with China in the technological realm. And while some might question the need for more ships and planes to confront the Chinese, few debate the need for increased investment
- [Danny Russel interviewed in NPR The World: Latest Edition: “Public Health Experts Push to End an Unfair Border Policy”](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-npr-public-health/) - "H&M faces calls for a boycott in China after the company spoke out about Uyghur human rights abuses and concerns over forced labor in the production of cotton in Xinjiang province." This NPR The World: Latest Edition episode features Danny Russel, whose interview begins at the 28:30 mark. Listen to the full interview here: Full Interview
- [Bob Work quoted in National Defense article, “Taiwan Viewed as Achilles’ Heel of U.S. Microelectronics Supply Chain”](https://www.westexec.com/bob-work-national-defense-taiwan-microelectronics/) - "A potential Chinese takeover of neighboring Taiwan would pose a catastrophic threat to the United States supply of microelectronics, and Washington needs to take steps to reduce that vulnerability, former Deputy Secretary of Defense Bob Work warned March 24…" Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Lincoln Bloomfield writes in Fletcher Forum: “Let Them Eat Smartphones: Reflections on the Wealth-Information Paradox”](https://www.westexec.com/lincoln-bloomfield-fletcher-reflections-wealth-information-paradox/) - "The early twenty-first century has brought a transformation in societies worldwide: a rapid change in how people live and work, the rewards for their exertions, how they feel about their lot in life, and where they turn for succor. To consider the hours spent daily by much of humanity staring at lit rectangular screens is
- [Bob Work writes with James A. Winnefeld, Jr. and Stephanie O'Sullivan in War on the Rocks: “Steering in the Right Direction in the Military-Technical Revolution”](https://www.westexec.com/bob-work-war-on-the-rocks-military-technical-revolution/) - "A couple of years ago at the Beijing Xiangshan Forum, a senior executive at one of China’s largest defense companies claimed that 'mechanized equipment is just like the hand of the human body.' He continued, 'In future intelligent wars, AI systems will be just like the brain of the human body.' More recently, the People’s
- [Vince Brooks quoted in The Korea Herald article, “S. Korea's Nuclear Armament Will Only Justify N. Korea's Nuclear Ambition: Vincent Brooks”](https://www.westexec.com/vince-brooks-kore-herald-nuclear-armament/) - "Arming South Korea with its own nuclear weapons against threats from North Korea would only help justify the North's ongoing pursuit of nuclear weapons, and thus making it impossible to denuclearize the North, a former commander of US Forces Korea said Monday…" Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Miriam Vogel quoted in ABA Journal article, “AI Certification Initiatives Could Prove Very Useful to Legal Industry, Experts Say”](https://www.westexec.com/miriam-vogel-aba-journal-ai-certification/) - "Miriam Vogel, president and CEO of EqualAI, says her organization also hopes to eventually launch a certification program for responsible AI governance. "In the interim, EqualAI is seeking to have companies and organizations across industries publicly pledge to take steps to reduce bias in AI. In January, Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton announced it was
- [Bridge Colby writes in War on the Rocks: “The State of (Deterrence by) Denial”](https://www.westexec.com/bridge-colby-war-on-the-rocks-deterrence-denial/) - "America should act now to strengthen its Western Pacific forward posture. Neglecting it further raises the risk of war — and defeat. It is now widely understood that dealing with the threat that China poses in Asia should be the Department of Defense’s top priority…" Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Jim Jeffrey quoted in Fox News article, “Biden, Erdogan Exchange Criticism Amid Worries White House Giving Turkey the Cold Shoulder”](https://www.westexec.com/jim-jeffrey-fox-biden-erdogan/) - "Former U.S. ambassador to Turkey and Iraq James Jeffrey agreed that both countries will eventually find a middle ground since the U.S. needs Turkey as a partner in diplomatic and military platforms to counter China, Russia and Iran, even if it is one of the countries 'whose internal situations do not meet [Biden's] democracy standards…'"
- [Bridge Colby in The Washington Post: “Biden’s Global, Muscular Liberalism is an Indefensible Foreign Policy in 2021”](https://www.westexec.com/bridge-colby-wapo-biden-liberalism/) - "The central theme of President Biden’s foreign policy is a global, muscular liberalism. Ensuring that democracy 'will and must prevail,' Biden told the Munich Security Conference, is 'our galvanizing mission.' This appears to mean taking on threats to democracy wherever they lie — challenging both China and Russia, which Biden has said posits 'just as
- [Danny Russel quoted in Nikkei article, “China Marks 120-Year Comeback With Fireworks in Alaska”](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-nikkei-china-120-year-comeback/) - "The Asia Society's Daniel Russel praised the Biden administration's strategy for meeting allies first and creating a position of strength before sitting down with the Chinese. 'The U.S. is not willing to stay quiet about behavior by China that threatens regional stability, or that violates global norms, in exchange for Chinese cooperation on climate change
- [Bridge Colby quoted in The Diplomat article, “Making Sense of Europe’s Military Engagement in Asia”](https://www.westexec.com/bridge-colby-diplomat-europe-military-asia/) - "Nonetheless, what Washington expects Europe to do in military terms in Asia has often been ambiguous. While the U.S. has assisted with British and French deployments, there is skepticism in the U.S. about Europe’s military role in Asia. 'Better to have Europe play to its strengths in the Euro-Atlantic area rather than to vainly try
- [Andrea Kendall-Taylor quoted in The Hill article, “Russia, China Tensions Rise With White House”](https://www.westexec.com/andrea-kendall-taylor-the-hill-russia-china-tensions/) - "Andrea Kendall-Taylor, a senior fellow and director of the Transatlantic Security Program at the Center for a New American Security said the tough talk isn’t a surprise given the strength Moscow and Beijing believe they gained during the Trump years…" Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Danny Russel interviewed in BBC Newshour: “Angry Start to US-China Talks”](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-bbc-angry-start-us-china/) - "The first high-level talks between China and the new US administration have had a bumpy start - as both sides publicly rebuked one another. We get reaction and analysis from both countries." This BBC Newshour segment features Danny Russel, whose interview begins at the 2:00 mark. Watch the full interview here: Full Interview
- [Bridge Colby writes in Nikkei Asia: “Japan Must Urgently Increase Defense Spending”](https://www.westexec.com/bridge-colby-nikkei-japan-defense-spending/) - "Japan needs to spend a lot more on defense. Though relations between Tokyo and Washington are very solid, the simple fact is that America cannot and, if pressed, very likely will not balance China effectively alone. Japan needs to play a much greater role, not as a favor to Washington, but for its own sake…"
- [Danny Russel quoted in The Washington Post article, “Biden Administration Begins First Faceoff With China Amid Worsening Relations”](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-wapo-biden-admin-china/) - "'Among the factors that drive the administration’s messaging is not wanting to expose a flank and invite criticism of being appeasing to Beijing,' said Danny Russel, a vice president at the Asia Society Policy Institute and a former career diplomat. 'They are disabusing people of the expectation that this is going to produce some solutions
- [Andrea Kendall-Taylor quoted in The Hill article, “Hostility Rises Between Biden, Putin”](https://www.westexec.com/andrea-kendall-taylor-the-hill-hostility-biden-putin/) - "Andrea Kendall-Taylor, senior fellow and director of the Transatlantic Security Program at the Center for a New American Security, echoed that sanctions alone aren’t effective, but send an important signal of unacceptable behavior. They are also likely to take on more weight with a comprehensive strategy being developed by the Biden administration and in coordination
- [Danny Russel quoted in The Wall Street Journal article, “Hitting Nerve With Kim Jong Un Regime Takes Just a Few Words”](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-wsj-kim-jong-un-regime/) - "When nuclear talks with Washington and Pyongyang unfolded in the early 1990s, U.S. negotiators saw the language of reciprocity as a mild concession to a small, yet proud country that sought more equal terms in any deal, said Daniel Russel, the former top State Department official for Asia during the Obama administration, who was involved
- [Vikram Singh writes with Joe Felter in Defense One: “How SecDef Austin Can Make the Most of His India Visit”](https://www.westexec.com/vikram-singh-defense-one-austin-india/) - "As the last stop on U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's first international trip, India caps a carefully choreographed display of the U.S. administration's focus on working with America’s closest allies and partners to safeguard a free, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific. This is a good move, given that India and the United States will be linchpins
- [Jim Jeffrey writes in The Hill: “How Joe Biden Can Avoid Mistakes With His Middle East Foreign Policy”](https://www.westexec.com/jim-jeffrey-the-hill-biden-middle-east/) - "The administration has properly issued interim national security strategic guidance to shape its foreign policy in the longer term. The guidance for the Middle East is sensible, in general, to back Israel and other American partners, defend the global security system, move broadly with Iran, and combat terrorism. A formal Middle East policy based on
- [Michèle Flournoy quoted in Nextgov article, “Experts Explore the Need for a National Technology Strategy”](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-nextgov-experts-technology/) - "'The stakes are very, very high,' former Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Michèle Flournoy, who is chair of the [Center for New American Security] board, said during the webinar. 'And I think we've seen that without a clear national-level effort and strategy, we are taking a risk that we won't keep the edge and key
- [Danny Russel quoted in Politico article, “China and U.S. Appear Set for a Frosty Alaska Summit”](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-politico-alaska-summit/) - "'The Biden team has focused on getting into position and getting the sequence right in their engagement with China,' said Danny Russel, who served as Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs under former President Barack Obama. 'Obviously, the fact that they’re holding this meeting literally on the heels of alliance consultations
- [Meghan O'Sullivan cited in Bloomberg article, “What Countries Will Fight Over When Green Energy Dominates”](https://www.westexec.com/meghan-osullivan-bloomberg-green-energy/) - "Meghan O’Sullivan, director of Harvard’s geopolitics of energy initiative, has argued that shale also gives the U.S. significant foreign policy freedom. The added supply reduced potential for blowback from oil-price effects when America levied sanctions against Iran, blocking its oil from the global market…" Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Bob Work quoted in National Defense Magazine article, “Commission: AI Dominance Requires Bold Action”](https://www.westexec.com/bob-work-national-defense-magazine-ai-dominance/) - "The Defense Department and intelligence community must be AI-ready by 2025 to avoid falling behind, the [National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence] commissioners said. Reaching that goal will require the government to create a Technology Competitiveness Council akin to the National Security Council, said former Deputy Secretary of Defense Robert Work. "'The U.S. has no
- [Danny Russel writes in The Diplomat: “Quad Leaders Have Put Forward a Plan, Not a Promise”](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-diplomat-quad-leaders-plan/) - "With the announcement of an ambitious vaccine initiative for Southeast Asia on March 12, the 'Quad' has in a sense come full circle. The 'Quadrilateral Security Dialogue' among four major democratic nations in the Indo-Pacific – Australia, India, Japan, and the United States – had its inception in tragedy as a 'core group' coordinating relief
- [Dana Shell Smith quoted in Politico article, “Biden Under Pressure to Tap Fewer Political Ambassadors Than Trump, Obama”](https://www.westexec.com/dana-shell-smith-politico-biden-political-ambassadors/) - "'There are so many processes that broke down in the Trump years … and those have to be rebuilt,' said Dana Shell Smith, a former U.S. ambassador to Qatar who came from the career ranks. 'So while everyone agrees that we need positions filled, it’s just a reality that it can’t be done overnight…'" Read
- [Danny Russel writes in The Japan Times: “Why Biden’s Foreign Policy Should Matter to the American People”](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-japan-times-biden-foreign-policy/) - "U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken made a plain-language, lucid pitch to the American people on March 3 that explained the Biden administration’s major goals and guiding principles in international affairs. The speech laid the groundwork for the release later in the day of a White House preliminary strategy paper on national security that delves
- [Bob Work quoted in The Washington Post article, “The Cybersecurity 202: Democrats' New Infrastructure Bill Highlights Cybersecurity Concerns”](https://www.westexec.com/bob-work-wapo-cybersecurity-concerns/) - "Today's [Congressional] hearing comes nearly two weeks after the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence released a report saying the U.S. government is unprepared for the battle over AI technology with China. "'This will be expensive and requires significant change in mind-set at the national, and agency, and Cabinet levels,' the [National Security Commission on Artificial
- [Celeste Wallander quoted in Atlantic Council article, “New Report Offers Road Map for Getting US-Ukraine Bilateral Ties Back on Track”](https://www.westexec.com/celeste-wallander-atlantic-council-report-us-ukraine/) - "American foreign policy under President Biden may focus more closely on transatlantic issues than the previous administration, [the report's launch] event participants noted. That shift will likely benefit Ukraine, argued Dr. Celeste Wallander, President and CEO of the US-Russia Foundation. "According to Wallander, 'the US-Ukraine relationship will be part of the reinvigorated transatlantic strategy under
- [Rachel Ellehuus cited in War on the Rocks article, “Predictable Unpredictability? U.S. Arctic Strategy and Ways of Doing Business in the Region”](https://www.westexec.com/rachel-ellehuus-war-on-the-rocks-arctic/) - "Alliances and partnerships in the region have been highlighted in the U.S. Arctic policy documents over the years as the greatest strategic asymmetric advantage over rivals in the region, and therefore the cornerstone of regional strategy. Notably, activity with and through allies and partners can help to partly offset the lack of surface ice-hardened capabilities
- [Bridge Colby writes with Dennis Blair in The Manila Standard: “For the Philippines, Sticking With America Is a Better, Safe Play”](https://www.westexec.com/bridge-colby-manila-standard-philippines-america/) - "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
- [Danny Russel quoted in The Sydney Morning Herald article, “Australia Joins US Vaccine Push to Show China Isn’t ‘Only Game in Town’”](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-sydney-morning-herald-australia-us-vaccine/) - "The Biden administration is moving quickly to reinforce the strategic importance of the Quad - a security alliance between the US, Australia, India and Japan - starting by distributing vaccines across the Asia-Pacific… "'China’s dramatic rise and assertive behaviour has brought home the realisation for these four countries that they will benefit from a co-ordinated
- [Michèle Flournoy featured on BBC Newsnight, “What’s the Plan for ‘Global Britain’?”](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-bbc-newsnight-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,
- [Michèle Flournoy speaks at Duke University's National Security Law conference, "A National Security Discussion with Ms. Michèle Flournoy"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-duke-university-national-security/) - 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
- [Bridge Colby quoted in Politico article, “Austin Wants to Pivot to China. But Can He Pay for It?”](https://www.westexec.com/bridge-colby-politico-austin-pivot-china/) - "Elbridge Colby, a former defense official in the Trump administration, noted that so far the Biden administration has signaled it has no intention of drawing down limited resources from the Middle East, Afghanistan or Europe. At the same time, it wants to add new missions to the Pentagon’s already full plate, for instance dealing with
- [Danny Russel quoted in The Associated Press article, “Biden Brings No Relief to Tensions Between US and China”](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-ap-biden-us-china-tension/) - "'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
- [Michèle Flournoy featured in Hoover Institution podcast, “Are We Ready for War With China?”](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-hoover-war-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
- [Danny Russel quoted in The Washington Post article, “As Biden Seeks to Restore Alliances, a Souring Japan-South Korea Relationship Presents a Challenge”](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-wapo-biden-alliances/) - "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
- [Vince Brooks quoted in CNN article, “New Satellite Images Reveal North Korea Took Recent Steps to Conceal Nuclear Weapons Site”](https://www.westexec.com/vince-brooks-cnn-satellite-north-korea/) - "New satellite imagery obtained by CNN reveals North Korea has recently taken steps to conceal a facility US intelligence agencies believe is being used to store nuclear weapons, a move that could add to the growing sense of urgency from critics who argue the Biden administration needs to articulate a clear strategy on how it
- [Meghan O'Sullivan writes in Bloomberg: “Saudi Arabia and the U.S. Still Need Each Other”](https://www.westexec.com/meghan-osullivan-bloomberg-saudi-us/) - "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
- [Bob Work quoted in Federal News Network article, “AI Commission Sees ‘Extraordinary’ Support to Stand up Tech-Focused Service Academy”](https://www.westexec.com/bob-work-fnn-ai-commission-support/) - "Artificial intelligence tools will soon become the 'weapons of first resort,' and will accelerate the damage caused by cyber attacks and disinformation campaigns, former Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work said Monday. "To stay top of this emerging threat, Work, speaking as the vice-chairman of the National Security Commission on AI, is calling on the federal government
- [Dennis Ross quoted in Fox News article, “Biden's Release of Report on Khashoggi Killing Shows Difference From Trump's Approach, Experts Say”](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-fox-news-biden-report-khashoggi/) - "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
- [Bob Work quoted in U.S. Naval Institute News article, “Panel: Future Fleet Numbers Not as Important as Capabilities Like Sealift, Unmanned”](https://www.westexec.com/bob-work-usni-panel-future-fleet/) - "The Navy League hosted a panel discussion last week centered around its newest Maritime Policy Statement, produced every other year to outline the Navy League’s legislative agenda. Keynote speaker Bob Work, a former deputy secretary of defense and undersecretary of the Navy, praised the report for concentrating on policy instead of the nitty gritty details
- [Danny Russel quoted in The Wall Street Journal article, “Biden’s Plans to Rally Allies on China Are Put to the Test”](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-wsj-biden-allies-china/) - "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
- [Bridge Colby writes in The Wall Street Journal: “America Can Defend Taiwan”](https://www.westexec.com/bridge-colby-writes-in-the-wall-street-journal-america-can-defend-taiwan/) - "Defeating a PLA attack would be far from easy or cheap, and being ready to do so will involve wrenching changes in the U.S. and Taiwanese defense establishments. But it is doable. "To put it simply, defeating a Chinese invasion would require the U.S., Taiwan and any other engaged parties to cripple or destroy enough
- [Meghan O'Sullivan quoted in the New Atlanticist article, "The Many New Ways Energy and National Security Are Intersecting"](https://www.westexec.com/meghan-osullivan-quoted-in-the-new-atlanticist-article-the-many-new-ways-energy-and-national-security-are-intersecting/) - "Meghan O’Sullivan, director of the Harvard Kennedy School’s Geopolitics of Energy project, said that although the world is embracing renewable energy sources, 'even the most climate-friendly energy scenarios in the future all involve a reasonably substantial amount of oil and gas usage over time.' "A few 'petrostates' will continue to wield influence—in some cases even
- [Jamie Fly writes with Tim Morrison in The Dispatch: "Chemical Weapons in Russia an Early Test for Biden"](https://www.westexec.com/jamie-fly-writes-with-tim-morrison-in-the-dispatch-chemical-weapons-in-russia-an-early-test-for-biden/) - "Despite the Kremlin’s ongoing attacks against the United States and its allies, some influential foreign policy voices are already counseling the incoming Biden administration to prioritize arms control with Moscow. Those voices would do well to stop and consider the current threat Moscow poses to arms control itself. "Last month, Bellingcat and CNN revealed the
- [Bridge Colby interviewed with Ian Brzezinski in FPRI's Orbis, "How NATO Manages the 'Bear' and the 'Dragon'"](https://www.westexec.com/bridge-colby-interviewed-with-ian-brzezinski-in-fpris-orbis-how-nato-manages-the-bear-and-the-dragon/) - "In March 2020, the secretary-general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Jens Stoltenberg, convened a “reflection group” to examine how the trans-Atlantic alliance can adapt to the new security challenges of the 2020s and beyond. As we await the final report and recommendation of this group of experts, Orbis Editor Nikolas Gvosdev asked Elbridge
- [Dennis Ross writes in The Washington Post: "Biden Doesn’t Need to Rush Back into the Iran Nuclear Deal to Defuse Tensions"](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-writes-in-the-washington-post-biden-doesnt-need-to-rush-back-into-the-iran-nuclear-deal-to-defuse-tensions/) - "Iran has resumed enriching uranium to 20 percent in its secretive Fordow facility, which is literally built inside a mountain. Enrichment to this level puts Iran in a position where getting to weapons grade fissile material is not a big leap. It is certainly the most problematic of all the Iranian breaches of the Joint
- [Danny Russel quoted in Politico article, "Australia Offers Europe a Warning on a Trade Deal with China"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-politico-article-australia-offers-europe-a-warning-on-a-trade-deal-with-china/) - "Danny Russel, a senior official in the Obama White House dealing with China, said Australia’s predicament made clear that democracies need to work together to limit Beijing's use of its economic leverage. 'The heart of the matter is that if this intimidation play works against Australia ... there is going to be more of this
- [Bridge Colby quoted in The New York Times article, "State Dept. Moves to Ease Restrictions on Meeting with Taiwan Officials"](https://www.westexec.com/bridge-colby-quoted-in-the-new-york-times-article-state-dept-moves-to-ease-restrictions-on-meeting-with-taiwan-officials/) - "With Beijing cracking down on democratic movements and asserting itself globally, it is critical to strengthen ties with Taiwan, Mr. Colby said. "'We need Taiwan to increase its resilience, its defensibility, its economic strength, because there’s a real possibility that China will take aggressive action against it,' he said..." Read the full article here: Full
- [Vince Brooks quoted in Vice article, "The Military Can't Save America From Trump"](https://www.westexec.com/vince-brooks-quoted-in-vice-article-the-military-cant-save-america-from-trump/) - "Part of the reticence about military involvement stems, former leaders said, from critiques of military involvement during the summer’s peaceful Black Lives Matters protests in Washington, D.C. 'I think that the events of the summer impacted the approach the military was expected to take,' General Vincent K. Brooks told VICE News. The former head of
- [Michèle Flournoy interviewed by The World, "How Trump's 'Dangerous State of Mind' in Wake of Capitol Riot Could Harm U.S. National Security"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-interviewed-by-the-world-how-trumps-dangerous-state-of-mind-in-wake-of-capitol-riot-could-harm-u-s-national-security/) - "I think longer term, the biggest concern I have is with China and Russia. They both like to perpetuate and proliferate this narrative of US decline, and you can be sure that the news, state-run media in both countries, are running the clips of the insurrection and the mob violence on the Capitol over and
- [Matt Waxman publishes book with Nobuhisa Ishizuka and Masahiro Kurosaki: Strengthening the U.S.-Japan Alliance: Pathways for Bridging Law and Policy](https://www.westexec.com/matt-waxman-publishes-book-with-nobuhisa-ishizuka-and-masahiro-kurosaki-strengthening-the-u-s-japan-alliance-pathways-for-bridging-law-and-policy/) - "The U.S.-Japan alliance is a cornerstone of American foreign and defense policy in East Asia. 'It’s critical to the security of the region,' says Matthew Waxman, Liviu Librescu Professor of Law and faculty chair of the Law School’s National Security Law Program. 'To understand how the U.S.-Japan alliance operates in practice, it’s important for Japanese
- [Bridge Colby quoted in The Financial Times article, "NYSE Begins De-Listing China's Three Largest State-Run Telecoms Groups"](https://www.westexec.com/bridge-colby-quoted-in-the-financial-times-article-nyse-begins-de-listing-chinas-three-largest-state-run-telecoms-groups/) - "Elbridge Colby, a former Trump administration official who helped shape a tougher line on China, described the step as 'long overdue...'" Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Danny Russel quoted in Politico newsletter, "China Divides And Conquers Democracies Again"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-politico-newsletter-china-divides-and-conquers-democracies-again/) - "Danny Russel, a senior China hand in the Obama White House who is now at Asia Society, told Global Translations, 'We want China’s eyebrow to get burned here.' The heart of the matter, Russel said, 'is that if this intimidation play works against Australia, and in due course third countries — if it’s seen to
- [Jamie Fly writes in The Washington Post: "How Biden Can Undo Damage to U.S.-Backed News Outlets That Counter Authoritarian Propaganda"](https://www.westexec.com/jamie-fly-writes-in-the-washington-post-how-biden-can-undo-damage-to-u-s-backed-news-outlets-that-counter-authoritarian-propaganda/) - "Authoritarians have long practiced the cynical art of manipulating information to stifle dissent and shape international perceptions of their regimes. But in the digital age, they are armed as never before, reaching into other countries to influence political discourse and spread conspiracy theories..." Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Michael Camilleri writes in Foreign Affairs: "Biden's Latin American Opportunity"](https://www.westexec.com/michael-camilleri-writes-in-foreign-affairs-bidens-latin-american-opportunity/) - "For eight years as vice president, Joe Biden served as the United States’ principal emissary to Latin America and the Caribbean. He took a total of 16 trips to the region, the last of which—to the Colombian city of Cartagena in December 2016—was a victory lap of sorts: Biden congratulated Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos
- [Dennis Ross quoted in Bloomberg article, "Senate Rejects Resolutions Seeking to Block F-35 Sale to UAE"](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-quoted-in-bloomberg-article-senate-rejects-resolutions-seeking-to-block-f-35-sale-to-uae/) - "Biden spokesman Ned Price declined to comment on the resolutions. But Dennis Ross, a former U.S. Mideast peace negotiator now with the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said the incoming president would likely be in favor of the deal going through..." Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Danny Russel quoted in The Sydney Morning Herald article, "Beijing Set a Trap for Scott Morrison and He Walked Right In"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-the-sydney-morning-herald-article-beijing-set-a-trap-for-scott-morrison-and-he-walked-right-in/) - "Morrison's response was clumsy and ill-advised. It was 'not textbook', as Danny Russel, a former Asia-Pacific adviser to Joe Biden and Barack Obama, put it to me. The Chinese spokesman who tweeted the mocked-up picture of a digger holding a knife to the throat of a child, Zhao Lijian, is the leading practitioner of China's
- [Michael Camilleri writes in The Dialogue: "Joe Biden, Friend of Latin America"](https://www.westexec.com/michael-camilleri-writes-in-the-dialogue-joe-biden-friend-of-latin-america/) - "When Joe Biden is sworn in as the 46th president of the United States, he will bring to the White House a deeper knowledge of Latin America and the Caribbean than any of his recent predecessors. Biden traveled to the region a record 16 times while serving as Barack Obama’s vice president, and many more
- [Michèle Flournoy interviewed on the Skimm This podcast, "New Admin, Who Dis?: Cabinet Picks and Challenges"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-interviewed-on-the-skimm-this-podcast-new-admin-who-dis-cabinet-picks-and-challenges/) - "We’re all pretty excited for a fresh start in 2021. Before we get there, we’ve got some vaccine news for you and a look at who might get a dose before the end of the year. Then, there’s one person who’s already making his intentions clear for 2021: President-Elect Joe Biden. We’ve got the who’s
- [Dennis Ross quoted in Jewish Insider article, "Obama Admin Officials Criticize the Killing of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh"](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-quoted-in-jewish-insider-article-obama-admin-officials-criticize-the-killing-of-mohsen-fakhrizadeh/) - "Asked if former Obama officials should be critiquing moves made during the transition given the Obama administration’s 2016 decision not to veto a resolution at the U.N. criticizing Israel during the transition period, former U.S. Mideast envoy Dennis Ross told JI: 'No one gets an absolute pass to do whatever they want during the transition.
- [Barbara Leaf quoted in Vox article, "The Battle Over Trump’s Huge UAE Arms Deal, Explained"](https://www.westexec.com/barbara-leaf-quoted-in-vox-article-the-battle-over-trumps-huge-uae-arms-deal-explained/) - "However, that issue 'has receded in importance' more recently, said Barbara Leaf, the US ambassador to the UAE from 2014 to 2018. The main reason is that in October, Israel’s government dropped its objection to the F-35 transfers in particular, soon after the Pentagon promised Jerusalem its edge would remain intact. "'It’s now more about
- [Linc Bloomfield quoted in Voice of America article, "Pompeo, Stoltenberg Talk China at Halifax Security Forum"](https://www.westexec.com/linc-bloomfield-quoted-in-voice-of-america-article-pompeo-stoltenberg-talk-china-at-halifax-security-forum/) - "'This is a time of uncertainty and anxiety, but as a strategic matter, the democratic model ultimately sits on the right side of history,' said Lincoln Bloomfield Jr., a former top State Department official. 'Much work lies ahead to fulfill its superior potential...'" Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Barbara Leaf quoted in The New York Times article, "U.S. Hopes a Small Step in Easing a Mideast Rivalry Could Further Rattle Iran’s Economy"](https://www.westexec.com/barbara-leaf-quoted-in-the-new-york-times-article-u-s-hopes-a-small-step-in-easing-a-mideast-rivalry-could-further-rattle-irans-economy/) - "If Saudi Arabia allows Qatari flights through its airspace, that 'would clearly be a win for Doha,' said Barbara A. Leaf, a former U.S. ambassador to the United Arab Emirates and a fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy..." Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Colin Thomas-Jensen writes with Leanne Erdberg Steadman and Bethany L. McGann for the United States Institute of Peace: "Mozambique’s Crisis Requires a New Playbook to Fight Extremism"](https://www.westexec.com/colin-thomas-jensen-writes-with-leanne-erdberg-steadman-and-bethany-l-mcgann-for-the-united-states-institute-of-peace-mozambiques-crisis-requires-a-new-playbook-to-fight-extremism/) - "Over the past three years, a local Islamist insurgency in the northern Mozambican province of Cabo Delgado has grown in strength and viciousness, developing ties with international terrorist groups and threatening one of the world’s largest natural gas projects. The insurgency is turning Cabo Delgado into a killing field. While many Americans are increasingly wary
- [Meghan O'Sullivan writes in Bloomberg Opinion: "What Does Success Look Like for a Climate Czar?"](https://www.westexec.com/meghan-osullivan-writes-in-bloomberg-opinion-what-does-success-look-like-for-a-climate-czar/) - "President-elect Joe Biden’s decision to create a new cabinet-level position for climate-related issues — and to choose so prominent a figure as former Secretary of State John Kerry to fill it — demonstrates Biden’s sincerity over putting climate at the very center of U.S. foreign policy. It is easy to understate the importance of this
- [Mike Singh writes with Sinan Ulgen in Foreign Policy: "Biden Can’t Avoid Erdogan, but He Can Keep the U.S.-Turkish Relationship on Track"](https://www.westexec.com/mike-singh-writes-with-sinan-ulgen-in-foreign-policy-biden-cant-avoid-erdogan-but-he-can-keep-the-u-s-turkish-relationship-on-track/) - "When Joe Biden assumes office as U.S. president in late January, one of the thorniest foreign-policy challenges he will inherit is not one of his predecessor’s creation. Indeed, the problem of U.S. relations with Turkey has wrong-footed U.S. administrations from both parties in the past two decades..." Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Chris Inglis cited in POLITICO article, "Ex-National Security Officials Warn of Risks in Biden Transition Delay"](https://www.westexec.com/chris-inglis-cited-in-politico-article-ex-national-security-officials-warn-of-risks-in-biden-transition-delay/) - "In a letter sent to the General Services Administration on Thursday and obtained by POLITICO, the former officials urged the agency to officially name Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as the apparent president-elect and vice president-elect so that they can access information 'needed to address pressing national security issues, such as the President’s Daily Briefing
- [Michael Camilleri quoted in France 42 article, "Biden Heralds Shift in US Strategy Toward Venezuela"](https://www.westexec.com/michael-camilleri-quoted-in-france-42-article-biden-heralds-shift-in-us-strategy-toward-venezuela/) - "Another analyst, Michael Camilleri of the Inter-American Dialogue, said, 'Biden's policy toward Venezuela will be grounded in reality rather than the wishful thinking that we've seen under the Trump administration.' "The reality, he said, is that Maduro presides over a dictatorship that systematically violates people's human rights, and the country is mired in a worsening
- [Danny Russel interviewed on NHK World, "US-Asia Relations under Biden"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-interviewed-on-nhk-world-us-asia-relations-under-biden/) - "When Joe Biden becomes US president in January, relations with Asia may have a different tone. Daniel Russel of the Asia Society Policy Institute tells NHK World that the new administration will likely emphasize a more 'coherent and consistent' approach to security and diplomacy..." Watch the full interview here: Full Interview
- [Matt Waxman creates new website with Bobby Chesney, "National Security Law Lectures"](https://www.westexec.com/matt-waxman-creates-new-website-with-bobby-chesney-national-security-law-lectures/) - "In case what is missing from your life is a series of video lectures breaking down national security law topics, we are here to help! "During our summers under COVID lockdown, we finally had time—and extra reason—to act on a project we've talked about for years: developing and recording together a set of U.S. national
- [Linc Bloomfield interviewed on CNBC, "U.S. Election Outcome Is Still An ‘Open Question,’ Says Think Tank"](https://www.westexec.com/linc-bloomfield-interviewed-on-cnbc-u-s-election-outcome-is-still-an-open-question-says-think-tank/) - "Lincoln Bloomfield, chairman emeritus at the Stimson Center, weighs in on major differences in foreign policy style between Democratic nominee Joe Biden and U.S. President Donald Trump..." Watch the full interview here: Full Interview
- [Michael Camilleri quoted in Explica article, "Latin America Hails Biden’s Triumph; Wait for Collaboration"](https://www.westexec.com/michael-camilleri-quoted-in-explica-article-latin-america-hails-bidens-triumph-wait-for-collaboration/) - "'Joe Biden brings to the White House a deeper level of knowledge about Latin America and the Caribbean than any other president since the Cold War,' said Michael Camilleri, director of the Peter D. Bell Rule of Law Program of the Inter-American Dialogue, with headquarters in Washington. "'Concerns about democracy, human rights, and corruption will
- [Dennis Ross interviewed in the Jerusalem Post, "What to Expect from Joe Biden’s Middle East Policy"](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-interviewed-in-the-jerusalem-post-what-to-expect-from-joe-bidens-middle-east-policy/) - "I don’t think that [Biden] feels this is a period where the prospect of a big new breakthrough between Israelis and Palestinians is very high. That doesn’t mean that he won’t favor diplomacy, because I think he feels that when there’s no diplomacy, you leave a vacuum. We had no direct political talks between the
- [Danny Russel quoted in Kyodo News article, "Focus: Biden Eyes Undoing Trump's Legacy of Reduced U.S. Role, Fraying Ties"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-kyodo-news-article-focus-biden-eyes-undoing-trumps-legacy-of-reduced-u-s-role-fraying-ties/) - "'The United States just has so much less credibility and respect in Northeast Asia than in any other time in our modern history,' Daniel Russel, a former U.S. senior diplomat for East Asia, said during a webinar hosted by the Korea Society based in New York..." Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Dennis Ross quoted in Financial Times article, "Joe Biden's Relationship with Israel To Be Tested Over Iran"](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-quoted-in-financial-times-article-joe-bidens-relationship-with-israel-to-be-tested-over-iran/) - "Re-entering the Iran nuclear deal would 'obviously hurt' the Israeli leader [Benjamin Netanyahu] politically, Mr. Ross said, suggesting that a slow and carefully sequenced approach could help soften the blow..." Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Vincent Brooks interviewed on Horns of Dilemma podcast, "It's Not Just Over There: The American Commitment to the Korean Peninsula"](https://www.westexec.com/vincent-brooks-interviewed-on-horns-of-dilemma-podcast-its-not-just-over-there-the-american-commitment-to-the-korean-peninsula/) - "In this episode of Horns of a Dilemma, Clint Work of the Stimson Center and Stimson’s 38 North program hosts a discussion between Gen. Vincent Brooks, senior fellow at the Clements Center at the University of Texas at Austin, and Sheena Greitens, professor at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas
- [Danny Russel quoted in The Wall Street Journal article, "Biden, as President, Will Shift U.S. Toolkit on China"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-the-wall-street-journal-article-biden-as-president-will-shift-u-s-toolkit-on-china/) - "'These are two things that Biden and the Biden people are talking about—the first is the outreach to allies and partners and like-minded states—democracies,' said Daniel Russel, former Asia diplomat in the Obama-Biden administration, now at the Asia Society Policy Institute think tank. 'Secondly is ensuring our policy and strategy are rooted in shared values,'
- [Dennis Ross writes with David Makovsky in The Times of Israel: "Yitzhak Rabin Was Always A Realist. How Would He Have Handled the 2020 Mideast?"](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-writes-with-david-makovsky-in-the-times-of-israel-yitzhak-rabin-was-always-a-realist-how-would-he-have-handled-the-2020-mideast/) - "It is hard to believe that it is the 25th anniversary of the loss of Yitzhak Rabin. "He was the embodiment of modern Israel. He was the first Israeli leader who was native-born. He fought its wars and built the Israeli military from the time he was a young commander in the Palmach, defending Jerusalem
- [Liz Rosenberg interviewed on the European Council on Foreign Relations podcast, "How Can the EU Strike Back? The Way Towards Higher Economic Resilience"](https://www.westexec.com/liz-rosenberg-interviewed-on-the-european-council-on-foreign-relations-podcast-how-can-the-eu-strike-back-the-way-towards-higher-economic-resilience/) - "In this week’s episode, host Mark Leonard is joined by Elizabeth Rosenberg, Senior Fellow and Director of the Energy, Economics, and Security Program at the Center for a New American Security, Jean Pisani-Ferry, ECFR Council Member and a senior fellow at Brussels-based think-tank Bruegel and Jonathan Hackenbroich, ECFR policy fellow for economic statecraft and the
- [Charlie Bolden quoted in POLITICO article, "Biden’s Space Policy: One Giant Leap for Climate Change"](https://www.westexec.com/charlie-bolden-quoted-in-politico-article-bidens-space-policy-one-giant-leap-for-climate-change/) - "'If they talk about the Green New Deal, that would rely heavily on NASA to be a part of getting that implemented using technology in orbit,' said retired Maj. Gen. Charles Bolden, who served as NASA administrator in the Obama administration..." Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Jay Shambaugh writes for Brookings: "Don't Let Flashy 3rd Quarter GDP Growth Fool You, The Economy Is Still in A Big Hole"](https://www.westexec.com/jay-shambaugh-writes-for-brookings-dont-let-flashy-3rd-quarter-gdp-growth-fool-you-the-economy-is-still-in-a-big-hole/) - "When Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth data for the third quarter of 2020 is released on October 29, it will almost certainly break records. Many analysts project growth over 30 percent at an annual rate – roughly twice as high as any quarterly growth rate since World War II. "Yet despite this phenomenal-sounding growth, the
- [Michèle Flournoy writes in CNN: "Key Player in War on Climate Change? The Pentagon"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-writes-in-cnn-key-player-in-war-on-climate-change-the-pentagon/) - "In the final presidential debate Thursday night, Vice President Joe Biden called climate change an 'existential threat to humanity' that we have a moral obligation to address. Whoever leads the country for the next four years in January has an opportunity to substantially reduce carbon emissions while creating millions of new green tech jobs that
- [Danny Russel quoted in The Sydney Morning Herald article, "Why Trump Has Become China's Enemy ... with Benefits"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-the-sydney-morning-herald-article-why-trump-has-become-chinas-enemy-with-benefits/) - "'Donald Trump has inflicted pain on the Chinese,' says Danny Russel, who was a top official on China policy in the White House and the State Department in the last Democrat administration. "'He's created problems for them with tariff upon tariff, he's embarrassed them and infuriated them,' Russel tells me. 'But he hasn't been tough
- [Rachel Ellehuus quoted in The Washington Times article, "Turkey's Interference Worries Friends, Angers Foes"](https://www.westexec.com/rachel-ellehuus-quoted-in-the-washington-times-article-turkeys-interference-worries-friends-angers-foes/) - "'Erdogan is using this overseas adventurism to draw the Turkish public’s attention away from how poorly the Turkish economy is doing,' said Rachel Ellehuus, deputy director of the Europe Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington..." Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Liz Rosenberg on the Financial Crime Insights podcast, "What’s in Store for Sanctions?"](https://www.westexec.com/liz-rosenberg-on-the-financial-crime-insights-podcast-whats-in-store-for-sanctions/) - "No matter who wins, the US sanctions strategy is sure to be impacted by the upcoming election. How will the results affect Washington’s current favoured foreign policy tool? Emil Dall speaks with Elizabeth Rosenberg of the Center for New American Security, Nicholas Turner of Steptoe & Johnson Hong Kong and Sascha Lohmann of the SWP..."
- [Mike Singh quoted in POLITICO article, "Biden Plans A Beefed-up National Security Council"](https://www.westexec.com/mike-singh-quoted-in-politico-article-biden-plans-a-beefed-up-national-security-council/) - "Perhaps above all, said Michael Singh, a former George W. Bush administration aide, Biden will have to decide 'whether he is going to make the NSC the prime mover on all things national security' as Obama did, or delegate more authority to Cabinet agencies..." Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Barbara Leaf interviewed on Bloomberg Daybreak: Middle East, "What Does the U.S. Election Mean for the Middle East?"](https://www.westexec.com/barbara-leaf-interviewed-on-bloomberg-daybreak-middle-east-what-does-the-u-s-election-mean-for-the-middle-east/) - "Barbara Leaf, former U.S. ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, looks at what the presidential election outcome would mean for Gulf governments. Iran's parliament on Monday voted to urgently consider legislation that would end wide-ranging inspections by international atomic monitors if U.S. oil and banking sanctions aren’t lifted within three months of the bill’s approval..."
- [Charlie Bolden quoted in Axios article, "The International Space Station's End Will Mix Up Space Geopolitics"](https://www.westexec.com/charlie-bolden-quoted-in-axios-article-the-international-space-stations-end-will-mix-up-space-geopolitics/) - "The big picture: Not all attention will turn to the Moon at the end of the space station, however. NASA is hoping to make use of private space stations under development as a proving ground for missions to deeper space. "Those space stations could be places where nations are able to collaborate with one another
- [Danny Russel quoted in CNN article, "How China's Xi Jinping Blew A Golden Opportunity with US President Donald Trump"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-cnn-article-how-chinas-xi-jinping-blew-a-golden-opportunity-with-us-president-donald-trump/) - "'At the same time that Xi was hypocritically claiming to be the grand defender of the global system, Trump was attacking it viciously and putting forward a very nationalist jingoistic message. So that magnified the contrasts and widened the gap,' said [Danny] Russel, who is now vice president of international security and diplomacy at the
- [Danny Russel quoted in Stars and Stripes article, "North Korea Poised to Test Next US President with Growing Nuclear Missile Threat"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-stars-and-stripes-article-north-korea-poised-to-test-next-us-president-with-growing-nuclear-missile-threat/) - "'The North Koreans are perhaps more inclined to teach a lesson and to housebreak a new Biden administration than they are to throw a monkey wrench into what’s already a kind of wild and crazy U.S. election,' Daniel Russel, former assistant secretary of state for the region, said during a virtual panel earlier this month..."
- [Dan Shapiro quoted in The Washington Post article, "Key Palestinian Official in Critical Condition with Covid-19"](https://www.westexec.com/dan-shapiro-quoted-in-the-washington-post-article-key-palestinian-official-in-critical-condition-with-covid-19/) - "'Saeb Erekat has been the central figure in Palestinian negotiations with Israel, or in decisions to stay out of such negotiations, for over two decades,' said Dan Shapiro, former U.S. ambassador to Israel. 'Outside of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas himself, there is no one who has had such influence on these decisions...'" Read the
- [Dennis Ross quoted in The Wall Street Journal​ article, "Where Trump and Biden Stand on the Middle East"](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-quoted-in-the-wall-street-journal​-article-where-trump-and-biden-stand-on-the-middle-east/) - "Dennis Ross, who served as a senior official on Middle East issues for Democratic and Republican administrations, said that headway on Israeli-Palestinian issues could facilitate normalization and vice versa. "'Many Arab states won’t make one big move to normalize with Israel but will proceed in stages,' Mr. Ross said. 'When they do, they are likely
- [Danny Russel quoted in Nikkei article, "What Would A Biden Presidency Mean for Asia?"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-nikkei-article-what-would-a-biden-presidency-mean-for-asia/) - "Daniel Russel, assistant secretary of state for East Asia and Pacific under Obama, said Biden would take steps to avoid military escalation resulting from miscommunication. "But 'the crux of the difference if Joe Biden were elected president would be that we would have a president who set the policy,' said Russel, now with the Asia
- [Michèle Flournoy speaks at New America's Future Security Forum, "Reinventing National Security in the Era of COVID-19"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-speaks-at-new-americas-future-security-forum-reinventing-national-security-in-the-era-of-covid-19/) - Michèle Flounory speaks with General Joseph Votel and Peter Bergen about how COVID influences our conceptualization of national security, civil-military relations, and ongoing and upcoming national security challenges for the United States. Watch the full event here: Full Event
- [Bridge Colby quoted in The Washington Examiner article, "US Tells Taiwan 'to Fortify Itself' to Repel Invasion from China"](https://www.westexec.com/bridge-colby-quoted-in-the-washington-examiner-article-us-tells-taiwan-to-fortify-itself-to-repel-invasion-from-china/) - "'China will want to make an example of a country that has strong ties, either an alliance or quasi-alliance, with the United States — which Taiwan effectively does,' [Bridge Colby] said. "A victory there would bring a cascade of advantages. Taiwan’s geographic location — off the coast of mainland China, south of Japan, and north
- [Vince Brooks quoted in Foreign Policy article, "America’s Language of Mass Destruction Convinces Nobody"](https://www.westexec.com/vince-brooks-quoted-in-foreign-policy-article-americas-language-of-mass-destruction-convinces-nobody/) - "The threat of military action has become a constant of U.S. foreign policy toward the North. Retired Gen. Vincent Brooks, a recent commander of U.S. Forces Korea, argued for continuing to threaten military action against North Korea. Presidents should insist that 'all options are on the table,' he contended. He didn’t want war, he emphasized,
- [Michèle Flournoy speaks at Association of Defense Communities conference, "Are You Ready for What's Next? The Future of Our National Defense"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-speaks-at-association-of-defense-communities-conference-are-you-ready-for-whats-next-the-future-of-our-national-defense/) - "There is a growing consensus in Congress and DOD that we are entering a new era of great power competition and in order to be prepared for the threat posed by near-peer competitors the military must re-align its strategic military doctrines, culture, and service programs and budgets. But what exactly will those re-alignments look like?
- [Dan Shapiro writes with Eyal Propper in Asia Society blog: "The COVID New (Ab)Normal: Israel Navigates a Perilous, Post-COVID U.S.-China Divide"](https://www.westexec.com/dan-shapiro-writes-with-eyal-propper-in-asia-society-blog-the-covid-new-abnormal-israel-navigates-a-perilous-post-covid-u-s-china-divide/) - "If indeed the relationship between the United States and China in the years to come will be defined as a new era of great power competition, it creates a range of hard choices for U.S. partners. In the Middle East, the United States has no closer partner than Israel, and it will not be spared
- [Michèle Flournoy interviewed on McChrystal Group podcast No Turning Back](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-interviewed-on-mcchrystal-group-podcast-no-turning-back/) - "In our twenty-first episode, Stan McChrystal and Chris Fussell are joined by former Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Michèle Flournoy. Michèle has also served as CEO of the Center for a New American Security, and Co-Founder and Managing Partner of WestExec Advisors. Together, they discuss the lessons Michèle has brought with her in her transition
- [Vince Brooks participates in CNAS roundtable, "A Conversation on Race in the Military"](https://www.westexec.com/vince-brooks-participates-in-cnas-roundtable-a-conversation-on-race-in-the-military/) - "On October 21, 2020, the Military, Veterans, and Society Program at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) hosted the second event in a multi-part discussion series on race in the military... Moderators Bishop Garrison and CNAS Adjunct Senior Fellow Dr. Jason Dempsey hosted a conversation with General (Ret.) Vincent K. Brooks and Colonel
- [Dennis Ross writes in The Hill: "Bandar Speaks Out: The Changing Landscape in the Mideast"](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-writes-in-the-hill-bandar-speaks-out-the-changing-landscape-in-the-mideast/) - "Shortly before we presented the Clinton parameters on peace to the Israelis and Palestinians in December 2000, I briefed Bandar bin Sultan, the Saudi ambassador to America. Once presented, I wanted Saudi Arabia to urge then-Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat to accept our bridging proposal to end the conflict. Bandar’s response is etched in my memory:
- [Dan Shapiro quoted in The Hill article, "Trump COVID-19 Result Raises Pressure on Pompeo"](https://www.westexec.com/dan-shapiro-quoted-in-the-hill-article-trump-covid-19-result-raises-pressure-on-pompeo/) - "'We were already in a period, because of the election, that the country’s attention was so focused inward,' said Dan Shapiro, who served as U.S. ambassador to Israel in the Obama administration. 'Now you compound that with a president being less than fully healthy, even in some scenarios incapacitated, and you realize that the health
- [Danny Russel quoted in South China Morning Post article, "Does China’s One-Party System Blind It to Why It’s a US Election Issue?"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-south-china-morning-post-article-does-chinas-one-party-system-blind-it-to-why-its-a-us-election-issue/) - "'The Chinese have told themselves a story about why American attitudes have soured towards China,' said Daniel Russel, a former assistant secretary of state who advised the then President Barack Obama on East Asia issues. 'And in the story they tell themselves, it’s a function of things that have nothing to do with China...'" Read
- [Michèle Flournoy quoted in POLITICO Pro article, "[Flournoy] Condemns Election Intimidation"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-quoted-in-politico-pro-article-flournoy-condemns-election-intimidation/) - "In an event Wednesday, Michele Flournoy, former undersecretary of defense for policy under President Barack Obama, called Trump's suggestion 'disturbing,' noting that people acting as independently at polling stations on election day could be 'very intimidating to voters...'" Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Michèle Flournoy featured in Task and Purpose article, "[Flournoy] Says Using National Guard on Election Day Would Be Unhealthy for Democracy"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-featured-in-task-and-purpose-article-flournoy-says-using-national-guard-on-election-day-would-be-unhealthy-for-democracy/) - "'We don’t declare election winners – validate election winners – until all votes are counted,' Flournoy said. 'We don’t, as Americans, take up arms to contest free and fair elections once they’ve been validated. If a president loses the vote in the Electoral College, he agrees to leave office on Jan. 20...'" Read the full
- [Michael Camilleri quoted in Univision article, "Report Urges Creation of Mechanism to Repatriate Venezuela's Stolen Assets to Alleviate Humanitarian Crisis"](https://www.westexec.com/michael-camilleri-quoted-in-univision-article-report-urges-creation-of-mechanism-to-repatriate-venezuelas-stolen-assets-to-alleviate-humanitarian-crisis/) - "'People have floated this idea in very general terms but we looked around and nobody has done the deep thinking on this to delineate what some of the concrete options might be for making this happen,' said Michael Camilleri, an international lawyer and former diplomat, who served in the Obama administration. 'There are workable ways
- [Bridge Colby writes in International Politik Quarterly: "A New Bargain"](https://www.westexec.com/bridge-colby-writes-in-international-politik-quarterly-a-new-bargain/) - "The world has entered a period of great power competition. Above all, this is because of the rise of China. For the first time since the Cold War, there will be two superpowers in the world. And for the first time since the 19th century, the United States will not clearly be the globe’s largest
- [Meghan O'Sullivan writes in The Japan Times: "After Oil: Throwing Money at Green Energy Isn’t Enough"](https://www.westexec.com/meghan-osullivan-writes-in-the-japan-times-after-oil-throwing-money-at-green-energy-isnt-enough/) - "The geopolitical and geo-economic forces wrought by the coronavirus pandemic are likely to slow the transition to a more sustainable global energy mix. Fortunately, the pandemic has also resulted in governments gaining vastly greater influence over whether this shift stalls or accelerates..." Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Bridge Colby testifies before the House Armed Services Committee on the Role of Allies and Partners in U.S. Military Strategy and Operations](https://www.westexec.com/bridge-colby-testifies-before-the-house-armed-services-committee-on-the-role-of-allies-and-partners-in-u-s-military-strategy-and-operations/) - "Allies and partners are absolutely essential for the United States in a world increasingly defined by great power competition, above all with China. Indeed, they lie at the very heart of the right U.S. strategy for this era, which I believe the Department of Defense’s 2018 National Defense Strategy (NDS) lays out..." Read the full
- [Michèle Flournoy in conversation with Defense News, "Michele Flournoy Talks Modernization, Future American Policy"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-in-conversation-with-defense-news-michele-flournoy-talks-modernization-future-american-policy/) - "Michèle Flournoy, former undersecretary of defense for policy, shares her thoughts on where the Pentagon must invest to succeed in the future..." Watch the full event here: Full Event
- [Bridge Colby writes with Mackenzie Eaglen and Roger Zakheim in Foreign Policy, "How to Trim the Defense Budget Without Harming U.S. Security"](https://www.westexec.com/bridge-colby-writes-with-mackenzie-eaglen-and-roger-zakheim-in-foreign-policy-how-to-trim-the-defense-budget-without-harming-u-s-security/) - "As the COVID-19 pandemic drags on and its economic toll grows, politicians and observers on both sides of the U.S. political divide have called for cuts to the national security budget in order to free up funds for more pressing items. According to this logic, the defense budget is bloated, the federal deficit continues to
- [Liz Rosenberg quoted in The Wall Street Journal article, "Leaked Treasury Documents Prompt Fresh Calls for Updated Anti-Money-Laundering Regulations"](https://www.westexec.com/liz-rosenberg-quoted-in-the-wall-street-journal-article-leaked-treasury-documents-prompt-fresh-calls-for-updated-anti-money-laundering-regulations/) - "'The FinCEN files illustrate the alarming truth that an enormous amount of illicit money is sloshing around our financial system, and that U.S. banks play host and facilitator to rogues and criminals that represent some of America’s most insidious national security threats,' said Elizabeth Rosenberg, a former Treasury sanctions official. "'But the devastating problem is
- [Liz Rosenberg quoted in The Sydney Morning Herald article, "Tehran 'Ready' To Swap All Prisoners With US, Despite New Sanctions"](https://www.westexec.com/liz-rosenberg-quoted-in-the-sydney-morning-herald-article-tehran-ready-to-swap-all-prisoners-with-us-despite-new-sanctions/) - "Elizabeth Rosenberg, a sanctions expert at the Centre for a New American Security, said that action did not significantly 'move the needle.' "'The United States has already significantly targeted Iran, and this new action doesn't ... cause much more significant pain,' she said..." Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Michèle Flournoy signs "Aspen Strategy Group Statement on National Service"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-signs-aspen-strategy-group-statement-on-national-service/) - "As our nation faces an unprecedented set of crises—pandemic, recession, racial injustice—Americans must respond with bold measures that will unite our country, expand economic opportunity, and help our country recover. We in the Aspen Strategy Group believe a new National Service mission must be part of that response. Our group of Republican and Democratic foreign
- [Danny Russel quoted in Times of India article, "What Could Happen If China Invaded Taiwan"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-times-of-india-article-what-could-happen-if-china-invaded-taiwan/) - "'Beijing’s strategy isn’t just based on undermining Taiwan’s resistance, it’s also a gamble on how the US will approach the cross-strait issue,' Daniel Russel, a former top State Department official under President Barack Obama, said in Taipei on Sept. 8. 'The strongest driver of increased Chinese assertiveness is the conviction that the Western system, and
- [Colin Thomas-Jensen quoted in Bloomberg article, "Trump Demands a Plan to Withdraw U.S. Troops from Somalia"](https://www.westexec.com/colin-thomas-jensen-quoted-in-bloomberg-article-trump-demands-a-plan-to-withdraw-u-s-troops-from-somalia/) - "'If the U.S. significantly withdraws its military footprint in Somalia, the government’s already tenuous hold on security in the country will be significantly weakened,' said Colin Thomas Jensen, a senior adviser with WestExec Advisors and former Africa policy adviser to ex-U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power. 'Al Shabaab will look to take advantage...'"
