Michèle Flournoy: Isolationism & Smarter Engagement | SALT Talks #17

Michèle Flournoy is the Co-Founder & Managing Partner of WestExec Advisors. She was also the United States Undersecretary of Defense for Policy from 2009-2012 under President Obama, where she served as a principal advisor to Secretaries of Defense Robert Gates and Leon Panetta. At the time of her confirmation, Michèle was the highest-ranking female official in the Pentagon. “We can’t afford to divorce ourselves from the world.” While isolationism has its merits, we should be using our presence to shape the direction of the world, instead of enacting large-scale regime change. We need a core set of principles as it relates to countries like Russia and China. Smart or smarter engagement is the way forward, not lack of engagement. What region worries Michèle the most? The Asia Pacific and Indo Pacific. This area will have the greatest impact on our economy, as our prominence as their primary security partner clashes with China’s position as the primary trading partner. ————————————————————————— To learn more about this episode, including podcast transcripts and show notes, visit salt.org/talks Moderated by Anthony Scaramucci.