LincInterviews

Bruce H. Klauber is a music journalist, jazz educator, producer, recording artist, drummer, and multi-instrumentalist.  Andrea Kauffman, entertainment industry manager, producer and agent, was Frank Sinatra, Jr.'s personal manager for 31 years, from 1985 until his passing in 2016.With this conversation, Bruce and Andrea review their recently released book, "Let Me Be Frank: The Extraordinary Life and Music of Frank Sinatra, Jr."From the book cover, "As an American singer, conductor, composer, and actor, Frank Sinatra, Jr. (1944-2016), had a long and successful music career and was recognized for his many contributions to American popular song. Yet, his own star has often been overshadowed by his world-famous father. The first book ever published about Frank Sinatra, Jr., Let Me Be Frank: The Extraordinary Life and Music of Frank Sinatra, Jr., details how this complex and often misunderstood artist dealt with professional struggles, personal demons, and endless comparisons with his father to emerge as a thriving performer who finally made peace with the name "Sinatra."In follow on, "Let Me Be Frank chronicles Frank Sinatra, Jr.'s life and music career, including the lifetime loyalty of his friends and bandsmen... finally sets the record straight about a brilliant man and a brilliant performer who never truly got the credit he deserved." 

Department of State Historian James Graham Wilson received a Ph.D. in diplomatic history from the University of Virginia in 2011 and a B.A. from Vassar College in 2003. He currently serves in the Office of the Historian at the Department of State, working on Soviet and National Security Policy Volumes for the Foreign Relations of the United States. With this conversation, Mr. Wilson discusses his recently published book "America’s Cold Warrior, Paul Nitze and National Security from Roosevelt to Reagan." He highlights Nitze’s service during eight Presidential administrations, including spotlight of Nitze's well known authorship in 1950 of National Security Policy Paper 68. NSC 68 laid the groundwork for the extensive U.S. military buildup to contain the former Soviet Union.   Wilson discusses the decades long praise of Nitze's service to the nation, including that of former National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice who once said, “Wise men come and wise men go, but one wise man goes on and on…and Paul, we’re very glad for that. ”  He closes by discussing his future projects.  

With this edition of LincInterviews, we are joined by New Jersey based Saxophonist Howard  Issacson. From his website, "Howard Isaacson is a highly accomplished saxophonist with a career spanning performances alongside legendary artists. Born and raised in Philadelphia, a city rich in musical heritage, he honed his skills, earning a Master’s degree in Performance and Education from Temple University." A recent review says, "Isaacson’s playing is a sensual experience with the notes flowing together with a smoothness that is deceptively easy to listen to…"Howard starts by spotlighting his own career, to include his education and many years of playing in the Atlantic City music scene. He also discusses how the music scene has changed over the past 20 years in Atlantic City, and his hopes for the future of both Atlantic City and music. Howard moves on to talk about his life long work of conducting masterclasses as a music educator in both private and public settings.He highlights his work with such artists as Aretha Franklin, Natalie Cole, Peter Cetera, Tony Bennett, Gladys Knight, The Four Tops and The Temptations. He also discusses artists who have influenced him, to include Boney James, David Sanborn, Everette Harp and Tower of Power.Having released multiple albums of his own work, he talks about his recent hit, "Blue Skies," which has has reached number one on the Urban Influencer Smooth Jazz Chart. With focus on his work in Atlantic City, he closes by talking about current projects and albums now in the works. 

With this Conversation, we are joined by Mr. Brett Cahoon, leader of the Good Shot Judy Band. The band tours the East Coast of the United States, performing at weddings, private parties, casinos, clubs and special events. Brett begins by sharing more about his personal story, also his decision to pursue a career in music. He highlights entertainers who have influenced his work. Described as, “ The Mid-Atlantic’s Number One High Octane Swing Band,”  Brett moves on to tell us about the band genre, history and namesake. With a roster that includes Double Bass, Piano, Drums, Keyboard, Bass, and a Horn section, Brett spotlights each of the band members.  Brett further details differing configurations of the band, to include as a jazz trio and as a twelve-piece big band. With the Good Shot Judy Website saying, “But Good Shot Judy is as close as it comes to an intersection between an era’s defining sound and the pleasure of enjoying it the way it was meant to be heard.” Brett expands on the Band's long term success. Brett closes with recommendations and advice for aspiring singers and bands, also mention of albums and projects in the works. View the the Good Shot Judy Website at: https://goodshotjudy.com. 

