Of the story we are telling. The 1890s becomes a distinct beginning of the way american thinks of itself in the world in a very different way. If you want to understand the 20th century. If you want to understand the role that the United States assumes and plays in the country, the 1890s is the place to start, because the transformation that you see among the people and their attitudes in the 1890s is little short of kind of amazing. Remember this. Remember that as far back as you want to go in American History, the idea has been that the United States, and before that the american colonies. We are over here and the rest of the world is the rest of the world. There is this purposeful sense that we are us, and the rest of the world can do whatever it wants, whatever it takes, whatever it is going to do, it will not affect us. I am sort of dancing around the words isolation, because that has got a lot of baggage around it. But that is part of it. That we were and isolated country. Or if
Provider. [applause] thank you, ladies and gentlemen, meese be seated. It is my distinct honor to introduce a special guest and a good friend, this is the second of our jack brennan distinguished Leadership Series. The first member of that series was general james mattis who was here two months. Jack brennan was the first president of president nixon, Lieutenant Colonel in the marine corps, retired from the marines rather than leave nixons side and when he had a gift of the library we thought we would name the series for and we had a distinguished we remind people that jack brennan served and continued to serve and could glad youre here. I youre a veteran or member of active duty. Would you stand and allow to us thank you. [applause] now, our guest is admiral james stavridis. From the United States Naval Academy in 1976. He went on a 37 year career and some extraordinary duty stations along the way, including, as the combat Southern Command from 2006 to 2009, and of course, nato allied
President nixon, Lieutenant Colonel marine corps vietnam veteran living in the white house, return with president nixon to san clemente. Retired from the marines and when we had a gift without we would name it the jack sears. When we have distinguished professional of arms we would remind people that jack served and continues to serve it was so glad so many of you are here. If youre a veteran or a member of active duty will you stand and allow us to thank you . [applause] now our guest is admiral james stavridis, graduate from United Statesra Naval Academy in 1976. Hehe went on for 37 year career and some extraordinary stations along the way including as Combatant Commander of u. S. Central command excuse me, seven command from 20062009 and, of course, as nato ally supreme commander. He earned his phd as well and masters of arts from the Fletcher School of law and diplomacy which he subsequently went on to lead as dean after his retirement from the navy. Admiral stavridis is the author
The ocean is the british used to say who know a thing or two about naval the british say the oceans are one. They connect everywhere. So tonight as we talk about the oceans i invite you to think about 70 that water world that we inhabit today. What im going to do is very quickly im going to take 20 minutes and were going to walk through the ocean of the world and try to tie it together with the challenges we face and then what we ought to do about it. So lets start with the pacific ocean. This is a 1589 chart of the pacific by a a photographer bottom right you see who voyaged 5,000 miles, 10,000 years ago to inhabit the pacific. You know as i got ready to get underway with in san diego in my 500 i said to my crew the pacific is dangerous. We have to really be on our toes. [laughter] can you imagine getting in an a outrigger and sailing 5,000 miles . The polynesians did this. This is the largest of the ocean. The pacific you dont have to remember these numbers but pacific is 170 million
He is the author of seven prior books. This is his eighth. And over 100 articles about naval procedures, leadership, and geopolitical issues. Even his wife, larura, is an author. Since retiring the supreme colonel and from the navy, he has been the dean at the Fletcher School of law at the tuft university. The very same place he got his doctorate. He has been given 15 civilian awards from around the world for his work and within the last 11 months, he has been considered for a Vice President ial pick by one Political Party and as secretary of state by another Political Party. I find that [laughter] when James Stavridis speaks people listen to him. I am glad to see all these people here tonight listening to him technique. All his experience out at sea and at shore gives him insight into what we face today. We are fortunate to have him her with his newest book sea power when i cannot wait to read. Ladies and gentlemen, James Stavridis. Normally when people hear that introduction, bob, th