- [Vikram Singh quoted in NPR article, "Gen. Milley: ‘We’re Trying to End A War Responsibly, Deliberately’"](https://www.westexec.com/vikram-singh-quoted-in-npr-article-gen-milley-were-trying-to-end-a-war-responsibly-deliberately/) - "Vikram Singh, a former Pentagon official who now works at the U.S. Institute of Peace, said the war has continued now for nearly 20 years at every American force level. "The U.S. troops, he said, 'provide some leverage over the parties in the conflict. But it should be clear now that American troops levels have
- [Danny Russel quoted in The Washington Post article, "Trump Promised to Bring China to Heel. He Didn’t and the Result Is A Pitched Conflict Between the World’s Two Major Powers."](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-the-washington-post-article-trump-promised-to-bring-china-to-heel-he-didnt-and-the-result-is-a-pitched-conflict-between-the-worlds-two-major-powers/) - "'We treated China like an enemy, we named them an enemy and we’re getting what we asked for,' said Daniel Russel, an Asia Society expert who was a high-ranking foreign policy aide in the Obama administration. Xi is facing his own domestic pressures, Russel added, 'but what I don’t see is the kind of empirical
- [Joe Maguire quoted in The New York Times article, "John Ratcliffe Pledged to Stay Apolitical. Then He Began Serving Trump’s Political Agenda."](https://www.westexec.com/joe-maguire-quoted-in-the-new-york-times-article-john-ratcliffe-pledged-to-stay-apolitical-then-he-began-serving-trumps-political-agenda/) - "'He is doing exactly what the administration brought him in to do as D.N.I.,' said Joseph Maguire, whom Mr. Trump dismissed as acting director of national intelligence in February..." Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Liz Rosenberg quoted in The Wall Street Journal​ article, "U.S. Sanctions Additional Iranian Banks"](https://www.westexec.com/liz-rosenberg-quoted-in-the-wall-street-journal​-article-u-s-sanctions-additional-iranian-banks/) - "'This cannot be expected to bring the regime to its knees,' said Elizabeth Rosenberg, a former Treasury sanctions official now at the Center for a New American Security. 'Iranian leaders have been very clear that they will turn to barter and illegal arrangements than capitulate under economic pressure...'" Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Dan Shapiro quoted in Foreign Policy article, "How a Maritime Deal with Israel Could Ease Lebanon’s Woes"](https://www.westexec.com/dan-shapiro-quoted-in-foreign-policy-article-how-a-maritime-deal-with-israel-could-ease-lebanons-woes/) - "Dan Shapiro, a former U.S. ambassador to Israel, said the United States has been promoting maritime border talks between the sides as far back as 2012, viewing it as low-hanging diplomatic fruit. "'This is a win-win, if you can get the deal. Both sides can do the exploration. Both sides can get the revenue that
- [Jay Shambaugh quoted in Marketplace article, "Without More Relief Spending, the Recovery’s Likely to Stall"](https://www.westexec.com/jay-shambaugh-quoted-in-marketplace-article-without-more-relief-spending-the-recoverys-likely-to-stall/) - "One of the biggest infusions was $600-a-week in extra unemployment payments to more than 20 million jobless Americans. That expired in mid-summer, and the amount of cash going out to laid-off workers cratered, according to Jay Shambaugh, an economist at George Washington University. "'It fell from $110 [billion] in July to $34 billion in September,'
- [Vince Brooks in conversation at the Atlantic Council, "North Korea’s Strategic Weapons: An Informed Conversation"](https://www.westexec.com/vince-brooks-in-conversation-at-the-atlantic-council-north-koreas-strategic-weapons-an-informed-conversation/) - "In 2017, at the unprecedented height of North Korea’s strategic weapons testing, General Brooks was responsible for maintaining the armistice and commanding the defense of South Korea, while Mr. Garlauskas led the US intelligence community’s strategic analysis to characterize the evolving threat from North Korea. Audience members will have the chance to hear them exchange
- [Mike Singh writes in War on the Rocks: "As Israel, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates Normalize Ties, China Looks on Warily"](https://www.westexec.com/mike-singh-writes-in-war-on-the-rocks-as-israel-bahrain-and-the-united-arab-emirates-normalize-ties-china-looks-on-warily/) - "In a world starved for good news, the normalization agreements that Israel recently signed at the White House with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain were met with near-universal praise. In a region more often associated with risk, the deals seemed to signal opportunity — for stability, for peace, and for profit..." Read the full
- [Dennis Ross interviewed by France 24, "Annexation of the West Bank 'Is Off the table'"](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-interviewed-by-france-24-annexation-of-the-west-bank-is-off-the-table/) - "In an interview with FRANCE 24, Dennis Ross, a former top US adviser on the Middle East, reacted to the recent agreements signed between Israel, the UAE and Bahrain. Ross said he believes the two Gulf states did not betray the Palestinian cause but merely decided to pursue their own national interests. He stressed, however,
- [Matt Waxman writes in Lawfare: "Avoiding Post-Election Chaos: Wilson vs. Hughes, 1916"](https://www.westexec.com/matt-waxman-writes-in-lawfare-avoiding-post-election-chaos-wilson-vs-hughes-1916/) - "The prospect of a contested presidential election, including premature claims of victory—or worse, one in which President Trump deliberately foils a clear outcome against him—rightly has people worried. It’s a reminder that some structural aspects of the U.S. presidential election system, like its decentralization and long transition period between election and inauguration, can be major
- [Bridge Colby writes with Jim Mitre in War on the Rocks: "Why the Pentagon Should Focus on Taiwan"](https://www.westexec.com/bridge-colby-writes-with-jim-mitre-in-war-on-the-rocks-why-the-pentagon-should-focus-on-taiwan/) - "China is now the official 'pacing threat' for the U.S. armed forces. Simply put, the Pentagon considers the People’s Liberation Army its most serious competition. This is a major and vital shift. But competing with China is a tremendously broad concept that could take any number of forms, and the reality is that China is
- [Danny Russel writes in Barron's: "For China, Trump’s Illness Is the Perfect Sign of an America in Decline"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-writes-in-barrons-for-china-trumps-illness-is-the-perfect-sign-of-an-america-in-decline/) - "Sen. Kelly Loeffler, a loyalist of President Donald Trump, was quick last week to add the presidential Covid-19 diagnosis to the long list of American grievances against China. Another Trump ally charged that the Chinese Communist Party 'has biologically attacked our president' and must be held accountable. Apparently, it is the Chinese Communist Party, not
- [To our WestExec family, friends, partners, and community:](https://www.westexec.com/to-our-westexec-family-friends-partners-and-community/) - Like all of you, we have been reflecting on what we can do in the wake of the senseless killing of George Floyd. We know that the nation we all served together has long been flawed—with underlying systemic racism, increasing inequality, and chronic mistreatment of Black Americans and others of color. We as a nation
- [Ely Ratner quoted in The New York Times article, "Joe Biden's China Journey"](https://www.westexec.com/ely-ratner-quoted-in-the-new-york-times-article-joe-bidens-china-journey/) - "'Across the ideological spectrum, we in the U.S. foreign policy community have remained deeply invested in expectations about China — about its approach to economics, domestic politics, security and global order — even as evidence against them has accumulated,'” [Kurt Campbell and Ely Ratner] wrote. “'The policies built on such expectations have failed to change
- [Michèle Flournoy interviewed in Bloomberg article, "...Trump’s Damage to Military"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-interviewed-in-bloomberg-article-trumps-damage-to-military/) - "'Unless we have a new leadership that our allies believe they can count on, I don’t believe our alliances can survive another four years of what they’ve just experienced,' Flournoy said in an interview on Tuesday. 'That will leave the U.S. much more alone in the world and much less able to address shared interests,
- [Dan Shapiro writes in Jewish Telegraphic Agency: "What Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Taught Us About the Gift of Time"](https://www.westexec.com/dan-shapiro-writes-in-jewish-telegraphic-agency-what-justice-ruth-bader-ginsburg-taught-us-about-the-gift-of-time/) - "...The message is that we are obligated to use our time on this earth wisely, to fix what is broken, to care for others, to renew ourselves and to renew our world. "If anyone lived a life that could teach us the same lesson, it was Ruth Bader Ginsburg. She understood the obligation to use
- [Dan Shapiro quoted in The New York Times article, "Trump Seeks to Turn Israeli-Arab Accords into Campaign Gains"](https://www.westexec.com/dan-shapiro-quoted-in-the-new-york-times-article-trump-seeks-to-turn-israeli-arab-accords-into-campaign-gains/) - "Daniel Shapiro, who served as President Barack Obama’s ambassador to Israel, said that had been true from the start of Mr. Trump’s presidency. 'He’s been trying every day for four years to turn Israel into a wedge issue with American Jewish voters, and he can’t even move it out of the margin of error,' Mr.
- [WestExec Spotlight: Rachel Ellehuus](https://www.westexec.com/westexec-spotlight-rachel-ellehuus/) - WestExec’s Spotlight Series highlights the issues some of our team members focus on. This week’s Spotlight features Rachel Ellehuus, former Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for European and NATO Policy and Principal Director for European and NATO Policy in the Office of the Secretary of Defense from 2015-2018. Europe: The political currents in Europe
- [Mike Singh quoted in Financial Times article, "Bahrain Joins UAE in Normalising Relations with Israel"](https://www.westexec.com/mike-singh-quoted-in-financial-times-article-bahrain-joins-uae-in-normalising-relations-with-israel/) - "Mike Singh, a former director of Middle East affairs at the National Security Council, said that while Mr. Trump has long been focused on a 'deal of the century' between Israelis and Palestinians, administration officials have 'always felt there was more progress to be made between Israel and US allies in the Gulf than between
- [Ely Ratner quoted in The Wall Street Journal article, "What’s Biden’s New China Policy? It Looks a Lot Like Trump’s"](https://www.westexec.com/ely-ratner-quoted-in-the-wall-street-journal-article-whats-bidens-new-china-policy-it-looks-a-lot-like-trumps/) - "Biden advisers see China policy as just as much about rebuilding the U.S. economy as containing China’s. 'The debate should be about who’s going to make America more competitive,' says Ely Ratner, a Biden national security aide in the Obama administration now at the Center for a New American Security..." Read the full article here:
- [Michael Camilleri testifies before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Civilian Security, and Trade: "The Health, Economic, and Political Challenges Facing Latin America and the Caribbean"](https://www.westexec.com/michael-camilleri-testifies-before-the-house-committee-on-foreign-affairs-subcommittee-on-the-western-hemisphere-civilian-security-and-trade-the-health-economic-and-political-challenges-facing/) - "While regional experiences vary and it is still early to draw definitive conclusions, it is already clear that the pandemic is exposing and exacerbating many of Latin America’s preexisting challenges. Income inequality, labor informality, and weak social safety nets obligated millions of citizens to choose between protecting their health and feeding their families. Strained public
- [Jay Shambaugh writes in The New York Times: "People Need Money Now. A $1.5 Trillion Deal Can Make It Happen"](https://www.westexec.com/jay-shambaugh-writes-in-the-new-york-times-people-need-money-now-a-1-5-trillion-deal-can-make-it-happen/) - "The pandemic brought on the most quick and severe recession that the United States has ever experienced. The economy shed over 22 million jobs in just two months, and contracted at an annualized rate of 32 percent in the second quarter..." Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Dennis Ross writes in The Washington Post: "The Middle East Is Changing. Will Palestinians Be Left Behind?"](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-writes-in-the-washington-post-the-middle-east-is-changing-will-palestinians-be-left-behind/) - "At the White House on Tuesday, Israel will formalize peace with the United Arab Emirates and sign a declaration of peace with Bahrain. For some, this event symbolizes the advent of a new day in the region. Others bemoan it for rewarding the Israelis and doing little to end the occupation of the Palestinians..." Read
- [Meghan O'Sullivan writes in Bloomberg: "Pandemic Is Hurting, Not Helping, Green Energy"](https://www.westexec.com/meghan-osullivan-writes-in-bloomberg-pandemic-is-hurting-not-helping-green-energy/) - "For most people, there was nothing to celebrate when the International Monetary Fund downgraded its outlook for global economic growth in June, anticipating a contraction of 4.9% for 2020. Yet for others, such as the small but persistent group of economists and others known as the 'degrowth movement,' the Covid-induced economic slowdown has a silver
- [Rachel Ellehuus quoted in Breaking Defense article, "Norway Expands Key Arctic Port for More US Nuke Sub Visits"](https://www.westexec.com/rachel-ellehuus-quoted-in-breaking-defense-article-norway-expands-key-arctic-port-for-more-us-nuke-sub-visits/) - "'The Seawolf deployment, the joint B-52 flights over Norway last month, and our carrier going north of Arctic Circle for Trident Juncture all speak to a greater show of US presence in the Arctic/High North,' said Rachel Ellehuus, deputy director of the Europe Program at the Washington-based CSIS. 'Interestingly, they all had an element of
- [Mike Singh quoted in Radio Free Europe article, "With Nuclear Deal on The Line, Iran Has Plenty at Stake in the U.S. Election"](https://www.westexec.com/mike-singh-quoted-in-radio-free-europe-article-with-nuclear-deal-on-the-line-iran-has-plenty-at-stake-in-the-u-s-election/) - "Michael Singh, a managing director at the Washington Institute and former senior director at the National Security Council, said the JCPOA was 'effectively dead,' regardless of the outcome of the election..." Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Michèle Flournoy profiled in Foreign Affairs Career Center article, "How I Got Here: Michèle Flournoy"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-profiled-in-foreign-affairs-career-center-article-how-i-got-here-michele-flournoy/) - "[As a kid, I wanted to be] An architect. I loved engineering, drafting floor plans, designing fantasy houses. I figured out how to convert my uncle’s house to solar power (at least in my head). My high school had an engineering and architecture program, and I took everything in it, went to the state fair,
- [Celeste Wallander interviewed on CSIS' Babel podcast, "Russia in the Middle East: Part One"](https://www.westexec.com/celeste-wallander-interviewed-on-csis-babel-podcast-russia-in-the-middle-east-part-one/) - "In the first episode of our new narrative podcast miniseries, Russia in the Middle East, Jon Alterman gives an overview of Russian policy in the Middle East and how the Middle East fits into Russia’s worldview. He covers Russia's return to the Middle East and looks at how Russian foreign policy has changed since the
- [Danny Russel writes in South China Morning Post: "US Election: How China’s Actions During the Presidential Transition Could Make or Break Sino-US Relations"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-writes-in-south-china-morning-post-us-election-how-chinas-actions-during-the-presidential-transition-could-make-or-break-sino-us-relations/) - "Now that Joe Biden has named his running mate and both US political parties have held their conventions, the 2020 election campaign is under way in earnest. The ups and downs of the summer have been just a prelude to the electoral battle of the next two months..." Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Bridge Colby writes with Robert Kaplan in Foreign Affairs: "The Ideology Delusion"](https://www.westexec.com/bridge-colby-writes-with-robert-kaplan-in-foreign-affairs-the-ideology-delusion/) - "Bipartisanship is exotic these days in the United States, but the two parties do share something: a deep concern about China. Asked in February at the Munich Security Conference whether she agreed with U.S. President Donald Trump’s China policy, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi remarked dryly but tellingly: 'We have agreement in that regard.'
- [Dan Shapiro writes with David Makovsky in The Washington Post: "Here’s How Palestinians Could Benefit from the Diplomatic Deal Between Israel and the United Arab Emirates"](https://www.westexec.com/dan-shapiro-writes-with-david-makovsky-in-the-washington-post-heres-how-palestinians-could-benefit-from-the-diplomatic-deal-between-israel-and-the-united-arab-emirates/) - "Some observers seem to assume that the recent agreement to normalize relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates means the end of efforts to achieve a reasonable, two-state outcome to the Israel-Palestinian conflict. Some Israelis may hope that improving relations with Arab states would obviate the need for further negotiations with the Palestinians..." Read
- [WestExec Welcomes General Vincent Brooks, USA (Ret.) and Ambassador Dana Shell Smith](https://www.westexec.com/westexec-welcomes-general-vincent-brooks-usa-ret-and-ambassador-dana-shell-smith/) - WestExec Advisors, LLC helps business leaders make the best decisions by advising on geopolitical risk and emerging opportunities. Washington, DC – WestExec Advisors is pleased to announce General Vincent “Vince” Brooks, USA (Ret.) and Ambassador Dana Shell Smith have joined its distinguished team of principals and senior advisors. General Brooks retired from active duty in
- [Danny Russel quoted in the Financial Times article, "Shinzo Abe to Step Down as Japan's Prime Minister"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-the-financial-times-article-shinzo-abe-to-step-down-as-japans-prime-minister/) - "Daniel Russel, a former Asia adviser to Barack Obama, said the US-Japan relationship was on a sound footing regardless of who succeeded Mr. Abe. But he said there was a danger that his successor would be a placeholder who would be more focused on his 'own survival and fending off rivals' meaning there would be
- [Michèle Flournoy and Charlie Bolden endorse Inclusive America's Pledge for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-and-charlie-bolden-endorse-inclusive-americas-pledge-for-diversity-equity-and-inclusion/) - "As a representative democracy, our government is stronger when it is truly of the people, by the people, and for the people. The Pledge for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion will urge our nation’s leaders to ensure that everyone has a seat at the table..." Read the full pledge here: Full Pledge
- [Liz Rosenberg quoted in the South China Morning Post article, "Bitter Trump Could Punish China and Hong Kong In Event of US Election Defeat, Sanctions Expert Warns"](https://www.westexec.com/liz-rosenberg-quoted-in-the-south-china-morning-post-article-bitter-trump-could-punish-china-and-hong-kong-in-event-of-us-election-defeat-sanctions-expert-warns/) - “'[The treasury list] could come, if Biden is elected, in the lame-duck period for President Trump, who might be feeling particularly annoyed and frustrated and has a bone to pick with China or Hong Kong, and create the opportunity for some awfully aggressive actions as the grenade you throw as you’re walking out the door,'
- [Bridge Colby quoted in The Atlantic article, "Will Trumpism Change Republican Foreign Policy Permanently?"](https://www.westexec.com/bridge-colby-quoted-in-the-atlantic-article-will-trumpism-change-republican-foreign-policy-permanently/) - "Although all Republicans are unified on the need to counter China’s power, Colby and Mitchell see the struggle less ideologically than many of their compatriots, and more in line with Trump’s personal view. The China challenge, Colby told me, has more to do with rising Chinese power than with the Chinese Communist Party. The risk
- [Danny Russel quoted in Reuters article, "U.S. Increases Support for Taiwan, Says to Counter Rising China Pressure"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-reuters-article-u-s-increases-support-for-taiwan-says-to-counter-rising-china-pressure/) - "Daniel Russel, a predecessor of Stilwell until early in the Trump administration, said the 'Six Assurances' made to Taipei by the administration of former President Ronald Reagan had been a 'loosely-kept secret' at best. "He said the decision to publish them looked like a compromise response to pressure from administration hawks to abandon 'strategic ambiguity'
- [Bridge Colby quoted in the Financial Times article, "US Declassified Taiwan Security Assurances"](https://www.westexec.com/bridge-colby-quoted-in-the-financial-times-article-us-declassified-taiwan-security-assurances/) - "Elbridge Colby, a former senior Pentagon official, said greater clarity on Taiwan was very valuable because US 'credibility is already on the line'. "'It's better for us to be quietly but resolutely clear that we would effectively defend Taiwan, and for China to understand that as well,' said Mr. Colby..." Read the full article here:
- [Michèle Flournoy writes with Camille Stewart in CNN: "Where We Need the Most Diverse Team of Advisers for US Safety"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-writes-with-camille-stewart-in-cnn-where-we-need-the-most-diverse-team-of-advisers-for-us-safety/) - "Joe Biden's selection of Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate is a powerful statement of his commitment to ensuring that all Americans feel part of our democracy -- that government of the people, by the people and for the people applies to all Americans, be they men or women, White or Black, Asian or
- [Danny Russel quoted in the Los Angeles Times article, "Why Biden might follow Trump’s hardline policy on China"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-the-los-angeles-times-article-why-biden-might-follow-trumps-hardline-policy-on-china/) - "'The China that will face Joe Biden in January of 2021 is vastly more powerful and more formidable as an adversary than the China that he and Obama dealt with up until the end of 2016,' said Daniel Russel, a top Asian affairs official in the Obama administration and now a vice president at the
- [Danny Russel quoted in the Los Angeles Times article, "North Korea Was Trump’s Chief Foreign Policy Boast, But Things Got Worse on His Watch"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-the-los-angeles-times-article-north-korea-was-trumps-chief-foreign-policy-boast-but-things-got-worse-on-his-watch/) - "'The approach that Biden supported was more along the lines of a war of attrition with North Korea,' Russel said. 'If giving up its nuclear program is the last thing on earth that North Korea wants to do, we need to make it the last thing on earth that North Korea can do in order
- [Danny Russel quoted in the Japan Times article, "Would Joe Biden Be 'Obama 2.0' When It Comes to Northeast Asia?"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-the-japan-times-article-would-joe-biden-be-obama-2-0-when-it-comes-to-northeast-asia/) - "'Biden’s top priority is going to be trying to resuscitate the U.S. economy, trying to restore as much American leadership, American primacy as he possibly can,' said Russel. 'Those are tall orders and to try to address the havoc wreaked by the uncontrolled outbreak of COVID-19, you’ve got a lot more to worry about than
- [Danny Russel quoted in the Japan Times article, "Trump Re-Election Could Calm China Ties — Or Burn Them Down"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-the-japan-times-article-trump-re-election-could-calm-china-ties-or-burn-them-down/) - "Daniel Russel, a former assistant secretary of state for East Asia and the Pacific who’s now vice president at the Asia Society Policy Institute, said the 'series of very aggressive, very confrontational actions and … hostile rhetoric' on China may be aimed at the November election, 'but it’s going to have an effect that lasts
- [Jay Shambaugh quoted in the Financial Times ​article, "'Difficult Decisions' Ahead as UK Public Debt Tops Record £2tn"](https://www.westexec.com/jay-shambaugh-quoted-in-the-financial-times-​article-difficult-decisions-ahead-as-uk-public-debt-tops-record-2tn/) - "A fresh surge in coronavirus cases is putting pressure on governments on both sides of the Atlantic to maintain emergency labour market support mechanisms at a time when politicians had hoped their economies would be gradually returning to normal. 'This is slowly morphing into long-term unemployment problem,' said Jay Shambaugh, a fellow at the Brookings
- [Danny Russel quoted in the Japan Times article, "In A Second Trump Term, Tokyo Would Need to Bolster Ties Elsewhere"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-the-japan-times-article-in-a-second-trump-term-tokyo-would-need-to-bolster-ties-elsewhere/) - "Daniel Russel, a former assistant secretary of state for East Asia and the Pacific who’s now vice president at the Asia Society Policy Institute, said that a continuation of the Trump White House 'means that Japan is going to be put through the wringer to extract as much money as possible' in exchange for continuing
- [Michael Camilleri quoted in The New York Times article, "Trump Ally Wants to Be First American to Head Latin American Aid Bank"](https://www.westexec.com/michael-camilleri-quoted-in-the-new-york-times-article-trump-ally-wants-to-be-first-american-to-head-latin-american-aid-bank/) - "'In the best case, it leads to paralysis and marginalization, and that’s already sidelining the most important institution at the most critical moment,' Michael Camilleri, an analyst at the Inter-American Dialogue policy center, said of Mr. Claver-Carone’s candidacy. 'In the worst case, the bank becomes a vehicle for a fairly radical right-wing agenda that further
- [Rachel Ellehuus quoted in the Washington Times article, "U.S. Troop Drawdown in Germany Faces Hurdles, Delays"](https://www.westexec.com/rachel-ellehuus-quoted-in-the-washington-times-article-u-s-troop-drawdown-in-germany-faces-hurdles-delays/) - "'The problem is, where do they return to? Is there housing? Are there schools? Is there health care?' Ms. Ellehuus said at a webinar Tuesday organized by the American Institute for Contemporary German Studies. 'Particularly in a time of COVID, there could be real concerns...'" Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Jay Shambaugh quoted in the Financial Times article, "Trumps Executive Orders Provide Little Money for Jobless"](https://www.westexec.com/jay-shambaugh-quoted-in-the-financial-times-article-trumps-executive-orders-provide-little-money-for-jobless/) - "'The $300m is a rounding error compared to what the previous programme was,' said Jay Shambaugh, an economics professor at George Washington University who has been tracking the numbers. 'It's just a massive hole...'" Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Puneet Talwar writes in Foreign Policy: "China Is Getting Mired in the Middle East"](https://www.westexec.com/puneet-talwar-writes-in-foreign-policy-china-is-getting-mired-in-the-middle-east/) - "Recent reports of an ambitious 25-year comprehensive strategic partnership agreement between Iran and China have reverberated across Southwest Asia and beyond. The agreement raises the question of whether we are witnessing a tectonic shift in Asia’s geostrategic landscape or merely a marriage of convenience. The answer is not yet clear, but the agreement will likely
- [Michael Camilleri writes in World Politics Review: "Trump’s Pick for IDB Chief Could Hamstring Latin America’s Top Lender"](https://www.westexec.com/michael-camilleri-writes-in-world-politics-review-trumps-pick-for-idb-chief-could-hamstring-latin-americas-top-lender/) - "President Donald Trump’s national security adviser, Robert O’Brien, traveled to Bogota this week, ostensibly to announce up to $5 billion in financing under the White House’s new United States-Colombia Growth Initiative. The money had been pledged months ago by the U.S. Development Finance Corporation, and it is contingent on investment-worthy projects, in any case. But
- [Lisa Monaco co-hosts United Security podcast, "The Double-Edged Sword of Technology"](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-co-hosts-united-security-podcast-the-double-edged-sword-of-technology/) - "In this sample from the United Security podcast, Lisa Monaco and Ken Wainstein break down the policy considerations and legal authorities associated with President Trump’s decision to ban Tiktok and WeChat by executive orders..." Listen to the full episode here: Full Episode
- [Dan Shapiro quoted in The Washington Post article, "Inside the secret-not-secret courtship between Israel and the United Arab Emirates"](https://www.westexec.com/dan-shapiro-quoted-in-the-washington-post-article-inside-the-secret-not-secret-courtship-between-israel-and-the-united-arab-emirates/) - “During the administration of President George W. Bush, Israeli officials visiting Washington would hold secret hotel room meetings with the UAE’s influential ambassador to the United States, Yousef al-Otaiba, according to Dan Shapiro, who would later become a U.S. ambassador to Israel. Shapiro served on President Barack Obama’s National Security Council and said the White
- [Michèle Flournoy quoted in The Jerusalem Post article, “Ex-Biden security advisor: Sitting with Iran isn't conceding 'leverage'”](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-quoted-in-the-jerusalem-post-article-ex-biden-security-advisor-sitting-with-iran-isnt-conceding-leverage/) - "Michèle Flournoy, former undersecretary of defense during the Obama administration, said that the Trump administration’s approach of maximum pressure 'has [put] a lot of pressure on Iran, but it hasn’t created any path to the negotiating table.' "'There’s no way for them to get back into negotiations,' she continued. 'And so, in desperation they have
- [Bridge Colby quoted in The New York Times article, "U.S. Tries to Bolster Taiwan’s Status, Short of Recognizing Sovereignty"](https://www.westexec.com/bridge-colby-quoted-in-the-new-york-times-article-u-s-tries-to-bolster-taiwans-status-short-of-recognizing-sovereignty/) - "'Taiwan is the most important thing from a military and credibility point of view,' said Elbridge A. Colby, the former deputy assistant secretary of defense for strategy and force development. Mr. Colby wrote the Trump administration’s national defense strategy, which emphasizes competition with China and Russia... "'We need to change things on Taiwan to improve
- [Dennis Ross quoted in The New York Times article, “Netanyahu Drops Troubled Annexation Plan for Diplomatic Gain”](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-quoted-in-the-new-york-times-article-netanyahu-drops-troubled-annexation-plan-for-diplomatic-gain/) - "Dennis Ross, a former Middle East negotiator for Republican and Democratic administrations, said that another lure for the Emiratis was the possibility of obtaining advanced weaponry they have long sought, which the United States sells only to countries at peace with Israel to preserve its qualitative military edge in the region. “'It doesn’t mean the
- [Jay Shambaugh quoted in Financial Times article, "Governments puzzle over how to unwind job protection schemes"](https://www.westexec.com/jay-shambaugh-quoted-in-financial-times-article-governments-puzzle-over-how-to-unwind-job-protection-schemes/) - “US temporary job losses are declining, pushing the unemployment rate down from 14.7 per cent in April to 10.2 per cent in July. "But on both sides of the Atlantic, the improvements are showing worrying signs of petering out. “'This is slowly morphing into a long-term unemployment problem,' said Jay Shambaugh, a fellow at the
- [Dan Shapiro writes in Haaretz: “UAE’s Unique Leverage Over Israel Buried Annexation to Enable Normalization"](https://www.westexec.com/dan-shapiro-writes-in-haaretz-uaes-unique-leverage-over-israel-buried-annexation-to-enable-normalization/) - “When the United Arab Emirates’ Ambassador to the United States, Yousef al-Otaiba, decided to publish an op-ed in Hebrew in the Israeli newspaper Yediot Ahronot in mid-June, his intent was to influence the Israeli debate on West Bank annexation. "The op-ed hit its mark. Al-Otaiba’s unprecedented, unmediated address got Israelis’ attention and dominated political conversations
- [Chris Inglis writes with Tatyana Bolton in Lawfare: "Improving Cyber-Oriented Education, One Cyber Clinic at a Time"](https://www.westexec.com/chris-inglis-writes-with-tatyana-bolton-in-lawfare-improving-cyber-oriented-education-one-cyber-clinic-at-a-time/) - "Cybersecurity talent gaps continue to exist across the United States, yet private sector leaders and the federal government have not been able to make the meaningful investments necessary to fill the more than half a million​ current vacancies nationwide, including more than 33,000 vacancies in the public sector workforce alone. Cybersecurity clinics ​offer a high-potential
- [Dennis Ross writes in The Washington Post: "The Israel-UAE agreement is a key step for peace and sends a crucial message to Palestinians"](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-writes-in-the-washington-post-the-israel-uae-agreement-is-a-key-step-for-peace-and-sends-a-crucial-message-to-palestinians/) - "We don’t hear many good news stories out of the Middle East, particularly recently, in the midst of the despair over Beirut, regional conflicts and the ravages of covid-19. But on Thursday there was a hopeful development: President Trump announced a historic peace agreement that will normalize relations between the United Arab Emirates and Israel.
- [WestExec Spotlight: Lisa Monaco](https://www.westexec.com/westexec-spotlight-lisa-monaco/) - Given WestExec’s broad and diverse multidisciplinary team, we are proud to launch a "Spotlight Series" highlighting what some of our team members are focused on and how they are developing tailored strategies for our clients while contributing to the intellectual discussion on key global challenges. As President Obama’s former Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Advisor, Lisa
- [WestExec Spotlight: Meghan O'Sullivan](https://www.westexec.com/westexec-spotlight-meghan-osullivan/) - WestExec’s Spotlight Series highlights the issues on which some of our team members focus. This week’s Spotlight features Meghan O’Sullivan, former Special Assistant to President George W. Bush and Deputy National Security Advisor for Iraq and Afghanistan. Geopolitics of Energy: Meghan has spent her career exploring the close relationship between global energy markets and geopolitics
- [WestExec Spotlight: Danny Russel](https://www.westexec.com/westexec-spotlight-danny-russel/) - WestExec’s Spotlight Series highlights the issues some of our team members focus on. This week’s Spotlight features Danny Russel, former Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs from 2013-2017. US-China Relations: Danny has watched the U.S. relationship with China grow increasingly adversarial. He helps a wide variety of WestExec clients navigate an
- [Matt Waxman quoted in Inside Security article, "FCC Seeks Input on Regulatory Review Of ‘Section 230’ Liability Protection; Issues Touch on Countering Disinformation"](https://www.westexec.com/matt-waxman-quoted-in-inside-security-article-fcc-seeks-input-on-regulatory-review-of-section-230-liability-protection-issues-touch-on-countering-disinformation/) - "Columbia’s Waxman told Inside Cybersecurity that 'foreign disinformation campaigns remain a huge threat and the United States is still working to develop the tools to combat them.' "Waxman said, 'One reason why it's hard to combat disinformation through regulation is because while we need to protect our democracy from foreign interference, in our democratic system
- [Lisa Monaco quoted in The Washington Post article, "After the Anita Hill Hearings In 1991, Joe Biden Began A Long Quest to Redeem Himself with Women"](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-quoted-in-the-washington-post-article-after-the-anita-hill-hearings-in-1991-joe-biden-began-a-long-quest-to-redeem-himself-with-women/) - "Lisa Monaco, who worked as a low-level staffer on the Judiciary Committee from 1992 to 1994, said the office culture was dominated by women. Biden had appointed women as his staff director, chief counsel and chief crime counsel. "'Here was a group of women who were in charge. They ran the committee staff, they advised
- [Bob Work quoted in Defense Systems article, "Could A New Academy Solve the AI Talent Problem?"](https://www.westexec.com/bob-work-quoted-in-defense-systems-article-could-a-new-academy-solve-the-ai-talent-problem/) - "'We think we have a lot of talent inside the military that we just aren't aware of,' Work said. "To remedy that, Work said the commission recommends a grading, via a programming proficiency test, to identify government and military workers that have software development experience. The recommendations also include a computational thinking component to the
- [Jay Shambaugh quoted in Slate article, "The Extremely Boring Idea That Could Save the Economy"](https://www.westexec.com/jay-shambaugh-quoted-in-slate-article-the-extremely-boring-idea-that-could-save-the-economy/) - "We could have avoided this nationwide facepalm if unemployment benefits were designed to rise and fall with the health of the economy, in the first place. 'Automatic stabilizers prevent you from cutting off things too soon,' George Washington University professor Jay Shambaugh, who co-edited Recession Ready, and served on Obama’s Council of Economic Advisers, told
- [Bridge Colby quoted in Foreign Policy article, "Trump Looks to Arms Sales to Deepen Ties With India"](https://www.westexec.com/bridge-colby-quoted-in-foreign-policy-article-trump-looks-to-arms-sales-to-deepen-ties-with-india/) - "'If there is still anybody in India who thought that a nice peaceful relationship with Beijing was a possibility, that’s gone,' said Elbridge Colby, a former deputy assistant secretary of defense during the Trump administration. "'It’s going to put a lot of those traditional hindrances farther and farther behind us. This old trope that the
- [Michèle Flournoy and Gabrielle Chefitz interviewed on the Defense and Aerospace Report podcast, "Critical Steps for the Next Administration"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-and-gabrielle-chefitz-interviewed-on-the-defense-and-aerospace-report-podcast-critical-steps-for-the-next-administration/) - "On this episode of the DefAero Report Daily Podcast, sponsored by Bell, our guests, from WestExec Advisors, Michèle Flournoy and Gabrielle Chefitz, co-authors of the CNAS report: 'Sharpening the U.S. Military’s Edge: Critical Steps for the Next Administration' discuss key points from the report and offer their advice to future national security leaders on the
- [WestExec Spotlight: Michael Camilleri](https://www.westexec.com/westexec-spotlight-michael-camilleri/) - WestExec’s Spotlight Series highlights the issues some of our team members focus on. This week’s Spotlight features Michael Camilleri, former Western Hemisphere advisor on the Secretary of State’s Policy Planning Staff and Director for Andean Affairs at the National Security Council from 2012-2017. Latin America: The United States has strong economic ties to its Western
- [Dan Shapiro quoted in Foreign Policy article, "Why the U.S. Can’t Get Israel to Break Up With China"](https://www.westexec.com/dan-shapiro-quoted-in-foreign-policy-article-why-the-u-s-cant-get-israel-to-break-up-with-china/) - "'This is going to be a new long-term feature of the U.S.-Israel relationship,' said Daniel Shapiro, a former U.S. ambassador to Israel. 'Israel adjusting to the strategic competitive relationship, while trying to sustain its close partnership and take advantage of opportunities with China...'” Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Michèle Flournoy quoted in Yahoo News article, "Former Pentagon Officials Blast Trump for Politicizing the Military"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-quoted-in-yahoo-news-article-former-pentagon-officials-blast-trump-for-politicizing-the-military/) - "'Trump has constantly tried to use the military as a political prop,' said Michèle Flournoy, former undersecretary of defense for policy under Obama, citing, among other examples, the president’s interference in the military justice system to pardon two convicted war criminals and his decision to prevent the Navy from punishing a third — Navy SEAL
- [Danny Russel quoted in Bloomberg article, "U.S. Sanctions Top Chinese Officials Over Xinjiang Abuses"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-bloomberg-article-u-s-sanctions-top-chinese-officials-over-xinjiang-abuses/) - "'We’re in uncharted territory right now,' said Daniel Russel, former assistant secretary of state for East Asia and the Pacific, who’s now vice president at the Asia Society Policy Institute. 'There’s never been an administration that thought the pursuit of top-level party officials would end well for either side...'" Read the full article here: Full
- [Lisa Monaco quoted in Vanity Fair article, "'We Need Them to F--king Do Something': Former Pandemic Officials Call Trump’s COVID-19 Response a National Disaster"](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-quoted-in-vanity-fair-article-we-need-them-to-f-king-do-something-former-pandemic-officials-call-trumps-covid-19-response-a-national-disaster/) - "'The CDC’s expertise and job is to provide that source of expert guidance and information and data to the states. And not in, often, a prescriptive way, but you can just go and see in past epidemics and past outbreaks—whether it’s Ebola or Zika—what we did is we relied on the public health and science
- [Danny Russel quoted in Reuters article, "Ahead of U.S. Election, China Braces for Rocky Ride, Potential Change"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-reuters-article-ahead-of-u-s-election-china-braces-for-rocky-ride-potential-change/) - "'The Chinese seem to be under no illusions that a Biden victory would reverse Washington’s view of China, but will likely make an overture for dialogue with a new administration,' said Daniel Russel, the top diplomat for East Asia under President Barack Obama and early in the Trump administration. "Russel has no formal role in
- [Meghan O'Sullivan quoted in Gulf News article, "Clean Energy Is Not A Done Deal by Any Means"](https://www.westexec.com/meghan-osullivan-quoted-in-gulf-news-article-clean-energy-is-not-a-done-deal-by-any-means/) - "'The message is hopeful but is also sobering because it’s a reminder of the huge scale of the challenge we face,' said Meghan O’Sullivan, Director of the Geopolitics of Energy at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government..." Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Ely Ratner quoted in The Hill article, "Biden, Under Trump Attack, Casts Himself as Firm on China"](https://www.westexec.com/ely-ratner-quoted-in-the-hill-article-biden-under-trump-attack-casts-himself-as-firm-on-china/) - "'The fundamental argument that the campaign is putting forward is, under Trump, China’s position is stronger while the United States' has grown weaker,' said Ely Ratner, who served as deputy national security adviser to Biden during the Obama administration from 2015 to 2017. "'This notion of positioning the United States to out-compete China is at
- [Danny Russel and Ely Ratner quoted in Los Angeles Times article, "As Trump Attacks Biden On China, He’s Playing A Weak Hand"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-los-angeles-times-article-as-trump-attacks-biden-on-china-hes-playing-a-weak-hand/) - "Ely Ratner, a former Biden advisor now at the Center for a New American Security, co-wrote in Foreign Affairs in 2018, 'Nearly half a century since Nixon’s first steps toward rapprochement, the record is increasingly clear that Washington once again put too much faith in its power to shape China’s trajectory...' "Midway through the Obama
- [Jay Shambaugh quoted in Axios article, "The Coronavirus Pandemic Has Already Caused Lasting Economic Damage"](https://www.westexec.com/jay-shambaugh-quoted-in-axios-article-the-coronavirus-pandemic-has-already-caused-lasting-economic-damage/) - "Between the lines: The Hamilton Project's Wendy Edelberg and Jay Shambaugh warn 'widespread bankruptcies could fundamentally change the business landscape,' leading to a substantial imbalance between companies and workers..." Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Dan Shapiro quoted in the Times of Israel article, "U.S. Democratic Platform Nixes Conditioning Aid to Israel Over Annexation"](https://www.westexec.com/dan-shapiro-quoted-in-the-times-of-israel-article-u-s-democratic-platform-nixes-conditioning-aid-to-israel-over-annexation/) - "Obama’s US ambassador to Israel Daniel Shapiro acknowledged that concerns about the language were not 'addressed to the full satisfaction of all parties.' Still, he said, the document made 'significant and overdue strides while sustaining the unity of our party.' "'The platform makes clear our opposition to unilateral steps by either side to undermine prospects
- [Matt Waxman and national security leaders urge Congress to provide election officials with additional funds](https://www.westexec.com/matt-waxman-and-national-security-leaders-urge-congress-to-provide-election-officials-with-additional-funds/) - "American elections, the bedrock of our democracy, face two extraordinary challenges this year: Covid-19 and combatting foreign interference. While these twin challenges are first and foremost a test of our democracy, they are also a threat to our national security. We urge you to provide election officials with the resources they need to protect our
- [Nitin Chadda, Bill Moran, and Dennis Ross join Delta Capital Partners Management Board of Advisors](https://www.westexec.com/nitin-chadda-bill-moran-and-dennis-ross-join-delta-capital-partners-management-board-of-advisors/) - "Christopher DeLise, Delta's Founder, CEO and CO-CIO, stated, 'We are honored to have such accomplished and highly respected professionals on Delta's Board of Advisors. Their backgrounds, innumerable achievements within their respective fields, and vast and deep experiences will help Delta execute various strategic objectives and further enhance and distinguish Delta's strong position within the litigation
- [Rachel Ellehuus quoted in NPR article, "'Maybe I'm Not as Safe as Before': Turkish Admiral Seeking Asylum In U.S. Speaks Out"](https://www.westexec.com/rachel-ellehuus-quoted-in-npr-article-maybe-im-not-as-safe-as-before-turkish-admiral-seeking-asylum-in-u-s-speaks-out/) - "'I wouldn't say it's entirely implausible,' says Rachel Ellehuus, deputy director of the Europe Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington think tank. 'I've never seen proof to that end.' "Still, Ellehuus and others say that Erdogan has clearly benefited from the coup — which he termed 'a gift from God'
- [Bob Work quoted in Federal Computer Week article, "Could A New Academy Solve the AI Talent Problem?"](https://www.westexec.com/bob-work-quoted-in-federal-computer-week-article-could-a-new-academy-solve-the-ai-talent-problem/) - "Robert Work, former deputy secretary of defense who is now NSCAI's vice chair, said the academy would bring in people who want to serve in government and would graduate students to serve as full time federal employees at GS-7 to GS-11 pay grade. Members of the digital corps would [serve] five years at 38 days
- [Miriam Vogel quoted in IFSEC Global article, "Why AI and Facial Recognition Software Is Under Scrutiny for Racial and Gender Bias"](https://www.westexec.com/miriam-vogel-quoted-in-ifsec-global-article-why-ai-and-facial-recognition-software-is-under-scrutiny-for-racial-and-gender-bias/) - "In the United States the issue of bias in AI is most explosive. Writing on techcrunch.com, Miriam Vogel, President and CEO of Equal AI, believes that while racism has its historical roots, 'AI now plays a role in creating, exacerbating and hiding these disparities behind the facade of a seemingly neutral, scientific machine.' She says
- [Danny Russel interviewed on CNBC's Squawk Box Asia](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-interviewed-on-cnbcs-squawk-box-asia/) - "China will inevitably retaliate over the United States' ordered closure of the mainland's Houston consulate, adding to 'escalating tit-for-tat' bilateral tensions, says Daniel Russel, vice president for international security and diplomacy at the Asia Society Policy Institute..." Watch the full interview here: Full Interview
- [Bridge Colby quoted in Financial Times article, "U.S. Urged to Exploit Cracks in Russia-China Relationship"](https://www.westexec.com/bridge-colby-quoted-in-financial-times-article-u-s-urged-to-exploit-cracks-in-russia-china-relationship/) - "Elbridge Colby, a former senior Pentagon official who worked on the national defence strategy, said: 'Our goal should be to ensure a lot of space between China and Russia.' He added that the US should reduce irritants in the relationship with Moscow..." Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Michèle Flournoy and Gabrielle Chefitz join CNAS roundtable: "A Conversation on Defense Innovation"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-and-gabrielle-chefitz-join-cnas-roundtable-a-conversation-on-defense-innovation/) - "On July 27, 2020, the Defense Program at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) hosted a conversation about the progress the Department of Defense, Congress, and the private sector have made to ensure the U.S. military can develop, access, and field innovative technologies. More importantly, panelists discussed what work remains to be done
- [Charlie Bolden interviewed by Space, "Race and Space"](https://www.westexec.com/charlie-bolden-interviewed-by-space-race-and-space/) - "NASA's first and (so far) only Black administrator says he is angry and hopeful as he reflects on the world today. "Charles 'Charlie' Bolden, a former astronaut who served as NASA administrator from 2009 to 2017, is 'on a constant roller coaster of being very angry and then being hopeful,' he told Space.com. Bolden recently
- [Jay Shambaugh writes with Wendy Edelberg for Brookings' The Hamilton Project: "How the Pandemic Is Changing the Economy"](https://www.westexec.com/jay-shambaugh-writes-with-wendy-edelberg-for-brookings-the-hamilton-project-how-the-pandemic-is-changing-the-economy/) - "The COVID-19 public health crisis, the economic shock triggered by the pandemic, and public policy, business, and individual responses to the pandemic together have provoked the sharpest and fastest economic downturn in U.S. history. Both the pandemic and the fiscal policy response have ebbed and flowed, and the economy remains fragile. Wendy Edelberg and Jay
- [Matt Waxman interviewed on The Lawfare Podcast, "The Forgotten War Remembered"](https://www.westexec.com/matt-waxman-interviewed-on-the-lawfare-podcast-the-forgotten-war-remembered/) - "This year marks the 70th anniversary of the beginning of the Korean War. Though often called the 'Forgotten War,' the Korean War has highly conditioned much of our contemporary international politics in East Asia, and the people of Korea continue to live with its aftermath, both in the north and in the south. And the
- [Dan Shapiro quoted in Vox article, "Mysterious Explosions Keep Happening in Iran. Israel Is Likely Behind It."](https://www.westexec.com/dan-shapiro-quoted-in-vox-article-mysterious-explosions-keep-happening-in-iran-israel-is-likely-behind-it/) - "Such assessments are important, former US Ambassador to Israel Daniel Shapiro told me. Israeli officials believe that if those advanced centrifuges were ever installed and operated at full capacity, it 'might allow Iran to break out not with just one bomb, but with an arsenal' of nuclear weapons, he said. Delaying that possibility, then, is
- [Danny Russel quoted in CNN article, "U.S. Move to Shut China's Houston Consulate Draws Questions About Political Motives"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-cnn-article-u-s-move-to-shut-chinas-houston-consulate-draws-questions-about-political-motives/) - "Former officials were perplexed. Danny Russel, the former Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs who left the department in 2017, said that when he was at State and the National Security Council, 'the Chinese consulate in Houston did not have a particular reputation as an acute vector of espionage.' "'It is
- [Dennis Ross quoted in The Washington Post article, "How Netanyahu Is Already Planning for A Biden Presidency"](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-quoted-in-the-washington-post-article-how-netanyahu-is-already-planning-for-a-biden-presidency/) - "The Netanyahu government may not have done all this damage: 'Not every incident that transpires in Iran necessarily has something to do with us,' its defense minister coyly said earlier this month. But reporting by The Post and the New York Times pins the largest attacks, including that at the centrifuge facility, on Israel —
- [Rachel Ellehuus quoted in Foreign Policy article, "4 Key Takeaways from the British Report on Russian Interference"](https://www.westexec.com/rachel-ellehuus-quoted-in-foreign-policy-article-4-key-takeaways-from-the-british-report-on-russian-interference/) - "While Russia has long honed its hacking and disinformation skills on neighboring countries in Eastern Europe, the report notes that Russia’s efforts to sway voters in Scotland ahead of the 2014 independence referendum marked the first known attempt to interfere in the democratic processes of a Western country. Rachel Ellehuus, the deputy director of the
- [Julie Smith quoted in POLITICO article, "How U.S., Allies Can Confront the China Challenge"](https://www.westexec.com/julie-smith-quoted-in-politico-article-how-u-s-allies-can-confront-the-china-challenge/) - "Build Bridges: Others see big opportunities to respond to China’s multibillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). 'The EU and the U.S. should create a joint investment fund that would support investment projects abroad and counter China’s BRI,' said Julianne Smith, director of the Asia Program and the Geopolitics Program at the German Marshall Fund —
- [Liz Rosenberg quoted in Lawfare article, "What Britain’s New Sanctions Reveal About U.S.-U.K. Relations"](https://www.westexec.com/liz-rosenberg-quoted-in-lawfare-article-what-britains-new-sanctions-reveal-about-u-s-u-k-relations/) - "There is a considerable amount of convergence between Britain’s 49 designations on July 6 and the U.S. sanctions list. Indeed, the vast majority of individuals that Britain sanctioned pursuant to its 2018 Magnitsky Act already appear on the U.S. 'specially-designated nationals' list—effectively a blacklist of persons and entities with whom any business is prohibited—and for
- [Michèle Flournoy quoted in POLITICO article, "Trump Skirting Congress to Install Loyalists in the Pentagon"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-quoted-in-politico-article-trump-skirting-congress-to-install-loyalists-in-the-pentagon/) - "A report issued this week by the Center for a New American Security, which was co-authored by Michèle Flournoy, the undersecretary of defense for policy in the Obama administration, said the Pentagon needs leaders with a record of 'deep expertise and competence in their areas of responsibility; proven leadership in empowering teams, listening to diverse
- [Miriam Vogel quoted in Built In article, "Why Racial Bias Still Haunts Speech-Recognition AI"](https://www.westexec.com/miriam-vogel-quoted-in-built-in-article-why-racial-bias-still-haunts-speech-recognition-ai/) - "Miriam Vogel, who is president and CEO at Equal AI, an organization that helps companies and policymakers address bias in AI, said the findings published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences could have far-ranging implications for Black speakers using these systems, from being shut out of automated ordering or delivery systems,
- [Danny Russel quoted in The New York Times article, "U.S. Orders China to Close Houston Consulate, Citing Efforts to Steal Trade Secrets"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-the-new-york-times-article-u-s-orders-china-to-close-houston-consulate-citing-efforts-to-steal-trade-secrets/) - "Daniel Russel, who served in Mr. Stilwell’s job during the Obama administration, said closing the Houston consulate 'further reduces the few remaining diplomatic channels between the two sides and is a step that will prove difficult to reverse.' “'The China accusation that this move has more to do with presidential politics than with intellectual property
- [Lisa Monaco quoted in Wired article, "Chinese Hackers Charged in Decade-Long Crime and Spying Spree"](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-quoted-in-wired-article-chinese-hackers-charged-in-decade-long-crime-and-spying-spree/) - "'I think the 2015 agreement was a major accomplishment, and it followed sustained pressure by the Obama administration on the Chinese government regarding malicious cyberactivity including intellectual property theft,' says Lisa Monaco, former homeland security advisor to Obama and currently a partner at law firm O’Melveny & Myers. 'But the resurgence in activity by Chinese
- [Chris Inglis writes with Joe Heck in The Hill: "Creating A More Secure Nation Means Public Service Hiring Practices Need an Overhaul"](https://www.westexec.com/chris-inglis-writes-with-joe-heck-in-the-hill-creating-a-more-secure-nation-means-public-service-hiring-practices-need-an-overhaul/) - "The public sector has over 33,000 openings in cybersecurity. This means that about one in three possible public sector cybersecurity jobs is currently unfilled. It also means that we are leaving our country vulnerable to future attacks in cyberspace if we do not have the experts we need to update information technology systems, analyze network
- [Michèle Flournoy and Gabrielle Chefitz write in NBC's Think: "China's Military Capabilities Are Gaining on the U.S. The Pentagon Needs to Take Bold Steps."](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-and-gabrielle-chefitz-write-in-nbcs-think-chinas-military-capabilities-are-gaining-on-the-u-s-the-pentagon-needs-to-take-bold-steps/) - "The next U.S. administration will face an increasingly emboldened and aggressive China — one that has shown a growing willingness to use coercive measures to stake its territorial claims from the South China Sea to Taiwan to the Indian border region. Although neither Washington nor Beijing wants a war, there is a real risk that
- [Mike Singh writes in The New York Times: "When China Met Iran"](https://www.westexec.com/mike-singh-writes-in-the-new-york-times-when-china-met-iran/) - "Leaked news this month that China and Iran had come to the verge of signing a 25-year trade and military partnership agreement struck like a geopolitical storm in Washington — a rising rival of America and a longtime foe joining forces to threaten the United States’s predominant position in the Middle East. "The agreement ambitiously
- [Miriam Vogel writes in Tech Crunch: "Biased AI Perpetuates Racial Injustice"](https://www.westexec.com/miriam-vogel-writes-in-tech-crunch-biased-ai-perpetuates-racial-injustice/) - "The murder of George Floyd was shocking, but we know that his death was not unique. Too many Black lives have been stolen from their families and communities as a result of historical racism. There are deep and numerous threads woven into racial injustice that plague our country that have come to a head following
- [Danny Russel quoted in The New York Times article, "U.S. Says Most of China’s Claims in South China Sea Are Illegal"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-the-new-york-times-article-u-s-says-most-of-chinas-claims-in-south-china-sea-are-illegal/) - "Daniel Russel, the assistant secretary of state for East Asia and the Pacific in the second Obama term, said that the Obama administration had accepted the tribunal’s 2016 ruling as 'final and binding,' and that Mr. Pompeo’s statement was more 'chest-pounding and angry invective about China' than a change in policy..." Read the full article
- [Michèle Flournoy quoted in Voice of America article, "South China Sea Tensions Rise as Militaries Conduct Regional Drills"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-quoted-in-voice-of-america-article-south-china-sea-tensions-rise-as-militaries-conduct-regional-drills/) - "At a recent hearing at the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Committee, former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Michèle Flournoy told lawmakers she’s concerned that China would be more risk-prone as its Navy continues to grow. "'I think China views the United States in a period of inevitable decline and withdrawal from the world,”
- [Linc Bloomfield quoted in The New York Times article, "Inside the White House, a Gun Industry Lobbyist Delivers for His Former Patrons"](https://www.westexec.com/linc-bloomfield-quoted-in-the-new-york-times-article-inside-the-white-house-a-gun-industry-lobbyist-delivers-for-his-former-patrons/) - "Lincoln P. Bloomfield Jr., who was assistant secretary of state for political-military affairs when the ban was enacted in 2002, said the policy was intended to prevent American equipment from being used against American service members, especially during the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. "'Terrorist groups were using garage door openers to blow up U.S. troops;
- [Lisa Monaco launches United Security podcast](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-launches-united-security-podcast/) - Lisa Monaco and Ken Wainstein have managed national security issues at the highest levels of government. Now, they co-host United Security. "On this inaugural episode of United Security, 'Bounties, Bolton, and COVID-19,' Lisa Monaco and Ken Wainstein discuss recent reporting that the Russians paid bounties to Taliban linked militias to kill U.S. service members in
- [Danny Russel quoted in the Wall Street Journal article, "Outrage Over China’s Treatment of Hong Kong Galvanizes the West"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-the-wall-street-journal-article-outrage-over-chinas-treatment-of-hong-kong-galvanizes-the-west/) - "'Hong Kong for Westerners is not obscure and exotic like Xinjiang. It’s not an abstraction like the South China Sea,' said Daniel Russel, a former U.S. diplomat. 'It’s a very familiar place.' "He said the David and Goliath-like storyline of Hong Kong residents protesting publicly to defend democracy struck nerves everywhere..." Read the full article
- [Michèle Flournoy and Gabrielle Chefitz co-author CNAS report: "Sharpening the U.S. Military’s Edge: Critical Steps for the Next Administration"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-and-gabrielle-chefitz-co-author-cnas-report-sharpening-the-u-s-militarys-edge-critical-steps-for-the-next-administration/) - "The U.S. military is at a high-stakes inflection point: it must take a series of much bigger and bolder steps to keep its military-technological edge over great power competitors such as China, or it could lose that edge within the decade. If the Pentagon’s own reported wargames and analysis are to be believed, the planned
- [Rachel Ellehuus testifies before the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia, Energy and the Environment](https://www.westexec.com/rachel-ellehuus-testifies-before-the-house-foreign-affairs-subcommittee-on-europe-eurasia-energy-and-the-environment-the-importance-of-transatlantic-cooperation-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/) - “The Importance of Transatlantic Cooperation During the COVID-19 Pandemic.” Full Written Testimony July 14, 2020 Chairman Keating, Ranking Member Kinzinger, and distinguished members of the Subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today. These are difficult times for our country, but I have no doubt that we are stronger when we work
- [Colin Thomas-Jensen quoted in Bloomberg article, "Another Trump Foreign Policy Foray Goes Awry"](https://www.westexec.com/colin-thomas-jensen-quoted-in-bloomberg-article-another-trump-foreign-policy-foray-goes-awry/) - "Colin Thomas-Jensen, a senior adviser with WestExec Advisors and former Africa policy adviser to one-time U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power, said the U.S. handling of the dispute had been 'clumsy' but added it was unfair to blame the Trump administration for how bogged down the issue has become. "'The crisis over the
- [Danny Russel quoted in The New York Times article, "‘Strategic Empathy’: How Biden’s Informal Diplomacy Shaped Foreign Relations"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-the-new-york-times-article-strategic-empathy-how-bidens-informal-diplomacy-shaped-foreign-relations/) - "Beginning in early 2011 and over the next 18 months, the two men convened at least eight times, in the United States and in China, according to former U.S. officials. They met formally, took walks, shot baskets at a rural Chinese school and spent more than 25 hours dining privately, joined only by interpreters. Mr.
