The General and the Ambassador: A Conversation

General Tod Wolters and Ambassador David Satterfield talk about the key elements of their successful partnership in managing the US-Turkey security relationship (2019-2022): having a clear strategy, relying on the strong US/NATO/Turkey mil to mil relationship and holding frank talks.  Topics:  Turkey's strong commitment to NATO;  US Turkish differences over the US partnership with the SDF in Syria;  Turkey's purchase of a Russian missile defense systems; Greek/Turkish clashes & Turkey's relationship with Russia.

Admiral James Foggo and Ambassador Philip Kosnett talk about their collaboration to launch the book “Boots and Suits”,  share their personal observations of US civil military relations in the field and explain how they led US diplomatic and military engagement in Kosovo in the midst of continued tensions with Serbia and Russian influence operations in the Balkans.

General Mejia and Ambassador Whitaker discuss the arduous effort to negotiate a peace agreement between the Govt of Colombia and the FARC. Topics include: the campaign plan (Espada de Honor) in which the military got access to new key intelligence & used tactics/ equipment provided by the US through Plan Colombia, to drive the FARC to the table;  the multiyear negotiations pursued in Cuba in the presence of a special US envoy; the complicated broad terms of the agreement; how it has been implemented (demobilization, transitional justice and coca cultivation); and the continued challenge of dissident FARC members, other insurgent/paramilitary groups & criminal networks.

Mississippi Adjutant General, General Janson Boyles, and former US Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Pamela Spratlen discuss the role of the US national guard overseas, focusing on the State Partnership Program between the Mississippi National Guard and Uzbekistan.  They review the US-Uzbek security relationship over the years;  their joint efforts to encourage the country's emergence from isolation; the Mississippi National Guard's role in influencing Uzbek military leadership and in strengthening bilateral civilian/economic ties; and the important role of the Mississippi Assistant Adjutant General, Congressman Trent Kelly.

Admiral Franken and Ambassador Pasi talk about shifting US strategic interests in Africa, the key role of the US base in Djibouti,  the challenge of regional terrorist groups (Al Shabaab, Boko Haram),  the policy of “sound bites” of the Trump Administration, sitting on prayer rugs to inform the government of Chad of the Trump travel ban,  the effects of China's vast economic investments across the continent and Russia's “moon” promises to the region.  

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Daniel Erikson and Ambassador Luis Arreaga review the transformation of the role of the military Latin America, attempts by some governments today to use them for political purpose, the value of US regional engagement in training/disaster response/climate change/cybersecurity and how the region views China. 

General Curtis Scaparrotti and Ambassador Kay Bailey Hutchison talk about how they tag teamed to engage with NATO during the Trump Administration: pressuring NATO members to boost defense expenditures, expanding the US military presence in Europe, training the Ukrainian military, talking to Russia, traveling to Afghanistan with key partners and keeping them informed of the US-Taliban negotiations. They stress the importance of NATO to the US and explain membership requirements which permit some countries (Finland/Sweden) to join more easily than others.

General Darren McDew, former Commander US TRANSCOM and Dr. Alan Misenheimer, former Political Advisor to TRANSCOM, explain how the command projects and sustains US military operations around the globe, drawing on its formidable assets and those of private industry.  They describe how the Dept of Defense and the Dept of State negotiate transit access for US military equipment and personnel as well as the threats posed by Chinese global infrastructure investments and by constant cyberattacks on the networks TRANSCOM depends on.

Ambassador Kathleen Doherty and former Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Rachel Ellehuus talk about their work together on Cyprus - the effects of the division of the island on US engagement in the region and on NATO,  the decision to lift the long standing US arms embargo,  the dispute over energy resources between Cyprus and Turkey,  Russia's decades long ties to the island and the “time warp” of the UN monitored buffer zone.

