The most solemn responsibility a Presidential candidate has is presenting a clear strategy and policies for the defense of the United States. From President John F. Kennedy’s suggested “missile gap” with the Soviet Union, to Senator John McCain’s controversial decision to run on his support of the Iraq War (and President Barack Obama’s campaign against it), to President Trump’s campaign on withdrawal from international treaties, the most pressing national security challenges of our times are often first shaped on the campaign trail. In this session, we will discuss how Presidential candidates create and articulate clear strategies and policies for the defense of the United States.

Guest: Eric Edelman, former United States Under Secretary for Defense for Policy and former United States Ambassador to Turkey and Finland. 

At 5:15, we will join Margaret Talev's study group with Sir Kim Darroch, British Ambassador to the United States.