With this conversation, we are joined by Army Veteran and Musician Mr. Mark Reilly, who cofounded the Washington Tattoo the Washington Tattoo, founded 2019. Mark tells us more about his own career, then moves on to spotlight the Washington Tattoo. The Washington Tattoo’s mission, ”is to reshape today's conversation around mental health for active duty personnel, veterans, first responders, and families through the power of music wellness.” Mark expands on the meaning behind this mission, also detailing the meaning of a Tattoo. Mark expands on the Call to Action section of the Washington Tattoo Homepage, which lists the Tattoo support of over 2250 students and some 200 Veterans. Also discussed are two new programs of the Washington Tattoo - Rudiments to Recovery and Rudiments to Opportunity. Mark also tells us more about Washington Tattoo support of the John Michael Reilly Scholarship. To include the Highland Dance Workshop and Tartan Day Parade in New York City, Mark shares more about other events the Washington Tattoo participates in. For 2025, the Washington Tattoo performed on 29 March at Lisner Auditorium, Washington, DC.Mark closes by sharing more about how one may get involved with and sponsor the Washington Tattoo.

With this conversation, we are joined by Mr. Dane Anthony, leader of the New Jersey Based Dane Anthony Band. Now on the Atlantic City Music Scene for some 30 years, the Band regularly appears at the Golden Nugget, Hard Rock, Ocean and Harrahs Casinos, also Clubs in Cape May, New Jersey.  Described as a “versatile core of up to five accomplished musicians that are Atlantic City lounge legends,” Dane spotlights his own history in the music business and that of his players.  From the Dane Anthony Band Website (https://daneanthony.com/): “Dane and the boys just knocked another set out of the park. They are a great live band. If you can get out to see them and support live music, don’t hesitate to do so. You will not be disappointed.”       

With this edition of LincInterviews, we are joined by Dr. Pham H. Liem, President, Vietnamese American Conservative Alliance. Dr. Liem talks about his life, career and Presidency with the Vietnamese American Conservative Alliance. He also highlights his recent article published in the Epoch Times entitled “Let’s Return To Our Civic Nationalism Roots”. He spotliughts the status of Vietnam today in 2024, politically, economically and socially. In closing, he spotlights current projects, including the forthcoming three book poetry series of Fulbright Scholar and Law Professor Wendy Duong, which captures 50 years of Vietnamese American History. He also comments on the American and Vietnamese service members who gave their lives for our freedom.   

With this conversation, we are joined by Mr. Marc Schifanelli, practicing attorney and retired U.S. Army Special Forces Officer who served in Kosovo as an impartial observer with the Office for Security Cooperation from 1998-1999. To his time in the Kosovo region, he has written the book “Verified, On the Ground with the Kosovo Verification Mission.”  Marc details his early life and education, to include his service in the Army Special Forces. Along with historical review of the Balkans, he summarizes the geographic, political and ethnic makeup of the region.  His book, "Verified" is said to be, “an accurate account of events on the ground in Kosovo during the period that led to the unprecedented actions of a consortium of nations intervening in the internal conflict of a sovereign nation and attaining a result diametrically opposed to what they had intended.” He comments on Diplomatic and Media reportage of the campaign, closing with his thoughts on lessons learned. 

The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) was founded in 1920 by World War One veterans for disabled military veterans of the United States Armed Forces. Issued a Federal charter by Congress in 1932, the DAV has currently has over 1 million members. Joe Parsetich, a service-connected disabled Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War, served as DAV National Commander from 2022-2023. With this conversation, Joe discusses his early life, education, service in Vietnam and ensuing personal story of both challenge and success. He spotlights his time as DAV National Commander, to include advocating for the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022 (PACT Act).  He details DAV history, mission and current programs. He talks about his trademark philosophy of disabled veterans using their disability as fuel to help fellow veterans and others. He spotlights DAV work on the special needs of each Veteran and the all important reintegration process back into American Society.  He closes with review of forthcoming DAV National events and his personal thoughts on the time tested American spirit. 

With this conversation, we are joined by Mr. Nathan Butler, lead male vocalist for the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania based band, The Exceptions. Now on the Philadelphia music scene for over 50 years, The Exceptions perform at weddings, private parties, casinos, and clubs.  The Exceptions started as the house band at Rosewood Caterers in Northeast Philadelphia, averaging over 120 weddings a year for 12 consecutive years.  From the Exceptions Website, “The Exceptions headline all of the area venues including Sundays throughout the summer at The Deck at Golden Nugget In Atlantic City (23 consecutive years and counting), and regular appearances at Ventnor City Events, Parx Casino, Harrahs in AC, The Point in Somers Point, and Hard Rock Casino in Atlantic City.”  With a fan base now exceeding 20,000 throughout a tri-state area and a performance schedule of two to Four times per week, 52 weeks a year, Nathan spotlights the storied career of The Exceptions, now 50 years on.  View the Exceptions Website at: The Exceptions

Magda Khalifa is a first generation American, U.S. Army special operations combat veteran, business owner, speaker, and bestselling author of,  “American DREAM: Discipline, Resilience, Endurance, Adaptability, and Mentorship to Succeed and Win in Life“. With this conversation, she spotlights her two tours in Iraq and her ensuing struggle with transition and health issues. With highlight of her book American Dream, she highlights her success path through her concept Freedom Triangle®, introduced to the world in her memoir. In 2020, she launched the World’s First Modern Luxury Fragrance, Triangle Fragrance, featuring masterpiece eau de parfum for men and women.  

