The General and the Ambassador

North Macedonia: The Long Slog to NATO & the Role of the Vermont National Guard

Dec 16, 2020

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.

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

Oct 14, 2020

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

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 7, 2020

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

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...