- [Elizabeth Rosenberg quoted in The New York Times article, "Bill Targeting Banks Over China's Hong Kong Law Passes U.S. Senate"](https://www.westexec.com/elizabeth-rosenberg-quoted-in-the-new-york-times-article-bill-targeting-banks-over-chinas-hong-kong-law-passes-u-s-senate/) - "Elizabeth Rosenberg, a sanctions expert at the Center for a New American Security, called the bill 'a very strong step,' adding, 'They're really upping their game and trying out some very powerful new economic tools...'" Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Lisa Monaco quoted in The Hill article, "Trump Administration Planning Pandemic Office at the State Department: Report"](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-quoted-in-the-hill-article-trump-administration-planning-pandemic-office-at-the-state-department-report/) - "Former Homeland Security adviser Lisa Monaco, who served under Obama, said that the Trump administration ran the risk of secluding the office from other government agencies by placing it within the State Department rather than the NSC. "'This move now to set this unit, re-set this unit up, although in a different building, on the
- [Julie Smith quoted in The Washington Post article, "China’s Campaign of ‘Genocide’ Could Bring the U.S. and E.U. Closer Together"](https://www.westexec.com/julie-smith-quoted-in-the-washington-post-article-chinas-campaign-of-genocide-could-bring-the-u-s-and-e-u-closer-together/) - "A major problem, for now, is that Trump is a woeful standard-bearer of human rights and liberal values on the world stage, and his heavy-handed approach to Europe has impaired more substantive cooperation regarding China, said Julie Smith of the German Marshall Fund of the United States. "The Trump administration has 'spent far less time
- [Danny Russel interviewed in Nikkei article, "U.S. Response on Hong Kong Was Too Little, Too Late: Ex-Official"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-interviewed-in-nikkei-article-u-s-response-on-hong-kong-was-too-little-too-late-ex-official/) - "'One ounce of prevention is worth one pound of cure.' That was the analogy former senior U.S. official Daniel Russel gave when talking to Nikkei about the American response to China's new national security law for Hong Kong... "He blamed the failure to nip China's move in the bud on the lack of a united
- [Ely Ratner writes with Richard Fontaine in The Washington Post: "The U.S.-China Confrontation Is Not Another Cold War. It’s Something New."](https://www.westexec.com/ely-ratner-writes-with-richard-fontaine-in-the-washington-post-the-u-s-china-confrontation-is-not-another-cold-war-its-something-new/) - "With U.S.-China relations in free fall, the Trump administration’s chief arms control negotiator recently proclaimed that 'we know how to win these races and we know how to spend the adversary into oblivion.' This obvious allusion to America’s triumph in the Cold War was only the latest sign that the decades-long rivalry with the Soviet
- [Dennis Ross writes with David Makovsky in The Hill: "Israelis and Palestinians Must Realize That Each Needs to Give, Not Just Take"](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-writes-with-david-makovsky-in-the-hill-israelis-and-palestinians-must-realize-that-each-needs-to-give-not-just-take/) - "The White House reportedly held a key meeting this week to decide on how to deal with Israeli annexation of territories allotted to it in the Trump Peace Plan. "We have been critics of the plan, believing that by calling for the absorption of all 130 settlements — including the 78 outside the blocs —
- [Puneet Talwar writes in Foreign Affairs: "Iran and the United States Can’t See Each Other Clearly"](https://www.westexec.com/puneet-talwar-writes-in-foreign-affairs-iran-and-the-united-states-cant-see-each-other-clearly/) - "Just before the novel coronavirus pandemic struck, the United States and Iran appeared to be set on a collision course. COVID-19 quickly displaced such concerns from international headlines. But as the world prepares for further outbreaks of the disease in the months ahead, it should similarly brace for tensions between the United States and Iran
- [Michèle Flournoy interviewed on CNAS' Brussels Sprouts podcast, "Defense Priorities in a New Administration"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-interviewed-on-cnas-brussels-sprouts-podcast-defense-priorities-in-a-new-administration/) - "Michèle Flournoy joins Andrea Kendall-Taylor and Jim Townsend to discuss how a Biden administration can work with NATO to confront transnational threats. Flournoy has been a leader in defense policy under several administrations, including as Under Secretary of Defense for Policy from 2009 to 2012. She is the managing partner of WestExec Advisors and former
- [Danny Russel interviewed on Bloomberg Daybreak: Australia, "China, India in Tense Border Standoff"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-interviewed-on-bloomberg-daybreak-australia-china-india-in-tense-border-standoff/) - "Daniel Russel, vice president at Asia Society Policy Institute, discusses the rising tensions between China and India, the 7-week standoff in the Himalayas and the tensions between North and South Korea..." Watch the full interview here: Full Interview
- [Danny Russel quoted in POLITICO article, "Pompeo Heads to Hawaii for Hush-Hush Summit with Chinese Counterpart"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-politico-article-pompeo-heads-to-hawaii-for-hush-hush-summit-with-chinese-counterpart/) - "Russel noted that Trump’s reelection campaign has made China-bashing a centerpiece of its appeal to American voters. Yang, meanwhile, answers to Chinese leader Xi Jinping, who, like Trump, has a political interest in looking tough on a rival... “‘Perhaps the best we can hope for is a meeting in which the two sides take soundings
- [Michael Camilleri quoted in Univision article, "Legal Battle Over Venezuela's Looted Billions Heats Up"](https://www.westexec.com/michael-camilleri-quoted-in-univision-article-legal-battle-over-venezuelas-looted-billions-heats-up/) - “‘There is a moral imperative to look closely at this issue. The need in Venezuela is growing and the scale of the corruption is industrial,' said Michael Camilleri, who is writing a report on the forfeiture funds for the Inter-American Dialogue, a Washington, D.C., group that promotes democracy in Latin America. "He estimated that more
- [Danny Russel quoted in Reuters article, "North Korea Says Little Reason to Maintain Kim-Trump Ties: KCNA"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-reuters-article-north-korea-says-little-reason-to-maintain-kim-trump-ties-kcna/) - "North Korea is likely to try to increase pressure on the United States ahead of the upcoming election, said Daniel Russel, the top U.S. diplomat for East Asia until early in the Trump administration. “‘Trump’s claim to have ‘solved’ the North Korea problem gives them leverage,' he said..." Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Ely Ratner quoted in the Wall Street Journal article, "A United Front on China Starts to Take Shape"](https://www.westexec.com/ely-ratner-quoted-in-the-wall-street-journal-article-a-united-front-on-china-starts-to-take-shape/) - "China seldom explicitly links its sanctions to foreign-policy goals. This provides 'deniability and the flexibility to escalate and de-escalate at will,' Ely Ratner, executive vice president at the Center for a New American Security, told Congress in 2018. China said its tariffs on Australian barley were the result of an anti-dumping investigation..." Read the full
- [Michèle Flournoy and Nick Rasmussen quoted in The Washington Post article: "To Prepare for the Next Pandemic, the U.S. Needs to Change Its National Security Priorities, Experts Say"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-and-nick-rasmussen-quoted-in-the-washington-post-article-to-prepare-for-the-next-pandemic-the-u-s-needs-to-change-its-national-security-priorities-experts-say/) - “'If the national security staff apparatus around the president is doing its job right, it should be able to coordinate different elements of the government,' said Nicholas J. Rasmussen, who was the director of the National Counterterrorism Center under Presidents Barack Obama and Trump... "Michèle Flournoy, a former defense official who has long been considered
- [Danny Russel quoted in the Wall Street Journal article, "Pompeo, Top Chinese Envoy Meet Amid Heightened Tensions"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-the-wall-street-journal-article-pompeo-top-chinese-envoy-meet-amid-heightened-tensions/) - “‘The big issues on China’s mind are Hong Kong, Taiwan and the economy,' said Daniel Russel, who served as the top State Department official for Asia during the Obama administration and is vice president at the Asia Society Policy Institute. “‘It would be normal for Yang to use this meeting to lower the temperature on
- [Danny Russel interviewed in Business Insider article, "Kim Jong Un Has Quietly Built a 7,000-Man Cyber Army That Gives North Korea an Edge Nuclear Weapons Don't"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-interviewed-in-business-insider-article-kim-jong-un-has-quietly-built-a-7000-man-cyber-army-that-gives-north-korea-an-edge-nuclear-weapons-dont/) - "The North Korean cyber operation documented by a lot of cybersecurity firms lists this principal group as starting circa 2010. But that gives the impression that we know a lot more about North Korea's cyber activity than I think we really do. "North Korea has been cultivating and has been investing in an elite cyber
- [Michèle Flournoy participates in Middle East Institute Leadership Series](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-participates-in-middle-east-institute-leadership-series/) - "In this episode, MEI Senior Fellow and Director of the Defense and Security Program Bilal Y. Saab speaks to former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Michèle A. Flournoy. The conversation [focuses] on the future of U.S. defense strategy and posture in the Middle East in an era of great power competition..." Watch the full
- [Danny Russel writes in Kyodo News: "Reflections on the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty at 60"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-writes-in-kyodo-news-reflections-on-the-u-s-japan-security-treaty-at-60/) - "The 1960 Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan is a powerful contract that has stood the test of time. It underpins the stability that has enabled the extraordinary prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region. It is the foundational document of a strong alliance rooted in shared values, democratic ideals, and
- [Michèle Flournoy participates in Carnegie Connects conversation, "The Future of U.S. Foreign Policy"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-participates-in-carnegie-connects-conversation-the-future-of-u-s-foreign-policy/) - Michèle Flournoy, Jake Sullivan, Stephen Walt, and Aaron David Miller discuss "the future of U.S. foreign policy. Can America lead in this cruel and complicated world? How should it deploy its power and toward what ends? And how will the galactic challenges of domestic recovery influence America’s ability to play an influential global role..." Watch
- [Julie Smith writes with Jacob Stokes in the Washington Quarterly: "Facing Down the Sino-Russian Entente"](https://www.westexec.com/julie-smith-writes-with-jacob-stokes-in-the-washington-quarterly-facing-down-the-sino-russian-entente/) - "'Great power competition' has, at least on paper, become the orienting principle for American strategy. That competition is usually defined as being between the United States and China as well as between the United States and the Russian Federation. Or it lumps them together in the vague category of 'great powers,' without much additional context.
- [Michèle Flournoy writes in Foreign Affairs: "How to Prevent a War in Asia"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-writes-in-foreign-affairs-how-to-prevent-a-war-in-asia/) - "Amid all the uncertainty about the world that will follow the pandemic, one thing is almost sure to be true: tensions between the United States and China will be even sharper than they were before the coronavirus outbreak. The resurgence of U.S.-Chinese competition poses a host of challenges for policymakers—related to trade and economics, technology,
- [Miriam Vogel writes in Thrive Global: "COVID-19 Could Bring Bias in AI to Pandemic Level Crisis"](https://www.westexec.com/miriam-vogel-writes-in-thrive-global-covid-19-could-bring-bias-in-ai-to-pandemic-level-crisis/) - "During the COVID-19 pandemic, artificial intelligence (AI) has become a trusted ally and partner in our daily lives. While there are countless benefits of AI, embedded bias could be determining who keeps their job, what news we see – even who lives or dies – without our even knowing it. "AI-based technology is enabling us
- [Michèle Flournoy and Josh Hochman write in the Financial Times: "Treat China’s Border Clash with India as a Clarion Call"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-and-josh-hochman-write-in-the-financial-times-treat-chinas-border-clash-with-india-as-a-clarion-call/) - "India and China engaged in their first deadly border skirmish since 1975 this week. Twenty Indian soldiers were killed in a clash with Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley, a disputed Himalayan border region. "The news reminded me of working at the Pentagon a decade ago, leading the 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review, an assessment of
- [Ely Ratner quoted in New York Magazine article, "China Is Going to Be a Big Issue in the 2020 Campaign. But What Does That Mean?"](https://www.westexec.com/ely-ratner-quoted-in-new-york-magazine-article-china-is-going-to-be-a-big-issue-in-the-2020-campaign-but-what-does-that-mean/) - "Trade still lingers as an issue for Trump, too. The victory he hoped to herald with 'phase one' of his trade deal could unravel in the response to the coronavirus, dealing another blow to a weak farm economy. As Ely Ratner, a former senior adviser to Biden described Trump’s dilemma to Intelligencer, 'On the one
- [Ely Ratner quoted in The Washington Post article, "Bolton Revelations Undercut Trump’s Reelection Message of Toughness on China"](https://www.westexec.com/ely-ratner-quoted-in-the-washington-post-article-bolton-revelations-undercut-trumps-reelection-message-of-toughness-on-china/) - “‘The revelations were shocking to read but they basically confirm everything we already knew about Trump’s approach to China — his total disregard for human rights and the political motivation for the trade deal,' said Ely Ratner, executive vice president at the Center for a New American Security, who served as Biden’s deputy national security
- [Julie Smith quoted in POLITICO article, "Trump’s Foreign Friends Race to Lock in Gains"](https://www.westexec.com/julie-smith-quoted-in-politico-article-trumps-foreign-friends-race-to-lock-in-gains/) - “‘It’s hard to name too many European countries that don’t have a ruptured relationship with the Trump administration. Poland is an exception,' said Julianne Smith, a former Obama appointee and top Pentagon official who described the decision to host Duda at the White House days before his election as 'shocking.' "An agreement on Fort Trump
- [Matt Waxman hosts The Lawfare Podcast, "Mira Rapp-Hooper on 'Shields of the Republic'"](https://www.westexec.com/matt-waxman-hosts-the-lawfare-podcast-mira-rapp-hooper-on-shields-of-the-republic/) - "Dr. Mira Rapp-Hooper is the Stephen A. Schwarzman senior fellow for Asia studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and author of the new book, 'Shields of the Republic: The Triumph and Peril of America's Alliances.' Matthew Waxman spoke with Mira about the history and strategic importance of American alliances, some of the constitutional issues
- [Michèle Flournoy quoted in NPR broadcast, "Trump Administration Says It's Up To Israel To Annex Parts Of West Bank"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-quoted-in-npr-broadcast-trump-administration-says-its-up-to-israel-to-annex-parts-of-west-bank/) - "A former Obama administration official, Michèle Flournoy, tells the Israel Policy Forum that both the U.S. and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu need to consider the concerns from Arab partners who support Palestinian aspirations for independence. "'You know, these countries may not be full-fledged democracies or democracies at all, but they do have to care
- [Avril Haines quoted in Foreign Affairs article, "When the CIA Interferes in Foreign Elections"](https://www.westexec.com/avril-haines-quoted-in-foreign-affairs-article-when-the-cia-interferes-in-foreign-elections/) - "'If the United States were identified as having promoted disinformation or tampering with votes in an election, it would undermine our credibility and our policy efforts, given how inconsistent such actions would be with the values we promote, which are at the heart of our soft power,' said Avril Haines, a former deputy CIA director.
- [Michèle Flournoy testifies before the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, "The Chinese View of Strategic Competition with the United States"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-testifies-before-the-u-s-china-economic-and-security-review-commission-the-chinese-view-of-strategic-competition-with-the-united-states/) - Commissioner Kamphausen, Commissioner Lewi, other distinguished members of the Commission, it is truly an honor to testify before you today on the U.S.-China strategic competition. Nature and Features of the U.S.-China Competition As you well know, the strategic competition between the United States and China is multi-faceted, with economic, technological, political, ideological, and military dimensions.
- [Nick Rasmussen quoted in The New York Times article, "French Military Says It Killed Top Qaeda Leader in Africa"](https://www.westexec.com/nick-rasmussen-quoted-in-the-new-york-times-article-french-military-says-it-killed-top-qaeda-leader-in-africa/) - “‘If confirmed to be true, the death of Droukdal removes one of the most senior and most durable leaders of AQIM, a longstanding Al Qaeda affiliate,' said Nicholas Rasmussen, the former head of the National Counterterrorism Center in Washington. 'Droukdal remained doggedly loyal to Al Qaeda’s senior leadership...'” Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Dan Shapiro quoted in The Hill article, "US Image Takes a Hit as World Reacts to Floyd Protests"](https://www.westexec.com/dan-shapiro-quoted-in-the-hill-article-us-image-takes-a-hit-as-world-reacts-to-floyd-protests/) - "Daniel Shapiro, former U.S. ambassador to Israel in the Obama administration, said the current moment reminds him of the challenges he faced talking about the inability of the U.S. to confront gun violence and the epidemic of school shootings. “‘It really was — humiliating is an accurate phrase but doesn’t fully capture it. It’s more
- [Meghan O’Sullivan quoted in S&P Global article, "Economists Wonder: Did COVID-19 Accelerate Timeline for Peak Oil Demand?"](https://www.westexec.com/meghan-osullivan-quoted-in-sp-global-article-economists-wonder-did-covid-19-accelerate-timeline-for-peak-oil-demand/) - "'We see a real absence of international cooperation during this moment of global crisis,' Meghan O'Sullivan, an international affairs professor at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government said May 20, pointing to early efforts by wealthy countries to procure vaccine manufacturing for the benefit of their own citizens. 'But then we see more conventional manifestations
- [Julie Smith quoted in The New York Times article, "Trump Plans to Withdraw Some U.S. Troops From Germany, a Key NATO Ally"](https://www.westexec.com/julie-smith-quoted-in-the-new-york-times-article-trump-plans-to-withdraw-some-u-s-troops-from-germany-a-key-nato-ally/) - "'What Trump will never understand is that this move won’t hurt Merkel at all,' said Julianne Smith, a former Obama administration official now with the German Marshall Fund of the United States. 'If he’s hoping to hurt her politically, this does nothing. It actually hurts us more. We are cutting off our nose to spite
- [Mike Singh quoted in The Washington Post article, "How Trump’s Failed ‘Maximum Pressure’ Tactics Could Inspire a Pre-Election Provocation"](https://www.westexec.com/mike-singh-quoted-in-the-washington-post-article-how-trumps-failed-maximum-pressure-tactics-could-inspire-a-pre-election-provocation/) - "There is remarkable agreement across the spectrum of Iran experts on what this campaign has achieved: not much. '"Maximum pressure" has caused unprecedented economic pain for the Iranian regime, but has not yet resulted in any outcome that advances American interests,' concluded an analysis by Michael Singh, who was senior director for Middle East affairs
- [Michèle Flournoy participates in Lowy Institute event, "Unrest in America"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-participates-in-lowy-institute-event-unrest-in-america/) - "On Thursday 11 June, Lowy Institute Executive Director Dr Michael Fullilove hosted an ‘in conversation’ online event with Kurt Campbell and Michèle Flournoy. They discussed the US presidential election, Washington’s relations with Beijing, the global implications of the coronavirus pandemic, and the unrest on America's streets..." Watch the full event here: Full Event
- [Dennis Ross writes in The Washington Post: "Netanyahu Sees a Historic Moment in Annexation. But He Might Not Be Seeing the Risks."](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-writes-in-the-washington-post-netanyahu-sees-a-historic-moment-in-annexation-but-he-might-not-be-seeing-the-risks/) - "One late night, while I sat with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the middle of negotiating what would become the Hebron protocol, he told me 'I will do what Ben-Gurion did.' I knew he was a disciple of the 'revisionist' movement, bitter enemies of David Ben-Gurion, so I said 'you mean Menachem Begin.' And he
- [WestExec Managing Partner, Principals and Senior Advisors among 89 former defense officials to write in The Washington Post: "The Military Must Never Be Used to Violate Constitutional Rights"](https://www.westexec.com/westexec-managing-partner-principals-and-senior-advisors-among-89-former-defense-officials-to-write-in-the-washington-post-the-military-must-never-be-used-to-violate-constitutional-rights/) - "President Trump continues to use inflammatory language as many Americans protest the unlawful death of George Floyd and the unjust treatment of black Americans by our justice system. As the protests have grown, so has the intensity of the president’s rhetoric. He has gone so far as to make a shocking promise: to send active-duty
- [Julie Smith quoted in The New York Times article, "Embattled at Home, Trump Finds Himself Isolated Abroad, Too"](https://www.westexec.com/julie-smith-quoted-in-the-new-york-times-article-embattled-at-home-trump-finds-himself-isolated-abroad-too/) - "'It all shows just how out of touch Trump is with allies,' said Julianne Smith, a former Obama official now with the German Marshall Fund in Washington. 'This is a man isolated at home and abroad. He is trying to find friends in other places, knowing that relations with traditional allies are bad. But there
- [Danny Russel quoted in The Washington Post article, "As He Seeks to Punish China, Trump Faces Criticism at Home Over His Own Attacks on Democratic Values"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-the-washington-post-article-as-he-seeks-to-punish-china-trump-faces-criticism-at-home-over-his-own-attacks-on-democratic-values/) - "Danny Russel, a vice president at the Asia Society, who served in the Obama administration, said the Trump administration had long since 'crossed the Rubicon in terms of undercutting any credibility the United States may have had with the Chinese public about our commitment to values and to our principles.' "Trump tweets and actions this
- [Nick Rasmussen quoted in The Atlantic article, "It’s Time to Listen to the Doomsday Planners"](https://www.westexec.com/nick-rasmussen-quoted-in-the-atlantic-article-its-time-to-listen-to-the-doomsday-planners/) - "Doomsday planners can’t conjure up every possible future calamity. But their warnings can prompt the government to react quickly, to adapt to ambiguity, and to treat uncertainty as a feature of good social science, not an excuse to avoid prudent precautions. Nicholas Rasmussen, who participated in national-security continuity planning as a senior counterterrorism adviser to
- [Danny Russel quoted in POLITICO article, "Adversaries Delight in America’s Convulsions, While U.S. Diplomats Despair"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-politico-article-adversaries-delight-in-americas-convulsions-while-u-s-diplomats-despair/) - "Daniel Russel, a former senior Obama administration official who dealt with Asia, said that American diplomats traditionally have been able to acknowledge U.S. struggles when dealing with foreign audiences. That dash of humility, however, was coupled with a sense of U.S. credibility – that America could be relied upon to help the oppressed in other
- [Danny Russel quoted in Bloomberg Businessweek article, "In Hong Kong, Xi Jinping Takes a Page From Vladimir Putin’s Playbook"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-bloomberg-businessweek-article-in-hong-kong-xi-jinping-takes-a-page-from-vladimir-putins-playbook/) - "Daniel Russell, a former U.S. assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, sees Xi’s fulfillment of a domestically popular mission to unify the motherland as one of several echoes of Russia’s 2014 move on Crimea. The 'muscular assertion of sovereign power at a moment of weakness at home' is another. Putin had
- [Bridge Colby quoted in The New York Times article, "As Virus Toll Preoccupies U.S., Rivals Test Limits of American Power"](https://www.westexec.com/bridge-colby-quoted-in-the-new-york-times-article-as-virus-toll-preoccupies-u-s-rivals-test-limits-of-american-power/) - "'I think what Beijing is pursuing — and it’s a rational interest — is hegemonic authority over Asia,' said Elbridge Colby, the former Pentagon official who was the main writer of the Trump administration’s National Defense Strategy, which focuses on how the American military should reshape itself for great-power competition with Russia and particularly China...
- [Dan Shapiro writes with John Allen in The Hill: "Stopping Israel's Annexation Is a US National Security Interest"](https://www.westexec.com/dan-shapiro-writes-with-john-allen-in-the-hill-stopping-israels-annexation-is-a-us-national-security-interest/) - "Opponents of Israel unilaterally annexing portions of the West Bank frequently couch their concerns in terms of the infringement on Palestinian rights and aspirations for statehood. Those concerns are real. Yet we would add another reason for opposition: the damage that would be done to American security interests. "Each of us has devoted a significant
- [Julie Smith and Meghan O’Sullivan in conversation on the Post-Pandemic Order podcast](https://www.westexec.com/julie-smith-and-meghan-osullivan-in-conversation-on-the-post-pandemic-order-podcast/) - "On this week’s episode of Post Pandemic Order, host Julie Smith discusses the coronavirus and disruptions in the global energy market with Meghan O’Sullivan the Jeane Kirkpatrick Professor of the Practice of International Affairs at the Harvard Kennedy School where she also directs the Geopolitics of Energy Project. "The insight-packed 20 minute conversation dives into
- [Michèle Flournoy writes with Jim Townsend in Der Spiegel: "This Is at the Core of the Transatlantic Idea"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-writes-with-jim-townsend-in-der-spiegel-this-is-at-the-core-of-the-transatlantic-idea/) - "The chairman of the SPD parliamentary group Rolf Mützenich has called for Germany to withdraw from NATO's nuclear participation . A debate that has long been smoldering among experts has now reached the public. Mützenich bases his position on the fact that the policies of the current US government make the use of nuclear weapons
- [Ron Clark and Shannon Kula share guidance for community protection and resilience in a piece published by Rutgers’ Miller Center: "Part VI: RESILIENCE: The Need for Universal Personal Protective Equipment"](https://www.westexec.com/ron-clark-and-shannon-kula-share-guidance-for-community-protection-and-resilience-in-a-piece-published-by-rutgers-miller-center-part-vi-resilience-the-need-for-universal-personal-protect/) - In February, Dr. Clark and Dr. Kula and started developing guidance for vulnerable communities and faith-based organizations to help them understand evidence based best practices for the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal was to provide pragmatic guidance that was realistic, accessible and would positively impact their level of safety amidst a storm of misinformation... Read the
- [Michèle Flournoy keynotes CSIS Future Strategy Forum](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-keynotes-csis-future-strategy-forum/) - Michèle Flournoy explores how Covid-19 will impact national security in her keynote address to kickoff the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and the Henry A. Kissinger Center for Global Affairs at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) 2020 Future Strategy Forum, an initiative to connect scholars who research national security with
- [Danny Russel writes in The Diplomat: "The 3 Flashpoints That Could Turn a US-China ‘Cold War’ Hot"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-writes-in-the-diplomat-the-3-flashpoints-that-could-turn-a-us-china-cold-war-hot/) - "The coronavirus graphically demonstrated that even recognized risks can catch the world off guard. SARS and Ebola had alerted the world to the danger of a zoonotic virus. Just last year, governments and international agencies issued clear and repeated warnings. The U.S. government ran simulations of an outbreak code-named 'Crimson Contagion' that highlighted the threat.
- [Danny Russel featured in conversation with H.E. Kono Taro for Asia Society event](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-featured-in-conversation-with-h-e-kono-taro-for-asia-society-event/) - "Japanese Minister of Defense H.E. Kono Taro describes his country's efforts to combat the coronavirus in a conversation with Daniel Russel, vice president for international diplomacy and security at the Asia Society Policy Institute..." Watch the full event here: Full Event
- [Danny Russel quoted in USA Today article, "China Approves Sweeping National Security Legislation for Hong Kong, Jeopardizing the City's Autonomy"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-usa-today-article-china-approves-sweeping-national-security-legislation-for-hong-kong-jeopardizing-the-citys-autonomy/) - "Daniel Russel, a former Asia affairs adviser to President Barack Obama and now vice president of the Asia Society Policy Institute, a U.S.-based think tank, said China's legislation is a 'decisive show of force by (Chinese President) Xi Jinping, signaling a willingness to defy international opinion, to challenge the United States, and to threaten the
- [Dennis Ross quoted in Al-Monitor article, "Intel: Palestinian Authority to Suspend Cooperation with CIA Over US Support for Israeli Annexation"](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-quoted-in-al-monitor-article-intel-palestinian-authority-to-suspend-cooperation-with-cia-over-us-support-for-israeli-annexation/) - "Cutting off the last line of communication would be 'bad for both sides,' said Dennis Ross, a former US Middle East envoy under President Bill Clinton. Ross is now at the Washington Institute. 'All it does is increase the potential for misunderstandings. And I think misunderstandings already exist,' Ross told Al-Monitor. "What’s next: The Israel
- [Lisa Monaco featured on MSNBC's The Beat With Ari Melber, "See The Chilling Virus Warnings Trump Ignored – Before Pandemic Outbreak"](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-featured-on-msnbcs-the-beat-with-ari-melber-see-the-chilling-virus-warnings-trump-ignored-before-pandemic-outbreak/) - "We put together an exercise for the incoming national security team. I said that we needed to add a pandemic scenario to the exercise because I was so concerned and thought it would be a certainty that the next administration would deal with some type of public health crisis..." Watch the full report here: Full
- [Elizabeth Rosenberg quoted in The Guardian article, "Australian Government Asks China for Same Reduction in Trade Barriers as US"](https://www.westexec.com/elizabeth-rosenberg-quoted-in-the-guardian-article-australian-government-asks-china-for-same-reduction-in-trade-barriers-as-us/) - "Elizabeth Rosenberg, a senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, cited the barley issue as an example of 'this sort of push-and-pull by China to try and apply friction to the already tenuous relationship the United States has with many allies and partners...'" Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Danny Russel quoted in Al Jazeera article, "Tension Boiled in Hong Kong Ahead of New Security Bill Discussion"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-al-jazeera-article-tension-boiled-in-hong-kong-ahead-of-new-security-bill-discussion/) - "'The legislation on Hong Kong was a decisive show of force by Xi Jinping, signalling a willingness to defy international opinion, to challenge the United States and to threaten the people of Hong Kong - and by extension, the people on Taiwan as well,' said Daniel Russel, Vice President of the Asia Society Policy Institute.
- [Michèle Flournoy participates in Yale and Jackson Virtual Forum, "COVID-19 and Global Affairs: Geopolitics and Strategy"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-participates-in-yale-and-jackson-virtual-forum-covid-19-and-global-affairs-geopolitics-and-strategy/) - Michèle Flournoy speaks with Nuno Monteiro about the geopolitical consequences of the crisis, as well as the leadership required domestically and among institutional leaders to mitigate the impact of the pandemic... Watch the full event here: Full Event
- [Tony Blinken participates in Meridian Virtual Forum on U.S. Foreign Policy](https://www.westexec.com/tony-blinken-participates-in-meridian-virtual-forum-on-u-s-foreign-policy/) - "[Tony] Blinken discussed a range of global issues and how they might be handled under a Biden Administration. Moderated by CBS News’ Senior Foreign Affairs Correspondent Margaret Brennan, the conversation also examined the U.S. COVID-19 response and how it has impacted the U.S. role on the international stage..." Watch the full event here: Full Event
- [Danny Russel quoted in The New York Times article, "Hong Kong Has Lost Autonomy, Pompeo Says, Opening Door to U.S. Action"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-the-new-york-times-article-hong-kong-has-lost-autonomy-pompeo-says-opening-door-to-u-s-action/) - "'The irony is that in punishing Hong Kong, we wind up martyring it rather than saving it,' said Daniel Russel, an assistant secretary of state for East Asia and the Pacific in the Obama administration. As for diplomacy between Washington and Beijing, he said: 'The brake pads in the relationship have worn very, very thin.
- [Avril Haines interviewed in Brookings webinar, "Inspired to Serve – The Future of Public Service"](https://www.westexec.com/avril-haines-interviewed-in-brookings-webinar-inspired-to-serve-the-future-of-public-service/) - "On May 4, in honor of Public Service Recognition Week, the Foreign Policy program at Brookings, in partnership with the National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service, hosted a webinar to highlight the critical role of service. Following welcome remarks by Brookings President John R. Allen and Commission Chairman Joseph J. Heck, Brookings Senior
- [Dennis Ross quoted in The New York Times article, "On Annexation, a Green Light Turns Yellow, Pompeo’s Visit to Israel Signals"](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-quoted-in-the-new-york-times-article-on-annexation-a-green-light-turns-yellow-pompeos-visit-to-israel-signals/) - "Dennis Ross, who helped negotiate earlier peace plans during the Clinton administration, noted signs of 'a certain pause' in the Trump administration’s approach after a series of diplomatic maneuvers that appeared designed to pressure Palestinian officials into new talks with Israel. "Notably, Mr. Ross said, leaders of neighboring Arab states are urging the Trump administration
- [Bridge Colby quoted in POLITCO article, "Trump Seizes a New Cudgel to Bash China: Taiwan"](https://www.westexec.com/bridge-colby-quoted-in-politco-article-trump-seizes-a-new-cudgel-to-bash-china-taiwan/) - "Some of the moves have been fueled by the coronavirus pandemic, which has 'clarified' the competition with China in the public sphere, said Elbridge Colby, a former deputy assistant secretary of Defense. 'Covid has made it clear that we are in a situation of competition … to the American people,' he said..." Read the full
- [Bob Work interviewed on Federal Drive with Tom Temin podcast, "Improving the Federal Hiring Process, Part 1"](https://www.westexec.com/bob-work-interviewed-on-federal-drive-with-tom-temin-podcast-improving-the-federal-hiring-process-part-1/) - "Who wants to work for the government? Apparently not enough people. One reason might be the federal government’s poor record at workforce planning and development, and its hiring process. A cluster of coalitions has urged leading members of Congress to do something about federal workforce issues. Among them, the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence.
- [Dan Shapiro quoted in The Washington Post article, "Netanyahu May Still Head Israel’s Government. But It’s A Big Change Nonetheless."](https://www.westexec.com/dan-shapiro-quoted-in-the-washington-post-article-netanyahu-may-still-head-israels-government-but-its-a-big-change-nonetheless/) - "But the scope of annexation, which was envisaged in the Trump peace plan, has yet to be determined. It is unclear whether Gantz, who says he supports annexation if enacted as part of the entire plan that also provides for a Palestinian state, will try to reduce the scale of an action that could spark
- [Lisa Monaco quoted in PBS Newshour article, "Obama Team Left Pandemic Playbook for Trump Administration, Officials Confirm"](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-quoted-in-pbs-newshour-article-obama-team-left-pandemic-playbook-for-trump-administration-officials-confirm/) - “'We absolutely did leave a plan. It was called a playbook,' said Lisa Monaco, former homeland security adviser to President Obama. The goal, she said, was to share the lessons learned during the Ebola and Zika outbreaks..." Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Danny Russel interviewed on the Asia In-Depth podcast, "North Korea's Public Health Vulnerability"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-interviewed-on-the-asia-in-depth-podcast-north-koreas-public-health-vulnerability/) - "In this episode of Asia In-Depth, Asia Society Policy Institute Vice President for International Security and Diplomacy Daniel Russel explores these questions with two experts on North Korea — Harvard Medical School scholar Dr. Kee B Park, who leads an effort to assist doctors in North Korea, and Brookings Institution Senior Fellow, Dr. Jung H.