Career Ambassador David Satterfield has served as special envoy to the Horn of Africa, Assistant Secretary of State, National Security Staff Director, Ambassador to Lebanon and Turkey, also Charge d’affaires in Iraq and Egypt. He is currently Director of Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, leading the Institutes Edward P. Djerejian Center for the Middle East. With this conversation, Ambassdor Satterfield highlights his recent article, "The Role of US Diplomacy in a Changing World". At the outset of his article, Ambassador Satterfield says, " There is an enduring critical role for diplomacy—personal and institutional—in a world that is always changing. Today’s diplomacy is facilitated by technology in terms of access to information and communication within Washington, from Washington agencies, between DC and overseas posts, and among our missions to an extent unimaginable when I entered the Foreign Service in 1980. The days of the airgram are long past, of waiting for encrypted teletype messages to be deciphered and printed, of mastering Wang computers and the art of producing documents on daisy wheel printers—and good riddance to all!" The article includes discussion on positive changes, problems and challenges and Diplomacy in action in today’s world.  In conclusion, Ambassador Satterfield says , "The bottom line is that there is a great present and an enduring future in diplomacy and a need for the best diplomatic practitioners possible in today’s world and the world of tomorrow."  

With this conversation, we are joined by jazz vocalist Sara Jones.  She is the first place winner of the Billie Holiday Vocal Competition and semi-finalist in the American Traditions Competition. She has toured in 49 states, performing in numerous concert halls across the nation. Starting her career as a pianist, she received a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance at St. Mary's College of Maryland and a Master of Music in Piano, accompanying at the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music. With her graduation, she talks about her six years with the Soldiers’ Chorus of the U.S. Army Field Band.  Now maintaining an active performing schedule, she discusses the venues where she performs. She talks about her debut CD, Daydream A Little, published by Petite Musique Records.  Having also performed as a soloist with the National Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Pops Orchestra and Ravinia Festival Orchestra under the batons of Emil de Cou and Erich Kunzel, she spotlights these performances. She also reflects on her soloist perfomances on the Esplanade with Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops Orchestra, also her work in the Baltimore/Washington area as featured vocalist with the Jazz Ambassadors.  A music educator, Sara discusses her professorship at Towson University in Maryland, where she teaches Jazz and Commercial Voice.  She lists her favorite entertainers and those who have influenced her the most, also highlighting the Great American Songbook and Big Band Era in America. In closing, Sara talks about her favorite songs, along with recommendations for aspiring singers and future projects.   

With this conversation, we are joined by former United States Diplomat, Business Executive and Marine Corps Colonel Mr. Grant Newsham. A Senior fellow with the Center for Security Policy and the Yorktown Institute, Mr. Newsham discusses the legacy of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and future of the Indo Pacific Region. Abe’s long serving foreign policy adviser and speechwriter, Mr. Tomohiko Taniguchi, said Abe “understood Japan needed to enhance its economy, reinvested in the alliance with the United States, and expand its diplomatic ties by reaching out to Australia, and India.” How successful was he with each of these objectives? As the longest serving Prime Minister in Japanese history, Mr. Newsham spotlights Abe as a Statesman.  Shinzo Abe realized that without the American Alliance and U.S. presence, Japan’s prospects would be far less. Commensurate with his realization and work for change, Mr. Newsham discusses specific changes to the Japanese Constitution advocated by Abe.  He moves on to discuss Abe's effort to transform Japanese Maritime Defense Force (MDSF) from one of defense to that of power projection.  Abe is said to have coined the phrase, “A Free and Open Indo-Pacific”.  What did he mean by this phrase?  In September of 1954, the United States, France, Great Britain, New Zealand, Australia, the Philippines, Thailand and Pakistan formed the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization, or SEATO, to prevent communism from spreading in the region. With the increasing threat of Communist China, Newsham talks about the Quad transforming into a modern day SEATO.  In 2007, Shinzo Abe initiated the Quad, the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue between Australia, India, Japan, and the United States. What is the Quad? In closing, Mr. Newsham spotlights the future of the Indo-Pacific Region.   

