Robert O'Brien and Jordan Peterson: Dealing with the Deadly

Last updated: Nov 21, 2023

The video is about Jordan Peterson's interview with Ambassador Robert O'Brien, who served as the fourth US security adviser under President Donald Trump. O'Brien discusses his role as the hostage envoy and his work in bringing Americans home from detention or wrongful detention by terrorist organizations. He also talks about his relationship with President Trump and the accomplishments of his time in office.

This video by Jordan B Peterson was published on Nov 20, 2023.
Video length: 01:45:56.

The video is an interview with Ambassador Robert O'Brien, who served as the fourth US security adviser under President Donald Trump.

The interview covers O'Brien's role as the president's hostage envoy, his work in bringing Americans home from detention or wrongful detention, and his relationship with President Trump. O'Brien discusses his background in international arbitration and law, and how he was drawn to the job of hostage envoy after traveling abroad and witnessing firsthand the struggles of people held captive.

He also talks about the success of his work and the credit that President Trump deserves for his tough stand on bringing Americans home.

The video is from YouTube channel of Jordan Peterson.
Jordan Peterson makes interviews with his guests on this podcast.
This is a part of a transcript of a video with title 'Dealing with the Deadly | Ambassador Robert O'Brien | EP 398 - YouTube' and with description 'The video is about an interview with Ambassador Robert O'Brien, who served as the fourth US security adviser under President Donald Trump. O'Brien discusses his role as the hostage Envoy and his work in bringing Americans home from detention or wrongful detention by terrorist organizations. He also talks about his relationship with President Trump and the accomplishments of his time in office.'.
Ambassador Robert O'Brien was the fourth US security adviser under President Donald Trump.
He was serving as the president's hostage Envoy at the time, trying to bring Americans home from detention or wrongful detention by terrorist organizations.
He didn't really know the president before taking on the job, but he supported the president in the general election of 2016.
He got to know the president through the job and developed a relationship with him.
He was humbled and honored to have the position and felt his commitment to keeping the country safe was appreciated by the president.
Ambassador Robert O'Brien was involved in hostage cases before becoming US security adviser.

Dealing with the Deadly | Ambassador Robert O'Brien | EP 398 - YouTube

Section 1: Introduction

The video is from YouTube channel of Jordan Peterson.
Jordan Peterson makes interviews with his guests on this podcast.
This is a part of a transcript of a video with title 'Dealing with the Deadly | Ambassador Robert O'Brien | EP 398 - YouTube' and with description 'The video is about an interview with Ambassador Robert O'Brien, who served as the fourth US security adviser under President Donald Trump. O'Brien discusses his role as the hostage envoy and his work in bringing Americans home from detention or wrongful detention by terrorist organizations. He also talks about his relationship with President Trump and the accomplishments of his time in office.'.

Section 2: Ambassador Robert O'Brien's Role as the Fourth US Security Adviser

Ambassador Robert O'Brien was the fourth US security adviser under President Donald Trump.
He was serving as the president's hostage Envoy at the time, trying to bring Americans home from detention or wrongful detention by terrorist organizations.
He didn't really know the president before taking on the job, but he supported the president in the general election of 2016.
He got to know the president through the job and developed a relationship with him.
He was humbled and honored to have the position and felt his commitment to keeping the country safe was appreciated by the president.

Section 3: Ambassador Robert O'Brien's Work as the Hostage Envoy

Ambassador Robert O'Brien was involved in hostage cases before becoming US security adviser.
He received a call in late 2017 from the White House asking if he'd be willing to fill the role of being the US hostage Envoy for hostage affairs.
He left a big National firm and started a law firm with a partner before taking on the job.
He always wondered over his career if their plan was hijacked if if they taken hostage, and when the job was offered he went and talked to his wife and prayed about it.
He was very successful at bringing people home and got a lot of credit for his work.

Dealing with the Deadly | Ambassador Robert O'Brien | EP 398 - YouTube

Section 4: Ambassador Robert O'Brien's Accomplishments and Legacy

Ambassador Robert O'Brien was successful in bringing a lot of Americans home from detention or wrongful detention by terrorist organizations.
He developed a relationship with President Trump and felt his commitment to keeping the country safe was appreciated by the president.
He was humbled and honored to have the position and felt his work was important in bringing Americans home.
He was the fourth US security adviser under President Donald Trump, and his work as the hostage envoy was a significant accomplishment.
His legacy as the fourth US security adviser under President Donald Trump will be remembered for his work in bringing Americans home from detention or wrongful detention by terrorist organizations.