- [Lisa Monaco interviewed on CNN's New Day](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-interviewed-on-cnns-new-day-2/) - "Former Homeland Security adviser Lisa Monaco responds to Sen. Mitch McConnell's claims that former President Obama left the Trump administration unprepared for a pandemic..." Watch the full interview here: Full Interview
- [Julie Smith quoted in CNN article, "Covid-19's Threat to European Unity"](https://www.westexec.com/julie-smith-quoted-in-cnn-article-covid-19s-threat-to-european-unity/) - "'The debates over corona bonds remain fierce, with some countries pushing for these grants (instead of loans) and others, like Germany, strongly opposing the idea,' Julie Smith, senior adviser to the president of the German Marshall Fund and director of their Asia program, told me. "Smith spent 2018 in Germany focused on German foreign policy
- [Lisa Monaco interviewed on CNN's The Daily DC podcast, "Obama Official: Pandemic Wasn't Unforeseen"](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-interviewed-on-cnns-the-daily-dc-podcast-obama-official-pandemic-wasnt-unforeseen/) - "President Trump says the Obama Administration didn't prepare his team for coronavirus. But CNN National Security Analyst and former Obama Homeland Security Adviser joins CNN Chief Political Correspondent Dana Bash to go inside the pandemic prep session during the Presidential transition and discuss the Trump response so far..." Listen to the full episode here: Full
- [Julie Smith writes with Laura Rosenberger in Newsweek: "While the U.S. Sits Back, China Is Using Covid-19 to Cozy Up to Europe"](https://www.westexec.com/julie-smith-writes-with-laura-rosenberger-in-newsweek-while-the-u-s-sits-back-china-is-using-covid-19-to-cozy-up-to-europe/) - "As the world has grappled with COVID-19, China has sought to leverage the crisis for geopolitical advantage. To do so, China isn't relying on the traditional forms of statecraft, such as diplomacy. Instead, it is pairing highly publicized aid with public bullying, bombastic rhetoric and outright coercion. "We have spent the last month closely monitoring
- [Dan Shapiro writes in Haaretz: "What Pompeo’s High-speed Mid-pandemic Trip to Israel Is Really About"](https://www.westexec.com/dan-shapiro-writes-in-haaretz-what-pompeos-high-speed-mid-pandemic-trip-to-israel-is-really-about/) - "His own State Department remains on lockdown, with most employees working from their homes. The entire world is subject to a Level 4 'Do Not Travel' warning. White House officials who have attended West Wing meetings with him have tested positive for COVID-19 in recent days. "Yet with all that, U.S. Secretary of State Mike
- [Danny Russel interviewed on the Asia In-Depth podcast, "How Taiwan Smothered the Coronavirus"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-interviewed-on-the-asia-in-depth-podcast-how-taiwan-smothered-the-coronavirus/) - "In this episode of Asia In-Depth, Asia Society Policy Institute (ASPI) Vice President for International Security and Diplomacy Daniel Russel speaks with two experts — Syaru Shirley Lin from the University of Virginia and Dr. Chunhuei Chi of Oregon State University — about what Taiwan's successful smothering of COVID-19 means for its future..." Listen to
- [Danny Russel on Pod Save the World podcast, "Mercenaries Invade Venezuela"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-on-pod-save-the-world-podcast-mercenaries-invade-venezuela/) - "Asia expert Danny Russel joins to talk about White House plans to punish China over the coronavirus, how Beijing might respond, and what the hell we should make of Kim Jong Un’s reemergence after weeks of rumors about his health..." Listen to the full episode here: Full Episode
- [Danny Russel quoted in the Wall Street Journal article, "Biden Aims to Out-Tough Trump on China While Invoking His Obama Experience"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-the-wall-street-journal-article-biden-aims-to-out-tough-trump-on-china-while-invoking-his-obama-experience/) - "In 2011 in Beijing, when the U.S. was still dealing with the aftermath of the financial crisis, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao told Mr. Biden, 'I’m sorry your economy is in such terrible shape,' according to Danny Russel, then the top White House adviser on Asia, who witnessed the exchange. Mr. Wen questioned whether Beijing’s multibillion-dollar
- [Tony Blinked interviewed on PBS NewsHour, "Blame and Counter-Charges: The U.S.-China Rhetorical War Over COVID-19"](https://www.westexec.com/tony-blinked-interviewed-on-pbs-newshour-blame-and-counter-charges-the-u-s-china-rhetorical-war-over-covid-19/) - "The government of China, has to be held accountable for failing to provide information in a timely fashion, failing to give access to international inspectors to get to the bottom of what happened. "But the other half of the story is this. Unfortunately, tragically, the Trump administration took down or undermined a lot of defenses
- [Lisa Monaco quoted in POLITICO article, "Biden Has Fought A Pandemic Before. It Did Not Go Smoothly."](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-quoted-in-politico-article-biden-has-fought-a-pandemic-before-it-did-not-go-smoothly/) - "Lisa Monaco, who served as Obama’s homeland security and counterterrorism adviser, remembered a notable exchange between Biden and then-Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan when the African leader visited the White House during the Ebola outbreak. "'The vice president was quite forceful with him to accelerate [his] response,' Monaco said. 'The message was: "We need you and
- [Dan Shapiro quoted in Haaretz article, "Netanyahu Is 'Confident' in His Annexation Plan. Experts Outline His Next Steps"](https://www.westexec.com/dan-shapiro-quoted-in-haaretz-article-netanyahu-is-confident-in-his-annexation-plan-experts-outline-his-next-steps/) - "Netanyahu may want to rush through a vote on the annexation plan ahead of the November U.S. presidential election. But this mapping committee could throw him off schedule, notes former U.S. ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro. "'Leaving aside technical aspects, like whether the work can even be done right now because of the coronavirus restrictions,
- [Danny Russel quoted in Reuters article, "After Rumours About Health, North Korea State Media Report Kim Jong Un Appearance"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-reuters-article-after-rumours-about-health-north-korea-state-media-report-kim-jong-un-appearance/) - "The former top U.S. diplomat for East Asia, Daniel Russel, said the pieces of the puzzle of Kim’s disappearance would take time to assemble. "They rumours had, however, served to focus attention on North Korea’s succession plan, which 'in a monarchical and cult-like dictatorship is filled with risk, and the absence of a designated adult
- [Lisa Monaco quoted in The Washington Post article, "As Washington Stumbled, Governors Stepped to the Forefront"](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-quoted-in-the-washington-post-article-as-washington-stumbled-governors-stepped-to-the-forefront/) - "Trump has complained that the federal stockpiles he inherited were inadequate to meet the pandemic’s demands. But Lisa Monaco, White House homeland security adviser under Obama, said those stockpiles were meant only to be a bridge. 'It was always envisioned that [during a pandemic], the federal government would step in and activate the supply chain
- [Michèle Flournoy quoted in Inkstick article, "Now Is Not the Time for Diversity Backsliding"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-quoted-in-inkstick-article-now-is-not-the-time-for-diversity-backsliding/) - "A lack of diversity, on the other hand, made it harder to introduce new ideas into the conversation. Michèle Flournoy, former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy who was the highest-ranking woman at the Department of Defense in its history when she was confirmed, described this struggle as the 'consensual straitjacket.' She told us: 'I
- [Lisa Monaco quoted in Vanity Fair article, "How Trump Gutted Obama’s Pandemic-Preparedness Systems"](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-quoted-in-vanity-fair-article-how-trump-gutted-obamas-pandemic-preparedness-systems/) - "Looking ahead to a potential vaccine, there is a question as to whether the Trump administration will be able to effectively distribute a panacea. A vaccine alone is not a solution—a mass vaccination campaign is. 'As we are asking where is the plan and the resources for testing, we should be asking the same questions
- [Danny Russel quoted in Nikkei article, "Calls for Virus Payback Against China Mount in Washington"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-nikkei-article-calls-for-virus-payback-against-china-mount-in-washington/) - "'[China sees] Trump's alienation of American allies, his kind of obsession with trade numbers, and ignorance of broader economic... and new technology issues, his vulnerability to flattery, and so on,' the former Obama administration official said. 'You know, they see that as creating an unparalleled opportunity, and admittedly that price they have paid is a
- [Michèle Flournoy interviewed in Bloomberg article, "How the Military Can Be Ready for the Next Pandemic"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-quoted-in-bloomberg-article-how-the-military-can-be-ready-for-the-next-pandemic/) - "Their biggest failure was ignoring the repeated early warnings from the intelligence community and others that the pandemic was coming, and failing to take more decisive action throughout February to mandate quarantines, use the president’s authorities to ramp up the purchasing and production of personal protective equipment, ventilators and testing equipment, and clearly and consistently
- [Danny Russel quoted in The New York Times article, "Kim Jong-un Is Back. What Happens When He’s Really Gone?"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-the-new-york-times-article-kim-jong-un-is-back-what-happens-when-hes-really-gone/) - ​"'The combination of loose nukes and political conflict is a nightmare scenario for the world,' said Danny Russel, vice president of the Asia Society Policy Institute, who dealt with North Korea as a National Security Council director at the White House and an assistant secretary of state for Asia. ​'Political turmoil could lead a faction
- [Danny Russel quoted in The New York Times article, "Kim Jong-un Resurfaces, State Media Says, After Weeks of Health Rumors"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-the-new-york-times-article-kim-jong-un-resurfaces-state-media-says-after-weeks-of-health-rumors/) - "The weeks of rumors showed how 'unprepared' the outside world remains 'for a potential political crisis caused by something like the sudden, unexpected death of the dictator in a country bristling with dozens of nuclear weapons,' said Danny Russel, vice president of the Asia Society Policy Institute. "'We got a glimpse of the danger of
- [Lisa Monaco co-hosts Stay Tuned with Preet podcast, "The New Threat Matrix"](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-co-hosts-stay-tuned-with-preet-podcast-the-new-threat-matrix/) - "In this episode, Lisa and Ken [Wainstein] do a deep dive on the national security implications of the coronavirus pandemic and break down the issues the U.S. would confront in the event of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un’s death or incapacitation..." Listen to the full episode here: Full Episode
- [Michèle Flournoy interviewed on the Defense and Aerospace Report podcast](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-interviewed-on-the-defense-and-aerospace-report-podcast/) - In this episode, Vago Muradian interviews Michèle Flournoy about the lessons we need to bear in mind as we prepare for the next major crisis, great power competition in this environment, and the compelling case for U.S. global leadership... Listen to the full episode here: Full Episode
- [Lisa Monaco interviewed on CNN's Newsroom](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-interviewed-on-cnns-newsroom-2/) - "I'm worried that the rhetoric on both sides is very divorced from the reality. That distracts all of us from what we need to be doing, which is mounting a coordinated global fight against this virus. "The reality is that the intelligence community has been very clear that there is no evidence that this was
- [Nicholas Rasmussen writes with Margaret Taylor in Lawfare: "Eleven Questions for Director of National Intelligence Nominee Rep. John Ratcliffe"](https://www.westexec.com/nicholas-rasmussen-writes-with-margaret-taylor-in-lawfare-eleven-questions-for-director-of-national-intelligence-nominee-rep-john-ratcliffe/) - "Amid questions about the ability of the House and the Senate to function in regular order during a pandemic, the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence will hold an open hearing on May 5 at 9:30 a.m. to consider the president’s nomination of Republican Rep. John Ratcliffe of Texas to serve as director of national intelligence.
- [Puneet Talwar writes with Anubhav Gupta in Foreign Affairs: "Modi’s Coronavirus Test"](https://www.westexec.com/puneet-talwar-writes-with-anubhav-gupta-in-foreign-affairs-modis-coronavirus-test/) - "The novel coronavirus is an enormous test for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Not only must his government contain the spread of the virus in one of the densest, most populous countries in the world but it must prevent social-distancing measures from pushing India’s flagging economy over the cliff into free fall. Even before the
- [Bridge Colby writes with A. Wess Mitchell in the Wall Street Journal: "Containing China Will Be Complicated"](https://www.westexec.com/bridge-colby-writes-with-a-wess-mitchell-in-the-wall-street-journal-containing-china-will-be-complicated/) - "The Covid-19 pandemic has convinced many that the U.S. must fundamentally change its policy toward China. Shifting course is necessary, but it won’t be achieved with a few policy tweaks. That’s because the pandemic’s political and economic effects are bringing about a more assertive Chinese grand strategy. "Beijing has steered China’s rise with relative ease
- [Michael Camilleri quoted in Americas Quarterly article, "Behind Nayib Bukele's 'Shocking' Turn"](https://www.westexec.com/michael-camilleri-quoted-in-americas-quarterly-article-behind-nayib-bukeles-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
- [Meghan O'Sullivan quoted in the Financial Times article, "Will American Shale Oil Rise Again?"](https://www.westexec.com/meghan-osullivan-quoted-in-the-financial-times-article-will-american-shale-oil-rise-again/) - “Meghan O'Sullivan, the head of the geopolitics programme at Harvard's Kennedy School, says the shale revolution had bolstered the US internationally by, 'altering the global strategic environment in a way that made it more conducive to US interests.' "'The global energy abundance that was in large part due to American shale... helped US allies and,
- [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."](https://www.westexec.com/ely-ratner-quoted-in-the-washington-post-article-matthew-pottinger-faced-communist-chinas-intimidation-as-a-reporter-hes-now-at-the-white-house-shaping-trumps-hard-line/) - "'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
- [Julie Smith quoted in Business Insider article, "The Coronavirus Pandemic Could Leave ‘A Profound Economic Impact’ On the Pentagon”](https://www.westexec.com/julie-smith-quoted-in-business-insider-article-the-coronavirus-pandemic-could-leave-a-profound-economic-impact-on-the-pentagon/) - "'The bigger question among Democrats that we haven’t sorted out... is to determine exactly what to do with the defense budget,' with different camps advocating freezing, reducing, or imposing drastic cuts, said Julianne Smith, a foreign-policy adviser to former Vice President Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, at the same event. "'That’s a debate
- [Danny Russel quoted in CNN article, "Trump Administration Draws Up Plans to Punish China Over Coronavirus Outbreak"](https://www.westexec.com/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
- [Bob Work quoted in The Economist article, "Global Arms Spending Is Rising, But Covid-19 Will Trim Budgets"](https://www.westexec.com/bob-work-quoted-in-the-economist-article-global-arms-spending-is-rising-but-covid-19-will-trim-budgets/) - "Factor all that in and China’s defence budget may in fact have reached around 87% of America’s, suggests Frederico Bartels of the Heritage Foundation, a think-tank. Raw spending disguises technological advances, too. 'China appears to be driving the military-technical competition in critical areas such as quantum science, biotechnology, hypersonics, and ballistic and cruise missiles,' warns
- [Celeste Wallander participates in Council on Foreign Relations event, "Update on Russia: Policy, Power, and Public Health"](https://www.westexec.com/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
- [Matt Waxman writes with Samuel Weitzman in Lawfare: "Remembering the Montgomery Ward Seizure: FDR and War Production Powers"](https://www.westexec.com/matt-waxman-writes-with-samuel-weitzman-in-lawfare-remembering-the-montgomery-ward-seizure-fdr-and-war-production-powers/) - "Every student of national security law knows about Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. v. Sawyer (the Steel Seizure Case), in which the Supreme Court invalidated President Truman’s seizure of steel mills to forestall a nationwide strike during the Korean War. Less well appreciated is that industrial confiscation was a familiar practice for Americans in 1952.
- [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"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-writes-in-the-los-angeles-times-if-kim-jong-un-dies-whos-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
- [Michèle Flournoy participates in Chatham House virtual roundtable, "US Global Leadership After COVID-19"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-participates-in-chatham-house-virtual-roundtable-us-global-leadership-after-covid-19/) - "The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the absence of US global leadership. Michèle Flournoy talks with Dr. Leslie Vinjamuri about the impact of COVID-19 on US domestic priorities and foreign policy commitments. "Flournoy discusses current US strategy towards China and the Middle East and how this might change under a Democratic administration..." Watch the full event here:
- [Meghan O'Sullivan writes in Bloomberg: "Oil's Collapse Is a Geopolitical Reset In Disguise"](https://www.westexec.com/meghan-osullivan-writes-in-bloomberg-oils-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
- [Tony Blinken participates in Chatham House virtual roundtable, "US Foreign Policy in a Post COVID-19 World"](https://www.westexec.com/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
- [Michèle Flournoy interviewed on Freakonomics podcast, "Will Covid-19 Spark a Cold War (or Worse) With China?"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-interviewed-on-freakonomics-podcast-will-covid-19-spark-a-cold-war-or-worse-with-china/) - "I think it’s very clear that it came from one source or another in Wuhan. I think it’s very clear that the Chinese government sought to suppress that information early on, even punishing people like doctors who were trying to make it known. And that mishandling of the early crisis significantly increased the global implications
- [Dennis Ross quoted in the Jerusalem Post article, "Will U.S. Presidential Candidates Care About the Middle East Peace Process?"](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-quoted-in-the-jerusalem-post-article-will-u-s-presidential-candidates-care-about-the-middle-east-peace-process/) - “'[Middle East policy] will not figure prominently,' Dennis Ross, a former special assistant to president Barack Obama, and now William Davidson Distinguished Fellow at The Washington Institute, told the Post. 'COVID-19 and the economic realities will be the preoccupation [of this election cycle],' he predicted. “'Foreign policy, in general, will factor in, as it relates
- [Danny Russel quoted in The Nation article, "How Trump’s Foreign Policy Puts Troops at Risk of Covid-19"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-the-nation-article-how-trumps-foreign-policy-puts-troops-at-risk-of-covid-19/) - "The coronavirus will likewise severely damage the economy. Daniel Russel, a former US diplomat who served as the assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs until 2017, told The Nation that while pandemics have a devastating initial effect on public health, a brutal second wave can come in the form of an
- [Mike Singh quoted in Arab News article, "WHO’s to Blame? World Health Organization Under Scrutiny Over Its Handling of Coronavirus"](https://www.westexec.com/mike-singh-quoted-in-arab-news-article-whos-to-blame-world-health-organization-under-scrutiny-over-its-handling-of-coronavirus/) - "Michael Singh, managing director of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said there was a firm consensus in the US capital that China failed to act on early indications of a brewing outbreak, and even took steps to suppress the information. “'While other governments were also slow in marshaling their responses, China’s failure is
- [Michèle Flournoy quoted in The Bulwark article, "How Trump’s COVID-19 Failure Betrayed Our Military and Veterans"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-quoted-in-the-bulwark-article-how-trumps-covid-19-failure-betrayed-our-military-and-veterans/) - "'He has created a leadership climate that stifles the kind of transparency, communication and truth telling that’s required in a crisis like this,' Michèle Flournoy, the former undersecretary of defense for policy, said of President Trump. 'What we have learned about pandemic response is that it’s impossible to over-communicate, even with imperfect information. It’s important
- [Dan Shapiro quoted in Foreign Policy article, "How the Coronavirus Saved Netanyahu’s Political Career"](https://www.westexec.com/dan-shapiro-quoted-in-foreign-policy-article-how-the-coronavirus-saved-netanyahus-political-career/) - "'[Netanyahu] has received fairly high marks from the public for his handling of the crisis because of the relatively low number of fatalities and the fact that the hospitals have not been overwhelmed,' said Daniel Shapiro, a former U.S. ambassador to Israel. 'It may be harder to sustain that support if there is a second
- [Bridge Colby quoted in Nikkei article, "China-Russia Alliance On Horizon as Nuclear Arms Treaties Crumble"](https://www.westexec.com/bridge-colby-quoted-in-nikkei-article-china-russia-alliance-on-horizon-as-nuclear-arms-treaties-crumble/) - "These concerns translated into action when the U.S. withdrew from the INF Treaty last August. While Washington blamed alleged violations by Moscow, the primary motive was to counter potential threats from Beijing, according to Elbridge Colby, a former senior Pentagon official who helped author the Trump administration's National Defense Strategy. "'The Chinese aspect to this
- [Michèle Flournoy contributes to Der Spiegel article, "How the Coronavirus Is Changing the World"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-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
- [Dan Shapiro writes in Haaretz: "Will the Coronavirus Crisis Accelerate Israel’s West Bank Annexation – or Derail It?"](https://www.westexec.com/dan-shapiro-writes-in-haaretz-will-the-coronavirus-crisis-accelerate-israels-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
- [Dennis Ross writes in New York Daily News: "Will the Coronavirus Crisis Finally Lead Us Away from America First?"](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-writes-in-new-york-daily-news-will-the-coronavirus-crisis-finally-lead-us-away-from-america-first/) - "COVID-19 is forcing us to reimagine what life will be like going forward. Can it be a wake-up call for the costs of going it alone internationally? While debate over the scope of change domestically is a given, it is remarkable how little is being discussed about our approach internationally. "Even before COVID-19, America’s role
- [Julie Smith writes with Garima Mohan in War on the Rocks: "In A Crisis, A Fumbling America Confirms Europe’s Worst Fears"](https://www.westexec.com/julie-smith-writes-with-garima-mohan-in-war-on-the-rocks-in-a-crisis-a-fumbling-america-confirms-europes-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
- [Michèle Flournoy writes with Mike Morrell in The Washington Post: "The 6 Factors That Determine Coronavirus Containment or Devastation"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-writes-with-mike-morrell-in-the-washington-post-the-6-factors-that-determine-coronavirus-containment-or-devastation/) - "We both spent hundreds of hours in the Situation Room trying to prevent crises or dealing with them when prevention failed. Often, the issues we dealt with involved whole-of-government approaches here in the United States or working with our allies abroad. This experience got us interested in the key differences between countries that have managed
- [Julie Smith quoted in Der Spiegel article, "How Trump Is Fueling a Corona Disaster"](https://www.westexec.com/julie-smith-quoted-in-der-spiegel-article-how-trump-is-fueling-a-corona-disaster/) - "'Trump has systematically bled the government dry,' says Julianne Smith, who served as deputy national security adviser to Joe Biden when he was vice president. Trump has failed to fill many important positions in the government or he has dissolved them altogether. In one particularly disastrous move, he abolished the pandemic task force in the
- [Nick Rasmussen quoted in Philanthropy Magazine article, "When Extremists Leave Prison, Who Helps Them Find a New Life?"](https://www.westexec.com/nick-rasmussen-quoted-in-philanthropy-magazine-article-when-extremists-leave-prison-who-helps-them-find-a-new-life/) - "'How do you know it’s going to work?' That is a question Nick Rasmussen hears a lot, often from Members of Congress. Like Munter, Rasmussen spent most of his working life in government, most recently as director of the National Counterterrorism Center. When he left the public sector and went to work at the McCain
- [Lisa Monaco quoted in POLITICO article, "Inside America’s 2-Decade Failure to Prepare for Coronavirus"](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-quoted-in-politico-article-inside-americas-2-decade-failure-to-prepare-for-coronavirus/) - "'I would get asked, what keeps you up at night?' said Lisa Monaco, who served as Obama’s homeland security adviser between 2013 and 2017. 'An emerging infectious disease like a new strain of flu was the thing I worried most about...'" Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Bob Work quoted in the National Interest article, "Recent Wargames Show That America's Military Dominance Over Russia and China Has Ended"](https://www.westexec.com/bob-work-quoted-in-the-national-interest-article-recent-wargames-show-that-americas-military-dominance-over-russia-and-china-has-ended/) - "American forces' over-reliance on large, vulnerable installations and big ships renders moot the high-tech qualities of the stealth aircraft that fly from the bases and the ships, said Robert Work, a former deputy defense secretary who also sat on the CNAS panel. "'In every case I know of, the F-35 rules the sky when it’s
- [Michèle Flournoy quoted in Bloomberg article, "For the Next Pandemic, Run the Trump Playbook in Reverse"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-quoted-in-bloomberg-article-for-the-next-pandemic-run-the-trump-playbook-in-reverse/) - "There can only be one person in charge. And that person shouldn’t be the president. Yes, have a task force, but it should only consist of leaders with genuine expertise — in infectious diseases, logistics, manufacturing, communication and so on. The person in change needs to be an expert in managing disasters. 'You could take
- [Lisa Monaco interviewed on CBS News' Intelligence Matters podcast](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-interviewed-on-cbs-news-intelligence-matters-podcast/) - "[I]f I were still in my old seat today, I would've expected to see intelligence about what our intelligence community was seeing emerging out of China back in January and December. I would've expected to see what they were seeing and what they were thinking and understanding about the Chinese response, the Chinese government's response.
- [Lisa Monaco interviewed on CNN's Newsroom](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-interviewed-on-cnns-newsroom/) - "A week before the inauguration, I led an exercise that had the outgoing national security team from the Obama administration sitting side-by-side with the incoming national security team for the Trump administration. We sat in a very large room on the White House campus and walked through a series of scenarios. One was very specifically
- [WestExec Partners, Principals, and Senior Advisors featured in the Wall Street Journal article, "U.S. Foreign-Policy Experts Call for Cooperation With China on Coronavirus"](https://www.westexec.com/westexec-partners-principals-and-senior-advisors-featured-in-the-wall-street-journal-article-u-s-foreign-policy-experts-call-for-cooperation-with-china-on-coronavirus/) - "A large group of prominent American foreign-policy experts, including former high-ranking White House officials from both parties, is calling on the Trump administration to work more closely with China to stem the coronavirus epidemic..." Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Matt Waxman co-hosts Lawfare’s The Cyber Law Podcast, "How Israel is Fighting the Coronavirus"](https://www.westexec.com/matt-waxman-co-hosts-lawfares-the-cyber-law-podcast-how-israel-is-fighting-the-coronavirus/) - "We present a lightly edited interview about Israel’s technology- and surveillance-heavy approach to the COVID-19 pandemic. In it, Matthew Waxman, Liviu Librescu Professor of Law at Columbia University, and I talk to Yuval Shany, a noted Israeli human rights expert and professor at Hebrew University. We cover the particularly fraught political crisis that the virus
- [Mike Singh quoted in the Financial Times article, "U.S. Fears Large-Scale Attacks Against American Troops in Iraq"](https://www.westexec.com/mike-singh-quoted-in-the-financial-times-article-u-s-fears-large-scale-attacks-against-american-troops-in-iraq/) - "'Iran is carrying out a relatively low-cost but effective strategy to increase the pain for the US and for our Iraqi friends, so deterring Iran is not going to be a one-off event but will require a willingness to strike again and again,' said Mike Singh, a former senior director for Middle East affairs at
- [Julie Smith quoted in The New York Times article, "The Coronavirus Inflicts Its Own Kind of Terror"](https://www.westexec.com/julie-smith-quoted-in-the-new-york-times-article-the-coronavirus-inflicts-its-own-kind-of-terror/) - "There is a similar sense of helplessness, however, said Julianne Smith, a former security adviser to Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. and now at the German Marshall Fund. 'You don’t know when terrorism or the pandemic will strike, so it invades your personal life. With terror, you worry about being in crowds and rallies
- [Lisa Monaco quoted in The Washington Post article, "America Was Unprepared for a Major Crisis. Again."](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-quoted-in-the-washington-post-article-america-was-unprepared-for-a-major-crisis-again/) - "'I don’t want to give an impression that we bestowed the answer key for dealing with such a challenging and unprecedented crisis,' Monaco said. 'But the idea was to identify issues that would say these are the kinds of things you need to be planning for and thinking about now.' "What does it mean for
- [Michèle Flournoy participates in Bloomberg New Economy Forum, "A New World: Post-Coronavirus Power Shifts"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-participates-in-bloomberg-new-economy-forum-a-new-world-post-coronavirus-power-shifts/) - Michèle Flournoy, Professor Joseph Nye, Professor Jason Furman, and Andy Browne discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic will affect the global balance of power and what it will take to restore international cooperation... Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Meghan O'Sullivan writes in Bloomberg: "Oil Markets Provide a Glimpse of the Post-Pandemic Future"](https://www.westexec.com/meghan-osullivan-writes-in-bloomberg-oil-markets-provide-a-glimpse-of-the-post-pandemic-future/) - "Henry Kissinger warns that many existing domestic and international institutions that have helped govern the past decades will not survive the Covid-19 crisis. He is surely correct. "Which institutions will endure, and what will replace those that meet their demise? Will, as Kissinger describes it, the revival of the 'walled city' prevail? Or will the
- [Dennis Ross writes with David Makovsky in Foreign Policy: "Benny Gantz Did the Right Thing by Putting His Country First"](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-writes-with-david-makovsky-in-foreign-policy-benny-gantz-did-the-right-thing-by-putting-his-country-first/) - "Israel will very likely have a new government soon. Benny Gantz made this possible by agreeing on March 26 to form a national unity government under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "Gantz’s critics have savaged him for doing so. They are outraged because, after the election, Gantz was in a relatively strong position. Netanyahu’s right-wing bloc
- [Michael Camilleri writes with Michael Shifter in The New York Times: "It’s Not the Time for War Games With Venezuela"](https://www.westexec.com/michael-camilleri-writes-with-michael-shifter-in-the-new-york-times-its-not-the-time-for-war-games-with-venezuela/) - "With last week’s significant deployment of United States naval assets in the Caribbean, the Trump administration upped the ante in its confrontation with the Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro. For the past 15 months, the administration has applied 'maximum pressure' on Mr. Maduro’s regime, with the hope that the upper echelons of the military — the
- [Dennis Ross writes in New York Daily News: "Coronavirus Proves America First Is the Wrong Answer to Today’s Global Challenges"](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-writes-in-new-york-daily-news-coronavirus-proves-america-first-is-the-wrong-answer-to-todays-global-challenges/) - "COVID-19 does not respect the powerful, the wealthy or borders. It attacks every country and every individual. No one is immune or has immunity until they have been afflicted with it. On the one hand, we are reminded that humanity is the target and 'we are all in this together.' On the other, individuals or
- [Danny Russel writes with Wendy Cutler in Foreign Policy: "Could the Pandemic Ease U.S.-China Tensions?"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-writes-with-wendy-cutler-in-foreign-policy-could-the-pandemic-ease-u-s-china-tensions/) - "As the coronavirus circles the globe, it’s proving a startling reminder of just how interconnected our world has become. The virus has moved along our global supply chains, and it can be stopped only with global cooperation. But the war of words between U.S. and Chinese officials last month shows how the pandemic can bring
- [Michèle Flournoy and Lisa Monaco write in POLITICO: "Now’s Not the Time for Isolationism"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-and-lisa-monaco-write-in-politico-nows-not-the-time-for-isolationism/) - "The coronavirus is a public health tragedy. If the United States isn’t careful, it could turn into a geopolitical one, too. "How the U.S. manages—or mismanages—the coronavirus pandemic will determine not only the long-term resilience of our economy but also our ability to compete, lead and protect American interests globally. If the United States continues
- [Lisa Monaco quoted in The Atlantic article, "We Were Warned"](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-quoted-in-the-atlantic-article-we-were-warned/) - "We were warned in 2017, a week before inauguration day, when Lisa Monaco, Barack Obama’s outgoing homeland-security adviser, gathered with Donald Trump’s incoming national-security officials and conducted an exercise modeled on the administration’s experiences with outbreaks of swine flu, Ebola, and Zika. The simulation explored how the U.S. government should respond to a flu pandemic
- [Lisa Monaco quoted in The  New York Times article, "Before Virus Outbreak, a Cascade of Warnings Went Unheeded"](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-quoted-in-the-new-york-times-article-before-virus-outbreak-a-cascade-of-warnings-went-unheeded/) - "'What I learned most is that we had to stand up a global biosecurity and health directorate, and get it enshrined for the next administration,' said Lisa Monaco, Mr. Obama’s homeland security adviser... "After Mr. Trump’s election, Ms. Monaco arranged an extensive exercise for high-level incoming officials — including Rex W. Tillerson, the nominee for
- [Lisa Monaco writes in Lawfare: "The Coronavirus Shows Why the U.S. Must Make Pandemic Disease a National Security Priority"](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-writes-in-lawfare-the-coronavirus-shows-why-the-u-s-must-make-pandemic-disease-a-national-security-priority/) - "In 2018, I published an article with public health expert Vin Gupta sounding the alarm about the failure to prepare adequately for emerging infectious diseases. We were hardly the only ones. Our article, 'The Next Pandemic Will Be Arriving Shortly,' joined many national security and public health experts in using the 100th anniversary of the
- [Liz Rosenberg quoted in The National Interest article, "Damage Done: America's Foreign Policy Tactics are Fracturing Its Financial Stability"](https://www.westexec.com/liz-rosenberg-quoted-in-the-national-interest-article-damage-done-americas-foreign-policy-tactics-are-fracturing-its-financial-stability/) - "'Sanctions are a tool of first resort when it comes to foreign policy, and are certainly a favorite for this administration,' said Elizabeth Rosenberg, senior fellow and director of the Energy, Economics, and Security Program at the Center for a New American Security, and a former Senior Advisor at the U.S. Department of the Treasury,
- [Liz Rosenberg quoted in Bloomberg: "U.S. Gains in Fight With Chinese Banks Over North Korea Sanctions"](https://www.westexec.com/liz-rosenberg-quoted-in-bloomberg-u-s-gains-in-fight-with-chinese-banks-over-north-korea-sanctions/) - "Elizabeth Rosenberg, a former Treasury official and a senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, in Washington, cited the standard. 'You have to engage in activity that violates sanctions,' she said, 'and is reviewed and passes the legal sufficiency test of agencies of the U.S. government." Read the full article here: Full
- [Liz Rosenberg on NPR: "The U.S. Ratchets Up Sanctions On Iran And North Korea"](https://www.westexec.com/liz-rosenberg-on-npr-the-u-s-ratchets-up-sanctions-on-iran-and-north-korea/) - "'There is a very healthy pipeline of Treasury officials being snapped up by foreign banks and companies to go help them observe U.S. sanctions law.' That's Elizabeth Rosenberg, herself a former senior Treasury official, now at the Center for a New American Security. She says the U.S. is regarded as a stable, safe place for
- [Liz Rosenberg in Foreign Policy: "Maximum Pressure on Iran Won’t Work"](https://www.westexec.com/liz-rosenberg-in-foreign-policy-maximum-pressure-on-iran-wont-work/) - "This week, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo moved to end sanctions waivers on Iranian oil—a major step to increase financial pressure on Tehran. The new policy, once it goes into force on May 2, aims to force China, India, Japan, South Korea, and Turkey to stop buying crude from Iran, depriving the country of
- [Lisa Monaco quoted in The New York Times article, "In Push for 2020 Election Security, Top Official Was Warned: Don’t Tell Trump"](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-quoted-in-the-new-york-times-article-in-push-for-2020-election-security-top-official-was-warned-dont-tell-trump/) - “'I do believe the Department of Homeland Security and the White House should be prioritizing this threat and should be doing so consistent with the intelligence community’s own assessment,' said Lisa Monaco, who was among officials who worked to counter Russian cyberinterference in 2016 as the White House homeland security adviser to Mr. Obama. "She
- [Lisa Monaco quoted in The Washington Post article "New Zealand attack exposes how little the U.S. and its allies share intelligence on domestic terrorism threats"](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-quoted-in-the-washington-post-article-new-zealand-attack-exposes-how-little-the-u-s-and-its-allies-share-intelligence-on-domestic-terrorism-threats/) - WestExec Principal and former homeland security advisor to the president Lisa Monaco is quoted as saying “this attack should have us asking ourselves whether or not we have a sufficient whole-of-government approach to this evolving terrorism threat... We don’t have a clear domestic lead in our federal government for these issues...” Read the full article
- [Lisa Monaco quoted in the Financial Times article, "U.S. Attorney-General Called to Testify on Interference Claims"](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-quoted-in-the-financial-times-article-u-s-attorney-general-called-to-testify-on-interference-claims/) - "'A good prosecutor withdraws from a case when they can't in good conscience continue to participate. That's how serious it is,' said Lisa Monaco, a partner at O'Melveny who was a senior justice department official in the Obama administration..." Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Lisa Monaco and Avril Haines featured in Hewlett's recap of Verify 2019 conference](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-and-avril-haines-featured-in-hewletts-recap-of-verify-2019-conference/) - "Former Homeland Security Advisor Lisa Monaco said that 'if you look at the threat actors as basically aligned in a drag race—nation-states, non-state actors, hacktivists, criminal groups—my sense is that the nation-states have far and away set themselves apart,' adding that they are 'increasingly using cyber means as a tool of geopolitical one-upsmanship.' Examples such
- [Lisa Monaco featured on MSNBC's The Oath With Chuck Rosenberg Podcast: "Lisa Monaco: Dr. Doom"](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-featured-on-msnbcs-the-oath-with-chuck-rosenberg-podcast-lisa-monaco-dr-doom/) - "Lisa Monaco’s last job in public service was as the Homeland Security Adviser to President Barack Obama – a position that exposed her to some of the most difficult and perplexing issues in the nation, though she has held many fascinating and important jobs in government. A graduate of Harvard College and the University of
- [Lisa Monaco on The Lawfare Podcast](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-on-the-lawfare-podcast/) - "Lisa Monaco was Barack Obama's counterterrorism and Homeland Security advisor in the White House, and headed the Justice Department's national security division. Sophia Yan is a Beijing-based correspondent for the British newspaper The Telegraph. Lisa and Sophia may not seem to have a lot in common, but these days, they are both spending a lot
- [Dennis Ross interviewed in Foreign Policy: "Trump’s Golan Giveaway ‘Makes It Harder’ to Achieve Peace"](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-interviewed-in-foreign-policy-trumps-golan-giveaway-makes-it-harder-to-achieve-peace/) - "With a single tweet on Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump reversed a decades long U.S. policy on a fraught issue in the Middle East, announcing he would recognize Israel’s sovereignty over the strategically important Golan Heights on the Israel-Syria border. The move came two weeks before a critical Israeli election in which Prime Minister Benjamin
- [Michèle Flournoy comments on likely ISIS strategy in Task and Purpose article](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-comments-on-likely-isis-strategy-in-task-and-purpose-article/) - "'Despite the loss of its former caliphate, ISIS has not been defeated,' warned Michèle Flournoy, who served as under defense secretary for policy from 2009 to 2012. "'We have seen this movie before,' said Flournoy, who was expected to become defense secretary if Hillary Clinton won the 2016 presidential election. 'When a terrorist organization loses
- [Michael Camilleri testifies on democratic governance before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs](https://www.westexec.com/michael-camilleri-testifies-on-democratic-governance-before-the-house-committee-on-foreign-affairs/) - Michael Camilleri testified before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs on the subject of “Understanding Odebrecht: Lessons for Combating Corruption in the Americas.” Read the full testimony here: Full Article
- [David Cohen in The Washington Post: "Why Trump’s sanctions aren’t working"](https://www.westexec.com/david-cohen-in-the-washington-post-why-trumps-sanctions-arent-working/) - "On March 22, President Trump tweeted that he ordered the 'withdrawal' of North Korea sanctions. It is still unclear whether he pulled back an upcoming package of North Korea sanctions or ones that had been announced just the day before. And although the president didn’t explain his reasoning, Sarah Sanders offered that he canceled the
- [Mike Singh in ​The New York Times: "How to Make Trump’s Israeli-Palestinian Peace Plan Work"](https://www.westexec.com/mike-singh-in-​the-new-york-times-how-to-make-trumps-israeli-palestinian-peace-plan-work/) - "After two years of playing coy, the Trump administration is reportedly finally ready to unveil its plan for Israeli-Palestinian peace. The plan’s details remain confidential, but if it is anything like President Trump’s moves so far on the Israeli-Palestinian issue, it will be bold. "Some of those steps have worked out far better than the
- [Julie Smith in Foreign Policy: "NATO Needs Solidarity for Its 70th Birthday"](https://www.westexec.com/julie-smith-in-foreign-policy-nato-needs-solidarity-for-its-70th-birthday/) - "NATO marks its 70 anniversary this week—a remarkable milestone for a military alliance made up of 29 (soon to be 30) separate member states. But the big commemoration, scheduled for April 3 and 4 in Washington, has faced trouble from the start. "Given U.S. President Donald Trump’s past behavior at NATO gatherings (last year, he
- [Julie Smith quoted in The New York Times article, "With Trump, NATO Chief Tries to Navigate Spending Minefields"](https://www.westexec.com/julie-smith-quoted-in-the-new-york-times-article-with-trump-nato-chief-tries-to-navigate-spending-minefields/) - "...Friction is growing in Germany. The Social Democrats, Ms. Merkel’s center-left coalition partners who control the finance ministry and were in charge of the latest budget plan, are using the dislike of Mr. Trump in their election campaign ahead of European parliamentary elections in May. "Julianne Smith, a fellow at the Bosch Academy in Berlin
- [Bridge Colby with Walter Slocombe in The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung: "Respond to INF Collapse with Blunt Layer, Not a Repeat of Euromissiles"](https://www.westexec.com/bridge-colby-with-walter-slocombe-in-the-frankfurter-allgemeine-zeitung-respond-to-inf-collapse-with-blunt-layer-not-a-repeat-of-euromissiles/) - "The INF Treaty has collapsed on the basis of Russian violation. Many seem to think that we are on the verge of a repeat of the 1980s, complete with Russian missiles aimed at Europe and new variants of American Euromissiles to counter them. "Russia does pose a threat to NATO Europe’s security. The way to
- [Ely Ratner quoted in Bloomberg article: "Don’t Count on U.S.-China Trade Relations Warming Up Anytime Soon"](https://www.westexec.com/ely-ratner-quoted-in-bloomberg-article-dont-count-on-u-s-china-trade-relations-warming-up-anytime-soon/) - "Beijing has a reputation for waiting out U.S. administrations in the hope that the next person in the White House will take a more modest approach. This time, that strategy is unlikely to work. Analysts agree that the policy direction presumably would have shifted toward a tougher line even if Hillary Clinton had won the
- [Liz Rosenberg featured on NPR to discuss Trump’s designation of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards as a foreign terrorist group](https://www.westexec.com/liz-rosenberg-featured-on-npr-to-discuss-trumps-designation-of-irans-revolutionary-guards-as-a-foreign-terrorist-group/) - "Advisers to President Trump say he wanted to take this step for a long time. Pentagon officials, though, have raised concerns about what this could mean on the ground. A former sanctions adviser, Elizabeth Rosenberg, puts it this way: 'People are concerned that it makes it more difficult to work together when necessary. Perhaps that
- [Dennis Ross quoted in Reuters article: "In leaky White House, Trump team keeps Middle East peace plan secret"](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-quoted-in-reuters-article-in-leaky-white-house-trump-team-keeps-middle-east-peace-plan-secret/) - "Dennis Ross, a longtime Middle East envoy and now a distinguished fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said the U.S. team still has 'a lot of work to do to make sure that Arab leaders aren’t surprised by what’s going to be presented, and they need to see it in writing, not
- [Lisa Monaco's recent speech on the changing nature of cyberwar featured in The Washington Post's "Daily 202"](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monacos-recent-speech-on-the-changing-nature-of-cyberwar-featured-in-the-washington-posts-daily-202/) - "Lisa Monaco, who served as the homeland security adviser in Barack Obama’s White House, said many countries are changing how they approach the digital battlefield, from focusing primarily on espionage toward 'geopolitical one-upmanship.' “'The game is getting disrupted,' she said. 'If we had this conversation two and a half years ago, I would have described
- [Dan Shapiro in Haaretz: "What Will Trump Do First: Make Mideast Peace or Strike Iran?"](https://www.westexec.com/dan-shapiro-in-haaretz-what-will-trump-do-first-make-mideast-peace-or-strike-iran/) - "President Donald Trump’s strong support for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in his reelection campaign underscored the close alliance between the two leaders. On numerous issues, they have similar outlooks, have coordinated closely, and have defined their nation’s security, as well as their political fortunes, as being very much intertwined. "While the coalition negotiations are still
- [Lisa Monaco featured on Snack Break with Aroop Podcast](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-featured-on-snack-break-with-aroop-podcast/) - "Host Aroop Mukharji interviews Lisa Monaco, Assistant to President Obama for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism (2013-2017), about the greatest national security threats Americans face, misperception, fear, and Goldfish crackers." Download the full podcast here: Full Article
- [The Organization of American States' Inter-American Commission on Human Rights selects Michael Camilleri to serve as a member of the Expert Group on deliberate disinformation in electoral contexts](https://www.westexec.com/the-organization-of-american-states-inter-american-commission-on-human-rights-selects-michael-camilleri-to-serve-as-a-member-of-the-expert-group-on-deliberate-disinformation-in-electoral-contexts/) - "The Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR/RFOE) presents the list of members of the Expert Group on deliberate disinformation in electoral contexts. With the support of the Mexican Electoral National Institution (INE), the Group will meet on April 23-24, 2019, at the Universidad Autónoma
- [Bridge Colby quoted in The Wall Street Journal article, "U.S. Pacific Commander Seeks More Funding to Counter China"](https://www.westexec.com/bridge-colby-quoted-in-the-wall-street-journal-article-u-s-pacific-commander-seeks-more-funding-to-counter-china/) - “‘Nothing is more important’ than getting the commander at IndoPacom what he needs, said Elbridge Colby, who was instrumental in the writing of the National Defense Strategy when he worked at the Pentagon. “‘Some people just don’t think it’s possible that we could lose a war against China or Russia if the Department doesn’t change
- [Julie Smith quoted in The Financial Times: "Germany’s search for a new diplomatic map"](https://www.westexec.com/julie-smith-quoted-in-the-financial-times-germanys-search-for-a-new-diplomatic-map/) - “'It does feel at times like Germany is trying very hard to protect itself from acknowledging the huge transformational shifts that have taken place,' says Julianne Smith, a former foreign policy adviser to US vice-president Joe Biden and currently a fellow with the Robert Bosch Academy in Berlin. 'There is a lot of whistling past
- [Lisa Monaco and Nick Rasmussen quoted in The New York Times article, "Pointing a Finger at a Terrorist Group in the Aftermath of the Sri Lanka Blasts"](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-and-nick-rasmussen-quoted-in-the-new-york-times-article-pointing-a-finger-at-a-terrorist-group-in-the-aftermath-of-the-sri-lanka-blasts/) - "Nicholas J. Rasmussen, a former director of the National Counterterrorism Center, said the presence of some Sri Lankan fighters in Syria and Iraq raised the prospect of informal connections with members of National Thowheeth Jama’ath still in Sri Lanka. “'It’s hard to imagine an attack of this complexity without some form of organization and support
- [Lisa Monaco discusses today's threat landscape on "Intelligence Matters" podcast](https://www.westexec.com/monaco-podcast-190115/) - In this episode of "Intelligence Matters," host Michael Morell speaks with Lisa Monaco, former U.S. Homeland Security Advisor to President Barack Obama. She reviews her career trajectory from federal prosecutor to Hill staffer to running the National Security Division at the Department of Justice to a series of high-profile roles at the White House. Monaco
- [Antony Blinken and Robert Kagan in The Washington Post: "‘America First’ is only making the world worse. Here’s a better approach"](https://www.westexec.com/blinken-kagan-190101/) - Foreign policy was the last thing on voters’ minds in the midterm elections, but as we look toward 2020, one thing is clear: President Trump’s “America First” foreign policy — or its progressive cousin, retrenchment — is broadly popular in both parties. Trump’s recent decision to withdraw all troops from Syria and 7,000 from Afghanistan
- [Michael Camilleri in the Miami Herald: "Who will save Brazil’s democracy if Jair Bolsonaro tries to destroy it?"](https://www.westexec.com/camilleri-herald-190107/) - When Jair Bolsonaro was sworn in as Brazil’s president on New Year’s Day, he announced that, “One of my priorities is to protect and reinvigorate Brazilian democracy.” The hardline former army captain was known for many things during his 27 years in Brazil’s Congress, but champion of democracy was not one of them. Bolsonaro expressed
- [Mike Singh in The Wall Street Journal: "Beijing’s Curious Silence on the Syria Withdrawal"](https://www.westexec.com/singh-wsj-190117/) - One of the more troubling yardsticks by which to measure President Trump’s decision to withdraw U.S. forces from Syria was the gratification it seemed to offer American adversaries. Russian President Vladimir Putin called the decision “correct,” and senior Iranian regime cleric Ayatollah Hassan Ameli asserted that it “hands [Syria] to Iran.” The state-run media of
- [Michèle Flournoy discussed the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria on NPR](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-discussed-the-withdrawal-of-u-s-troops-from-syria-on-npr/) - Michèle Flournoy joined host David Greene on NPR's Morning Edition to discuss how the bombing in Syria this week might affect a planned troop withdrawal. Read the full transcript or listen to the audio here: Full Interview
- [WestExec Welcomes New Senior Advisors Nick Rasmussen and Liz Rosenberg](https://www.westexec.com/1901117-2/) - Washington, DC – WestExec Advisors is pleased to announce that Nicholas “Nick” Rasmussen and Elizabeth “Liz” Rosenberg have joined the firm as Senior Advisors. Nick is the former Director of the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), and has served in senior posts across three administrations, serving on the National Security Council (NSC) staff under Presidents
- [Matt Waxman on the Council on Foreign Relations' "The President's Inbox" Podcast](https://www.westexec.com/matt-waxman-on-the-council-on-foreign-relations-the-presidents-inbox-podcast/) - Matt Waxman sits with the Council on Foreign Relations' James Lindsay to discuss presidential emergency powers and executive actions. Listen to the full podcast here: Full Podcast
- [Antony Blinken in The New York Times: "No People. No Process. No Policy."](https://www.westexec.com/antony-blinken-in-the-new-york-times-no-people-no-process-no-policy/) - "Senator John McCain liked to remind us that it is always darkest before it goes completely black. That may prove an apt metaphor for President Trump’s foreign policy. The past two years have been plenty dark, with a long list of self-inflicted wounds: tearing up the Iran nuclear deal, pulling out of the Paris climate
- [Michael Camilleri in La Nacion: "Venezuela on the Brink"](https://www.westexec.com/michael-camilleri-in-la-nacion-venezuela-on-the-brink/) - "For the famously fractious Venezuelan political opposition, these have been weeks marked by uncharacteristic unity and strategic thinking. While achieving their ultimate goal—the ouster of Nicolás Maduro and restoration of democracy—remains uncertain, the opposition has strengthened to a point where transition seems possible, if by no means certain. "For the past several months, Venezuelan opposition
- [Bridge Colby and Ely Ratner testify before the Senate Armed Services Committee on China and Russia](https://www.westexec.com/bridge-colby-and-ely-ratner-testify-before-the-senate-armed-services-committee-on-china-and-russia/) - Bridge Colby, Ely Ratner, and Damon Wilson testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee on January 29, 2019, to examine the implementation of the National Defense Strategy, and the threats posed by China and Russia. Download the written testimony or watch the full hearing here: Full Hearing
- [Michael Camilleri and Fen Osler Hampson in The Washington Post: "Seize the money of Venezuelan kleptocrats to help the country and its people"](https://www.westexec.com/michael-camilleri-and-fen-osler-hampson-in-the-washington-post-seize-the-money-of-venezuelan-kleptocrats-to-help-the-country-and-its-people/) - "President Trump has said “all options are on the table” as he looks at ways to divert Venezuela’s revenue from the Maduro regime and offer direct aid to Juan Guaidó’s newly established interim government, which the United States formally recognized on Jan. 23. "Having put sanctions on Venezuela’s state-owned oil company, the administration should go
- [Michèle Flournoy on C-Span: "Technology and National Security"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-on-c-span-technology-and-national-security/) - At the Aspen Strategy Group's book launch on January 31, Michèle Flournoy discussed China's rising technological capabilities with Professor Joe Nye, Jack Clark, and Thomas E. Donilon. Watch the full C-Span video here: Full Video
- [Michèle Flournoy and Josh Hochman in Bloomberg: "How Big Tech Can Work With China But Protect U.S. Security"](https://www.westexec.com/mike-singh-testifies-before-the-house-committee-on-foreign-affairs-on-u-s-policy-in-the-arabian-peninsula-2/) - "Virtually every major U.S. tech company is doing business in China, collaborating with Chinese researchers or considering doing so. Now, several are also pushing back against proposals to limit the export of critical technologies to the People’s Republic. They ought to rethink, not just for the sake of U.S. national security but also for their
- [Dan Shapiro and Dana Stroul in NPR: "Here's Why U.S. Aid To Palestinians Needs To Continue"](https://www.westexec.com/dan-shapiro-and-dana-stroul-in-npr-heres-why-u-s-aid-to-palestinians-needs-to-continue/) - "Is U.S. assistance to the Palestinians an indulgence we can do without? Will its elimination leave Israelis, Palestinians and U.S. interests better off? Unless Congress and the Trump administration act quickly, we are about to find out. "Since 1993, the United States has provided more than $5 billion in assistance to the West Bank and
- [Michael Camilleri in Americas Quarterly: "All Eyes on Guatemala as Crisis Brews Ahead of Elections"](https://www.westexec.com/michael-camilleri-in-americas-quarterly-all-eyes-on-guatemala-as-crisis-brews-ahead-of-elections/) - "It’s not every day that a purportedly friendly foreign nation tries to intimidate the United States by dispatching a fleet of military vehicles to the U.S. Embassy. It is rarer still for the vehicles in question to have been donated by the United States itself and diverted from their intended mission of combatting crime and
- [Mike Singh testifies before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs on U.S. Policy in the Arabian Peninsula](https://www.westexec.com/mike-singh-testifies-before-the-house-committee-on-foreign-affairs-on-u-s-policy-in-the-arabian-peninsula/) - On February 6, Mike Singh testified alongside David Harden, Mara Karlin, and Jake Sullivan on U.S. Policy in the Arabian Peninsula. Watch the full hearing here: Full Hearing
- [Lisa Monaco on NPR: "Drone Strikes And Transparency"](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-on-npr-drone-strikes-and-transparency/) - NPR's Lulu Garcia-Navarro talks with WestExec Principal and former Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Advisor to the President Lisa Monaco about President Trump's decision to rescind part of an order boosting transparency around drone strikes. Listen to the full NPR interview or read the transcript here: Full Interview
- [Bridge Colby in The Wall Street Journal: "Take India’s Side, America"](https://www.westexec.com/bridge-colby-in-the-wall-street-journal-take-indias-side-america/) - "The moment of maximum danger in the latest India-Pakistan conflict appears to have passed. But after a major attack by Pakistani militants on an Indian military base in Kashmir and the first Indian air strike on Pakistan proper since 1971, tensions are still smoldering between the two South Asian nuclear powers. The episode highlights the
- [Bridge Colby in Defense One: "Is the Pentagon Truly Committed to the National Defense Strategy?"](https://www.westexec.com/bridge-colby-in-defense-one-is-the-pentagon-truly-committed-to-the-national-defense-strategy/) - "As Senate and House committees examine the Trump administration’s proposed defense budget for fiscal 2020 — it totals three-quarters of a trillion dollars — the first and most important question they should ask is: Does this budget decisively improve the U.S. posture for great-power competition with China and Russia? "The 2018 National Defense Strategy developed
- [Michèle Flournoy testifies before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs on NATO](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-testifies-on-nato-to-the-house-committee-on-foreign-affairs/) - Michèle Flournoy testified alongside Douglas Lute, Derek Chollet, and Ian Brzezinski on the benefits of the NATO alliance to the United States, the importance of NATO in securing the peace in Europe throughout the Trans-Atlantic region, the insufficiency of the 2% benchmark for measuring allied and partner contributions, and alternative measurements that paint a more
- [Michèle Flournoy appears on NBC's Meet the Press to discuss climate change and national security](https://www.westexec.com/flournoy-mtp-181230/) - Managing Partner Michèle Flournoy appeared on Meet the Press alongside Michael Bloomberg, Governor Jerry Brown, Craig Fugate, and others to discuss the impact of climate change on national security. Watch the full Meet the Press interview: Full Article
- [Dan Shapiro in The Atlantic: "Trump Leaves Israel in the Lurch"](https://www.westexec.com/shapiro-atlantic-181228/) - Ask Israelis what they appreciate about President Donald Trump, and they can tick off a substantial list: the long-sought move of the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem; the abandonment of the much-maligned Iran nuclear deal; the lack of pressure (so far) on Israel to curtail settlement expansion or make concessions to the Palestinians; and the absence
- [Meghan O'Sullivan in Bloomberg: "One Fewer Reason to Be Nervous About the G-20 This Weekend"](https://www.westexec.com/osullivan-bloomberg-11292018-2-2/) - If asked what will be the most consequential meeting this weekend in Argentina at the G-20, you might have a hard time making up your mind. You’d have good reason to choose a) the Trump-Xi bilateral. But b), the gathering to sign the new Nafta deal, could also go awry. If you are like me,
- [Meghan O'Sullivan in Bloomberg: "Even If OPEC Cuts, Oil Prices Could Still Fall in 2019"](https://www.westexec.com/osullivan-bloomberg-11292018/) - Some of us are starting to associate turkey with low oil prices. Just four years ago, on Thanksgiving Day in 2014, OPEC held a meeting in Vienna, the outcome of which set off a dramatic slide in oil prices. The price of Brent crude dropped $6 a barrel, or 8 percent, in just the 24
- [Dennis Ross in The Washington Post: "There’s no reason Congress and Trump can’t achieve their goals for Saudi Arabia"](https://www.westexec.com/ross-washingtonpost-11292018-2/) - Policies — not just politics — are deeply polarized today. Every choice becomes binary with no middle ground. In response to the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, either we should punish Saudi Arabia and try to force Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman out of power, or our interests are so great in the kingdom that we
- [Ely Ratner in Foreign Affairs: "There Is No Grand Bargain With China"](https://www.westexec.com/ratner-foreignaffairs-11292018/) - In true showmanship fashion, U.S. President Donald Trump is keeping the world in suspense about whether he will soon double down on the United States’ trade war with China or call a truce. The big reveal will come after his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the margins of the G-20 in Buenos Aires
- [Meghan O'Sullivan in Bloomberg: "Some Context for Canadians Who Love or Hate the New Nafta"](https://www.westexec.com/osullivan-bloomberg-181030/) - Americans are not the only ones still unpacking the new USMCA trade deal that is due to replace Nafta. Two issues have received a great deal of attention in Canada — one which is misunderstood as a great concession by Canada and the other wrongly celebrated as an unequivocal victory. Both deserve a deeper look.