With this conversation, we are joined by Lieutenant General Bob Wood, USA (Ret), Chief Executive Officer for American Veterans Vote, a Veteran based advocacy group focused on encouraging Veterans to understand and use their collective political voice. LTG Wood retired in 2009 with 36 years of service in the United States Army, commanding at all levels in the Army through Division. He served in senior operations and strategy staff positions at the Army, Joint, and Coalition levels, also as a White House fellow during the Reagan Administration.  The American Veterans Vote mission is, “To promote the political voice of Veterans and mission partners in support of Veterans and their families, the defense of the Constitution and a strong national security.”  Bob Wood expands on the mission of American Veterans Vote, to include spotlight on the bottom up versus top down approach philosophy behind America Veterans Vote.  On the front page of the American Veterans Vote Homepage, it is stated, “Our nation struggles to keep our constitutional republic intact, to heal and unite communities, and restore love and respect for our great nation and people.” Bob Wood spotlights how American Veterans Vote is working to address this statement.  He discusses how American Veterans Vote seeks to understand and engage with the otherwise sizable population of Veterans in both Virginia and around America, who feel left behind by the American Voting system, with national, states and local elections. How can one both join and volunteer for American Veterans Vote? What are some of the events and activities of American Veterans Vote? Bob Wood also speaks to the greatest challenges in the founding of American Veterans Vote. In closing, Bob Wood provides his overarching thoughts regarding increasing the the political voice of both our Nations Veterans and their families. 

With this conversation, we are joined by world renowned vocalist Elin Kathleen Melgarejo. At an early age, she became enamored with Brazilian music, embarking on a life-long journey to perform Brazilian jazz. Born and raised in Sweden, and the oldest of six children, she grew up in three different cultures and continents: Europe, North and South America. Fluent in five languages, she has lived in New York City, having been an instrumentalist and student of music since the age of seven. She spotlights her performance of the music of the great Brazilian Entertainers, such as Antonio Carlos Jobim, Gal Costa, João Gilberto, Elis Regina and Leny Andrade.  A key milestone in her career was meeting and working with the voice teacher Miriam Jaskierowicz Arman, author of, The Voice: A Spiritual Approach to Singing, Speaking and Com- municating. Elin shares more about the influence she had on your singing career.  To the Great American Songbook, she lists list Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and Sarah Vaughan as among those singers that have influenced her.   She performs in New York and Washington DC, sharing the venues she prefers and has performed at. She talks about her ongoing close connection to Brazil.  She moves on to talk about which is the most challenging - learning, memorizing, or performing songs? Elin highlights her debut album, Lazy Afternoon, a mix of Brazilian, American classic and original songs, released on September 5th, 2006, also collaborations with Thievery Corporation, with whom she has recorded six songs across three albums since 2014.  In closing, she provides recommendations and advice tp aspiring singers, also albums and projects now in progress.   

Ambassador Roman Popadiuk is the former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine. A retired member of the career Senior Foreign Service, he served on the National Security Councils of Presidents Ronald Reagan and George Bush.  With this conversation, Ambassador Popadiuk discusses the Ukrainian Invasion. Starting with why Mr. Putin invaded the Ukraine, Ambassador Popadiuk spotlights some aspects and unintended consequences of the invasion for which Mr. Putin may not have anticipated.   He discusses how changing the overall global security map may well be one of Mr. Putin’s desires. Amidst a long history of oppression, starvation and war, the Ukrainian people also have a history of resilience and survival. With the current invasion, Ambassdor Popaduik further discusses Ukrainian resilience and survival.  He moves on to discusses what he believes the view of the Russian people to be of Ukraine today in 2022 and how they are reacting to the current invasion.  Could the Russian Ukrainian Invasion could escalate into a conflict, even war, between NATO, perhaps the United States and Russia, or not? With a potential threat of the use of tactical nuclear weapons by Mr. Putin, might the Ukrainian Invasion be considered a novel situation, perhaps not?  Ambassador Popadiuk also spotlights his thoughts on whether the Ukrainian Invasion be solved diplomatically or not.     Is China President Xi a cohort of Mr. Putin with the invasion of Ukraine? In the months ahead, will the Russian invasion of Ukraine become too much for Putin to Control? In closing, with Russia having ancestral roots common to Ukraine, Ambassador Popadiuk discusses whether Mr. Putin and his actions are a reflection of his and the traditional Russian view of Ukraine.   

With this conversation, we are joined by Mr. Wick Rowland, President & CEO Emeritus of PBS12 (formerly Colorado Public Television and KBDI) in Denver, and Dean and Professor Emeritus of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Colorado Boulder.  Mr. Rowland details his time at Stanford University, where he earned an MA in communication from the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania, also his Ph.D. from the Institute for Communications Research at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.  He spotlights his Presidency at Public Broadcasting Station (PBS) Channel 12, where he refocused station strategy and management, resulting in increased community partnerships and revenues. He also discusses his oversight of the station from transition to digital, multi-channel, and interactive television.  With his award as a Fulbright Specialist for broadcasting, Mr. Rowland talks about his work in media policy development and communication and journalism education in Ethiopia. He also reflects on his service in the Peace Corps in Jamaica, where he specialized in both instructional broadcasting and adult literacy, which included a more critical and culturally conscious approach to media history and policy issues, particularly with regard to public service questions.  Mr. Rowland compares and contrasts the American media today in 2021 with that of the pre internet age.    In closing, Mr. Rowland highlights his recommendations for aspiring broadcast journalists.