Background

Ambassador Robert O'Brien served as the fourth US security adviser under President Donald Trump.
His role as the hostage envoy involved bringing Americans home from detention or wrongful detention by terrorist organizations.
O'Brien's relationship with President Trump was characterized by a shared America First view of the world.
O'Brien's work in this position led to some success and he can talk about some of the cases.
O'Brien believes that his past experience as a diplomat, lawyer, and army officer helped him in his role as hostage envoy.

Experience

O'Brien's previous career as a diplomat, lawyer, and army officer gave him the experience to conduct negotiations.
He worked on an Afghan Afghanistan program for the Cony Rice setup and went into the Obama Clinton years when Secretary Clinton was Secretary of State.
O'Brien spent a lot of time in mediations over his career, both serving as Council for parties and later serving as an arbitrator and mediator.
He worked with the Swiss diplomats to negotiate with governments that he couldn't negotiate with directly, such as the Iranians.
O'Brien believes that working for a president who believed in peace through strength helped him in his negotiations.

Negotiations

O'Brien negotiated with governments that he couldn't negotiate with directly, such as the Iranians, by working through third-party governments.
He negotiated with the Russians directly and with the Taliban directly.
O'Brien had to be tough in negotiations and had to be backed up by American hard power.
Diplomacy is important, but at the end of the day, the diplomacy is backed up by American hard power.
O'Brien changed the memo that described what the office of the hostage envoy did, saying that the first resort will be to use US Special Forces to rescue hostages.

Conclusion

O'Brien's role as the hostage envoy was solely focused on bringing Americans home.
He believes that his past experience as a diplomat, lawyer, and army officer gave him the best background for the job.
O'Brien worked with third-party governments to negotiate with governments that he couldn't negotiate with directly.
He believes that working for a president who believed in peace through strength helped him in his negotiations.
O'Brien changed the memo that described what the office of the hostage envoy did, saying that the first resort will be to use US Special Forces to rescue hostages.

Approach and Use of American Hard Power

The approach was to use American hard power to negotiate with hostage takers or third parties on behalf of Americans.
If the military option was brought forward, it was likely to be launched rapidly.
The military option was more difficult in situations where the hostage had been held for a while.
The military option was more difficult when the hostage was held by a government.
The military option was used as a deterrent to prevent further hostage taking.

Rescue Operations

The military option was used to rescue Americans held hostage.
Rescue operations were launched within 48 hours of finding the hostage's location.
The rescue operation was a 72-hour operation from start to finish.
Negotiations were not always an option in some situations.
The military option decreased risk overall.

Deterrent Effect

The military option was used as a deterrent to prevent further hostage taking.
The deterrent effect prevented further hostage taking.
The military option decreased risk overall.
The military option was used as a deterrent to prevent further hostage taking.
The military option decreased risk overall.

Transition to Biden Administration

The hostage envoy was replaced by a former military special operations guy named Roger Carson.
The Obama folks who came and have now staffed the Biden Administration have a "don't provoke" mentality.
There is less emphasis on hard power and more emphasis on diplomacy and soft power.
The job of the hostage envoy is tougher due to the perception of American weakness.
Roger has done a great job as the hostage envoy.

Section 1: Ambassador Robert O'Brien's Role as Hostage Envoy

Ambassador Robert O'Brien served as the fourth US security adviser under President Donald Trump.
His role as hostage envoy involved working to bring Americans home from detention or wrongful detention by terrorist organizations.
O'Brien discussed his work in this area, highlighting the importance of understanding the environment in which negotiations take place.
He emphasized that if adversaries know that military force is off the table and the likelihood of appeasement or ransom is on the table, they are more likely to look for results instead of just turning over the hostage and hoping for the best.

Section 2: Ambassador O'Brien's Relationship with President Trump

Ambassador O'Brien discussed his relationship with President Trump, noting that they had a good working relationship on hostage issues.
He also discussed the challenges of working with a president who has a different communication style than traditional diplomats.
O'Brien highlighted the importance of understanding the president's priorities and working to align his goals with those of the United States.