- [Dennis Ross in The Hill: "US must impose a price on Saudis, but one with a clear purpose"](https://www.westexec.com/ross-hill-181030-2/) - The Hill | October 30, 2018 The murder of Jamal Khashoggi has dominated international attention for weeks. Sadly, his death may have more impact on Saudi Arabia and its future than did his articles for the Washington Post. In the best case, where his killing was not ordered but was the result of overzealous Saudi
- [Bridge Colby in Foreign Affairs: "If You Want Peace, Prepare for Nuclear War"](https://www.westexec.com/colby-foreign-affairs-nov-dec-2018/) - Foreign Affairs | November/December 2018 In a little under three decades, nuclear weapons have gone from center stage to a sideshow in U.S. defense strategy. Since the 1990s, the United States has drastically reduced its stockpile and concentrated on its conventional and irregular warfare capabilities. Nuclear weapons policy has focused overwhelmingly on stemming proliferation to
- [Julianne Smith in the New York Times: "Angela Merkel Could Save Europe. Why Won’t She?"](https://www.westexec.com/18-10-11-ross-washington-post/) - October 12, 2018 | Opinion BERLIN — Campaigning in the spring of 2017, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany declared at a packed beer hall in Bavaria that it was time for Europe to “take its destiny into its own hands.” In the face of Britain’s vote to leave the European Union, Hungary’s slide into illiberalism
- [Dennis Ross in The Washington Post: "Saudi Arabia’s ruler should understand that the ends don’t justify the means"](https://www.westexec.com/18-10-11-ross-washington-post-2/) - October 11, 2018 | Opinion President Trump may not believe in a rules-based international order, but we may now be seeing the consequences of the absence of global norms. The Russians have no qualms about poisoning a former agent in Britain. Lately the Chinese have felt free to disappear or detain some of their most
- [Matthew Waxman in Lawfare: "U.K. Outlines Position on Cyberattacks and International Law"](https://www.westexec.com/matthew-waxmans-latest-in-lawfare-u-k-outlines-position-on-cyberattacks-and-international-law/) - On Wednesday, British Attorney General Jeremy Wright delivered public remarks titled "Cyber and International Law in the 21st Century.” This unilateral move marks an important step by states in developing and defending interpretations of existing international frameworks as applied to cyber. It will take a long time to cultivate strong international consensus on such interpretations, but even in the absence of new agreements, statements like these help show that cyberspace need not be “lawless.”
- [Antony Blinken in the New York Times: "The Best Model for a Nuclear Deal With North Korea? Iran"](https://www.westexec.com/in-case-you-missed-it-westexec-experts-in-the-news-june/) - June 11, 2018 | New York Times, Opinion Visitors to a future Donald J. Trump presidential library may find a whole section dedicated to his demolition of the 2015 Iran nuclear accord: “worst deal ever”; “horrible” and “one-sided”; “major embarrassment”; “defective at its core.” As Mr. Trump pursues North Korea’s denuclearization at the Singapore summit meeting scheduled
- [Michèle Flournoy in Foreign Affairs: "Battlefield Internet: A Plan for Securing Cyberspace"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoys-latest-in-foreign-affairs-battlefield-internet-a-plan-for-securing-cyberspace/) - September/October 2018 | By Michèle Flournoy and Michael Sulmeyer Cyberspace has been recognized as a new arena for competition among states ever since it came into existence. In the United States, there have long been warnings of a “cyber–Pearl Harbor”—a massive digital attack that could cripple the country’s critical infrastructure without a single shot being
- [Bob Work and Bridge Colby in The Washington Post: "The Pentagon must modernize before it’s too late"](https://www.westexec.com/bob-work-and-bridge-colbys-latest-in-the-washington-post-the-pentagon-must-modernize-before-its-too-late/) - September 17, 2018 | Opinion For the first time since the end of the Cold War, the Pentagon has a genuinely new strategy: Focus on our rivals — Russia and, in particular, China — and maintain a competitive advantage over them. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis warns in his 2018 National Defense Strategy that if we
- [Dan Shapiro in The New York Post: "How to make Russia back off in the Middle East"](https://www.westexec.com/180925danshapironewyorkpost/) - September 25, 2018 | Opinion For the first time in decades, Israel finds itself on the receiving end of Russian threats. The tensions follow the downing last week of a Russian Ilyushin IL-20 military aircraft, and the deaths of its 15 crew members, by Syrian air-defense batteries responding to Israeli airstrikes on Iranian weapons shipments
- [Lisa Monaco in Foreign Policy: "The Next Pandemic Will Be Arriving Shortly"](https://www.westexec.com/18-09-28-monaco-foreign-policy/) - September 28, 2018 | By Lisa Monaco, Vin Gupta There are plenty of security threats that could keep a former homeland security advisor awake. There is the possibility of a terrorist attack, a cyber-cataclysm, or any number of natural disasters—all threats that are capable of visiting destruction on entire communities in a matter of hours.
- [Lisa Monaco in The Washington Post: "We’ve declared war on foreign terrorism. Why not do the same for domestic threats?"](https://www.westexec.com/monaco-washington-post-181105/) - In the span of a week, our nation experienced a torrent of hate-fueled attacks: the slaying of two African Americans in a Kentucky supermarket , the mail-bomb assassination attempts and the mass slaying in a Pittsburgh synagogue . These attacks tragically demonstrate that domestic terrorism is on the rise as political polarization and hateful echo
- [Lisa Monaco's latest piece in The Washington Post: "A ‘global game of whack-a-mole’: Overseas data rules are stuck in the 19th century"](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monacos-latest-piece-in-the-washington-post-a-global-game-of-whack-a-mole-overseas-data-rules-are-stuck-in-the-19th-century/) - How should law enforcement officials deal with digital data that happens to be stored in a different country? If FBI agents, pursuing a subject who committed a crime in the United States, serve a valid court order on an American company, the government shouldn’t have to wait a year because the company happens to store the information overseas. Likewise, if the London police are investigating a local murder, the fact that they are seeking phone records from a communications provider located in the United States should not block them from doing their job.
- [Dan Shapiro quoted in the Wall Street Journal article, "Coronavirus and Autocrats: Never Let Pandemic Go to Waste"](https://www.westexec.com/dan-shapiro-quoted-in-the-wall-street-journal-article-coronavirus-and-autocrats-never-let-pandemic-go-to-waste/) - "'In a moment of crisis, when people are fearful, they are looking to authorities to reassure them, and they are willing to give leaders additional tools to manage chaos and limit risk,' said Daniel Shapiro, a fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv and a former U.S. ambassador to Israel. 'The
- [Danny Russel quoted in the Wall Street Journal article, "Hidden Chinese Lending Puts Emerging-Market Economies at Risk"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-the-wall-street-journal-article-hidden-chinese-lending-puts-emerging-market-economies-at-risk/) - "'The debt burden from these projects is very quickly going to become unsustainable for many, many, many countries,' said Danny Russel, the State Department’s top diplomat for East Asia affairs under President Obama. 'This is scary stuff...'" Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Julie Smith quoted in POLITICO article, "Coronavirus Rattles America's National Security Priesthood"](https://www.westexec.com/julie-smith-quoted-in-politico-article-coronavirus-rattles-americas-national-security-priesthood/) - "'Members of Congress have factories in their states and districts that produce these weapons. There are not a lot of members of Congress who can say "My state is going to be the pre-eminent producer for N95 masks,"' said Julie Smith, a former Obama administration official now with the German Marshall Fund..." Read the full
- [Dan Shapiro interviewed on Pod Save the World](https://www.westexec.com/dan-shapiro-interviewed-on-pod-save-the-world/) - "We skip the update on the spread of the coronavirus itself and instead focus on the impact it’s having on governments and people. For example, 2019 was the year of the protestor, but how do protestors continue if they can’t gather safely or legally? How can we stop leaders from using the coronavirus to consolidate
- [Liz Rosenberg quoted in S&P Global article, "With Oil Prices Down, Some Federal, State Efforts to Aid Producers Stumble"](https://www.westexec.com/liz-rosenberg-quoted-in-sp-global-article-with-oil-prices-down-some-federal-state-efforts-to-aid-producers-stumble/) - "'In a collapsed oil market there's every additional opportunity for sanctions hawks to layer it on,' said Elizabeth Rosenberg, director of the energy program at the Center for a New American Security and a former senior sanctions adviser at the Department of the Treasury. 'In fact, it's in the interest of US producers who are
- [Michèle Flournoy featured in the Washington Diplomat article, "Michèle Flournoy Hopes U.S. Takes Pragmatic Path to Navigate National Security Challenges"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-featured-in-the-washington-diplomat-article-michele-flournoy-hopes-u-s-takes-pragmatic-path-to-navigate-national-security-challenges/) - "Michèle Flournoy speaks in calm, measured tones about some of the world’s most terrifying crises, from coronavirus and nuclear weapons to Afghanistan and Iran. But that doesn’t mean her words carry any less weight or urgency. "Her level-headed yet deeply thought-out approach to the litany of national security threats facing the United States propelled her
- [Lisa Monaco interviewed on CNN](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-interviewed-on-cnn-2/) - "'This was not a black swan event,' says former Obama Homeland Security Adviser Lisa Monaco, responding to President Trump's claim that the coronavirus pandemic was an unforeseen crisis. 'This is not a surprise. And we should have been better prepared...'" Watch the full interview here: Full Interview
- [Michael Camilleri writes in the Los Angeles Times: "Can Justice for Maduro Bring Peace to Venezuela?"](https://www.westexec.com/michael-camilleri-writes-in-the-los-angeles-times-can-justice-for-maduro-bring-peace-to-venezuela/) - "On Tuesday, Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo unveiled a detailed framework for restoring democracy in Venezuela that was immediately rejected by the man who would need to step aside for such a transition to occur: Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro. Perhaps this should not come as a surprise, given that just last week the U.S.
- [Michèle Flournoy and Gabrielle Chefitz write in Defense News: "Breaking the Logjam: How the Pentagon Can Build Trust with Congress"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-and-gabrielle-chefitz-write-in-defense-news-breaking-the-logjam-how-the-pentagon-can-build-trust-with-congress/) - "Recent defense budget hearings saw a series of heated exchanges between lawmakers and Department of Defense leaders over plans to reach a 355-ship Navy by 2030. This political debate over the path to 355 is focused on precisely the wrong metric. It is a distraction from the difficult but urgent and necessary trade-offs the United
- [Julie Smith quoted in The Wall Street Journal article, "Trump’s Coronavirus Travel Ban Deepens Tensions With European Allies"](https://www.westexec.com/julie-smith-quoted-in-the-wall-street-journal-article-trumps-coronavirus-travel-ban-deepens-tensions-with-european-allies/) - "'There’s considerable friction between Europe and the United States on many fronts,' said Julianne Smith, who served as deputy national security adviser to former Vice President Joe Biden, the Democratic front-runner in the race to face Mr. Trump in the November election. "'One of the things that’s irritating the Europeans the most, though, is the
- [Danny Russel quoted in the Associated Press article, "China, On Virus PR Offensive, Sends Masks and Experts Abroad"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-the-associated-press-article-china-on-virus-pr-offensive-sends-masks-and-experts-abroad/) - "'It’s not an accident that the heat map of where Xi Jinping is sending condolences and China is sending N95 masks overlaps pretty closely with those countries that have demonstrated a willingness to accommodate China,' said Daniel Russel, a former senior U.S. diplomat now with the Asia Society Policy Institute in New York. "'It’s an
- [Nick Rasmussen quoted in The Washington Post article, "Trump Plans to Nominate Special Forces Veteran to Head Counterterrorism Center Amid Uncertainty About Its Future"](https://www.westexec.com/nick-rasmussen-quoted-in-the-washington-post-article-trump-plans-to-nominate-special-forces-veteran-to-head-counterterrorism-center-amid-uncertainty-about-its-future/) - "'I’m encouraged that the administration is turning to a career national security professional for this job as opposed to picking a career politician or some known ideologue,' said Nicholas Rasmussen, who led the NCTC from 2014 to 2017. "'What’s important is whether Chris Miller or any nominee can do what needs to be done most
- [Ely Ratner quoted in NBC News article, "As U.S. Struggles to Stem Coronavirus, China Asserts Itself as Global Leader"](https://www.westexec.com/ely-ratner-quoted-in-nbc-news-article-as-u-s-struggles-to-stem-coronavirus-china-asserts-itself-as-global-leader/) - "Chinese leaders saw the 2008 financial crash as a historic shift in the global order, a telltale sign of decline in American power and influence. Now they see the U.S. response to the coronavirus in a similar light, and they have ramped up their propaganda in an attempt to seize the initiative, Ely Ratner of
- [Michèle Flournoy featured in Defense News article, "Public Health Must Be Part of National Security Calculus, Says Flournoy"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-featured-in-defense-news-article-public-health-must-be-part-of-national-security-calculus-says-flournoy/) - "Michèle Flournoy, who spent three years as undersecretary of defense for policy at the start of the Obama administration, also said via a webcast hosted by the Hudson Institute that U.S. attempts at deterrence in the Middle East must evolve beyond force presence. She called for an American version of China’s Belt and Road Initiative
- [Danny Russel quoted in The New York Times article, "Trump Risks Blowback From War of Words With China Over Coronavirus"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-the-new-york-times-article-trump-risks-blowback-from-war-of-words-with-china-over-coronavirus/) - "'The U.S. and China are engaged now in a demonization contest,' said Daniel Russel, who served as the State Department’s top Asia adviser until early in Trump’s term. "'That inevitably hinders badly needed cooperation...'" Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Liz Rosenberg quoted in S&P Global article, "Oil Price Crash Prompts Tougher U.S. Sanctions Push on Iran, Venezuela Flows: Analysts"](https://www.westexec.com/liz-rosenberg-quoted-in-sp-global-article-oil-price-crash-prompts-tougher-u-s-sanctions-push-on-iran-venezuela-flows-analysts/) - "'Something that's really interesting is how much has not changed,' said Elizabeth Rosenberg, director of the energy program at the Center for a New American Security and a former senior sanctions adviser at the Department of the Treasury. 'In a collapsed oil market there's every additional opportunity for sanctions hawks to layer it on. In
- [Liz Rosenberg quoted in Reuters article, "U.S. to Iran: Coronavirus Won't Save You from Sanctions"](https://www.westexec.com/liz-rosenberg-quoted-in-reuters-article-u-s-to-iran-coronavirus-wont-save-you-from-sanctions/) - “'While Iran is an epicenter of this virus outbreak and facing true economic catastrophe... there will be no relief on sanctions,' said Elizabeth Rosenberg of the Center for a New American Security think tank..." Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Meghan O'Sullivan interviewed on Bloomberg podcast](https://www.westexec.com/meghan-osullivan-interviewed-on-bloomberg-podcast/) - "Meghan L. O’Sullivan, Professor of International Affairs at Harvard’s Kennedy School, former National Security Council advisor, and a Bloomberg Opinion columnist, discusses the oil market plunge, and the Russia-Saudi relationship..." Listen to the full episode here: Full Episode
- [Nick Rasmussen co-authors in The Washington Post: "Former Intelligence Chiefs: Trump’s Removal of Experts is Deeply Destructive to Our Nation’s Safety"](https://www.westexec.com/nick-rasmussen-co-authors-in-the-washington-post-former-intelligence-chiefs-trumps-removal-of-experts-is-deeply-destructive-to-our-nations-safety/) - "The United States — and the world — faces a historic threat to its health, well-being and economy. The global covid-19 pandemic challenges all of us: the public, cities, states and, of course, the federal government. But as we collectively fight this deadly disease, the intelligence institutions that help protect us all from current and
- [Michèle Flournoy, Bob Work, and Julie Smith cited in the Wall Street Journal article, "National Security Veterans Urge Trump to Invoke Emergency Mobilization Law"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-bob-work-and-julie-smith-cited-in-the-wall-street-journal-article-national-security-veterans-urge-trump-to-invoke-emergency-mobilization-law/) - "A bipartisan group of more than 100 former national security officials are urging President Trump immediately to use a Korean War-era defense mobilization law 'to the full extent' to support companies making supplies critical to combating the coronavirus outbreak. "In a letter Wednesday, the former officials said the Defense Production Act was designed precisely because
- [Dennis Ross writes in The Washington Post: "The U.S. Should Have Led the Coronavirus Response. Instead, China Stepped Up”](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-writes-in-the-washington-post-the-u-s-should-have-led-the-coronavirus-response-instead-china-stepped-up/) - "Saudi Arabia is hosting the Group of 20 summit in November of this year. But given the current crisis, the Saudis announced recently that it will convene a virtual G-20 leaders’ summit next week 'to advance a coordinated response to the covid-19 pandemic and its human and economic implications.' "The virtual summit is clearly needed
- [Liz Rosenberg quoted in Slate article, "Would Lifting Sanctions Really Help With Iran’s Coronavirus Crisis?"](https://www.westexec.com/liz-rosenberg-quoted-in-slate-article-would-lifting-sanctions-really-help-with-irans-coronavirus-crisis/) - "At this point, it’s probably not enough for the U.S. to say that companies are allowed to sell drugs and medical equipment to Iran to help battle the coronavirus—they’re already technically allowed to sell those things. But that doesn’t mean the U.S. can just sit back. 'There are small and large steps the United States
- [Lisa Monaco interviewed on CAFE Insider podcast, "Extraordinary Times"](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-interviewed-on-cafe-insider-podcast-extraordinary-times/) - "Preet and Anne are joined by Lisa Monaco, who was President Obama’s chief homeland security and counterterrorism advisor. Drawing on her experience battling pandemics, Lisa provides valuable perspective on the response to the crisis, and helps Preet and Anne break down all of the important issues..." Sign up to listen to the full episode here:
- [Julie Smith quoted in Newsweek article, “Trump's Coronavirus European Flight Freeze Will Create 'Grave Uncertainty' For Americans In EU, Expert Warns”](https://www.westexec.com/julie-smith-quoted-in-newsweek-article-trumps-coronavirus-european-flight-freeze-will-create-grave-uncertainty-for-americans-in-eu-expert-warns/) - "'In some ways Europeans have become accustomed to not being consulted,' she explained. Nonetheless, she said the European perception has generally been that in a time of real crisis the administration would still look to collaborate with allies. "'But alas, what we saw last night was the president intent on issuing another ban, essentially for
- [Dennis Ross quoted in the Boston Herald article, "In the Middle East, the Las Vegas Rules Don’t Apply"](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-quoted-in-the-boston-herald-article-in-the-middle-east-the-las-vegas-rules-dont-apply/) - "Asked what the next president’s priority should be in the Mideast, Ross doesn’t hesitate. It is, he says, 'adopting policies with those who have been our partners to improve their governance. Poor governance spawns rage and extremist ideologies.' Countries where the risks of failing to improve governance converge with opportunities to do so are Egypt,
- [Lisa Monaco interviewed by Axios](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-interviewed-by-axios/) - "Live from Washington, D.C., Axios politics and White House editor Margaret Talev hosts a conversation on cybersecurity and the future of tech policy, featuring Sen. Angus King, Rep. Mike Gallagher, Homeland Security CISA Director Christopher Krebs and former Obama Homeland Security adviser Lisa Monaco..." Watch the full interview here: Full Interview
- [Liz Rosenberg interviewed by NPR, "Iran Sanctions Aggravate Coronavirus Crisis"](https://www.westexec.com/liz-rosenberg-interviewed-by-npr-iran-sanctions-aggravate-coronavirus-crisis/) - "'The pressure of economic sanctions does show up in the difficulty that, say, Iran has in getting access to medicine and medical devices.' "Elizabeth Rosenberg is a former senior Treasury official now at the Center for a New American Security. She says international banks and companies worry they'll be blacklisted by the Trump administration if
- [Lisa Monaco on CNN's "Newsroom with Brooke Baldwin"](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-on-cnns-newsroom-with-brooke-baldwin/) - "Using military bases makes a lot of sense. We have facilities all around the country, so you can place folks who are going to be in quarantine at bases close to where they will eventually go home. These bases are set places that the military and our government can control, with enough infrastructure to accommodate
- [Lisa Monaco quoted in The New York Times article, "Trump's Focus on Coronavirus Numbers Could Backfire, Health Experts Say"](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-quoted-in-the-new-york-times-article-trumps-focus-on-coronavirus-numbers-could-backfire-health-experts-say/) - "Critics say Trump's representation of the numbers related to the spread of the disease is complicating the government's response. "'The focus on the numbers for numbers' sake just exposes... they're not looking around the next corner here,' said Lisa Monaco, a former homeland security adviser to former President Barack Obama. 'They're not preparing the public
- [Dan Shapiro writes with Shira Efron and Evan Gottesman in Foreign Policy: "Annexation Would Threaten U.S. Military Support for Israel"](https://www.westexec.com/dan-shapiro-writes-with-shira-efron-and-evan-gottesman-in-foreign-policy-annexation-would-threaten-u-s-military-support-for-israel/) - "Israel’s March 2 election will likely leave Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the helm at least for the coming weeks, even if he is simply leading a caretaker government. But although he once again heads Israel’s largest political party, the prime minister, whose corruption trial begins on March 17, is now more exposed than ever
- [Bob Work on CBS' "Intelligence Matters" podcast](https://www.westexec.com/bob-work-on-cbs-intelligence-matters-podcast/) - "We don't know how AI and 5G and quantum and synthetic biology are all going to go to work. But they all have the capabilities to provide a step function in the way we fight wars. And the competitor who gets there first is going to have an enormous advantage. So if you're a force
- [Lisa Monaco interviewed on CNN's "Cuomo Prime Time"](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-interviewed-on-cnns-cuomo-prime-time/) - "[In Fauci's testimony to Capitol Hill] he was asked, 'is this going to get worse?' and he was clear as he could be: yes, it is absolutely going to get worse. But how much worse? That will depend on how aggressive we are right now. Why did he say that? Because he's trying to set
- [Lisa Monaco quoted in Axios article, "Countries Meet the Coronavirus Unprepared and On Their Own"](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-quoted-in-axios-article-countries-meet-the-coronavirus-unprepared-and-on-their-own/) - "Lisa Monaco, who served as Barack Obama's former Homeland Security adviser (2013–2017), tells Axios the U.S. squandered the time bought by China's aggressive (if belated) containment efforts and the travel restrictions Trump imposed on China. "'As we saw this coming out of China in December, there should have really been ramping up,' says Monaco, who
- [Lisa Monaco interviewed on CNN](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-interviewed-on-cnn/) - "We're seeing some good steps recently. One is [Pence] talked about getting test kits out to communities as a priority. That's a good thing. But we are woefully behind when it comes to our ability to test. As a country, we have done a mere fraction of the testing that other countries like the UK
- [Dan Shapiro quoted in Jewish Insider article, "Previewing Schumer’s Case for Bipartisanship on Israel"](https://www.westexec.com/dan-shapiro-quoted-in-jewish-insider-article-previewing-schumers-case-for-bipartisanship-on-israel/) - "'People ask me if there is a collapse of bipartisan support for Israel. I don’t think so. But I do think there is a rise in partisan tension about what it means to support Israel. Those are not the same thing. I’ll be at AIPAC engaging in conversations with people from a range of backgrounds
- [Dennis Ross quoted in The Times of Israel article, "Moving the U.S. Embassy Back to Tel Aviv? Technically Possible, But Very Unlikely"](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-quoted-in-the-times-of-israel-article-moving-the-u-s-embassy-back-to-tel-aviv-technically-possible-but-very-unlikely/) - "'It would not be easy for [Senator Sanders] given the legislation,' said Dennis Ross, a former US diplomat who has worked on the Israeli-Palestinian file for decades. "'The waiver was provided to justify why the embassy had not been moved given the requirement to do so. In theory, he might try to say for national
- [Michèle Flournoy writes with Steve Hadley in The Washington Post: "The U.S. Deal with the Taliban is an Important First Step"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-writes-with-steve-hadley-in-the-washington-post-the-u-s-deal-with-the-taliban-is-an-important-first-step/) - "The agreement just signed between the United States and the Taliban is an important first step in a complex negotiation to end the war in Afghanistan. Under its terms, the Taliban agrees not to fund, train or otherwise support, within the territory it controls, any terrorist groups (including al-Qaeda and the Islamic State) that threaten
- [Lisa Monaco interviewed on CNN, "Coronavirus Kills 6 in Washington State"](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-interviewed-on-cnn-coronavirus-kills-6-in-washington-state/) - "It's a whole of government effort—or ought to be. Homeland Security has a piece of this, but Health and Human Services, CDC, the State Department and Foreign Aid should come into this. The most effective thing we can do to protect ourselves from pandemic disease is to defend forward, as I've described it, which is
- [Danny Russel interviewed on Bloomberg, "Assessing China's Response to the Coronavirus Outbreak"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-interviewed-on-bloomberg-assessing-chinas-response-to-the-coronavirus-outbreak/) - "Danny Russel, a former U.S. assistant secretary of state for East Asia who’s now a vice president of the Asia Society in New York, shares his views on how the Chinese government is dealing with the coronavirus outbreak..." Watch the full interview here: Full Interview
- [Nick Rasmussen writes in Just Security: "The President’s War on Intelligence: Yes, It’s Worse Than You Think"](https://www.westexec.com/nick-rasmussen-writes-in-just-security-the-presidents-war-on-intelligence-yes-its-worse-than-you-think/) - "Once again, the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC) finds itself exactly where intelligence officials never want to be: in the headlines and being talked about on cable news —without the ability [to] speak publicly to defend their work or their professionalism. Instead, IC leaders and professionals are left playing defense against a president who routinely demonstrates
- [Lisa Monaco writes in Foreign Affairs: "Pandemic Disease Is a Threat to National Security"](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-writes-in-foreign-affairs-pandemic-disease-is-a-threat-to-national-security/) - "On January 13, 2017, national security officials assembled in the White House to chart a response to a global pandemic. A new virus was spreading with alarming speed, causing global transportation stoppages, supply-chain disruptions, and plunging stock prices. With a vaccine many months away, U.S. health-care infrastructure was severely strained. "No, I didn’t get that
- [Mike Singh quoted in POLITICO article, "Ghosts of Iraq Hang Over Trump’s Chest-Thumping on Iran"](https://www.westexec.com/michael-singh-quoted-in-politico-article-ghosts-of-iraq-hang-over-trumps-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
- [Lisa Monaco quoted in The Hill article, "Trump Shakes Up Justice Department, Intelligence Community"](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-quoted-in-the-hill-article-trump-shakes-up-justice-department-intelligence-community/) - "'You’re seeing a real strain on these institutions and the strain is coming in the form of really challenging the norms under which they’ve operated in the past,' said Lisa Monaco, who served as assistant attorney general for national security during the Obama administration... "'In my 15 years of experience, I have never seen that
- [Julie Smith quoted in The New York Times article, "For a President Who Loves Crowd Size, India Aims to Deliver"](https://www.westexec.com/julie-smith-quoted-in-the-new-york-times-article-for-a-president-who-loves-crowd-size-india-aims-to-deliver/) - "'World leaders have learned to shorten or scrap the historical tours, remove local delicacies from the menu and focus on one thing only: feeding his ego,' said Julianne Smith, the director of the Asia program at the German Marshall Fund of the United States. 'That’s taken different forms in recent years, but the goal is
- [Dennis Ross writes with David Makovsky in The Hill: "The Problem With Trump's Middle East Peace Plan"](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-writes-with-david-makovsky-in-the-hill-the-problem-with-trumps-middle-east-peace-plan/) - "The Trump administration cannot decide if its peace plan is an opening gambit to trigger a compromise or a fait accompli that precludes one. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in answering a question about Palestinian responses to the Plan said, 'I hope they will then present a counteroffer if what’s presented isn’t acceptable.' Fair enough,
- [Lisa Monaco on CNN's Newsroom](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-on-cnns-newsroom/) - "One of the problems is that the response has been chaotic with lots of mixed messages. On the one hand, you have the experts, our experts here in the CDC, telling us that spread is inevitable. Tony Fauci has said that we are likely on the cusp of a pandemic with this virus. And, on
- [Michèle Flournoy quoted in The Washington Times article, "Trump's Peace Hopes for Afghanistan Threatened by Confusion in Kabul"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-quoted-in-the-washington-times-article-trumps-peace-hopes-for-afghanistan-threatened-by-confusion-in-kabul/) - "'The whole purpose of this U.S.-Taliban agreement is to induce the Taliban to come to the negotiating table with the Afghan government and other representatives of Afghan society,' said Michèle Flournoy, who was a high-level Pentagon official in the Obama administration. "'It’s very, very important that the delegation that sits across from the Taliban be
- [WestExec Welcomes Admiral Bill Moran, USN (Ret.) and Rachel Ellehuus](https://www.westexec.com/westexec-welcomes-admiral-bill-moran-usn-ret-and-rachel-ellehuus/) - Washington, DC – WestExec Advisors is pleased to announce Admiral William "Bill" Moran, USN (Ret.) has joined its distinguished team of principals. ADM Moran is the former Vice Chief of Naval Operations and the former Chief of Naval Personnel. He recently retired, culminating 38 years of service as the U.S. Navy's second-highest ranking officer. In
- [Celeste Wallander quoted in The Washington Post article, "At Munich Security Conference, an Atlantic Divide: U.S. Boasting and European Unease"](https://www.westexec.com/celeste-wallander-quoted-in-the-washington-post-article-at-munich-security-conference-an-atlantic-divide-u-s-boasting-and-european-unease/) - “'The first year I was here, the Europeans all said, "It’s fine, because all the adults are in the room,”' said Celeste Wallander, who was on President Barack Obama’s National Security Council. 'The second year, it was, "Tell us this is as bad as it’s going to get." The third year, it was like, "Oh
- [Lisa Monaco quoted in POLITICO article, "Trump Taps Fierce Ally Grenell As Top Intelligence Official"](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-quoted-in-politico-article-trump-taps-fierce-ally-grenell-as-top-intelligence-official/) - "Lisa Monaco, who served as homeland security director in the Obama White House, said, 'The intelligence Community is a diverse enterprise; given the wide array of threats and complexity of the global challenges we face -- this country and, most importantly, the men and women of the intelligence community, need an experienced national security and
- [Lisa Monaco interviewed on CNN's New Day](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-interviewed-on-cnns-new-day/) - "The president is the chief law enforcement officer. Of course he is. Just like he's the commander in chief of the armed forces. Just like he's the chief diplomat. But the difference here is past presidents have chosen to delegate those powers to their attorney general, to their secretary of defense, to their secretary of
- [Dan Shapiro quoted in NPR article, "Israel Is Eager To Annex West Bank Lands, But U.S. Says To Wait"](https://www.westexec.com/dan-shapiro-quoted-in-npr-article-israel-is-eager-to-annex-west-bank-lands-but-u-s-says-to-wait/) - "'[Kushner] understands that an immediate move by Israel to annex these territories will pretty much strangle those efforts to recruit Arab support in the crib,' says former U.S. Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro. 'That left Netanyahu a little bit hung out to dry, but he had to make an adjustment to this now more definitive
- [Michèle Flournoy interviewed by the Council on Foreign Relations, "Prospects for Peace in Afghanistan"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-interviewed-by-the-council-on-foreign-relations-prospects-for-peace-in-afghanistan/) - "Speakers [Michele Flournoy and Carter Malkasian] discuss the seven-day reduction of violence deal in Afghanistan reached by the Trump administration and the Taliban and the prospects for peace..." Read the full transcript here: Full Transcript
- [Vikram Singh interviewed on NPR's All Things Considered](https://www.westexec.com/vikram-singh-interviewed-on-nprs-all-things-considered/) - "NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks with Vikram Singh, former deputy special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, and a former defense negotiator. They discuss the U.S. and Taliban's ceasefire deal..." Read the full transcript here: Full Transcript
- [Michèle Flournoy featured on USIP panel, "Ending Our Endless War in Afghanistan"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-featured-on-usip-panel-ending-our-endless-war-in-afghanistan/) - "After over a year of intensive talks, press reports indicate that an official agreement between the U.S. and Taliban is imminent. The agreement reportedly begins with an immediate reduction in violence by all sides, followed by the signing of a U.S.-Taliban agreement. This would lead to intra-Afghan peace negotiations, accompanied by a gradual withdrawal of
- [Julie Smith writes in War on the Rocks: “Germany’s 5G Debate Ought Not Be A Referendum on Donald Trump”](https://www.westexec.com/julie-smith-writes-in-war-on-the-rocks-germanys-5g-debate-ought-not-be-a-referendum-on-donald-trump/) - "Chancellor Angela Merkel can’t seem to make up her mind. For months, her administration, the Germany Parliament, and outside experts have been debating whether to rely on high-risk vendors for the construction of the country’s 5G telecommunications networks. Unfortunately, this important debate keeps getting sidetracked. Because the Trump administration is using another one of its
- [Lisa Monaco writes in Just Security: "The Soul of the Justice Department: Who Must Stand Up For It Now"](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-writes-in-just-security-the-soul-of-the-justice-department-who-must-stand-up-for-it-now/) - "Over the course of 20 years in public service, including 15 at the Department of Justice, I had the opportunity to work under some great Justice Department leaders, including Janet Reno and Bob Mueller. I couldn’t have picked two people from more different backgrounds or life experiences to serve as mentors for a career in
- [Mike Singh writes in The Washington Post: "Trump is Right to Bide His Time in Renewing A Nuclear Treaty with Russia"](https://www.westexec.com/mike-singh-writes-in-the-washington-post-trump-is-right-to-bide-his-time-in-renewing-a-nuclear-treaty-with-russia/) - "Next February, the New START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty), which limits U.S. and Russian strategic nuclear weapons, will expire. With the demise of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) last year following Russian violations, and Moscow’s flouting of other treaties meant to limit U.S.-Russian competition, the lapse of New START could prove to be the
- [Avril Haines quoted in WGBH article, "Senate Report Faults 'Paralysis' By Obama Team On 2016 Russian Election Scheme"](https://www.westexec.com/avril-haines-quoted-in-wgbh-article-senate-report-faults-paralysis-by-obama-team-on-2016-russian-election-scheme/) - "'The missing details of these interactions are critically important because of what happened next,' [Sen. Ron] Wyden wrote. 'I believe that warning the public about a foreign influence campaign should not depend on the support of both parties, particularly when one of the parties stands to gain politically from that campaign.' Obama's administration did, however,
- [Julie Smith quoted in Newsweek article, "Support for NATO Falling Among Americans, New Survey Shows"](https://www.westexec.com/julie-smith-quoted-in-newsweek-article-support-for-nato-falling-among-americans-new-survey-shows/) - "Julianne Smith, a former national security adviser to Vice President Joe Biden, told Newsweek, 'It shouldn't be shocking, given what the president has said about the NATO alliance for the better part of the last three years,' that American support for the bloc has dropped. "NATO has enjoyed bipartisan support in the U.S. for 70
- [Julie Smith quoted in The New York Times article, "Merkel Succession Crisis in Germany Leaves Europe Leaderless, Too"](https://www.westexec.com/julie-smith-quoted-in-the-new-york-times-article-merkel-succession-crisis-in-germany-leaves-europe-leaderless-too/) - "Ms. Merkel will simply not take risks even when they are necessary, said Julianne Smith, a former Obama official now with the German Marshall Fund in Washington. 'It’s the worst of all worlds — we need Merkel to lead and sadly it’s not happening,' she said..." Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Nick Rasmussen quoted in The New York Times article, "Killing of Terrorist Leader in Yemen Is Latest Blow to Qaeda Affiliate"](https://www.westexec.com/nick-rasmussen-quoted-in-the-new-york-times-article-killing-of-terrorist-leader-in-yemen-is-latest-blow-to-qaeda-affiliate/) - “'AQAP [Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula] remains a significant, lingering concern, in part because the group was so fixated on aviation as a target, and the kind of bomb-making expertise that the group developed was unlikely to have been contained to just a few select individuals,' said Nicholas J. Rasmussen, a former director of
- [Mike Singh testifies before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs: "The Middle East Peace Process: An Analysis from Former U.S. Negotiators"](https://www.westexec.com/mike-singh-testifies-before-the-house-committee-on-foreign-affairs-the-middle-east-peace-process-an-analysis-from-former-u-s-negotiators/) - "Historically, the strategic foundation for U.S. involvement in the peace process has been twofold. First, the peace process was a way for the United States to manage seemingly contradictory partnerships with Israel and the Arab states, few of which recognized Israel and several of which had waged war repeatedly against the Jewish state. As Egypt
- [Julie Smith writes with Torrey Taussig in Lawfare: "Europe Needs a China Strategy; Brussels Needs to Shape It"](https://www.westexec.com/julie-smith-writes-with-torrey-taussig-in-lawfare-europe-needs-a-china-strategy-brussels-needs-to-shape-it/) - "Europe’s momentum in developing a clear-eyed approach toward China has stalled. In March 2019, the European Commission issued a white paper naming China a systemic rival and economic competitor. That publication marked a fundamental shift in how far European institutions were willing to go in raising the challenges China poses to Europe’s openness and prosperity.
- [Lisa Monaco quoted in POLITICO article, "Senate Report Faults Obama Administration’s Paralysis on Russian Election Interference"](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-quoted-in-politico-article-senate-report-faults-obama-administrations-paralysis-on-russian-election-interference/) - "Former homeland security adviser Lisa Monaco recalled a conversation with McConnell where he stated, 'You security people should be careful that you're not getting used,' which she interpreted as the GOP leader doubting the intelligence concluding Russia was attempting to interfere..." Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Ely Ratner quoted in The Diplomat article, "The Coming U.S.-China Competition in Central Asia"](https://www.westexec.com/ely-ratner-quoted-in-the-diplomat-article-the-coming-u-s-china-competition-in-central-asia/) - "Testifying before a U.S. Congressional Commission, Ely Ratner, executive director of the Center for a New American Security, warned, 'The United States is losing this competition in ways that increase the likelihood not just of the crumbling of the U.S.-led order in Asia, but also the rise of a China-dominated region.' In such a scenario,
- [Bridge Colby quoted in The New York Times article,  "Americans Demand a Rethinking of the ‘Forever War’"](https://www.westexec.com/bridge-colby-quoted-in-the-new-york-times-article-americans-demand-a-rethinking-of-the-forever-war/) - “'One of the very odd pathologies of Washington and the defense establishment is this enthrallment with the Middle East, which just isn’t that important,' said Elbridge Colby, a former senior Pentagon official in the Trump administration. 'America has become energy independent. And we’re not very good at achieving our preferred outcomes in the Middle East.'
- [Michael Camilleri writes with Catharine Christie in Americas Quarterly: "How the 'Art of the Deal' Hurt Latin America's Corruption Fight"](https://www.westexec.com/michael-camilleri-writes-with-catharine-christie-in-americas-quarterly-how-the-art-of-the-deal-hurt-latin-americas-corruption-fight/) - "One of the bolder claims in Donald Trump’s impeachment defense posits that the U.S. president withheld military aid to Ukraine out of genuine concern over corruption in the former Soviet republic, and not to extract an investigation into a political rival. The assertion might be more plausible were the White House not simultaneously contemplating revisions
- [Lisa Monaco interviewed on Stay Tuned with Preet podcast](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-interviewed-on-stay-tuned-with-preet-podcast/) - "In this Stay Tuned special bonus, national security experts Lisa Monaco and Ken Wainstein discuss the latest news stories that aren't about impeachment: Coronavirus, encryption, and the controversy over Carter Page FISA warrants..." Listen to the full podcast here: Full Podcast
- [Michèle Flournoy interviewed on the Transition Lab podcast, "The Art of National Security Transitions"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-interviewed-on-the-transition-lab-podcast-the-art-of-national-security-transitions/) - "Former Undersecretary of Defense Michèle Flournoy shares insights from her experience putting together defense transition teams for President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. Flournoy also discusses the challenges associated with transitioning during an ongoing conflict, and the underrepresentation of women in national security..." Listen to the full podcast here: Full Podcast
- [Dan Shapiro quoted in The Hill article, "Palestinians Face Shrinking Options with Trump Peace Plan"](https://www.westexec.com/dan-shapiro-quoted-in-the-hill-article-palestinians-face-shrinking-options-with-trump-peace-plan/) - "'The plan is largely a dead letter but the facilitation of the unilateral steps that it will bring about is really what could change the situation quite dramatically,' said Dan Shapiro, the former U.S. Ambassador to Israel under President Obama and visiting fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv..." Read the
- [Dan Shapiro writes in NPR: "Trump's Fundamentally Flawed 'Vision' For Mideast Peace"](https://www.westexec.com/dan-shapiro-writes-in-npr-trumps-fundamentally-flawed-vision-for-mideast-peace/) - "When President Trump issued his 'Vision for Peace, Prosperity, and a Brighter Future for Israel and the Palestinian People' at the White House on Tuesday, I was reminded that no one should be more humble about critiquing new Middle East peace initiatives than those who have taken part in previous ones. I am in the
- [Liz Rosenberg quoted in The New York Times article, "Bolton Book Puts New Focus on Trump’s Actions in Turkey and China Cases"](https://www.westexec.com/liz-rosenberg-quoted-in-the-new-york-times-article-bolton-book-puts-new-focus-on-trumps-actions-in-turkey-and-china-cases/) - "Elizabeth Rosenberg, who served as a senior Treasury adviser working on sanctions issues during the Obama administration and who now studies sanctions policy at the Center for a New American Security, said Mr. Trump’s interventions were unusual and disruptive. “'This is not the norm in Washington,' she said. 'He is making up sanctions policy on
- [Dennis Ross writes with David Makovsky in The Washington Post: "Trump’s Peace Plan Won’t Have A Chance Unless Israel Shows Restraint on Annexation"](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-writes-with-david-makovsky-in-the-washington-post-trumps-peace-plan-wont-have-a-chance-unless-israel-shows-restraint-on-annexation/) - "The Trump administration has now unveiled its Mideast peace plan. While we should expect plenty of debate about its terms, which represent a sharp departure from past U.S. peacemaking efforts, another development has essentially pushed the plan into the background. Israeli officials have announced that they plan to annex all West Bank settlements next week.
- [Rachel Ellehuus quoted in The Economist article, "A Weaker Post-Brexit Britain Looks to America"](https://www.westexec.com/rachel-ellehuus-quoted-in-the-economist-article-a-weaker-post-brexit-britain-looks-to-america/) - "Still, American diplomatic and military insiders tend to pooh-pooh the idea that the relationship is in crisis, or that France could supplant Britain. 'The uk is still our most capable partner militarily, and our most valuable partner politically,' says Rachel Ellehuus, who handled European and nato policy at the Pentagon until 2018..." Read the full
- [Lisa Monaco quoted in The National Review article, "It’s Time to Reverse the Country’s Scientific Slide"](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-quoted-in-the-national-review-article-its-time-to-reverse-the-countrys-scientific-slide/) - "According to a recent report by the bipartisan Aspen Cybersecurity Group, technological and scientific innovation isn’t just an economic issue; innovation has national-security and geopolitical implications. 'Will America lead the technology that secures Americans?' Lisa Monaco, co-chair of the Aspen group, asked Axios. 'Will American values be reflected in the technologies of the future?' "This
- [Ely Ratner quoted in The Washington Post article, "100 Things the United States Must Do to Compete with China"](https://www.westexec.com/ely-ratner-quoted-in-the-washington-post-article-100-things-the-united-states-must-do-to-compete-with-china/) - “'If we are going to get this right, the China challenge has to be the single or one of the top organizing principles of U.S. foreign policy,' said CNAS senior fellow Ely Ratner, one of the report’s principal authors. 'What we need now is an honest conversation that dealing with the China challenge is going
- [Miriam Vogel featured in Design Week article, "Siri, Alexa And Unconscious Bias: The Case for Designing Fairer AI Assistants"](https://www.westexec.com/miriam-vogel-featured-in-design-week-article-siri-alexa-and-unconscious-bias-the-case-for-designing-fairer-ai-assistants/) - “'I have yet to meet the person who is designing to intentionally discriminate,' Miriam Vogel tells Design Week. 'But sometimes it’s hard to admit that you’ve designed something that might have gaps and flaws in.' "Vogel is executive director of EqualAI, a US-based initiative that aims to prevent unconscious bias in artificial intelligence (AI) development.
- [Dan Shapiro quoted in Vox article, "11 US Troops Were Injured in Iran’s Attack. It Shows How Close We Came to War."](https://www.westexec.com/dan-shapiro-quoted-in-vox-article-11-us-troops-were-injured-in-irans-attack-it-shows-how-close-we-came-to-war/) - "'It certainly seems that Iran’s intent was different than earlier estimates,' says Dan Shapiro, who served as the US ambassador to Israel from 2011 to 2017, 'and there was a serious possibility of deaths of US troops.' "It appears the two reasons everyone stayed alive was because of US intelligence and a warning from Iraq
- [Michèle Flournoy on Bloomberg's "Wall Street Week"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-on-bloombergs-wall-street-week/) - "Michèle Flournoy, former Under Secretary of Defense of Policy, reflects on recent escalations between U.S. and Iran with former U.S. Treasury Secretary Lawrence H. Summers and Roger Ferguson, TIAA chief executive officer..." Watch the full interview here: Full Interview
- [Michèle Flournoy quoted in Task and Purpose article, "The Missiles Have Stopped Flying But Iran Isn’t Done Yet"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-quoted-in-task-and-purpose-article-the-missiles-have-stopped-flying-but-iran-isnt-done-yet/) - "The immediate crisis may be over, but Iran is likely to 'resume provocations' unless it gets some relief from the United States' maximum pressure campaign, said Michèle Flournoy, who served as Under Secretary of Defense for Policy from February 2009 to February 2012. "'I think those are most likely to be either covert or clandestine
- [Linc Bloomfield and Dan Shapiro quoted in CNBC article, "It Isn’t Over — Iran’s Promise of Revenge Could Take Months or Years to Play Out, Analysts Say"](https://www.westexec.com/linc-bloomfield-and-dan-shapiro-quoted-in-cnbc-article-it-isnt-over-irans-promise-of-revenge-could-take-months-or-years-to-play-out-analysts-say/) - "'Since there were no casualties, President Trump seems to be taking the opportunity to say this is the end of this round. That’s a hopeful sign, (but) it doesn’t mean this is the end of this conflict,' said Daniel Shapiro, who was the U.S. ambassador to Israel between 2011 and 2017. "He warned that the
- [Danny Russel quoted in The New York Times article, "U.S. Applauds Tsai's Re-election as Taiwan President: Pompeo"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-the-new-york-times-article-u-s-applauds-tsais-re-election-as-taiwan-president-pompeo/) - "Daniel Russel, the top U.S. diplomat for East Asia until early in the Trump administration, said the extent of Trump's interest in Taiwan had seemed to be as a customer for U.S. weapons systems and as leverage on Beijing in the trade war. "'At times that has meant moving in Taipei’s direction; at other times
- [Julie Smith quoted in Foreign Policy article, "Why Is the United States So Bad at Foreign Policy?"](https://www.westexec.com/julie-smith-quoted-in-foreign-policy-article-why-is-the-united-states-so-bad-at-foreign-policy/) - "According to Julianne Smith of the German Marshall Fund of the United States: 'The Chinese have started brazenly claiming that it is China, not the United States, that shares more values with Europe. [They] also frequently remind European audiences that unlike the United States, China believes in climate change and multilateralism, a message that is
- [Liz Rosenberg quoted in The Wall Street Journal article, "New Sanctions Power Could Squeeze Remaining Iranian Trade Channels"](https://www.westexec.com/liz-rosenberg-quoted-in-the-wall-street-journal-article-new-sanctions-power-could-squeeze-remaining-iranian-trade-channels/) - "The executive order is a limited expansion of the already extensive U.S. sanctions on Iran, but it gives sweeping power for the U.S. to issue secondary sanctions on non-U.S. individuals and companies that maintain ties with Iran, said Elizabeth Rosenberg, a former senior sanctions adviser at the Treasury Department. “'A primary intention of these measures
- [Lisa Monaco quoted in The New York Times article, "Esper Says He Saw No Evidence Iran Targeted 4 Embassies, as Story Shifts Again"](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-quoted-in-the-new-york-times-article-esper-says-he-saw-no-evidence-iran-targeted-4-embassies-as-story-shifts-again/) - “'If indeed the strike was taken to disrupt an imminent threat to U.S. persons — and that picture seems to be getting murkier by the minute — the case should be made to Congress and to the public, consistent with national security,' said Lisa Monaco, a former senior F.B.I. official and homeland security adviser to
- [C-SPAN livestreams the Center for American Progress' National Security Conference featuring Michèle Flournoy, Susan Rice, and Denis McDonough](https://www.westexec.com/c-span-livestreams-the-center-for-american-progress-national-security-conference-featuring-michele-flournoy-susan-rice-and-denis-mcdonough/) - "Obama administration officials discuss the national security priorities a progressive government should focus on during its first 100 days in office. Several topics were covered including the current tensions with Iran, President Trump’s handling of foreign policy, and repairing U.S. relationships with allies..." Watch the full panel here: Full Panel
- [Julie Smith writes in the Washington Monthly: "What the Next President Can Do to Save Our Alliances with Europe"](https://www.westexec.com/julie-smith-writes-in-the-washington-monthly-what-the-next-president-can-do-to-save-our-alliances-with-europe/) - "The transatlantic relationship has suffered a series of near-fatal blows in recent years. President Trump has openly questioned America’s Article 5 commitment to defend any attacked NATO member, dubbed the European Union a 'foe,' and repeatedly disparaged some of America’s closest allies—for example, calling Germany 'captive to Russia.' The people of the United Kingdom voted
- [Bridge Colby writes with A. Wess Mitchell in Foreign Affairs: "The Age of Great-Power Competition"](https://www.westexec.com/bridge-colby-writes-with-a-wess-mitchell-in-foreign-affairs-the-age-of-great-power-competition/) - "U.S. foreign policy is, by most accounts, in disarray. Headlines—including in these pages—proclaim the death of global American leadership. Famous columnists send regular dispatches from the frontlines of U.S. President Donald Trump’s supposed campaign against the postwar liberal order. The damage to Washington’s standing in the world, we are told, is irreparable. "But step back
- [Dennis Ross writes in The Washington Post: "Why Soleimani’s killing is a gift to Vladimir Putin"](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-writes-in-the-washington-post-why-soleimanis-killing-is-a-gift-to-vladimir-putin/) - "The targeted killing of Qasem Soleimani is a potential game-changer in the Middle East. Vladimir Putin certainly sees it that way. Within days, he had rushed to Damascus, Syria — not to shore up Bashar al-Assad or tighten Moscow’s grip there but to show that Russia remains a central player and cannot be relegated to
- [Julie Smith quoted in Newsweek article, "Will China Be NATO's Next Challenge? Alliance Eyes Beijing's Rise While Mired In Infighting"](https://www.westexec.com/julie-smith-quoted-in-newsweek-article-will-china-be-natos-next-challenge-alliance-eyes-beijings-rise-while-mired-in-infighting/) - "Julianne Smith, a former national security adviser to Vice President Joe Biden, told Newsweek it is premature to talk about a post-Russia NATO. 'This is not an alliance looking for more to do,' she explained. 'It still has to focus on its core mission of enhanced deterrence in central and eastern Europe.' "... The alliance
- [Bridge Colby quoted in The Washington Post article, "U.S. Tests Missile After Withdrawing From 1987 Treaty"](https://www.westexec.com/bridge-colby-quoted-in-the-washington-post-article-u-s-tests-missile-after-withdrawing-from-1987-treaty/) - "Elbridge Colby, who led the team that helped develop the Pentagon’s military strategy to counter China and Russia, said the new missile would be an important addition to the U.S. non-nuclear arsenal. “'It is an important step forward in strengthening our conventional posture, especially in Asia,' said Mr. Colby, who left the Pentagon last year.
