Eric Edelman on the World Biden Inherited

TL;DR

The podcast discusses the current state of U.S. strategy and foreign relations, focusing on key challenges with countries like Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Russia, China, and Iran.

Transcript

welcome to the bulwark podcast i'm charlie sykes hey it's quick reminder because it's thursday that we have the bulwark plus exclusive live stream every thursday night at uh eight o'clock eastern time uh seven o'clock central time if you're a bullwork member you can tune in and hear the whole team discussing the news of the week and boy there's a l... Read More

Key Insights

• 😀 Turkey is facing strained relations with multiple countries, making it increasingly isolated.
• 🇸🇦 Dealing with problematic allies like Turkey and Saudi Arabia requires a transactional approach and rallying other allies to have a common policy.
• 🇷🇺 Russia remains a major challenge, especially after the SolarWinds hack and its interference in the 2020 election. The Biden administration needs to respond to these issues while also managing the delicate relationship with Russia.
• 🇮🇷 The future of the Iran nuclear deal is uncertain, with challenges related to Iran's non-compliance, the Mossad's acquisition of nuclear archive, and political obstacles in Congress.
• 🍉 Restoring alliances and rebuilding trust with European allies is a long-term project that requires consistent attention and effort.
• 🤩 The Biden administration's slow progress in filling key government positions hampers its ability to effectively execute its foreign policy agenda.
• 🇮🇷 The economic sanctions on Iran have had a significant impact, but removing them may discourage Iran from negotiating in good faith.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why is Turkey described as "lonely" in terms of its foreign policy?

Turkey, once known for having no problems with its neighbors, now faces strained relations with multiple countries, such as Russia, Syria, Greece, Cyprus, and Iraq, making it increasingly isolated on the world stage.

Q: How has the conflict between Turkey and the Kurds in Syria played out?

While the conflict has somewhat faded away from the news, occasional flare-ups occur between Turkish forces and the Kurdish groups in northeastern Syria. The situation remains volatile and could potentially escalate into a larger problem.

Q: What is the Biden administration's approach to Saudi Arabia?

The administration is trying to maintain a delicate balance in dealing with Saudi Arabia after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. While it has ordered a review of arms sales, it aims to reinstitutionalize the relationship, marginalize Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), and work towards common goals, such as dealing with Iran.

Q: What is the Biden administration's approach to China?

The Biden administration prioritizes relations with China and seeks to strengthen alliances to address the long-term threat China poses. It has already taken tough actions, like imposing sanctions on China over its actions in Hong Kong, but the full strategy is still unfolding.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Ambassador Eric Edelman, discusses the challenges facing U.S. strategy in dealing with various countries, including Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Russia, China, and Iran.

• He highlights Turkey's strained relations with its neighbors, its declining alliances, and the need for a more transactional approach in dealing with the country.

• The podcast also touches on the delicate dance the Biden administration is doing with Saudi Arabia, the tense relationship with Russia, the priority of dealing with China, and the complexity of reentering the Iran nuclear deal.