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3/9/2020

World Affairs Council of the Desert welcomed Admiral Scott Swift, former U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander and current Visiting Fellow at MIT's Center for International Studies. Adm. Swift addressed the rapidly developing military and geopolitical forces influencing America's future in the strategic area from the Pacific Ocean to the South China Sea. As Admiral, he has had numerous operational and combat assignments and was recognized as Naval Air Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet landing signal officer of the Year, commanding 140,000 sailors. His shore tour assignments included Naval War College; commanding officer, Strike Fighter Weapons School, Pacific and Office of the Undersecy of Defense. U.S is stressing International rules based order, establishing 26 courts for resolution of international issues using discourse and dialogue. China stresses force and coercion. Sold out crowd — please join our conversation next time.
Nancy DeLuna

L to R: President Jim McFarlin, Admiral Scott Swift (ret), Nancy DeLuna, Gen. Herb Temple (ret)

9 Comments

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rob mcadams

3/9/2020 08:30:04 pm

A great opportunity to hear comments from a spectacular man. , Unfortunately he did not answer the questions directly and I feel that he could have given me so much more information that I was interested in.

Art Kubal

3/9/2020 09:19:19 pm

I am sure Admiral Smith is a smart man. His presentation was short and unremarkable and gave us little information about the advertised subject. After the first question, which he took 4 or 5 minutes to respond but never did answer, he was more interesting. Overall, I felt he was a weak speaker--with lot's of potential.

Richard Jennings

3/10/2020 09:04:25 am

The Navy Admiral was personable and a good, understandable speaker. However, I would classify most of his message as BS.
Uttered platitudes, but then failed to make his points, if any. I had hoped to be updated on the military situation in the Pacific, but that was not done. His responses to questions were narcissistic, rather than pertinent. Richard

Chrystina Wallen

3/10/2020 09:07:17 am

Both Jim Townsend and I were disappointed with the speaker. His speech did not address the topic of the event. He did not gives us information of who the forces are in the Pacific that influence America nor did he really address the issue of the islands China is building in the South China Sea. Regarding the islands, he should have told us when it actually started, did the US Navy monitor this situation and what were the responses from the Administration to the Chinese.

I also understand that there are certain things he could not disclose because of National Security but he could have given more of an outline to his audience.

One other thing, the main course was not up to the standards we have all come to enjoy at Thunderbird Country Club. The gazpacho soup was outstanding, the entrees were mediocre and the desert was OK.

Jim and Martha Blackburn

3/10/2020 10:18:09 am

The admiral was neither dull or un-interesting. But, his intro was not clearly related to the stated topic, and his answers were sometimes lengthy and not specific to the question posed. As the evening progressed, he got better, i.e., more nearly on topic. We had hoped to learn more about the overall situation in the South China Sea, etc., and eventually we did. But, it would have been good to have reached that point sooner.

Gordon Kramer

3/10/2020 11:55:56 am

The discussion of the International rules based order and the methods for resolution of international issues were of interest as well as the distinction between strategic and tactical issues. However we were hoping to hear a discussion of the specific current tactical situation in the South China Sea and the Pacific region and some of the specific issues we are presently facing as well as the US long term strategy for the region or if one does not exist what the Admiral thinks it should be besides a generalized form of "fire insurance".

Patricia Pyle

4/16/2020 12:47:50 pm

Did not have video. For future recommend speaker verbally describe his slides. Also suggest emcee repeat method for asking questions. Very good presentation. Love this concept. Looking forward to next one. Thank you

James Schmiesing

4/16/2020 03:05:39 pm

We had technical issues and miss the first quarter of the audio.We believe that he did a good job in outlining where the world economies are today and what we can expect as the world economies are restarted. His outlook was very positive and reassuring. Thank you.

Lance Frank link

5/15/2020 06:27:23 am

I enjoyed the Admiral's talk and as always the food and conversation at my table. I was a bit concerned that the information published in the Admiral's book(s) seemed Classified or even Top Secret and something our competitors in the global arena would find usefull in their planning. I don't think we should be doing their intel for them. I can only hope the information was outdated and or intentional disinformation.

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