For decades the Middle East has been America’s top national security challenge.

From terrorism, to war, to regional instability, it takes more than a military effort to find solutions.

As America navigates one of the most volatile times in history, Fran Racioppi sat down with retired General Joseph Votel, one of America’s most influential leaders and scholars in Middle East policy. 

General Votel served as Commander of United States Special Operations Command, US Central Command, Joint Special Operations Command and 75th Ranger Regiment; organizations critically responsible for America’s Middle East operations. 

General Votel unpacked the reasons why Hamas chose to attack Israel, Iran’s malign influence, and the responsibility of the other Gulf states in preventing regional instability. 

He also broke down the opportunities the United States has across the diplomatic, information, military and economic spectrum; including America’s ability to mobilize for a peer-to-peer fight. Plus he talked all things Ranger Regiment, the officer-NCO relationship, and keys to effective leadership. 

Take a listen, watch, or read our conversation with one the Army’s most respected leaders then head over to our YouTube channel or your favorite podcast platform to catch up on our entire national security series from Washington, DC and Fort Liberty, NC. 

Highlights:

• 0:00 Welcome to Odgers Berndtson
• 3:07 The rise of China and Russia
• 13:47 Why is Iran on the offensive?
• 21:14 Using the elements of National Power
• 24:34 The impacts of the Israel-Gaza War
• 32:55 General Votel’s call to serve
• 42:35 Advice to new leaders
• 47:42 How the NCO corps separates the US military 
• 56:46 The role of Special Forces in the peer-to-peer fight
• 1:05:09 Solving the recruiting challenge
• 1:13:28 General Votel's Three Daily Foundations

Quotes: 

• “In a word, they’ve had it and they're trying to reassert themselves.” 
• “Putin has pretty much told us what he wants to do. He wants to eclipse the United States.” 
• “The Gulf partners, the other Arab states, aren’t that keen on having a new Palestinian state in the region.”
• “We have over-militarized a lot of our foreign policy in these areas. We need to be leading with diplomacy.”
• “If you open these humanitarian corridors, are you arming your adversary?” 
• “When I showed up to West Point…instant buyer’s remorse.” 
• “To me, leadership has really become about the basics.” 
• “I had a Sergeant Major. Bill Thetford. We were together for eight plus years; longer than the average American marriage.” 

The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation. Learn more on The Jedburgh Podcast Website. Subscribe to us and follow @jedburghpodcast on all social media. Watch the full video version on YouTube.

Special thanks to Odgers Berndtson for hosting this conversation.