Alana DeJoseph has worked in video and film production for nearly 40 years as producer, director, videographer, and editor.  With this conversation, Ms. DeJoseph highlights her own career, spotlighting her most recent film production entitled, “A Towering Task,” a documentary which chronicles the Peace Corps from inception in the 1960s to today in 2021. Of her most recent documentary, she says: "In a time when the American public either has a very antiquated notion of the Peace Corps, informed by an almost mythological awe of the 60s, or is not even aware that the agency still exists, at a time when global problems such as climate change and pandemics are highlighting the need for international cooperation, it is high time to bring this unique organization back into the public discourse, to raise the level of the discussion from quaint to crucial."  She discusses the original and timeless Peace Corps mission, also how the Peace Corps evolved since inception. She closes with her thoughts on the relevance of the Peace Corps today in 2021, now 60 years on from founding.            

James T. L. Dandridge II is a retired career senior Foreign Service officer with the rank of Minister Counselor, now President of the Diplomatic and Consular Officers Retired Organization (DACOR). Originally from Selma, Alabama, he served as a U.S. Army Special Operations Officer. His final assignment was as Special Operations Branch Chief, Joint Chiefs of Staff, retiring in 1979. He moved on to serve with the United States Information Agency (USIA) and the United States Department of State, retiring with 65 years of federal service. With this conversation, he highlights his time with USIA and the State Department. He also spotlights his work with the National Museum of American Diplomacy (NMAD), the first museum in the world dedicated to diplomacy, for which he is vice chairman of the Diplomacy Center Foundation. He reviews the DACOR Bacon House Conference 2021, entitled  “Rebuilding Diplomacy." The three focus areas of the conference were, "Strengthening the Foreign Service, The State Department Within the Foreign Affairs and Strengthening U.S. Diplomacy Abroad.” In follow on, he discusses what he considers the greatest challenges of the Department of State today in 2021.  To the emergence of China as a world superpower, he discusses Chinese President Xi’s intentions, along with what he believes American Foreign Policy should be toward those intentions.  In closing, Jim Dandridge reflects on the U.S. led Afghan War, considered the longest war in American History.       

Ambassdor James R. Bullington's early career included service in Vietnam, where he was the Vice Consul at the consulate in Hue from 1965 to 1966. He was the aide to U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam, Henry Cabot Lodge Jr, at the U.S. Embassy in Saigon. During the 1968 Tet Offensive, Ambassador Bullington was caught behind enemy lines in Hue, disguising himself as a French priest in order to escape. From 1969 to 1970 he was assigned to Washington D.C. and detailed to the National Security Council Staff as a member of the Vietnam Special Studies Group. In 1971-73 he served as Deputy Principal Officer at the U.S. Consulate in Chiangmai, Thailand. From 1973 to 1975 he was Chief Political Officer for the State Department's Vietnam Working Group. In the 1970's, he served as Consul and Counselor for Political and Economic Affairs in Burma; and deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in N’Djamena, Chad, where he led the evacuation of Americans during the civil war. He was assigned as permanent charge d'affaires, also chief of mission, Cotonou, Benin. In 1982 he was Senior Advisor on African Affairs to the U.S. delegation at the United Nations. In 1983, he was appointed Ambassador to Burundi by President Ronald Reagan. In the late 1980's until retirement, he was the State Department's Senior Seminar Dean. With this conversation, Ambassador Bullington discusses his book, "Global Adventures on Less-Traveled Roads: A Foreign Service Memoir," which details his career in the foreign service. He spotlights the basics of leadership, along with selected thoughts on what he believes should be the top priority of the United States Department of State today, 2021. In closing, he comments on the present situation in Afghanistan.       

LincInterviews is again joined by Dr. Henry R. Nau, Professor Emeritus of Political Science and International Affairs, Elliott School of International Affairs, The George Washington University, also senior staff member and White House sherpa on President Ronald Reagan’s National Security Council, 1981-1983.  With this conversation, Dr. Nau discusses his article entitled, "Why Nation-Building Is Inevitable," posted in August of 2021 on the Providence Institute on Religion and Democracy Website. In introduction, the article states, "The lesson many draw from the debacle in Afghanistan is no more nation-building. But you can’t ignore nation-building because military threats to the United States originate in one of two places—unstable or failed states and aggressive totalitarian societies. No democracy threatens the United States today. That fact alone suggests that the type of domestic regime matters greatly in the calculus of America’s national interests." The article moves on to address such questions as: Should we stay indefinitely in places like Afghanistan and Iraq? What other lessons can we draw from the experience of Afghanistan?  In this discussion, Dr. Nau also relates the article to his book, "Perspectives on International Relations,” in which he presents four models of American foreign policy: realism, liberalism, constructivism, and critical theory. To our involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq, which of the aforementioned models has the previous and current administration pursued with American foreign policy?  He comments on China's intentions in Afghanistan, also providing thoughts on the potential silent majority in the Afghan population. Does the Taliban have genuine control of Afghanistan? In closing, Dr. Nau predicts the intermediate and long term survival of the Taliban.         

