Votel, Leaf discuss U.S. interests in the Middle East (pt. 2)

In another episode of “The General and the Ambassador: A Conversation,” Ambassador (retired) Deborah McCarthy continues her conversation with General Joseph Votel and Ambassador Barbara Leaf. The first part of their discussion on U.S. interests in the Middle East aired earlier this month.

In part two of McCarthy’s interview with Votel and Leaf, the three talk about U.S. involvement in the war in Yemen and coordination with the United Arab Emirates. They also discuss effective U.S. messaging in the Gulf, countering Iranian influence in Iraq, and maintaining U.S. competitive advantage in the region. General Votel is the former Commander of U.S. Central Command, and Ambassador Leaf is the former U.S. Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates. 

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 links below.
US Interests in the Middle East Part II: Yemen, Messaging, and the U.S. competitive advantage with General Joseph Votel and Ambassador Barbara Leaf