The Rest Is Politics: Leading 155. Mike Pompeo On Russia, Trump, and China
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Sep 28, 2025 In this engaging conversation, Mike Pompeo, former U.S. Secretary of State and CIA Director, shares insights on international relations and U.S. foreign policy. He argues that the U.S. is too lenient with Russia and China, citing weakened presidential leadership as a catalyst for Putin's aggression. Pompeo discusses the importance of NATO deterrence during Trump's presidency and addresses the dire state of the two-state solution regarding Israel and Palestine. He warns that China poses the biggest long-term threat and emphasizes the need for strategic economic measures against it.
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Trump As A National Rorschach Test
- Mike Pompeo says Trump is a polarising figure who dominates news cycles and elicits strong, varied reactions across populations.
- Pompeo argues this personal charisma shapes perceptions of his policies separately from their substance.
Direct Briefings With Trump
- Pompeo recounts that Trump personally wanted the CIA director to brief him, which was unusual and gave Pompeo extended direct contact.
- He describes that access helped him when he later became Secretary of State and shaped his working relationship with Trump.
Europe's Dependencies Are Self-Created
- Pompeo blames European underinvestment for transatlantic dependencies rather than U.S. policy.
- He frames Trump's pressure as a corrective shock intended to force Europe to spend more on its own defence.