The Policy and Politics Interview Series
The Political Courage Podcast
On the Political Courage podcast, we are doing a series of interviews with highly knowledgeable and influential people who are at the center of politics in one way or another. The discussions are about policy (foreign and domestic), Afghanistan, policy think tanks, advocacy, the Biden and Trump administrations, COVID, and courageous decisions in politics.
These have been extremely interesting, informative, and educational.
The interviews to date are:
- Michael Johns — He was a White House speechwriter for George H.W. Bush and is a current foreign policy analyst and Tea Party co-founder. He worked for New Jersey governor and 9/11 Commission chairman Thomas Kean, Senator Olympia Snowe, and at the International Republican Institute.
- Irina Tsukerman — She is a human rights attorney specializing in the Middle East and North Africa and specifically Afghanistan. She is a national security analyst. She is the CEO and President of Scarab Rising. She also acts as the Editor-in-Chief of The Washington Outsider. We discuss the human rights issues surrounding the Afghanistan withdrawal and the people left behind.
- Hizbullah Khan — A freelance journalist stuck in Kabul, Afghanistan. Hizbullah is a pro-democracy writer focusing on war and cultural issues. He writes for numerous United States and Middle Eastern publications arguing for democracy and justice including for The Independent, The Diplomat, The Globe Post, Jerusalem Post, and others. He is currently hiding and traveling around Kabul, staying in different locations each night to avoid being caught by the Taliban.
4. Tony Shaffer — He is the president of the London Center for Policy Research, a Conservative political policy think tank. He is a retired Lieutenant Colonel and a CIA-trained Intelligence Operative who has 35 years experience in global and national security. He is the New York Times best-selling author of Operation Dark Heart. Tony works as an advisor to senior members of the White House, the Intelligence Community, the Pentagon, and members of Congress.
5. Simon Rosenberg — the president of the New Democrat Network and the New Policy Institute. He is an experienced television news producer and highly regarded political strategist and thought-leader. He is a veteran of two Presidential campaigns, including a senior role in the famous 1992 Clinton War Room. Simon advises leading politicians, Biden Administration officials and policy makers on a wide range of issues here in the United States and abroad.
These five interviews are now available.
We have numerous upcoming interviews as well. Our next discussion is with Fred Wellman. Fred is the former Executive Director and current Senior Advisor for the Lincoln Project. He served in the army for over 20 years as an officer in aviation and public affairs. He worked on the staff of now-retired General David Petraeus and also on the staff of former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General Marty Dempsey. Early in the pandemic crisis, he served as Administrative Chief of Staff of a COVID Field Hospital in New York City.
These interviews are available on most any podcast provider app or as videos on our YouTube channel. Both can also be accessed on our website.
Click and learn with us. The Political Courage Podcast.
