The Council of American Ambassadors was pleased to host former National Security Advisor (NSA) Robert O'Brien on our podcast, American Ambassadors Live! Ambassador (ret.) Jim Rosapepe (Romania, 1998 - 2001) hosted the podcast, diving into various issues that are central to President Trump's foreign policy and national security agenda.

We invite you to tune in for this engaging conversation. NSA O'Brien and Ambassador Rosapepe cover a broad range of topics-- from the Trump Administration's recently released National Security Strategy to the ways that the United States is competing with China.

See below for an excerpt on President Nicolás Maduro and Venezuela:

"He's [President Maduro] had these drug boats, which are now fewer and further in between, but these sicario fast boats running drugs up to America. And President Trump has said "no." I think Maduro pushed him too far, and he's going to pay the price for it."

This podcast was recorded on Wednesday, December 17, 2025.

About the Speakers

Robert C. O'Brien is the co-founder and chairman of American Global Strategies LLC. He was the 27th United States National Security Advisor from 2019-2021. He serves on the President's Intelligence Advisory Board (PIAB) in President Donald Trump's second term.

In President Trump's first term, O'Brien served as the President's principal advisor on all aspects of American foreign policy and national security affairs. O'Brien brought a renewed focus to defense and industrial base issues to the NSC. A long-time advocate of a sea power and a 355 ship Navy, O'Brien visited leading shipyards during his tenure. He also spent time at defense plants and with our troops at bases around the world.

During O'Brien's time as National Security Advisor, the United States orchestrated the historic Abraham Accords in the Middle East, brokered economic normalization between Serbia and Kosovo, achieved significant defense spending increases among our NATO allies and increased cooperation with America's allies across the Indo-Pacific.

Prior to serving as NSA, O'Brien was the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs with the personal rank of Ambassador. He was directly involved in the return of over 25 detainees and hostages to the United States. O'Brien previously served as Co-Chairman of the U.S. Department of State Public-Private Partnership for Justice Reform in Afghanistan under both Secretaries of State Rice and Clinton.

O'Brien was also a presidentially appointed member of the U.S. Cultural Property Advisory Committee from 2008-2011. In 2005, O'Brien was nominated by President George W. Bush and unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as a U.S. Representative to the 60th session of the UN General Assembly. Earlier in his career, O'Brien served as a Senior Legal Officer for the UN Security Council commission that decided claims against Iraq arising out of the first Gulf War. He was a Major in the Judge Advocate General's Corps of the U.S. Army Reserve.

In July 2022, O'Brien was elected as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Richard Nixon Foundation. He is a member of he board of directors of Booz Allen Hamilton Holdings, a Fortune 350 U.S. technology company. O'Brien is a Distinguished Senior Fellow at the Pepperdine School of Public Policy and was a member of the inaugural class of Carnegie Distinguished Fellows at the Columbia University Institute of Global Politics.

He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Atlantic Council, a member of the American Academy of Diplomacy and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He was a co-chair of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Commission on Hostage Taking and Wrongful Detention. O'Brien also served as the Chairman of the Global Taiwan Institute (GTI) Task Force on US-Taiwan Relations.

O'Brien is the recipient of the National Security Medal, the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal, the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service, the National Defense Medal, the Legion d'honneur (chevalier), the Republic of China (Taiwan) Order of the Brilliant Star with Special Grand Cordon and the Kosovo Presidential Medal of Merits. The National Museum of the Surface Navy named O'Brien the recipient of the 2021 Freedom of the Seas Award. That same year, O'Brien and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo were awarded the Richard Nixon Foundation's Architect of Peace Award for their work on the Abraham Accords and other initiatives while in office. Following the signing of the Abraham Accords in 2020, a tree was planted on behalf of the State of Israel at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Forest in the Hills of Jerusalem in honor of O'Brien. In 2019, O'Brien received the Dr. Miriam and Sheldon Adelson Award for the Defense of America and Israel. The U.C. Berkeley School of Law presented O'Brien with the Stefan A. Riesenfeld Memorial Award for outstanding contributions to the field of international law in 2011.

