Geopolitical Perspectives - WestExec Advisors

Danny Russel quoted in The Economist article, “China Thinks It Can Avoid Middle Eastern Traps That Caught America”

"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 and sell advanced technologies that will carry their country’s values and technical standards around the world, notably via the Belt and Road Initiative. But ambitious deals [...]

Andrew Curtis2021-04-10T00:00:11-04:00April 10, 2021|Geopolitical Perspectives|

Andrea Kendall-Taylor quoted in Foreign Policy article, “Is Russia Preparing to Go to War in 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, who previously served as deputy national intelligence officer for Russia and Eurasia on the National Intelligence Council…" Read the full article here: Full Article

Andrew Curtis2021-04-09T17:03:04-04:00April 9, 2021|Geopolitical Perspectives|

Mike Singh quoted in NPR All Things Considered segment, “Returning to the Iran Nuclear Deal Is Essential For Biden’s Foreign Policy Agenda”

"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 he says Iran may not be a great competitor, but you also can't ignore it…” Listen to the full segment here: Full Segment

Andrew Curtis2021-04-09T00:00:46-04:00April 9, 2021|Geopolitical Perspectives|

Michèle Flournoy interviewed on The Financial Times podcast, “Are the US and China Entering a 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 this episode Demetri Sevastopulo, the FT’s US-China correspondent, talks to Michèle Flournoy of the Center for a New American Security, a bipartisan think-tank in Washington, about [...]

Andrew Curtis2021-04-08T00:00:05-04:00April 8, 2021|Geopolitical Perspectives|

Andrea Kendall-Taylor quoted in RadioFreeEurope article, “Beijing Continues Its Steady but Uneven Rise in the World”

"'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.' -- Andrea Kendall-Taylor, senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security and former senior U.S. intelligence analyst…" Read the full article here: Full Article

Andrew Curtis2021-04-07T06:19:14-04:00April 7, 2021|Geopolitical Perspectives|

Jim Jeffrey interviewed in Andolu Agency article, “US-Turkey Ties to Improve in 6 Months: Ex-US Ambassador”

"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 in six months, I'm sure it's going to be better…'" Read the full article here: Full Article

Andrew Curtis2021-04-07T00:00:07-04:00April 7, 2021|Geopolitical Perspectives|

Dennis Ross quoted in Politico article, “Joe Biden Is Not Planning to Solve the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict”

"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 peace negotiator who has worked for multiple administrations. "Some Arab countries, such as Saudi Arabia, could offer to normalize their relations with Israel in exchange for [...]

Andrew Curtis2021-04-06T18:36:12-04:00April 6, 2021|Geopolitical Perspectives|

Dennis Ross quoted in The Jerusalem Post article, “Were Reports of a Jordanian Coup a Wake-up Call For Israel?”

"'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, said Ross, who is a distinguished fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy…" Read the full article here: Full Article

Andrew Curtis2021-04-06T08:22:14-04:00April 6, 2021|Geopolitical Perspectives|

Michèle Flournoy interviewed on ChinaTalk podcast, “Michèle Flournoy on The US-China Strategic Calculus”

"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: what their strategic calculus is, what they value, what costs they fear, the fundamentals that would actually deter their problematic action…" Read the full article here: [...]

Andrew Curtis2021-04-01T00:00:24-04:00April 1, 2021|Geopolitical Perspectives|

Danny Russel interviewed in The Diplomat, “Danny Russel on US Asia Policy Under Biden”

"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, the United States made its focus on the region clear through allocation of that most previous resource: time. "The Diplomat asked Danny Russel, vice president of [...]

Andrew Curtis2021-03-31T00:00:07-04:00March 31, 2021|Geopolitical Perspectives|