Section 3: Ambassador O'Brien's Accomplishments

Ambassador O'Brien discussed his accomplishments in his role as hostage envoy, highlighting the successful release of several American hostages.
He also discussed the challenges of working in a complex and rapidly changing geopolitical landscape.
O'Brien emphasized the importance of staying flexible and adaptable in order to achieve success in these types of negotiations.

Section 4: Ambassador O'Brien's Reflections on the Broader Geopolitical Landscape

Ambassador O'Brien discussed his reflections on the broader geopolitical landscape, noting the challenges faced by the United States in a rapidly changing world.
He highlighted the importance of maintaining strong alliances and partnerships in order to achieve success in these types of negotiations.
O'Brien emphasized the need for the United States to remain a strong and engaged player in global affairs, in order to protect its interests and promote peace and stability around the world.

Ambassador Robert O'Brien's Role as Hostage Envoy

Ambassador Robert O'Brien served as the fourth US security adviser under President Donald Trump.
His role as the hostage envoy involved bringing Americans home from detention or wrongful detention by terrorist organizations.
He worked on negotiations with various countries and organizations to secure the release of American hostages.
O'Brien's efforts were successful in bringing home several American hostages, including those held by ISIS and the Taliban.
He also worked on expanding the Abraham Accords, which aimed to normalize relations between Israel and several Arab countries.

Ambassador Robert O'Brien's Relationship with President Trump

Ambassador Robert O'Brien had a strong relationship with President Donald Trump.
He was known for his ability to negotiate with difficult adversaries and secure the release of American hostages.
O'Brien was also known for his ability to work with allies and partners to achieve common goals.
He was highly respected by the President and other members of the administration for his expertise and dedication to his work.
Despite their differences, O'Brien and Trump were able to work together to achieve common goals and advance American interests.

Ambassador Robert O'Brien's Accomplishments

Ambassador Robert O'Brien was successful in bringing several American hostages home from detention or wrongful detention by terrorist organizations.
He was also able to expand the Abraham Accords, which aimed to normalize relations between Israel and several Arab countries.
O'Brien was known for his ability to negotiate with difficult adversaries and secure the release of American hostages.
He was highly respected by the President and other members of the administration for his expertise and dedication to his work.
Despite their differences, O'Brien and Trump were able to work together to achieve common goals and advance American interests.

Ambassador Robert O'Brien's Role in Negotiations with Adversaries

Ambassador Robert O'Brien was known for his ability to negotiate with difficult adversaries.
He was able to secure the release of several American hostages held by ISIS and the Taliban.
O'Brien was also able to work with allies and partners to achieve common goals.
He was highly respected by the President and other members of the administration for his expertise and dedication to his work.
Despite their differences, O'Brien and Trump were able to work together to achieve common goals and advance American interests.

Section 1: Ambassador Robert O'Brien's Role as Hostage Envoy

Ambassador Robert O'Brien served as the fourth US security adviser under President Donald Trump.
His role as hostage envoy involved bringing Americans home from detention or wrongful detention by terrorist organizations.
O'Brien worked closely with President Trump to ensure the safety and security of American citizens abroad.
He played a key role in negotiating the release of American hostages from Iran and North Korea.
O'Brien's efforts helped to improve relations between the US and other countries, particularly in the Middle East.

Section 2: Ambassador Robert O'Brien's Relationship with President Trump

Ambassador Robert O'Brien had a strong working relationship with President Donald Trump.
He was known for his ability to navigate complex diplomatic issues and negotiate with foreign leaders.
O'Brien was highly respected by President Trump for his expertise and experience in national security matters.
He played a key role in shaping the Trump administration's foreign policy agenda.
O'Brien's departure from the administration in 2020 marked the end of a successful partnership between the two men.

Section 3: Ambassador Robert O'Brien's Accomplishments as National Security Advisor

Ambassador Robert O'Brien was widely credited with improving US relations with key allies in the Middle East.
He played a key role in negotiating the release of American hostages from Iran and North Korea.
O'Brien helped to strengthen US military capabilities and modernize the US defense posture.
He worked closely with President Trump to develop a comprehensive strategy for dealing with China.
O'Brien's efforts helped to improve the US's standing in the world and enhance its ability to protect its interests.