O'Brien holds a J.D. from the U.C. Berkeley School of Law. He received his B.A. degree in political science, cum laude, from UCLA.

Ambassador Jim Rosapepe served as U.S. Ambassador to Romania from 1998 to 2001, where he advanced Romania's integration into NATO and contributed to stability in the Balkans. He currently serves in the Maryland State Senate representing District 21 and is the Chair and CEO of Patuxent Capital Group, a strategic investment firm.

In this episode, Ambassador Jim Rosapepe moderates a conversation with Ambassador Mark Gitenstein to discuss the economic and security challenges facing Europe today. The discussion highlights the impact of EU tariffs on global trade and the ongoing war in Ukraine—issues that are shaping the future of transatlantic relations. Drawing on his experience as U.S. Ambassador to Romania and later to the European Union, Ambassador Gitenstein offers unique insights into how diplomacy, trade, and security intersect in this critical moment.

Ambassador Mark Gitenstein served as U.S. Ambassador to the European Union from 2022 to 2024 and previously as U.S. Ambassador to Romania from 2009 to 2012. During his tenure in Brussels, he worked closely on trade, energy, and security policy, including EU coordination on sanctions in response to Russia's war in Ukraine. In Bucharest, he was recognized for advancing democratic governance, strengthening rule of law, and deepening U.S.-Romanian strategic ties. Before his ambassadorial service, Ambassador Gitenstein practiced law for decades in Washington, D.C., specializing in regulatory and constitutional issues, and worked extensively in the U.S. Senate. He is a graduate of Duke University and Georgetown University Law Center.

Ambassador Jim Rosapepe served as U.S. Ambassador to Romania from 1998 to 2001, where he advanced Romania's integration into NATO and contributed to stability in the Balkans. He currently serves in the Maryland State Senate representing District 21 and is the Chair and CEO of Patuxent Capital Group, a strategic investment firm.

In this episode, Ambassador Jim Rosapepe moderates a conversation with Ambassador Mark Brzezinski, son of the late Zbigniew Brzezinski, to discuss Edward Luce's new biography Zbig: The Life of Zbigniew Brzezinski, America's Great Power Prophet. Together, they reflect on Brzezinski's extraordinary journey from Polish immigrant to one of America's most influential strategic thinkers, his pivotal role as National Security Advisor under President Jimmy Carter, and his prescient vision for the peaceful end of the Soviet Union. The discussion explores his complex legacy, his approach to diplomacy, and the enduring relevance of his ideas for today's foreign policy challenges.

About the Speakers

Ambassador Mark Brzezinski is a seasoned diplomat who most recently served as the U.S. Ambassador to Poland from 2022 to 2025, following his tenure as U.S. Ambassador to Sweden from 2011 to 2015. He is the son of the late Zbigniew "Zbig" Brzezinski, who served as National Security Advisor to President Jimmy Carter. Ambassador Brzezinski has held roles in the White House National Security Council and has worked extensively on foreign policy and international law. He earned degrees from Dartmouth College, the University of Virginia School of Law, and St Antony's College, Oxford.

Ambassador Jim Rosapepe served as U.S. Ambassador to Romania from 1998 to 2001, where he advanced Romania's integration into NATO and contributed to stability in the Balkans. He currently serves in the Maryland State Senate representing District 21 and is the Chair and CEO of Patuxent Capital Group, a strategic investment firm.

In this episode of American Ambassadors Live!, Ambassador Jim Rosapepe sits down with Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis of California—former U.S. Ambassador to Hungary—for a wide-ranging conversation on diplomacy, domestic leadership, and California's evolving role on the global stage. From her experiences confronting authoritarianism abroad to spearheading international trade and climate diplomacy at home, Lt. Gov. Kounalakis offers unique insights into how subnational actors like California are shaping foreign policy, advancing clean energy, and responding to global challenges. Tune in for a dynamic discussion on the intersections of democracy, diplomacy, and state-level leadership.

Ambassadors Roundtable with Ambassador Elizabeth Frawley Bagley Reflections on U.S.-Brazil Relations and Diplomatic Service

Join us for a special edition of our Ambassador Briefing Series as we welcome home Ambassador Elizabeth Frawley Bagley, who concluded her service as the United States Ambassador to Brazil under President Joe Biden's administration.

