Michèle Flournoy, former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy under President Obama, dives into the transformative plans of the Trump administration for the Pentagon. She discusses the significant implications of proposed budget cuts on U.S. defense strategy. The conversation also highlights the essential leadership qualities for the Secretary of Defense, the rise of online scams affecting national security, and the evolving role of women in combat. Flournoy emphasizes the necessity for experience and integrity in military leadership during turbulent political times.

Lawrence H. Summers, former US Treasury Secretary, discusses the alarmingly high VIX and potential SEC responses. David Bianco, CIO of DWS Americas, sees volatility as overreaction from investors. Harvard's Greg Mankiw warns about negative legacies for future generations. Michèle Flournoy highlights the intensifying AI arms race, while Jack Hidary, CEO of SandboxAQ, argues for sophisticated quantitative AI models to benefit the economy. The conversation navigates market volatility, fiscal policies, and innovation in defense strategies against geopolitical tensions.

Simon Bouvier, Paris bureau chief for Monocle, and Yair Zivan, an Israeli author and advisor, join Michèle Flournoy, a former US defense official, to discuss the precarious state of centrism. They dive into the challenges faced by centrists in a starkly polarized political landscape, especially in France under Macron. The conversation also touches on the tension between Trump’s foreign policy instincts and norms, the delicate balance in Gaza, and the essential role of compromise in navigating modern governance. This compelling dialogue reveals how pragmatism is crucial for a sustainable political future.

In a conversation fresh from the Freakonomics Radio Network’s podcast laboratory, Michèle Flournoy (one of the highest-ranking women in Defense Department history) speaks with Cecil Haney (one of the U.S. Navy’s first Black four-star admirals) about nuclear deterrence, smart leadership, and how to do inclusion right.

Michèle Flournoy joined AcquisitionTalk's Eric Lofgren and me for another crossover episode of China-AcquisitionTalk. Flournoy is a former Undersecretary of Defense for Policy, co-founder and new board chair of CNAS (where I'm a fellow), and currently the founder and managing partner of WestExec Advisors. I dove deep into the archive, digging up copies of Flournoy's undergraduate and master's theses to discuss "psycho-social approaches to international relations" and 1980s nuclear policy. We also covered: China’s approach to systems destruction warfare How to make a compelling case for technologists to join DoD Nuclear policy and affecting the strategic calculus Whether “legacy” weapons need divestment A “Manhattan Project” for AI/ML Please consider supporting ChinaTalk https://glow.fm/chinatalk/ Outtro music: O.WEN《官方回答》 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXT3zITsydQ  The views expressed in this podcast do not reflect those of the Rhodium Group. Get bonus content on Patreon See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices