HOME ABOUT EVENTS PROGRAMS PUBLICATIONS VIDEOS EXPERTS CONTACT AND MEDIA AMERICA’S VOICE FOR STRATEGIC REALISM AMERICAN CREDIBILITY AND POWER IN THE WORLD WITH ROBERT C. O’BRIEN SHARE THIS ARTICLE The collapse of the U.S.-backed government in Afghanistan and the chaos in Kabul ahead of Tuesday’s evacuation deadline have called into question U.S. credibility to a degree unseen since the crises of 1970s. Many analysts believe the consequences will affect American interests globally and raise questions about the management of foreign policy in Washington. On August 31, 2021 the Center for the National Interest hosted former National Security Advisor Robert C. O’Brien to discuss the state of U.S. power and credibility, lessons learned from running the National Security Council, and options for addressing emerging threats. Christian Whiton, senior fellow for strategy and trade at the Center, moderated the discussion. Robert C. O’Brien was the National Security Advisor from 2019 to 2021, coordinating policy on matters ranging from the Abraham Accords to reacting to the Covid-19 pandemic, and military action related to Iran and Afghanistan. He also facilitated successful diplomatic talks between Kosovo and Serbia and advocated a stronger posture against China. Previously, he was the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, arranging the release of several Americans detained abroad. O’Brien was a managing partner of the Arent-Fox law firm and a founding partner of Larson O’Brien LLP. He is currently the chairman of American Global Strategic LLC. JOIN US NOVEMBER-DECEMBER: THE GREAT GAME RETURNS SUBSCRIBE NOW TWEETS FOLLOW @CFTNI Henrik Larsen and Sten Rynning argue that the West can play on #Belarus’s fears that the country’s opportunity for… https://t.co/6vmFuRYckq @CFTNI "Rich countries are facing many problems, but two of the most concerning are the aging and shrinking of their labor… https://t.co/WLFv8U8xmX @CFTNI "Hopes that climate issues will transcend strategic issues, rather than be shaped by them, seems a nonstarter. What… https://t.co/rJAZ1TGdzW WATER CRISES, SECURITY AND CLIMATE CHANGE AMERICAN POLICY AND CHANGING ALIGNMENTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST FEATURED PUBLICATIONS OUR EXPERTS "I’m not a big fan of think tanks, but this is a different one" - Richard Nixon Join us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter Subscribe to our newsletter © Center for the National Interest About the Center Events Programs Publications Experts Careers Contact and Media Requests Website by Cast From Clay