Jul 16, 2017
Dr. Kori Schake co-authored, "Restoring Our National Security", with Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis and James O. Ellis Jr. The chapter appeared in the book, Blueprint for America, which was published by Stanford Universities Hoover Institute.
Dr. Schake is a professor of history at Stanford, and is a research fellow at the Hoover Institute. She also co-edited a book with Secretary Mattis called, Warriors and Citizens: American Views of our Military.
Key Takeaways:
- Schake describes working with Secretary of Defense James Mattis. She says, "We are both argumentative." Dr. Schake claims that since meeting Secretary Mattis, they have had many long running debates specifically about the political composition of the Middle East.
- I asked Dr. Schake about her definition of strategy. She defines it as, "The way you connect political objectives to their execution. How you identify the means and array them so you have the highest likelihood of being able to carry out your objectives."
- Schake’s nephew Captain Barret Schake, a pilot in the U.S. Air Force, also joined us and talked about his recent deployments to Iraq.
- We talk about the influence of Iran in Iraq. Dr. Schake claims that Iran is "absolutely a threat" and explains why she considers them to be a major source of instability in the region.
- On Russia, Dr. Schake offered a scathing rebuke. "This Russian government is genuinely evil. They mean us harm. They will do us harm when they have the opportunity."
- We talk about North Korea. She describes North Korea's fundamental purpose as regime survival, and, as a result, she does not see North Korea as a state willing to "use military force." She says that North Korea is trying to achieve the objective of "regime preservation."
- On the question of how America continues to assert a positive influence throughout the world, Dr. Schake claims that our form of government continues to be a magnet for the best talent in the world. Despite America's flaws, the U.S. continues to be a bulwark for hope and a better life for people throughout the globe.
- Secretary Mattis and Dr. Schake co-authored a book called Warriors and Citizens that looks at the changing nature of America's attitude towards U.S. military leaders. Due to the military being held in high regard, Dr. Schake worries that the "suits can hide behind the uniform." Furthermore, she says that the public wants the military engaged in political life in a way that will harm the public's respect for the military.
Dr. Schake is publishing a book called Safe Passage, a history of the transition from British to American dominance in the international order, which will be published in the fall of 2017 by Harvard University Press.
Follow Dr. Schake on Twitter @KoriSchake
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