- [Bob Work quoted in Wired article, "Washington Must Bet Big on AI or Lose Its Global Clout"](https://www.westexec.com/bob-work-quoted-in-wired-article-washington-must-bet-big-on-ai-or-lose-its-global-clout/) - "'Both the Russians and the Chinese have concluded that the way to leapfrog the US is with AI,' says Bob Work, a distinguished senior fellow at CNAS who served as deputy secretary of defense under Presidents Obama and Trump. Work says the US needs to convince the public and that it doesn’t intend to develop
- [Liz Rosenberg writes with Jordan Tama in Defense One: "Add Economic Policy to Deterrence Planning"](https://www.westexec.com/liz-rosenberg-writes-with-jordan-tama-in-defense-one-add-economic-policy-to-deterrence-planning/) - "American defense leaders have adapted over the years to shifts in technology and conflict — for example, accepting space and cyber as principal warfighting domains and integrating them into planning and thinking about deterrence and escalation. But national security policymakers are overdue to incorporate economic instruments, such as sanctions and trade controls, into planning for
- [Julie Smith quoted in The New York Times article, "Blocked in U.S., Huawei Touts ‘Shared Values’ to Compete in Europe"](https://www.westexec.com/julie-smith-quoted-in-the-new-york-times-article-blocked-in-u-s-huawei-touts-shared-values-to-compete-in-europe/) - “'The Chinese have started brazenly claiming that it is China, not the United States, that shares more values with Europe,' said Julianne Smith of the German Marshall Fund in Washington. “'Chinese scholars and officials also frequently remind European audiences that unlike the United States, China believes in climate change and multilateralism, a message that is
- [Bridge Colby interviewed in The Asahi Shimbun, "U.S. Needs ‘Denial Defense’ to Thwart Chinese Action in Taiwan"](https://www.westexec.com/bridge-colby-interviewed-in-the-asahi-shimbun-u-s-needs-denial-defense-to-thwart-chinese-action-in-taiwan/) - "Elbridge Colby, former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy and Force Development, recently spoke with The Asahi Shimbun about China’s military ambitions, particularly over Taiwan, and what he believes neighboring countries, including Japan, should do to prepare for such security threats..." Read the full transcript here: Full Transcript
- [Dennis Ross writes with Dana Stroul in Foreign Policy: "The United States Can Offer the People of Lebanon and Iraq Something Tehran Can’t"](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-writes-with-dana-stroul-in-foreign-policy-the-united-states-can-offer-the-people-of-lebanon-and-iraq-something-tehran-cant/) - "Protests and upheaval are sweeping Iraq and Lebanon. The wrath of demonstrators in the streets is being directed against their own political classes and at Iran’s government. Citizens in Lebanon and Iraq are not only fed up with economic mismanagement, ineffective governance, and entrenched corruption of political elites at home, but they also directly link
- [Michèle Flournoy on PBS Newshour, "What’s the Outlook for U.S. Foreign Policy As A Tumultuous Decade Ends?"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-on-pbs-newshour-whats-the-outlook-for-u-s-foreign-policy-as-a-tumultuous-decade-ends/) - "The past ten years have seen both transformation and inertia in global politics. In many countries, as heads of government have changed, authoritarian leadership has not. Nick Schifrin sits down with the Hudson Institute’s Rebeccah Heinrichs, the American Enterprise Institute’s Kori Schake and Michèle Flournoy of WestExec Advisors to discuss why the decade is concluding
- [Lisa Monaco quoted in the CNN article, "U.S. Authorities Prepare as Iran Vows Revenge For Soleimani Strike"](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-quoted-in-the-cnn-article-u-s-authorities-prepare-as-iran-vows-revenge-for-soleimani-strike/) - "'We need to be at an increased security posture to protect against threats to our people in Baghdad and more broadly, we should consider risks beyond the immediate region given the penchant for proxies abroad,' said Lisa Monaco, homeland security and counterterrorism adviser to President Barack Obama..." Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Nick Rasmussen quoted in NBC News article, "Iran's Options for Retaliation Against the U.S. and Americans Span the Globe"](https://www.westexec.com/nick-rasmussen-quoted-in-nbc-news-article-irans-options-for-retaliation-against-the-u-s-and-americans-span-the-globe/) - "Nick Rasmussen, former director of the National Counterterrorism Center and an NBC News contributor, said Iran's overseas capabilities can be viewed as three concentric circles. "In its immediate neighborhood, Iran could put together a response almost immediately, such as this week's assault on the U.S. Embassy in Iraq. In the broader Middle East, it might
- [Nick Rasmussen on MSNBC](https://www.westexec.com/nick-rasmussen-on-msnbc/) - Nick Rasmussen joins Geoff Bennett to discuss the aftermath of the strike against Soleimani: the threat to U.S. personnel in the region, the potential for escalation, and concern about the ability of this Administration to manage a crisis of this magnitude... Watch the full interview here: Full Interview
- [Lisa Monaco on CNN's New Day with Alisyn Camerota](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-on-cnns-new-day-with-alisyn-camerota/) - "I think we're right now in a situation that unfortunately seems to be spiraling and there's no real clear offramp. In terms of the explanations thus far, I think what we've seen is a series of mixed messages. And it's very, very important that the administration brief, on a bipartisan basis, Congress about what did
- [Dennis Ross on CNN's At This Hour with Wolf Blitzer](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-on-cnns-at-this-hour-with-wolf-blitzer/) - "Well, there will be a response, not just because they're saying it, but because he was part of the core of the regime, the right-hand man, in many respects, to the supreme leader. For the supreme leader not to react when there's a threat to the core of the regime would suggest, somehow, they're willing
- [Nick Rasmussen on NBC's Weekend TODAY](https://www.westexec.com/nick-rasmussen-on-nbcs-weekend-today/) - "President Donald Trump says he ordered the airstrike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani to 'stop a war' and not start one. NBC’s Hans Nichols reports for Weekend TODAY and the McCain Institute’s Nicholas Rasmussen joins for analysis..." Watch the full interview here: Full Interview
- [Michèle Flournoy on CNN's New Day with Alisyn Camerota](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-on-cnns-new-day-with-alisyn-camerota/) - “'I think the threat to Americans in the region, the threat to our national security, is substantially higher today than it was before the attack,' former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Michèle Flournoy says about the Soleimani killing..." Watch the full interview here: Full Interview
- [Dennis Ross writes in The Hill: "Fears Of 'What's Next?' Will Influence Iran's — And the World's — Reactions"](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-writes-in-the-hill-fears-of-whats-next-will-influence-irans-and-the-worlds-reactions/) - "The killing of Qassem Soleimani is surely a game-changer. He was the mastermind of Iran’s policies in the region, and perhaps the second most powerful figure in the Iranian hierarchy. "He developed and shaped Shia militias as tools of Iranian coercion, leverage and intimidation in the Middle East. He trained, financed, armed and helped guide
- [Lisa Monaco writes in The Washington Post: "We Are in Uncharted Territory Now. Are We Prepared for That?"](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-writes-in-the-washington-post-we-are-in-uncharted-territory-now-are-we-prepared-for-that/) - "Qasem Soleimani was pure evil. He had the blood of innocents the world over on his hands, including hundreds of our troops due to a murderous campaign of improvised explosive devices that he masterminded during the Iraq War. A terrorist mastermind is dead, and for that we should be grateful. "But whether we are safer
- [Matt Waxman quoted in the Atlantic article, "It Wasn’t the Law That Stopped Other Presidents From Killing Soleimani"](https://www.westexec.com/matt-waxman-quoted-in-the-atlantic-article-it-wasnt-the-law-that-stopped-other-presidents-from-killing-soleimani/) - "The [assassination] ban arose in response to covert CIA plots to, for example, kill Fidel Castro with an exploding cigar during peacetime—essentially, attempting to kill because of political differences, not in wartime self-defense, said Matthew Waxman, who directs the National Security Law Program at Columbia University and served in the Bush administration. The Obama administration
- [Nick Rasmussen quoted in Bloomberg Government article, "Iran Threat Response Seen as Weakened by Trump Migrant Focus"](https://www.westexec.com/nick-rasmussen-quoted-in-bloomberg-government-article-iran-threat-response-seen-as-weakened-by-trump-migrant-focus/) - “'The focus on immigration to me has meant the senior leadership could not possibly have as much of an in-depth feel for the terrorism and counterterrorism set of issues,' Nicholas Rasmussen, former director of the National Counterterrorism Center who worked on the issue under the last three administrations, said in an interview. 'When you get
- [Michèle Flournoy interviewed on CNN's "New Day"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-interviewed-on-cnns-new-day/) - "'The fact that there were no casualties gives President Trump the opportunity to throw the circuit breaker on this particular cycle of escalation,' ex-Under Sec. of Defense for Policy Michèle Flournoy says after Iran attacked Iraqi bases housing US troops..." Watch the full interview here: Full Interview
- [Michèle Flournoy interviewed on PRI's "The World"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-interviewed-on-pris-the-world/) - "Marco Werman spoke with Michèle Flournoy, former Undersecretary of Defense for Policy, to understand the details of the decision-making process that lead to Soleimani's death..." Read the full transcript here: Full Transcript
- [Michèle Flournoy quoted in The New York Times article, "A Strategy for the Mideast That Has Even Trump’s Allies Scratching Their Heads"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-quoted-in-the-new-york-times-article-a-strategy-for-the-mideast-that-has-even-trumps-allies-scratching-their-heads/) - "Michèle A. Flournoy, a former under secretary of defense under President Barack Obama who turned down a chance to serve as deputy defense secretary for Mr. Trump, said the chaotic nature of the current foreign policy stemmed from an 'impulsive, inconsistent' president without a functional national security process that would ensure that 'second- and third-order
- [Michael Camilleri quoted in POLITICO article, "U.S. plans for Venezuela hit turbulence as Maduro tries Assembly takeover"](https://www.westexec.com/michael-camilleri-quoted-in-politico-article-u-s-plans-for-venezuela-hit-turbulence-as-maduro-tries-assembly-takeover/) - "Now, 'the trend lines point toward increasing authoritarian consolidation, a stronger Nicolas Maduro and a more fragmented opposition,' said Michael Camilleri, who served in the State Department and the National Security Council during the Obama administration. 'Those in the opposition who had deluded themselves into thinking Trump was going to invade and solve all their
- [Michèle Flournoy featured on NPR's "Morning Edition"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-featured-on-nprs-morning-edition/) - "'From one tweet to the next, from one day to the next, you never know what he's going to say or what his approach will be. And I think for adversaries who are trying to figure out where the line is, it's very difficult to establish deterrence for them. For allies, it makes them very
- [Michèle Flournoy quoted in the Financial Times article, "Iran Fallout Exposes Rifts Between Trump and Pentagon"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-quoted-in-the-financial-times-article-iran-fallout-exposes-rifts-between-trump-and-pentagon/) - “‘The whole question of are we leaving Iraq or not speaks to absence of a normal, rigorous [National Security Council] co-ordination process [and] lack of any consideration of the second or third order effects,’ said Michèle Flournoy, a former senior Pentagon official under Barack Obama, now at WestExec, an advisory firm in Washington...” Read the
- [Tony Blinken on CNN's "Amanpour"](https://www.westexec.com/tony-blinken-on-cnns-amanpour/) - "Former U.S. Deputy National Security Adviser Antony Blinken says he suspects Iranians will look for other ways to exact a cost on the US for the killing of Soleimani..." Watch the full interview here: Full Interview
- [Liz Rosenberg quoted in The Wall Street Journal article, "Additional Iran-Related Sanctions by U.S. May Have Little Impact, Sanctions Experts Say"](https://www.westexec.com/liz-rosenberg-quoted-in-the-wall-street-journal-article-additional-iran-related-sanctions-by-u-s-may-have-little-impact-sanctions-experts-say/) - "The EU’s decision would be important particularly amid diverging policies between Europe and the U.S., said Elizabeth Rosenberg, a senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security. The U.S. and EU previously coordinated sanctions lists and worked together to reach the 2015 nuclear deal. However, their sanctions strategies are no longer in alignment
- [Meghan O’Sullivan writes in Foreign Affairs, "The U.S.-Iraqi Relationship Can Still Be Salvaged"](https://www.westexec.com/meghan-osullivan-writes-in-foreign-affairs-the-u-s-iraqi-relationship-can-still-be-salvaged/) - "One of the most dramatic consequences of killing Iranian Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani is unfolding at a rapid pace: the severing of ties between the United States and Iraq. There is still time to salvage this most critical relationship, but doing so will depend on the willingness and ability of the Trump administration to
- [Michèle Flournoy testifies before the House Armed Services Committee on DOD's role in the competition with China](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-testifies-before-the-house-armed-services-committee-on-dods-role-in-the-competition-with-china/) - Chairman Smith and Ranking Member Thornberry, distinguished members of the House Armed Services Committee, it is truly an honor to testify before you today on the Department of Defense’s role in the United States’ strategic competition with China. U.S.-China Competition Broadly Strategic competition between the United States and China is multi-faceted, with economic, technological, political,
- [Miriam Vogel quoted in NBC News article, "Artificial Intelligence Has a Gender Problem — Why It Matters for Everyone"](https://www.westexec.com/miriam-vogel-quoted-in-nbc-news-article-artificial-intelligence-has-a-gender-problem-why-it-matters-for-everyone/) - “‘In this bleak depiction of our future, decades of fights for civil rights and equality have been unwritten in a few lines of code,’ said EqualAI executive director Miriam Vogel at the conference in Brooklyn, N.Y., called ‘Boundary Breakers: Women Driving The Future of Tech.’ "Women and minorities are not building AI, and therefore, they
- [Danny Russel quoted in Time article, "Aung San Suu Kyi Defends Myanmar Against Rohingya Genocide Allegations at The Hague"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-time-article-aung-san-suu-kyi-defends-myanmar-against-rohingya-genocide-allegations-at-the-hague/) - "Nevertheless, many officials in Washington and other capitals remained sympathetic to Suu Kyi, who is forced to share power with unelected generals she cannot control. Isolating Suu Kyi’s government would 'make a difficult situation a lot worse,' Daniel Russel, a former top U.S. diplomat for East Asia, said in 2017..." Read the full article here:
- [Liz Rosenberg quoted in The New Yorker article, "Could Iran’s Revolution Unravel Over a Four-Cent Price Hike?"](https://www.westexec.com/liz-rosenberg-quoted-in-the-new-yorker-article-could-irans-revolution-unravel-over-a-four-cent-price-hike/) - "For now, the Islamic Republic may be able to contain the unrest. 'The violence is not necessarily a precursor to more massive political violence in Iran; nor is it the desperate and bloody response of a regime verging on collapse,' Elizabeth Rosenberg, a former treasury specialist now at the Center for a New American Security,
- [Nick Rasmussen quoted in The Washington Pos​t article, "Investigation Broadened in Pensacola Navy Base Shooting"](https://www.westexec.com/nick-rasmussen-quoted-in-the-washington-pos​t-article-investigation-broadened-in-pensacola-navy-base-shooting/) - "‘We’ve been having individuals from Arab militaries studying and working here for decades — not just from Saudi Arabia but from across the Arab world,’ said Nicholas Rasmussen, a former intelligence official who directed the National Counterterrorism Center. ‘When something like this happens you have to go back and look at whatever vetting procedures you
- [Ely Ratner, Liz Rosenberg, and Paul Scharre write in Foreign Affairs: "Beyond the Trade War: A Competitive Approach to Countering China"](https://www.westexec.com/ely-ratner-liz-rosenberg-and-paul-scharre-write-in-foreign-affairs-beyond-the-trade-war-a-competitive-approach-to-countering-china/) - "The verdict is in on U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade war with China. Regardless of whether U.S. negotiators soon reach a deal with Beijing, the administration’s initial gambit has run aground. After wreaking havoc on portions of the U.S. economy with his trade policies, the president is now angling to freeze or roll back tariffs
- [Michèle Flournoy with Senator Sam Nunn on Fox News Sunday](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-with-senator-sam-nunn-on-fox-news-sunday/) - "Chris [Wallace] breaks down all things foreign and domestic with former Senator Sam Nunn and Michèle Flournoy, former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy..." Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Bridge Colby writes in National Review: "A Republican Foreign Policy"](https://www.westexec.com/bridge-colby-writes-in-national-review-a-republican-foreign-policy/) - "The United States needs a new framework for thinking about its role in the world. And this need is especially pressing for American conservatives. We are entering a world in which the dominant foreign-policy paradigms of the post–Cold War years are of little to no help, and are often downright harmful. "This is as true
- [Rachel Ellehuus quoted in The Hill article, "Trump Returns to Impeachment Fight After NATO Clash"](https://www.westexec.com/rachel-ellehuus-quoted-in-the-hill-article-trump-returns-to-impeachment-fight-after-nato-clash/) - "Still, Trudeau’s remarks highlighted frustrations among foreign leaders over Trump’s unpredictability, said Rachel Ellehuus, a NATO and Europe expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. “...'I think the comments in that conversation reflect a level of frustration among allies about the president’s unpredictability,' said Ellehuus. 'It’s a pattern. And I think it hurts
- [Bridge Colby quoted in The Wall Street Journal article, "Trump Administration Considers 14,000 More Troops for Mideast"](https://www.westexec.com/bridge-colby-quoted-in-the-wall-street-journal-article-trump-administration-considers-14000-more-troops-for-mideast/) - "That, in turn, concerns officials and outside experts who believe the Pentagon must focus its resources on countering China, as mandated by the U.S. National Security Strategy and the Pentagon’s National Defense Strategy. China, some say, is a much larger, if less immediate, problem. “'China is always a, quote, long-term problem, unquote,' said Elbridge Colby,
- [Dennis Ross quoted in The New York Times article, "Netanyahu and Pompeo Seek Heightened Pressure on Iran in Wake of Violent Protests"](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-quoted-in-the-new-york-times-article-netanyahu-and-pompeo-seek-heightened-pressure-on-iran-in-wake-of-violent-protests/) - "Dennis Ross, who helped negotiate earlier peace efforts between Israel and the Palestinians during the Clinton administration, said the United States already has robust military agreements with Israel. "He predicted the Pentagon would be reluctant to support a formal treaty now — in part because it could be seen as a political boost to Mr.
- [Julie Smith writes with Garima Mohan in The National Interest: "The Trump Administration's Indo-Pacific Strategy Needs Proof of Life"](https://www.westexec.com/julie-smith-writes-with-garima-mohan-in-the-national-interest-the-trump-administrations-indo-pacific-strategy-needs-proof-of-life/) - "No single word better describes today’s international system than 'competition.' China and Russia are competing with the United States for power, influence, and access to markets across multiple continents. With its Belt and Road investments and targeted diplomacy, China is creating new partnerships across Asia, Africa, and Europe. Russia has been busy establishing new strategic
- [Michèle Flournoy presides over Council on Foreign Relations and Institute for National Security Studies symposium: "The Future of U.S.-Israel Relations: The New Great Game in the Middle East"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-presides-over-council-on-foreign-relations-and-institute-for-national-security-studies-symposium-the-future-of-u-s-israel-relations-the-new-great-game-in-the-middle-east/) - "The symposium held on December 2, 2019 analyzed the consequences of U.S. retrenchment for the future of Israel and the Middle East. For more than four decades, the United States has played a large part in the Middle East regional order. However, it is now pulling back from the region in a manner that has
- [Michael Camilleri quoted in Fox News article, "Bolivia Change of Power Polarizes Western Hemisphere Along 'Tired, Ideological Lines'"](https://www.westexec.com/michael-camilleri-quoted-in-fox-news-article-bolivia-change-of-power-polarizes-western-hemisphere-along-tired-ideological-lines/) - “‘President Morales, his vice president, and the leaders of the House and Senate all resigned. This created a vacuum of power, as the constitutional line of succession does not contemplate a case in which these four positions are vacant,’ Michael Camilleri, director of the Rule of Law Program at the Inter-American Dialogue, told Fox News.
- [Dennis Ross quoted in The Washington Post article, "Trump Administration Says Israel’s West Bank Settlements Do Not Violate International Law"](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-quoted-in-the-washington-post-article-trump-administration-says-israels-west-bank-settlements-do-not-violate-international-law/) - “‘I’m mystified by the timing,' said Dennis Ross, who played a lead role in shaping Middle East policy under several administrations from Reagan to Obama. ‘If you were still interested in presenting the Trump peace plan, you wouldn’t want to do something that puts key Arab leaders... in a position where they would be much
- [Liz Rosenberg quoted in The Wall Street Journal article, "U.S. Sanctions Compliance Weighs on Nonfinancial Companies"](https://www.westexec.com/liz-rosenberg-quoted-in-the-wall-street-journal-article-u-s-sanctions-compliance-weighs-on-nonfinancial-companies/) - “‘In financial services, people are very accustomed to these sanctions,’ Ms. Rosenberg said. ‘There’s a lot of existing knowledge about what it means to have sovereign debt restrictions, correspondent banking restrictions.’ “‘But when there are new measures that go at nonfinancials—which is an expressed goal of this administration, for example, in the shipping industry, other
- [Danny Russel on The Diplomat podcast, "Improving China’s Belt and Road and Japan-South Korea Tensions"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-on-the-diplomat-podcast-improving-chinas-belt-and-road-and-japan-south-korea-tensions-2/) - "Danny Russel, vice president for International Security and Diplomacy at the Asia Society Policy Institute and a former U.S. assistant secretary of state for East Asia and Pacific Affairs, joins The Diplomat‘s Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) to discuss China’s Belt and Road. Russel is the lead author on a recent Asia Society Policy Institute report on
- [Mike Singh writes in Foreign Affairs: "A Better Iran Deal Is Within Reach"](https://www.westexec.com/mike-singh-writes-in-foreign-affairs-a-better-iran-deal-is-within-reach/) - "When the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump ratcheted up its 'maximum pressure' campaign last May, with the professed aim of driving Iran’s oil exports to zero, it didn’t take long for Tehran to respond with escalation of its own. In the months since, Iran has reportedly attacked pipelines, tankers, and one of the world’s
- [Ely Ratner quoted in The South China Morning Post article, "Hong Kong People Could Feel ‘Most of the Pain’ from U.S. Human Rights Act, American Experts Warn"](https://www.westexec.com/ely-ratner-quoted-in-the-south-china-morning-post-article-hong-kong-people-could-feel-most-of-the-pain-from-u-s-human-rights-act-american-experts-warn/) - “‘I think it's a really hard policy problem for the United States in part because there needs to be some sort of rule here of "Do no harm,"’ Ely Ratner, deputy director of national security for former vice-president Joe Biden, said during a discussion hosted by the National Committee on US-China Relations in Washington on
- [Liz Rosenberg quoted in The Economist article, "Donald Trump Uses Sanctions More Keenly Than Any of His Predecessors"](https://www.westexec.com/liz-rosenberg-quoted-in-the-economist-article-donald-trump-uses-sanctions-more-keenly-than-any-of-his-predecessors/) - "What has driven this surge in sanctions? According to Marshall Billingslea, an assistant secretary in the Treasury department, the growth reflects Donald Trump’s innovative 'financial statecraft.' Certainly, they seem an ideal tool for Mr Trump, who wants to put foreigners under lots of pressure but is reluctant to send troops or bombers to do the
- [Lisa Monaco on CNN's Impeachment Watch podcast, "The Public Hearings Are Over. Did Democrats Make Their Case?"](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-on-cnns-impeachment-watch-podcast-the-public-hearings-are-over-did-democrats-make-their-case/) - "Democrats have essentially rested their case to the American people that President Trump should be impeached. Will it change any minds among Republicans in the House or Senate? And how is President Trump handling all this? Zachary Wolf, senior writer and publisher of the Impeachment Watch Newsletter, discusses the 'never Trumpers' rhetoric the President is
- [Julie Smith quoted in The Washington Post article, "Public Servants Use Impeachment Hearings to Offer Lessons of History and Military Service in Rejoinder to Trump"](https://www.westexec.com/julie-smith-quoted-in-the-washington-post-article-public-servants-use-impeachment-hearings-to-offer-lessons-of-history-and-military-service-in-rejoinder-to-trump/) - "'What we’ve seen over the last couple of days is a whole assortment of personal and compelling reasons why people chose the career path of public service,' said Julie Smith, a Europe expert who served as deputy national security adviser to then-Vice President Joe Biden. 'Outside of Washington, the image of public service has become
- [Dan Shapiro quoted in The Jerusalem Post article, "Military Assistance to Israel Also Serves U.S. Interests"](https://www.westexec.com/dan-shapiro-quoted-in-the-jerusalem-post-article-military-assistance-to-israel-also-serves-u-s-interests/) - "'There is an enormous amount of sharing of intelligence,' said the former ambassador. 'Israeli intelligence has high-quality technology; Israeli technology is high quality; joint training – our forces training with Israel and learning from them as they learned from us. Benefits and this relationship flow both ways. And so, in that regard, the US assistance
- [Michael Camilleri spoke with France 24, "Evo Morales Steps Down: 'The People of Bolivia Took to the Streets to Defend Their Democracy, But the Military Gave Morales the Final Push'"](https://www.westexec.com/michael-camilleri-spoke-with-france-24-evo-morales-steps-down-the-people-of-bolivia-took-to-the-streets-to-defend-their-democracy-but-the-military-gave-morales-the-final-push/) - “I think it is too early to call it a coup. Evo Morales clearly created this predicament for himself by violating the constitution and then orchestrating what appears to be a fraudulent election. The people of Bolivia reacted to that. They took to the streets for weeks to try to defend their democracy, but at
- [Miriam Vogel quoted in Architectural Digest article, "The Gender Bias Behind Voice Assistants"](https://www.westexec.com/miriam-vogel-quoted-in-architectural-digest-article-the-gender-bias-behind-voice-assistants/) - "... UNESCO argues that if people do, in fact, prefer the female-sounding helper, it’s mainly because we’ve been conditioned to feel more comfortable making requests of women. But by not questioning this conditioning, says Miriam Vogel, executive director of Equal AI, a nonprofit formed to address and reduce unconscious bias in the field of artificial
- [Dan Shapiro quoted in The Times of Israel article, "Iran Shaves Weeks Off Breakout Time, But Isn’t Tearing Up Nuclear Pact Yet"](https://www.westexec.com/dan-shapiro-quoted-in-the-times-of-israel-article-iran-shaves-weeks-off-breakout-time-but-isnt-tearing-up-nuclear-pact-yet/) - “‘It doesn’t significantly affect the breakout timeline, but Fordo has always been one of the most sensitive aspects of the nuclear program because of its hardened, underground nature and the difficulty of destroying it,' said Dan Shapiro, a former US ambassador to Israel and current fellow at Tel Aviv University’s Institute for National Security Studies
- [Dan Shapiro quoted in The Hill article, "Progressives Press Democrats to Rethink Israel Policy"](https://www.westexec.com/dan-shapiro-quoted-in-the-hill-article-progressives-press-democrats-to-rethink-israel-policy/) - "Daniel Shapiro, former U.S. ambassador to Israel and visiting fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv, said American military support largely deals with longer range threats from Lebanon, Syria, Iran and, in part, the Gaza Strip, with little impact or influence on Israeli policies and actions in the West Bank. “‘If,
- [Bob Work on Eye on A.I.'s podcast](https://www.westexec.com/bob-work-on-eye-on-a-i-s-podcast/) - "Former Google chief executive Eric Schmidt and former Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work, co-chairs of the U.S. National Security Commission on AI, talk about the challenges the government faces in winning support from a skeptical private sector and in maintaining engagement with China while ensuring that that engagement doesn’t work to America’s detriment..." Listen to
- [Michèle Flournoy and Avril Haines speak at the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence Conference](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-and-avril-haines-speak-at-the-national-security-commission-on-artificial-intelligence-conference/) - "Current and former government officials spoke at the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence conference in Washington, DC. During this portion, foreign affairs experts, including former Obama administration Defense Under Secretary Michèle Flournoy and former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, discussed how the world is approaching the growth of artificial intelligence in the world
- [Mike Singh writes in The Washington Post: "Why the Talk Of ‘Endless Wars’ Misses the Mark"](https://www.westexec.com/mike-singh-writes-in-the-washington-post-why-the-talk-of-endless-wars-misses-the-mark/) - "In a town where polarization and partisanship seem to be the rule, there is one proposition to which politicians both right and left seem able to agree: it is time to end the 'endless wars.' "It’s a notion that is difficult to resist — who exactly is for 'endless war,' after all? — and rooted
- [Michèle Flournoy testifies before the House Armed Services Committee during Future of Defense Task Force Hearing](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-testifies-before-the-house-armed-services-committee-during-future-of-defense-task-force-hearing/) - "The Geostrategic and Technological Landscape: The resurgence of great power competition combined with the unprecedented pace of technological disruption require the United States to reimagine how we deter and, if necessary, fight and prevail in a future conflict. Central to this challenge is ensuring the U.S. military retains its operational and technological edge over a
- [Lisa Monaco moderates NYU Reiss Center on Law and Security panel, "Role of Congress in National Security"](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-moderates-nyu-reiss-center-on-law-and-security-panel-role-of-congress-in-national-security/) - "Congressional representatives who previously served in the executive branch discussed the role of Congress in national security and foreign affairs. Representatives Will Hurd (R-TX), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), and Andy Kim (D-NJ) all served in the national security sector before being elected to the House and talked about the transition from working in the executive branch
- [Nick Rasmussen quoted in The Washington Post article, "Despite Baghdadi Raid, Some Analysts Question U.S. Ability to Prevent ISIS Resurgence"](https://www.westexec.com/nick-rasmussen-quoted-in-the-washington-post-article-despite-baghdadi-raid-some-analysts-question-u-s-ability-to-prevent-isis-resurgence/) - "‘When you think about the impact it will have on ISIS going forward, this is more like the close of a chapter, but by no means the end of the story,' said Nick Rasmussen, the former head of the National Counterterrorism Center during the last two years of President Barack Obama’s tenure and the first
- [Dan Shapiro quoted in PBS News Hour article, "Why the U.S. Decision in Syria Has Left Some Allies Anxious"](https://www.westexec.com/dan-shapiro-quoted-in-pbs-news-hour-article-why-the-u-s-decision-in-syria-has-left-some-allies-anxious/) - "After the U.S. left the Kurds behind in Syria, some in Israel, arguably one of America’s closest allies, are wondering if they can depend on American protection, said Dan Shapiro, former U.S. Ambassador to Israel. “‘Members [within Israel] of the U.S. camp have less to fall back on now,' said Shapiro. 'They carry more of
- [Lisa Monaco on CNN's State of the Union and New Day](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-on-cnns-state-of-the-union-and-new-day/) - Lisa Monaco, former Homeland Security Advisor to Barack Obama, discusses the national security implications of the raid on Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi with Andrew McCabe, former Deputy Director of the FBI. Watch the full interview here: Full Interview
- [Nick Rasmussen on NPR's Morning Edition, "Examining What Leader's Death Means to ISIS' Future"](https://www.westexec.com/nick-rasmussen-on-nprs-morning-edition-examining-what-leaders-death-means-to-isis-future/) - "NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to Nicholas Rasmussen, ex-director of the National Counterterrorism Center, about the raid that killed ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi..." Listen to the full interview here: Full Interview
- [Bridge Colby writes with David Ochmanek in Foreign Policy: "How the United States Could Lose a Great-Power War"](https://www.westexec.com/bridge-colby-writes-with-david-ochmanek-in-foreign-policy-how-the-united-states-could-lose-a-great-power-war/) - "The U.S. armed forces are now preparing for an age of great-power competition and rightly so. The 2018 National Defense Strategy shows the Defense Department is focused on the threats posed by Russia and especially China to U.S. interests, allies, and established partners such as Taiwan. "For now, U.S. forces appear poorly postured to meet
- [Michèle Flournoy on Freakonomics podcast, "Speak Softly and Carry Big Data"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-on-freakonomics-podcast-speak-softly-and-carry-big-data/) - "Do economic sanctions work? Are big democracies any good at spreading democracy? What is the root cause of terrorism? It turns out that data analysis can help answer all these questions — and make better foreign-policy decisions. Guests include former Department of Defense officials Chuck Hagel and Michèle Flournoy and Chicago Project on Security and
- [Mike Singh on KCRW's Left, Right & Center podcast, "Who Wins from the Syria Ceasefire?"](https://www.westexec.com/mike-singh-on-kcrws-left-right-center-podcast-who-wins-from-the-syria-ceasefire/) - "The situation in Syria changed quickly this week. A five-day cease-fire, which Turkey is calling a 'pause,' negotiated by Vice President Mike Pence, seemed to be barely holding up less than 24 hours after it was announced. President Trump considers the agreement a victory, but some members of the GOP disagree. Mike Singh of the
- [Dennis Ross writes in The Hill: "Trump's Aversion to Alliances Is Making the World A More Dangerous Place"](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-writes-in-the-hill-trumps-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
- [Meghan O'Sullivan on CNN's Fareed Zakaria GPS, "Middle East Oil Shock Has Gotten More Likely"](https://www.westexec.com/meghan-osullivan-on-cnns-fareed-zakaria-gps-middle-east-oil-shock-has-gotten-more-likely/) - "Harvard energy expert Meghan O'Sullivan tells Fareed why energy markets may be underestimating the risks of instability in the Middle East..." Watch the full interview here: Full Interview
- [Mike Singh writes with Dana Stroul in The Hill: "Withdrawal of Troops Must Not End U.S. Involvement with Syria"](https://www.westexec.com/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
- [Liz Rosenberg quoted in Business Day article, "Aggressive U.S. Campaign Against Iran Creates Rift with Europe"](https://www.westexec.com/liz-rosenberg-quoted-in-business-day-article-aggressive-u-s-campaign-against-iran-creates-rift-with-europe/) - "Elizabeth Rosenberg, a U.S. sanctions specialist, says sanctions are 'a sideshow to a threat of military escalation and all-out conflict.' They fuel a narrative focused on Iran rather than the US — and the fact that Trump blinked when he called off a retaliatory military strike after the Iranians admitted to having downed the U.S.
- [Dan Shapiro quoted in The Washington Post article, "Israelis See Trump’s Syria Pullout as A Betrayal That Could Help Unravel the Region"](https://www.westexec.com/dan-shapiro-quoted-in-the-washington-post-article-israelis-see-trumps-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
- [Liz Rosenberg quoted in The Atlantic article, "The Trump Administration Has Only One Move"](https://www.westexec.com/liz-rosenberg-quoted-in-the-atlantic-article-the-trump-administration-has-only-one-move/) - "If U.S. sanctions turn out to be mostly symbolic, 'that would be a relatively minor economic or diplomatic cost worth bearing for Turkey to advance its military objectives in the region,' Elizabeth Rosenberg, who worked on sanctions policy in the Obama administration and is now at the Center for a New American Security..." Read the
- [Michael Camilleri writes with Ben Raderstorf in The Washington Post: "How Evo Morales Running Again — And Again — Undermines Bolivia’s Democracy"](https://www.westexec.com/michael-camilleri-writes-with-ben-raderstorf-in-the-washington-post-how-evo-morales-running-again-and-again-undermines-bolivias-democracy/) - "On Oct. 20, Bolivian President Evo Morales will go to the polls in search of a fourth term. Victory would extend his time in office to almost two decades, and — depending on how the election goes — could place democracy itself at risk in the Andean country. "Unlike with Morales’s counterparts in Latin America’s
- [Dan Shapiro writes in Haaretz: "Five Ways Trump’s Unnerving Decision on Syria Has Seriously Harmed Israel"](https://www.westexec.com/dan-shapiro-writes-in-haaretz-five-ways-trumps-unnerving-decision-on-syria-has-seriously-harmed-israel/) - "It was probably inevitable. Even Donald Trump’s most ardent admirers in Israel understood that it was always a package deal. "Strong support for Israel’s position on issues with political resonance in the United States - Jerusalem, the Golan Heights, the Iran deal - was bestowed by a president with a well-documented history, in his long
- [Michèle Flournoy delivers Drell Lecture at Stanford University: "U.S. National Security in an Era of Great Power Competition and Technological Disruption"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-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
- [Michèle Flournoy quoted in Defense News article, “The Pentagon Has Created a New Office Solely Focused on China. Is That A Good Idea?”](https://www.westexec.com/michele-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
- [Liz Rosenberg quoted in The New York Times article, “Trump’s Top Sanctions Official Will Depart”](https://www.westexec.com/liz-rosenberg-quoted-in-the-new-york-times-article-trumps-top-sanctions-official-will-depart/) - “‘It’s a grueling and exhausting job, particularly given how prominent this tool has become in the execution of U.S. foreign policy,’ said Elizabeth Rosenberg, a former Treasury official who now works at the Center for a New American Security…” Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Dennis Ross quoted in The Jerusalem Post article, “Impeachment Inquiry Not Expected to Affect Rollout of The Peace Plan”](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-quoted-in-the-jerusalem-post-article-impeachment-inquiry-not-expected-to-affect-rollout-of-the-peace-plan/) - “‘This means with North Korea or Iran, the president has an interest to do deals and show he is producing,’ Ross told the Post. ‘Neither will give him possible wins on the cheap. They may believe that his need for a victory will ensure they can extract concessions from him…’” Read the full article here:
- [Michèle Flournoy quoted in POLITICO article on Ukraine assistance](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-quoted-in-politico-article-on-ukraine-assistance/) - “Michèle Flournoy, who served as the undersecretary of defense for policy under Obama, said that withdrawing assistance would provide serious leverage over Ukraine. “‘They’re counting on the U.S. to continue to support them in all kinds of ways — sanctions, diplomacy, military assistance, training and advising, putting pressure on Putin,’ she said. ‘So any sign
- [Lisa Monaco quoted in AXIOS exclusive, “Aspen Report Finds U.S. Losing Innovation Edge"](https://www.westexec.com/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
- [Michèle Flournoy interviewed at The Atlantic Festival: “Defense in the U.S.: Where Politics and Innovation Collide”](https://www.westexec.com/michele-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
- [Meghan O’Sullivan quoted in The New York Times article, "Trump’s Challenge: Can His Word on Iran Be Trusted?"](https://www.westexec.com/meghan-osullivan-quoted-in-the-new-york-times-article-trumps-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
- [Michèle Flournoy on PRI's The World: “Trump Gets His Military Options on Iran”](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-on-pris-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
- [McCain Institute Announces Inaugural Class of their National Security and Counterterrorism Fellowship, designed and led by Nick Rasmussen](https://www.westexec.com/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
- [Danny Russel quoted in The New York Times article, "China Wants the World to Stay Silent on Muslim Camps. It’s Succeeding."](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-the-new-york-times-article-china-wants-the-world-to-stay-silent-on-muslim-camps-its-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
- [Bridge Colby writes in The Wall Street Journal: “Don’t Let Iran Distract from China”](https://www.westexec.com/bridge-colby-writes-in-the-wall-street-journal-dont-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
- [Dennis Ross writes in Foreign Affairs: “Iran is Testing the Trump Administration”](https://www.westexec.com/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
- [Michèle Flournoy writes with Stephen Hadley in The Washington Post: “Don’t Leave The Afghan Peace Talks For Dead”](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-writes-with-stephen-hadley-in-the-washington-post-dont-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
- [Dan Shapiro quoted in The Los Angeles Times article, "Israel’s Kingmaker — Or Is It King Breaker? — Could Bring Down Netanyahu"](https://www.westexec.com/dan-shapiro-quoted-in-the-los-angeles-times-article-israels-kingmaker-or-is-it-king-breaker-could-bring-down-netanyahu/) - "Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel Daniel Shapiro, who shepherded the unsuccessful peace process advanced by then-Secretary of State John F. Kerry, said he 'discovered that Lieberman wasn’t exactly what his public image would lead you to imagine.' "‘He was not fundamentally opposed to what Kerry was trying to do,' said Shapiro, now a visiting fellow
- [Dan Shapiro quoted in The Washington Post article, "Israel’s Two Main Parties Locked in Dead Heat as Negotiations Begin Over New Government"](https://www.westexec.com/dan-shapiro-quoted-in-the-washington-post-article-israels-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
- [Dennis Ross on NPR's Morning Edition: "Impact Of Drone Attack On Saudi Oil Facility Is Huge, Ross Says"](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-on-nprs-morning-edition-impact-of-drone-attack-on-saudi-oil-facility-is-huge-ross-says/) - “NPR's David Greene talks to Dennis Ross, a veteran diplomat who is now with the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, about the attack. The U.S. says Iran played a key role..." Read the full transcript here: Full Transcript
- [Dan Shapiro on CNN's Connect the World: “The Future of U.S.-Israel Relations"](https://www.westexec.com/dan-shapiro-on-cnns-connect-the-world-the-future-of-u-s-israel-relations/) - "Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Dan Shapiro tells Becky Anderson U.S.-Israeli leaders need to turn back to traditional bipartisanship..." Watch the full interview here: Full Interview
- [Dennis Ross writes in The Washington Post: "Trump Must React to The Attacks on Saudi Arabia. But A Quick Fix Won’t Be Enough."](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-writes-in-the-washington-post-trump-must-react-to-the-attacks-on-saudi-arabia-but-a-quick-fix-wont-be-enough/) - "Saturday’s attack on Abqaiq, home to one of the most important petroleum processing facilities in Saudi Arabia, threatens to dramatically escalate tensions in the Persian Gulf. While the Saudis have not yet attributed blame, they are likely to do so soon — and to react accordingly. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has declared what most
- [Dan Shapiro writes in The Washington Post: "Netanyahu Has Dominated the U.S.-Israel Relationship. What Happens If He’s Gone?"](https://www.westexec.com/dan-shapiro-writes-in-the-washington-post-netanyahu-has-dominated-the-u-s-israel-relationship-what-happens-if-hes-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.
- [Bob Work quoted in Foreign Policy article, "American Bases in Japan Are Sitting Ducks"](https://www.westexec.com/bob-work-quoted-in-foreign-policy-article-american-bases-in-japan-are-sitting-ducks/) - “Simulations of these attacks are nauseating. In a 2017 report for the Center for a New American Security, Tom Shugart and Javier Gonzales conclude that the missile defense systems of every single American air and naval base in Japan would be overwhelmed by the PLA Rocket Force’s very first volley. They estimate that more than
- [Dennis Ross quoted in POLITICO article, "Can Jared’s Millennial ‘Mini-Me’ Bring Peace to the Middle East?"](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-quoted-in-politico-article-can-jareds-millennial-mini-me-bring-peace-to-the-middle-east/) - "Dennis Ross, who served as Bill Clinton’s Middle East envoy, interpreted Greenblatt’s departure as a sign that the Trump administration does not expect its forthcoming peace plan -- which is set to be released at some unspecified point after Israel’s Sept. 17 elections — to lead even to follow-up negotiations. "... If the plan is
- [Lisa Monaco quoted in CNN article, "Trump Learns Age-Old Lesson with Busted Afghan Initiative"](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-quoted-in-cnn-article-trump-learns-age-old-lesson-with-busted-afghan-initiative/) - "Lisa Monaco, who was a homeland security and counterterrorism adviser for President Barack Obama, warned that such impulsive decision-making was a recipe for geopolitical confusion. "'What is the strategy here?' she asked. "'That is really turning a national security process completely on its head,' she said on CNN, warning that the President was not getting
- [Dan Shapiro quoted in The Guardian article, "Kushner's Middle East Peace Plan Drifts Further Astray as Envoy Resigns"](https://www.westexec.com/dan-shapiro-quoted-in-the-guardian-article-kushners-middle-east-peace-plan-drifts-further-astray-as-envoy-resigns/) - "'The Trump administration inherited very poor prospects for Israeli-Palestinian peace, which wasn’t their fault,' said Daniel Shapiro, the former US ambassador to Israel. 'But everything they have done in the field since has made it even harder to achieve a breakthrough...'” Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Lisa Monaco on Stay Tuned with Preet podcast, “Russian Asset & The 1st Female Firefighter”](https://www.westexec.com/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
- [Liz Rosenberg quoted in The Wall Street Journal article, "New U.S. Sanctions on Iran Set Back French Mediation Efforts"](https://www.westexec.com/liz-rosenberg-quoted-in-the-wall-street-journal-article-new-u-s-sanctions-on-iran-set-back-french-mediation-efforts/) - “Tying Iran’s oil sales so directly to those groups will act as a further deterrent to anyone still involved in Iranian oil exports, including tankers, the insurance industry, brokers, banks and even ship captains, analysts said. “'It is clearly meant to tarnish Iran’s image and oil sales by linking it to support for terrorism and
- [Michèle Flournoy and Thomas Shannon keynote the Development Bank of Latin America Conference](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-and-thomas-shannon-keynote-the-development-bank-of-latin-america-conference/) - "The Inter-American Dialogue (IAD) held the 23rd annual Development Bank of Latin America Conference to discuss the most immediate issues and concerns impacting the Americas. In this portion, former Obama administration Defense Undersecretary for Policy Michèle Flournoy joined Inter-American Dialogue Co-Chair Thomas Shannon for a conversation on global security challenges and how those challenges affect
- [Michèle Flournoy and General Joseph Votel keynote the Intelligence and National Security Summit](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-and-general-joseph-votel-keynote-the-intelligence-and-national-security-summit/) - “Retired Gen. Joseph Votel, who served as commander of U.S. Central Command during the Obama and Trump administrations, sat down for a one-on-one discussion with former Defense Under Secretary Michèle Flournoy. The two former officials discussed China, Russia and Iran as well as technology and intelligence. The conversation took place at the annual intelligence and
- [Dan Shapiro and Dennis Ross quoted in The New York Times article, "The Secret History of the Push to Strike Iran"](https://www.westexec.com/dan-shapiro-and-dennis-ross-quoted-in-the-new-york-times-article-the-secret-history-of-the-push-to-strike-iran/) - "... Some American military planners derided Barak’s tactic as 'mowing the grass' — a small-bore effort that would need to be repeated again and again — but it might have been more like a way to get the United States to move first. 'Barak would tell us, "We can’t do what you do, so we
- [Dennis Ross and David Makovsky release new book, Be Strong and of Good Courage: How Israel's Most Important Leaders Shaped Its Destiny](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-and-david-makovsky-release-new-book-be-strong-and-of-good-courage-how-israels-most-important-leaders-shaped-its-destiny/) - "Modern Israel’s founding fathers provided some of the boldest and most principled leadership of any nation. Now Israel needs their example more than ever. At a time when the political destiny of Israel is more uncertain than at any moment since its modern founding, Be Strong and of Good Courage celebrates the defining generation of
- [Julie Smith quoted in The Guardian article, "Washington's Great Mystery: Trump’s Affinity for Putin and Populists Baffles Experts"](https://www.westexec.com/julie-smith-quoted-in-the-guardian-article-washingtons-great-mystery-trumps-affinity-for-putin-and-populists-baffles-experts/) - "'Trump’s deference to Putin remains one of Washington’s greatest mysteries,' said Julianne Smith, a former deputy national security adviser to former vice-president Joe Biden. 'No one knows for sure whether it’s just Trump’s admiration for Putin’s authoritarian rule or it’s the fact that Trump owes Putin something.' “'Either way, Trump’s refusal to speak ill of
- [Miriam Vogel writes in The Hill: “Making Equitable Access to Credit A Reality in The Age of Algorithms”](https://www.westexec.com/miriam-vogel-writes-in-the-hill-making-equitable-access-to-credit-a-reality-in-the-age-of-algorithms/) - "Last week we saw yet another reminder of the ways algorithms will perpetuate historical bias if left unchecked and unrestrained. The Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) proposed rule released Monday announced the intent to reduce key protections afforded to consumers under the Fair Housing Act. The new rule would revise the HUD interpretation
- [Michael Camilleri writes in Foreign Affairs: "Plan B in Venezuela"](https://www.westexec.com/michael-camilleri-writes-in-foreign-affairs-plan-b-in-venezuela/) - "From its first weeks in office, the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has been intent on dislodging Nicolás Maduro from power in Venezuela—resorting to everything from tough talk of “military options” and indictments of senior officials to hard-hitting sanctions and multilateral diplomacy. In January, after two years of effort, Washington seemed to be close
- [Dennis Ross writes with Dana Stroul in The Washington Post: “The Flaw in Trump’s Maximum Pressure Campaign Toward Iran”](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-writes-with-dana-stroul-in-the-washington-post-the-flaw-in-trumps-maximum-pressure-campaign-toward-iran/) - “The Trump administration says its maximum-pressure campaign on Iran is working. If only that were true. "The administration has consistently made the argument that economic sanctions would deprive the Iranian regime of money and that less money would mean less bad behavior and more concessions at the negotiating table. "Bargaining with Iran is not the
- [Julie Smith on The Tea Leaves podcast](https://www.westexec.com/julie-smith-on-the-tea-leaves-podcast/) - "In this episode of Tea Leaves, Kurt and Rich are joined by Julianne (“Julie”) Smith, an expert on transatlantic issues and adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS). The three discuss Julie’s experiences in the national security field as a woman, the complexities of Europe’s multifaceted relationship with Beijing, and
- [Danny Russel on PBS News Hour: “How Current Japan-South Korea Tensions Reflect Decades of Resentment”](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-on-pbs-news-hour-how-current-japan-south-korea-tensions-reflect-decades-of-resentment/) - “‘When talking to the South Koreans and the Japanese, they will quickly take you back to 1592, when the Shogun Hideyoshi invaded South Korea.’ “‘There is a long litany of grievances. Particularly in the last three years, there has been steady series of events. One slap is met by another slap between Seoul and Tokyo.'