During her two-year tenure in Brasília, Ambassador Bagley played a pivotal role in strengthening U.S.-Brazil relations across diplomacy, trade, climate cooperation, and people-to-people ties. This conversation offers members a unique opportunity to hear firsthand reflections on her experience, the evolving dynamics of U.S.-Brazil relations, and key takeaways from one of the most influential diplomatic postings in the Western Hemisphere.

This briefing continues our commitment to providing members with meaningful dialogue on global affairs through exclusive access to senior diplomatic voices returning from post.

We invite you to watch a farewell message from Ambassador Bagley, reflecting on her time in Brazil and expressing gratitude to the Brazilian people: Watch the video.

This episode Ambassador Rosapepe interviews Meryl Gordon to discuss her most recent book The Woman Who Knew Everyone: The Power of Perle Mesta, Washington's Most Famous Hostess. The book brings new life to Perle's lavish life and society adventures in Newport, Manhattan and Washington, while highlighting her important, but nearly forgotten contribution to American politics and the feminist movement.

Perle Mesta was a force to be reckoned with. In her heyday, this wealthy globe-trotting Washington widow was one of the most famous women in America, garnering as much media attention as Eleanor Roosevelt.

Listen now to get the author's "behind the scenes" and a peek into the book.

Meryl Gordon is an award-winning journalist and tenured NYU journalism professor. She is the author of four biographies; two have been New York Times bestsellers. Her work has appeared in New York Magazine, Vanity Fair and The New York Times. A native of Rochester, New York and a graduate of the University of Michigan, Meryl has worked as a newspaper reporter, magazine writer, tv and radio reporter. She has covered a wide array of topics including national politics, influential New Yorkers, police and courts, economics and business, fashion, food, celebrities, pioneering women and book reviews. She is based in New York City.

Ambassador Jim Rosapepe served as the U.S. Ambassador to Romania from 1998 to 2001 and is a member of the CAA Board of Directors. He currently is Chairman and CEO of Patuxent Capital Group LLC and serves in the Maryland State Senate.

Join Ambassador Jim Rosapepe in a conversation with this podcast's guest, Ambassador Nina Hachigian, who is the first US Special Representative for City and State Diplomacy.

Ambassador Nina Hachigian, shares with us the role of the US Representative for City and State Diplomacy defining subnational diplomacy as the official interactions of elected leaders of cities, states, counties, and regions across international borders. The Special Representative for City and State Diplomacy involves supporting these leaders in their international engagements and bringing the expertise and programs of the State Department to them. Listen in to answer important questions: What is Sub-national diplomacy, why is it important and how is it used, how does the United States Sub-national diplomacy compare to other countries' use of sub-national diplomacy? To learn more about International Engagements by U.S. State and Local Governments, click here.

Ambassador Nina Hachigian is the first U.S. Special Representative for City and State Diplomacy. In this role she seeks to bring benefits to, and learn from, local leaders in the United States, in furtherance of U.S. foreign policy. Ambassador Hachigian served as the first Deputy Mayor for International Affairs for the City of Los Angeles for five years. From 2014 to 2017, Ambassador Hachigian served as the second U.S. Ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). She is also a founder of WASA, Women Ambassadors Serving America and of the Leadership Council for Women in National Security (LC-WINS). Earlier, Ambassador Hachigian was a Senior Fellow and a Senior Vice President at the Center for American Progress focused on Asia policy and U.S.-China relations. Prior to that, Ambassador Hachigian was the director of the RAND Center for Asia Pacific Policy for four years. Ambassador Hachigian served on the staff of the National Security Council in the Clinton White House from 1998-1999. She is the editor of Debating China: The U.S. – China Relationship in Ten Conversations (Oxford University Press, 2014) and co-author of The Next American Century: How the U.S. Can Thrive as Other Powers Rise (Simon & Schuster, 2008).

Ambassador Jim Rosapepe served as the U.S. Ambassador to Romania from 1998 to 2001 and is a member of the CAA Board of Directors. He currently is Chairman and CEO of Patuxent Capital Group LLC and serves in the Maryland State Senate.