General Hodges and Ambassador Jones discuss how Poland has become the center of gravity for the US and NATO on the Eastern Front.  They review their joint work to preserve the  security relationship despite major political transitions in both Poland  and in the United States and to prepare for the Warsaw NATO Summit after Russia's invasion of Crimea.  They also discuss the issue of a permanent US military base in the country,  President Trump's visit,  the threat to the region from Russia's military capability in Kaliningrad and Poland's support for Ukraine after the Russian attack in February 2022.

General McKenzie (former Commander USCENTCOM) and Ambassador Henzel (former US Ambassador to Yemen)  talk about US counter terrorism and political objectives in Yemen, managing a US Embassy in exile,  US security assistance to Saudi Arabia and human rights concerns, Iran's major military advances in ballistic missiles, Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and the UAE, the humanitarian crisis in Yemen and UN peace settlement efforts.

Former USSOUTHCOM Commander, Admiral Faller, and former US Ambassador to Brazil, Ambassador Chapman, talk about singing together and their long friendship, their intense efforts to deepen the US-Brazil security relationship with staffs stymied by the COVID pandemic, the long-term significance of the military-to-military relationship, and the Trump/Bolsonaro dynamic.

Fighting Al-Shabaab, losing US soldiers, living in an Embassy bunker and managing the Trump Administration's abrupt order to pull out US troops.  National War College classmates,  General Waldhauser (former Commander US AFRICOM) and Ambassador Yamamoto (US Ambassador to Somalia) describe how they partnered to 1)  build a new Somali national army to fight Al-Shabaab; 2) relieve massive poverty and famine; and 3) juggle clan divisions/clashes to create a new national government.  

Admiral Davidson & Ambassador Juster discuss their joint efforts to strengthen the US-India security relationship despite India's military dependence on Russia, tense relations with Pakistan & China, and its policy of strategic autonomy.

In this special episode, former ISAF Commander British General David Richards and former US Ambassador Ronald Neumann critically review ever-shifting US and Western goals and objectives in Afghanistan,  the weakness of the US-led DOHA peace agreement and the effects of the chaotic withdrawal. In their view, the US and its allies CHOSE to lose and have obligations towards those who were left behind.  They offer perspectives on next steps.

General Abrams and Ambassador Harris discuss their partnership,  the treaty alliance with the ROK,  the shift under the Trump Administration to a top down approach to foreign policy and to a transactional relationships with allies, US summitry efforts with North Korea, managing  ROK initiatives, the storming of the Ambassador's residence, the threat of the PRC and the value of the Quad and AUKUS.  

Former US Ambassador to Russia Jon Huntsman and former US Defense Attaché Admiral David Manero describe the effects of the large expulsion of US diplomats from Russia during a period of heightened tensions, their ground game to advance US interests in a hostile environment, Russia's toolbox and offensive tactics and US actions to counter them.

Ambassador Roebuck and General Jeffers discuss: how the US diplomatic team in northeastern Syria was embedded and partnered with US Special Forces; the pushback of ISIS working with the SDF; managing encounters with Russian troops; the major fallout of US acquiescence of Turkey's 2019 invasion to drive the SDF forces away from the border; prospects for a political solution to the unwinnable war and lessons learned on US dip/mil cooperation in conflict areas. 

Ambassador Sanders (former US Ambassador to Nigeria & Congo) and General Ward (former Commander US AFRICOM) discuss US interests in the region including the opportunities (huge markets, a youth bulge, many UN Votes) and the dangers (political instability, sharply rising violence from criminal networks and extremists groups including Boko Haram). They talk about the region's original rejection of the US African Command and its current request for a greater US military presence.  Finally, they discuss the issue of great power competition on the continent, the mixed messages coming from the US and Africa's rejection of being “the chessboard on which China and the US play”.     

Admiral Swift (former PACOM) and Ambassador Osius discuss; 1) how legacy issues (cleaning up after Agent Orange, finding POW/MIA) have slowly laid the basis of trust; 2) how key visits and US gestures have led to breakthroughs; 3) the role of US veterans and of Vietnamese refugees in building ties; 4) managing sensitive issues (human rights and the long history between China and Vietnam). 