LincInterviews is again joined by long time China watcher, Mr. Pater Bartram, founder of Imagine.com Telecommunications, Inc.®, and Imagine Labs. With this conversation, Mr. Bartram further elaborates on concepts he believes could deter a growing China threat: global financial system access deterrence, internet and fiber-optic blackhole deterrence and oil flow deterrence.  In follow on, Mr. Bartram discusses lack of strategic clarity by the United States with the South China Sea.  He also discusses Cyberspace, to include focus on cyber attack and network offensive cyberattacks.  He spotlights the possibility of China escalating to confrontation with Taiwan, the United States, and Allies.    He compares and contrasts Cold War deterrence of the past with that of the present. Is traditional Cold War deterrence effective with both the Russian and Chinese threat of 2021?  With Prime Minister of Japan Suga and President Biden meeting in April 2021 at the White House, Mr. Bartram predicts possible ensuing announcements from the meeting.  In closing, Mr. Bartram comments on the Quad, an alliance consisting of India, Australia, Japan and the United States. Could other countries join the Quad? Could the Quad or a Quad plus become an Indo-Pacific version of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)? 

A former Foreign Service Officer, Mr. John Bradshaw is the Executive Director of the DACOR Bacon House Foundation for Foreign Service Professionals. He is former Foreign Policy Advisor to two U.S. Senators. With this conversation, Mr. Bradshaw spotlights both his time as a Foreign Service Officer and on Capitol Hill. In follow on, he discusses the need to revitalize both the United States Department of State and Foreign Service.  His comment includes focus on the Council on Foreign Relations report “Revitalizing the State Department and America and the Harvard University Belfer Center report entitled, “A U.S. Diplomatic Service for the 21st Century," which provides ten recommendations to improve the Department of State.  In follow on, he further addresses such questions as: What indeed needs to be improved at the State Department and the Foreign Service today in 2021?  He also highlights suggested modifications to the architecture of the State Department and the Foreign Service Exam.  In closing, he reveiws the need to depoliticize the Department of State, along with what he believes to be among the top priorities of the United States Department of State. 

Shannon Brandao is an American attorney based in Belgium, holding an LLM in European & International Business Law. She is the creator and online host of a news and analysis service known as China Boss.  Seen on Linked In, China Boss now has over 12,000 followers worldwide.  With this conversation, she highlights selected news stories most recently posted on China Boss.  Also spotlighted are current administration policies toward China, from military, political and economic perspectives. To the Coronavirus Epidemic, Ms. Brandao provides comment on the involvement of China with the COVID 19 Epidemic. In closing, Ms. Brandao further discusses what she believes to be the greatest challenges facing US-China relations, also presenting her long term view of the Chinese Communist Party.   

  Mr. Peter Bartram is President of Imagine.com, a Telecommunications Company specializing in hosting services, website design, and the configuration and support of publishing computer systems in multi-platform work environments. He also founded Imagine Labs, LLC Delaware, a business advisory company formed for the purpose of providing Advisory Services to corporations, government agencies, and other organizations. A mainland China watcher, he offers stories and reports regarding China on social networking platforms such as Linked In.  With this conversation, Mr. Bartram presents and highlights selected concepts and strategies addressing the China threat, to include strategic clarity, strategic ambiguity and to what he refers as the Taiwan Linchpin. Further discussed is the requirement for increased investment in roads and infrastructure in Taiwan, and a sub sea power grid of clean green technology and energy resilience. Spotlighted is the otherwise informal alliance of nations known as the Quad, now focused on the China threat. In follow on, Mr. Bartram addresses the long running collective narrative positing that China would become more democratic over time. In closing, the nature of both the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and China’s President is discussed, along with comment on the future viability of the Chinese Regime.    

Mr. Rick Fisher is Senior Fellow, International Assessment and Strategy Center. His career includes study at Georgetown University and Eisenhower College, serving as Asian Studies Director at the Heritage Foundation, US China Security & Economic Review Commission, Editor of the Jamestown Foundation’s China Brief and as President of Pacific Strategies, Inc. During this conversation, Mr. Fisher reviews his book, China’s Military Modernization: Building for Regional and Global Reach.  China's rise to global economic and strategic eminence has the potential for achieving pre-eminence in the greater-Asian region. With this rise, his book offers essential understanding of the military-strategic basis and trajectory of a rising China. It also provides background on current and future issues concerning China's rising strategic-military influence. China is now exerting military and strategic pressure on Japan, the Korean Peninsula, India, the South China Sea, the Taiwan Strait, Central Asia, Africa and Latin America. Is conflict a foregone conclusion, as indicated by China's increasing participation in many benign international organizations? Will China's leadership pursue its interests as it sees them, not in keeping with those of the United States and the otherwise free world?  Mr. Fisher also discusses how China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) remains critical to the existence of the Chinese Communist government. While China has both internal and external constraints on its rise to global eminence, the far-reaching strategic agenda of the Chinese government is clear and present. 

