The General and the Ambassador: A Conversation

Latest Episodes:

USAID & War Zones: Iraq and Afghanistan with Senior Mission Directors Bambi Arellano and Ken Yamashita. Oct 14, 2020

Show notes

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.

Development as a Tool of National Security Part II: USAID in Afghanistan– Achievements, Lessons Learned and Using the Right Resources in Future Challenges Sep 19, 2020

Show notes

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

Development as a Tool of National Security Part I: The Case of Afghanistan with USAID Senior Leaders Alonzo Fulgham and James Bever Sep 07, 2020

Show notes

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.

The US, Kyrgyzstan & Central Asia: General Blaine Holt and Ambassador Tatiana Gfoeller Explain How They Worked to Keep the Key US Base at Manas Despite Riots and Political Upheaval & Outline US Interests in this Key Region Bordering China and Russia Aug 11, 2020

Show notes

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.

US Security Interests in Latin American & the Caribbean Part II: Admiral Tidd and Ambassador Ayalde Discuss Venezuela, Cuba, Central America, Iran, Russia and China Jul 27, 2020

Show notes

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.

US Security Interests in Latin America & the Caribbean Part I: Admiral Kurt Tidd and Ambassador Liliana Ayalde Discuss Their Partnership at US SOUTHCOM and Working With Colombia, Brazil and Ecuador Jul 19, 2020

Show notes

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.

US interests in the Middle East Part II: Yemen, Messaging, and the US competitive advantage with General Joseph Votel and Ambassador Barbara Leaf Jul 10, 2020

Show notes

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.

US Interests in the Middle East Part I: Iran, the GCC, & Syria with General Joseph Votel and Ambassador Barbara Leaf Jul 03, 2020

Show notes

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.

The Philippines and the US: The Ties that Bind with Captain Gus Gusentine and Ambassador Harry Thomas May 28, 2020

Show notes

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

The Ebola Epidemic in Liberia: Sending in the 101st Airborne Division with General Gary Volesky and Ambassador Deborah Malac Apr 21, 2020

Show notes

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.