James G. Stavridis

Global Risk: Disruption Without End?

John Micklethwait, Carlos Gutierrez, Jane Harman, Lord Mandelson, James G. Stavridis, Mac Thornberry, Jim Stavridis, Peter Mandelson

A distinguished panel of geopolitical experts and former officials convened to analyze the acceleration of global risks, highlighting the return of great power competition with Russia and China, the intractable nature of North Korean denuclearization, and the fragility of international institutions amidst cyber and economic threats. Key figures such as Jane Harmon, Jim Stavridis, and Peter Mandelson argued that the U.S. lacks a sustained long-term strategy, warning that withdrawal from agreements like the Iran deal and the Trans-Pacific Partnership undermines credibility while leaving critical gaps in military readiness and alliance cohesion. The discussion concluded that restoring bipartisan support for defense spending and rebuilding a coherent military capability is the foundational prerequisite for the U.S. to effectively manage an era defined by "ceaseless" conflict and technological disruption.