Joseph F. Johnston, Jr. graduated from Princeton University, subsequently receiving both a master’s degree in history and law from Harvard University. He has practiced law in New York City and Washington, D.C. He has served as a visiting lecturer at the University of Virginia law school and is a member of the American Law Institute.  His most recent book, "The Decline of Nations," examines the contemporary United States, discussing why Americans should be deeply concerned. Immigration, morality, political correctness, religion and the ascendancy of a new elite class are among the key issues highlighted. The book cites the rise and decline of Roman and British empires. Mr. Johnston spotlights excessive centralization and deterioration of the rule of law in the United States. He discusses the Progressive movement and expansion of the Welfare state. The book questions the decline of America's military capacity, educational system, arts and culture. Can extensive global commitments threaten America’s strength and prosperity? Can the United States sustain current economic and political dominance around the world? By seeking to answer these questions and examining the historic patterns of otherwise great nations and empires, Mr. Johnson spotlights the essential need to learn about the future destiny of America. 

Brig. Gen. Robert S. Spalding III assumed the duties of Special Assistant to the U.S. Air Force Vice Chief of Staff in February 2018. He earned his doctorate in economics and mathematics from the University of Missouri at Kansas City in 2007. General Spalding served as the chief China strategist for the chairman of the Joint Chiefs, the Joint Staff at the Pentagon, Washington D.C. His next assignment was in China as the Senior Defense Official and Defense Attache to China in Bejing, China, then serving at the White House as the Senior Director for Strategic Planning at the National Security Council, Washington D.C. During this conversation General Spaulding talks about the political, economic and military rise of China. He also discusses his recently published book, "Stealth War, How China Took Over While America's Elite Slept." In the book, he emphasizes how “most Americans don’t realize just how much influence the Chinese Communist Party has in the United States” and the primary ways China’s Communist party has sought to influence the United States. He further states, "The CCP's fundamental loathing of our Bill of Rights and other legal protections should be chilling to anyone who values freedom. It is the primary reason I am writing this book. I want to alert the world to China's stealth war and its strategy to dominate the planet by focusing on six spheres of influence: the economy, the military, global diplomacy, technology, education, and infrastructure." He also reviews the closing chapter in the book entitled,  “Beating China at its own game” in which he sets forth an overarching strategy to deal with China. The strategy consists of four concepts: Lead with Principles, Strengthen America, Organize to Compete and Rebuild the International Order.   

Dr. Henry R. Nau is Professor of Political Science and International Affairs at the Elliott School of International Affairs, The George Washington University. He has taught at Williams College, Johns Hopkins, Stanford, and Columbia Universities. From 1975 to 1977, Dr. Nau served as special assistant to the Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs. From 1981 to 1983, he was senior staff member and White House sherpa on President Ronald Reagan’s National Security Council, responsible for G-7 Summits and international economic affairs. He is author of five University Press Books, to include, "Perspectives on International Relations: Power, Institutions, and Ideas". With this conversation, Dr. Nau begins by spotlighting his career in academia and government service. With highlight of his book, "Perspectives on International Relations: Power, Institutions, and Ideas," Dr. Nau moves on to discuss the relationship between the United States and China. In particular, he talks about the greatest challenges facing U.S. and China relations and the future of Taiwan and Hong Kong. Dr. Nau also reviews the culture and beliefs of the Communist Chinese Party, to include focus on their "DNA". On closing, he addresses the question, "is there a silent majority in the Chinese population that admires the freedoms of the Western world, or not?"    

Congressman Rob Wittman (VA 01) has served the First Congressional District of Virginia since 2007. He is focused on  "strengthening our military and supporting veterans, promoting economic development through fiscal responsibility, fixing our crumbling infrastructure, increasing access to high-speed internet, and promoting workforce development through Career and Technical Education (CTE) and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) programs." In the U.S. Congress, Congressman Wittman serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the Committee on Natural Resources, advocating for our men and women in uniform and as a champion of the Chesapeake Bay. On the Armed Services Committee, he serves as Ranking Member of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee.   During this conversation, Congressman Wittman talks about his public service. He highlights his work in strengthening the military, supporting veterans, promoting economic development through fiscal responsibility, fixing infrastructure, increasing access to high-speed internet, and promoting workforce development through Career and Technical Education (CTE) and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) programs, and cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay and Infrastructure. In closing, he discusses the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade, recent violence in America and what he believes the U.S. strategy should be toward China, both today and in the future.  