Section 4: Ambassador Robert O'Brien's Legacy

Ambassador Robert O'Brien's legacy as National Security Advisor is one of success and achievement.
He played a key role in shaping the Trump administration's foreign policy agenda.
O'Brien's efforts helped to improve US relations with key allies in the Middle East.
He was widely credited with improving US military capabilities and modernizing the US defense posture.
O'Brien's legacy will be remembered as a successful and effective National Security Advisor who made a significant impact on US foreign policy.

Section 1: Ambassador Robert O'Brien's Role as Hostage Envoy

Ambassador Robert O'Brien served as the fourth US security adviser under President Donald Trump.
His role as hostage envoy involved negotiating with countries to release American hostages.
He was successful in negotiating the release of several American hostages, including those held by Iran and North Korea.
O'Brien's approach to hostage negotiation involved building relationships with the hostage-taking countries and understanding their motivations.
He also worked closely with the FBI and other intelligence agencies to gather information and develop strategies for negotiations.

Section 2: Ambassador Robert O'Brien's Work in Bringing Americans Home from Detention or Wrongful Detention by Terrorist Organizations

Ambassador Robert O'Brien's work in bringing Americans home from detention or wrongful detention by terrorist organizations was a major focus of his role as hostage envoy.
He worked with countries to negotiate the release of American citizens who were being held by terrorist organizations.
O'Brien's approach to these negotiations involved building relationships with the hostage-taking countries and understanding their motivations.
He also worked closely with the FBI and other intelligence agencies to gather information and develop strategies for negotiations.
O'Brien's efforts were successful in bringing several American citizens home from detention or wrongful detention by terrorist organizations.

Section 3: Ambassador Robert O'Brien's Relationship with President Trump

Ambassador Robert O'Brien had a strong relationship with President Donald Trump.
He served as the fourth US security adviser under President Trump and worked closely with him on a variety of issues.
O'Brien was known for his ability to negotiate effectively with other countries and bring Americans home from detention or wrongful detention by terrorist organizations.
He was also known for his willingness to take a tough stance with countries that were not paying their fair share to NATO.
Despite some disagreements with President Trump on certain issues, O'Brien remained a respected advisor and worked closely with him until his departure from the White House.

Section 4: Ambassador Robert O'Brien's Accomplishments as Hostage Envoy and National Security Advisor

Ambassador Robert O'Brien was successful in negotiating the release of several American hostages, including those held by Iran and North Korea.
He worked with countries to negotiate the release of American citizens who were being held by terrorist organizations.
O'Brien was known for his ability to negotiate effectively with other countries and bring Americans home from detention or wrongful detention by terrorist organizations.
He was also known for his willingness to take a tough stance with countries that were not paying their fair share to NATO.
Overall, O'Brien's accomplishments as hostage envoy and national security advisor demonstrate his effectiveness in negotiating with other countries and bringing Americans home from detention or wrongful detention by terrorist organizations.

Negotiations

Negotiations involve trying to deal with someone and beat them at the same time to get the best price possible while keeping them at the table.
President Trump learned this lesson from his real estate career and experience dealing with other politicians.
People are generally bad at negotiating, as they don't say what they want, admit what they want, listen to the other side, or understand how to strike a balance between competition and keeping their partner in the game.
Negotiation is a skill that is not well-developed in society, and people struggle to negotiate with themselves, their spouses, their kids, and their business partners.
Successful negotiation requires understanding that the other party has to get something out of the negotiation, being respectful and cordial with the adversary, listening to the other side, and being honest.

Role as a Diplomat

Ambassador Robert O'Brien served as the fourth US security adviser under President Donald Trump.
His role as the hostage envoy involved negotiating with terrorist organizations to bring Americans home from detention or wrongful detention.
He worked closely with President Trump to achieve these goals, but their relationship was not always positive.
O'Brien believes that in order to be successful in negotiations, one must be willing to walk away from the table if necessary.
He also emphasizes the importance of active listening in effective communication.

Relationship with President Trump

Ambassador Robert O'Brien had a complex relationship with President Donald Trump.
They worked together to achieve common goals, but their personalities and communication styles often clashed.
O'Brien believes that in order to be successful in negotiations, one must be willing to walk away from the table if necessary.
He also emphasizes the importance of active listening in effective communication.
Despite their differences, O'Brien believes that Trump was a capable leader who made significant contributions to US foreign policy.

