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John Negroponte is one of the leading diplomats of our age. When he was a young man, he was at Henry Kissinger’s side in Vietnam. He had a Latin American career, including the ambassadorships to Mexico and Honduras. He was also ambassador to the Philippines.
In the George W. Bush years, he was ambassador to Iraq, and ambassador to the U.N. He was also director of national intelligence and deputy secretary of state.
Jay talks with him about the Philippines – the new sheriff in town. And about the infernal problem of North Korea. And China and Japan.
Then they talk about Venezuela, that miserable state. And Mexico and NAFTA. And Europe and Putin.
Finally, there are general questions, concerning “America First,” “globalism,” a new “American century,” etc.
John Negroponte is a voice of experience, and a crystal-clear talker as well.
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I’ve always had a soft spot for John Negroponte, because his wife was in grad school at Georgetown with our daughter in the same department. Clearly they understand that it is important to understand diplomatic history.
“I don’t like the blacks much either” – Jay Nordlinger
(Context: “Ambassador, toward the end here, I would like to ask you some general questions, starting with nationalism in Europe. Nationalism is maybe one of the kinder words. I’m talking about Viktor Orban in Hungary, and the so-called Freedom Party in Austria, and that gang in Poland, and Madam Le Pen and so on. I must say that I didn’t see this coming, and that I find it disquieting. I don’t like the reds; I don’t like the blacks much either.”)
Oof. That’s…not a healthy thing to say, regardless of context.