Michael Morell
The Strategist
The long view, patient, analytical, playing several moves ahead.
Michael Morell is a seasoned intelligence professional with extensive experience in national security matters. This interview reveals his ability to cut through complex issues and focus on what truly matters in decision-making, showcasing his strategic mindset.
“And that brings us to the second thing and the last thing and the hardest thing that's pulling us apart, which is there a rising power, we're a status quo power. As a rising power, they want a greater say in the world around them. Guess who has that say today? We do, right? So how does that get resolved?”
“The kind of question you get from a president. And I said, Mr. President, I haven't seen any intelligence that takes us to the perpetrator here. But I'll offer you my opinion. And he said, I understand, get on with it. I understand your caveat, and I get on with it.”
“We should learn that there is a timetable that makes sense for every country in terms of getting from where they are today to some semblance of democracy that I do think at the end of the day brings more stability than less. But there's a timetable. You can't impose it overnight.”
“And so it was stepping outside of that norm. It was also stepping into something I had never been involved in in my life. So it was not comfortable. It felt uncomfortable. I knew I was going to be attacked. And I knew the agency was going to be attacked. And not only would they attack me, they would attack the agency.”
The Axe Files with David Axelrod — Ep. 96 - Michael Morell
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