The Shawn Ryan Show #268 Mike Waltz - Special Forces Green Beret Turned UN Ambassador Warns About China
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Jan 5, 2026 
Mike Waltz, a retired U.S. Army Special Forces Green Beret, former Congressman, and current U.S. Ambassador to the UN, shares his insights on military strategy and international diplomacy. He discusses using humanitarian efforts as counterterrorism tactics, the importance of discipline in leadership, and the need for reform within the United Nations. Waltz highlights the Chinese Communist Party as a major global threat while advocating for increased U.S. engagement in international bodies. His unique experiences offer valuable lessons on resilience and strategic thinking.
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From Single Mom To Green Beret
- Mike Waltz describes growing up in Jacksonville raised by a single mother who worked multiple jobs and pushed him toward education and discipline.
- That upbringing and chosen mentors led him to VMI and a career in the Army and Special Forces.
Winning Hearts In Afghanistan
- Waltz recounts embedding with UAE special operations and Afghan partners where small teams achieved outsized effects through influence and local engagement.
- He emphasizes winning hearts via clinics and partnering with locals rather than pure kinetic action.
Practice Bottoms-Up Leadership
- Empower teams at the edge and practice bottoms-up leadership by asking what decisions and resources they need.
- Waltz uses this in military, business, and political roles to improve outcomes.