General Crutchfield and Anne Richard talk about US diplomatic and military engagement with Myanmar/Burma, the persecution and statelessness of the Rohingya, the closed Burmese military mindset, the available US tools to influence behavior, and the shifts in US refugee policy.

General Casey and Ambassador Negroponte talk about their partnership in Iraq after the end of the US occupation: correcting mistakes made by the CPA, adjusting to the reality that the country was not ready for reconstruction, rebuilding the army and police, transitioning to counterinsurgency operations, sharing bushels of pistachios and learning from DOD-DOS cooperation in conflict zones. 

General Brooks and Ambassador Lippert talk about US efforts to build a strong relationship between Japan and South Korea amidst historical sensitivities (including the issue of “comfort women”), Korea's actual contributions to burden sharing, the effects of the suspension of military exercises after the Trump/Kim Summit, and the importance of people to people relations. 

General Brooks (former Commander US forces Korea) and Ambassador Lippert (former US Ambassador to South Korea) talk about US military and diplomatic engagement with South Korea in the context of US interests in the Asia Pacific Region. They cover the significance of North Korean nuclear/missile tests in 2016, the THAAD deployment and Chinese disinformation operations and economic actions against South Korea.

Colonel Felter and Ambassador Cekuta discuss the key location of Azerbaijan, the tough negotiations for US overflight rights for the Northern Distribution Network to Afghanistan, the roles of Iran and Russia, Israel and the local Jewish community, the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute, the partnership with the Oklahoma National Guard and more…

Former Commander of USAFRICOM Waldhauser and former US Ambassador to Libya discuss their partnership in managing relations with the Government of National Accord, US strikes on ISIS, negotiating with opposition strongman General Haftar, the growing footprint of Russia, the role of Turkey, the inflow of arms and proxy forces and current challenges to the stabilization of the country.  

Former Secretary of the Navy & former Ambassador to Norway Ken Braithwaite and former Commander, US Naval Forces Europe and Africa, Jamie Foggo discuss US power and presence in the Arctic in the era of great power competition and the close US relationship with Norway.

General Selva and Ambassador Moreno talk about their roles as the Monitors of the Road Map to Peace under President Bush, the subsequent policies of the Obama and Trump Administrations, engaging Israel on Iran, the implications of not pursuing a two state solution, and the “bang for the buck “ of US foreign assistance to Israel.

Former SOCOM Commander Admiral McRaven and Congressman and Iraq Veteran Moulton give their perspective on the national security roles of US diplomacy, Congress, and the US educational system, stressing the critical need for new skills and tools

Ambassador Jess Baily and Major Gene Enriquez describe their work to finalize North Macedonia's 30 year process to enter NATO and the key role of the National Guard and DOD advisors, training, and programs.

Bambi and Ken describe the difficulties and results of USAID development programs in Iraq and Afghanistan, including the effect of US military surges and drawdowns, the dangers of going into the field and the pressure of constant audits.  

USAID veterans Alonzo Fulgham and James Bever talk about protecting their people, near misses, accomplishments and what the US will need in future challenges. 

Former Acting USAID Administrator Alonzo Fulgham and former Senior USAID Mission Director James Bever give a behind the scenes account of how tough it was to work in Afghanistan and how they worked with the US military in the field.

General Holt and Ambassador Gfoeller describe their efforts to keep the Manas base as an airbridge for the US effort in Afghanistan during a local coup, violent ethnic cleansing & managing competing Russian and Chinese interests. They underline the importance of US influence in this volatile region including stemming Islamic extremism. 

Admiral Tidd and Ambassador Ayalde talk about Venezuelan migrants, sending out the SS Comfort, disaster relief to the Caribbean, the opening to Cuba, Central America and the activities of Iran, China, and Russia in the region.