Dr. YANG Jianli is a scholar and human rights activist, a world-renowned leader for China’s democracy. The son of a Communist Party Leader, he was detained in China in 2002, remaining imprisoned until 2007. He was present at the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989, and has studied at Harvard University and the University of California, Berkeley. During this conversation Dr. Jianli talks about the state of human rights and press freedom in China. He also discusses the the DNA of the Chinese Communist Party. He also reviews what he believes the greatest challenges facing US-China relations, both now and in the future, and the overall political, economic and social future of Hong Kong. Dr. Jianli provides his perspective on the silent majority in the Chinese population, along with his beliefs on the future of the Chinese Communist Party and regime.  In closing, he explains the meaning behind the centerpiece quote on his website, “In every heart, there is goodness, and there is knowledge of right and wrong. That is where our hope comes from.” 

Adam Roosevelt is a Father, Combat Veteran, Army Reservist, and Small Business Owner. He was the Nominee for Virginia's House of Delegates in Legislative District 49 (Arlington and Parts of Fairfax). Born in Portsmouth Virginia, he enlisted in the Army at 17 years of age. His first unit assignment was at Ft. Drum, then deploying to Bagram Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom with the International Security Assistance Force. In this conversation, Adam talks about his time in Afghanistan, recent run for office and defense contracting work. He also reflects on the greatest challenges facing the United States today, to include comment on the current nationwide violence. Finally, he discusses his views on the American mainstream media, along with his perspective regarding U.S. policy toward China.   

Simon Gao is a producer and host for New Tang Dynasty (NTD) Television's, "Zooming In with Simone Gao."  During this conversation, Simone talks about her career, her recent reporting on China, overall freedom of press in Asia, the American Media and the COVID 19 Pandemic.   In particular, Simone highlights her latest one hour documentary entitled," The Coverup of the Century." As posted on You Tube 28 June 2020: "Zooming In’s one-hour documentary movie follows investigative reporter Simone Gao’s inquiry into critical questions about the pandemic: What did the Chinese Communist leadership do at the early stages of the outbreak? What significant truth have they concealed from the world, and why did they do that?"   

"The Indo American Center ia an independent, non-partisan, free market think tank, dedicated to strengthening the strategic partrnership emerging between India and the United States." During this conversation, Indo American Center Executive President Mr. Vinson Palathingal further details the mission of the Indo American Center, with focus on the goals, target audiences and recent initiatives of the Center.   Vinson also spotlights the recent history of India, along with a review of the current relationship between the United States and India.   

Mr. Ben Loyola is a Cuban native who escaped the communist country to America when he was two years of age. He moved on to serve for 30 years in the United States Navy, retiring as a Captain. In 1991, he founded Loyola Enterprises Inc., an engineering service contracting firm. He is now a candidate for the Second Congressional District in the Commonwealth of Virginia. In this conversation, Ben discusses family escape from Cuba, service in the United States Navy, business career and his current campaign for Congress. He also highlights what he believes to be the greatest challenges and opportunities facing both the Second Congressional District in Virginia and our nation.  

From the JCU Website: "The Japanese Conservative Union (JCU) was founded in 2015. Our mission is to foster dialogue to expand understandings of conservative ideas, not only between the US and Japan but also within Japan and across Asia. JCU believes the proper role of government is to protect its citizens' lives, safety, and wealth through a commitment to the rule of law and strong national security; to unleash economic growth by minimizing tax and regulatory burdens, thus empowering all generations to prosper; and to operate efficiently and transparently."  This interview is with Mr. Matt Noyes, Japanese Conservative Union International Liaision. Along with discussing his duties at JCU, Matt discusses the JCU mission and growing presence in other nations. Additionally, Matt talks about the growing cooperation between Japanese and American conservatives, press freedom in China, the Japanese and American media and the Freedom Fighters in Hong Kong.   

  Recording artist Chuck Redd has 25 European and Six tours of Japan to his credit. He has served as artist in Residence at the Smithsonian Jazz Cafe in Washington, DC, toured with Dizzy Gillespie, Mel Torme, Tommy Flanagan, Ray Brown, Monty Alexander, Rebecaa Kilgore and Nicki Parrott. He is featured annually at numerous music events, to include The Newport Jazz Festival, The West Texas Jazz Party and the North Carolina Jazz Festival. He has played at the White House and on the Tonight Show. Frequently performing in New York City and Washington, DC, he is featured in over 80 recordings. He is on the faculty at the University of Maryland School of Music, presenting classes nationwide. In today's conversation with Chuck, he talks about what inspired him to become a vibraphone player. He also talks about his time with the Charlie Byrd Trio and such artists as Mel Torme. Chuck reviews his favorite perfoming venues, and his inclusion of both the Great American Song Book and Bossa Nova during his shows. He also talks about some of the more complex songs he plays, and his recommendations for young people aspiring to play the vibraphone.   *NOTE: Slight delay at start of interview*