Accomplishments as National Security Advisor

Ambassador Robert O'Brien served as the National Security Advisor under President Donald Trump.
He played a key role in negotiating with North Korea and Iran, as well as other countries.
He also worked on issues related to cybersecurity and space exploration.
Despite some setbacks, O'Brien believes that the US made significant progress in these areas under his leadership.
He also emphasizes the importance of active listening in effective communication.

Role as a Litigator

Ambassador Robert O'Brien has a background as a litigator.
He believes that in order to be successful in negotiations, one must be willing to walk away from the table if necessary.
He also emphasizes the importance of active listening in effective communication.
As a litigator, O'Brien has likely developed strong negotiation skills and an understanding of the importance of clear and effective communication.
He also likely has experience working with clients and negotiating on their behalf.

Role as a Diplomat

Ambassador Robert O'Brien has a background as a diplomat.
He believes that in order to be successful in negotiations, one must be willing to walk away from the table if necessary.
He also emphasizes the importance of active listening in effective communication.
As a diplomat, O'Brien has likely developed strong negotiation skills and an understanding of cultural differences and how they can impact negotiations.
He also likely has experience working with foreign governments and negotiating on behalf of the US.

Active Listening

Active listening is a crucial skill in negotiations.
It involves understanding the other person's perspective and clarifying what they are trying to communicate.
It is important to listen actively to avoid misunderstandings and to ensure that both parties are on the same page.
Active listening also helps to establish trust and respect between the parties involved.
It is essential to listen actively in order to negotiate effectively.

Defining Conditions of Peace

Defining the conditions under which peace could theoretically prevail is important in negotiations.
It involves asking the other party what they would need to give in order for the negotiation to end.
It is important to understand the other party's perspective and to find common ground.
Defining the conditions of satisfaction is crucial in order to reach a mutually beneficial agreement.
It is important to be flexible and open-minded in order to find a solution that works for both parties.

Saying No

Saying no is an important part of effective negotiation.
It allows the other party to understand that there are limits to what is acceptable.
It is important to be clear and firm when saying no.
Saying no can help to establish boundaries and to prevent the other party from taking advantage.
It is important to be willing to say no in order to protect one's interests.

Negotiating with Diplomacy

Negotiating with diplomacy involves finding common ground and working towards a mutually beneficial agreement.
It requires active listening, understanding, and flexibility.
It is important to be respectful and open-minded in order to find a solution that works for both parties.
Negotiating with diplomacy can help to establish trust and respect between the parties involved.
It is important to be patient and persistent in order to reach a successful outcome.

Ambassador Robert O'Brien's Role as Hostage Envoy

Ambassador Robert O'Brien served as the fourth US security adviser under President Donald Trump.
His role as the hostage envoy involved bringing Americans home from detention or wrongful detention by terrorist organizations.
He had hostages in Lebanon, Syria, Iran, Venezuela, and North Korea.
O'Brien's relationship with President Trump was important in his role as hostage envoy.
He was responsible for negotiating with other regimes to secure the release of American hostages.

O'Brien's Relationship with President Trump

O'Brien had a good relationship with President Trump.
He was willing to stand up to the US and not negotiate with other regimes.
O'Brien knew that dealing with other regimes was important to the US.
He was admirable for his willingness to stand up to the US.
O'Brien's accomplishments as hostage envoy were important to the US.

O'Brien's Decision to Put a Rapper in Jail

O'Brien put a rapper in jail for a year in a dubious situation.
The rapper had defended himself, but the longer the fight went on, he exceeded his self-defense rights.
O'Brien's decision was controversial, but he believed it was necessary to maintain his principle.
The decision was not charged in a place like Los Angeles and would not have gotten to the DA's office.
O'Brien's decision was admirable for his willingness to stand up for his principles.

O'Brien's Negotiation with Sweden

O'Brien had a good relationship with Sweden.
He was willing to stand up to the US and not negotiate with other regimes.
O'Brien knew that dealing with other regimes was important to the US.
He was admirable for his willingness to stand up to the US.
O'Brien's accomplishments as hostage envoy were important to the US.

O'Brien's Negotiation with North Korea

O'Brien met with the foreign minister of North Korea.
He was able to get the whole thing resolved and Sweden convicted the rapper.
O'Brien stayed for the trial and after the trial was able to get home and come back to America.
The negotiation was successful and both sides felt they had some sort of win.
O'Brien's accomplishments as hostage envoy were important to the US.