Admiral Tidd and Ambassador Ayalde discuss playing the US military and diplomatic tracks in the region, shifting the focus from drugs to global criminal networks, partnering with Colombia, the challenge of Brazil, and re-engaging with Ecuador.

General Votel and Ambassador Leaf talk about US involvement in the war in Yemen and coordination with the UAE, effective US messaging in the Gulf, countering Iranian influence in Iraq, and maintaining the US competitive advantage in the region.

General Votel and Ambassador Leaf discuss the diplomatic and military tools used by the US to counter Iranian activities, the Gulf Cooperative Council, and the campaign in Syria.

Former Commander of the US Joint Special Operations Task Force, Captain Gus Gusentine, and Ambassador Harry Thomas on their partnership to help the Philippines root out terrorists, fight poverty and address widespread corruption and extrajudicial killings

What is Ebola? How did it spread in West Africa and scare the US and international community? Why did the US send over 3000 troops? Lieutenant General Volesky and Ambassador Malac explain how they ran the US effort to help contain the epidemic. 

Who crosses the US Mexico border? How do poverty in Central America, major trafficking organizations and US immigration law affect the flow? Can we seal the border when we share a common culture? Former NORTHCOM Commander General Jacoby and Ambassador Wayne explain the complexities.

General Jacoby and Ambassador Wayne discuss their unified efforts to overcome traditionally difficult US-Mexican military relations, to work with Mexico to fight the drug cartels in an era of high violence and widespread corruption and the capture of notorious drug kingpin Chapo Guzman.

What is the role of diplomacy and of the military in building alliances, in addressing the challenges of China and Russia and of the grey zone including cyberspace? How can the huge imbalance of resources between the Department of Defense and the Department of State be righted? What happens to public service when it is denigrated?

Has there been a “militarization” of US Foreign Policy since 9/11?  General Lute and Ambassador Grossman talk about the aftermath of 9/11 & the war in Afghanistan- how the counterterrorism mission moved to a military/diplomatic campaign, negotiating with the Taliban while continuing the counterinsurgency effort, and... flying to dinner in Pakistan.

Former Finnish Chief of Defense General Jarmo Lindberg and Ambassador Bruce Oreck talk about the deep US-Finnish defense relationship, Finland's key role vis a vis Russia, Nordic security and receiving the Legion of Merit from General Dunford.

Former CENTCOM Commander Lloyd Austin and former US Ambassador to Pakistan Richard Olson talk about the importance of trust between US military and diplomatic leaders and how they managed the prickly relationship with Pakistan. They discuss the strategic importance of Pakistan to US interests in Afghanistan, India and China, the difficulty of working with a country which supports terrorist groups, and the very real dangers of the tense Pakistan/India relationship.  

In this conversation, General Taylor and Ambassador Kaidanow talk about their joint work to prevent ISIS recruitment efforts in the US and abroad, to develop counter messaging to ISIS propaganda and to make sure key information was shared with local US communities. They discuss the surprising findings on who was vulnerable to recruitment….

In this conversation, General Taylor and Ambassador Kaidanow talk about their joint work to prevent ISIS recruitment efforts in the US and abroad, to develop counter messaging to ISIS propaganda and to make sure key information was shared with local US communities. They discuss the surprising findings on who was vulnerable to recruitment….

Hosted by Ambassador (ret) Deborah McCarthy, this conversation with General Hickman and Ambassador Bennett gives an inside view of the challenging work of the U.S. civilian-military teams operating in Iraq to rebuild the country.

General Kelly McKeague and Ambassador Charles Ray talk about efforts led by the Department of Defense and supported by the Department of State to account for the over 82,000 missing personnel from WWII through Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The U.S. Response to ISIS attacks in Europe, the role of Special Operations Command Europe, and building deterrence vis a vis Russia with General Gregory Lengyel ( fmr. Commander Special Operations Command Europe) and Ambassador Susan Elliott (fmr. Civilian Deputy, U.S. European Command).