“The General and the Ambassador” discuss the U.S., Kyrgyzstan, and Central Asia

In a new “The General and the Ambassador” podcast, Ambassador (retired) Deborah McCarthy is joined by General Blaine Holt and Ambassador Tatiana Gfoeller to converse on the United States, Kyrgyzstan, and Central Asia.

General Holt and Ambassador Gfoeller describe their efforts to keep the Manas base as an airbridge for the U.S. effort in Afghanistan during a local coup. McCarthy’s guests also discuss violent ethnic cleansing and managing competing Russian and Chinese interests. They underline the importance of U.S. influence in this volatile region including stemming Islamic extremism.

The interviews are part of Ambassador McCarthy’s podcast series “The General and the Ambassador: A Conversation.” The podcast promotes interagency cooperation and is produced by the American Academy of Diplomacy.

McCarthy was the 2018 DACOR Visiting Professor of Diplomacy for the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College (CGSC). The DACOR Visiting Professor of Diplomacy Program is conducted in partnership with the Diplomatic and Consular Officers, Retired, Inc. (DACOR) organization located in Washington D.C., and the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College Foundation. Several times a year retired senior officials, usually Ambassadors with extensive diplomatic experience, come to Fort Leavenworth to interact with the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College students and faculty to provide a Department of State and Chief of Mission perspective to the curriculum. During their visit they also interact with area universities and civic organizations discussing policy, regional, and political expertise, as well as speaking about careers in the Foreign Service.

To learn more and listen to the podcast, please follow the link below.
The U.S., Kyrgyzstan & Central Asia: General Blaine Holt and Ambassador Tatiana Gfoeller