- [Danny Russel quoted in The Straits Times article, "Trump's China Strategy Counterproductive, Says Former Top US Diplomat for Asia Pacific"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-the-straits-times-article-trumps-china-strategy-counterproductive-says-former-top-us-diplomat-for-asia-pacific/) - "‘For retaliation to be smart it needs to be applied in a targeted and judicious manner for the purpose not of inflicting pain but to change behaviour,' [Daniel Russel] said. 'And you can't claim that Trump's retaliatory measures - the tariffs, the threats, the listing of companies like Huawei - have led to better behaviour
- [Julie Smith quoted in The Los Angeles Times article, “Trump Says He’s Willing to Negotiate with Iran, Doesn’t Want Leadership Change”](https://www.westexec.com/julie-smith-quoted-in-the-los-angeles-times-article-trump-says-hes-willing-to-negotiate-with-iran-doesnt-want-leadership-change/) - “Julianne Smith, a fellow at the Center for a New American Security, a bipartisan think tank, said Macron ‘found the right recipe’ to handle Trump and seized an opportunity to influence him. “‘Macron is smart,’ Smith said. ‘He knows what he is up against. But he also knows Trump can be persuaded…’” Read the full
- [Dan Shapiro quoted in The Wall Street Journal article, “Israel’s Shadow War with Iran Widens as Netanyahu Faces Close Election Contest”](https://www.westexec.com/dan-shapiro-quoted-in-the-wall-street-journal-article-israels-shadow-war-with-iran-widens-as-netanyahu-faces-close-election-contest/) - “‘Multiple engagements that are highly public on multiple fronts, with perhaps a political context attached to them, could incentivize one or more of Israel’s enemies to try to escalate into a much more expansive conflict,’ said Daniel Shapiro, former U.S. ambassador to Israel who is now at the Institute for National Security Studies at Tel
- [Liz Rosenberg quoted in NPR article, “Iran Under Sanctions: A Scramble for Cancer Care and Blame to Go Around”](https://www.westexec.com/liz-rosenberg-quoted-in-npr-article-iran-under-sanctions-a-scramble-for-cancer-care-and-blame-to-go-around/) - "'There are so many sanctions and they are so complex and they cover so many entities in Iran, especially in the financial sector, it's very difficult to find legal, viable, credible, efficient business counterparts in Iran for international businesses to do business with,' says Elizabeth Rosenberg, a former Treasury Department sanctions official. "Even if Western
- [Dennis Ross quoted in The New York Times article, "How the Palestinian-Israeli Peace Process Became a Farce"](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-quoted-in-the-new-york-times-article-how-the-palestinian-israeli-peace-process-became-a-farce/) - “'As much as Israel’s founding leaders may have disagreed with one another, men like David Ben-Gurion and Menachem Begin always in the end put the interests of the state above their own,' said Ross. 'They understood that whether you were making a choice or doing nothing, you were making a choice...'” Read the full article
- [Dan Shapiro writes in The Atlantic: “Israel’s Massive Self-Own”](https://www.westexec.com/dan-shapiro-writes-in-the-atlantic-israels-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
- [Danny Russel quoted in POLITICO article, "Trump Resists Aides’ Pressure to Back Hong Kong Protesters"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-politico-article-trump-resists-aides-pressure-to-back-hong-kong-protesters/) - “'What I see is kind of a basic arithmetic: a lack of coherence within the administration, plus a lack of real understanding about how China works, equals no good results,' said Daniel Russel, who served as a senior national security aide to President Barack Obama...” Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Michèle Flournoy quoted in Foreign Policy article, "Women Look to 2020 to Break the National Security Glass Ceiling"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-quoted-in-foreign-policy-article-women-look-to-2020-to-break-the-national-security-glass-ceiling/) - "Michèle Flournoy is one of the most recognizable names in U.S. national security policy today, one often floated as a candidate to be the first female secretary of defense. But Flournoy says it will take more than one woman cracking the glass ceiling to change the role of women at the top of the field.
- [Ely Ratner quoted in The Washington Post article, "Generational Clash Emerges Among U.S. Experts In China Policy Debate"](https://www.westexec.com/ely-ratner-quoted-in-the-washington-post-article-generational-clash-emerges-among-u-s-experts-in-china-policy-debate/) - “'A more competitive United States would be a stabilizing force,' said Ely Ratner, who was deputy national security adviser to Vice President Joe Biden in the Obama administration and is now executive vice president at the Center for a New American Security. "U.S. strategy should 'not just be engagement or containment,' said Ratner, 42, who
- [Liz Rosenberg quoted in The Associated Press article, "Trump Wields Sanctions Hammer; Experts Wonder to What End"](https://www.westexec.com/liz-rosenberg-quoted-in-the-associated-press-article-trump-wields-sanctions-hammer-experts-wonder-to-what-end/) - "Although many administrations have relied on sanctions, Trump has used them with zeal at a cost to the U.S., said Liz Rosenberg, the director of the Energy, Economics and Security Program at the Center for a New American Security. She was a senior adviser to one of Mandelker’s predecessors at Treasury during the Obama administration.
- [Julie Smith quoted in The New York Times article, "Boris Johnson Needs Help from Trump, but Not Too Much"](https://www.westexec.com/julie-smith-quoted-in-the-new-york-times-article-boris-johnson-needs-help-from-trump-but-not-too-much/) - “'Johnson’s friendship with Trump and their joint admiration society is a liability for him with the Europeans,' said Julianne Smith, a former United States deputy national security adviser now with the Center for a New American Security, who recently finished a fellowship in Berlin. “'The closer he allies himself with Trump the more difficulty he’ll
- [Lisa Monaco writes with Ken Wainstein in The Washington Post: "America, Please Look Beyond Your Self Interest and Do Your Duty"](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-writes-with-ken-wainstein-in-the-washington-post-america-please-look-beyond-your-self-interest-and-do-your-duty/) - “After the carnage in El Paso and Dayton, Ohio, we are finally talking more about the increasing threat of domestic terrorism, which has killed more people in America since 9/11 than the foreign terrorism of al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. With the body count growing at an alarming rate, it is time to turn from
- [Michèle Flournoy writes with Kingston Reif in CNN: "If Trump Ends Another Nuclear Treaty, It Will Be the Height of Folly"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-writes-with-kingston-reif-in-cnn-if-trump-ends-another-nuclear-treaty-it-will-be-the-height-of-folly/) - "During his first two and a half years in office, President Donald Trump and his administration have laid waste to numerous international agreements originally designed to strengthen U.S. security, bolster U.S. alliances, and constrain U.S. adversaries. The toll has been particularly high with respect to deals concerning nuclear arms control and nonproliferation. "Over the past
- [Danny Russel quoted in Bloomberg article, "Trump Should Court China Reformers, Ex-Obama Official Says"](https://www.westexec.com/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
- [Liz Rosenberg cited in Reuters article, "China Continued Iran Oil Imports in July in Teeth of U.S. Sanctions"](https://www.westexec.com/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
- [Nick Rasmussen quoted in The Washington Post article, "Trump Announces Shakeup at Top of U.S. Intelligence"](https://www.westexec.com/nick-rasmussen-quoted-in-the-washington-post-article-trump-announces-shakeup-at-top-of-u-s-intelligence/) - "'Joe [Maguire] is a terrific leader who cares deeply about the men and women of the intelligence community,' said Nick Rasmussen, who held Maguire’s job at the counterterrorism center under Bush and President Barack Obama. 'He’s someone who has always accepted the call to serve his country in whatever way is required. This is no
- [Julie Smith writes with Torrey Taussig in Foreign Affairs: "The Old World and the Middle Kingdom"](https://www.westexec.com/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
- [Meghan O'Sullivan writes in Bloomberg: "What to Look for in Any Deal Between the U.S. and the Taliban"](https://www.westexec.com/meghan-osullivan-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
- [Julie Smith quoted in The New York Times article, "U.S.-British Relationship Sounding More Testy Than ‘Special’"](https://www.westexec.com/julie-smith-quoted-in-the-new-york-times-article-us-british-relationship-sounding-more-testy-than-special/) - "...Julianne Smith, former deputy national security adviser to Vice President Joseph R. Biden, said this Trump Twitter storm, like many before it, would probably fade. "Years ago, such an ugly episode might have lasting implications for the bilateral relationship, Ms. Smith said, 'but in today’s political climate, where leaders like Trump and Boris regularly break
- [Dennis Ross writes in The Atlantic: "There’s a Deal to Be Had Between the U.S. and Iran"](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-writes-in-the-atlantic-theres-a-deal-to-be-had-between-the-u-s-and-iran/) - "Iran is now incrementally walking away from the limits imposed on it in the nuclear deal—the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA—exceeding the 300 kilograms of low enriched uranium it can have on hand and now enriching above the 3.67 percent allowed under the terms of the understanding. Don’t be surprised if it either
- [Dan Shapiro cited in TIME article, "'Only the Strong Survive.' How Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu Is Testing the Limits of Power"](https://www.westexec.com/dan-shapiro-cited-in-time-article-only-the-strong-survive-how-israels-benjamin-netanyahu-is-testing-the-limits-of-power/) - "To some, Netanyahu is his own worst enemy. The September contest will pit the Prime Minister’s self-declared role as Israel’s protector, 'indispensable Netanyahu,' against 'Bibi fatigue,' says Daniel Shapiro, a former U.S. ambassador to Israel. Driving the 'fatigue' are the three separate corruption investigations Netanyahu faces. One contends that he took gifts like cigars and
- [Bridge Colby cited in The Japan Times article, "U.S. Plan to Fight China and Russia is Too Good To Be True"](https://www.westexec.com/bridge-colby-cited-in-the-japan-times-article-u-s-plan-to-fight-china-and-russia-is-too-good-to-be-true/) - "Second, horizontal escalation suffers from a time problem. Coercion — particularly economic coercion — takes a while to work. But in the meantime, analysts such as former Trump administration Pentagon official Elbridge Colby have pointed out that the aggressor will be consolidating its gains and fortifying a position from which it cannot easily be dislodged.
- [Dan Shapiro and Yoel Guzansky write in Foreign Policy: "Gulf-Israel Ties Might Not Survive Trump’s Peace Plan"](https://www.westexec.com/dan-shapiro-and-yoel-guzansky-write-in-foreign-policy-gulf-israel-ties-might-not-survive-trumps-peace-plan/) - "The U.S.-sponsored Peace to Prosperity workshop in Manama, Bahrain, last month—an effort spearheaded by U.S. President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and senior advisor, Jared Kushner, to sell the economic portion of a broader Middle East peace plan—had limited success in its stated purpose of advancing Palestinian economic development. But it showed more mixed results in another
- [Danny Russel on The Diplomat podcast: "Improving China’s Belt and Road and Japan-South Korea Tensions"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-on-the-diplomat-podcast-improving-chinas-belt-and-road-and-japan-south-korea-tensions/) - "Danny Russel, vice president for International Security and Diplomacy at the Asia Society Policy Institute and a former U.S. assistant secretary of state for East Asia and Pacific Affairs, joins The Diplomat‘s Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) to discuss China’s Belt and Road. Russel is the lead author on a recent Asia Society Policy Institute report on
- [Michèle Flournoy featured in AXIOS event: "News Shapers: Foreign Policy"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-featured-in-axios-event-news-shapers-foreign-policy/) - "Michèle Flournoy, Former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy in the Obama administration focused on the importance of coherent foreign policy strategy and discussed the risks posed by unfilled leadership positions in security and foreign policy. "On the dangers of a leadership vacuum: 'The people who would likely serve in a Republican administration have signed
- [Julie Smith quoted in POLITICO article, "Trump’s New EU Foil: Another ‘Strong Female German Leader’"](https://www.westexec.com/julie-smith-quoted-in-politico-article-trumps-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
- [Bob Work and Eric Schmidt write in War on the Rocks: "In Search of Ideas: The National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence Wants You"](https://www.westexec.com/bob-work-and-eric-schmidt-write-in-war-on-the-rocks-in-search-of-ideas-the-national-security-commission-on-artificial-intelligence-wants-you/) - "Americans don’t want to grow old wondering what happened to their country’s place in the world. U.S. global leadership has fostered international institutions, strengthened human rights in international relations, and helped make what President Woodrow Wilson sought more than a century ago: a world 'safe for democracy.' But Americans should not take those features of
- [Mike Singh quoted in The Financial Times article, "With Iran and The West Escalating Tensions, Can War be Avoided?"](https://www.westexec.com/mike-singh-quoted-in-the-financial-times-article-with-iran-and-the-west-escalating-tensions-can-war-be-avoided/) - "Mike Singh, a former Bush administration official, said deterring Iranian attacks would be difficult because the regime appeared to have concluded that Mr. Trump was wary of taking military action. “'Normally you deter by making them worry about devastating cost. But they are already experiencing devastating cost and Trump has made clear he doesn’t want
- [Nick Rasmussen quoted in The Daily Beast article, "At Aspen Security Forum, National Security Leaders Admit, ‘We Have Been Lazy On Hate’"](https://www.westexec.com/nick-rasmussen-quoted-in-the-daily-beast-article-at-aspen-security-forum-national-security-leaders-admit-we-have-been-lazy-on-hate/) - "'We often ended up bucketing international and domestic terrorism into two separate buckets,' said panelist Nick Rasmussen, who formerly helmed the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC). 'One of the things I hope you leave here today with is maybe some sense that that may not be the right way to think about it.' "Rasmussen said that
- [Lisa Monaco quoted in Foreign Policy article, "Scope of Russian Election Hacking Remains Unclear"](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-quoted-in-foreign-policy-article-scope-of-russian-election-hacking-remains-unclear/) - "It also unclear whether the federal government was able to collect the data that it needed to make firm conclusions about the nature of Russian hacking. 'Law enforcement and the intelligence community is going to be significantly reliant on what the holders and owners and operators of the infrastructure sees on its system and decides
- [Nick Rasmussen on MSNBC's Andrea Mitchell Reports](https://www.westexec.com/nick-rasmussen-on-msnbcs-andrea-mitchell-reports/) - "Just three days before the mass shooting in El Paso, the former FBI Assistant Director for Counter Intelligence warned in a New York Times op-ed that President Trump was fanning the flames of race-based terrorism. Frank Figliuzzi, who wrote that opinion piece, joins Andrea Mitchell to discuss alongside Jane Murguia, President and CEO of UnidosUS,
- [Lisa Monaco and Nick Rasmussen quoted in The Washington Post article, "Rise of Far-Right Violence Leads Some to Call for Realignment of Post-9/11 National Security Priorities"](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-and-nick-rasmussen-quoted-in-the-washington-post-article-rise-of-far-right-violence-leads-some-to-call-for-realignment-of-post-9-11-national-security-priorities/) - "Protecting the public from the most pressing terrorist threat 'has been our governing principle for many years now,' said Lisa Monaco, who served as the top counterterrorism adviser to President Barack Obama. Given the surge in attacks linked to the far right, she said, 'we need to prioritize our resources and focus on this threat.'
- [Lisa Monaco cited in Fifth Domain article: "State Election Offices Made for an Easy Target for Russian Hackers"](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-cited-in-fifth-domain-article-state-election-offices-made-for-an-easy-target-for-russian-hackers/) - "Lisa Monaco, a former homeland security adviser, told the committee that DHS found some states didn’t have their voter databases encrypted or backed up. Others in industry agreed that state security officials often failed to follow basic advice..." Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Dennis Ross quoted in The Washington Post article, "Trump’s Faulty Claim That Iran Has Changed Its Regional Behavior"](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-quoted-in-the-washington-post-article-trumps-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
- [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"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-the-sydney-morning-herald-article-far-more-than-a-trade-war-obamas-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
- [Dan Shapiro quoted in The Jerusalem Post article, "Bucking Omar, Tlaib, Democrats in Israel Show Support of Jewish State"](https://www.westexec.com/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
- [Dennis Ross on NPR's Morning Edition: "U.S. Sanctions Iranian Foreign Minister"](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-on-nprs-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
- [Bridge Colby quoted in Reuters article: "As Shanahan heads to Asia, Iran tensions threaten Pentagon's 'great power' focus"](https://www.westexec.com/bridge-colby-quoted-in-reuters-article-as-shanahan-heads-to-asia-iran-tensions-threaten-pentagons-great-power-focus/) - "...'China can change the world... we can’t afford to lose in Asia. Asia is the crown jewel,' said Elbridge Colby, who led the Pentagon’s development of the National Defence Strategy. “'So we have to stay in the Middle East, but you’ve got to turn down the temperature and the demand signal,' said Colby, currently with
- [Michèle Flournoy featured on The Leadership Podcast](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-featured-on-the-leadership-podcast/) - "On the show, Michèle discusses speaking truth to power, the importance of service in leadership, and what’s currently at stake right now. She shares her experience of co-leading President Obama’s transition team at the Defense Department. She also discusses her experience as the principal advisor to the Secretary of Defense in the formulation of national
- [Avril Haines on The Lawfare Podcast discussing U.S. Offensive Cyber Operations](https://www.westexec.com/avril-haines-on-the-lawfare-podcast-discussing-u-s-offensive-cyber-operations/) - "From the Washington Post’s February report that U.S. Cyber Command took a Russian disinformation operation offline on the day of the 2018 midterms to fight election interference, to the Pentagon’s announcement last year that it would take more active measures to challenge adversaries in cyberspace, recent news about cyber operations suggests they are playing an
- [Dennis Ross writes in Bloomberg: "A Deal Trump and Khamenei Could Make"](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-writes-in-bloomberg-a-deal-trump-and-khamenei-could-make/) - "Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, has long maintained that the U.S. will never be satisfied with Iranian concessions until the Islamic Republic itself is conceded. This view informs the long-standing position of Iranian officials that they will not negotiate with the U.S. under pressure. "Unsurprisingly, the Iranian response to the recent intensification of the
- [Ely Ratner cited in War on the Rocks article: "Huawei and the U.S.-China Supply Chain Wars: The Contradictions and Decoupling Strategy"](https://www.westexec.com/ely-ratner-cited-in-war-on-the-rocks-article-huawei-and-the-u-s-china-supply-chain-wars-the-contradictions-and-decoupling-strategy/) - "...The ongoing trade war may also be aimed at this underlying purpose because, as analyst Ely Ratner has conjectured, the Trump administration believes 'the vulnerabilities associated with being overly interdependent with China is a problem in and of itself.'" Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Meghan O’Sullivan featured on Bloomberg podcast: "Small Misstep In Mideast Could Trigger Military Action"](https://www.westexec.com/meghan-osullivan-featured-on-bloomberg-podcast-small-misstep-in-mideast-could-trigger-military-action/) - On the podcast, Meghan discusses how we should understand the rising geopolitical tensions in Iran, energy market reactions to the uncertainty, and the high opportunity for miscalculation. Download the full podcast here: Full Podcast
- [Danny Russel quoted in The Washington Post article, "Trump’s reliance on pressure tactics is showing diminishing returns"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-the-washington-post-article-trumps-reliance-on-pressure-tactics-is-showing-diminishing-returns/) - "...'It strikes me that we are in the middle of an unprecedented and multifaceted experiment in the application of brute force,' said Daniel Russel, who was assistant secretary of state on Asian affairs in the Obama administration. 'President Trump has been extraordinarily effective at generating leverage... but it has yet to be shown that he
- [Dennis Ross quoted in The Times of Israel article, "With new elections in Israel, Trump’s peace plan hits another hitch"](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-quoted-in-the-times-of-israel-article-with-new-elections-in-israel-trumps-peace-plan-hits-another-hitch/) - "Now, with Israel heading to elections on September 17, and as America has its own major election gearing up, former US diplomats and experts on the region say that Trump’s proposal may not see the light of day any time soon. 'Obviously, it means putting off until after the government is formed,' said Ambassador Dennis
- [Danny Russel quoted in The Washington Post article: "Trump’s Reliance on Pressure Tactics is Showing Diminishing Returns"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-the-washington-post-article-trumps-reliance-on-pressure-tactics-is-showing-diminishing-returns-2/) - "'It strikes me that we are in the middle of an unprecedented and multifaceted experiment in the application of brute force,' said Daniel Russel, who was assistant secretary of state on Asian affairs in the Obama administration. 'President Trump has been extraordinarily effective at generating leverage... but it has yet to be shown that he
- [Lisa Monaco featured on Axios’s Season 2 premiere on HBO](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-featured-on-axioss-season-2-premiere-on-hbo/) - "...This week's show also features a segment on the 'Greatest Global Threats' as summarized by leading national security experts from the last three administrations, including former national security adviser H.R. McMaster, former homeland security adviser and chief counterterrorism adviser Lisa Monaco, former secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, former secretary of defense, CIA director and
- [Dan Shapiro cited in The Washington Post: "Putin and Xi Cement an Alliance for the 21st Century"](https://www.westexec.com/dan-shapiro-cited-in-the-washington-post-putin-and-xi-cement-an-alliance-for-the-21st-century/) - "Despite administration policies, Trump still seems to favor Putin and other autocrats like him. Later this month, he will meet with the Russian president and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for an unusual trilateral meeting — Daniel Shapiro, the former U.S. ambassador to Israel, has argued that Russia may use the meeting to push for
- [Dan Shapiro writes in Haaretz: "What will Trump and Netanyahu pay Putin to join their anti-Iran camp?"](https://www.westexec.com/dan-shapiro-writes-in-haaretz-what-will-trump-and-netanyahu-pay-putin-to-join-their-anti-iran-camp/) - "Largely overshadowed by last week's political upheaval in Israel was a low-key but highly significant announcement: Israeli National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat will host a joint meeting with his American and Russian counterparts, John Bolton and Nikolay Patrushev, later in June... "A meeting of this sort is unprecedented. But so are the regional challenges facing
- [Danny Russel writes in Bloomberg: "How to Clean Up the Belt and Road"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-writes-in-bloomberg-how-to-clean-up-the-belt-and-road/) - "China clearly has a credibility problem. Its attempts to cast itself as a good corporate citizen and defender of multilateralism and free trade have been greeted skeptically well beyond the halls of the White House. If Chinese President Xi Jinping really wants to change that perception globally, there’s an obvious place to start: the Belt
- [Ely Ratner cited in The Japan Times: "Japan Must Prepare as the U.S. and China Dig In"](https://www.westexec.com/__trashed/) - "Significantly, the new U.S. hard line is bipartisan. Kurt Campbell, assistant secretary of state for East Asia and the Pacific in President Barack Obama’s first term, and Ely Ratner, deputy national security advisor to Vice President Joe Biden, called for 'a clear-eyed rethinking of the United States’ approach to China. ... Cooperative and voluntary mechanisms
- [Dan Shapiro cited in The Jerusalem Post: "Is It Too Late To Stop Iran’s Permanent Presence In Syria?"](https://www.westexec.com/dan-shapiro-cited-in-the-jerusalem-post-is-it-too-late-to-stop-irans-permanent-presence-in-syria/) - "The national security advisers of Russia, the United States, and Israel are scheduled to meet in Jerusalem later this month for what former US ambassador to Israel Daniel Shapiro called a potential 'game changer on pushing Iran’s military out of Syria.'" Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Julie Smith writes in The New York Times: "If Trump Wants to Take On China, He Needs Allies"](https://www.westexec.com/julie-smith-writes-in-the-new-york-times-if-trump-wants-to-take-on-china-he-needs-allies/) - "BERLIN — With the prospect of a trade deal between China and the United States all but dead, the Trump administration is no doubt weighing its next steps in its quest to rein in Beijing’s rise. President Trump should try something he hasn’t yet: call Europe. "Just five years ago, such a suggestion would have
- [Julie Smith quoted in The New York Times: "Trump Embraces Poland’s President and Promises Him More U.S. Troops"](https://www.westexec.com/julie-smith-quoted-in-the-new-york-times-trump-embraces-polands-president-and-promises-him-more-u-s-troops/) - "Julianne Smith, a former adviser to Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. and now a fellow at the Bosch Academy in Berlin, said the dispatch of just 1,000 more troops amounted to a major disappointment for Mr. Duda’s government. “'Even for a country like Poland that has done everything possible to establish a friendly and
- [Dennis Ross quoted in Politico article, "Trump prepares to bypass Congress to take on Iran"](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-quoted-in-politico-article-trump-prepares-to-bypass-congress-to-take-on-iran/) - "'It’s not surprising that you have a kind of revisitation of the AUMF because here you have what looks like the potential for a kind of real escalation,' said Dennis Ross, the veteran Middle East negotiator, referring to the 2001 bill that authorized military action against any national or individual involved in the 9/11 attacks.
- [Dennis Ross quoted in The Jerusalem Post article, "Peace Process: Going to Bahrain with Annexation on the Mind"](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-quoted-in-the-jerusalem-post-article-peace-process-going-to-bahrain-with-annexation-on-the-mind/) - "Another significant development is the announcement by Egypt and Jordan that they would send a delegation to Bahrain. Ross says that we should wait and see who is representing each country. “'You may have these countries simply send their local ambassadors. You need to wait to see what the level is going to be. If
- [Lincoln Bloomfield appears on Fox Business to discuss China](https://www.westexec.com/lincoln-bloomfield-appears-on-fox-business-to-discuss-china/) - Former Assistant Secretary of State Ambassador Lincoln Bloomfield joins Fox Business to discuss the recent protests in Hong Kong and the future of U.S. relations with China. Watch the full interview here: Full Interview
- [Mike Singh quoted in The Economist article, "Iran is blowing up ships in the Gulf, says America"](https://www.westexec.com/mike-singh-quoted-in-the-economist-article-iran-is-blowing-up-ships-in-the-gulf-says-america/) - "...'Ordinarily the fact that the US wasn’t directly targeted and there were no casualties would give Washington some breathing room to respond,' says Michael Singh of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, a think-tank. 'However, because the free flow of energy is of such vital importance to the world economy, there is a need
- [Lisa Monaco on The World Unpacked Podcast: "White Supremacist Terrorism Has Gone Global"](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-on-the-world-unpacked-podcast-white-supremacist-terrorism-has-gone-global/) - "White supremacist terrorism has gone global. Racially motivated mass murderers have targeted Muslims worshipping in New Zealand, Jewish synagogues in Pittsburgh and San Diego, church goers in South Carolina, and kids at a summer camp in Norway. Many of these attackers were radicalized online, and have claimed inspiration from each other. Are we watching the
- [Bridge Colby quoted in Foreign Policy: "'Fort Trump’ for Poland? Not Quite."](https://www.westexec.com/bridge-colby-quoted-in-foreign-policy-fort-trump-for-poland-not-quite/) - "While the Pentagon has identified China as the greatest threat to the United States and its allies, Russia is a key immediate problem, said Elbridge Colby, who served as deputy assistant secretary of defense for strategy and force development until 2018. “'The Russian threat, while definitely more limited and more circumscribed, is more pointed right
- [Bridge Colby quoted in The Atlantic article, "Trump Might Not Want War, but the Military Is Steering His Iran Policy"](https://www.westexec.com/bridge-colby-quoted-in-the-atlantic-article-trump-might-not-want-war-but-the-military-is-steering-his-iran-policy/) - "...It’s not clear yet, though, where the current buildup leaves the Defense Department’s longer-term objectives to focus on great-power competition. 'China is a much much more significant military challenge than Iran,' Elbridge Colby, a former defense official and one of the architects of the National Defense Strategy, told me. 'We absolutely must focus on China
- [Dennis Ross writes in Foreign Policy: "Don’t Dismiss the Bahrain Conference. It Can Help Palestinians."](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-writes-in-foreign-policy-dont-dismiss-the-bahrain-conference-it-can-help-palestinians/) - “What will happen with U.S. President Donald Trump’s ‘deal of the century’? It’s a question everyone in Israel is asking these days: Some want to know what’s in the Trump peace plan, others want to know if it will ever be unveiled, and still others are interested in whether it has any chance of success.
- [Dennis Ross writes in The Washington Post: "Trump is a belligerent isolationist. But on Iran, he needs allies"](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-writes-in-the-washington-post-trump-is-a-belligerent-isolationist-but-on-iran-he-needs-allies/) - "President Trump is a belligerent isolationist. In keeping with what was historically a real, if fringe, strain of thinking about America’s approach to the world, Trump favors unilateralism over alliances that carry obligations and responsibilities. The paradox, of course, is that anyone who disclaims any interest in being the world’s policeman needs allies. "Nowhere is
- [Liz Rosenberg quoted in The New Yorker: "Trump Sanctions Iran’s Supreme Leader, But To What End?"](https://www.westexec.com/liz-rosenberg-quoted-in-the-new-yorker-trump-sanctions-irans-supreme-leader-but-to-what-end/) - “Ironically, the punitive new measure may not have major economic impact—at least not to the degree that the Administration advertised. ‘It’s a lot of hype, but it doesn’t mean much economically. It’s unlikely to have a damaging effect’ on Iran beyond the sanctions that have already been imposed, Elizabeth Rosenberg, a former Treasury sanctions specialist
- [Dan Shapiro on NPR: "U.S. Mideast Plan Rejected By Palestinian Leaders, Panned By Former U.S. Envoys"](https://www.westexec.com/dan-shapiro-on-npr-u-s-mideast-plan-rejected-by-palestinian-leaders-panned-by-former-u-s-envoys/) - “There are plenty of good ideas in the economic plan. None of them are new. They have been proposed in previous economic plans. "But there are two big problems. First, the U.S. had aid programs to support all these goals, but the Trump administration canceled them. That kills our credibility in asking others for money.
- [Dennis Ross quoted in The National: "U.S. 'Maximum Pressure' Campaign Against Iran Faces Hurdles"](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-quoted-in-the-national-u-s-maximum-pressure-campaign-against-iran-faces-hurdles/) - "Dennis Ross, a former aide to president Barack Obama, said the Trump administration 'seems to have few answers for the Iranian asymmetric responses to our pressure campaign.' "Writing in The Washington Post last week, Mr. Ross said the U.S. pursuit of deterrence against Tehran was compromised by the reluctance of European countries to blame Iran
- [Liz Rosenberg quoted in The Atlantic: "Trump Goes After Iran’s Supreme Leader"](https://www.westexec.com/liz-rosenberg-quoted-in-the-atlantic-trump-goes-after-irans-supreme-leader/) - "Will this set of sanctions finally be what gets Iran to give up its hostility to negotiating with the U.S.? Or will it at least make it appreciably harder to stage attacks? Elizabeth Rosenberg, a senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, told me she doubted that Khamenei was using financial instruments
- [Bridge Colby cited in South China Morning Post: "What’s the difference between Indo Pacific and Asia-Pacific? Regional control for the U.S. or China"](https://www.westexec.com/bridge-colby-cited-in-south-china-morning-post-whats-the-difference-between-indo-pacific-and-asia-pacific-regional-control-for-the-u-s-or-china/) - "Elbridge Colby of the Washington-based Centre for a New American Security, however, maintained that the U.S. was not asking Southeast Asian nations to choose sides but was willing to help anyone who 'wants to defend their sovereignty' from Chinese economic coercion." Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Ely Ratner quoted in The Financial Times: "Trump and Xi’s ‘Sidelines’ Meeting Set to Overshadow G20 Summit"](https://www.westexec.com/ely-ratner-quoted-in-the-financial-times-trump-and-xis-sidelines-meeting-set-to-overshadow-g20-summit/) - "Ely Ratner, a China expert at the Center for a New American Security, a bipartisan US think-tank, said the odds of a big breakthrough were 'low' and the meeting would be largely 'theatre', in which case the result would be further acceleration of 'the now inevitable reversal of decades of economic integration between the US
- [Danny Russel quoted in The Wall Street Journal: "Hopes for Resolving U.S.-China Trade Fight Hinge on Trump and Xi"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-the-wall-street-journal-hopes-for-resolving-u-s-china-trade-fight-hinge-on-trump-and-xi/) - “'Any American who thinks they have great personal chemistry with the leader of a Leninist system hasn’t really been paying attention,' said Danny Russel, a former senior diplomat for Asia in the Obama administration and current vice president at the Asia Society Policy Institute think tank. 'What it really all hinges around is Trump’s political
- [Meghan O'Sullivan quoted in The Financial Times article, "US Will Keep Policing the Gulf Despite Trump Protests"](https://www.westexec.com/meghan-osullivan-quoted-in-the-financial-times-article-us-will-keep-policing-the-gulf-despite-trump-protests/) - "...Over the past decade, security of oil supplies in the Middle East has become more critical to Asia than to the US. The Middle East now amounts to two-thirds of India’s crude imports, three-quarters of South Korea’s and a near 90 per cent of Japan’s. By comparison, the US relies on the region for a
- [Lisa Monaco on CNN's Erin Burnett OutFront](https://www.westexec.com/lisa-monaco-on-cnns-erin-burnett-outfront/) - Lisa Monaco appears alongside David Gergen on Erin Burnett OutFront to preview Robert Mueller's Capitol Hill testimony and provide insight on how it could play out. Watch the full interview here: Full Interview
- [Dennis Ross featured on CBS' Intelligence Matters](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-featured-on-cbs-intelligence-matters/) - Dennis Ross and Mike Morrell discuss the current confrontation between the United States and the Iranians, peace negotiations with the Taliban in Afghanistan, and the issue of Arab-Israeli, Israeli-Palestinian peace. Read the full transcript here: Full Transcript
- [Bob Work and Bridge Colby quoted in The Atlantic article, "The New Concept Everyone in Washington Is Talking About"](https://www.westexec.com/bob-work-and-bridge-colby-quoted-in-the-atlantic-article-the-new-concept-everyone-in-washington-is-talking-about/) - "'In the first [term of the] Obama administration, the focus really was on trying to work so that China would be a responsible stakeholder in the international community,' Work told me. 'Competition was a word that... didn’t convey what we were trying to do. But by the end of the administration, the administration just said,
- [Nick Rasmussen co-authors Lawfare article, "The Christchurch Shooting: Domestic Terrorism Goes International"](https://www.westexec.com/nick-rasmussen-co-authors-lawfare-article-the-christchurch-shooting-domestic-terrorism-goes-international/) - "The United States has long built its approach to counterterrorism based on a fundamental distinction between “international terrorism” and “domestic terrorism.” The phrases were always misnomers to some degree, but the recent mass shooting at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, has revealed just how unsuitable that distinction is for today’s terrorist threats. Governments must
- [Liz Rosenberg quoted in the The Washington Post: "Kim Jong Un has a fleet of ghost ships sneaking around the high seas to beat sanctions"](https://www.westexec.com/liz-rosenberg-quoted-in-the-the-washington-post-kim-jong-un-has-a-fleet-of-ghost-ships-sneaking-around-the-high-seas-to-beat-sanctions/) - "While Washington has traditionally led the global policing of U.N. and U.S. sanctions, President Trump’s recent overtures to Kim — and his order last month to withdraw new Treasury Department sanctions on North Korea — introduce 'a tremendous sense of uncertainty in the global community,' said Elizabeth Rosenberg, a Treasury Department sanctions official from 2009
- [Dan Shapiro quoted in The Times of Israel article, "Under Trump, US a mere bystander in Israel-Hamas ceasefire efforts"](https://www.westexec.com/dan-shapiro-quoted-in-the-times-of-israel-article-under-trump-us-a-mere-bystander-in-israel-hamas-ceasefire-efforts/) - Dan Shapiro is quoted by The Times of Israel's Jacob Magid discussing the role the U.S. administration has played in the past, and currently plays, in negotiating ceasefires between Israel and Hamas. Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Michael Singh quoted in Financial Times article, "US hits Iran with sanctions on metals sectors"](https://www.westexec.com/michael-singh-quoted-in-financial-times-article-us-hits-iran-with-sanctions-on-metals-sectors/) - "The US has said it would it impose sanctions on Iran’s iron, steel, aluminum and copper sectors, which the White House said were Tehran’s 'largest non-petroleum-related source of export revenue'... "Mike Singh, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute in Washington, said the move represented a 'continuation of the "maximum pressure" campaign.' 'It targets a
- [Michèle Flournoy quoted in The Military Times article, "Does your combat experience even matter against Chinese and Russian troops?"](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-quoted-in-the-military-times-article-does-your-combat-experience-even-matter-against-chinese-and-russian-troops/) - "'I would bet on an American soldier, sailor, airmen, Marine with combat experience any day over a Russian or Chinese counterpart,' said Michèle Flournoy, a former senior Pentagon official under President Barack Obama. 'But this is going to be a different kind of warfare.' “'It’s been a long time since we fought without domain supremacy
- [Michael Singh says Iran and North Korea are trying to increase leverage against the US on Fox News](https://www.westexec.com/michael-singh-says-iran-and-north-korea-are-trying-to-increase-leverage-against-the-us-on-fox-news/) - "'It will take patience and deft diplomacy by the Trump administration to resist Iranian and North Korean efforts to put pressure on the U.S.,' says Michael Singh, former senior director for Middle East affairs at the National Security Council." Watch the full interview here: Full Interview
- [Mike Singh quoted in Business Insider article, "The US and its allies in Iraq are bracing for attacks as a hidden threat from Iran looms"](https://www.westexec.com/mike-singh-quoted-in-business-insider-article-the-us-and-its-allies-in-iraq-are-bracing-for-attacks-as-a-hidden-threat-from-iran-looms/) - "...While some observers have suggested the US is marching toward war with Iran, others have stressed that this is not the case. Michael Singh, managing director at the Washington Institute and a former member of the National Security Council, argues that the 'risk of inadvertent conflict and escalation is real.' "'This is [especially] the case
- [Dan Shapiro quoted in Bloomberg article: "Palestinians to Boycott Meeting Kicking Off U.S. Peace Plan"](https://www.westexec.com/dan-shapiro-quoted-in-bloomberg-article-palestinians-to-boycott-meeting-kicking-off-u-s-peace-plan/) - "'What makes it very difficult to see the conference being successful is that the U.S. has canceled all donor assistance to the Palestinians, so it’s asking others to invest where it has chosen to divest,' said former U.S. ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro." Read the full article here: Full Article
- [Ely Ratner quoted in The Washington Post article: "As Trump escalates China trade dispute, economic ties lose stabilizing force in matters of national security"](https://www.westexec.com/ely-ratner-quoted-in-the-washington-post-article-as-trump-escalates-china-trade-dispute-economic-ties-lose-stabilizing-force-in-matters-of-national-security/) - "'For some sides of the administration, the purpose of the tariffs was to build leverage so as to pressure China to open its markets to American businesses, thereby deepening the U.S.-China relationship,' said Ely Ratner, director of studies at the Center for a New American Security, who was previously an adviser to former vice president
- [Dennis Ross quoted in The Washington Post article: "Trump officials brief a divided Congress on escalating tensions with Iran"](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-quoted-in-the-washington-post-article-trump-officials-brief-a-divided-congress-on-escalating-tensions-with-iran/) - "For Trump, the purpose of exerting 'maximum pressure' on Iran through sanctions is 'the belief that he will bring them around and they’ll realize they need to do a deal and the terms will be better,' said Dennis Ross, a former diplomat who negotiated Middle East agreements for Republican and Democratic administrations. “'The point is,
- [Vikram Singh writes in CBS News: "Commentary: The Great American Brain Drain is coming"](https://www.westexec.com/vikram-singh-writes-in-cbs-news-commentary-the-great-american-brain-drain-is-coming/) - "On a recent flight back from New Delhi to Washington, my seatmate was a typical American success story in the making. The young man, who I'll call Ashok, said he was finishing his master's degree at a top 20 engineering school, where he applies artificial intelligence and machine learning to aeronautical engineering. "'So, where to
- [Ely Ratner cited in Bloomberg article: "America Begins To See The Consequences Of The Past Policy Errors That Helped China's Rise"](https://www.westexec.com/ely-ratner-cited-in-bloomberg-article-america-begins-to-see-the-consequences-of-the-past-policy-errors-that-helped-chinas-rise/) - "One of the errors of previous administrations in South Asia was the failure to assure Asian allies that America would come to their side in case they were attacked by China, as has been argued by foreign policy experts for quite some-time. Ely Ratner of the Center for American Security, for instance, has been calling
- [Michèle Flournoy and Tony Blinken Form Global Strategic Advisory Firm with Former Senior National Security Officials](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-and-tony-blinken-form-global-strategic-advisory-firm-with-former-senior-national-security-officials/) - WestExec Advisors, LLC will advise companies on geopolitical risk and emerging opportunities Washington, DC – WestExec Advisors, a new Washington, DC-based global strategic advisory firm, launches under the leadership of Managing Directors Michèle Flournoy, former Co-Founder and CEO of the Center for a New American Security and former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, and Tony Blinken, a co-founder of the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement and former Deputy Secretary of State, Deputy National Security Advisor to the President and National Security Advisor to the Vice President.
- [Michèle Flournoy featured on Thank You For Your Service podcast](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-featured-on-thank-you-for-your-service-podcast/) - "In this episode, Ms. Flournoy joins the podcast for a wide-ranging discussion of her career, the challenges of civilian leadership at the Pentagon, the military-industrial complex, and military politicization..." Download the full podcast here: Full Podcast
- [Bob Work quoted in Defense News article, "With billions planned in funding, the US Navy charts its unmanned future"](https://www.westexec.com/bob-work-quoted-in-defense-news-article-with-billions-planned-in-funding-the-us-navy-charts-its-unmanned-future/) - "In a distributed construct, the drones spread out across an area while the manned ship passively receives the data at a distance. But it’s a challenge to accomplish that in environments where an adversary such as China or Russia actively jams communications signals. "However, it’s a challenge the Navy must address, said Bob Work, the
- [Mike Singh appears on Fox News to discuss increased U.S. military presence in the Persian Gulf](https://www.westexec.com/mike-singh-appears-on-fox-news-to-discuss-increased-u-s-military-presence-in-the-persian-gulf/) - "Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan says the repositioning of U.S. forces is a response to 'indications of a credible threat by Iranian regime forces;' reaction from Michael Singh, former senior director at the National Security Council." Watch the full interview here: Full Interview
- [Bridge Colby in The Taipei Times: "US helps those who help themselves"](https://www.westexec.com/bridge-colby-in-the-taipei-times-us-helps-those-who-help-themselves/) - "The threat to Taiwan from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is increasing — sharply. Beijing is putting the nation under tremendous political pressure, but the military threat to Taiwan is especially alarming. China has spent the past 25 years working to undermine US and allied military advantages, above all with respect to Taiwan. "As
- [Dennis Ross quoted in The Washington Post article, "Iranian threats led to White House’s deployment announcement, U.S. officials say"](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-quoted-in-the-washington-post-article-iranian-threats-led-to-white-houses-deployment-announcement-u-s-officials-say/) - "Mehr news agency, quoting an 'informed source,' said it was unlikely that Rouhani would announce a full withdrawal from the agreement. In the past, Iran has threatened to limit access for the International Atomic Energy Agency’s monitors. "Another possible option, said Dennis A. Ross, who participated in U.S. negotiations in the Middle East through a
- [Danny Russel quoted in The Washington Post article, "Trump’s tougher stance on China tested amid escalating trade fight, stalled North Korea talks"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-the-washington-post-article-trumps-tougher-stance-on-china-tested-amid-escalating-trade-fight-stalled-north-korea-talks/) - “'China is not going to take a position on North Korea over a fit of pique with Donald Trump, but at the same time, it is not unlike the Chinese to say, "Why the hell should we accommodate you or take risks in service of a U.S. priority when you’re doing this to us on
- [Bridge Colby writes in Foreign Policy: "How to Win America's Next War"](https://www.westexec.com/bridge-colby-writes-in-foreign-policy-how-to-win-americas-next-war/) - "The era of untrammeled U.S. military superiority is over. If the United States delays implementing a new approach, it risks losing a war to China or Russia—or backing down in a crisis because it fears it would—with devastating consequences for America’s interests. "The U.S. Defense Department’s 2018 National Defense Strategy initiated a needed course correction
- [Nick Rasmussen on The PBS NewsHour: "How the U.S. should respond to growing wave of domestic terror attacks"](https://www.westexec.com/nick-rasmussen-on-the-pbs-newshour-how-the-u-s-should-respond-to-growing-wave-of-domestic-terror-attacks/) - "The deadly weekend shooting at a San Diego synagogue appears to be the latest in a series of hate-driven domestic terror attacks across the U.S. This time, the killer left a manifesto praising other recent assaults. How is the Trump administration responding, and is it enough to quell the growing threat? Amna Nawaz talks to
- [Miriam Vogel in Axios: "How bias creeps into healthcare AI"](https://www.westexec.com/miriam-vogel-in-axios-how-bias-creeps-into-healthcare-ai/) - "Many health-related AI technologies today are biased because they're built on datasets largely comprised of men and individuals of European descent. "Why it matters: An AI system trained to identify diseases, conditions and symptoms in people in these datasets could fail when presented with data from people with different characteristics..." Read the full article here:
- [Danny Russel quoted in The Washington Post article, "‘Stopping the bad stuff:’ Japan’s Abe visits White House in latest bid to soothe Trump’s ego — and avoid his ire"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-the-washington-post-article-stopping-the-bad-stuff-japans-abe-visits-white-house-in-latest-bid-to-soothe-trumps-ego-and-avoid-h/) - "'There’s a certain amount of domestic dismay and criticism of Abe for what is perceived in many quarters in Japan as shameless pandering to Donald Trump,' said Daniel Russel, who served as assistant secretary of state for East Asia and the Pacific in the Obama administration. 'I’ve certainly heard that from [legislative] Diet members in
- [Michael Camilleri quoted in The Washington Post article, "Social media remains key to Venezuela’s opposition, despite efforts to block it"](https://www.westexec.com/michael-camilleri-quoted-in-the-washington-post-article-social-media-remains-key-to-venezuelas-opposition-despite-efforts-to-block-it/) - "Michael Camilleri, a director at the Washington-based think tank Inter-American Dialogue, said social-media and online messaging services had become the most critical ways Venezuelans communicated beyond the reach of government censors. The opposition to Maduro has publicly mobilized on Twitter and Instagram and privately communicated through group chats on the encrypted messaging service WhatsApp... “'The
- [Danny Russel quoted in Bloomberg News article, "Xi Jinping's Second Belt and Road Forum: Three Key Takeaways"](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel-quoted-in-bloomberg-news-article-xi-jinpings-second-belt-and-road-forum-three-key-takeaways/) - "This year’s joint statement -- released after Xi chaired a round table with participating leaders -- repeatedly called for “high-quality” projects and standards. The 2017 communique didn’t use the phrase. The document also encouraged developed nations to invest in “connectivity projects” in developing countries, and said cooperation “will be open, green and clean.” “'International lenders
- [Bridge Colby in Die Zeit: "What Does German History Actually Say About German Defense Spending"](https://www.westexec.com/bridge-colby-in-die-zeit-what-does-german-history-actually-say-about-german-defense-spending/) - "Few aspects are more sensitive in Germany’s fraught relationship with history than the role and status of its military. Indeed, many Germans seem to think that, given its past, the country cannot have strong armed forces; such a military, they contend, is inconsistent with Germany’s postwar history and its repudiation of its militaristic legacy. They
- [Dennis Ross in Bloomberg News: "The U.S. and Saudi Arabia Can’t Get a Divorce"](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross-in-bloomberg-news-the-u-s-and-saudi-arabia-cant-get-a-divorce/) - "Few American foreign-policy challenges are more vexing or divisive than relations with Saudi Arabia today. U.S. interests would seem to dictate close ties, but American values argue otherwise. For President Trump, who is all about transactions, it is a no-brainer to focus on arms sales and oil, and little else matters. For Congress, there must
- [David Cohen and Zoe Weinberg in Foreign Affairs: "Sanctions Can’t Spark Regime Change"](https://www.westexec.com/david-cohen-and-zoe-weinberg-in-foreign-affairs-sanctions-cant-spark-regime-change/) - "In the last several decades, financial and economic sanctions have become a key tool of U.S. foreign policy. The Trump administration has made particularly heavy use of this tool, especially in its efforts to induce regime change in Venezuela and Iran. On March 21, for instance, National Security Adviser John Bolton tweeted that unless Venezuelan
- [Michèle Flournoy featured on Dick Clarke's Future State Podcast on the future of war](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy-featured-on-dick-clarkes-future-state-podcast-on-the-future-of-war/) - "Michèle Flournoy, former Under Secretary of Defense and Dick Clarke discuss the near-term and long-term outlook for the United States Department of Defense and the potential for 'hyperwar.' With a budget over $700 billion, is the US maintaining military superiority over our adversaries, like Russia and China? Some experts are not convinced. How will rapid
- [Nick Rasmussen quoted in The Washington Post: "The hazy link between the attacks in Sri Lanka and New Zealand"](https://www.westexec.com/nick-rasmussen-quoted-in-the-washington-post-the-hazy-link-between-the-attacks-in-sri-lanka-and-new-zealand/) - "Determining the motivations behind extremist acts can be challenging, experts say, and extremists are generally vague about their reasoning. 'Terrorist organizations are often opportunistic in the way that they claim justification or rationalization for their attacks,' Nicholas Rasmussen, a former senior director for counterterrorism on the National Security Council, told my colleagues this week..." Read
- [WestExec Advisors welcomes Ambassador Dennis Ross as a new Senior Advisor](https://www.westexec.com/westexec-advisors-welcomes-ambassador-dennis-ross-as-a-new-senior-advisor/) - Washington, DC – WestExec Advisors, a Washington, DC-based global strategic advisory firm, is pleased to welcome Ambassador Dennis Ross to the team.
