What Mike Pompeo Really Thinks About China, Iran, and America’s Global Role

Join us for an exclusive evening with former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo as he shares his insights on the most pressing challenges facing American foreign policy and global security today. Drawing from his extensive experience as the nation’s top diplomat and former CIA Director, Secretary Pompeo will provide a candid assessment of America’s strategic position in an increasingly multipolar world.

Featured Discussion Topics:

The Iranian Challenge – Secretary Pompeo will examine Iran’s regional ambitions, nuclear program developments, and proxy network activities across the Middle East. He’ll discuss the effectiveness of sanctions regimes, diplomatic engagement strategies, and the implications of Iran’s relationships with Russia and China for regional stability.

Strategic Competition with China – Explore the evolving U.S.-China relationship beyond trade wars, including technological competition, military modernization in the South China Sea, Taiwan’s strategic importance, and Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative. Secretary Pompeo will address how America can maintain its competitive edge while managing this critical bilateral relationship.

The North Korean Dilemma – Gain insights into the complexities of dealing with Pyongyang’s nuclear ambitions, the effectiveness of diplomatic engagement versus pressure campaigns, and the role of regional allies South Korea and Japan in addressing this persistent security challenge.

America’s Global Leadership – Secretary Pompeo will discuss how the United States can maintain its influence and leadership role while navigating alliance relationships, addressing global challenges like climate change and pandemic preparedness, and responding to authoritarian threats to democratic institutions worldwide.

Regional Flashpoints and Emerging Threats – From the ongoing conflict in Ukraine to instability in Africa and Latin America, explore how these regional challenges impact broader U.S. strategic interests and the international order.

Featured Speaker: Mike Pompeo

Michael R. Pompeo served as the 70th United States Secretary of State from April 2018 through January 2021. He previously served as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency from January 2017 to April 2018.

Prior to joining the Trump Administration, Mr. Pompeo was serving in his fourth term as congressman from Kansas’ 4th District. He served on the House Intelligence Committee, as well as the Energy and Commerce Committee and House Select Benghazi Committee.

Prior to his service in Congress, Mr. Pompeo founded Thayer Aerospace, where he served as CEO for more than a decade. He later became President of Sentry International, an oilfield equipment manufacturing, distribution, and service company.

Mr. Pompeo graduated first in his class at the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1986 and served as a cavalry officer patrolling the Iron Curtain before the fall of the Berlin Wall. He also served with the 2nd Squadron, 7th Cavalry in the US Army’s Fourth Infantry Division.

After leaving active duty, Mr. Pompeo graduated from Harvard Law School, having been an editor of the Harvard Law Review. (World Affairs Council of Greater Houston)