GoodFellows: Conversations from the Hoover Institution

Focus on the Mission, with Mike Pompeo | GoodFellows | Hoover Institution

Nov 22, 2024

Join former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo as he teams up with Hoover fellows Niall Ferguson, John Cochrane, and H.R. McMaster to dive into pressing national security issues. They discuss the potential shifts in U.S. foreign policy after a change in administration. Key topics include Ukraine’s missile strikes on Russia, the threat to Taiwan, and the implications of Elon Musk's efficiency initiatives for government. The conversation blends serious analysis with personal stories about Thanksgiving, making for an engaging and thought-provoking dialogue.

57:28

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Episode guests

Mike Pompeo

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

The podcast emphasizes the necessity for a reevaluation of government departments, advocating for the abolition of less critical agencies to create a leaner, more effective structure.

Discussion on military leadership highlights concerns regarding Pete Hegseth's qualifications as Secretary of Defense, stressing the importance of experience in navigating modern warfare complexities.

The speakers express skepticism about potential global adversaries exploiting the U.S. leadership transition, underscoring the need for effective deterrence strategies to safeguard national interests.

Deep dives

Evaluating Government Departments

The discussion centers around which government departments to retain or abolish, with opinions varying significantly among participants. While key agencies such as the Department of Defense and State are deemed essential and should be kept, others like the Departments of Education, Commerce, and Agriculture face propositions for abolition. The conversation suggests a critical reevaluation of each department's relevance and effectiveness in the current political climate, emphasizing the need for a leaner government structure that focuses on core functions. This reflects a broader sentiment for systemic change within the executive branch as the country approaches a new administration.

Intro

2min

Military Leadership Under Trump

7min

Assessing Historical Secretaries of Defense and Modern Military Strategy

4min

Navigating Complexities in National Security

16min

Contrasting Foreign Policies: Trump vs. Biden

22min

Shifts in Higher Education and the Future of Regulation

5min

Reflections on Thanksgiving Traditions

3min

After a “change” election that returned Donald Trump to the presidency, what can Americans expect in the way of foreign policy and national security departures from the current administration?

Former US secretary of state and CIA director Mike Pompeo joins Hoover senior fellows Niall Ferguson, John Cochrane, and H.R. McMaster to discuss possible new directions for America’s national security apparatus. Also discussed: the Biden administration’s allowing Ukraine to fire long-range missiles into Russia; how to counter Chinese threats to Taiwan’s independence; Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s being declared a “war criminal” subject to arrest; plus the likelihood that Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency can reshape the federal government.

Recorded on November 22, 2024.

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