The Importance of Honesty in Negotiation

Ambassador Robert O'Brien discusses his role as the hostage envoy and his work in bringing Americans home from detention or wrongful detention by terrorist organizations.
He talks about his relationship with President Trump and the accomplishments of his time in office.
O'Brien emphasizes the importance of honesty in negotiation.
He discusses the need to know one's redlines and where they can't jump off the cliff.
O'Brien also talks about the importance of preparation for negotiation and knowing what one is internally.

The Role of a Counselor in Negotiation

O'Brien discusses the importance of having a counselor, such as a national security adviser, lawyer, psychologist, friend, or spouse, to help in the negotiation.
He talks about how having someone to rely on can help in the negotiation process.
O'Brien also discusses the importance of pre-negotiating with people who are pushy to test one's limits.
He talks about how critical thinking can help in analyzing weaknesses in one's position.
O'Brien emphasizes the importance of having one's weaknesses tested before the actual negotiation.

The Importance of Preparation in Negotiation

O'Brien discusses the importance of preparation for negotiation.
He talks about how knowing what one is internally can help in the negotiation process.
O'Brien also talks about the importance of having a plan B in case the negotiation goes badly.
He emphasizes the importance of having a backup plan in case the negotiation goes wrong.
O'Brien talks about how having a backup plan can help in the negotiation process.

The Importance of Knowing One's Redlines

O'Brien discusses the importance of knowing one's redlines.
He talks about how knowing one's redlines can help in the negotiation process.
O'Brien also talks about the importance of knowing where one can't jump off the cliff.
He emphasizes the importance of knowing one's limits in the negotiation process.
O'Brien talks about how knowing one's limits can help in the negotiation process.

The Withdrawal from Afghanistan

The withdrawal from Afghanistan was seen as a catastrophic decision by Ambassador Robert O'Brien.
The short attention span of the West, including the United States, was cited as a reason for the lack of focus on the issue.
The Chinese Communist Party, on the other hand, has a long-term view and is using the withdrawal to undermine the confidence of the United States' allies in Asia.
The withdrawal from Afghanistan was seen as a way to end the forever war and bring an end to the loss of American lives.
The withdrawal from Afghanistan was also seen as a way to redirect resources to other areas of the world, such as the Pacific region.

Background

The Taliban controlled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001 and again from 2015 to 2021.
The US invaded Afghanistan in 2001 to fight terrorism and overthrow the Taliban.
The US has been involved in Afghanistan for over 20 years, with a focus on counterterrorism and nation-building efforts.
The US has been working with the Afghan government and military to establish a stable government and defeat the Taliban.

Ambassador Robert O'Brien's Role

Ambassador Robert O'Brien served as the fourth US security adviser under President Donald Trump.
O'Brien's primary focus was on counterterrorism and national security issues.
O'Brien played a key role in negotiating with the Taliban to bring Americans home from detention or wrongful detention by terrorist organizations.
O'Brien also worked on establishing a government of national unity in Afghanistan, which would require the Taliban to negotiate with the Afghan government and other stakeholders.

Relationship with President Trump

O'Brien had a strong relationship with President Trump, who valued his expertise and experience in national security issues.
Trump saw O'Brien as a key advisor on counterterrorism and national security issues.
O'Brien was instrumental in negotiating with the Taliban to bring Americans home from detention or wrongful detention by terrorist organizations.
O'Brien's work on establishing a government of national unity in Afghanistan was also seen as a key part of the Trump administration's strategy in Afghanistan.

Accomplishments

O'Brien was successful in negotiating with the Taliban to bring Americans home from detention or wrongful detention by terrorist organizations.
O'Brien's work on establishing a government of national unity in Afghanistan was seen as a key part of the Trump administration's strategy in Afghanistan.
O'Brien's efforts helped to establish a more stable government in Afghanistan, which was seen as a key step towards defeating the Taliban and bringing peace to the country.
O'Brien's work on counterterrorism and national security issues was seen as a key part of the Trump administration's efforts to protect the US and its allies from terrorism and other threats.

Ambassador Robert O'Brien's Role as Hostage Envoy

Ambassador Robert O'Brien served as the fourth US security adviser under President Donald Trump.
His role as hostage envoy involved bringing Americans home from detention or wrongful detention by terrorist organizations.
O'Brien worked on several high-profile cases, including the release of American hostages in North Korea and Iran.
He also played a key role in negotiating the release of American citizens held by ISIS in Iraq and Syria.
O'Brien's efforts were successful in bringing home dozens of American hostages and improving relations with other countries.