- [Antony Blinken's latest piece in the New York Times: "Behold Vladimir V. Potemkin"](https://www.westexec.com/antony-blinkens-latest-piece-in-the-new-york-times-behold-vladimir-v-potemkin/) - If Xi Jinping is the world’s most powerful man, conventional wisdom puts Vladimir Putin a close second. He’s made his own bare-chested virility synonymous with a resurgent Russia. Mr. Putin seems to be playing on every chessboard, from what Russia calls its “near abroad” to the Middle East, from Europe to America.
- [Ely Ratner's latest on China in The Atlantic and Foreign Affairs](https://www.westexec.com/ely-ratners-latest-on-china-in-the-atlantic-and-foreign-affairs/) - In an early morning tweet on March 2, President Donald Trump avowed that “trade wars are good, and easy to win.” We’re about to find out if he’s right. Trump may have just started one with China. Trump’s recently announced tariffs on steel and aluminum look trivial by comparison—especially if, as expected, he ends up granting exemptions to U.S. allies. Using an arcane statute of the Trade Act of 1974, the office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has concluded an investigation of China’s unfair practices against U.S. firms, including forced technology transfers, joint venture requirements with Chinese partners, and outright cyber espionage...
- [Mike Singh's Latest in Foreign Policy](https://www.westexec.com/mike-singhs-latest-in-foreign-policy/) - President Donald Trump’s unexpected decision to meet with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un has elicited sharply divided responses. The White House has presented the proposed summit as a diplomatic coup, while advocates of engagement have greeted it with guarded relief. Skeptics have described it as naive at best, given Kim’s atrocious record of abuses, and a disgrace at worst. Yet history will judge the meeting by a simpler metric — whether it succeeds.
- [Michael Camilleri's Latest in Foreign Affairs](https://www.westexec.com/michael-camilleris-latest-in-foreign-affairs/) - President Donald Trump’s aborted trip to Latin America this week will make him the first U.S. president to skip the triennial Summit of the Americas. Instead, Vice President Mike Pence will join heads of state from across the Western Hemisphere as they try to finalize a declaration on “democratic governance against corruption,” a timely focus in light of Latin America’s recent wave of graft scandals. In selecting the theme, the host government of Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski showed admirable conviction—if little prescience. Kuczynski himself will be absent, having resigned less than a month before the summit amid a corruption scandal of his own.
- [Antony Blinken's latest piece in the New York Times: "To Win a Nobel, Trump Should Look to the Iran Deal"](https://www.westexec.com/antony-blinkens-latest-piece-in-the-new-york-times-to-win-a-nobel-trump-should-look-to-the-iran-deal/) - “President Trump should win the Nobel Peace Prize.” It is hard to imagine anyone other than Mr. Trump expressing that sentiment. But the quote is from his South Korean counterpart, Moon Jae-in, citing Mr. Trump’s work to engineer talks between the two Koreas and the tantalizing prospect of a long-sought peace and denuclearization on the peninsula.
- [WestExec Welcomes Three New Senior Advisors](https://www.westexec.com/westexec-welcomes-three-new-senior-advisors/) - WestExec Advisors, LLC advises companies on geopolitical risk and emerging opportunities Washington, DC – WestExec Advisors, a Washington, DC-based global strategic advisory firm, is pleased to welcome three new Senior Advisors to the team: Danny Russel, Jamie Smith, and Colin Thomas-Jensen.

## Pages

- [WestExec Advisors](https://www.westexec.com/) - Loading... WestExec Advisors is a strategic advisory firm with a global bench of over 100 pedigreed professionals with decades of experience at the highest levels ​of government and industry. We give clients ​a strategic advantage in navigating ​complex geopolitical and policy challenges and seizing opportunities.​ As geopolitical dynamics reshape the global operating environment, CEOs and Boards
- [Kevin Higgins](https://www.westexec.com/kevin-higgins/) - Kevin Higgins Principal Former Chief of Staff to the Director, Central Intelligence Agency Kevin Higgins is a former intelligence community senior executive who retired from the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) after 30 years of distinguished service. With over three decades of global leadership experience, Kevin is a board member and trusted advisor, and has served
- [General David Goldfein](https://www.westexec.com/general-david-goldfein/) - General David Goldfein Principal Former Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force General David Goldfein served a 37-year career as a pilot in the United States Air Force (USAF), where he commanded at every level and finished his career as the 21st Chief of Staff of the Air Force. During his time as Chief, General Goldfein
- [Newt McKissick](https://www.westexec.com/newt-mckissick/) - Captain Newt McKissick, USN (Ret.) Senior Advisor Former Military Deputy to the Director of the Defense Innovation Unit Newt McKissick is a Senior Advisor at WestExec, where he advises clients on national security, defense innovation, emerging technology, and the intersection of government and industry. Prior to joining WestExec, Newt retired from the U.S. Navy as
- [Our Team](https://www.westexec.com/our-team/) - OUR TEAM Leadership Michèle Flournoy Co-Founder and Managing Partner Former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Sergio Aguirre Co-Founder and Managing Partner Former Chief of Staff to the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and Former Director, National Security Council Nitin Chadda Co-Founder and Managing Partner Former Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Defense and
- [Vikram Singh](https://www.westexec.com/vikram-singh/) - Vikram Singh Senior Managing Director Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for South and Southeast Asia Vikram J. Singh has driven innovation in business, public policy, and global affairs for 25 years through leadership roles at the U.S. Department of Defense, Department of State, major non-profits, and in the private sector. Vikram joined WestExec as
- [Katie Tobin](https://www.westexec.com/katie-tobin/) - Katie Tobin Senior Advisor Former Deputy Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Transborder, White House National Security Council Katie is currently a nonresident scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in the American Statecraft Program. She is also an active press contributor in print and TV media, including the Wall Street Journal
- [Will Turner](https://www.westexec.com/will-turner/) - Will Turner Senior Advisor Former Acting Assistant Secretary and former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs, U.S. Department of Commerce Will Turner brings senior executive branch and congressional experience across the U.S. Department of Commerce and both chambers of Congress. Will most recently served in the Trump Administration at the Department of Commerce,
- [Henry Haggard](https://www.westexec.com/henry-haggard/) - Henry Haggard Principal Former Minister Counselor for Political Affairs, U.S. Embassy Seoul, and Director for UK and the Eastern Mediterranean, National Security Council Henry Haggard is a former U.S. diplomat who completed a twenty-five-year career in the U.S. Foreign Service, retiring at the rank of Counselor in the Senior Foreign Service. He is the Founding
- [Johnnie Kaberle](https://www.westexec.com/johnnie-kaberle/) - Johnnie Kaberle Senior Managing Director Former Staff Director, U.S. House of Representatives Defense Appropriations Subcommittee With over 30 years of expertise in appropriations, national security, and government affairs, Johnnie Kaberle is a recognized leader in national security, appropriations, federal policy and strategic decision-making. Her distinguished career in public service has been defined by strategic leadership,
- [Alexis Prieur L'Heureux](https://www.westexec.com/alexis-lheureux/) - Alexis Prieur L’Heureux Senior Managing Director Former Chief of Staff, Office of U.S. Congressman Seth Moulton Prior to joining WestExec, Alexis most recently served as Chief of Staff for Congressman Seth Moulton (MA-06). Alexis ran his congressional office, including his work on the House Armed Services, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Budget Committees, and was also
- [Ambassador Marc Knapper](https://www.westexec.com/ambassador-marc-knapper/) - Ambassador Marc Knapper Principal Former U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Ambassador Marc Knapper served in the Department of State as a Foreign Service Officer for 33 years, including as the United States Ambassador to Vietnam from 2022 to 2026. During that time, he led U.S. efforts to upgrade the U.S.-Vietnam relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
- [Jason Israel](https://www.westexec.com/jason-israel/) - Jason Israel Senior Advisor Former Senior Director for Defense Policy, National Security Council Jason Israel served as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director, leading the Defense Policy & Strategy team and chaired the Interagency Policy Committee on multiple issues including security assistance, defense industry/production, nuclear deterrence, military personnel/families, and outer space security. He
- [Sean Gainey](https://www.westexec.com/sean-gainey/) - Lieutenant General Sean Gainey, USA (Ret.) Principal Former Commander of the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command Sean Gainey is a retired Lieutenant General with a 36-year career in the Army. He specialized in Air and Missile Defense, Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), and Army Space operations. His final role in the Army was
- [Emma Doyle](https://www.westexec.com/emma-doyle/) - Emma Doyle Principal Former White House Principal Deputy Chief of Staff Emma Doyle is a former senior Trump White House official with fifteen years of experience at the highest levels of Republican politics and policymaking. Emma served as White House Principal Deputy Chief of Staff between 2018 and 2020, where she managed key strategic functions
- [Stacey Dixon](https://www.westexec.com/stacey-dixon/) - Stacey Dixon Principal Former Deputy Director of National Intelligence and Former Deputy Director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency The Honorable Stacey A. Dixon built a distinguished career at the intersection of national security, intelligence, and advanced technology. She currently serves as a Principal of WestExec Advisors and a Distinguished Professor of the Practice in the
- [Daniel Poneman](https://www.westexec.com/daniel-poneman/) - Daniel Poneman Principal Former Deputy Secretary of Energy and Former Special Assistant to the President for Nonproliferation and Export Controls Daniel Poneman was most recently president and chief executive officer of Centrus Energy Corp. As deputy secretary of energy from 2009 to 2014, his responsibilities spanned the range of US energy policies – hydrocarbons, renewables,
- [Bill LaPlante](https://www.westexec.com/bill-laplante/) - Bill LaPlante Senior Advisor Former Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment William (Bill) LaPlante is a Senior Advisor at WestExec and a seasoned national security and technology executive with nearly four decades of experience in the defense and national security fields. Bill’s career has spanned government, research and development, and industry. Senate-confirmed in
- [Brandon Possin](https://www.westexec.com/brandon-possin/) - Brandon Possin Senior Advisor Former U.S. Diplomat in Japan Brandon is a Senior Advisor at WestExec Advisors. Currently based in Japan, he supports the outbound expansion of Japanese companies and provides growth advisory for biotech, AI, and the token-based economy. In 2024, Brandon completed a 17-year career as an American diplomat, serving across six U.S.
- [Jeremy Bayer](https://www.westexec.com/jeremy-bayer/) - Jeremy Bayer Senior Advisor Former Senior Director of Strategy and Advocacy at The Boeing Company Jeremy Bayer is a Senior Advisor at WestExec and a strategic advocacy and corporate affairs executive with more than 25 years of experience operating at the intersection of business, policy, and institutional influence. He advises companies navigating complex regulatory, geopolitical,
- [Sean Kirkpatrick](https://www.westexec.com/sean-kirkpatrick/) - Sean Kirkpatrick Senior Advisor Former Deputy Director of Intelligence and DNI Representative to U.S. Space Command Dr. Sean Kirkpatrick brings nearly three decades of experience and expertise in scientific and technical intelligence (S&TI), S&TI and space policy, research and development, acquisitions, and operations with a specialization in space/counterspace mission areas. Prior to his retirement from
- [Morgan Muir](https://www.westexec.com/morgan-muir/) - Morgan Muir Senior Advisor Former Deputy Director of National Intelligence and Former Associate Director of the Central Intelligence Agency Morgan Muir is one of the nation’s leading intelligence professionals, with unparalleled experience in bringing analysis to bear on national security issues. As the Deputy Director of National Intelligence (DDNI) for Mission Integration, he was responsible
- [Susannah Marshall](https://www.westexec.com/susannah-marshall/) - Susannah Marshall Director Susannah Marshall is a Director at WestExec Advisors. Before joining WestExec, Susannah served in the U.S. Department of Commerce as Senior Policy Advisor in the Office of Policy and Strategic Planning and Deputy Chief of Staff for the International Trade Administration. In these roles, she advised the Department and senior principals on
- [Heidi Avery](https://www.westexec.com/heidi-avery/) - Heidi Avery Senior Advisor Former Career CIA Executive and Former Deputy Assistant to the President for Homeland Security, National Security Council Heidi Avery is a former senior executive at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). She twice served as a National Security Council (NSC) official under George W. Bush (Director for Intelligence Programs) and President Barack
- [Sir Richard Moore](https://www.westexec.com/sir-richard-moore/) - Sir Richard Moore Principal Former Chief of the UK’s Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) Sir Richard Moore is a Principal at WestExec and a Senior Advisor at Teneo. Richard is also a Senior Strategist to Sixth Street, a leading global investment firm, and serves on the Global Advisory Council of Bank of America. He is also
- [Kevin Gallagher](https://www.westexec.com/kevin-gallagher/) - Kevin Gallagher Senior Advisor Former Senior Advisor to the Secretary, Department of Commerce Kevin Gallagher was most recently Senior Advisor to U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. In that role, he advised the Secretary on a wide array of issues relating to telecommunications, critical emerging technologies, supply chains, infrastructure, workforce development, and economic competitiveness. Kevin was
- [Samuel Navracruz](https://www.westexec.com/samuel-navracruz/) - Samuel Navracruz Associate Sam Navracruz is an Associate at WestExec Advisors. Before joining WestExec, Sam served in Congressman Seth Moulton’s District Office as a Caseworker Fellow in addition to the Department of State as an Intern in the Bureau of East Asia and Pacific Affairs. He also supported the Negotiation Task Force, and later Anadyr
- [Lieutenant General Telita Crosland, USA (Ret.)](https://www.westexec.com/telita-crosland/) - Lieutenant General Telita Crosland, USA (Ret.) Senior Advisor Former Director, Defense Health Agency U.S. Army Lieutenant General (retired) Telita Crosland is a proven transformative leader in military healthcare. She served as the Director of the Defense Health Agency (DHA), overseeing the global healthcare of the U.S. Department of Defense. In this role, she managed a
- [Blas Nuñez-Neto](https://www.westexec.com/blas-nunez-neto/) - Blas Nuñez-Neto Senior Advisor Former Acting Assistant Secretary for International Affairs and Former Assistant Secretary for Border and Immigration Policy, Department of Homeland Security Blas Nuñez-Neto is a leading expert on homeland security, counter-terrorism, immigration, and trade policy with extensive management experience and a broad range of contacts in the executive branch, Capitol Hill, foreign
- [General Kenneth F. McKenzie, USMC (Ret.)](https://www.westexec.com/frank-mckenzie/) - General Kenneth F. McKenzie, USMC (Ret.) Principal Former Commander, United States Central Command General (Ret.) Kenneth F. “Frank” McKenzie, Jr. is a Principal at WestExec Advisors and the Executive Director of the University of South Florida’s Global and National Security Institute as well as the Florida Center for Cybersecurity, also known as Cyber Florida. He
- [General James Hecker, USAF (Ret.)](https://www.westexec.com/jim-hecker/) - General James Hecker, USAF (Ret.) Principal Former Commander of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe, U.S. Air Forces in Africa, and Allied Air Command, U.S. Air Force General James Hecker (ret.) is a Principal at WestExec and a retired Air Force General with over 36 years of experience in aircraft, space, and missile operations. Before
- [Christopher Smart](https://www.westexec.com/christopher-smart/) - Christopher Smart Principal Former Special Assistant to the President for Economics, Trade and Investment and former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Treasury for Europe and Eurasia Christopher is an accomplished investor, economist and former senior policymaker, with demonstrated success in portfolio management and investment strategy, complemented by senior roles at the U.S. Treasury and the White
- [Mohsin Syed](https://www.westexec.com/mohsin-syed/) - Mohsin Syed Senior Advisor Former Chief of Staff, U.S. Department of Transportation Mohsin most recently served as Chief of Staff to the Secretary in the U.S. Department of Transportation. He previously served as the Assistant Secretary for Governmental Affairs at the Department, having been confirmed by the U.S. Senate by voice-vote. Prior to his confirmation,
- [Rebecca Edelston Skoryanc](https://www.westexec.com/rebecca-edelston/) - Rebecca Edelston Skoryanc Head of Operations and Strategy Rebecca serves as the Head of Operations and Strategy at WestExec Advisors and has been with the firm since its founding in 2017. As Head of Operations and Strategy, she leads the firm’s business operations and long-term strategy, overseeing everything from finance and talent to systems, processes,
- [Mike Woicekowski](https://www.westexec.com/mike-woicekowski/) - Mike Woicekowski Director of Growth Mike Woicekowski is Director of Growth at WestExec Advisors. He is a Delaware native and adopted Midwesterner with a broad range of experience across national security, economic policy, and both state and national politics. Prior to joining WestExec, Mike held a variety of roles in federal and state government, as
- [Steve Bullock](https://www.westexec.com/steve-bullock/) - Steve Bullock Principal Former Governor of Montana Steve Bullock is a Principal at WestExec and was elected Montana’s 24th Governor, serving from 2013-2021. He worked with a Republican-majority legislature to improve access to health care, make record investments in education, kick dark money out of state elections, protect access to public lands, invest in infrastructure,
- [Admiral Bill Moran, USN (Ret.)](https://www.westexec.com/bill-moran/) - Admiral Bill Moran, USN (Ret.) Counselor Former Vice Chief of Naval Operations and Former Chief of Naval Personnel Admiral Bill Moran is a retired four-star officer with over thirty-eight years of service and experience. He began his career as a Naval Aviator and rose rapidly to hold command leadership positions at every level of the
- [Celeste Wallander](https://www.westexec.com/celeste-wallander/) - Celeste Wallander Senior Advisor Former Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs and Former Senior Director for Russia/Eurasia, White House National Security Council Celeste Wallander is President and CEO of the U.S.-Russia Foundation. She served as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Russia/Eurasia on the National Security Council (2013-2017), as the
- [Mike Garcia](https://www.westexec.com/mike-garcia/) - The Honorable Mike Garcia Principal Former Member, U.S. House of Representatives Mike Garcia is a Principal at WestExec Advisors and CEO of Corner Speed LLC. Driven by a love of country, Mike Garcia is a first-generation American who has served his nation in combat, in business and in Congress. After graduating from the US Naval
- [Laura Galante](https://www.westexec.com/laura-galante/) - Laura Galante Principal Former Director of the Cyber Threat Intelligence Integration Center and Intelligence Community Cyber Executive, Office of the Director of National Intelligence From the board room to the Situation Room, Laura Galante brings executive leadership to stakeholders across the public and private sectors. She has built organizations, business lines, products, and policies to
- [Melissa Dalton](https://www.westexec.com/melissa-dalton/) - Melissa Dalton Principal Former Under Secretary of the Air Force Melissa G. Dalton has over 20 years of experience in U.S. defense, aerospace, and national security affairs. She served as the 28th under secretary of the Air Force. She was responsible for organizing, training, and equipping the U.S. Air Force and Space Force, overseeing an
- [Michèle Flournoy](https://www.westexec.com/michele-flournoy/) - Michèle Flournoy Co-Founder and Managing Partner Former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Michèle Flournoy is Co-Founder and Managing Partner of WestExec Advisors, and a Co-Founder, former Chief Executive Officer, and now Chair of the Center for a New American Security (CNAS). Michèle served as the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy from February 2009
- [Sergio Aguirre](https://www.westexec.com/sergio-aguirre/) - Sergio Aguirre Co-Founder and Managing Partner Former Chief of Staff to the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and Former Director, National Security Council Sergio Aguirre served across multiple administrations at the Department of State, the Department of Defense, and the White House on the National Security Council Staff covering a wide range of national
- [Jim Smith](https://www.westexec.com/jim-smith/) - Jim Smith Senior Advisor Former Acquisition Executive, U.S. Special Operations Command Jim Smith is the former Acquisition Executive for the United States Special Operations Command where he managed over $6 billion annually in support of global special operations. He has over 30 years of experience in government acquisition and is committed to a robust industrial
- [Mac Thornberry](https://www.westexec.com/mac-thornberry/) - The Honorable Mac Thornberry Principal Former Member, U.S. House of Representatives and Former Chairman, U.S. House of Representatives Armed Services Committee After serving in Congress for 26 years, Mac Thornberry continues to work at the intersection of technology and national security. He chairs the RAND National Security Advisory Board, as well as the Emerging Threats
- [Adam Golodner](https://www.westexec.com/adam-golodner/) - Adam Golodner Senior Advisor Former Chief of Staff, U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division Adam M. Golodner is an advisor on global cyber, emerging technology, national security, and regulatory issues. A former global law firm partner, technology executive, senior Justice Department official, and academic, Adam brings a holistic approach to helping companies navigate the intersection
- [Adam Israelevitz](https://www.westexec.com/adam-israelevitz/) - Adam Israelevitz Associate Adam Israelevitz is an Associate at WestExec Advisors. Before joining WestExec, he worked as a Junior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace supporting Aaron David Miller and the American Statecraft Program’s analysis of Middle East security cooperation as an author in Foreign Policy magazine. Prior to joining the Carnegie Endowment,
- [Kaye McKean](https://www.westexec.com/kaye-mckean/) - Kaye McKean Senior Associate Kaye is a Senior Associate for WestExec Advisors. Prior to joining WestExec, Kaye was a research analyst with the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), where she contributed to several “Lessons Learned” reports including “Why the Afghan Security Forces Collapsed.” Before SIGAR, Kaye lived in San Francisco and worked for
- [Stephen Tankel](https://www.westexec.com/stephen-tankel/) - Stephen Tankel Senior Advisor Former Director for Defense Policy and Strategy, National Security Council Stephen Tankel is an Associate Professor in the Department of U.S. Foreign Policy and Global Security at American University. He served as the Director for Defense Policy and Strategy on the National Security Council staff from 2024-2025, and responsible for U.S.
- [Harry Krejsa](https://www.westexec.com/harry-krejsa/) - Harry Krejsa Senior Advisor Former Assistant Director for Strategy, White House Office of the National Cyber Director Harry Krejsa is the Director of Studies for the Carnegie Mellon Institute for Strategy & Technology in Washington, D.C. Harry joined Carnegie Mellon University from the White House’s Office of the National Cyber Director where he oversaw cyber
- [Sabrina Singh](https://www.westexec.com/sabrina-singh/) - Sabrina Singh Senior Advisor Former Deputy Press Secretary, Department of Defense and Former Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Press Secretary to the Vice President Sabrina Singh is a veteran strategist with 15 years of experience advising national leaders on crisis communications, strategic messaging, and policy issues. In addition to frequently appearing on international and national
- [General Stephen R. Lyons, USA (Ret.)](https://www.westexec.com/steve-lyons/) - General Stephen R. Lyons, USA (Ret.) Senior Advisor Former Presidential Special Envoy for Ports and Supply Chains and Former Commander, U.S. Transportation Command Steve Lyons was named the President’s Special Envoy for Ports and Supply Chains in June of 2022. As an integral part of the White House Supply Chain Disruption Task Force, he worked
- [J.D. Crouch](https://www.westexec.com/jd-crouch/) - J.D. Crouch Principal Former Deputy National Security Advisor and Former Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Policy Dr. J. D. Crouch II is a Principal at WestExec Advisors. He also currently serves as a Senior Advisor to the President of CSIS. J.D. was Chief Executive Officer of QinetiQ North America (QNA), now part of
- [Shawn Barnes](https://www.westexec.com/shawn-barnes/) - Shawn Barnes Senior Advisor Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force, Congressional Budget and Appropriations Liaison Shawn Barnes is the owner and founder of Polaris Strategic Solutions, LLC, where he guides industry through the national security ecosystem. As a board member of the Space Force Association, he contributes to strategic decisions shaping the future
- [Jason Hsu](https://www.westexec.com/jason-hsu/) - Jason Hsu Senior Advisor Former Legislator At-Large, Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan Jason Hsu is currently an Edward Mason Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School. From 2016 to 2020, Jason served as Legislator At-Large in Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan (the National Parliament) where he focused on defense, technology, trade and foreign policy. Among the crucial legislative bills that he
- [Heidi Grant](https://www.westexec.com/heidi-grant/) - Heidi Grant Senior Advisor Former Director, Defense Security Cooperation Agency Heidi Grant joined Boeing in November 2021 and served as Vice President of Defense Global Growth & Engagement and Vice President of Business Development, where she led a team of nearly 500 people in 25 states and 16 countries representing the company’s defense, space, and
- [Wendy Cutler](https://www.westexec.com/wendy-cutler/) - Wendy Cutler Principal Former Acting Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Wendy Cutler is Vice President at the Asia Society Policy Institute (ASPI) and the managing director of the Washington, D.C. office. In these roles, she focuses on building ASPI’s presence in the nation’s capital and on leading initiatives that address challenges related to trade, investment, and
- [Brett Freedman](https://www.westexec.com/brett-freedman/) - Brett Freedman Senior Advisor Former Chief of Staff, Department of Justice National Security Division Brett Freedman most recently served as the Chief of Staff for Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the National Security Division at the Department of Justice. Previously, Brett spent seven years working for the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence as
- [Theodore Singer](https://www.westexec.com/theodore-singer/) - Theodore Singer Principal Former Head of Middle East Operations, Central Intelligence Agency Ted Singer served as the Central Intelligence Agency’s Head of Middle East Operations and five times as Chief of Station, among other leadership positions, over a distinguished 35-year federal career. His final assignment at CIA entailed establishing a new, sensitive C-suite office to
- [Cristina Killingsworth](https://www.westexec.com/cristina-killingsworth/) - Cristina Killingsworth Senior Advisor Former Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Cristina Killingsworth served as Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development under the Biden-Harris Administration. She led the U.S. Economic Development Administration, investing in communities to promote economic competitiveness and prepare the nation’s regions for growth and success in the global economy. Previously, Cristina served
- [Deborah Rosenblum](https://www.westexec.com/deborah-rosenblum/) - Deborah Rosenblum Senior Advisor Former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Defense Programs, and Former Acting Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Deborah Rosenblum has spent over 35 years working in the national security and defense field. Most recently, she served, from 2021 to 2025, as the Senate confirmed Assistant
- [Nick Zimmerman](https://www.westexec.com/nick-zimmerman/) - Nick Zimmerman Senior Advisor Former Director for Brazil and Southern Cone Affairs, National Security Council, and Former Senior Policy Advisor to the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nick Zimmerman was a Senior Advisor and Global Fellow to the Latin American Program’s Brazil Institute at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars from 2021 to
- [Christian Healion](https://www.westexec.com/christian-healion/) - Christian Healion Director Christian Healion is a Director at WestExec Advisors. Before joining WestExec, he worked as an Associate at the Chertoff Group where he helped clients manage risk and address threats across a range of physical security, cybersecurity, and geopolitical projects. Before joining the Chertoff Group, he interned for the International Security Program at
- [Nitin K. Chadda](https://www.westexec.com/nitin-k-chadda/) - Nitin K. Chadda Co-Founder and Managing Partner Former Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Defense and Former Director, National Security Council Nitin Chadda is Co-Founder and Managing Partner at WestExec Advisors and Vice Chairman at Teneo. Prior to founding WestExec and concluding government service, Nitin Chadda served as the Senior Advisor for Strategy to former
- [General Mark Kelly, USAF (Ret.)](https://www.westexec.com/mark-kelly/) - General Mark Kelly, USAF (Ret.) Principal Former Commander of Air Combat Command, U.S. Air Force General Mark D. Kelly completed his 38-year USAF career as the Commander, Air Combat Command, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, a global organization operating and sustaining conventional fighter, C2, Rescue, ISR, Cyber, and EW forces operating from 11 Air Force Bases
- [Ambassador Ivo H. Daalder](https://www.westexec.com/ivo-daalder/) - Ambassador Ivo H. Daalder Principal Former U.S. Ambassador to NATO and Former Director for European Affairs, National Security Council Ambassador Ivo H. Daalder is a leading expert and commentator on international affairs, geopolitics, and geoeconomics. He served as U.S. Ambassador to NATO under President Barack Obama, on the U.S. National Security Council under President Bill
- [Michael Horowitz](https://www.westexec.com/michael-horowitz-2/) - Michael Horowitz Senior Advisor Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Force Development and Emerging Capabilities Michael C. Horowitz is Director of Perry World House and Richard Perry Professor at the University of Pennsylvania. He is also Senior Fellow for Technology and Innovation at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). From 2022 to 2024, he served
- [Elizabeth Economy](https://www.westexec.com/elizabeth-economy/) - Elizabeth Economy Principal Former Senior Advisor for China to the Secretary, Department of Commerce Dr. Elizabeth Economy, Ph.D., is a Principal with WestExec advisors and a Senior Fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution. From 2021–2023, she served as the Senior Sdvisor for China to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. She was previously at the Council on
- [WestExec Job Openings](https://www.westexec.com/jobs/) - WestExec Job Openings WestExec does not have any current openings. Please check back soon.
- [General Glen VanHerck, USAF (Ret.)](https://www.westexec.com/glen-vanherck/) - General Glen VanHerck, USAF (Ret.) Principal Former Commander of U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) and North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD), U.S. Air Force Glen VanHerck is a visionary senior leader leveraging more than 36 years of service culminating as commander of both the North American Aerospace Defense Command and United States Northern Command. He brings
- [Leanne Caret](https://www.westexec.com/leanne-caret/) - Leanne Caret Senior Advisor Former President and CEO, Boeing Defense, Space, and Security Leanne Caret is a veteran CEO, Fortune 100 director, and expert on building high-performing organizations and transforming industries via technology. Highly strategic, decisive, and collaborative, she is an extraordinary team builder and steady C-suite counselor. Leanne is a Senior Advisor to Blackstone.
- [Ambassador Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley](https://www.westexec.com/gina-abercrombie-winstanley/) - Ambassador Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley Senior Advisor Former U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Malta and Former Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, U.S. Department of State, and Former President, Middle East Policy Council Ambassador Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley is the Non-Resident Scholar of the Middle East Policy Council, a think tank that contributes to American understanding of the political,
- [WestExec’s Strategic Partnership with Ridgeline](https://www.westexec.com/ridgeline/) - Our Strategic Partnership with Ridgeline WestExec Advisors is a co-founder of and strategic partner to Ridgeline, a venture capital fund focused on investing in early-stage companies that are mission-driven and eager to contribute to the global security arena. WestExec provides strategic insight on U.S. & allied national security capability needs and emerging opportunities to help
- [Erica Barks Ruggles](https://www.westexec.com/erica-barksruggles/) - Erica Barks Ruggles Senior Advisor Former Head of U.S. Mission to UNESCO and Former Ambassador to Rwanda, U.S. Department of State Ambassador Erica Barks Ruggles brings over three decades of distinguished service in high-level diplomatic and leadership roles. She was pivotal in orchestrating the United States’ reintegration into UNESCO, where she established the U.S. Mission
- [Janet Kavandi](https://www.westexec.com/janet-kavandi/) - Janet Kavandi Senior Advisor Former Director of the Glenn Research Center, NASA Dr. Janet Kavandi is a highly accomplished leader in aerospace and technology who leverages her extensive experience in human spaceflight, aerospace research and development, and strategic planning to enhance national capabilities in space exploration and commercial aerospace advancements. Before joining WestExec, Janet completed
- [Kevin Merrigan](https://www.westexec.com/kevin-merrigan/) - Kevin Merrigan Senior Advisor Former Vice President, Department of Defense Business Development, General Dynamics Corporation Kevin Merrigan is a consultant specializing in advisory related to the U.S. Department of Defense, with an emphasis on tactical wheeled vehicles and C4ISR including Cyber, AI, and Electronic Warfare. Kevin retired from General Dynamics Mission Systems in January 2019
- [Jonathan Elkind](https://www.westexec.com/jonathan-elkind/) - Jonathan Elkind Senior Advisor Former Assistant Secretary for International Affairs, Department of Energy Jonathan Elkind is a specialist focusing on the policies, technologies, and markets that are driving the global clean energy transition. He is a senior research scholar at Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy and an adjunct professor at Columbia’s School of
- [Harry G. Broadman](https://www.westexec.com/harry-g-broadman/) - Harry G. Broadman Principal Former Chief of Staff, President’s Council of Economic Advisors; Former U.S. Assistant Trade Representative; and Former Managing Director, Albright Capital Management Dr. Harry G. Broadman, Ph.D., is a veteran global investment, trade, and science & technology negotiator; international private equity investment executive; independent board director; and advisor to U.S. and foreign
- [Rear Admiral Mike Studeman, USN (Ret.)](https://www.westexec.com/mike-studeman/) - Rear Admiral Mike Studeman, USN (Ret.) Senior Advisor Former Commander, Office of Naval Intelligence Mike Studeman, the former Commander of the Office of Naval Intelligence and a retired Rear Admiral, is one of our nation’s leading national security professionals, with extensive global experience in intelligence, foreign policy, and defense matters. He is an internationally recognized
- [Ron Clark](https://www.westexec.com/ron-clark/) - Ron Clark Principal Former Deputy Under Secretary, Department of Homeland Security, and Former Acting Senior Director and Director, National Security Council Ron brings over 25 years of national security experience ranging from service as a Deputy Under Secretary, to over a half decade in the White House with two Presidents, and leadership of units in
- [Linda Lourie](https://www.westexec.com/linda-lourie/) - Linda Lourie Principal Former Assistant Director for Research and Technology Security, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Linda S. Lourie is an advisor on foreign investments both in the United States (CFIUS) and in China (Outbound Investments), export controls, and commercial dual-use technology looking to access the U.S. government market. She was most
- [Wendy Edelberg](https://www.westexec.com/wendy-edelberg/) - Wendy Edelberg Principal Former Chief Economist, Congressional Budget Office Wendy Edelberg is the director of The Hamilton Project and a senior fellow in Economic Studies at the Brookings Institution. Wendy joined Brookings in 2020, after more than fifteen years in the public sector. Most recently, she was Chief Economist at the Congressional Budget Office. Prior
- [Richard Stengel](https://www.westexec.com/richard-stengel/) - Richard Stengel Senior Advisor Former Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, U.S. Department of State Rick served as Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs during the final three years of the Obama administration. At the State Department, he oversaw the bureaus of Educational and Cultural Affairs, International
- [Paul Farley](https://www.westexec.com/paul-farley/) - Paul Farley Senior Advisor Former Assistant Director for South and Central Asia, Central Intelligence Agency Paul Farley is a former senior Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) officer with over 32 years of service in said Agency. His most recent position was Assistant Director of the CIA for South and Central Asia (AD/SCAMC), in charge of CIA’s
- [Mike O'Sullivan](https://www.westexec.com/mike-osullivan/) - Mike O’Sullivan Senior Advisor Former Chief Investment Officer, Credit Suisse Michael O’Sullivan is Managing Partner at Harvest Innovation Advisory and a senior adviser at LandFall Strategy, and a board member of the Jane Goodall Legacy Foundation. He has twenty years’ experience in global financial markets, most recently as Chief Investment Officer in the International Wealth Management
- [Michelle Gavin](https://www.westexec.com/michelle-gavin/) - Michelle Gavin Senior Advisor Former U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Botswana and U.S. Representative to the Southern Africa Development Community Michelle D. Gavin is the Ralph Bunche Senior Fellow for Africa Policy Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. She was formerly the managing director of The Africa Center, a multidisciplinary institution dedicated to
- [Michael Singh](https://www.westexec.com/michael-singh/) - Michael Singh Senior Advisor Former Senior Director for Near East and North African Affairs, National Security Council Mike Singh is the managing director of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, a nonpartisan think tank dedicated to advancing American interests in the Middle East. Mike was senior director for Near East and North African Affairs
- [Lorin Selby](https://www.westexec.com/lorin-selby/) - Lorin Selby Principal Former Chief of Naval Research and Former Chief Engineer, U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Lorin Selby, USN (Ret), is an accomplished senior executive whose service is highly respected as a gifted and well-rounded leader, a submarine officer, an acquisition professional, a nuclear engineer, and as one of the most technically talented executives and
- [Lincoln P. Bloomfield, Jr.](https://www.westexec.com/lincoln-bloomfield/) - Lincoln Bloomfield Senior Advisor Former Special Envoy and Former Assistant Secretary of State for Political Military Affairs, U.S. Department of State Ambassador Lincoln Bloomfield, Jr. has held policy positions in five previous administrations, most recently as Special Envoy for MANPADS Threat Reduction from 2008-09 (reducing the availability of shoulder-fired missiles to terrorist groups), for which
- [Lawrence J. Gumbiner](https://www.westexec.com/lawrence-j-gumbiner/) - Lawrence J. Gumbiner Senior Advisor Former Deputy Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of State Lawrence J. Gumbiner is a former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State and Senior Foreign Service Officer. In his three-decade career he served as Chargé d’Affaires at U.S. Embassies in Havana and Tegucigalpa, and Deputy Chief of Mission in Lima. He was Economic
- [Kate Almquist Knopf](https://www.westexec.com/kate-almquist-knopf/) - Kate Almquist Knopf Senior Advisor Former Director of the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, U.S. Department of Defense, and Former Assistant Administrator for Africa, USAID Kate Almquist Knopf has spent nearly three decades focused on the intersection of security, development, and governance in Africa. She served most recently as Director of the Africa Center for
- [John Costello](https://www.westexec.com/john-costello/) - John Costello Principal Former Chief of Staff and Principal Architect, Office of the National Cyber Director John Costello is a Principal at WestExec and an Adjunct Senior Fellow with the Technology and National Security Program at the Center for a New American Security. Mr. Costello focuses on national cybersecurity, technology policy, U.S.-China trade relationship, export
- [John Conger](https://www.westexec.com/john-conger/) - John Conger Senior Advisor Former Acting Assistant Secretary for Energy, Installations and Environment, U.S. Department of Defense John Conger is the Director Emeritus of the Center for Climate and Security, President of Conger Strategies and Solutions, and a member of the Board of Advisors of the Association of Defense Communities. His experience with the Center
- [Jim Townsend](https://www.westexec.com/jim-townsend/) - Jim Townsend Senior Advisor Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for European and NATO Policy, U.S. Department of Defense Jim Townsend is an adjunct senior fellow in the CNAS Transatlantic Security Program. After eight years as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (DASD) for European and NATO Policy, Jim Townsend completed more than two decades of
- [Janice Haith](https://www.westexec.com/janice-haith/) - Janice Haith Senior Advisor Former Chief Information Officer, U.S. Navy Janice Haith retired from Federal Service in February 2017 after 34 years of working in various Federal and DoD Agencies. In addition to her role at WestExec, Ms. Haith joined the Oracle Staff as Senior Director – Strategy and Business Development (Federal) in June 2018.
- [Hanscom Smith](https://www.westexec.com/hanscom-smith/) - Hanscom Smith Senior Advisor Former U.S. Consul General in Hong Kong Hanscom Smith is a Senior Fellow at Yale University’s Jackson School of Global Affairs, a Senior Associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and a retired Department of State Foreign Service Officer. During his 32-year career in government, he served as consul
- [General Rich Clarke](https://www.westexec.com/general-rich-clarke/) - General Rich Clarke Principal Former Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command Rich Clarke retired from the military after nearly four decades leading complex and diverse organizations at every level, including over 15 years heading internationally active teams and more than ten combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. This culminated in his assignment as the Commander of
- [Eric Green](https://www.westexec.com/eric-green/) - Eric Green Senior Advisor Former Senior Director for Russia and Central Asia, National Security Council Eric Green is a non-resident scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. In 2023, he completed a 32-year career in the U.S. Foreign Service, reaching the rank of Minister-Counselor. From 2021-23 he served as Special Assistant to the President and
- [Emily Horne](https://www.westexec.com/emily-horne/) - Emily Horne Senior Advisor Former Special Assistant to the President and Former Spokesperson, National Security Council Emily Horne is a communications and national security strategist who has served in senior U.S. government, tech, and academic roles for over 15 years. She is the founder of Allegro Public Affairs LLC, a boutique strategic communications, public affairs,
- [Emily Harding](https://www.westexec.com/emily-harding/) - Emily Harding Principal Former Deputy Staff Director, U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Emily Harding is deputy director and senior fellow with the International Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). She joined CSIS from the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI), where she was deputy staff director. In her nearly
- [Dennis Ross](https://www.westexec.com/dennis-ross/) - Ambassador Dennis Ross Senior Advisor Former Special Assistant to the President and Former Senior Director for the Central Region, National Security Council Ambassador Dennis Ross is counselor and William Davidson Distinguished Fellow at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy and Senior Advisor at WestExec Advisors. Prior to returning to the Washington Institute in 2011,
- [David Skilling](https://www.westexec.com/david-skilling/) - David Skilling Senior Advisor Former Senior Advisor to the Secretary, New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade David Skilling is the founding Director of Landfall Strategy Group, an economic and policy advisory firm that provides insights on global economic, political, and policy developments to governments, firms, and financial institutions. David serves clients in Australasia,
- [Danny Russel](https://www.westexec.com/danny-russel/) - Danny Russel Principal Former Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs and Former Senior Director for Asian Affairs, National Security Council Danny Russel is Vice President for International Security and Diplomacy at the Asia Society Policy Institute in New York. A career member of the Senior Foreign Service at the U.S. Department
- [Bob Sharp](https://www.westexec.com/bob-sharp/) - Vice Admiral Bob Sharp Principal Former Director, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Vice Admiral Bob Sharp, USN (Ret.) served as the Director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, one of our nation’s premier intelligence agencies, from February 2019 until June 2022. As Director, he and his team were responsible for delivering world-class geospatial intelligence to provide a decisive
- [Andrea Kendall-Taylor](https://www.westexec.com/andrea-kendall-taylor/) - Andrea Kendall-Taylor Senior Advisor Former Deputy National Intelligence Officer for Russia and Eurasia, National Intelligence Council, and Former Senior Analyst, Central Intelligence Agency Andrea Kendall-Taylor is a Senior Fellow and Director of the Transatlantic Security Program at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS). She works on national security challenges facing the United States
- [Ambassador Jim Jeffrey](https://www.westexec.com/jim-jeffrey/) - Ambassador Jim Jeffrey Senior Advisor Former Deputy National Security Advisor and Former Special Envoy to the Coalition to Defeat ISIS Ambassador James F. Jeffrey retired from the Foreign Service with the rank of Career Ambassador in June 2012. His most recent positions at the State Department were as Special Representative for Syria and Special Envoy
- [Major General Charlie Bolden](https://www.westexec.com/charles-bolden/) - Major General Charlie Bolden, USMC (Ret.) Principal Former Administrator and Astronaut, NASA First as a Marine Corps Major General and then as NASA Administrator, Charles F. Bolden Jr. has dedicated his life to the service of the United States, working to secure our nation’s security, prosperity, and guiding efforts to explore our universe and better
- [Mike Holmes](https://www.westexec.com/mike-holmes/) - General Mike Holmes Principal Former Commander of Air Combat Command, U.S. Air Force General Mike Holmes retired from the Air Force in October 2020 after nearly 40 years of service. He is the Chairman of the Board at Red 6 and the Air Force Historical Foundation, a senior advisor at The Roosevelt Group, a member
- [Arun A. Seraphin](https://www.westexec.com/arun-seraphin/) - Arun A. Seraphin Senior Advisor Former Professional Staff Member, U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services Dr. Arun A. Seraphin is the Deputy Director of the Emerging Technologies Institute at the National Defense Industrial Association. In this role, he helps lead a nonpartisan institute focused on technologies that are critical to the future of national defense,
- [Preston Dunlap](https://www.westexec.com/preston-dunlap/) - Preston Dunlap Senior Advisor Former Chief Technology Officer and Chief Architect Officer, U.S. Space Force and Air Force Preston C. Dunlap was the Chief Architect of the Department of the Air Force. He has over 20 years of executive leadership experience spanning technology, national security, private investment, and space. He serves on Corporate Boards and
- [General Vincent Brooks](https://www.westexec.com/vincent-brooks/) - General Vincent Brooks, USA (Ret.) Principal Former Commander of the United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command, and United States Forces Korea Vincent K. Brooks is a career Army officer who retired from active duty in January 2019 as the four-star general in command of all U.S. Forces in Korea, where he concurrently commanded United Nations
- [Jen Stewart](https://www.westexec.com/jen-stewart/) - Jen Stewart Counselor Former Chief of Staff to the Secretary of Defense Jen is the former chief of staff to the Honorable Dr. Mark T. Esper, the twenty-seventh Secretary of Defense. In this capacity, she was responsible for leading the Secretary of Defense’s executive staff, working with civilian executives and senior military leaders across the
- [Nicholas Monaco](https://www.westexec.com/nicholas-monaco/) - Nicholas Monaco Associate Nicholas C. Monaco is an Associate at WestExec Advisors. Before joining the team, he was a volunteer on the 2020 Biden-Harris Transition Team and held internships at the EY Geostrategic Business Group and the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security. Nicholas earned a BA in History and Politics with First Class
- [Matthew Waxman](https://www.westexec.com/matthew-waxman/) - Matthew Waxman Senior Advisor Former Principal Deputy Director and Acting Director of the Secretary of State’s Policy Planning Staff and Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Matthew Waxman is an expert in national security policy, international law, cybersecurity, and data privacy. He directs the National Security Law Program at Columbia Law School, and he co-chairs
- [Robert O. Work](https://www.westexec.com/robert-o-work/) - Robert O. Work Principal Former Deputy Secretary of Defense and Former Under Secretary of the Navy Secretary Robert O. Work previously served as the Deputy Secretary of Defense, where he was responsible for overseeing the day-to-day business of the Pentagon and developing the Department’s $600 billion defense program. He is widely credited for his work
- [Ambassador Dana Shell Smith](https://www.westexec.com/dana-shell-smith/) - Ambassador Dana Shell Smith Principal Former U.S. Ambassador to the State of Qatar and Former Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs Ambassador Dana Shell Smith is a Senior Non-Resident Fellow at Georgetown University and the CEO of Decibel Strategy, an international strategy firm she founded to advance business and professional ties between

## Categories

- [Cybersecurity & Defense](https://www.westexec.com/category/cybersecurity-defense/)
- [Press Releases](https://www.westexec.com/category/press-releases/)
- [News](https://www.westexec.com/category/news/)
- [Geopolitical Perspectives](https://www.westexec.com/category/geopolitical-perspectives/)
- [Economy & Trade](https://www.westexec.com/category/economy-trade/)
- [Social Impact](https://www.westexec.com/category/social-impact/)
- [WestExec Spotlight](https://www.westexec.com/category/westexec-spotlight/)
- [Climate & Environment](https://www.westexec.com/category/climate-environment/)

## Tags

- [Bob Work](https://www.westexec.com/tag/bob-work/)
- [Dennis Ross](https://www.westexec.com/tag/dennis-ross/)
- [Bridge Colby](https://www.westexec.com/tag/bridge-colby/)
- [Lisa Monaco](https://www.westexec.com/tag/lisa-monaco/)
- [Nick Rasmussen](https://www.westexec.com/tag/nick-rasmussen/)
- [Dan Shapiro](https://www.westexec.com/tag/dan-shapiro/)
- [Danny Russel](https://www.westexec.com/tag/danny-russel/)
- [Mike Singh](https://www.westexec.com/tag/mike-singh/)
- [Julie Smith](https://www.westexec.com/tag/julie-smith/)
- [Michèle Flournoy](https://www.westexec.com/tag/michele-flournoy/)
- [Meghan O'Sullivan](https://www.westexec.com/tag/meghan-osullivan/)
- [Ely Ratner](https://www.westexec.com/tag/ely-ratner/)
- [Liz Rosenberg](https://www.westexec.com/tag/liz-rosenberg/)
- [Linc Bloomfield](https://www.westexec.com/tag/linc-bloomfield/)
- [Michael Camilleri](https://www.westexec.com/tag/michael-camilleri/)
- [Miriam Vogel](https://www.westexec.com/tag/miriam-vogel/)
- [Rachel Ellehuus](https://www.westexec.com/tag/rachel-ellehuus/)
- [Tony Blinken](https://www.westexec.com/tag/tony-blinken/)
- [Matt Waxman](https://www.westexec.com/tag/matt-waxman/)
- [Vikram Singh](https://www.westexec.com/tag/vikram-singh/)
- [Celeste Wallander](https://www.westexec.com/tag/celeste-wallander/)
- [Admiral Bill Moran](https://www.westexec.com/tag/admiral-bill-moran/)
- [Gabrielle Chefitz](https://www.westexec.com/tag/gabrielle-chefitz/)
- [Josh Hochman](https://www.westexec.com/tag/josh-hochman/)
- [David Cohen](https://www.westexec.com/tag/david-cohen/)
- [Puneet Talwar](https://www.westexec.com/tag/puneet-talwar/)
- [Ron Clark](https://www.westexec.com/tag/ron-clark/)
- [Colin Thomas-Jensen](https://www.westexec.com/tag/colin-thomas-jensen/)
- [Chris Inglis](https://www.westexec.com/tag/chris-inglis/)
- [Jay Shambaugh](https://www.westexec.com/tag/jay-shambaugh/)
- [Charlie Bolden](https://www.westexec.com/tag/charlie-bolden/)
- [Nitin Chadda](https://www.westexec.com/tag/nitin-chadda/)
- [Dana Shell Smith](https://www.westexec.com/tag/dana-shell-smith/)
- [Vince Brooks](https://www.westexec.com/tag/vince-brooks/)
- [Joe Maguire](https://www.westexec.com/tag/joe-maguire/)
- [Barbara Leaf](https://www.westexec.com/tag/barbara-leaf/)
- [Danny](https://www.westexec.com/tag/danny/)
- [Cristina Killingsworth](https://www.westexec.com/tag/cristina-killingsworth/)
- [Jamie Fly](https://www.westexec.com/tag/jamie-fly/)
- [Jim Jeffrey](https://www.westexec.com/tag/jim-jeffrey/)
- [Andrea Kendall-Taylor](https://www.westexec.com/tag/andrea-kendall-taylor/)
- [Lincoln Bloomfield](https://www.westexec.com/tag/lincoln-bloomfield/)
- [Joe Gagnon](https://www.westexec.com/tag/joe-gagnon/)
- [John Costello](https://www.westexec.com/tag/john-costello/)
- [John Conger](https://www.westexec.com/tag/john-conger/)
- [Larry Gumbiner](https://www.westexec.com/tag/larry-gumbiner/)
- [Nick Zimmerman](https://www.westexec.com/tag/nick-zimmerman/)
- [Sergio Aguirre](https://www.westexec.com/tag/sergio-aguirre/)
- [Emily Harding](https://www.westexec.com/tag/emily-harding/)