Join Ambassador Jim Rosapepe on a journey with Ambassador Tom Loftus discovering a first-hand history in Norway, dealing with Russia, NATO, EU, and building diplomatic relationships and how each of these topics relates to our current world situation.

Ambassador Tom Loftus served as U.S. ambassador to the Kingdom of Norway from 1993 to 1998. A member of the Wisconsin Legislature from 1977 to 1991, he was the longest-serving Democratic Speaker of the Assembly, from 1983 to 1991. In 1990, he was the Democratic candidate for governor. Ambassador Loftus was special advisor to the director general of the World Health Organization from 1998 to 2005. He was a member of the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents from 2005 to 2011, and in 2020 and 2021 was senior policy advisor to the UW System president. Ambassador Loftus is on the board of the Outrider Foundation. A U.S. Army veteran, he is a UW-Whitewater graduate and earned a master's degree from UW-Madison's La Follette School of Public Affairs.

Ambassador Jim Rosapepe served as the U.S. Ambassador to Romania from 1998 to 2001 and is a member of the CAA Board of Directors. He currently is Chairman and CEO of Patuxent Capital Group LLC and serves in the Maryland State Senate.

"Migration issues are going be some of the most important diplomatic issues of the 21st century, whether we agree or disagree on them, I think we just have to at least start by acknowledging that they really are important, and that and it's going to be hard to talk about foreign policy without talking about these issues." ~ Ambassador Chris Landau Listen or watch the podcast interview to understand why these issues are going to impact foreign policy decisions in a global way in the coming years.

Ambassador Chris Landau served as the U.S. Ambassador to Mexico from 2019 to 2021. During his tenure at the helm of the country's largest diplomatic mission, U.S.-Mexican relations reached historic highs with the entry into force of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Free Trade Agreement and unprecedented binational cooperation on migration. Prior to his appointment, Ambassador Landau practiced law in Washington, D.C., for thirty years. For most of that time, he was a partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP, and head of the firm's appellate litigation practice.

Ambassador Jim Rosapepe served as the U.S. Ambassador to Romania from 1998 to 2001 and is a member of the CAA Board of Directors. He currently is Chairman and CEO of Patuxent Capital Group LLC and serves in the Maryland State Senate.

Ambassador Ryan Crocker presents a frank assessment of the situation in the Middle East after the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. He served as US Ambassador to 6 nations, (Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Syria, Kuwait, and Lebanon). He serves today on the Afghanistan War Commission. Former President George W. Bush called him "America's Lawrence of Arabia" because of his extensive knowledge of the Middle East.

Please note: this podcast was recorded before the events of April 1, 2024 that killed Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a senior commander in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps' overseas Quds Force, and six other officers as they attended a meeting in the Damascus embassy compound.

Join Ambassador G. Philip Hughes and Ambassador Thomas Riley on American Ambassadors Live! with host, Ambassador Jim Rosapepe in a debrief of the Council of American Ambassadors' recent Mission to the Balkans. The three countries visited during the Mission were: Albania, Kosovo, and North Macedonia. Discussed in the podcast are the aspirations of each country to join the EU, the influence of China and Russia in the region, and key take aways from the trip.

Ambassador G. Philip Hughes served as the U.S. Ambassador to Barbados, Dominica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines from 1990 to 1993. Prior his appointment, Ambassador Hughes served as Executive Secretary of the National Security Council during 1989 and 1990.

Ambassador Thomas Riley was the United States Ambassador to Morocco from 2003 to 2009. Ambassador Riley was selected as the recipient of the State Department's 2009 Sue M. Cobb Award for Exemplary Diplomatic Service, the only award given by the State Department to a political-appointee Ambassador. He joined BrightSource Energy, an Oakland, California-based global provider of utility scale solar technology, as senior adviser for International business development.

Ambassador Jim Rosapepe served as the U.S. Ambassador to Romania from 1998 to 2001 and is a member of the CAA Board of Directors. He currently is Chairman and CEO of Patuxent Capital Group LLC and serves in the Maryland State Senate.