Relationship with President Trump

Ambassador Robert O'Brien had a strong relationship with President Donald Trump.
He was known for his loyalty and dedication to the President and his policies.
O'Brien often spoke publicly in support of the President and his administration.
He was also known for his ability to navigate complex diplomatic issues and negotiate with other countries.
Despite their differences on some issues, O'Brien and Trump had a strong working relationship.

Situation in Russia

Ambassador Robert O'Brien discussed the situation in Russia and its relationship with the United States.
He saw the relationship as an unbroken string of missed opportunities by the West.
O'Brien believed that the West had failed to understand what Russia was looking for in terms of conditions of satisfaction.
He also discussed the current war in Ukraine and the concerns of NATO incursion into the country.
O'Brien believed that Russia regarded Ukraine as an extension of Russia and that the West should have tried to bring NATO into or bring Russia into NATO.

Opportunities Missed in Russia

Ambassador Robert O'Brien discussed the missed opportunities in Russia since the 1990s.
He believed that the West had failed to understand how to instantiate trust between people.
O'Brien believed that the default economic transaction in the West was honest, but that this was an absolute miracle.
He believed that Russia regarded Ukraine as an extension of Russia and that the West should have tried to bring NATO into or bring Russia into NATO.
O'Brien believed that Russia and China were much closer than they might have been, and that this was further complicated by the fact that the West was settling down into a long war.

The Russian Empire and Ukraine

The Soviet Union was basically the Russian Empire.
Russians struggled with the idea that Ukraine was not part of Russia.
Ukrainians were Western and did not want to be part of Russia.
Russians failed to understand that some countries subjugated by them did not want to be part of their Empire.
The failure on Russia's part was a significant setback.

NATO Expansion and Russian Partnership

There was a lot of talk about NATO expansion.
Russia was invited to join NATO but did not take advantage of the opportunity.
Russia is being shortsighted in not taking advantage of the opportunity.
Russia's wealth is in the East which is underpopulated in Siberia.
Russia's diamond mines, platinum mines, oil, gas, and timber are located in Siberia.

China's Territorial Claims

China gave up thousands of miles of AC and millions of acres of land to Russia in 1860.
China is determined to take back the land it believes is rightfully theirs.
China is coming for Siberia's resources, which are rich and valuable.
Russia is proud and does not want to be a colony of China.
Russia's national interest is not with China.

Dealing with Russia

The West has pushed Russia towards China.
The Russians are authoritarian and imperialistic but not communist.
Russia is very proud people and do not want to be a colony of anyone.
The West needs to come up with a way to deal with Russia that does not allow them to invade their neighbors.
The Russians interest is not with China.

The Situation in Ukraine

The war in Ukraine has devolved into a grinding stalemate with the advantage possibly shifting to the superior Russian forces.
The Ukrainians are tough and skilled at dealing with outside threats, but they have suffered heavy losses.
The US provided the Ukrainians with 600 Javelin missiles, which were highly effective at blunting the Russian forces' three armored axes.
The US National Security advisor had a difficult time getting the Pentagon to deliver these missiles to Ukraine.
The Russians suffered heavy losses due to the Javelin missiles, but they are not stupid and will continue to fight.

The Need for a Productive Pathway

The situation in Ukraine is very difficult, and there is no easy solution.
The Ukrainians need a safe and secure country, with most of their territory back if not all of it.
The Ukrainians are skeptical of security guarantees, as they had them in the past but they did not help.
The question is how to resolve the situation and give the Ukrainians what they need.
The Russians are not willing to back off and pull away from the Chinese, and need to be made a responsible stakeholder and player.

The Need for Russia's Cooperation

Russia has natural resources that the world needs, particularly with regard to fossil fuels and ammonia.
Russia is a trading partner that the world is dependent on, and it is difficult to defeat.
Ukraine has given up its nuclear weapons, which is a bad thing if they give up their weapons and strip themselves naked.
The US needs Russia's cooperation to resolve the situation in Ukraine.
The situation in Ukraine is complex and requires a multifaceted approach.

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Dealing with the Deadly | Ambassador Robert O'Brien | EP 398 - YouTube