GoodFellows: Conversations from the Hoover Institution

Generally Speaking: McMaster on Trump Foreign Policy and Technology Warfare | GoodFellows | Hoover Institution

Aug 12, 2024

H.R. McMaster, a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution and former National Security Advisor, shares insights on the shifting landscape of American foreign policy. He explores the implications of a potential second Trump presidency, including its effects on relationships with Russia, China, and Iran. McMaster delves into the role of advanced technology in modern warfare, especially robotics and AI, amid ongoing conflicts. He also reflects on his 40 years since West Point, emphasizing camaraderie and the evolving challenges faced by today’s military leaders.

43:34

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H.R. McMaster

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

McMaster emphasizes the importance of a structured morning routine for productivity, rooted in military discipline and early rising habits.

He critiques the Biden administration's appeasement strategy with adversaries, advocating for a proactive diplomatic and military approach to ensure American security.

Deep dives

Insights into Morning Routines

H.R. McMaster highlights the significance of maintaining a structured morning routine, which he finds beneficial for productivity. He notes that getting up early allows him to read, correspond, and exercise, setting a positive tone for the rest of the day. Specifically, he mentions utilizing a Peloton for exercise and paddleboarding during calm mornings to clear his mind for writing. This routine, he explains, is rooted in his military background, where discipline and early rising were integral to success.

Intro

2min

Transitioning from Military Routine to Civilian Life

2min

Trump's Foreign Policy Reimagined

24min

The Future of Warfare: Technology and Uncertainty

8min

Reflections on Service: 40 Years Since West Point

4min

Preparing the Military for Future Challenges

4min

In a special mini version of GoodFellows (just one wise man, not the usual three), Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, the Hoover Institution’s Fouad and Michelle Ajami Senior Fellow and author of the soon-to-be-released At War with Ourselves: My Tour of Duty in the Trump White House, discusses a possible sea change in American foreign policy and the view from other world capitals. On the 40th anniversary of his commissioning as a US Army second lieutenant, McMaster reflects on the challenges that tested his West Point Class of 1984 (motto: “The Best of the Corps”) versus those awaiting the Class of 2024 (“Like None Before”).

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